sardinia cost of travel

How To Get To Sardinia: Fly vs. Ferry Costs & Benefits

This is the grand-daddy of guides on how to get to Sardinia from both Europe (especially Italy destinations) and US destinations because my ass did a lot of research last spring before my month-long road trip on the island.

I researched the fastest, cheapest, and best ways to get to and around Sardinia , so I learned quite a bit. I also spent a month driving around the island, hiking its mountains, exploring its pretty beaches from north to south, and getting lost on Sardinian roads, so the knowledge (and love) goes deep. 🤓

Here’s the gist about how to get to Sardinia .

• Sardinia has three airports: Cagliari (south), Olbia (north), and Alghero (west). Flying into Sardinia is likely the best and cheapest way to travel, and Cagliari is the biggest airport.
• Sardinia also has three main ferry ports: Cagliari (south), Olbia (north), and Porto Torres. The perks of taking a ferry to Sardinia are that you can bring your rental car or RV onboard. Olbia is the best port to ferry to, and it’s the prettiest part of the island, too! FYI, the ferries are pretty industrial, so don’t expect a romantic luxury cruise . ( Book ferry tickets here .)
• The easiest way to reach Sardinia is from Rome, Italy. Flying from Rome to any airport in Sardinia takes about 1 hour. A ferry from the Civitavecchia Port near Rome will take between 6 – 8 hours, the fastest being to Olbia Port.
• I think getting around Sardinia is best done by renting a car and doing a road trip . While there is a public transportation system (train, bus), it’s not great, and there are many beaches, hikes, and mountain trails I love off the beaten path.

PRO TIP TO THINK ABOUT: If you are going on a bigger Italy road trip that includes Sardinia, it might be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car in Rome and take the overnight ferry from Civitavecchia Port to Olbia than to fly over and rent a car in Sardinia. Food for thought…

In this post, I’m dumping all my research, lessons learned, and a few logistically odd things about Sardinia I learned along the way to help you plan your trip. So let’s jump into the details of flying and ferrying into Sardinia, how long each option takes, costs, and what to expect.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Sardinia from Italy

Sardinia is one of the biggest Italian islands, and because of this, it’s easy to get to from the mainland, especially from Rome. Here are a bunch of common ways you can get to Sardinia from Rome and Italy more broadly.

✈️ How to Get to Sardinia From Rome By Plane

You can fly to Sardinia from both Rome airports: Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino (FCO) and Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport in Ciampino (CIA).

Sardinia has three main airports you can fly into:

• Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south ( biggest )
• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in the northeast
• Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the northwest

Several airlines operate flights from Rome to Sardinia , including Alitalia, Ryanair, and EasyJet, all of which are regional and budget-friendly.

In the summertime, the flights from Rome to Sardinia range between €150-200 roundtrip per person . It’s a 1 – 1.5 hour flight, and there are multiple flights a day.

If you want to visit the south of the island, I recommend flying into the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari—this is where I landed and started my road trip. This means visiting long sandy beaches like Villasimius, Chia, and Costa Rei and exploring the capital city of Cagliari.

You can also dive deeper into the Nuragic civilization by visiting the Barumini Nuraghe UNESCO World Heritage site, which showcases the impressive nuraghe , Bronze Age stone structures that are unique only to Sardinia.

Olbia is a great place to land if you want a more upscale vacation in the La Maddalena Archipelago. My Italian friends told me this is where famous and wealthy Italians go on vacation – olala !!

I know it sounds haughty, but it makes sense when you see the archipelago and the famous Emerald Coast of Sardinia. I thought this region was the prettiest on the island.

Alghero is a great place to land if you want to explore the northeast of the islands—beautiful towns like Sassari and Castelsardo ( which I stayed in! ) and my favorite little beaches around Costa Paradiso. I know I say this a lot in my posts, but I wish I could get a vacation home near this area—it’s almost as stunning as the Madalenna Archipelago!

⛴️ How to Get to Sardinia From Rome By Ferry

If you have a rental car or RV on the mainland of Italy, taking the overnight ferry from Rome Civitavecchia Port to Sardinia is your best bet. The benefit here is that you’ll have a car in Sardinia, which is ideal because their public transportation is not great.

There are three main ports in Sardinia I recommend:

➡️ Olbia (northeast) – most popular ferry route, also the shortest Duration: 5 hours (fast ferry), 8 hours (regular ferry) Info: 10 pm departure from Rome, 6 am arrival in Olbia

➡️ Porto Torres (north east) – near Alghero Duration: 7 hours Info: Popular port if you’re coming from a west European port

➡️ Cagliari (south) – least popular route, longest, don’t recommend Duration: 15 hours

PRO TIP: It might be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car from Rome and take the overnight ferry from Civitavecchia to Olbia than flying over and renting a car in Sardinia.

You can search for tickets here . The best and most frequent ferries will be from Tirrenia and Grimaldi Lines, and tickets should be around €50 per adult and €70 per car (RVs will be more expensive).

⭐️ How to Get from Rome to Civitavecchia Port

I get this question a lot because there are many cruises and ferries that leave from Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome and its main airports. Here are the most practical options:

➡️ The easiest way to get from Rome Airport (FCO) to Civitavecchia Port is by Private Transfer . Costs about €115 per person and takes about 1 hour. ⬅️

*** Private transfers are available from Rome city center and Ciampino Airport.

If you’re coming from the main airport, since there is no direct line from Rome Fiumicino Airport (or the Ciampino Airport either) to Civitavecchia Port , you will have to take the Leonardo Express train from the airport to the city center of Rome (Roma Termini) and then change lines to get to Civitavecchia Port. The whole train trip will take about 2.5 hours. Here are the details from the city center of Rome.

✅ Train from Roma Termini to Civitavecchia Train Station. [CHEAPEST]

This is the most practical and cheapest option, but it is a local train, so there will be frequent stops. The train ride from Roma Termini Station to Civitavecchia Station is about 1.5 hours and costs about €6. I use OMIO to reserve train tickets and check schedules ahead of time.

You can also head into the Roma Termini train station to buy tickets from the machines or the ticket office and be on your way. Everything can be done in English and paid by credit card.

PRO TIP: Once you get to the Civitavecchia train station, you can walk to the port or take the local shuttle bus. The bus runs every 20 minutes, picks up at the front of the station, and costs €2 per person (pay cash on board). The ride to the port is about 10 minutes.

✅ Rent a Car at the Airport & Drive to Civitavecchia Port [CLEVER]

Renting a car in Rome and taking it on the overnight ferry to Sardinia is a clever and budget-conscious way to take a road trip to the island. This gives you the advantage of having your rental with you on the island, and it might save you money. Renting a car on the island can be more expensive, and flights are a bit more expensive than taking the ferry.

FUN FACT: In Europe, I was surprised to find that renting a car at the airport (especially when it’s not an island) is cheaper than anywhere else. This is the opposite in the USA, where the airport price-gouges you.

If you rent a car at the Rome airport, you will drive about 60km to the Civitavecchia port, which takes about 1.5 hours on the highway, and board the ferry at night – they usually depart around 10pm. Check FerryScanner for schedules and get your tickets ahead of time!

How to Get to Sardinia from Florence

To get from Florence to Sardinia, you have two main options: flying or taking a combination of train and ferry. Flying is faster, but the ferry is cheaper, and has the advantage of you being able to take your car/RV on the ferry with you.

Flying is probably the fastest. You can fly direct from Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) to airports in Sardinia like Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO). Airlines like Vueling and Alitalia often have direct or connecting flights. Direct flights take about 1.5 hours.

Your second option will be to take a train from Florence to one of the ferry ports that offer services to Sardinia, such as Porto Livorno near Pisa (2 hrs by train), Port Civitavecchia near Rome (3.5 hrs by train), or Porto Genoa (3 hrs by train). Trenitalia has frequent train services to all these ports. I use OMIO to book tickets.

From the mainland, you’ll board a ferry to one of Sardinia’s ports like Olbia, Porto Torres, or Cagliari. Ferry operators like Tirrenia and Grimaldi Lines are the more popular companies. The ferry journey alone can range from 6 to 12 hours and is usually overnight .

How to Get to Sardinia from Sicily

Again, you can take the ferry, you can fly, or you can connect somehow through mainland Italy. I think the quick and dirty way is to fly from one of Sicily’s two airports in Palermo or Catania to Sardinia. Sardinia has three airports I already talked about – the closest to Sicily being Cagliari.

The primary ferry connection between Sicily and Sardinia is from Palermo (Sicily) to Cagliari (Sardinia). This route is operated by Tirrenia, a well-known Italian ferry operator. Again, you can use FerryScanner to find and book a ticket . The ferry journey can take around 12 hours, and the last time I checked, it ran in the morning from Sicily with a late arrival in Cagliari.

If the direct Sicily-Sardinia ferry schedule doesn’t fit your plans, I would take a ferry or fly from Sicily to the Italian mainland. From here, you can catch a ferry to Sardinia from ports like Civitavecchia, Genoa, or Livorno, heading to Olbia, Porto Torres, or Cagliari in Sardinia.

How To Get To Sardinia from Europe

I think the best and fastest way to get to Sardinia is by flying into one of its main airports: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in the northeast, or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the northwest.

If you want to bring your car or RV to the island, you can catch a ferry to Sardinia from ports like Civitavecchia, Genoa, or Livorno in Italy, heading to Olbia, Porto Torres, or Cagliari in Sardinia. These ferries are usually overnight and take between 6-12 hours. You can check ferry schedules and prices on Ferryscanner – it’s what I use.

What Airport Do You Fly Into for Sardinia?

• Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south

How To Get To Sardinia from the USA

The best and fastest way to get to Sardinia from the USA is to fly into Rome (or a main hub in Italy), and then take a connecting flight to one of Sardinia’s three main airports – Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in the northeast, or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the northwest.

When I decided to go to Sardinia, I flew from Austin to Madrid and then took a regional flight via RyanAir through Sevilla and on to Cagliari, Sardinia. It was a quick cheap flight.

PRO TIP: If you’re going on a bigger Italy trip, and want to include Sardinia as part of that, you can ferry your rental car overnight from the Civitavecchia Port near Rome to Olbia in Sardinia and continue the adventure – it’s quite cheap, and the ferry takes about 6-8 hours in the summertime.

Getting Around Sardinia

Renting a car is the best way to get around Sardinia, and it’s how I went about exploring the island. There are many obvious perks to driving yourself, including the flexibility around time and ability to hit up some of the more remote hikes, villages, and beaches around the island – my favorite hike being Cala Goloritzé , a beach located in Baunei.

➡️ I use Discover Cars to check prices & rent a car in Sardinia! ⬅️

Driving in Sardinia is pretty easy, and the highways are in good shape . To nobody’s surprise, Sardinia has some super scenic drives along the coast and through the mountainous interior – like wow!

I thought the toughest part about driving in Sardinia was the smaller roads , which Google sometimes sends you on. They are unpaved, and holy shit I hope you get the car insurance with the rental – it can get rough! Don’t let that deter you; just turn back if you find yourself on one of those pebbly roads leading to God knows where. There’s always another way to get to where you need to be. Navigating narrow streets in small towns and finding parking can also be challenging.

PRO TIP: If you decide not to rent a car, maybe because you’re only staying for a few days, I recommend parking your ass in one of the main towns, my favorite being Olbia, Alghero, and Cagliari in that order.

FAQ: Getting To Sardinia

Here’s the quick and dirty frequently asked questions I had before I went on my trip.

What is the fastest way to get to Sardinia?

Flying is the fastest way to get to Sardinia , and there are tons of flights from major European cities to Sardinia’s three main airports: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO)

Flights from Rome to any airport in Sardinia are about 1 hour and will range at about €150 roundtrip per person . I flew into the biggest airport, Cagliari, and started my road trip around the island from there!

What is the cheapest way to get to Sardinia?

The cheapest way to get to Sardinia is probably still flying , but it’s a toss-up if you have a few people with you, AND car rental costs are through the roof in Sardinia, especially in the summer, and especially if you don’t drive manual transmission ( cheaper to rent ).

Flights from Rome to any airport in Sardinia are about 1 hour and will range at about €150 roundtrip per person. A ferry from Rome will take about 8 hours overnight and cost you about €50 per person and €75 for a vehicle.

What is the best way to get to Sardinia?

The best and fastest way to get to Sardinia is to fly into one of its main airports: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in the northeast, or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) in the northwest of the island.

I flew into Cagliari and rented a car for the month. From here, I went on an amazing road trip around the island, hiking, exploring little villages like Sassari and Arbatax (my favorite), and eating my way through the renowned food the Sardinians have gained popularity for!

How many days in Sardinia is enough?

I would spend a minimum of three days in Sardinia in one of the main beach towns around the Madalena Archipelago or the Villasimmius beaches in the south. That said, Sardinia is actually a pretty big island, so a week is best to go around the island and really give it a good go!

Is Sardinia expensive to visit?

No, I don’t think Sardinia is expensive. In fact, it’s pretty rural in most places, and to give you an example of my budget – I spent about $3,000 for a month on the island, including nice lodging and a car rental when I went in April.

A dinner out is about €30, a lot of the nature is free, decent accommodations are at around €150 a night, and good wine is cheap! Of course, you can blow up the budget if you want to stay at the best resorts in the Madalena Islands, but at that point, it’s a different budget conversation.

Conclusion: Best Way to Get To Sardinia

In conclusion, flying is the best and fastest way to get to Sardinia , and there are tons of flights from major European cities to Sardinia’s three main airports: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), or Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO)

Flights from Rome to any airport in Sardinia are about 1 hour and will range at about €150 roundtrip per person.

If you have a rental car or RV on the mainland of Italy, taking the overnight ferry from Rome Civitavecchia Port to Sardinia is your best bet. Tickets should be around €50 per adult and €70 per car (RVs will be more expensive). The benefit here is that you’ll have a car in Sardinia, which is ideal because their public transportation is not great.

• Duration: 5 hours (fast ferry), 8 hours (regular ferry)
• Info: 10 pm departure from Rome, 6 am arrival in Olbia
• Duration: 7 hours
• Info: Popular port if you’re coming from a west European port
• Duration: 15 hours

So what are you waiting for, get your butt off your couch and book that trip to Sardinia!

Mariana Barbuceanu is the owner and author of the Road Trip EuroGuide, a blog that inspires fellow travelers to explore Europe more authentically through slower travel and digging deeper into the culture of a place. When she isn't writing about her adventures, she is planning trips for her community and coaching people on how to take that next step towards a much-needed sabbatical.

Is Sardinia Expensive? A Detailed Price Guide for Tourists

Sardinia is a fantastic holiday destination for many reason for families and other travellers. My husband and his family thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the island as did countless others. However its not just scenery, activities and great food that you need to look into. One major factor with planning a holiday is the expense, so – is Sardinia expensive?

To give you a quick overview:

On average, a hotel costs around €90, holiday rental around €108. At a restaurant the average price for a pizza is €10, €12 for a burger, €14 for pasta, €18 for a meat dish. The average price of activities is €13 for kids and €19 for adults. A bus costs €2 for inner city travel, and transport by train can go up to €20 to get from north to south Sardinia.

However the prices for hotels and food will depend greatly on the location. The price of activities varies a lot and you can pay anything from €4 to just under €70. So now I’m going to give you some more detailed information on what you can expect cost wise from Sardinia.

The data that you are going to see was gathered in September 2022.

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation in Sardinia starts from €43, but the average cost is €90. With holiday rentals, the average cost of an apartment or house all to yourself is around €108. However some areas are less expensive whereas some are more expensive in Sardinia. Here is a full breakdown of average prices.

As you can see, different areas have different average prices. In smaller towns and cities you can expect prices to be less expensive than more populated and popular areas to visit.

To clarify, there are just over 30 hotels close to the coast of Santa Teresa Gallura. As a result, the one luxury hotel that costs €1299 skews the average price. If we had to take this hotel out of the equation, the average price in Santa Teresa Gallura is more like €79.

For the most options for accommodation you can use Booking.com who have the most amount of stays listed for all price ranges, including more than triple what Expedia have listed. You can book a nice cosy B&B for well under the average prices displayed above, all the way up to a luxury stay to hang around the rich and famous that flock to the Northern part of Sardinia in summer.

Restaurants

What I have noticed is the cost of hotels in a town, is indicative of how cheap or expensive restaurants are. Therefore restaurants in Orgosolo and Sassari are cheaper than the ones in Cagliari and Santa Teresa Gallura.

Restaurant food prices in Sardinia:

Additionally some restaurants might place a service charge called ‘coperto’ on the bill. This is usually around €2 to €3.

As mentioned, the restaurant prices in a town like Sassari are cheaper than those in Santa Teresa Gallura. For example in Sassari you can expect to pay around €10 for hamburgers, €13 for pasta and €16 for meat or seafood. A plate of chicken may be less expensive and beef or fish might cost that or more. However in Santa Teresa Gallura and Caliari you can expect to pay around 30% more at restaurants.

Restaurant drink prices in Sardinia:

Drinks at restaurants are quite consistent across the board regardless of the town. That is to say except for wine. The more expensive localities will have higher priced wines. In this case even the cheapest wine on the menu will likely start from €18 or more.

Beers in Sardinia are around €4. They range in price from €3 to €5 depending on the type of beer, the town you are in and restaurant. However from a supermarket the price of a can or bottle ranges from €0.65 to €3.44 for 500ml can or bottle.

For those that want snacks along the way, the sandwiches are always nice in Sardinia. Usually they are around €4-7 depending on the area you are in and what sandwich you buy.

Food on a Budget

If you need or want to eat on a budget at restaurants pizza or pasta is perfect. The minimum you should pay is €6 or €7 for a simple Marinara or Margherita pizza.

Higher priced ingredients will of course mean a plate will be more expensive. So a fuller Capricciosa pizza is around €9-12 depending on the area. A seafood pasta is usually one of the most expensive pastas on the menu.

However you can also consider buying food from a supermarket and making things yourself. Then pack the food in your bag and eat and drink on the go. If you would like some ideas on food to make or any other suggestions you should check out our picnic section .

Kids activities

On this site we covered fun activities to do in Sardinia with kids . They vary in price and here is a breakdown of the costs for each. Please note that these prices are as of September 2022 and they may change in future. However they should serve at least as a rough price guide.

*Add an additional €5pp for a guided tour in English.

There are a couple of things I should point out. Firstly seniors over 65 can generally get reduced tickets. Either at the same price as the kids or slightly higher rates than kids tickets.

Secondly, several places allow kids under a certain age go in for free. This applies to the butterfly House, aquarium and caves. On the other hand the Miniature park and water parks usually allow kids under 1 meter in for free.

Here are the rates for the Butterfly House:

Other Activities

One of the best things to do in Sardinia is go to the beach. Especially in summer when you can swim and enjoy the beach for longer. The beaches in Sardinia are spectacular and frequently compared to those in the Caribbean. In fact we have covered 12 Breathtaking Family-Friendly Beaches in Sardinia for this reason. What’s more is that beaches are free.

All in all, Sardinia is unspoilt land with incredible scenery. There are some lovely towns and villages like: Pula, Carloforte, Sant’Antioco, Oristano, Nuoro, Atzara, Fonni, Orgosolo, Alghero, Bosa, Sassari, Santa Teresa Gallura and Baunei.

There are some historic sites to see. Santuario e Basilica di Bonaria in Cagliari is free to see and you can even attend mass there. On the other hand the Medieval Basilica di San Gavino in Porto Torres has guided tours.

There are also archeological sites like for example the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju (Italian site). It is €5 for adults and €4 for kids. If you are into Roman ruins then the Roman Amphitheatre and the Karales (Italian site) in Cagliari might be good for you. There are also many other ruins and museums to see in Cagliari.

As a general rule, entrance fees for historic sites are not that expensive in Sardinia. However if you opt for a guided tour on a bus you can expect to pay around €50 or more per person. They are of course worthwhile sometimes because it is nice to get a dose of information. Especially when you haven’t done any research beforehand.

If you are planning to stay put and explore a city or just a little further afield then you will be served perfectly well by public transport. However, renting a car is the best option if you plan to explore the length and breath of Sardinia. It will allow you to explore everywhere including remote places that will take much longer to get to using public transport.

The drawback is that car rentals are expensive. A compact 5 seater with ample 2 bag luggage space like a Fiat Tipo or similar will cost around €370 for a week. There are cheaper models that are €170 less expensive, with less passenger and luggage space.

Additionally you can reduce the cost by hiring a car by hiring one only when you really need it, like when you intend to travel between cities. For other days you can rely on public transport and walking around on foot. During off peak season you will likely find better deals as low as €9 per day if you hire a car for a week.

By using Discover Cars you will be able to find and compare a wide selection of vehicles from leading car rental companies. They offer competitive prices and deals, making it an affordable option for travellers on a budget. They also have cheaper deals than other popular online car rental companies especially during off peak season.

Here is a guide on one on getting around Sardinia and whether to hire a car in Sardinia to help you understand what to expect and what is best for you.

Public Transport

There are two railways are managed by:

• Trenitalia which is managed by the state and
• ARST a private regional company.

You can find timetables and tickets directly on Trenitalia for Trenitalia trains. Unfortunately the ARST website is only in Italian, stuck with a 90s design and not user friendly. However to help you out, here is a map you can download of all the train lines in Sardinia with all their stops. The coloured routes are the ones operated by ARST.

There train lines in Sardinia aren’t extensive. They mainly cater for travel between major cities. Additionally the trains are somewhat old and they do not tend to run on time.

However they are a cost-effective way to get from one city to another. The train price varies according to the time of day you travel.

For example a train ride from the Cagliari in the south to Sassari in the north is around €16.50. The train takes between 3 hours to 3 hours and 40 minutes, depending on the time it leaves.

This is similar to how long it would take you to go by car. Depending on which route you take by car, it can take you between 2 hours and 45 minutes or 3 hours and 15 minutes.

On the other hand a shorter train journey like from Sassari to Alghero costs up to €5. This journey takes around 30-40 minutes.

