Gallura: Picnic on a Farm with Animals

A picnic beside rescued animals is the heart of this quiet Gallura farm experience. Near Olbia and close to the sea, you sit outdoors with Sardinian cheese, carasau bread, focaccia, fruit, and a drink while hens, goats, ducks, and other animals share the setting. It is gentle, simple, and especially well suited to families with young children.

I like two things here. First, the animals come from mistreatment, abandonment, or exploitation and now have room to live at their own pace. Second, the hosts let you feed them prepared fruit, carrots, and carob, so the visit feels more meaningful than simply looking into pens. The main consideration is value: at $40 per person for one hour, the food selection may feel limited if you expect a full meal or a long farm visit.

Key points to know before you go

• Feed rescued animals safely: Hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, doves, donkeys, goats, lambs, rabbits, and guinea pigs stay behind a low net.
• Expect a one-hour visit: Time is split between meeting the animals and eating a small Sardinian picnic outdoors.
• Try local food: The spread includes cheeses, carasau, focaccia, seasonal fruit and vegetables, snacks, water, and either local wine or a soft drink.
• Plan for young children: Calm children can enjoy close contact with gentle animals, though there is no playground and chickens may wander near the food.
• Ask ahead about diets: Vegetarian, vegan, and celiac-friendly options are available by contacting the number on your booking voucher.
• Bring sensible clothing: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and follow the farm’s rules around animals.

A small refuge near Olbia and the sea

The farm sits in Gallura, in north-eastern Sardinia, within easy reach of Olbia and only a short distance from the coast. You leave the main road, SP73, at a well-marked entrance, then follow a white dirt road between two stone posts toward the winery and farm.

That arrival matters. This is not a polished theme park with staged animal shows. The place is built around rescued animals and open spaces where they can move, socialise, and follow familiar habits. You come for a short picnic, but the setting gives the visit its real character.

The farm’s purpose also shapes the mood. Animals once exposed to neglect or exploitation now have a calm home. You are asked to keep your voice low and avoid sudden movements, not as a fussy rule, but because frightened animals do not benefit from noisy human attention.

I would think of this as a peaceful stop between beach time and sightseeing. It will not fill half a day, but it gives you an hour of fresh air, simple food, and a closer look at the care involved in running an animal refuge.

Meeting the hens, goats, lambs, and donkeys

The animal area includes hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, doves, two donkeys, two dwarf goats, four lambs, two rabbits, and two Peruvian guinea pigs. The mix gives small children plenty to notice, while adults can watch the animals interact without the pressure of a formal show.

A low net separates you from the pens. You cannot enter the enclosures, and that is a sensible arrangement for both people and animals. It prevents children from chasing or grabbing the animals, and it lets the residents choose how close they want to come.

The prepared feed includes apple and pear, carob, and carrots. You can offer it to the animals under the hosts’ guidance. This is one of the best parts of the visit because feeding gives children a clear, gentle way to take part. It also turns the hour into an observation exercise: you see which animals approach, which hang back, and how each one behaves.

The chickens appear to be the boldest characters. They may wander close to the picnic table, and one visitor even lost a piece of focaccia to a determined chicken. That can be funny, but it also means you should keep your food close and accept that the farm does not operate like a perfectly controlled dining room.

The animals are known for being friendly and calm, but you still need to guide children carefully. Do not shout, wave your arms, or make quick movements. A quiet approach gives the animals a chance to trust you, and it makes the encounter safer and more pleasant for everyone.

What the one-hour schedule feels like

The experience is offered at hourly starting times from 10:00 am through 4:00 pm. Since the total visit lasts one hour, your chosen time can shape the feel of the stop, especially on a warm Sardinian day. Check the available start times when booking and choose one that fits your family’s routine.

You meet the host directly at the farm. A guide is not included, but the host or greeter can communicate in Italian, English, or Spanish. The visit is informal rather than a long guided lecture. You get to know the animals, receive food for them, and settle at the picnic table for the tasting.

There are three picnic tablecloths, each suitable for up to five people. This suggests a small-scale setup rather than a large restaurant service. If you arrive with a bigger party, expect the seating arrangement to be practical rather than elaborate.

The hour passes quickly. The animal meeting takes up part of the time, and the rest is given to the snack and conversation in the open air. If you want a full farm tour, extended animal handling, or a children’s play area, this will feel brief. If you want a calm break with a clear beginning and end, the short format works well.

Sardinian food on the table

The picnic includes cheeses, carasau bread, focaccia, seasonal vegetables and fruit, and snacks depending on what is available that day. You also receive water and a choice of a glass of locally produced wine or a soft drink.

Carasau is a classic Sardinian bread, thin and crisp, and it suits an outdoor snack because it is easy to share. The cheeses and produce give you a taste of the region without turning the visit into a formal tasting session. You should expect a light picnic, not a multi-course lunch.

Food availability changes from day to day. That is part of the farm-style setting, but it also means the spread may not match every expectation. One person found the selection limited for the price, so I would book this for the animals and atmosphere first, with the food as an added benefit.

Families with dietary needs should contact the number on the booking voucher in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, and celiac options are available upon request. Do not wait until you arrive if these options are important to you.

