A farm picnic with animals is always fun, but this one has a purpose. In Gallura, near Olbia, you spend an hour on a small animal refuge where rescued hens, lambs, rabbits, donkeys, and more share space with you in a peaceful, fenced-off way.

I love how the experience blends Sardinian food with respectful animal time. You’ll get a snack spread that includes classics like carasau and focaccia, plus seasonal fruit and veg, while learning how to interact calmly.

One possible drawback: the animals are close enough to steal attention from your meal. Chickens, in particular, may wander near picnic blankets, so plan on keeping food covered and staying alert with kids.

Key things to know before you go

• Rescued-animal mission: The farm cares for animals rescued from mistreatment, abandonment, and exploitation.
• Close-but-safe setup: A low net separates you from the animals; access to pens is not permitted.
• Animal feeding is part of it: You’ll feed seasonal, pre-prepared food like apple, pear, carob, and carrots.
• A proper Sardinian tasting: Cheeses, carasau, focaccia, seasonal produce, water, and a soft drink (plus wine option).
• Family-friendly timing: Hourly slots run from 10:00 to 16:00, and it’s especially popular with young children.
• Diet requests available: Celiac options plus vegetarian and vegan options are available on request.

A calm farm picnic in Gallura, just outside Olbia

If your Sardinia plan includes beaches, it’s smart to add one slower, hands-on stop. This farm experience in north-eastern Sardinia (Gallura) feels like a breather from road noise and crowds. You’re near the sea, but the main character here isn’t views—it’s the animals and the way the farm asks you to behave around them.

The big draw is the farm’s focus on rescued animals living with dignity. You’re not visiting a petting zoo with pressured “cute moments.” Instead, you’re entering a real working refuge where animals are allowed to follow their natural rhythms as much as possible—while you watch, feed, and share a picnic snack on the property.

Where you meet and how the farm is set up

You meet the host directly at the farm. The entrance is clearly signposted on the main road, SP73. From there, you’ll take a short approach via a white dirt road marked by stone posts.

Inside, the space is arranged so visitors can spend time close to the animals without wandering into the animal areas. Expect a setup where a low net acts as the boundary. It’s part safety barrier, part “here’s your role” reminder: you’re there to be calm, observe, and interact in a controlled way.

A quick practical note: access to pens is not permitted, even though you may be able to get very close to certain animals during the picnic.

The 1-hour flow: arrive, meet the animals, then picnic

This runs for 1 hour, with hourly starting times from 10:00 to 16:00. In practice, that hour doesn’t feel like a rushed checklist. It’s paced enough for families—especially little kids—who need time to watch, point, and get used to the setting.

Here’s the rhythm you can expect:

1. Arrival and welcome

You’re greeted at the farm and guided on how the interaction works. The key message is simple: stay calm. Sudden movements can startle animals quickly.

1. Animal time with a safe boundary

You’ll meet animals separated from you by a low net. This is where you’ll see the farm’s mix of birds and larger animals, including hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, and doves, plus two donkeys, four lambs, two rabbits, and two Peruvian guinea pigs. There are also two dwarf goats that are described as very affectionate.

1. Feeding (from the prepared food)

You’ll be able to feed the animals healthy, seasonal food prepared by the hosts. The food list includes apple and pear, carob, and carrots.

1. Picnic tasting

After the animal time, you’ll settle for the tasting on a tablecloth. This is where the experience shifts from lively to cozy.

Meeting the animals: what you’ll see and how close you’ll get

The animal mix is one of the biggest reasons this works so well as a short experience. It’s diverse enough that kids won’t lose interest after five minutes, but it’s also gentle and controlled.

Birds, donkeys, goats, and the rest

A lot of the “wow” factor comes from how many different species share the farm. You might spend time watching birds move around, donkeys being unbothered, and lambs doing lamb things—resting, wandering, and reacting to the environment.

A few practical realities:

• Some animals may stay more separate than others. The farm restricts access to pens, and not every animal will be in the same space at the same time.
• Birds can be curious during the picnic. Chickens, in particular, can approach your table area. That can be adorable—until your sandwich is no longer yours.

A note on behavior (this matters)

The farm asks you to keep a calm, respectful attitude. That means:

• avoid shouting
• avoid abrupt gestures

If you do that, the whole hour feels easier—for you and for the animals. Kids often learn fast here: calm hands, slow movements, and no chasing.

The picnic tasting: what’s on the table in Gallura

The food is a major part of the value equation. For $40, you’re not just paying for animals—you’re getting a real Sardinian snack spread that includes both bread and cheese plus seasonal produce.