Some train lines are not direct and you may need to change train. As a result travelling by car is the better option, unless you are not in a rush and want to relax. In that case you can enjoy the beautiful Sardinian countryside and the small town and villages as you go by.

Buses operate within cities and to and from cities in Sardinia. The shorter bus journeys cost around €2 to get you around the city. Of course they cost more if you travel further afield and can go up to €20.

If you are considering to travel to many different towns and cities you should consider getting a pass. There are different passes of different durations that are available. You can purchase them from any ARST ticket office since the buses are operated by this company. There are passes for: 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, ranging in price from €50 to €140 euro.

Is Sardinia Expensive – Conclusion

To sum up, there are opportunities for all budgets in Sardinia. So you can travel on a budget, sort out a luxury holiday or anything in between.

However if you are on a tight budget you can also consider visiting the island during off-peak season. Hence not in summer when there are many tourists. This will be better for you because flights, accommodation will be cheaper. Additionally since there are less tourists around queues are shorter.

Other Activities and Related Articles

Holiday in Sardinia : Activities, Itineraries and Guides

A Guide to Travelling to Sardinia

Locations For Memorable Camping Trips With Kids in Sardinia

• Winter Holidays and Activities
• Picnic ideas
• Privacy Policy

Family Holidays is dedicated to helping people plan child-friendly activities in popular holiday destinations.

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A Quick Guide To Sardinia

On this website, I have assembled the most useful and interesting information about visiting Sardinia. You can find over 80 articles listed in the menu, covering a wide range of subjects and travel information based on my own experiences and research.

I hope that you find the articles informative, and that they provide an authentic insight into the incredible island to compel you to consider visiting Sardinia, the hidden gem of the Mediterranean.

Table of Contents

Why Visit Sardinia?

• The island is home to the most beautiful beaches in Europe
• The weather is excellent: Sardinia is renowned for its 6-month summer
• Sardinia is a hidden gem; there is much to be explored
• Sardinia is rich in traditions and culture of ancient roots that have been handed down for generations to the present day
• The atmosphere on the island is timeless. It’s the perfect destination to unwind 
• Sardinia has something for everyone, ancient sites, untouched beaches, elegant towns, rich culture, and expansive untouched nature

101+ Reasons Why You Should Visit Sardinia

The summers in Sardinia are long, and the winter is mild. Sardinia is a lovely place all year round, and every season has its attraction. There’s plenty to see and do throughout the year .

The island is fully prepared for tourists from May to September. During July and August, the hottest months, the island becomes full with holidaymakers.

During the summer months, the cost of accommodation, car rentals, and flights skyrockets. If you are visiting in the Summer, then I recommend booking well in advance .

From October to the end of April, you can stay in Sardinia reasonably cheaply. The island is very peaceful during this off-season, but there is plenty to explore and enjoy.

When’s The Best Time To Visit Sardinia?

How To Get There

Being an island, Sardinia is only reachable by air or sea.

1. By Air – there are frequent connections from mainland Italy and Europe.  Sardinia has three main airports, Cagliari Elmas Airport in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in the north-east, and Alghero Fertilia Airport in the north-west.

The main budget airlines such as EasyJet, RyanAir & WizzAir, fly to Sardinia.

2. By Ferry – there are daily ferries often traveling through the night. You can take a ferry from Italy, France & Spain (including Tuscany, Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo, Naples, Barcelona and Marseille.)

Sardinia Ferries: Routes, Costs, and Tips for a Smooth Journey

Getting Around

Driving yourself.

Traveling by car is by far the best way to explore the Island and the most hassle-free option.

You can hire a car from the major touristic areas of Sardinia, major towns, and at each of the airports where internationally recognized car hire brands can be found . Renting a car can be expensive during the summer months and surprisingly economical during the off-season.

Getting Around In Sardinia

Everything You Need To Know About Renting A Car In Sardinia!

Public Transport

The public transport in Sardinia is good quality and very affordable but will limit the options of where and when you can travel.

The trains are slow but reliably connect the major cities of Sardinia. While the buses link all of the smaller towns and villages, some regions have less coverage, and the schedules can be unreliable. You can travel from the south to north of the Island (or vice versa) in under 3 hours by bus or train (cost: under €20.)

Using Public Transport In Sardinia

An Overview Of Accommodation

There are many different places to stay in Sardinia. The legendary beaches led to a boom in tourist facilities. There are hotels, resorts, B&Bs, apartments, camping sites, farm stays, and hostels right across the island.

Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts are more reasonable in Sardinia when compared to the Italian mainland. If you are planning a holiday in Sardinia during the summer months, book it well in advance, as Sardinia is a top spot for Italian holidaymakers during the school holidays.

If you decide to come to Sardinia outside of the peak summer months, you could save more than 50% on accommodation.

Furthermore, as a general rule the further inland you stay the more money you will save on accommodation. Yes, the beaches are famous, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the stunning countryside too.

The Best Hotels In Cagliari

A Quick Introduction To Sardinia

The beaches attract tourists from across Italy and Europe, most notably during July and August.

Sardinia is the hidden gem of the Mediterranean. Many aspects of this incredible island are overlooked.

I wish to share the authentic side of Sardinia with you so that you can make the most of your holiday here.

Jason Matthew Warland

Sardinia is a place beyond time. I visited the island for the first time over five years ago to volunteer on a farm. Now, I am living in the United Kingdom, working in regenerative agriculture, and education. Eevery time I have a holiday it will be in Sardinia. And maybe one day I will be able to combine my passions for agriculture and Sardinia together once again. Thanks for reading the article I hope it was useful to you.

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The Ultimate Guide to Sardinia

When it came to our Italy honeymoon, Kenny and I knew we’d want to live la dolce vita on The Amalfi Coast, but we also craved a little adventure – somewhere we hadn’t been before and had only seen dreamy photos of (photos that always  looked too good to be true). The island of Sardinia. This relatively unknown jewel of the Mediterranean intrigued us big time, especially since no one we knew had even been there before. What WAS this hidden gem of an island tucked between Spain and Italy?! We had to find out. 

Although Sardinia has long been a favorite summer destination for the European jet-set and yachty crowd, few people outside of Europe know it exists (which is probably how the Italians want to keep it, LOL). Famous for its gorgeous beaches and sparkling, crystal-clear azure waters, and ravishing natural beauty, Sardinia has it all. It’s a little like if Spain, Italy, and the British Virgin Islands had an island baby. 

The culture here on Sardinia is Italian at its core, but more rustic and stripped back. Though it’s highly sought-after by the world’s elite, it’s actually not glitzy and glam in the least (at least not when comparing it to somewhere like Capri ). No, Sardinia is more rustic, more naturally beautiful, and highly understated. The people here don’t come to be seen, or be a part of the scene, they come to get away, to have a nice vacation with their loved ones. It seemed like to us, sometimes people go to a place like Capri or a Positano to show off a little, whereas you go to a place like Sardinia for yourself.

The people who come to Sardinia are hardly ever first-timers. They summer here, every year , and honestly, I’m pretty jealous of them. Sardinia is a paradise island that grabs your heart and blows your mind, and makes you want to return year after year.

So let’s get to the Ultimate Guide to Sardinia so you guys can plan your trip!

Where is the best area to stay in Sardinia?

Firstly, what many people don’t realize when planning a trip to Sardinia is that Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy and in the Mediterranean (!!!). It’s HUGE.

On the north-east coast, Costa Smeralda is known for its crowd of billionaire jet-setters and all the best beach clubs and hotels. But the mountainous mainland disguises pretty villages, too. If we had more time we might have considered a road trip from North to South (which can take up to 5 hours), but, for a honeymoon and the trip we were looking for, it was nice to base in the Costa Smeralda. 

copyright @JetsetChristina

The Best Hotels in Sardinia

Where to stay in Costa Smeralda

Villa Del Golfo

Villa Del Golfo is a great low-key, super cute home base in a great area of Sardinia. We toyed with the Uber-bougie Cala di Volpe (where we did get lunch one of the days to see what it was all about) but are definitely glad we went with the (slightly) less expensive hotel (but bigger, nicer room – definitely upgrade your room at this hotel to one of the pool rooms !) since Sardinia is more about exploring and less of a destination where you’re spending all the time at the hotel! 

Villa del Golfo was super cute and felt like home! The service was great. They are not located directly on the beach but you don’t really need to be in Sardinia since all the best beaches aren’t hotel beaches! They also helped us get an amazing vespa rental for our whole trip, delivered right to the front of the hotel, which was a FAB way to see the island ( you can also opt for an electric car ). You will definitely need some way to get around the island whether it’s a car or a vespa!

This hotel is located in the cute Canggione neighborhood and there were lots of restaurants within walking distance!

Check rates for your dates here

Baglioni Puntaldia Sardinia

This hotel just opened (after we went!) and it’s a Leading Hotel of the World, and I have no doubt INCREDIBLE! I would definitely look into it now that it’s open for a luxury hotel in Sardinia . The 78 spacious suites and rooms are all bright and modern, furnished in a minimal style. All rooms have a balcony or a terrace, which either overlook the garden or the sea. Read more about the hotel & check rates for your dates here.

Photo via Excellence Magazine

Cala Di Volpe

If you’re looking for the most ritzy, glam hotel in all of Costa Smeralda, you’re looking for Cala di Volpe . Located right by some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia (with transport from the hotel available), plus there’s a delicious Matsuhisa on site (my fav sushi in the world!). Hotel Cala di Volpe is surrounded by a lush, green Mediterranean landscape. The resort has excellent sports and spa facilities and a stunning private beach. And parking is free for your rental car.

Hotel Pitrizza, Porto Cervo

The Pitrizza is a welcoming hotel offering beautiful views over the crystal-clear sea of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. Enjoy an impeccable service in a refined, inviting establishment. The best part of this hotel is that it’s right on the beach, a 10-minute drive to Porto Cervo town. The rooms are elegant and Sardinian, with furnished terraces and marble bathrooms, and some rooms have private pools and hot tubs and 24-hour butler service (these are the rooms I’d recommend at this hotel!!!) 

Do you need a car to get around Sardinia?

In short, yes, you need SOME sort of transportation to get around. It is a HUGE island and everything is far apart from each other. We opted to uber from the airport (not cheap, around 80-100 euros), but then rented a vespa for the rest of the time, which was much more fun, and less expensive, than relying on taxis for everything. You can also rent a car! If you decide to stick to taxis, you’ll realize how expensive it is very quickly – just one taxi to one beach was going to cost us 70 euros one way. 

What should we do in Sardinia?

The best things to do in sardinia.

Take a boat ride round the Maddalena Islands

The Maddalena Islands are a MUST on any trip to Sardinia. This stunning archipelago was easily the highlight of our trip, and maybe even the whole honeymoon! Take a boat tour with this company that we used! They set us up with an amazing lunch AND aperitifs, and endless prosecco and Sardinian wine and beer! They took us around to a bunch of the best spots and it was just the most relaxing, best day. Could not recommend it more. 

Go Beach-Hopping Around the Island

There are so many beaches to see on the Costa Smeralda, and even more if you’re willing to drive further down to the middle of the island. We stuck to what was nearby and had the best time! I’d recommend stopping at a market and stocking up on some sodas, snacks, rosé and supplies (this is very common in Sardinia as some of the more remote beaches don’t have restaurants) and heading to Cappricioli Beach first. There are five different beaches at Cappricioli so check them all out and then plop down at one. Warning, it can definitely get crowded here so go early and on a weekday!

After, head to more beaches. Some other favorites are Spaggia Rena Bianca, Spaggia di Cala Coticcio, Porto Istana

The Best Beach Club to base at for a day in Sardinia

We loved White Beach Club at Liscia Ruja and found it to be the perfect place to base for the day. The lunch is pricey here but really good (Kenny’s fav of the trip!) It’s a scene of yachties and billionaires, for sure. And White Beach Club was a little snobby (make a reservation before you go!) but it was a fun day!

Nikki Beach Sardinia

There’s also Nikki Beach Sardinia, which we didn’t get to during our trip but is supposed to be a fun scene too! (It’s one of my favorites in St. Tropez !)

Where to Eat & Drink in Sardinia

Agriturismo La Colti – an AMAZING dinner spot and super authentic, full of locals. We loved this place. Very meat-heavy so not a good place for vegetarians. Probably our most memorable meal in Sardinia.

Brezza Di Mare – just a walk down the street from Villa Del Golfo – this place was INCREDIBLE. Order the mustard-encrusted tuna & a bottle of Sardinian wine. We loved this place so much we went twice.

Cala Di Volpe – possibly the best bellini of my life at lunch here. There’s a very fancy, very pricey price fixe lunch or you can sit at the bar area and have drinks/less expensive lunch items!

La Randa – for authentic Italian cooking in a cute little neighborhood restaurant, look no further.

Is Sardinia family-friendly?

DEFINITELY! While it’s romantic for couples, it is VERY family friendly and we saw a ton of adorable families having the time of their lives throughout our trip.

Is Sardinia good for a honeymoon?

Yes yes and yes! Sardinia is an ideal honeymoon location because it’s adventurous, but relaxing! 

What to wear in Sardinia

Wearing the Tortola beach dress in size Small

Obsessed with these sunnies . They do free easy returns so I love this site for trying and buying new sunglasses !

Kenny rocking the Nauti Lobster swim trunks and the Sol Searcher white beach linen shirt!

I also wore The Seychelles bikini a TON on this trip – it matches the water so well!

What other questions do you guys have about Sardinia? Leave them in the comments!

And check out these related blog posts here:

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WRITTEN BY: Christina

Christina is a leading luxury lifestyle and travel blogger with over 2 million readers. Follow her on instagram @jetsetchristina.

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Love this post! We’re headed here in two weeks for our honeymoon and this was both super helpful and got me even more excited! I reached out to the boat company right away – looks stunning. Thank you!

Danielle Keller

Hi Christina! Planning a trip to italy. How many days were u there? How many days do u feel u need? Was driving around on a Vespa the whole time annoying after a while or no?

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Is Sardinia Expensive to Visit?

• January 9, 2024

Sardinia, a beloved holiday destination and home to countless beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its common reputation, Sardinia doesn’t have to be an expensive place to visit. Of course, there are always ways to experience a luxury vacation in Sardinia, but understandably, this may not be feasible for just anybody.

Let us set the record straight – budget travel can still be 100% as enjoyable, especially on a remarkable island like Sardinia. In this short guide, we’ve included some real expenses from our own trip to Sardinia, including the cost of groceries, ferries, and accommodation. Our hope is that this will shed light on how much you can realistically plan on spending and get to planning your Sardinia vacation now.

Quick Guide

Cost of ferries from and to sardinia, cost of accommodations in sardinia, are groceries expensive in sardinia.

• Is Sardinia Expensive for Eating Out ?
• Gifts and Other Costs

Short Price Guide for Tourists Visiting Sardinia

Since our area of expertise is in taking road trips throughout Europe, we’re used to ferry travel to and from islands such as Sardinia. Our ferry costs account for the travel of 2 adults (young kids are free) + 1 car and 1 dog . Based on our experience, ferry prices fluctuate quite regularly depending on availability and time of travel or year. It also does matter where you buy your ticket from . Try to avoid buying ferry tickets from third parties and purchase them directly from the carrier instead.

Corsica (Bonifacio) to  Sardinia (Santa Teresa): €85.98 ( one way)

Palau to La Maddalena : €45 (round trip)

Olbia to Tuscany (Livorno): €90 (one way)

We spent a few nights in La Maddalena in addition to a longer stay on “mainland” Sardinia. For a full list of recommendations on La Maddalena hotels and places to stay, head here .

Our trip took place during the month of September . This is considered to be the low or shoulder season . We ended up booking accommodation on the higher end because we wanted a kitchen to cook our own meals, so we opted for an Airbnb stay. For a destination that also hosts some of the nicest hotels in the world, the prices aren’t outrageous.

The average cost for lodging during shoulder season sits anywhere between €60 – €100 per night based on the type of accommodation. If you are planning to stay in a town center or beachfront property, the cost of living arrangements will clearly be higher.

Entire apartment in Sedini (6 nights): €65/night

Entire apartment in La Maddalena (4 nights): €88/night

Naturally, grocery chain stores such as Conad and even Eurospin (budget grocery store in Europe) will be more expensive in Sardinia. This is simply due to the extra cost of transportation it takes to get items onto an island.

The more you can avoid shopping for non-local food items , the lower your grocery bill will be. If you are staying in a popular area such as Costa Smeralda, expect your food costs to be comparatively higher than quieter parts of the island.

Shopping at Conad (€€ more expensive grocery chain): Expect a daily grocery budget of around €25 for two people .

Shopping at Eurospin (€ budget grocery chain ): A daily grocery budget of less than €15 for two people is feasible.

Are Restaurants in Sardinia Expensive?

Most of our experiences eating out in Sardinia were centered around seafood, for obvious reasons. This is probably the reason it seemed like restaurant prices are higher than in other parts of Italy we’ve traveled to. If you are looking for cheap ways to travel in Sardinia, we recommend keeping visits to restaurants to a minimum.

Gelato at La Finestrella : €2 per scoop

Dinner for two at Puffer Fish : €71

Dinner for two at Zi Antò : €33.50

Lunch for two at Quintilio : €70

Pasticceria (medium tray of assorted treats): €5

Dinner at casual restaurant with no name: €35

You’ll likely want to leave with a souvenir or two from your trip to Sardinia. We personally don’t buy too many things when we travel, unless we find something really meaningful or easy to pack. However, during this trip, I wanted to bring back a bottle of wine for my family, so we stopped in a specialty wine store.

All of the wine was incredibly overpriced . Later, we ended up finding the same brands of wine at the grocery store for half the price. On this day, the tourist trap beat us with a €25 bottle of generic local wine. Falling for specialty stores that are well marketed instead of genuine is one of the easiest ways to overpay in Sardinia.

Transportation & Parking

If your itinerary is flexible and allows for extra travel time, Sardinia public transport is a comfortable solution for solo travelers or backpackers. A single ride starts at around €1.30, with multi-use passes offered at a discount.

If you are driving around Sardinia, do not overlook parking fees. There are countless free beaches in Sardinia, but it doesn’t mean that parking will always be free. On top of that, you could end up at a paid beach with paid parking .

If you decide to visit a particularly popular beach, parking could cost up to €5-€10 per hour. These little convenient fees add up if you aren’t mindful. Since we steered away from big crowds, the most we ended up paying for parking was €2 per hour at Spiaggia La Pelosa .

Travel Resources for Visiting Sardinia

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Sardinia Revealed

31 Things to Know Before Traveling to Sardinia

Are you planning your trip and are not sure what are the most important things to know before traveling to Sardinia? You have landed in the very right place.

A land of age-old traditions, mysterious tales, incredible food, and breathtaking landscapes, Sardinia is the perfect place to visit whether you want a beach vacation or an offbeat cultural holiday. Diverse and exciting, you can plan your Sardinia trip any season of the year and enjoy every time a different aspect of the island.

If you want to improve your knowledge of Sardinia and you are not sure how to do it, or you think you know the island well enough, we are here to help and challenge you. Read on and test yourself with my things to know before you travel to Sardinia!

Table of Contents

It’s a desert island. Or is it?

From the plane, you will have the impression of landing on a desert island where villages are small, far from each other, and with the desert countryside in between. With slightly more than 1.600.000 inhabitants and an area of about 24.000 square kilometers, Sardinia (Sardegna, Italy) is possibly the Italian region with the lowest population density.

Get ready to gain weight

The overwhelming hospitality of the locals and our outrageously good food will conspire against your diet. Be ready, you will hardly be able to resist, both for the genuine ability to tickle your senses with food and wine and for the people’s unrelenting persuasion techniques.

We have amazing food

From incredible seafood dishes to local meat fares, surrendering to the local hospitality in Sardinia won’t be a sacrifice. Each town and village has its own typical dishes. So, if you are in Alghero, immerse in Catalan flavors, in Dorgali, tuck into the finely decorated culurgiones dumplings, while in Cabras, try bottarga mullet roe and seafood dishes.

…And wine

Sardinia has many wineries producing fantastic wines , but don’t be surprised if you are offered a house wine made by a private that tastes like an award-winning product. Many families still make their own wines and the grape harvest is an occasion to gather friends and townspeople for help and offer a huge meal to everyone.

…And craft beer

Sardinians love beer, and this is not a piece of news. In fact, Ichnusa is an evergreen brand that has been exported to other Italian regions. In the last decade or so, however, craft beer is becoming more and more popular and local breweries have opened across the island.

Names like Horo from Sedilo , Brumare from Bauladu, Mezzavia from Selargius, and Barley from Maracalagonis near Cagliari have been welcomed by the locals and used for festivals and in restaurants.

Local sweets are not too bad either

Do whatever you want but don’t skip on the local sweets. I know, it’s not something you can overdo, but Sardinian pastries and sweets are addictive. From the pardulas during Easter to the zeppole and fatti fritti for Carnival to the wine-must-filled tziriccas , any day and any occasion are good for tucking into Sardinia’s traditional sweets.

One type of bread is not enough

Just like sweets, in Sardinia, we like variety also when it comes to bread. Coccoi , carasau flatbread, pan’e prama for Palm Sunday, coccoi cun s’ou for Easter, and plenty of types of finely decorated bread for every occasion that change depending on the province, town, and village.

If you are offered rotten cheese, don’t take it as an insult

It’s actually a local delicacy and a rare one. Declared illegal a while ago, while now the casu marzu , or casu fattizzu depending on the area, is permitted, it remains not very easy to find mainly because it’s not very easy to make.

I tried it after more than 30 years of staunch refusal and I still have mixed feelings. It does come with live maggots, but it’s not rotten and is a sign of great hospitality.

Do we speak Italian or Spanish? Maybe Latin.

You will hear a different language more similar to Spanish than Italian. Don’t worry, you are still in Italy, it’s just the local idiom. Declared an official minority language by the European Union and even listed in UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, Sardinian is a proper language.

In fact, it bears its own dialects that change depending on the village. From north to south, people speaking their strict dialect might not understand each other. I come from the center of Sardinia so probably mine being contaminated by all surrounding dialects allows me to understand everyone.