The wandering chickens are part of the charm and part of the challenge. If you are eating with a toddler, keep plates within reach and expect a curious bird to investigate. One parent might find this hilarious, while another may prefer a more orderly meal.

Why children respond well to this visit

This is a strong choice for families with very young children. The animals are close enough to see clearly, but the low net creates a useful boundary. Children can feed them without entering the pens, and the hosts can help keep the interaction calm.

The mix of animals works better than a farm with only one or two species. A child can compare a rabbit with a guinea pig, watch the goats, then notice the louder birds moving around nearby. The rescued-animal setting also gives parents a simple lesson to share about kindness, care, and responsible treatment.

The visit does not include a slide, climbing frame, or other playground equipment. A child who needs constant physical activity may lose interest once the feeding and picnic are finished. For that reason, I would pair this stop with another family activity rather than treat it as a full day out.

It also suits babies and grandparents because the pace is slow. One family enjoyed the visit with a baby, and the hosts have even shown newborn chicks during some visits. That kind of small, unscripted moment can be more memorable than a formal attraction.

A peaceful stop for adults, too

You do not need to be travelling with children to enjoy the farm. Adults who like animals, local food, or quiet outdoor settings can use the hour as a break from crowded beach areas and busy sightseeing.

The refuge has a soothing rhythm. You sit at a table, watch animals move about, and eat without a strict tour script. The host’s affection for the animals is clear in the care given to the setting, and that makes the visit feel personal rather than commercial.

Dino, the hosts’ friendly dog, may accompany the visit. He has become a memorable part of the experience for some families, although the main focus remains the rescued farm animals.

You can bring your own dog, but it must wear a muzzle and leash. For a small dog or one with a docile temperament, a leash is sufficient. Keep this rule in mind before booking, since an unfamiliar dog could disturb the animals even if it is normally well behaved.

Is $40 a fair price for one hour?

At $40 per person, this is not the cheapest snack in Sardinia. The food is modest, the visit lasts only one hour, and there is no transport or full guide service included. If you judge the cost strictly by the amount of food or time, the value may seem weak.

The price makes more sense if you see it as support for a rescue farm combined with a small local tasting. You are paying for access to a carefully managed animal refuge, prepared feed, a table setting, and a calm outdoor experience near Olbia. Part of the value lies in helping maintain a place where abandoned or mistreated animals can live safely.

I would recommend it most strongly to families who want a gentle activity and to people who care about animal welfare. If you are mainly looking for a large meal, a long wine tasting, or an extensive farm tour, spend your money elsewhere.

The food quality appears to be a strength, especially the focaccia, local produce, and homemade-style items when available. Still, the daily selection can vary, so avoid arriving with restaurant-level expectations.

Practical details that can change your visit

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. The entrance road is white dirt, and the farm is an outdoor setting, so beach sandals or dress shoes are less practical than sturdy casual footwear.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. The information does not provide more detail about surfaces or restroom access, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider before booking.

The entrance is signposted on SP73. Two stone posts mark the turn onto the white dirt road leading to the winery. Look for those markers rather than relying only on a precise address.

Escursì offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Sardinia plans depend on weather or changing beach conditions.

The experience runs in Italian, English, and Spanish. Since no guide is included, expect a friendly host-led visit rather than a detailed historical or agricultural presentation.

Who should book this farm picnic?

I would book it for families with children who enjoy animals but do not need a full amusement park. It is also a good fit for couples and adults who want a quiet hour with local food, especially if you are staying near Olbia or planning a day in Gallura.

You should think twice if you need wheelchair access, dislike animals approaching the table, or expect a large lunch for the price. The chickens may come close, the menu is limited by the day’s supply, and the visit ends after one hour.

For the best experience, arrive ready to slow down. Let the animals approach, keep children calm, and treat the food as a Sardinian snack rather than a restaurant meal. That mindset matches what this farm does well.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a small, caring animal refuge rather than a commercial farm attraction. The rescued animals, gentle pace, local snack, and close setting near Olbia make it a worthwhile family stop, particularly for younger children.

Skip it if you want a long itinerary, a playground, or generous portions. At $40 per person, the cost is easiest to justify when animal welfare and the peaceful setting matter as much to you as the food. For the right visitor, this is a sweet one-hour pause with a few funny chicken interruptions included.

FAQ

How long does the farm picnic last?

The experience lasts one hour. Start times are available at hourly intervals from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Where does the activity take place?

The farm is in Gallura in north-eastern Sardinia, near Olbia and close to the sea. The entrance is signposted on the SP73, with two stone posts marking the white dirt road to the winery.

Which animals can I see?

You can meet hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, doves, two donkeys, two dwarf goats, four lambs, two rabbits, and two Peruvian guinea pigs.

Can I enter the animal pens?

No. A low net separates visitors from the pens to protect both people and animals.

What food is included?

The picnic includes cheeses, carasau bread, focaccia, seasonal vegetables and fruit, snacks depending on availability, water, and either a glass of locally produced wine or a soft drink.

Are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options available?

Vegetarian, vegan, and celiac-friendly options are available upon request. Contact the number on your booking voucher before the visit.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are allowed with a muzzle and leash. Small dogs or dogs with a docile disposition may only need a leash.