It emerged around 1700, perhaps already a Roman site, and became a Municipality in 1996. Padru is a small village in Gallura, with just over two thousand inhabitants, and its territory is on the border of the splendid park of the Oasis of Tepilora, which can be reached from its most distant and evocative district, Pedrabianca, with its houses made of stone and mud that climb up the white quartz rocks. From Sa Contra 'e S'Ifferru, there is a 360-degree view of the valleys, hills and mountains over half of Sardinia. From the village, you will reach evocative panoramic and naturalistic areas, with woods and springs, like the forests of Sa Pianedda and S'Ozzastreddu. From the 'terrace' of the peak of mount Nieddu (just under a thousand metres high) you can admire the splendid setting of the coast of San Teodoro and the Tavolara marine area. All the itineraries lead through large holm oak forests, cork oak forests and Mediterranean scrub, inhabited by mammals and birds of prey, like the golden eagle and hawks. In the autumn, the woods offer a generous variety of mushrooms. In the past, up until almost the end of the 19th century, the forests were practically impenetrable and, still today, the cork oaks create mysterious atmospheres. The territory is perfect for excursions on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. You will find refreshments in the spaces equipped for picnics, cooled by the water from the springs, among which that of Sos Pantamos. Among the itineraries, in a land rich with rivers and torrents, you can discover the fluvial ones by kayak. Along the road that leads to the picturesque village of Pedrabianca, you can admire rocks with unusual shapes, like Sa Conchedda de Fizza Ona. Nearby, there is another extraordinary place: the Usinavà forest. From the district of Sa Serra, you will reach the little rural church of Sant'Elia, originally built in the 15th century. At the end of May, celebrations take place to honour the saint. All around, you will find a myriad of uninhabited villages, like Poltolu, with small granite houses, Baddevera and the Stazzi (rural settlements) of Avrio, Giuscherra Giuscherreddu and Piras.

You can combine archaeology with nature. About one kilometre from the residential area, in the direction of Olbia, there is the complex of Santu Miali, nestled in a splendid green setting. In a valley rich with woods, you will find the remains of a large Roman building (possibly a rural villa), a vast necropolis with 15 interments and the remains of two medieval churches, one of which featuring a bi-apsidal hall. As well as the substantial number of ceramic fragments, a 'group of coins' consisting of about 3500 minute silver coins was found in the tombs, as well as Roman coins and various necklaces.