Are you ready to travel in time?

Among the things to know before you travel to Sardinia is that you’ll travel in time repeatedly, ranging from modern towns to small villages where old traditions are still very much alive among adults and youngsters alike.

Be it a reckless horse race tribute to an emperor turned into a saint or a scary black-masked legacy of a 2000-year-old ritual, every festival is the perfect excuse for the whole town to get together and catch up with what’s new and with old friends we haven’t met for a while to cherish our own traditions whenever we can.

Parties are every other day

You will find yourself in wild parties when you least expect it. It might be Italians’ great love for food or Sardinians’ knack for parties, but every village has its own religious festivals, with some going on for days.

Whether it’s a food sagra , Carnival parties, religious commemorations, or local festivals, if you are lucky enough to happen in the middle of a traditional celebration, enjoy the festive atmosphere and the good food, locals will be delighted to welcome you.

We make dinner for the dead

No need to panic about some creepy talks and practices such as making dinner for the dead, it’s a local tradition, not some satanic ritual. This doesn’t happen everywhere, but in some villages for the night of the dead between November 1st and 2nd, the family prepares the dinner for their dead and leaves it on the table all night.

Apparently, this ritual should be respected only where it belongs, and rumors say it isn’t allowed everywhere.

The only Italian woman to ever win the Literature Nobel Prize is from Sardinia

Her name is Grazia Deledda and hailed from Nuoro, where you can still visit the house where she was born and raised. Coming from a wealthy family but born at a time when it wasn’t proper for girls with good manners to continue school, Grazia Deledda was lucky to have her father and brothers on her side. By supporting her education and studies, they have made it possible for the young writer to become a worldwide known and translated novelist.

Nuoro was known as Sardinia’s Athens

Not only because it was the birthplace of Grazia Deledda but Nuoro was also of great artists such as poet and writer Sebastiano Satta, poet Pasquale Dessanay, sculptor Francesco Ciusa, musician Priamo Gallisay, and photographer Sebastiano Guiso.

Animals have the right of way

Always keep in mind that when driving on country roads, cows and sheep have the right of way. It’s been argued that in Sardinia sheep outnumber people and I have no reason to doubt that. Moreover, if we add the bovine body, you will really need to abide by the unconventional road law.

This is especially important to know because if you plan a trip to Sardinia you must consider renting a car . The public transport on the island, in fact, is next to non-existent and to reach just about anywhere, you will need your own car.

A local bandit used to run tours

There was a time, not long ago, when the famous Sardinian bandit Graziano Mesina would take you around his obstreperous village, Orgosolo, to admire the local controversial street art and feel the island’s proud character.

Always very little prone to obedience and compliance to the rule, Orgosolo is the only place in Sardinia where Nato couldn’t manage to build a military base, and still today it’s possible to see the ghost town started by the army. Hot-tempered and little patient since the invasion of Piedmont’s former royal family, the Savoys, later become unified Italy’s first and last monarchy clan, Orgosolo’s townspeople always fought against the occupiers, earning this way the infamous nickname of “bandits” that they carried up to today.

After being released from prison where he stayed some 40 years for killing his brother’s murderer, Mesina began to run tours around the village. Apparently, he was also very popular and always fully booked. However, he has been arrested again and is now in jail. You can probably book his tour when he gets out.

The forerunner of euthanasia is from Sardinia

The tale of the old woman who “helped” the terminally ill die is not a tale, it’s true. She’s known as S’Accabadora (“the one who puts an end”) and was in charge of the local ancient tools for euthanasia. That’s right, she was an old woman, every town and village had its own Accabadora.

Nobody really knew exactly who she was, they just managed to let her know when she was needed, when the pain was too unbearable and when medicine couldn’t go any further. And there she was, arriving with her tiny little hammer ready to show mercy and give the sick person some relief and eternal rest.

Discover King Solomon’s favorite fabrics

Sardinia boasts the last priestess of the ancient art of weaving sea silk, a popular craft of the Mediterranean countries dating back thousands of years ago. Her name is Chiara Vigo, she lives in Sant’Antioco , the small island facing Sardegna’s southernmost coast and she’s the master of one of the things to know before you travel to Sardinia.

The silk, called “byssus” is a fine fabric obtained from the velvety strand of the noble pen shell, an endangered fan-shaped mollusk native of the Mediterranean seabed, where Chiara dives herself in order to get the raw fiber without killing the precious shell.

The finished product would cost up to 500,000 euros, but like for every true legend, there is a trick: selling is off the table. Chiara, and all her family members before her, took an oath: the byssus cannot be sold nor used for personal gains, it belongs to everybody, just like the sea.

Delving into this type of quirky tradition, of which the island is very rich, is definitely one of the most important things to know before you travel to Sardinia!

Women wear headscarves

Or they used to. And some still do. Among the things to know before you travel to Sardinia, in fact, is that you will very likely stumble on women wearing long black skirts and headscarves.

You weren’t whirled to some conservative Middle Eastern countries, you are just experiencing some reminiscence of the Arab presence in the island’s past. There are different models, colors, and shapes depending on the Sardinian town , but the core principles are the same: long skirts, intricate and sophisticated jewelry, and headscarves.

It’s dotted with Bronze-Age towers

Calling them towers is a very simplistic way to define Sardinian Nuraghes. In fact, these ancient stone buildings from some 3500 years ago served different purposes and were usually the heart of larger villages and defensive strongholds.

As of now, the officially registered Nuraghes across Sardinia are 7000 and several Nuragic villages are open to visitors. These make for some of the most important archaeological sites in Sardinia .

We have fairies’ houses and tombs of giants

For as uncanny as it sounds, these are Sardinia’s archaeological vestiges and even older than the Nuraghes. Get lost in the myriad of fairies’ houses, giants’ tombs, and sacred wells scattered across the island, the remains of a lost civilization still shrouded in mystery. To the extent that some researchers are identifying Sardinia with the lost civilization of Atlantis !

With new discoveries being made every day, such as the army of huge stone statues in Mont’e Prama, Prama Mount, called the Giants of Mont’e Prama, much of Sardegna’s ancient history is being re-written these very days. Overall, historians agree that native nuragic civilization was very advanced and pursued profitable trades with the other Mediterranean populations.

Look for the elixir of life

Sardinia is one of the places with the highest number of over-100-year-old people in the world, and this blessing couldn’t miss the list of things to know before traveling to Sardinia. You can ask any of the local old people about their secret to longevity, they’ll be happy to reveal it to you.

They regularly put it on the trend of the moment, be it the red wine, the Mediterranean diet, or the village life. The trick, however, is well-known and involves all of them: a simple life, eating healthy and little, barely having dinner, and enjoying a glass of red wine every day.

Carnival is not always a burst of colors and wild parties

In fact, in traditional Sardinia, Carnival means scary ugly masks dancing around the fire all night. It might sound monotonous but it’s actually one of the most fascinating times of the year to visit Sardinia. In some of the most traditional places, festivities are directly linked to our ancient heritage and are more popular than modern pop music-led parties.

Should you happen in Sardinia in February, don’t miss intriguing celebrations such as Mamoiada’s Mamuthones , a 2000-year-old propitiatory ritual to please the gods, and Oristano’s Sartiglia, involving acrobatic stunts from the horses’ saddles.

Being aware of our habit to mix pagan and Christian beliefs is one of the things to know before you travel to Sardinia and will definitely improve your knowledge of the island!

It’s a small-scale continent

By roaming from village to village during your Sardinia holiday, you’ll have the impression of being in a small-scale continent as you will find a different language, different dishes, different traditions, and different mentality in each of them.

That’s right, each town, even the smaller ones, will welcome you with its own costumes, festivals, products, handicraft, and food, bearing as a common trait almost only the sense of hospitality.

The last species of Europe’s wild horses live here

One of the things to know before traveling to Sardinia is that you are bound to find some ancient flora and fauna. The “Giara di Gesturi” plateau in central Sardinia is the natural habitat for these beautiful creatures. They are not ponies, just small horses, basically as small as they were 10.000 years ago.

Protected by the regional administration, today their only natural dwelling is this Gesturi’s plateau. It’s forbidden to bring them food and to interrupt in any way their daily routine. If you visit, try not to get too close to avoid interfering with their lifestyle.

In Sardinia, stones bleed and sing

At least when in the hands of unconventional sculptor Pinuccio Sciola . Visionary, to put it mildly, Sciola made stones appear alive. The true backbone of Sardinia and of the whole planet. When I visited him in his garden museum, he “played” his stones making me revise my idea of minerals.

We remove the evil eye

Not everyone, just the people with a “call”. Mostly women, sometimes also men, can cast a spell to protect you against the evil eye someone delivered to you. There is no social class for it, they were just born with a special gift.

They have their own tools, which can be coffee or a stone. They strictly do not accept money because theirs is not a job. If someone asks you for money, don’t trust them, they are fake. Although I doubt in Sardinia they would, the “ malocchio ” (evil eye) is something taken very seriously.

… And some more bizarre traditions and folktales

Contos de fuchile , tales of the fireplace. This is how Grazia Deledda defined the Sardinian folktales and popular traditions handed down orally from one generation to the next.

From fairies to evil entities, from fertility-boosting rituals to ghost tales, Sardinia is extremely rich in creepy folktales that grandmas like to tell their grandchildren. At least mine did.

It was a shelter for the Knights Templar

That’s right, after being banned and persecuted, the Knights Templar sought refuge in Sardinia and settled across the island founding also several hospitals. Some of the places where you can find Templars’ traces are in Dorgali and in the small church of San Leonardo near the town of Santu Lussurgiu.

It’s not too expensive

Unless you arrive in summer. This is one of the most important things to know before traveling to Sardinia or even before planning your trip. You are going to find much cheaper prices for both accommodation and transportation such as international flights and ferries if you travel off-season.

From mid-June to mid-September it’s considered high season so rates will be higher. But if you travel in spring, fall, or even winter, your vacation will be way more affordable.

Not only beaches, please. Pretty please.

All the things above happen far from the beach . Think about it. I know, I know, Sardinia is an island. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and with some 1.900 km of shoreline, it bears the heavy record of Italy’s most beautiful beaches (I’m Sardinian, allow me some bragging).

Even though most of the tourists pour in summer, limiting your holidays in Sardinia to its coast will greatly narrow the opportunities to delve into local life and traditions. Visiting Sardinia in spring , for example, is a great time to enjoy the fantastic weather and the fascinating Easter celebrations.

This is definitely one of the things to know before traveling to Sardinia so that you reach the island bearing some good alternative itineraries as a break from your beach time.

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This Italian Island Has Tranquil Villages, Stunning Beaches, and Luxury Hotels — Here's How to Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to know to plan the perfect vacation on Sardinia.

Sardinia's famous Costa Smeralda, a 12-mile stretch of dreamy shoreline along the northeast, attracts travelers looking to immerse themselves in la dolce vita. And really, with its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, rugged coastline, ancient archaeological sites, and fascinating culture and traditions, who could blame them? The Mediterranean island truly does have it all.

Sardinia is the second-largest island in Italy after Sicily and is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The island spans 9,305 square miles (or slightly larger than the state of Vermont) and is home to about 1.64 million people. The closest land to Sardinia is another island, Corsica, which is only about eight miles north. Sardinia lies 125 miles from the coast of mainland Italy and about the same distance from the shores of Northern Africa.

The island — with its idyllic mountains and tranquil villages, giving way to bustling resort towns along its rocky coastline — offers an abundance of activities for every type of traveler. Whether you want to bask in the sun, take in the breathtaking views, or taste the local culture, the island will leave a lasting impression on you.

How to Get to Sardinia

Visitors can either fly to one of the three main airports in Sardinia (Cagliari Elmas Airport, Olbia Airport, and Alghero Fertilia Airport) or take a scenic — albeit long — ferry ride to the island. There are multiple daily flights between Italy's major cities and the island, including Rome and Milan, and many of those are operated by low-cost airlines for as cheap as €8. You can also fly to the island from many European cities, including London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Brussels, and many more.

If time is not of the essence (or you would like to bring a car), take a ferry from mainland Italy, France, or Barcelona. Sardinia has five ferry ports, so you can take the slow route whenever you wish.

The Best Times to Go to Sardinia

While many consider the Italian island a summer spot, Sardinia offers plenty to do and see year-round.

If you are after its sun-drenched picture-perfect beaches, the best time to visit Sardinia is during the peak season between June and September, when temperatures soar. If packed beaches are not your thing, consider stopping by at the end of September or October, when the sea is still warm, but most tourists have left the island.

Sardinia is also beautiful in the spring — between March and May — when the flowers and trees are in full bloom, and the weather is perfect for hiking. May is also when the Feast Of Sant'efisio Cagliari takes place. It's a multi-day festival, where thousands of participants accompany the statue of Sant'efisio from Cagliari to Nora and back, roughly a 40-mile journey.

Autunno in Barbagia takes place every fall and lasts a whopping three months. Visitors can enjoy cultural events on weekends dedicated to local arts and crafts. And every winter, the island celebrates Carnival di Mamoiada , one of Sardinia's oldest and most mysterious festivals dating back thousands of years.

Things to Do in Sardinia

Castello, Cagliari

Set on a hill in Sardinia's capital, the historic Castello district is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cagliari and holds many of the city's significant landmarks. The narrow streets, flanked by ancient buildings, historic palazzos, and churches, transport travelers back in time. Some must-see sights include the Bastione di Saint Remy fort for its panoramic views and beautiful classic architecture, the Cagliari Cathedral and its bell tower, and the Archaeological Museum.

Su Nuraxi Nuraghe

Central Sardinia is home to the island's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and most important archaeological landmark, a striking example of prehistoric architecture called Su Nuraxi Nuraghe. A nuraghe is a defensive stone structure that originated in Sardinia in the Bronze Age. The complex comprises a central stone tower that once reached almost 61 feet in height and four smaller towers connected by a curtain wall.

Porto Flavia

Located near Nebida in the southwest, Porto Flavia looks like it belongs to a scene from "Game of Thrones." Directly built into the cliff and facing the sea, this port is considered a masterpiece of mining engineering that served as a loading dock. Two tunnels connect the port to a mine that once allowed workers to quickly load minerals onto the ships. Today, visitors can tour the site only by appointment and with a guide for safety reasons. The hour-long tour includes a walk along the upper tunnel that ends at the terrace, which offers breathtaking views of the sea and coastline.

The Neptune's Grotto

This two-million-year-old cave in Capo Caccia, Alghero, is one of Sardinia's most-visited natural wonders. Arrival at its entrance is either via boat or a staircase built on the side of a rocky cliff overlooking the sea. Once inside, visitors are introduced to a beautiful world full of wondrous natural sculptures known as stalactites and stalagmites. The grotto is also home to one of the largest saltwater lakes in Europe, Lago Lamarmora.

Castelsardo

Castelsardo, often ranked as one of Italy's most charming villages, occupies a hill on the northwest of the island. With its landscape dominated by the perfectly preserved medieval Doria castle, colorful houses spilling down the cliff sides, and the glistening waters of the Mediterranean, Castelsardo looks like it's out of a fairy tale.

Porto Cervo

The crown jewel of Sardinia's renowned Costa Smeralda is this small resort town that, in the summer, becomes the glitzy playground of the international jet set. Its picturesque port fills up with luxury (mega)yachts, and its streets are bustling with celebrities, socialites, and political dignitaries, soaking up the Sardinian sun and dolce vita lifestyle.

Where to Stay in Sardinia

Hotel Cala di Volpe

SP160, 07021 Capriccioli SS, Italy +39 0789 976111 Marriott.com

Located on the stunning Costa Smeralda, the glamorous waterfront Hotel Cala di Volpe treats its guests to spacious suites, a dazzling beach, an Olympic-size saltwater pool, a golf course, and a wellness center and spa, among other high-end facilities. While lush, Mediterranean landscapes surround the property, it is a short eight-minute drive from the vibrant downtown area of Porto Cervo.

Hotel Li Finistreddi

Loc. Micalosu Via le Finestrelle, 07021 Cannigione +39 0789 869144 finistreddi.it

Perched on a hill in the heart of Costa Smeralda, this almost 15-acre property offers vistas of Sardinia's emerald coast and La Maddalena archipelago. Hotel Li Finistreddi has three villas with swimming pools and 19 suites with private entrances and sea views. During the day, guests can lounge by the property's two pools or take a shuttle to the dreamy white-sand Barca Bruciata Beach.

Petra Segreta Resort & Spa

Via Stazzu Malcusa, 07026 San Pantaleo +39 0789 187 6441 petrasegretaresort.com

As the only Relais & Châteaux property in Sardinia, the sprawling Petra Segreta Resort & Spa offers guests a memorable experience set against the idyllic backdrop of stunning Costa Smeralda. The resort, nestled on 12 scenic acres of verdant forest, has 25 rooms and suites set in traditional Sardinian stone houses with private patios and modern interiors. The resort's fine-dining restaurant, il Fuoco Sacro, is among the best on the island and mainland Italy and serves patrons delectable "dishes full of modern Italian flavor," according to the Michelin Guide .

La Villa del Re

Località Su Cannisoni, 09040 Castiadas CA +39 070 775 3009 Lavilladelre.com

This adults-only boutique hotel sits in a scenic park on the southeast coast of Sardinia and offers front-row views of the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Costa Rei. The property's facade invokes traditional Sardinian architecture, while its 50 rooms and suites are all about soothing palettes and timeless elegance. The private beach and chic infinity pool are perfect for enjoying the hot Sardinian sun with a cocktail in hand. The hotel's pool-side restaurant, Bella Vista, lives up to its name and treats patrons to gorgeous sea views and delicious Mediterranean fare.

Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa

Lungomare Valencia, 1, 07041 Alghero SS +39 079 981818 Hotelvillalastronas.it

With its classic tower-inspired Belle Epoque architecture, gardens, and dramatic location, Villa Las Tronas is a unique base to explore Alghero and Sardinia's northwest coast. The spacious 24 rooms are all about Old World charm, clad in marble or parquet floors, crystal chandeliers, and vintage furniture. The hotel's spa features an indoor pool, a Turkish bath, and a sauna, while the seafront restaurant offers a seasonal vegetarian menu.

Località Mucchi Bianchi, 07021 Baja Sardinia SS, Italy +39 0789 99880 7pines.com

This brand new resort opens in July 2022 in a remote cove in Baja Sardinia. With 76 light-filled, spacious rooms and suites overlooking its gardens or the sea, 7Pines is a stylish retreat just a short drive from vibrant Porto Cervino. The two pools nestled amid swaying palms and surrounded by sunbeds and cabanas are the epitome of Italian chic, while those who prefer to take a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean can head to the resort's main beach or explore the secluded coves around the property.

Getting around Sardinia, Italy

Mar 19, 2024 • 5 min read

From cars and scooters to trains and ferries, these are the best ways to get around Sardinia © Stefano Oppo / Getty Images

Despite being the Mediterranean's second largest island, Sardinia is relatively compact, measuring roughly 300km (186mi) north-to-south and 125km (78mi) east-to-west. You can cross the entire island in a few hours, though sinuous two-lane roads and limited rail and bus connections can make short distances more time-consuming to cover than you might expect. Traveling with your own car, motorbike or bicycle makes it much easier to explore Sardinia's beaches, archaeological sites and other destinations not well served by public transport.

Sardinia is easiest to explore with your own vehicle

Vehicle rentals .

Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis and other international operators rent out vehicles at Sardinia's three main airports in Cagliari , Olbia and Alghero , alongside Italian rental chains such as Maggiore and Only Sardinia . Smaller cities, including Nuoro, Oristano and Alghero, also offer in-town car hire, while motorbike and scooter rentals are available in many beach resorts. Electric cars are available for rent, but charging stations are few and far between – and often slow.

Rental car tips: While many credit card companies offer complimentary CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) protection to their cardholders, Italy is often excluded from the list of covered countries; check before you rent. Beware of narrow one-way streets in smaller villages; your car can easily get scratched or stuck. Away from the main cities and beach resorts, gas stations can be sparse, especially in the mountain towns of Sardinia's interior; save yourself headaches by fueling up ahead of time.

Road classifications

Sardinia has a handful of faster multi-lane highways, known as superstrade (SS for short); these include the SS131 connecting Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari and Porto Torres and sections of the SS125 running down Sardinia's east coast. Superstrade are toll-free, with speed limits topping out at 110km/h (68mph). Away from these main routes, be prepared for slower driving on two-lane, often curvy provincial roads known as strade provinciali (SP), where the speed limit ranges from 50km/h (31mph) in town to 90km/h (56mph) outside city limits. Note that many smaller access roads to beaches and trailheads are unpaved.

In cities, parking spaces designated with blue stripes require payment via street-side ticket machines or a phone app such as DropTicket . Rates are highest (€1-2 per hour) during normal business hours (9am-1pm and 4-8pm Mon-Sat). Free or reduced rates apply on evenings, Sundays and during lunch hours. Parking spaces marked with white stripes are free of charge. 

Every Sardinian municipality has its own rules for beach parking, which can cost as much as €2 per hour. Fee collection is typically managed by private companies, which often employ onsite parking attendants. Beware of hefty fines for parking outside designated areas in summer; if you do get a ticket, it's best to pay on the spot, as delayed payment can result in higher charges being billed to your credit card by the rental car company.

Cycling is an agreeable way to explore the Sardinian countryside, and rentals are available in most larger towns and coastal resorts. Bikes can be carried on Sardinian trains for a €3.50 surcharge.

The bus is Sardinia's most versatile public transport option

For exploring beyond the main cities, the bus is Sardinia's most convenient public transport option. ARST operates an extensive, well-priced network of bus routes connecting key destinations around the island, including many not reachable by rail. ARST has full-fledged bus stations in Alghero, Sassari, Olbia, Nuoro, Oristano, Iglesias and Cagliari. In smaller towns, buy tickets from a local bar or tobacconist and catch buses at stops marked with a "Fermata" signpost. 