What’s included

Your picnic tasting includes:

• Cheeses
• Carasau (typical Sardinian bread)
• Focaccia
• Seasonal vegetables and fruit
• Snacks depending on what’s available that day
• Water
• A soft drink of your choice
• Plus an option of a glass of locally produced wine (instead of the soft drink)

Why this makes a difference

In a lot of “tourist tastings,” you get a few crumbs and a brochure. Here, the food functions like a proper picnic meal. Carasau and focaccia give you that island bread experience, and the seasonal fruit and vegetables keep it from feeling heavy or random.

If you’re traveling with dietary needs, you can request celiac, vegetarian, or vegan options on booking.

Feeding time: fun for kids, easy mistakes for adults

Feeding animals sounds simple—until you realize how fast they figure out what you’re doing. The hosts provide the food, so you’re not scrambling around the farm trying to invent snacks.

What you’ll feed

Food is healthy and seasonal, prepared in advance:

• apple and pear
• carob
• carrots

How to do it well

Keep portions modest and don’t wave food wildly. Your goal is to let animals approach naturally while you stay steady and calm.

And yes, if chickens are roaming close during eating, keep food covered. Plan to treat the picnic like a shared moment with the farm, not a private lunch.

Price and value: is $40 for one hour worth it?

At $40 per person for 1 hour, you should think of this as a focused experience with included food and included animal interaction—not a long half-day outing.

Here’s why it can still feel like good value:

• You get the tasting, not just a drink or a token bite.
• Feeding food is included, so you don’t have to add anything to make the experience work.
• The setting is calm and purpose-driven: rescued animals living in wide spaces changes the tone of the whole visit.

The main trade-off is time. One hour goes by fast, especially with children who want to revisit the same animals. If you’re looking for a longer program, you might feel the clock a bit.

Also, because the experience includes “animal interaction + picnic,” it can cost more than a beach snack stop. But you’re paying for something you can’t recreate on your own: the controlled, respectful access to the farm’s everyday life.

Best for families, not for wheelchair users

This experience is especially strong with kids. The mix of birds and small animals keeps attention spans busy, and the farm environment tends to feel peaceful rather than hectic.

It’s also a good fit if you want something that feels meaningful without being heavy. You get the joy of animal companionship, but you’re also supporting a refuge that helps rescued animals live safely.

Not suitable

This is not suitable for wheelchair users.

If you’re visiting with mobility constraints, you’ll want to check with the provider before booking, since accessibility details beyond that statement aren’t provided.

What to bring (and what to wear) for a comfortable hour

This is outdoors and animal-close, so your comfort matters more than you might expect.

Bring:

• comfortable shoes
• comfortable clothes

Because animals can approach during the picnic, consider simple clothing that you don’t mind getting a little farm-dust on. And keep an eye on small kids around food—closeness is part of the charm, but it also increases the chance of food being swiped or pecked.

Small practical tips that make the experience smoother

A few habits will help you enjoy the hour more:

• Go in calm mode. The farm’s rules are about keeping animals safe. Your quiet behavior usually gets you better interactions.
• Keep food controlled. If you’ve got a particularly tempting slice of focaccia, assume a curious chicken may have ideas.
• Use dietary requests early. Celiac and vegetarian/vegan options are available on request, so plan ahead instead of hoping on the day.
• Expect some separation. Not every animal will be right next to you. That’s normal given the pen access rules.

Should you book this Gallura animal picnic?

I’d book it if you want:

• a short, meaningful break from beach days
• a family-friendly outing with real farm animals and included Sardinian food
• an experience that supports rescued animals in a calm, respectful way

I’d skip it or reconsider if:

• you need wheelchair accessibility
• you’re sensitive to animals being close during eating
• you want a long guided tour with lots of structured commentary (a guide is not included, and the experience is more host-led and hands-on)

If your itinerary includes north-eastern Sardinia around Olbia, this is a well-timed hour that adds heart to the trip without eating up your whole day.

FAQ

How long is the Gallura picnic on a farm with animals?

It lasts 1 hour.

Where is the meeting point?

The host meets you at the farm entrance. The entrance is signposted on SP73, and it’s reached via a white dirt road marked by stone posts.

What time is the experience available?

Hourly time slots run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

What’s included in the price?

You get the farm picnic with animals, the tasting, a tablecloth, and food to feed the animals.

What is served during the tasting?

The tasting includes cheeses, carasau, focaccia, seasonal vegetables and fruit, additional snacks depending on availability, water, and a soft drink. You can also choose a glass of locally produced wine or a soft drink.

Can they accommodate celiac, vegetarian, or vegan diets?

Yes. Celiac options and vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request via your booking voucher.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

No. It is stated as not suitable for wheelchair users.