Bosa is dominated by the Malaspina Castle which was built by the powerful Malaspina family around 1112AC. It sits high on a hill top above town, and has inside the castle walls, a 14th century chapel with remarkable frescoes. However Bosa was probably originally founded by the Phoniecians, in the 9th century, and located slightly up the river where the church of San Pietro now stands.

Bosa has a illustrious and wealthy past, based on it's position in a well defended valley, along the only navigable river in Sardinia, and it's past leather tanning industry. These 18th century, now derelict, buildings sits on the bank of the river Temo. There are a couple of museums in town with one especially dedicated to the tanning industry. Bosa prospered under spanish rule and was granted the status of royal city. It made a name for itself for it's coral and gold filigree jewellery as well as it's lace making.

The "Torre Dell'isola Rossa" a large Catalan watch tower, and one of many along the coast, makes an impressive presence at the entrance to the river Temo in Bosa Marina.

In the museum "Casa Deriu" on Corso Emmanuele there is an exhibition on local artist Melkiorre Melis (1889-1982) an important exponent of the applied arts in Italy as well as a floor devoted to that of a 19th century nobel family's resident.

The magnificant and ornate Cathedral, dedicated to The Virgin Mary (Immaculata), is located on Piazza del Duomo and was founded in the 12th century and has since been rebuilt between 1805-1809.

The local sherry like wine, La Malvasia di Bosa, is produced in tiny artisan vineyards in a fertile valley just south of town and it is possible to visit some of these vineyards.