Railways are limited in Sardinia, but useful for travel between main cities

Trenitalia , Italy's national rail system, offers a core network of routes in Sardinia. From Cagliari, trains run west to Iglesias and Carbonia, north to Oristano, Sassari and the Porto Torres ferry terminal, and northeast to Olbia and the Golfo Aranci ferry terminal. There are departures every hour or two on the main routes, and prices are reasonable; even the longest journeys, such as the four-hour trip from Cagliari to Olbia, generally cost less than €20.

ARST regional trains

ARST operates a supplementary narrow-gauge rail network, serving corners of the island not reached by Trenitalia. Most useful to visitors are the trains connecting Sassari to Alghero on the northwest coast, and the route from Macomer to Nuoro, an ideal jumping-off point for exploring eastern Sardinia. 

Tip for train transfers: In Macomer and Sassari, where the Trenitalia and ARST railways intersect, each company has its own separate station – but they're within easy walking distance of one another.

Sardinia's scenic tourist trains

Encompassing 400km (250mi) of narrow gauge railways, Sardinia's extensive tourist train network offers visitors a compelling glimpse of Sardinia's backcountry. Originally constructed in the 1800s to navigate the steep grades and sweeping curves of Sardinia's mountainous interior, these less-traveled routes were popularized by DH Lawrence in his book Sea and Sardinia . These days, the uber-scenic Trenino Verde (Little Green Train) offers five official routes around the island. Service is slow (20km/h), seasonal and prone to frequent shutdowns; check online to see which lines are currently operating.

Ferries are great for exploring Sardinia's offshore islands

Ferries provide easy, affordable access to Sardinia's offshore islands, including the spectacular Asinara and Maddalena national parks off Sardinia's north coast, Isola Tavolara near Olbia, and Isola di San Pietro in southwestern Sardinia. Main operators include Delcomar , Maddalena Lines and Tavolara Traghetti e Gite .

Accessible transportation in Sardinia

Sardinia has seen several recent improvements in accessible transport. Trenitalia now provides special accommodations for people with disabilities at eight stations, including Cagliari, Cagliari's Elmas Airport, Oristano, Sassari and Olbia. Free assistance with ticketing, boarding, disembarking and baggage handling is available to wheelchair users, pregnant women and passengers with hearing, vision or cognitive disabilities. All services are coordinated via the "Sala Blu" at Cagliari's main train station (email [email protected]).

ARST trains are equipped with mobile wheelchair boarding ramps, while city trams in Cagliari and Sassari have special wheelchair boarding platforms. ARST's new bus fleet includes well-signposted seating areas for travelers with disabilities, electronic lifts, Braille signage and audible confirmation of stop requests. For intercity travel on ARST buses, wheelchair users must communicate with ARST 36 hours in advance to confirm points of boarding and disembarking. 

Cagliari-based Arcobaleno organizes accessible transport to beach resorts and other further-flung destinations. 

For more general information about accessible travel, see Lonely Planet's resource page .

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SARDINIA HOLIDAYS In One Week – 9 Unforgettable Itineraries For You!

Contents - Open To Read

SARDINIA HOLIDAYS IN ONE WEEK

Latest update: June  2022

Do you have one week in Sardinia? I’ll give you one Itinerary for each area with places to visit, things to do & where to stay in Sardinia. Everything you need to know to plan your Sardinian Holidays, already tested by me for your convenience!

Are you planning a fabulous  holiday in Sardinia but only have one week?  You have no idea how many emails I receive asking me  where to stay, what to do, and which areas of Sardinia are the best for a one-week vacation . I can relate, trust me! I know how difficult it is to plan a one-week itinerary when the timing is tight, and I’m here to help you craft a great Sardinia holiday for you!

Before jumping to the juicy part ( my free – ready to use 9 Sardinia Itineraries ), let me tell you that It took me a hell of a lot of time to put together this article for you! After receiving countless emails and messages filled with all types of requests, I decided to create the itineraries based on your frequently asked questions:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SARDINIA HOLIDAYS AND ITINERARY FOR ONE WEEK

Click on the link to go to the related question

What are the Best Places for a Holiday in Sardinia?

Where to stay in Sardinia? What are the Best Accommodations, Hotels, and Resorts in Sardinia?

Which Sardinia airport is best to fly in and out of the Island?

What are the best things to do/places to see in one week’s holidays in Sardinia?

Is this particular Sardinian itinerary good for me?

What are the distances between places in Sardinia, and how long does it take to get there?

My Sardinia Holidays!Beautiful deserted Cala Domestica Beach at the beginning of October!

WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR A HOLIDAY IN  SARDINIA?

There are so many to choose from.  This is the question you always ask me when planning a trip to Sardinia . Which are the best places to visit in Sardinia? In this article, I’ve divided my Itineraries based on the best locations, so you have to pick the one that best fits your criteria!

Knowing Sardinia and its provinces, I’ve chosen the ones that will give you a great experience even if you only have seven days on the Island. I put them together based on the distances between the locations and the things you will be able to see.

WHERE TO STAY IN SARDINIA? BEST HOTELS & RESORTS

Another very hot topic! After choosing the location for your Sardinia Holidays, the next step is finding the right place to stay. I took the time (You have no idea how much time!!) to check out the  best hotels/resorts deals   for you . I will give you some info about each and the possibility of booking immediately. My advice is always the same: Don’t wait too long before booking, as the best hotel deals in Sardinia are gone as soon as Jan/February. I had a hard time finding availability for the best hotels most of the time!

HOT TIP: How to get the best Hotel Deals in Sardinia!

All the Accommodations recommended by me here are taken from Booking.com, which is the website that I am using the most lately for my bookings.  Are you still not sure about where to stay? Easy! Just book more than one property.

Make sure you choose the option “free cancellation,”  and in the end, you won’t lose your chance, and you can cancel the others! I’ve done it several times; it works like a charm! 🙂

WHICH SARDINIA AIRPORT IS BEST TO FLY IN AND OUT OF THE ISLAND?

Crucial decision, as depending on where you decide to fly in/out of Sardinia, your Itinerary might change considerably. Some of you will land and depart from the same airport. Some others choose two different airports.  In my Itineraries, there is always a map  that specifies the start and ending point,  including the Sardinia airport  you will have to use. This part can be flexible if you don’t mind driving for 2-3 hours.

 If you want to know more check out my page on getting around Sardinia

UNMISSABLE THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE IN SARDINIA IN ONE WEEK

For each day in every Itinerary, I added a clickable button saying “Itinerary detail,” In there, you will find a  detailed recap of suggestions about things to do in that specific location . Sometimes, I already have an article that talks in-depth about one particular place. If so, I’ll link to it, and you’ll find everything you need, from the  must-see locations and best beaches in Sardinia, where to eat , and more!

More things to do in Sardinia 

Things to do in Sardinia during Summer

Things to do in Sardinia In Winter-Off season

IS THIS SPECIFIC ITINERARY GOOD FOR ME?

To try and make things easy for you, after showing you the map with the route for each Itinerary, I’ll state three main highlights about that specific route (for example, “good for relaxing, for beaches, trekking, Sardinian cultural experience, etc.). This way,  you will know straight away if that specific Itinerary might work for you or not!

DISTANCES BETWEEN PLACES IN SARDINIA AND HOW TO GET THERE

So, how do you get to Sardinia and move around? This is where most of you get a bit confused and lost! 

I added a chapter below to clarify things, with a  Sardinia map  stating the distance between the airports and the  common misconceptions about the connections in Sardinia . A Map is always helpful if you plan on renting a car, so don’t skip that part 🙂

WHY THIS SARDINIA HOLIDAYS GUIDE?

From many of the emails and comments I’ve received over the past few years, I realized that people might be confused, and looking for help, because they have a wrong idea of how big Sardinia is. I’m here to help you in realizing the best way to create your Sardinia Itinerary, considering the following points:

1 | SARDINIA IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

Especially when planning a one-week holiday to Sardinia, you need to consider the distances between the North/ South and the East/West coasts and vice-versa.

Many of you commented with an itinerary idea, asking me if it’s doable and adding too many places. I know it isn’t easy to let something out of the list!) but  in many cases, covering everything in Sardinia in one week is impossible.

When planning your trip, you need to remember that Sardinia is a rather big island, and unless you rush from one place to another, staying there for just a few hours and driving to the next place, you can’t see it all.

And most importantly, is this something you want to do? If you only have one week in Sardinia,  I think it is much better to choose two or three destinations in the same area/province and enjoy more days of discovering these areas.

For your convenience, below is the  Sardinia map of the   Provinces .

I’d say for one week, two provinces, three max, if you include driving from the airport to your final destination, are ideal.

As you can see from the map above, to cover the main distances in Sardinia by car takes almost 2 hrs to more than 3 hours (not taking into consideration the traffic and only choosing the fastest route, which is not the best for landscapes)

2 | GETTING AROUND BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SARDINIA IS NOT EASY

Unfortunately, in Sardinia, the roads connecting the big cities/airports and the tourist destinations are few, and it might be pretty challenging to move from one coast to another (especially driving from the east to the west coast and vice-versa).

IMPORTANCE OF RENTING A CAR IN SARDINIA!

I advise you to  rent a car  if you can as this is the best way to have a smashing holiday in Sardinia  and discover the most remote locations and beaches on the coast. Many people rent online way before their holiday because it is more convenient and less stressful, and you will find many more options than renting on the spot when you arrive.

YOU CAN RENT YOUR CAR DIRECTLY HERE!

This website is my favorite as it compares all the biggest car hire companies, and the prices are low! 

A note for you: In this box, you don’t have the option to pick up the car at one airport and drop it off at another. But after you click the search button, you can change it. Don’t worry, I had this “issue” but I sorted it out quickly.

If you can’t rent a car, you will be stuck with buses that take twice as long or trains (not so many choices here), and you’ll always have to consider at least 1/2 changes for the longest routes.

I’m writing another blog post addressed to all the people who can’t afford to rent a car and wish to visit  Sardinia by using public transport .  If you are one of them, stay tuned and subscribe to get an email when the new post is published!

Subscribe here!

So here we are, to the core of the article! Below you will find several (reasonable!) Itineraries are ready to choose from if you have only  one week for your fabulous Sardinia Holidays!

I’ve divided the itinerary into days you should spend in each location with a brief recap of the main attractions in these places. 

I also link to my other articles where I talk more in-depth about everything, and  even my recommendations regarding accommodation, Hotels, B&B, villas, and resorts for each location in Sardinia.

One last piece of advice, if you have already decided to come to Sardinia, don’t wait too long before booking your stay.

  The best, cheapest (but also the luxury) hotels and resorts in Sardinia might not be available anymore  or might have limited availability and higher prices.

SARDINIA HOLIDAYS BEST ITINERARIES

NORTH EAST SARDINIA Olbia/Palau/San Teodoro

NORTH WEST SARDINIA Bosa/Alghero/Stintino

NORTH SARDINIA                  Gallura/Costa Paradiso

SOUTH EAST SARDINIA Cagliari/Villasimius/Costa Rei

SOUTH WEST SARDINIA Cagliari/Piscinas/Oristano

SOUTH SARDINIA Cagliari/Chia/Villasimius

WEST SARDINIA     Oristano/Alghero

EAST SARDINIA                           Golfo di Orosei/Cala Gonone

CARLOFORTE SARDINIA           Isola di San Pietro/Portoscuso

Itinerary #1 | SARDINIA HOLIDAYS: NORTH-EAST COAST

Olbia – Golfo Di Orosei area –  San Teodoro – Budoni

THIS ITINERARY IS GOOD FOR YOU IF:

If you want to relax and take it easy, enjoying fabulous beaches and wild nature

If you fly in and out from Olbia airport, meaning minimum stress at your arrival/departure .

If you want to see fewer places but have a more “in-depth” Sardinian experience

Day 1: Olbia Airport

This Itinerary starts at Olbia airport . Depending on what time your flight lands in Olbia, you can either rent a car and drive to your first destination: Cala Gonone (Golfo di Orosei).

If the flight arrives late in the afternoon (let’s say after 7-8 pm), I’d suggest you to find a Hotel in Olbia and spend the night in there (click to find the best accommodation in Olbia)

Day 1/4: Cala Gonone

This is my personal favorite spot in Sardinia, Iff you read my comments you already know it 🙂 Discover the wild beauty of the Golfo di Orosei   having as a base one of the most enchanting and vibrants villages in the area!

Cala Gonone is the perfect location for Boat trips, driving to the main attractions (more on the Itinerary detail tab) or just relaxing and strolling around the pier, eating a gelato or trying a nice restaurant!

Day 4-7: San Teodoro

San Teodoro is another favorite of mine (for different reasons). Beautiful white sand beaches , combined with a bit of nightlife if you fancy sipping a cocktail or dance in one of the famous night clubs, or if you prefer a more relaxed vacation, drive to one of the nearby Agriturismo for a typical Sardinian dinner!

Note: San Teodoro is not just for young people looking for some fun . If you have a car, the beaches nearby are spectacular and there are other activities suited for families and people that are not into the “party scene”

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTH EAST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near cala gonone, san teodoro, and budoni, hotel bue marino.

Enjoy beautiful views of the entire Gulf of Orosei from the panoramic terrace and relax in the hot tub . The beach is right across the street.The hotel features comfortable rooms with A/C, many of which have a sea view! Guests rating: 8.5

Price p/p:   From 40 Euros

HOTEL SANDALYON

If you want to wake up and simply walk to the beach? This Hotel is perfect for you! At just 100 m from la Cinta beach , it features a restaurant and spacious rooms. It is also great if you are a group of 3 people! Guests Rating: 7,9

Price p/p:  From 70 Euros 

 HOTEL BUDONI 

Just 200m from Porto Ainu beach and  4 km south of Budoni. It offers elegant rooms with light colour schemes, free Wi-Fi and patios overlooking the large garden. A lovely Hotel, good location and affordable! Guests rating: 7.9

Price p/p:  From 50 Euros 

MORE OPTIONS FOR HOTELS,RESORTS, VILLAS AND APARTMENTS IN

Cala gonone    san teodoro     budoni.

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Itinerary #2 | NORTH WEST SARDINIA HOLIDAYS

Alghero – Bosa – Stintino & La Pelosa Beach

If you are into nice beaches but also want to see more of Sardinian Heritage and cultural sites and enchanting traditional  villages like Bosa Marina, recognized as one of the best “borgos” (small villages) in Italy.

If you love shopping for typical Sardinian products and handcrafts, as Bosa and Alghero in particular have plenty of shops to choose from and you will find the perfect souvenir to take home with you! 

If you are flying in and out from Alghero Airport and want to see one of the most incredible beaches in Sardinia (Yes, I’m talking about La Pelosa beach). You can’t visit Alghero and miss Stintino’s best beach!

Day 1-2: Alghero Area

This Itinerary starts at Alghero Airport . You will have 2 days to explore this famous city and if you like the vibe and the activities I propose on the “Itinerary Detail” tab, you can stay longer and reduce you time in Stintino.

Alghero is one of the most iconic cities in Sardinia where tourists and locals mingle together. I like the views of the sunset on the sea from the city and the fact that there are so many things to do, restaurants to try and sites to visit!

Day 3-4: Bosa/Bosa Marina

Bosa is an enchanted small village , It was love at first sight for me!  Constructed around the banks of Temo river, you will recognize the place very easily for its colorful houses , a mix of modern and traditional architecture and for the famous Malaspina Castle.

A true Sardinian gem you can’t miss, with tons of activities and lovely places to eat or drink your italian “aperitivo” sitting in a bar overlooking the river!

Day 4-7: Stintino

As I said, you can’t go to Alghero and skip Stintino . The small village itself it’s lovely and the things you can do in the surroundings,  including at least one maybe two visits to “La Pelosa” ,  space from beach bumming to finding some local bottegas where you can buy typical Sardinian products or have a great boat trip.

Perfect to chill down and enjoy the atmosphere of a very relaxed village overlooking the sea (to reach La Pelosa, from the village it might take from 3 to 8 minutes by car, depending on where you are located)

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTHWEST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near alghero, bosa marina, and stintino,  hotel calabona .

Panoramic sea views with amazing sunsets! The Hotel is just a 15-minute walk from Alghero’s historic centre. Outdoor pool with hydromassage jets, a paddling pool, free WiFi and a private beach. Guests Ratings: 7.8

Price p/p:   From 80 Euros

 HOTEL STELLA MARIS 

Located at 200 meters from a partner beach with parasols and sun loungers in Bosa Marina . Free parking, free bike hire and free Wi-Fi. The bus stop for Bosa city centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk. Guests Ratings: 8.2

 HOTEL 103 STINTINO 

This lovely Boutique Hotel is A 15-minute ferry ride from Asinara National Park. It offers some facilities, such as a bar and certain units at the property include a fantastic terrace with views of the port. Guest ratings: 9.7

Price p/p: From 33 Euros 

ALGHERO    BOSA     STINTINO

Itinerary #3 | north sardinia holidays.

From Olbia to Santa Teresa Di Gallura and Costa Paradiso (Paradise Coast)

If you are flying in and out of Olbia Airport and you want to avoid the super turistic Costa Smeralda. If you are in need of a more chilled down holiday where you don’t have to worry about your dress code too much 🙂

You want to discover a less crowded area in North Sardinia, as Costa Paradiso is on average less touristic than the rest of  the North, even during peak season, and enjoying some of the finest beaches in Sardinia anyway.

You are a very active person and you enjoy water sports such as Windsurf, Kitesurf, snorkeling & Scuba Diving. Both Santa Teresa and Costa Paradiso are perfect locations if you want to spend your days in the water !

Day 1-4: Santa Teresa

This Itinerary also starts (and ends) at Olbia airport (with the possibility of flying out from Alghero airport ). Santa Teresa di Gallura is probably the best base to explore North Sardinia, both east and west, depending on what you want to do.

In this itinerary, I am using Santa Teresa as a point to discover the north west part but it’s very convenient to check out the east coast as well. Not to mention that Santa Teresa itself is lovely enough to just spend a whole week in there!

Day 4-7: Costa Paradiso

I’ve spent a whole week in a small family villa in Costa Paradiso  (I went to Badesi beach and loved the sunsets over there!). It’s really perfect for a super chilled out holiday (in my case!) but also for kite surf and windsurf fanatics, as Isola Rossa it’s super famous for these sports and attracts many aficionados 🙂

I’ve never tried myself but I know where all these places are in Sardinia, you can’t really miss them when the sky above the sea is dotted with colorful “parachutes” (pardon me for my ignorance, but they are so beautiful to watch anyway!)

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTH SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near santa teresa di gallura, costa paradiso, and isola rossa.

         Hotel Marinaro         

Santa Teresa Di Gallura

The Hotel is situated in the historic centre of Santa Teresa Di Gallura, close to the tourist harbours.The Marinaro is close to the famous the beach Rena Bianca , where you can spend pleasant hours sunbathing and swimming. Guests Ratings: 8.5

Price p/p:   From 35 Euros

        Resort Gravina        

Costa Paradiso

Dreamy!!Located a few minutes by car from the coast and its beautiful beaches, Resort Gravina – Costa Paradiso has a free-form outdoor pool set in relaxing garden. It offers self-catering apartments with a private entrance. Guests Rating: 7.1

        Hotel Corallo      

Isola Rossa

Set in the fishing village of Isola Rossa, the Hotel has an outdoor pool and a restaurant with Sardinian food . Some offer a private terrace or balcony with beautiful views. Meals are served out on the panoramic terrace Guests Rating: 8

Price p/p:  From 46 Euros 

SANTA TERESA    COSTA PARADISO   ISOLA ROSSA

Itinerary #4 | south sardinia holidays east coast.

Cagliari/Villasimius/Costa Rei

You land and depart from Cagliari Airport this itinerary is perfect for you, as the distances are easy to cover from all these destinations, which means, less stress for you and more time to visit these marvelous places!

If you are a beach lover and  you want to relax and swim in crystal clear waters, practicing watersports (another great location if you are into Kitesurf &  Windsurf) and if you like to have bars and restaurants on the beach or very near to it 

If you like lively villages with plenty of options for eating out and have a drink, which means that this itinerary is very versatile, and can be the perfect choice for solo travelers as well as couples and families.

Day 1-3: Villasimius

Just the panoramic route from Cagliari Airport to Villasimius is worth it! Now they created a relatively new road which is supposedly faster and easier, but I STRONGLY recommend you to take the scenic route as you will drive with the coastline on your right, up to the hills so that you will see the sea  below.

Villasimius itself is super lovely and lively with tons of activities and nice places to try (more on tis on the “Itinerary Details tab), coming soon, as I’m working on it as you are reading this!

Day 4-7: Costa Rei

Very convenient from Villasimius, a zero-stress ride, pretty quick and easy. Costa Rei is less than 20 minutes ride away from your first stop , with its 12 km long sandy beach waiting for you. I used to spend my summers in Costa Rei in a typical “villetta” with the whole family from age 8 to age 15 every year, and loved it each time!

Now it is more modern and with more facilicities than in the past, but the beauty of “Lo scoglio di Peppino” on the beach still remains untouched! You might be wondering: “What on earth is “Lo scoglio di Peppino”?! 🙂 More on the Itinerary Details!

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH EAST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near villasimius, punta molentis, and costa rei.

         Hotel Mariposas         

Villasimius

The Hotel offers free WiFi, a garden and an outdoor pool .All rooms at Hotel Mariposas are air-conditioned and include a TV, minibar and desk. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and a bidet. Guests Rating: 9.5

Price p/p:   From 65 Euros

       Hotel Torre Salinas        

Free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a children’s playground. Right on the beachfront, the hotel has a sun terrace and fitness centre and a private beach and bike hire is available. Activities offered: horse riding, cycling and canoeing. Guests Rating: 8.3

Price p/p:  From 94 Euros 

       I Panorami Di Castello       

Located 5 km from Poetto Beach , and 200 mt from Bastione di San Remy, It offers pet-friendly accommodation in Cagliari. It boasts fantastic views of the sea  and is a great choice if you are  interested in old town explorings . Guests Rating: 9.8

Price p/p:  From 37 Euros 

VILLASIMIUS   COSTA REI   CAGLIARI

Itinerary #5 | south west sardinia holidays.

Nebida/Piscinas/Scivu/Oristano/Is Arutas/San Giovanni Di Sinis

Want to visit a relatively undiscovered (by the tourists at least) part of Sardinia, more wild and  almost exclusively frequented by local people, the “weird Sardinians” 🙂

If you are looking for a quiet vacation, away from the crowds, love to discover more than just beaches but also some nice spots on the Hinterland and some areas surrounding the beaches

If you land and depart from Cagliari or Land in Cagliari and depart from Alghero, as from Oristano it’s about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach both Airports. Quite convenient!

Day 1-4: Nebida

The Nebida area is so worth it! For the landcsapes, the beautiful panoramic views from the street and obviously for the magical sunsets over the sea. The first time in the Iglesias area is an incredible experience even for the locals. With its abandoned minerary sites, traditional villages and makestic rocks in the middle of the sea, Nebida (and surroundings) is a must if you want to visit the south west coast of Sardinia.

MORE INFO There are so many different things you can see in this area that I wasn’t even sure whether to include the second stop in Oristano (still worth it and doable in 1 week,  but slightly rushed) .

So you might consider this Itinerary as 2 separate ones or combine the two if you really want to see both areas!  And it’s actually perfect if you have 10 days, 5 days in each destination!

Day 4-7: Oristano

Strategically located right in the middle of the west coast, Oristano is another area which is well worth visiting if you want to combine culture and beautiful beaches all in one ! From stoppingby one of lovely traditional villages to visiting some ancient ruins, Oristano really has it all.  The touristy areas are not many and usually they are popular amongst people who travel by caravan  as there are several dedicated areas for it.

You don’t want to rent a caravan or you don’t have one? no problem, with a simple car you will be still able to see most of the beautiful attractions I’m going to list on the “Itinerary Details” tab here!

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH WEST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near nebida, piscinas, and oristano.

  L’incanto Tanca Piras  

Nebida – Gonnesa

Fantastic Swimming pool,  big garden with BBQ facilities, this  self-catering 2 bedroom house for 4 people has stunning views over the sea, private access to the beach at 200 m and 10 min drive to Nebida/Masua.   Guests Rating: 9.1

Price p/p:   From 60 Euros

Sa Corti De Sa Perda  

Sa Corti De Sa Perda offers panoramic views across Piscinas , a famous Sardinian village. It features rustic-style rooms with a furnished patio. The rooms are set in the annex of a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s. Guests Rating: 8.8 

Price p/p:  From 29 Euros 

Casa Vacanze San Giovanni 

San Giovanni Di Sinis – Cabras

Located in front of a sandy beach , Casa Vacanze offers air-con, garden, balcony, and free private parking. Set on 2 floors, it features a seating area with kitchenette, a TV and a washing machine. Good for 4 people.  Guests Rating: 8.6

Price p/p:  From 41 Euros 

NEBIDA/ GONNESA    PISCINAS   SAN GIOVANNI DI SINIS  / ORISTANO

Itinerary #6 | all south sardinia holidays.

You are planning on landing and departing from Cagliari Airport, as it’s easily reachable in a bit more than one hour drive from both sides of the coastline

You want to visit some of the most stunning beaches in South Sardinia, as well as archeological sites and  local villages, without using the car for too long to reach your place of interest

If  you have already been to Sardinia and only had the time to visit the northern part of the island and you now want to complete your exploration and see how diverse Sardinia can be!

Day 1-4: Cagliari/Pula

Start your  Sardinia holiday in the beautiful capital : Cagliari (my hometown!) . Beautiful beach town and tons of things to do in the surroundings, before heading to either Santa Margherita di Pula or the great beach houses on the south west coast. You will find so many great beaches one after the other and you’ll be able to also visit interesting archeological sites in Nora .

If you visit the south of Sardinia you can’t skip Su Giudeu beach and Tuerredda.  Even before reaching the beach your jaw will drop at the panoramic views along the road, 100% guardanteed!

Day 4-7: Villasimius

A holiday in south Sardinia wouldn’t be completed without checking out the gorgeous Villasimius , both town and beaches are incredible, lots to do, restaurants to try and activities for everyone!

This is a super popular spot in Sardinia and not by coincidence, the best accommodations and hotels around are almost always sold out way before the peak season. As already mentioned for my previous South east itineray, even the road to get there is unmissable !

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH  SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near villasimius, chia, tuerredda and santa margherita di pula.

 Janas Hotel

Janas Hotel is just 2 km from the coast and its beautiful beaches . It offers air-conditioned rooms, a shared terrace, and a continental-style breakfast. The rooms are elegantly decorated with a flat-screen TV. Guests Rating: 9.5

Price p/p:   From 48 Euros

Hotel Acqua Dulci

THIS IS MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE! Hotel Aquadulci is set in a peaceful location on Sardinia’s southern coast, directly connected to the sandy beach of Su Giudeu. The garden with palm trees includes a swimming pool.  Guests rating: 8.8

Price p/p:  From 158 Euros 

Hotel Costa Dei Fiori

Santa Margherita di Pula

The Hotel  offers 2 seawater swimming pools (one is an infinity pool boasting a stunning view of the sea) a restaurant, a café and elegant and refined rooms. Parking is free, private or shared balcony or patio. Wi-Fi is available. Guests rating: 8.3

Price p/p:  From 130 Euros 

VILLASIMIUS    CHIA  SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA   

Itinerary #7 | sardinia holidays: west coast.

From Cagliari, passing through Oristano, Stintino and leaving from Alghero

If you want to check out all the most iconic places of the west coast, the “less popular one” and dive into the real Sardinian culture, seeing some incredible beaches along the way too!

You land at Cagliari airport and depart from Alghero airport. Going back to Cagliari in this case is not recommended unless stricly necessary as you will lose one precious day to get back to the south.

You are into archaeology, natural and historical sights besides the splendid beaches (such as ancient ruins, fascinating grottos, Nuraghes and  also a bit of hiking/trekking if you are an active person.

Day 1-3: Oristano Area

Three days in the Oristano area are mandatory , from the big town to the small little villages in the surroundings, there is plenty to discover here (more on the “Itinerary Details” tab). I love the vibe in Oristano, it is more genuinely “Sardinia” than some other touristic places and being a local I appreciate when tourists take the time to vist it.

Not to mention that I’ve seen all the beautiful beaches in the area , some of them are truly unique in Sardinia and the sea is also great. Only one note: be careful when swimming and don’t venture too far from the shore as there are strong currents underwater.

Day 3-5: Alghero Area

With this Itinerary you will have some more time to discover the beauty of Alghero , the hystorical city center and plan some more activities in the surrounding areas.

There is so mch to do that I’ve already written anothe super comprehensive blog post with a list of activities to try while in Alghero (as usual you will find more details in the tab “Itinerary Details”)

Day 5-7: Stintino La Pelosa

I  have to repeat myself here, as you might have not read the intro to the North west Sardinia Itinerary, but not staying in Stintino while in Alghero is considered a “sacriledge” by the locals, as La Pelosa beach (literally meaning “hairy woman” in Italian by) is one of the most beautiful beaches not only in Sardinia but in Europe. 

Needless to say, a stop of 1-2 days here is mandatory and great to chill out and relax, away from the chaos of the big cities, and nothing is better than a marvelous beach to end your trip in Sardinia with the fireworks! 🙂

WHERE TO STAY IN WEST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near cagliari, oristano, alghero and stintino.

Hotel Flora

Featuring a traditional restaurant, the 4-star Hotel Flora is located in central Cagliari, just 800 m from the harbour (which is a perfect location!). It offers free WiFi, and air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TV. Guests rating: 9.1

Price p/p:   From 52 Euros

Hotel Villa delle Rose

The Hotel is located in Oristano’s centre and offers free parking and a restaurant serving traditional Sardinian specialities and wines. It can  organise many activities, such as horse riding, snorkeling and windsurfing courses. Guests Rating: 8.2

Price p/p:  From 32 Euros 

B&B Stella Marina

B&B Stella Marina features rooms with sea views and a sweet breakfast served daily. The nearest beach is 3 km from the B&B, and the harbour is just a 5-minute walk away. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Good Location to drive around. Guests Rating: 8.6

Price p/p:  From 33 Euros 

CAGLIARI    ORISTANO , ALGHERO   STINTINO

Itinerary #8 | sardinia holidays: east coast.

All About the magnificent Golfo di Orosei, Cala Gonone, and Baunei

You want to see what is in my opinion as a local, the best of the best in Sardinia! I know tastes are personal but when it comes to rate the Golfo di Orosei, Sardinian people all agree: that place is truly a natural paradise. 

You are flying in  and out from  Olbia Airport, but you are flexible with the driving and could consider also Cagliari Airport (and if you are able to stay more than 1 week, let’s say at least 10 days, this is even more doable)

If you love both beaches, water activities and wild nature, including trekking, hiking, biking, but you would also love to see the traditional Sardinian culture, village and food. The Golfo di Orosei area really has it all! 

Day 1-4: Cala Gonone

Already mentioned on my “ Sardinia Holidays: North East Itinerary”, Cala Gonone is really the perfect location to choose as a base if you want to discover the Golfo Di Orosei Area . It’s not the only village around but definitely the most convient one as it’s on the beach and has plenty of restaurants and bar.

If staying on the beach is not mandatory for you and you want to base yourself in a more traditional Sardinian Village, you can also consider staying in  Orosei and Dorgali . Still lovely but you’ll have to drive a bit more.

Day 4-7: Baunei Village

Located on the southern end of Golfo di Orosei, I consider Baunei , a small village on the mountains with a beautiful view of both the coast and the Gennargentu mountains as the true Sardinia experience .

I recommend you to stay in there for a few days to discover a totally different side of Sardinia and also to have easy access to the path that leads to Cala Goloritze’, one of the most incredible beaches in Sardinia, declared Unesco Heritage site. You can’t visit the Golfo di Orosei and skip this! 

WHERE TO STAY IN EAST SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b near orosei, cala gonone and baunei.

Albergo Diffuso Mannois

The Hotel is located at 1.8 km from the sea and offers free WiFi, bikes, parasols and sun loungers at the private beach . Staff can advise on the wide variety of activities nearby like hiking, diving, and mini cruises around the Orosei Gulf.  Guests Rating: 9

Price p/p:   From 68 Euros

Hotel Bue Marino          

Cala Gonone

(Already suggested on the first itinerary!) Features a  panoramic terrace and relax in the hot tub . The beach is right across the street.The hotel features comfortable rooms with A/C, many of which have a sea view! Guests rating: 8.5

B&B Dommu Agostina

Set in Baunei, B&B Dommu Agostina offers a garden, terrace and classic-style rooms with a balcony. Free WiFi is available in public areas, and the beaches of Santa Maria Navarrese are a 15-minute drive away. Guests Rating: 9.7

Price p/p:  From 35 Euros 

OROSEI   CALA GONONE   BAUNEI  

Itinerary #9 | sardinia holidays in carloforte.

San Pietro Island, Carloforte, Portoscuso – The Unknown Sardinia!

“If you would like to discover the wild beauty of Sardinia in a tranquil non touristy setting and you don’t mind staying in one place for the whole time .”

“You are interested in beautiiful beaches and coves as well as rocky shores and rugged coastline sceneries. Carloforte has it all and you will be amazed by its beauty.”

If you love nice typical villages and a holiday centered on slow peace, discovering the small streets and having lots of interactions with the locals”

Day 1-2: Cagliari

This Itinerary starts at Cagliari airport . Depending on what time your flight lands in Cagliari, you can either rent a car and drive to your first destination: Carloforte Island (and the village of Carloforte

If the flight arrives late in the afternoon (let’s say after 7-8 pm), I’d suggest you to find a Hotel in Cagliari and spend the night  there (click to find the best accommodation in Cagliari)

Day 2-7: Carloforte Island

Carloforte is such an underrated beautiful place to book your Sardinia holidays! It’s mostly frequented by locals during summer and populated by the Carlofortini (people of Carloforte) all year round. The biggest curiosity about Carloforte is that they don’t consider themself to be Sardinian because they ancestors came from Liguria (Genova), so their dialect is a lot more similar to the Genovese one.

Set aside for this very peculiar particular about this lovely little island on the southwest coast of Sardinia , I think that if you’re looking for something truly unique, Carloforte with its village and marvelous beaches is what you need!

WHERE TO STAY IN CARLOFORTE – SARDINIA

Best hotels, resorts, b&b in cagliari, carloforte, isola di san pietro.

Carloforte Hotels 1

Carloforte Hotels 2

Carloforte Hotels 3

CARLOFORTE  AND   CAGLIARI  

Want to know something more.

Check out the Infographic I put together for you with some fun facts about Sardinia! 

THIS IS MY SARDINIA MODEST VIDEO!

As I said, just shots with a super old mobile phone. But I have chosen the song as it’s in Sardinian language from a Sardinian band called “Tazenda” . Every time I listen to it I get the chills.

The first video is all beauty, this one is all heart from a local who loves her island more than anything!

READ MORE ABOUT SARDINIA!

Where To stay in Sardinia for Couples: A Local’s guide!

Best Sardinia Beaches You can’t miss on Your Trip

Fabulous reason to Visit Sardinia in Low Season

Amazing Things To Do In Sardinia in Summer

Unique Things To Discover in Sardinia During Winter

Best Costa Smeralda Beaches With Map

Sardinia By Car: The Ultimate Guide on How To Get Around the Island!

Sardinia Photos: My 15 favorite Instagram Pictures!

Sardinia Travel Guide: Unmissable Places To See and Things To Do!

Sardinia Holidays for Families: Where To Stay with your kids!

Sardinia Solo Travel: A Backpackers guide by a Local!

Sardinia Camping: Your Guide (By a Local)

Sardinia Travel Guides

Sardinia in 2 weeks: Best Itinerary

Sardinia in 3 weeks: Best Itinerary

Hi Clelia…love your blog and will be picking it apart big time…thank you!

My wife and I are planning an 8 day self drive of the island. I have drafted the following:

Arrive Olbia (2 nights) Olbia to Alghero (2 nights) Alghero to Oristano (2 nights) Oristano to Cagliari (2 nights) Fly CAG to Sicily

Is this doable/reasonable?

Thanks Clelia

Hi Geoff, the itinerary seeems to be a bit rushed and stressful, I would do either one cost or the other and skip one location to stay more in one place, unless you are fine with just seeing and not truly enjoying the beauty of Sardinia 🙂 The roads are not super good so it will take quite a while driving from one place to the other, settle in, have one full day and depart again… Cheers! Clelia

Very good tips and in fact a little bit of what we had hoped we would be able to do. We can’t wait for this exciting trip. Thank you so much for sharing such an excellent post.

Wow, I would like to be here, Sardinia seems an amazing place!

Indeed it is 🙂

I will be going on my honeymoon Aug 4th – 12th (I made the mistake to go during Australia’s winter and have just realized how it’s peak and double the prices than).

I am after the most beautiful beaches and food we fly into and out of Olbia. We will be hiring a car to get around.

I was thinking of doing the North and also do the west.

Including place such as Cala Gonone, Cala Goloritze, Pink Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, la Maddalena, Santa Teresa Gallura and Spiaggia Rosa.

I am not sure how to wokr it so we are starting and ending in Olbia.

Can you please help.

I really like your blog, useful info.

your content is very useful for me. thanks

Not far from Isola Rossa is the great Spiaggia Li Cossi beach – I recommend going there if anyone is in the area. Personally, I recommend the northwest of Sardinia. Alghero, Capo Caccia, La Pelosa and Bosa are the best combination. Regards!

Thanks for the addons, Lukas! I have so many more articles to write about my beautiful Sardinia and its beaches. This year, due to my marriage (on a Sardinian beach!) and all I was only able to visit Cala Brandinchi near San Teodoro, Budoni, and my magical Cala Domestica in the south West, the place where I got married, it is truly special and I recommend it <3

Hi I love Sardinia and always stayed in Cala liberotto…the last time being 2018. Now my child is school age flights are sooo expensive in the May June half term (we’d usually visit in May) is it stupidly crowded in Sardinia at end of July or end of august do you know?

Hi Lynette, unfortunately like every famous and popular vacation place, also in Sardinia is crowded during peak season. Everyone wants a piece of paradise I guess. I live here and the other day I went to the beach (deserted of course) but you can’t have it all 🙁 Cala Liberotto is a lovely place to stay, slightly less touristy but you should expect crowds there too in July/August. I always recommend visiting at the end of the season when the weather is still great usually. Did you try to book way in advance for May? I sometimes find great deals like that. Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia, amazing tips you wrote, I really enjoy reading it. I wonder if you have good tip for October tour itenaries 16-24 total of 9 days in Sardinia landed at Olbia aiport, we rent a car with 2 adult and 1 kid what is best to do and stay for the season? I am thinking 1N at Aghero, 3N at Calgliari, 2Noruo and 1N at Oblia but may be too many stops for too little to do.

Thanks and look forward to hear back.

Super sorry about not replying in time. This year has been hectic as I was getting married (In Sardinia!). I truly hope you were able to plan an amazing trip to my Island! Cheers Clelia

Thank you so much for your super informative website! I am planning to visit Sardinia for a week in June. I’m interested in your itinerary 1,3 and 8 – are there additional details on activities , must see sites, restaurants etc for each of them? Also I note none of your itineraries include a day trip or visit to La Maddalena, is there a reason for this? Just deciding if we should go north to visit it specially!

Thanks so much Lauren

Hi, My Girlfriend and I are going to Sardinia the 1st of September. We will be staying on the island for 10 days. We allready booked a 2 night stay at Alghero for when we arrive. Then we don’t have anything planned yet. We have a few spot that we really would like to visit like; Maddalena and Cagliari. We would als like to stay at a Agriturismo somewhere. We don’t like really crowed places and we like to taste local food and wine. Could you please give us some tips about where to go, what to definitely do etc. Thank you in advance

So sorry about the delay in my reply, I got married (In Sardinia) at the end of August and it’s been crazy. I do hope you had a fantastic time on my lovely island! From what you were planning I can tell you were spot on in your choice of destinations. Finding great accommodations takes a bit of research but in Sardinia we have plenty of good options available!

Costa Paradiso and Santa Teresa are some of my top bucket list items for Sardegna… I’m planning for the summer to spend a week there, as I’m based in Milan, it would be really easy to go. I wish I was able to do it last year, but this way I had the chance to dig into your posts to find inspiration for my trip. June, please come finally!

Thank You For this amazing guide, I have never been to Sardinia before but your guide inspires me to experience this beautiful place.

I want to ask you please what’s the best place in Sardinia for solo traveler? and it will be safe after the coronavirus lockdown? because you know it’s hard to find a safe destination in the coming period.

Hi Flora, thanks for your message and for wanting to visit my beautiful Sardinia! As for places to travel solo, it really depends on what you want to do, if you will rent a car (which I recommend). Usually, I’d say places like Santa Teresa di Gallura, San Teodoro, or Villasimius for the east coast or Oristano, Cagliari for the southern and western coast. You should be fine to travel either by public transport and by car to discover some true gems! As for safety, Sardinia has not being affected that much by the covid (more on the north near Sassari) , that said, if you take the precautions as they request you should be fine. Every destination can be safe or not, depending on who is visiting it. So simply take the precautions and enjoy the Holidays in Sardinia normally! Cheers Clelia

Hi, we are planning on visiting Sardinia for the first time. Your website and advice have been a very helpful resource! We are flying to/from Olbia and would ideally like to stay somewhere North/North East/North West

1. Can you please advise on which car rental companies to choose/avoid as I have read a lot of horror stories online of some companies. 2. Can you advise on cheaper accommodation (hotels or self-catered apartments/villas) for 2 adults, 2 children in August somewhere in the North/NW/NE, preferably coastal? Best websites other than airbnb?

Hello, Your article, website and images are superb, knowledgeable and very helpful. Your itinerary is made nicely which help us while travelling. Thanks for sharing.

Glad I could help, thanks for your message!

Hi Clelia, Your website is awesome and has been super helpful! My wife and I have flights in and and out Cagliari October 15-22. Based on your information we are most interested in exploring the east coast of the island. Would weather that time of year hinder us at all? We have a rental car booked but since a lot of the coastline can’t be reached by car, I was wondering if you know if it’s feasible to rent a small boat and where I may do so?! Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi Jesse, thanks for your lovely comment! As for your questions, the weather this year has been totally unpredictable, with a terrible start of the season, while at the moment I’m literally melting in my room with the fan on. I was reading earlier that it won’t sty this hot for much longer, so I’d expect some variable weather in October and I wouldn’t recommend the boat if the weather is not OK. Actually most of the coastline is reachable by car (except the Golfo di Orosei area) but even in there you can reach Cala Goloritze by foot.

So I’d say you better keep the rental car and hope the weather during that week will allow you to explore a bit by boat, if not… there is so much more to see other than just the beaches in the Golfo di Orosei and you can do so by car anyway. Best of luck, I will be here in Sardinia too so I’m also hoping the weather will hold for a bit more! Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia, firstly thank you so much for providing such a wonderful website with so much useful information 🙂 I wish I could go for months to enjoy all of it! Unfortunately we only have 8 days and they aren’t flexible.. Could you please help me narrow down where to stay? We arrive 26 June and leave 3 July. I appreciate this is Italian & French school holidays. I am travelling with my sister, my husband and 2 children (10 and 12). We love the beach, but coming from New Zealand are used to amazing beaches that aren’t crowded. My kids are very active and adventurous. We will probably hire a car. I’m guessing we would like two bases so we are not on the road all the time. We would love to feel the real Sardinia and do not want to be stuck in tourist traps. However a bit of nightlife/restaurants etc would also be good. We love exploring, walking, swimming, boat trips, history and beautiful scenery. I know this pretty much covers the whole of Sardinia (which is why I can’t figure this out on my own!) lol, but would you be able to suggest a suitable itinerary for us? I guess the main thing is we don’t want to be based in a town/beach resort where there are loads of families on their holidays, but we also don’t want to feel isolated. We haven’t booked our flights yet, so locations are flexible.

Hi Teresa, sorry for not being able to help you with your trip to Sardinia. IT issues prevented me to reply on time. I hope you had a great time in my beautiful Island! Cheers Clelia

Man I agree with Brady Anderson, we need so much more time than the 5 days we can have. But this is a taster for us, in a couple of years we are taking our yacht there en route to New Zealand, but your website has been absolutely awesome, congratulations. We are coming into Cagliari by ferry from Sicily, so I was going to hire a car and return it there, but perhaps we should hire it there, drop it off in Olbia and then fly from there to Rome. I am so excited you have given so many wonderful ideas

Thanks Annabel, wow your Yacht adventure sounds absolutely amazing and with it, you’ll be able to love Sardinia to pieces!! Your plan to drop the car to Olbia is the best, to be honest, a lot less hassle and wasted time! I hope you’ll have a great “appetizer” of my Sardinia! I’m about to go for another road trip of my Island in a week and can’t wait 🙂 Cheers Clelia

Thank you so much for your help

You’re welcome Annabel!

thank you so much for all of the info. this has truly made the trip easy to plan. I had one question. My wife and I fly into CAG and drive right up to Cala ganone for 4 days. With 2 days after this to spare, would you just recommend staying in Cagliari for the remaining 2 days and just having an easy time getting back to CAG or would we be missing out no going to Vallisimius.?

Hello Clelia. This is such an amazing article. Thank you so much for doing it. Im visiting Sardinia in August from 12th-19th. We arrive and leave from Cagliari and already have the hotels (one in Alghero for the first 4 days) and the other in Cagliari (for the rest of the days). Would you reccomend a specific itinerary? We like to combine a bit of everything, beaches, beautiful landscapes and one hiking route, and some awesome snorkeling places. Our initial idea was to visit the north part on the first 4 days and then leave to the south and visit some places there for the next 3 days.

Wow, what an amazing website you have created! I will be visiting your beautiful island next year, either in May or September. My friend is riding on his motorcycle and taking a ferry to Sardinia, so I am thinking of renting a moto to join him as we tour Are there any places I could rent a motorcycle?

Hi Mace, thanks for stopping by! Honestly, I’m not sure what to suggest for renting a motorbike, I’m sure in Cagliari if you google it you will find something but I’ve never done it and I can’t really recommend anything specific. Sorry that I couldn’t be of much help but I usually only recommend places I know or things I’ve tried for myself.

I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for and have an amazing holiday in Sardinia!

Hi Clelia! Wow, impressive information here! I’m writing to find out if you recommend Isola Tavolara? I saw pictures of it and it’s beautiful! I can see that one might be able to dive or snorkel there. We have one week to spend and are thinking to station in Olbia and explore part of the west side and visit some archeologic sites and some ruins in Nora. Is it even reasonable given the small amount of time we have? We are flexible with moving around and maybe station in 2 hotels so we don’t have to drive everyday and yes a car seems like a must!

Your response will be greatly appreciated!

Hi Susan, Thanks for your kind words! As for your questions: YES I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND TAVOLARA ISLAND! You can go there on a daily trip and hike to the top for breathtaking views or yes you can also dive and snorkel for sure, I loved Tavolara and it’s very convenient if you plan on staying nearby the San Teodoro area (or Olbia, but you’ll have to drive just a bit more, not a big deal anyway!). Given that you have one week, it’s tricky to see all the things you want to if you stay around Olbia. To be honest, given that you’re there, if you REALLY want to see Nora ruins (I know them super well as I live very close to the area), you should do a one day trip but it’s gonna be demanding and you won’t have the right amount of time to truly appreciate it.

The other solution is, like you said, split your vacation in 2. First Olbia and then Cagliari area (Nora and the west coast can be visited on a day trip very easily from Cagliari), or if you don’t want to stay in the city you can base yourself in Santa Margherita di Pula. But this option, in my opinion, is only viable if you have the return flight from Cagliari Airport, otherwise, it would be super rushed and you will have to factor in one less day of vacation.

I hope it helps and that you’ll have a great time in Sardinia! (I’m here at the moment and I can finally say that the weather is starting to resemble spring /early summer (we had a few terrible and weird months in April and May, very unusual rain and chilly), now the sun it’s shining again! Cheers Clelia

Hi, thanks for all the great info. While I would like to have 5 weeks given all your tips – we will only have 5 nights flying into Alghero and flying out of Cagliari. Despite your advice we prefer to rush around and see more as opposed to missing things. So – what do you suggest? Should we just follow your itinerary 7 in reverse and miss the entire east coast or should we head from Alghero to the east coast and spend the last night in Cagliari. We had heard that Porto Cervo was special. Please advise as we dont want to miss anything. We most want beautiful beaches, amazing sights and some shopping nightlife (with amazing food! 🙂 ). Thanks in advance

Hey Brady, so…. if you REALLY don’t mind rushing and driving quite a bit, early morning wake up and all that, then I would highly recommend moving from Alghero where you’ll visit probably the Nettuno Grotto and Capo Caccia with a mandatory visit to the “La Pelosa beach” and go straight to the east coast (Santa Teresa where you can’t miss the breathtaking view from the lighthouse in Capo Testa and then go further south following the east coast itinerary)

My advice, even if you don’t mind rushing is to carefully plan EVERYTHING so that you won’t waste any time and go straight to the places you wanna see, otherwise seeing all in one week is a mission almost impossible (we all would love Sardinia were more “compact” and easy to navigate in one week but it’s a very big Island and you can’t see it all not even rushing).

Hope that helps! Cheers Clelia

Hello! I realize now that La Maddalena is NOT on Sardinia, but I have heard beautiful things about the beaches there and wondered your thoughts on the worthiness of our 1 week stay in Sardinia. Thank you for all of your research!

Hi Phil, Thanks for stopping by! who told you that La Maddalena is not Sardinia? Of course it is part of Sardinia and the beaches around the Archipelago della Maddalena are stunning indeed!

I looked on the map, and it looked like Maddalena was on a separate island. No? In any event, I have heard that it was stunning and was surprised to see it NOT on your list (which I LOVED, by the way). I was looking for a central place to stay and explore the island via a car, and was planning on Maddalena… until I read your info…and that stopped me in my tracks. We want to not only stay in a beautiful beach area but also be able to explore the beautiful beaches around the island as well, and a few classic smaller towns Please advise as to Maddalena being a good central location or should we consider some other beach location. Thank you so much!

Hey Phil, I think there is a bit of geography confusion here 🙂 Not to worry! I guess you are referring to LA MADDALENA ISLAND in northern Sardinia, which is part of the Arcipelago della Maddalena. I’m asking this as we also have a beach (not even a good one for my very high standards) in South Sardinia, which is named “La Maddalena beach”. But you mention an Island so definitely talking about the one in the north. My advice (which is obviously biased by my own preferences) is to not stay put in La Maddalena Island for a couple of reasons:

The beaches ON THE ISLAND are ok but not jaw-dropping (again, for my high standards. The village is lovely but being an Island you can’t take the car and roam around the coast, see the great beaches and the villages, you’ll have to take the ferry to the mainland and even if it’s not that far away, it’s a nuisance in my opinion. If you want to see Sardinia, it’s beaches and some traditional villages I recommend more San Pantaleo village , Arzachena , Palau , or Cannigione as a base to also explore the Arcipelago della Maddalena by boat trip tours ( see this for example ) and then use your car and feel free to stop whenever and wherever you want!

Hope this helps! Cheers Clelia

This is absolutely fantastic information Clelia. Thank you so much and I will follow your recommendations to it’s fullest!

Thanks so much for your feedback Phil! I’m glad I could help and I wish you a smashing holiday in Sardinia 🙂

Hi Clelia, Wow, what wonderful information! Unfortunately none of the itineraries would pop up when I clicked on them! My husband, our 13 year old son and I will be going to magical Sardinia for eight nights arriving Olbia 3pm May 4, 2019. and departing from Cagliari at 3:15 on May 12. We will rent a car in Olbia and drop it off in Cagliari. We want to see some stunning beaches and some amazing archeological treasures. I know there are plenty of both on your island, so I’m wondering what itinerary you recommend that will not feel rushed and where we will not be driving 2 hours a day every day! We want to see the Giant’s Tomb! The Menhir in Goni and the Nuraghi and wild horses in Barumini sound wonderful. I’ve also looked at the Santa Cristina spring, the pyramid near Sassari. So many things to see – I’m sure we will need to come back for a longer visit! The Neptune caves near Alghero also look stunning. Many of my friends have stayed at the luxury hotels in Porto Cervo – we are not going to Sardinia to go on yachts and night clubs, but we would like to visit a few of the most beautiful beaches on Costa Smerelda or wherever you recommend! We also love thermal hot springs and cold springs! Please can you let me know what you would suggest for our itinerary and what part of the island for lodging plus how many nights each place. Ideally we would like to stay at two or 3 places so that we have 2-3 nights at each place – usually when we travel we stay a minimum of 4 nights in each location, but it doesn’t seem like that will work for us in Sardinia for 8 nights without a ton of driving back and forth! Thank you so much!

Sorry for the massive delay, in between my trips and IT issues it was impossible to catch up with all the requests of help I receive for a personalized itinerary in Sardinia 🙂 Your case is a bit tricky to be honest as you want to see so many things 🙂 I totally get it, Sardinia is amazing and it would be nice to see it all in one week but it’s basically impossible!

PS, for the itinerary tabs showing nothing, that’s something I warn people at the beginning of the post, as I’m working all by myself and I still didn’t have the time to fill that out but the article itself is already pretty complete so I am prioritizing other things first.

Anyway, back to you! In my opinion, in one week (unless you want to truly rush it and in Sardinia, you shouldn’t do it!) I would say 2 locations are more than enough. Sometimes is better to see less but absorb more of the culture, the experiences and all that instead of just quickly check out places from your list. That’s the way I also travel and in my opinion is the best approach to visit Sardinia.

Since you arrive at Olbia airport and leave from Cagliari airport the itinerary can be something like this:

1) Book a place in Arzachena for a couple of nights and from there you can do the following:

– Visit the wonderful Nuraghe La Prisgiona (and other 7 smaller Nuragic complexes in the area for just 20 euros if you include everything) – Visit the Tomba dei Giganti in Santa Teresa di Gallura (half day trip if you combine it with the other half for the Nuraghes) – Visit the Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo and/or Porto Rotondo), the nearby beaches AND take a full day for the Arcipelago della Maddalena Boat trip which is a must!! Please check the availability for that as they start operating depending on the weather and May can be a spectacular month or it might still be unstable, it changes from year to year.

TOTAL NIGHTS RECOMMENDED IN HERE:3 (1 for the Nuraghi/Tomba Dei Giganti, 1 for the Costa Smeralda beaches and stroll, 1 for the boat trip)

From Olbia Airport to Arzachena is just 35 min by car and from Arzachena to the Nuraghe complex is just 15 minutes max and to the Tomba Dei Giganti is 45 minutes. To go from Arzachena to Porto Cervo by car is around 20 min, to Porto Rotondo is 30 minutes and then, always from Arzachena, you can check out Cala di Volpe, Romazzino, Liscia Ruja Beaches (just about 20 min by car).

Arzachena is also (to me) a better option if you want to have a more Sardinian experience as the Costa Smeralda, for how beautiful it might be, it’s not exactly “Sardinian” 😉 The only other option I recommend is to stay in Cannigione , which is by the sea and very near to Arzachena and the other places I already mentioned.

After your 3 days stop you head south, you have 2 choices really:

1) Take Sardinian’s main road from Olbia (Carlo Felice SS 131) directed towards Nuoro—>Oristano—>Cagliari (this is how the road goes, you don’t have to stop in Nuoro or Oristano, but I recommend to stay in Oristano for 2 days) or you can take a few detours to check out a few interesting spots)= Nuraghe di Barumini/Giara Di Gesturi day trip, Tharros Ruins + one day at Is Aruttas beach or an Giovanni di Sinis Beach, they are both amazing and in May they will be almost deserted!

You have to leave Olbia really early and just have a “pit stop” in one or max 2 places but it would be rushed or as I said, you can book 3 nights in Oristano city or for a more relaxing and authentic experience, in Cabras Village

From there you can do like this: – Visit the Barumini Nuraghe Complex (at sunset is a must!) -Visit the lovely beaches of is Arutas and/or San Giovanni di Sinis or as you mentioned, you can easily get to see Santa Cristina site in 20 minutes by car! -Visit the Tharros ruins or alternatively, you can drive up north for a one day trip to the lovely village of Bosa Marina!

2) From Olbia/Arzachena you drive west and find accommodation in Alghero for 3 days and from there you can discover: -The Nettuno Grotto + Capo caccia view -Nuraghe Palmavera complex -The amazing beach of La Pelosa in Stintino (day trip and a must!)

Then whether you decide option one or 2, you finally head to Cagliari for the 2 remaining nights and take one full day to discover the city (so much to see or even relax in one of the piazzas fora Gelato, or in front of Poetto beach, hike to La sella del diavolo (amazing must do activity), the Bastione di San Remì… The list is infinite! 🙂 You could even take one day to visit either Chia beach (45 min) or Villasimius (45min- 1 hour) that in May are also semi deserted!

I hope I’ve helped you and not confused you more as there is so much to do and see in Sardinia! Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia, thank you so much for your incredibly helpful and informative article and site about Sardinia! I’m planning for a 12-14 days family vacation in July 2019: two families with 5 kids in the age 9-13. Our aim is to have a relaxing vacation with not to crowded beaches nearby, but also leave room for activities to explore the island, as we are active families. I’m just struggling a bit with what itinerary to choose, and how many days to spend at each place. I’m considering a base in Palau with Maddelena, or Santa Teresa Di Gallura or San Teodoro, and Golfo di Orosei with Cala Gonone & Baunei. Would rather stay 1-2 places and do daytrips. Would also love to go to Bosa/Alghero/Stintino but it would be too much of a hassle or too much time in the car? Or are there other, better places for families with bigger kids? What would you do? Have also considered the south. Do you have some nice family villas to recommend, as we prefer that to a hotel? Thank you so much for your time, looking forward to your reply

Hi Clelia, I wrote to you a couple of days ago but can’t see the comment… Did you receive it? I just needed a couple more info on a potential itinerary… Thanks for your help – and for this great website!

Hi Amelia, I replied below, sorry for the delay!

Hi Clelia, Thank you so much for these great itineraries and tips! I’m planning on visiting Sardinia for 10 days at the end of August with my bf, we’ll arrive and depart from Olbia and have rented a car. I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with: – We arrive early in the morning in Olbia, is it “worth” spending the day + night in Olbia or should we leave directly from the airport? – We were planning on exploring the north side of the island and end our trip in Alghero (and then drive straight from Alghero to Olbia on our last day). Do you think we could go further down on the Western coast? We don’t mind driving a lot but would like to sometimes spend more than one night in the same place and explore beaches / villages nearby. – We were initially planning on spending one or two nights on La Maddalena but I read somewhere you don’t recommend it particularly. Do you think we should stay on the mainland and not bother with La Maddalena?

We are both in our early 30’s and looking for nice beaches + towns/villages with a bit of culture and the occasional nightlife (nice restaurants, bars etc). I speak fluent Italian and would love to stay off the beaten, touristy path. Thanks a lot for your help!

Hi Amelia, sorry! I was having some IT issues with the comment section and I was unable to reply to any of them… as I can see now it’s too late to give you any advice, too bad 🙁 I hope you enjoyed your holiday in Sardinia!

PS: Thanks for the vote down when I kill myself trying to help everyone FOR FREE and when it’s not even my fault I can’t reply. 🙂

Hi! Thankyou so much for the in depth information! It’s fantastic!

We made the mistake of not realising how big Sardinia is and only have 4 days! 🙁 My husband and I land in the Caligheri airport in south and leave from Olbia in the north so regardless of where we stay we need to make our way up the East coasts

We are thinking of staying 2 nights in 2 towns. We have narrowed it down to 3 and ares deciding between Caligheri, Cala Gonone and San Tedorodoro, which 2 would you choose?

We want to experience some beautiful beaches most importantly which is why we are coming to Sardinia but also like waking through charming towns/villages, beautiful views, markets/shopping, good food and wouldn’t mind somewhere with a bit of a nightlife.. although we do not intend to party hard we do not intent to go to bed early either! We are in our 30s and hope to hire a car.

Look forward to any suggestions thanks in advance x

Hi Lisa Sorry, I think now it’s too late to reply! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to reply as I was having technical issues with the comment section. I hope you had a fabulous time in Sardinia!

Hi there, what a fabulous travel website, thanks so much. I am coming to Sardinia with my husband and 8 and 10 year old daughters in June 2019, and we love great picturesque beaches, as well as pretty towns with cool shops with an authentic feel and not too touristy. What side of Sardinia do you think will meet our needs please as all of your itineries look absolutely amazing. Thanks so much as i have no idea!!

Thanks for your nice words! In my opinion, if you want to experience the real Sardinia (and in the coastal area, especially in summer it is not easy at all), the place that will better meet your needs is the Golfo di Orosei area. Don’t expect it to be “non-touristy”, I don’t think there is a non-touristy place in Sardinia on its coasts. For that, you’ll have to drive towards the inland villages, where there are no tourist but not spectacular beaches either 🙂 That’s the price every paradise place, including Sardinia, has to pay.

I say the Golfo di Orosei because if you have a car you can drive to some of the best beaches around (but it’s better to take the boat for the most spectacular ones) and then visit some local villages like Baunei, Dorgali, Galtellì and Orosei to name a few. I like the vibe in there, even if it’s touristy in summer, it’s still preserving a bit of authenticity. Locals will mix with tourist so to speak. In other areas, the tourists just take control of the island for a few months 🙂 (see the Costa Smeralda for example, I doubt you’ll find any local in there, unless they are working for the tourists in the shops).

I hope that helps and that you’ll have a great time in Sardinia! Cheers Clelia

When I click the itinerary details nothing happens is the site borken?

Hi Chad, no the site is not broken, I still didn’t have the time to add the details, I work on my site by myself, trying to provide as much free info as possible but lately i’m receiving so many comments and emails about Sardinia that I barely have the time to sleep! 🙂 Sorry for the inconvenience. I do my best but I’m only human!

First off all, thanks for putting some great tips and information’s on your blog, it’s very helpful.

I’m trying to plan a 3 weeks itinerary to visit Sardinia at the end of August/Early Sept

I would like to know what you think of my planning.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=15PCIP5sX70ueTIXzyyG2KKkEbGnHZopE&usp=sharing

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, the link you gave me redirects me to a 404 page so I can’t have a look at the itinerary, you might try again by posting it in here in a separate comment and I see how I can help you!

Oh sorry about that, this is what my itinerary look’s like:

3 Days in Santa Teresa Gallura 1 Day in Porto Cervo 1 Day in San Teodoro 3 Days in Cala Gonone 2 Days in Santa Maria Navarrese 1 Day in Villasimius 3 Days in Cagliari 1 Day in Nebida 1 Day in Guspini 1 Day in Oristano 4 Days in Alghero

Cheers Patrick

Sorry about that, here’s my itinerary :

3 Days in Santa Teresa Gallura 1 Day in Porto Cervo 1 Day in San Teodoro 3 Days in Cala Gonone 2 Days in Santa Maria Navarrese 1 Day in Villasimius 3 Days in Cagliari 1 Day in Nebida 1 Day in Guspini 1 Day in Oristano 4 Days in Alghero

Hi Clelia Thank you for such helpful insight! Still trying to work out a 10 day itinerary but had planned to finish with three days on Maddalena and incorporate a boat trip from there. Not sure if we should do this or we could just do a sail around the archipelago from Palau and have more time on the main island. I noticed you made no recommendations to stay on Maddalena in your itineraries and would appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance

Sorry for the delay, I didn’t recommend to stay in La Maddalena Island because it’s a very small Island and staying more than one night will limit you a bit. You can visit it during one of the boat trips departing from Palau anyway, they will let you stay a few hours do walk around and do some shopping, but I’d rather tell you to stay on the mainland and use that time to discover other places near Palau!

Hope it helps Cheers Clelia

Hello Your website has been very helpful. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind helping with our itinerary. You are amazing to be so helpful to all of us.

My family (my husband and I and 12 year old son) are flying in and out of Olbia from July 15-26th. Our friends are staying at Sos Alinos Campground from July 15-22. We have held a rental house near Sos Alinos from 15-22nd of July. Our dates are very flexible and we can cancel a day before or after and make it 6 nights. We were wondering what you thought of this itinerary?

Arrive 10am Olbia-drive toward Sos Alinos stopping at San Teodoro (not sure what to see on the way but don’t have to check in until 8-9pm) but we will have our luggage with us in our rental car (not sure if safe to leave belongings in the car??)

Stay 7 nights Sos Alinos house- What side trip should we do for all those days?? Can you please suggest what we should do for those 8 days? We like to hike, snorkel, swim, sightsee and have no problem driving to get somewhere as we will have a rental car.

We thought we would Leave Sos Alinos on July 22 for 2 nights to Alghero via Bosa. We would like to see the Grotta di Nettuno and we would also like to see Stintino and some of the Costa Paradiso. We thought that then we would stop in Palau for 2 nights and take a sailing trip to islands of La Maddalena on Ju;ly 25th then head to Olbia on the last day.

I am thinking we should leave Sos Alinos one day earlier so we can add one night in Stintino unless you think 2 nights in Palau and 2 nights in Alghero will allow for some time in Stintino?

Just not enough time. The Island deserves weeks to see it!!!

Thank you so much for any advice. Denise

Hi Denise, First of all, like for many many comments I reply to, sorry for the late answer but you have no idea on how hard it is to manage 2 websites (one all about Sardinia and still work in progress). I receive so many comments that it’s becoming very difficult to manage everything 🙂

back to your itinerary idea wow it’s quite hard to give you a clear itinerary, but I would recommend as follows: Stop in San Teodoro and visit Cala Brandinchi , also called “little Thaiti” not without reason (it will be crowded, SUPER crowded as every beach in Sardinia in that period) but it’s a true gem! The parking fees are also quite high but at least your luggage is secure while you relax on the beach before driving to Sos Alinos. From there, well you got me! Being the place near the Golgo di Orosei area, my favorite in Sardinia, I would actually stay there for my entire vacation 😉 What to do when in Sos Alinos area? oh my, soooo much!

1)Take the boat trip from Orosei to visit the marvelous beaches only reachable by boat, like Cala Mariolu, Cala Biriola, Cala Sisine and Cala Luna (my favorite boat trip together with the one at the Arcipelago della Maddalena)

2) Visit the famous “Su Gorropu” Canyon (since you like hiking you will love it!) You said you don0t mind driving so this is around one hour or so from Sos Alinos

3) Visit Baunei village and the altipiano del Golgo (it’s further south), or if it’s too stressful to go back and forth you can book a night in Baunei and end your exploration of the area with a boom (a nice one!) by waking up super early and hike to the stunning Cala Goloritze before heading back to your main base. Please don’t skip this part, it’s truly what Sardinia is all about: Beautiful sea, wild mountains, hiking trails and real cultural experiences!

4) Take a day to visit the nearby villages of Orosei, Dorgali and Cala Gonone to see the real Sardinia (even if Cala Gonone beach is not – for my standards- the best and the town is touristy but a nice stroll is always a good idea! To end the day, I recommend a restaurant in the nearby village of Galtelli’ ( I have relatives living in there) They brought us to one of the best places to eat EVER! I still remember that place, it’s called “La Taverna”, and it’s a simple restaurant on the main road (via Nazionale), you will eat so much and for a relatively cheap price that you will have to take leftovers with you, the portions are MASSIVE!

By doing all this you will have already spent at least 5 days: 1 day for the boat trip, 1 day for Su Gorropu, 2 for Baunei/Cala Goloritze. 1 day for the villages. If you want you can spend one day to relax at Sos Alinos or if you are active you can drive to Bosa, but I have to warn you here: the roads to go from the east coast to the west coast are not exactly smooth and quick and it will take you at least 4 hours to reach it. Spend the day walking around the lovely Bosa and then drive to Alghero to visit the Nettuno Grotto and the lovely sunsets and then one day in Stintino.

Since you won’t have much time left would skip the Costa Paradiso and drive directly to the Palau area ( From Stintino is around 2 hours and 20 minutes) and in there you can take the boat trip to the Archipelago della Maddalena and maybe, if you have one day left, discover either one of the great beaches of Costa Smeralda like capriccioli or Spiaggia del Principe or alternatively visit Santa Teresa di Gallura with its beautiful capo Testa viewpoint. It’s just 30/40 min by car from Palau so not even stressful).

I hope I calculated the day correctly! if not, I’d personally ditch the rest day a Sos Alinos to include stintino La Pelosa, given that you will be around Alghero at some point.

The itinerary is a bit rushed of course, not much time for relaxing, but if you like active holidays and check the most beautiful places in Sardinia, I think it’s doable. If not, skip the villages tour near Sos Alinos and leave a few days earlier after doing the activities I recommended.

Hope it helps! Cheers clelia

Hi Clelia, Your blog is absolutely fantastic! My friends and I are in Sardinia for 6 nights, flying in and out of Alghero. We have decided to spend the last 3 nights in Alghero, planning to first hire a car upon arrival and wish to spend the first 3 nights on the northeast side of the island. Where do you recommend is a good area to stay with some nightlife? We would like to stay somewhere convenient to reach other nice nearby places / beautiful beaches but don’t want to be too far from Alghero as we will need to drive back. Would also love some authentic dining experiences! But mostly a convenient location, with places to go out, near the beach. Initially I had a look at San Teodoro, but it’s a bit expensive. What do you suggest for us? Kara

Sorry for the delay but I’m receiving a massive amount of requests for Sardinia lately! regarding your request, not sure what your budget is, as when I went to San todoro with a group of friends we stayed at the Camping in front of the beach and the prices were quite reasonable. But maybe you guys are not looking for camping! Too bad as the experience for us was fabulous. Being just in front of the beach and the nightlife is awesome in San Teodoro!

Another option that I have personally tried with a group of friends was in the Palau/Arzachena area. We stayed at a camping in there too but there are other options you could explore. The place is called “Isuledda” and when I went there it was just a camping but now they added also more comfortable options. Nightlife was also good in there and as a bonus, the boat trips to the Arcipelago della Maddalena departs from there too so it’s very convenient!

If the prices are still too high for your budget, try and have a look for places to stay in Arzachena or San Pantaleo, they are reasonably close to the beaches if you have a car and cheaper than staying right on the beach of course.

For Alghero, my suggestion is to take max 2 days, one to explore the city center and try one of the many restaurants (can’t suggest one in particular as every year some of them change the owner! You can ask locally once there and they will surely give you as many tips as you want on the current best places to eat and have a nice night out with your friends!), then take a day to go to Stintino La Pelosa Beach of course! You can’t go to Alghero and skip that 🙂

So my suggestion is to try with Isuledda first, then Arzachena/San Pantaleo or check out the options for camping in San Teodoro if you don’t repel the idea! (I know some people hate camping but I love it). Without knowing your budget is very difficult to give you a very specific advice…

Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia! What is a good base town to stay on the Eastern coast in Costa Smerelda?? Or is there a nice town in Golfo di Orosei?? I would like to stay in a cute town that has restaurants that we good go to at night and also a square or waterfront promenade where we can walk and hang out in the evening?

Hey Jessica, I think I’ve just replied to a similar message to you just now 🙂 Sorry for the delay!

Clelia, Your blog has been so helpful! I am coming to Sardinia for a much overdue “Mommy vacation” with my 2 young children (9 & 6) and a friend with her two children (same ages). We are renting a house near Olbia–we want to visit some of the beaches and also take the kids hiking/caves and see some historic culture? We will be there for 7 days and don’t want to travel overnight, but have no problem driving for a few hours to experience more. Any advice or insight you have would be most appreciated. What beaches are a must for us and where else do you suggest?

Hi Cynthia, Mommy vacations are always overdue and well deserved! 🙂 As for your question, Olbia and surroundings is a good place to have the base (I hope you didn’t choose Olbia town as it’s nothing special), but if you want to move around there is plenty to do, to start with the Capo Testa and Valle della luna hike, they are super nice. The Tavolara hike in front of San Teodoro is also another great option (just always check the difficulty with the organizers, also given that you will be with your kids). If you want to get a bit further (but oh boy it is truly worth it!) wake up super early to get to Cala Gonone and do the boat trip to the Golfo di Orosei. I did it in one day but going and coming back from Cagliari and I would do it again over and over. It took me 3 hours and a half to get there, took the boat, enjoy my day and drove back home (super tired but happy!)

For the beaches, I’d say you don’t even have to worry about it, just doing the boat trip to La Maddalena and Caprera will be one of the highlights of your trip! Other than that, you can discover the lovely beaches near the Costa Smeralda area. Touristy? Sure! But hey… it’s Sardinia and everyone wants a piece of paradise 🙂 You will have so much choice that I don’t want to add anything to the list. As soon as you arrive head to Capriccioli and Spiaggia del Principe to see for yourself!

Have a great Mommy Vacation in Sardinia! 🙂 Cheers Clelia

I am going to be in Sardinia for my honeymoon August 21st to September 1st. Me and my fiance’ love the beach and want to see the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. I already reserved an airbNb room in Alghero for the entire time we are there. We are also renting a car. Do you think it is a good idea to have Alghero as a base? .Or do you think we should split up our time and stay at another base too.? We don’t like packing up all our things and moving around too much, so if we could stay in one hotel the whole time and do day trips that would be great. But if you think it would be better to stay in 2 different places during the 10 days then we will definitely do that. Please give me your advice, thanks!!!

Hey Jessica! First of all, congratulations on your wedding 🙂 I’m glad you have chosen Sardinia for your honeymoon, as it is one of the best places in Europe for that! Regarding your question… Since you have 10 days it might be possible to split up the trip in 2. Alghero is definitely a lovely place to stay an there are plenty to things to do around but if you want to get stunned by my favorite part of Sardinia you can move for 5 days at the Golfo di Orosei (I can’t even start to tell you how beautiful it is in terms of nature, landscape and culture). The boat trip to the main beaches is so worth it and if you feel adventurous there are plenty of activities to do in the areas surrounding Cala Gonone and Baunei . Yes, it is not exactly a super relaxing honeymoon, but to me, it’s worth the hassle. If you don’t want to drive too far, then another option would be to stay in the Olbia/Palau Area. No need to book super expensive accommodations, you can see the availability in Arzachena , Cannigione or San Pantaleo and from there, the,re are stunning beaches to see and the mandatory boat trip to the archipelago Della Maddalena .

These are the best options in my opinion if you don’t want to spend all your honeymoon in Alghero. Sardinia has so much to offer and the beaches near Alghero (except for Stintino La Pelosa) are not jaw-dropping for my standards. I’m super spoiled, I know, but for seriously stunning beaches you have to go to either Costa Smeralda or the Golfo di Orosei. Obviously I’m only listing the ones in the north because we have plenty of incredibly beautiful beaches in the south too 🙂

I hope this helps Have a great holiday in Sardinia! Cheers Clelia

Hi Clelia, Thank you for your advice. I definitely want to split up my stay now and spend time on the eastern side of the island near the coast. Which towns would you recommend as a base? I would like a town that has good restaurants and a square or waterfront area to stroll around in at night.. Nice bars and lounges would be good too. Are there any towns like that?? Thank you so much for your help!

Hi Jessica, I thought I had already replied, sorry! I receive so many comments that it’s getting challenging to keep up! To me the best place you can use as a base for what you have said is definitely Cala Gonone. It has restaurant, beach to stroll around at night and it’s perfect for the boat trips and exploring the whole Golfo di Orosei. It’s quite touristy but with a car, you can move around and discover the real essence of Sardinia in the nearby villages like Galtelli’,Orosei, Baunei and Dorgali!

Hi! I am planning on going for a week. First week of July. We are two 25 year old girl friends and we want good nightlife and beaches during the duy. What iteneary do you recommend? Thank you!

Hi Tamara, thanks for your comment! If you love to stay in a place with good nightlife and great beaches (I don’t know whether you will have the car or not) but San Teodoro and surrounding areas might be a great option for you! It’s fantastic at night and the beaches are lovely. Expect it to be a bit crowded but usually, there are a lot of young people like you to meet and hang out with. I did a similar trip with my best friend when I was in my 20’s and had the time of my life!

Your page has been so helpful in planning our trip to Sardinia! We are flying into Olbia and will be in Sardinia for 6 days. I am thinking we’ll base our trip off of your East Sardinia itinerary! I noticed the details for this particular trip had not been filled in yet, do you have any recommendations for what to do during the day between Cala Gonone and Baunei? Thank you!

Hey Emily Yes, I am still so behind the details of each place! If you are in Cala Gonone and Baunei, the choice is almost limitless. If you have the full day, I’d head directly to Baunei early in the morning for the Cala Goloritze hike, that way you can be there super early, spend the day at the beach and check in in Baunei in the late afternoon and rest after the hike back from the beach. I would do that, it makes perfect sense! Hope it helps! Cheers Clelia

Thank you offering great resources on your site. My husband and I are planning a 6 night trip based around your east Sardinia itinerary to Cala gonone and baunei for a babymoon this July.

1) do you think that the hiking in the baunei beach areas is an activity suited for a pregnant woman at 20 weeks in healthy physical shape? these are activities I would normally enjoy and would hate to miss out the most beautiful excursions but want to make sure it’s not too strenuous or dangerous.

2) our goal is to relax and enjoy a bit of luxury and pampering while still enjoying the quaint towns, and great local cuisine. Do you think we can achieve that strictly in the east? Or do you think we should spend a few days up northeast before leaving from Olbia. Our fear is that the areas we will find the resorts more luxurious we will also find that they lose the charm, intimacy and cuisine.

Look forward to your advice.

Best, Jessie

Sorry, I completely missed your comments (way too many this year!!) I hope you had (or are having) a great time in Sardinia!

Thank you for all the effort you have put into this website and the Sardinia itineraries in particular, this is great!

My boyfriend and I are very close to booking our holiday to Sardinia at the end of July. It was difficult to choose between the 9 itineraries, but we decided to go for the East coast. We are trying however to fit in as much as possible and we would love your input on our prepared itinerary. Based on our initial research, we would fly in on Cagliari airport and return to London from Olbia.

• Cagliari 1 night • Stop: Villasimius (1h drive) 1 night (or alternatively, Costa Rei) • Stop: Baunei (1h41 min drive) 2 nights • Stop: Cala gonone (1h drive) 2 nights • Olbia / Porto Cervo (1h24 min/2h drive) 1 night

c. 10 days (9 nights)

Please let us know if you have any remarks / recommendations on the above and things that you would do differently.

We don’t want to rush too much, but love being active and exploring as many cities/villages as possible. Any special hiking trail recommendations would be appreciated!

We are very much looking forward to your response!

Regards, Julie

Hi Julie, as per the previous comment, sorry for the delay but I couldn’t physically reply to all the comments and emails and I have missed a few! I guess now it’s too late for my advice so I can only hope you’re having a great time in Sardinia!

Dear Clelia

Many thanks for your reply, would it be possble to create a 10 day itinerary covering all south, south east and perhaps some parts of the east, – or is it too much

Thank you Audrey

Hi Audrey, 10 days are not much time to squeeze all the south and part of the east. In 2 weeks maybe, but 10 days, without rushing too much from a place to another… I’d say you do 5 days in the south, either choosing to stay in Cagliari and take day trips or stay in one place (Santa Margherita is good for the south-west or Villasimius for the south-east) and then move to the east in Cala Gonone/Orosei for other 5 days.

What I’m saying is that if you want to relax a bit, covering ALL the south in 5 days is quite the marathon and you’d have to move basically every single day (and even doing that you won’t be able to see it all).

What would I do? Since you are interested in the east coast, and I don’t blame you at all :), I would base myself in Villasimus so I don’t have to drive all from the SouthWest coast to the East coast, saving a little time.

Let me know if you need any more help! Cheers Clelia

Forget to mention that we are 2 me and my partner in our early thirties.

I will be travelling to Sardinia for the first time in July for 10 days, landing at Cagliari. Can you please guide us with an itinerary, since we are lost there are so much things to see.

Hey Audrey, thanks for your message! Creating a personalized itinerary like this is not easy… that is why I put together the 9 options in the articles, depending on what you are interested the most, you can choose (and tweak a bit) one of them to suits your needs. I can tell you what my favorites are: The Sardinia east coast /Golfo di Orosei and the South Sardinia Itinerary. The first has a lot of everything (beaches, culture, trekking opportunities, boat trips), the second one is marvelous for the beaches, some nice day trips and for its nightlife especially in Cagliari/Villasimius.

I will soon have a service where I will create specific Sardinian Itineraries tailored to the individual needs, but in the comments sometimes is very challenging to give you a day-to-day itinerary. What I was aiming to do in here is give a detailed guide to help you out in deciding which part of Sardinia you would prefer to visit.

My advice is to first read carefully the itineraries, decide where to go and maybe you can write again with an idea and I can tell you if it’s doable. That’s what most of my readers do.

Thank you for your reply.

I guess we need to leave the East Coast out of the plan , I guess. And do all the south . Can you suggest an Itinerary, suggest places to see and things to do.

Apart from beaches, we also want to go to the mountains if there are any in the vicinity.

We will be hiring a car.

Can I also know from where I can book excursions.

Best Regards Audrey

Hi, Clelia!

Your site is so helpful — thank you for sharing your beautiful home with everyone.

My friend and I will have 7 full days in Sardinia in early September, and we will be flying in and out of Alghero. We are renting a car in Alghero, and we want to do a little bit of everything — beach, historical sites, being active — but we don’t want to cram too much into our week. We both live in New York City, so we want to avoid crowds/cities. Also our last full day is a Sunday, which I think might be a good day to spend on a beach (I’m guessing many stores/sites are closed on Sunday). What kind of itinerary would you recommend?

Many thanks! Alyssa

Hi Alyssa! Thanks for the kind words 🙂 Sorry you didn’t get any reply but as already said to other readers who left a comment hoping to get some tips for Sardinia… I had IT issues with the site and I couldn’t reply. I truly hope you had a great vacation in Sardinia!

My girl friend and I (27 y/o) are ferrying to Sardinia from Sicily in late July, and as we will be in between jobs we have enough time to do a lot of Sardinia by car (thinking about 2 weeks). Could you please suggest your ideal itinerary if you had 2 weeks? We are then ferrying to Corsica afterwards.

Much appreciated! Max.

Hi Max, thanks for stopping by! So, giving you a detailed itinerary in here is not super easy (I still have to update the proper article, I know!), but I’ll try my best to give you a general idea: Since you are coming from Sicily by ferry, I’m guessing that your port will be Cagliari and the departure will be from Olbia or at any rate from the northern part of Sardinia. Given these premises, in two weeks I would split my holiday exactly in 2 🙂 In The first week I would explore South Sardinia

FIRST WEEK:

Day 1: Cagliari (explore the city by foot, especially the historical center and the local beach Poetto) Day 2: I would move to Villasimius or Costa Rei (on the east coast) if you want to relax and discover the lovely beaches near the area, OR if you don’t mind having day trips, I would stay in Cagliari and from there, like most of the locals do during their holidays, I would go each day to a different location. Example: Day 3: From Cagliari to Tuerredda beach or Chia beach (south-west side)- 1 hour by car Day 4: Villasimius or Costa Rei (just pick one of the many beaches in the area and enjoy) – 1 hour and 30 minutes max by car Day 5: Visit the Sulcis / Iglesias area (Nebida or Piscinas), it’s less touristic and lovely to see a different side of Sardinia Day 6: Oristano: make a quick stop for beverages and Sandwiches in Cabras to see a typical Sardinian village and head to either San Giovanni di Sinis beach /Is Aruttas/ Tharros (depending on what you like the most, just google the names and decide for yourself) 🙂 You can obviously skip one of the activities or decide to stay in just one place, it all depends if you want a super active holiday or a relaxing one.

SECOND WEEK

Day 7/8/9: Moving from the South to the North: I would recommend the East Coast, which is, in my opinion the best, and I would make a stop of 3-4 hours to visit the Nuraghe di Barumini. It’s a little detour but it’s worth it to see one of the most popular world heritage sites. From there you can go back to the SS 131 (Carlo Felice Road) and head to the Golfo di Orosei for at least 3 days , 1 day for the boat trip and the other 2 days to trek to Cala Goloritze (A MUST!) and either visit the local villages (Baunei, Orosei, Dorgali, Cala Gonone, depending on where you will be based) or enjoy the beaches and a bit of nightlife especially if you stay in Cala Gonone.

Day 10/12: If you are based in Cala Gonone and don’t mind driving for a day tour, you can go to Bosa which is a lovely village on the west side, otherwise head up north to San Teodoro or Budoni for 1 day or 2 and enjoy the beaches in there.

Day 12/14: Final leg of the trip, I’d go to the Palau or Santa Teresa di Gallura and obviously won’t miss the boat trip to the Arcipelago della Maddalena (the must) and discover the amazing beaches of the Costa Smeralda and surroundings.

I left out the Alghero Area as if you are taking the ferry from Olbia it would be inconvenient, but if you are going to Corsica from Porto Torres, then you can only make the one day boat trip to the Arcipelago della Maddalena and then head towards Alghero/Stintino for one day before your departure.

I hope this gave you a rough idea on what I would do in 2 weeks 🙂 Cheers Clelia

you really helped us plan our trip to Sardinia :). At the end of June we arrive to Cagliari & leave from Alghero 10 days later. But I have a question about Rentalcars.com, did you actually manage to book a car with different pick-up/drop-off location? Because when I choose Cagliari/Alghero, the message says “We’re sorry, but the companies we work with in Cagliari don’t have any cars available”, but when I choose Cagliari/Cagliari, they have bunch of cars. Any suggestions?

Hi Yo! Wow, that’s so weird. I even double checked using the form on my article and when I get redirected to the website for the booking, I first change the pick up/drop off to different locations (Cagliari pick up and Alghero Drop off) and in the beginning it told me that they had no cars available, then I realized it was because I put the time of pick up drop off at midnight and the companies offices were all closed.

Might this be that the same issue you are having? If not, there is a box below the field where you can change the dates and the other details and you can contact them directly. It never happened to me, and to my knowledge, it didn’t happen to other people who booked via my website so it should be either the time of Pick up/drop off or possibly the dates? Try to change those to see if you have the same issue. Good luck and have a fantastic vacation in Sardinia 🙂 Cheers Clelia

Hi! This is an incredible blog! I have a question about th following itinerary: is it do-able?

Day 1: arrive in Olbia, stay the night 2: visit la maddalena, stay the night near porto cervo 3 and 4: go to orosei for beach hopping, national park 5: Bosa 6: Stintino 7-8: alghero to visit grotto and punta

We would definitely rent a car. What do you think?

Hi Sara, I’m so glad you found this article useful for you! Thanks 🙂 So regarding your Itinerary, I think that it’s a bit too rushed and difficult to navigate in my opinion. Let’s see…

What I would do is this: I’d leave the first part as it is, and I would visit Bosa on my way to go to Stintino, this way you won’t waste too much time moving from one place to the other, you can visit Bosa in 3-5 hours enjoying a nice slow walk and then drive to Stintino arriving late in the afternoon or in time for dinner.

The morning after you will go to “La Pelosa Beach” and enjoy it until sunset, and then you can decide to either spend the night in there and relax or drive to Alghero so you’ll have the whole next day to visit the grottoes and the city streets in the center and dine in front of a beautiful sunset over the sea.

The majority of the time you’ll have to spend driving is from Porto Cervo to Orosei (around 2 hours), from Orosei to Bosa (another 2 hours by car) and from Bosa to Stintino (A little less than 2 hours depending on traffic).

I hope my suggestions will help you in having a great holiday! Cheers Clelia

Hi, Clelia.

When I look at the post, I think the island is much bigger than I thought. I am going to Sardinia this July. I will travel to Sardinia for one week and will come to Cagliari airport and depart from Olbia airport. There are two questions. If I rent a car, please let me know which route is recommended. If I can not rent a car, I would like to decide where to stay.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Lucy, Yes… as I pointed out on the first few chapters of this very article, Sardinia is a lot bigger than most people think 🙂 So regarding your questions: 1) If you rent a car, it all depends on what are the stops on the way from Cagliari to Olbia airport during your stay! If you had to go straight to Olbia I would obviously recommend you to take the SS131 (Called “Carlo Felice”) passing via Oristano and Nuoro that goes straight to Olbia, but if you want to visit the east coast (which is what I recommend usually for those who just have one week, then you have to take another road, usually the SS125 (SS means: Strada statale = state road), that passes near Villasimius, Costa Rei, Tortoli’ , Baunei (all the Golfo di Orosei area basically), San Teodoro and finally Olbia. So… it really depends on where you want to stop.

2) With No car, good luck 🙂 I mean, it’s certainly not impossible of course but more stressful for sure. If you want to visit the east coast then the train is not recommended as it passes via Oristano on the west coast. There are buses that depart from Cagliari (you would need to take the train/taxi/bus to Piazza Matteotti where the train and bus station is). From there, there are direct buses to all the major touristic destinations on the east coast.

I took the private buses to get from Cagliari to Villasimius and San Teodoro/Olbia more than once and they are quite comfortable, but obviously slower and you are tied up with the bus schedule, plus they usually stop in the city center or along the road and depending on where your accommodation is if you have some heavy luggage you might need a taxi and they are quite expensive in Sardinia because almost everyone uses a car and taxis are not as easy to find in the streets.

I hope that helps Cheers

My wife and I have 5 nights in Sardinia. We fly into Olbia and were thinking 2 nights in Cala Gonone and then 3 nights in San Teodoro. We want to see the awesome beaches and hike on the east coast but also get some culture and night life. Do you have any recommendations or alternative suggestions?

Hi Sam!Thanks for your comment! So…regarding your question: I think you have chosen two great locations for what your needs are. Both Cala Gonone and San Teodoro will offer you some nightlife (pubs, restaurants, disco clubs). For the culture and hiking, Cala Gonone is better as you will have tons of options to see typical villages around of you are willing to drive for 1 hour or so (you can get to the Gennargentu mountains, to Baunei Village, Dorgali, trekking to Cala Goloritze, and more. I’d say, stick to that Itinerary and possibly start with Cala Gonone so you will reach it from the airport first and leave from San Teodoro that’s just 20-30 min away from the airport so no stress at the end of your holiday!

I hope you will have a great time in Sardinia 🙂 Cheers Clelia

Dear Clelia,

First of all thank you for the best and most informative info on Sardinia I have found so far. Your big love for the island really shines through and makes me look even more forward to my first visit there. I have spent a lot of time reading and researching, but would absolutely love your advice and “sanity check” as to my ideas for an itinerary.

I’m visiting with my teenage son beginning of July and will be staying for 14 days. Our plan is a combo of beach bumming, enjoying nature (hiking and maybe mountainbiking) and good food. I understand that it will be impossible to avoid the crowds completely due to the time of year, but am trying to avoid the super touristy places (maybe just for a short visit, but not staying there). I plan to have a car through the whole period. Also we do want to cover as much as possible, but it’s also very important that don’t feel we need to rush and have time to just do nothing.

1 night in Olbia (because we’re flying in 22.30 and I can see that you’re advising not to take the drive to far south when arriving late, please advise if you’re still of that opinion) Cala Gonone (3-5 nights) – beaches, Su Gorrupu – staying a Bue Marino Baunei (1-2 nights) – Cala Goritze, staying in the mountains and the true Sardinian experience – staying at Dommu Agostino Palau/Porto Rafael (3 nights) – La Maddalena Archipelago – staying at Airbnb Arzachena (3 nights) – Porto Cervo and beaches and just chilling – staying at a cozy B&B

I would really like to do Bosa, Alghero with the Grotto Neptuna and also the beaches at Stintino as well. Thinking of skipping Baunei and then do Cala Goritze while in Cala Gonone, and then have 2 days either around Bosa or Alghero. My concern is whether it would be too cramped a program and just focus on the Orosei and then the north? Alternatively do Bosa (which I think look better than Alghero) on the way from Baunei to Palau, or is that unrealistic due to too much transporttime, don’t want to spend all our time in the car?

Hope you’ll be able to give me an advice on what to do. And thanks in advance.

Hi Lise, first of all, sorry for the delayed reply! Second thing: Your comment (and itinerary ideas) might possibly be one of the most reasonable I’ve read in thousands 🙂 So going straight to your questions:

1) Absolutely! Arriving that late at night is just stressful to drive anywhere, kist chill and get ready for the real holiday to start. Activities and places wise is perfect, obviously still recommending the boat trip that’s mandatory if you stay in Cala Gonone, so use one day for that and the other 2 days to discover the other beaches around by car, especially Cala Fuili

2)Baunei: I love that you decided to stay in there for a genuine Sardinian experience, you can also visit the Golgo and Su Gorroppu (included in your “mountains exploration). Cala Goloritze is obviously a must, remember to get there super early, even if I’m not a morning person I am usually super happy to wake up at 5 or even before to be one of the first to enjoy that paradise beach.

3)Palau/Porto Rafael: Great choice for beach bumming, relaxing and visit the Arcipelago Della Maddalena. You won’t be disappointed! (I have an advice for this, see below)

4) Arzachena: I’m a bit torn in here, as for the boat trip to the Arcipelago you can stay in just one place for let’s say 4 days, use one day for the boat trip and then explore everything around by car. So my advice here is to not split these days but choose either Porto Rafael or Arzachena.

Since you want a relaxing holiday, why not spending 6 days in one place and use 3 days to drive around visiting the Costa Smeralda area, and even Santa Teresa di Gallura? They are both less than 1 hour away by car from Porto Rafael. If I were you, I’d do like this.

Bosa/Alghero or not? First things first 🙂 If I had to choose between the two, for a first timer in Sardinia, I’d go with Bosa as it’s probably less crowded than Alghero but seeing Stintino … I understand it’s tempting. However, being in July, the beach is going to be quite crowded already so given that you’ve already seen the beautiful beaches on the east coast, you might skip it.

So am I saying you should make time to go to the west side? Well, If you feel like waking up early in the morning when you are in Cala Gonone, it’s feasible (2 hours drive). If you decide for a day trip to Bosa then I suggest to spend a day more in Cala Gonone and a day less in Porto Rafael and you shouldn’t be too stressed out!

I hope this helps and that I didn’t confuse you more 🙂 Your chosen locations are great, you only need to maybe stretch your stay in a place or two that’s all!

Have a great holiday in Sardinia! Cheers Clelia

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer and for your sweet comment. And no you definitely didn’t confuse me more, quite the opposite. As I wrote I needed a “sanity check”, since as a first timer it all looks so amazing, that I wish I could do it all, so you calming me down a little was just what I needed ;-).

I am taking the advice to concentrate on La Gonone/Baunei for 1st week and the Palau area for the 2nd week. I was really aiming for Porto Rafael, but since I wrote you a friend and her son will also be joining, and we’re too late in order to getting something to stay in. Time will tell whether we feel like going to Bosa just for the day while in Cala Gonone.

I know you advice on renting car through the website you’re linking to further up. But it’s such a jungle, and some of the cheapest ones have horrible reviews. Do you have a preferred car rental company?

Again thank you sooooo much for the advice. Can’t wait for July now. 🙂

Best regards Lise

Hey Lise, I’m so glad you found my suggestions useful! As for renting a car, I totally get your concern, it’s quite a jungle out there. I recommend the search engine that I have used a couple of times because they compare all the best car hire around so you will have more choice. As for what I specifically recommend, not easy to say, I usually go for the major names, even if it means that they might be slightly more expensive sometimes, but we all know how it goes with car rentals, I haven’t found one with just good reviews! Usually, with the car rentals, only the people who had bad experiences take the time to write reviews, and even if I was lucky in my experience, I can’t give you a 100% guarantee that everything is going to be ok…I wish I could (also for my next car rental) but as I said, before recommending this particular service I took the time to see ALL the reviews for all the major companies and there is always someone complaining in all of them. Sorry I can’t be of much help this time but I’m always honest with my readers and my advice is 100% genuine. Not even if they paid me I would recommend a specific car rental company 🙂

This is by far THE best Sardinia travel blog I’ve found so far. So good job and thanks for the info 🙂

I’m thinking of going for 5-6 days and the East coast has definitely piqued my interest! 1) I’m wondering if you think that’s way too short to enjoy a holiday (if I should spend it on Mainland Italy instead if it isn’t enough). 2) I would have loved to see the famous grotto but it seems pretty far. Is my time better spent on the east side or should I spend a night or two in Alghero

I’m pretty sure the answer is to spend more time in Sardinia 😛

Hey Sara! Thanks for the lovely comment! 6 days would be ideal to enjoy a holiday in Sardinia, especially when you decide to stick to only one location and explore the surrounding areas and the east coast is, for me, the best part of Sardinia so you can’t go wrong! I guess that when you mention the “famous Grotto” you mean the Grotta di Nettuno in Alghero?

If so, I’d suggest visiting the other famous Grotto in the Golfo di Orosei: La Grotta del Bue Marino. It’s very beautiful and suggestive, at the same level of the one in Alghero.

So, of course spending more time in Sardinia is always the best but 5-6 days is still very reasonable to enjoy a great holiday in paradise!

My husband and I are traveling to Sardinia. My plan was to fly into Cagliari, stay the afternoon and night, and then start out for ALghero the 2nd day, spending 2 days in this location as home base. Then, we would make our way to Cala Gonone for two days, heading out the 5th day from Cagliari. Does this make sense? I wanted to do the boat tour from Maddelena, but perhaps this is not enough time, or the right direction? ANy tips or thoughts that could help us in our planning?

It depends on how much you want to rush, you don’t have much time and going from Cagliari to Alghero then to Cala Gonone and back to Cagliari is quite stressful… I would suggest you skip Alghero, spend 4 days in Cala Gonone discover the nearby area which is the best Sardinia can offer in my opinion (beaches, culture, nature) and then head back to Cagliari.

For the boat trip at Arcipelago Della Maddalena… if you are based in Cala Gonone, rather than going to Alghero, even if it’s a bit of a trip, it can be done. Either you drive there late in the afternoon from Cala Gonone to Palau (2 hours by car), book a night in there and take the boat in the morning, or you can check online for companies to book an 8 or even better 9 am trip departing from Palau but you would have to wake up super early in the morning to drive there.

I did something similar for the Golfo di Orosei boat trip. I drove all the way from Cagliari to Cala Gonone by myself, waking up at 4 am, arrived at around 7 am, went for the boat trip and immediately drove back to Cagliari. I was exhausted when I was back home, but it was an incredible day, so worth it! So yes it can be done but only if you skip the Alghero part, which I definitely recommend you do.

If you have less than 1 week, going from one coast to the other is stressful…

Hope this helps! Cheers

My girlfriend and I are going to visit Sardinia for 5 days in the middle of September. We’ve already booked the first three nights at Cala Gonone. We have two more full days to plan. We thought of two options and maybe you can help us decide 🙂 The first one is to spend the first day in Stintino and drive to Castelsardo in the evening and spend their the night and in the next morning to drive to Palau and take a boat trip to La Maddalena. The second option is to skip Stintino and spend the two days in the Palau area, do the boat trip and relax in a resort in the second day. What would you recommend us? Is Stinitino worth the visit (after 3 days in Cala gonone)?

Thanks a lot, Omer

Hi Omer, so sorry but I just saw your comment now as there were a few issues I had to fix in my comment section. I hope you managed to plan your trip to Sardinia and that you had a great stay! Cheers Clelia

Hola Clelia me and my wife are traveling from Mexico to Sardinia for a week in Sept 4th. My wife love the beaches and we are planning to rent a car and go beach hunting. We are arriving to Olbia and like to have a good time and relax. In what part are the best beaches? we have seen some great picture from la madalena. We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary just want to enjoy our selves. Do you have any website for car rentals reservation, hotels to stay? nices places to eat.

Muchas Gracias Amiga for the information

Hey Gerardo! Awww I actually LOVE MEXICO AND ITS PEOPLE!! I found a house and I have spent a lot of months in there and going back soon! Also, the day you are leaving we will probably cross our ways in the air as I will crossing the Atlantic in the other direction 🙂

Ok so back to your questions! 1) The beaches in Sardinia are super nice everywhere! It really depends on your personal taste, for me, the best ones are on the east coast (from Santa Teresa di Gallura down that coast, with the most spectacular being at the Golfo di Orosei, but also the beaches nearby Costa Smeralda (Romazzino, Cala Di Volpe etc) are breathtaking).

2) Website I always use to book everything for my trips is Booking.com , I tried different websites but I only end up using this 🙂 It’s cool because almost always you have a free cancellation policy and if you are not 100% sure you can book more properties at the same time (the ones that allow you to cancel last minute with no fees) and keep the one you finally choose!

3)Car Rental: I use Rentalcars as it compares the prices for the main car rentals to find the best deal for you. I recommend you check it out.

4) For places to eat and more attractions, check out my guide “Sardinia for couples” where I put some nice restaurants and sights you can’t miss in some of the most popular locations in Sardinia. Usually, people found that guide super useful and I had great feedback on that.

5) For tours, check out this website and search for “Sardinia” and you can find some super cool ones, from one-day boat trips to cooking classes and more!

I hope this helps Have a great holiday in Sardinia and happy anniversary! 🙂

First i would like to thank you for this useful informative guide. Couldn’t find any better description to really understand Sardinia. I coming with my sister (age: twenties) end of august for only 4 nights, i know its not fair for sardinina!! We are staying at cervo, costa smeralda to be close from everything. What are the must to do during our stay?

Thanks alot!

Sorry I completely missed your comment as I’m working non stop on another Sardinia project and had zero time to check the many messages in here (doing all bu myself can be quite overwhelming) If you still need help I suggest you read my other guide “ Sardinia for couples ” (don’t let the title mislead you as the article has become a guide for everyone). I have a section about Porto Cervo with all the things you can’t miss! Hope this helps! Cheers Clelia

Hello Clelia!

Thank you for the brilliant information on your site! It’s so helpful to hear of all the different itineraries. My partner and I are travelling to Sardinia from 7th-11th of september – we will have four full days there. We are flying into alghero airport, however I wish to see the Golfo de Orosei. A friend of ours has a house in Arbatax which he has kindly offered us to stay in. Do you think the travel time from Arbatax to Golfo de Orosei is too long? And would we be better off changing our flight to Olbia?

I would be very grateful to hear from you. Thank you, Trina

Sorry for the super late reply! However I have good news for you 🙂 Actually, since you are saving money on accommodation you can easily see the Golfo di Orosei by boat! Arbatax has a pier from where there are daily tours departing to the best beaches in the Golfo di Orosei Area, you can choose to see Cala Biriola and Cala Luna, or stay the whole day in Cala Mariolu, visit the Grotte del Bue Marino and more. So you don’t even have to drive to the area to see the beauty of it, unless you want to explore the nearby villages but honestly, since you only have 4 days it’s so much more convenient to stay in Arbatax and take the boat trips!

Your website is great, it gave us a lot of useful information! Thank you for all the effort and wonderful work you’ve done!

We are a couple from Romania looking forward to organise our honeymoon in Sardinia in the beginning of august! We are ariving in Olbia by plane and spending the first night there. We then thought to spend 4 nights in Cana Gonone, 4 nights in Baunei (Itinerary #8). We would have 3 more nights until our departure. What would you recommend? My husband is willing to take a boat trip during our stay. Do you think we could spend more days on a sailing boat, on our way back to Olbia (maybe meanwhile visit the Archipelago Maddalena too)?

Are there buses to get around easy? Should we better rent a car at the airport on our arrival and not do the 3 day boat trip?

Thank you, Clelia!

Hey Corina, first of all, congratulations on your honeymoon! :)My suggestion is to stay in Palau (or Arzachena/Cannigione) and take the beautiful boat trip to the Arcipelago della Maddalena since you are heading that way, you won’t regret it!

As for the buses, yes there are buses to take you around but in my opinion is much better to rent a car for your Sardinia Holidays as you will be able to organize your trip smoothly without being tied to the timetable (we are not super organized when it comes to that and you might end up missing out or have to rush to get from one place to the other, and the buses are obviously much slower than using the car, eating up time from your vacation!

Also, if you do the 3 days boat trip, you still have to get to your hotel with the luggage, get to the pier etc, all these things will become a bit of an issue without a car. It’s possible, but it takes some more planning and stress so I won’t recommend it.

we will spend a week in Sardinia in August, flying in and out from Alghero but considering to combine the region with the east coast as well. According to your guides, San Teodoro, Cala Gonone are on our list there, in this case how would you split the week, 3 days around Alghero and 4 on the east side lets say? what would be the must to see in each location? I assume without renting a car its impossible to manage, do you have any recommendation for the car rental? local agencies or simply those that are presented at the airport?

many thanks in advance,

Hey Norbert, sorry for the late reply but I’m only catching up with all the Sardinia comments, too many!! As for your question, what I always suggest is to rent a car directly online . I’ve had many people who did it and had no issues, what I recommend is to have a lot at Rentalcars as it is one of the most comprehensive rental cars portal online, including basically all the major names and you won’t be left with a last minute choice at the airport.

Regarding the Itinerary, if you ony have one week I strongly recommend to skip one destination since you have to drive from the west to the east coast losing almost one day of vacation, I’d rather go to Cala Gonone if you like the contrast between wild nature and incredible boat trips or San Teodoro if you prefer easy access to sandy beaches (but ne aware that August is very high season and not everyone can handle well the chaos and crowds especially in San Teodoro).

Thank you so much for this site with lots of very helpful information. I am planning to go with my 6 and half year old to Sardinia in mid July. As time is short, my preference is to stay in one location with easy access to beach and childrens activities such as snorkling and other suitable activities for boys at that age. I would most prbably fly to Olbia . Could you please advise of a location or a hotel . Thank you Alia

Hey Alia, sorry for the late reply but I’ve been overwhelmed by consultancies requests for Sardinia! I hope you can still read my reply. if you fly into Olbia (depending on your budget)I’d recommend checking out Santa Teresa Di Gallura. I have had very positive feedback from my consultancies for people traveling with kids in that area as the min beach is very nice, nearby beaches are also spectacular and you will have plenty of activities for your kid (snorkeling being the first of course).

As for specific Hotels, again, from the feedback I have received these are the most popular one for people traveling with kids: 1) Hotel Corallaro 2) Hotel La Funtana 3) Hotel Majore

They are all near the center and the beach. making it easy for you to move around with a kid, some offer a swimming pool and a shuttle to and from the airport if you need it. Usually in Sardinia is not super easy to find places where they have specific activities for kids, I think the most important thing is to have everything in the proximity of your hotel /accommodation so that you can change get everywhere without stress. Santa teresa is one of the best places for snorkeling that’s for sure and the other families who wrote me after their vacation in there confirmed that they had a great time with their kids!

I hope it helps, have a great Holiday in Sardinia!

Hello Clelia! Thank you for the very informative website , it was extremely helpful. My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon to sardinia late august 2017 . We don’t want to rent a car to get around, what are the other options? are taxis easy to get in sardinia ? are they expensive?( especially the south where i think we will spend our one week honeymoon) And if we decided to visit porto cervo what is the best way to get there if we’re not going to drive by ourselves . One more thing, most of the hotels are sold out on booking.com. do you recommend any other website? Thank you in advance!:)

Forst of all congratulations! Sardinia is one of the best places to go on a honeymoon! Too bad that many people don’t realize that they need to book way in advance to find great deals in the destinations they like, sorry to hear that you have found everything sold out! You might try to give it a second try, maybe someone has canceled their booking and you will be able to sneak in! I honestly can’t recommend other websites as I truly use only booking.com for my trips. Sometimes I have tried Airbnb (only 3 times in more than 5 years of travels around the world) and I had mixed experiences.

If you Google you will find other websites that helps you in booking a place but I was checking them out the other day for some research and I find them rather confusing, not to mention that they will probably charge you more than if you book on your own, otherwise they would not earn any money 🙂 If you still can’t find anything on Booking, try that way and compare the prices first to see which website is more convenient and what additional services will offer you!

Regarding the taxis to move around Sardinia…AUCH… sorry to give you bad news but unless you use them within the city, I’ve never met anyone who used it for moving from a destination to another. Their service is mostly local and even if you convince them to drive for 3 hours (which I doubt) the cost would be INSANE to say the least. You have to rely on public transport (buses and trains) and then maybe take a taxi once you reach your destination, or if you want to go to a specific beach that is not on the public transport map (but in that case make sure that either the hotel or the taxi driver understands that they have to come back and pick you up at the end of the day!

You can, for example, stay in Arzachena or Cannigione, where there is a bus line from the airport and also to Porto Cervo, I used it ages ago when I was 19 and It took me straight to Porto Cervo where we strolled around the pier and the main Plaza, so yes, it is possible!

Sorry for the bad news guys! I Hope you will have a fantastic Honeymoon in Sardinia 🙂

Fantastic site! I really appreciate it.

We are coming to Sardinia by Ferry from Cittavechia to Olbia in August. We have rented a car and are thinking we should stay in the northeast area.

I’m liking your itinerary #1 or #8. My wife and I are travelling with our 5 month old daughter. Do you have any specific suggestions?

For boat rentals in Cala Gonone, can you rent your own and travel around on your own for the day?

Also, if we do stay in Baunei, are there other villages you recommend to visit?

Warm wishes,

Hi Bryan, thanks for the nice comment! If you are traveling with a baby, my suggestion is, of course, to stay as close as possible to the airport and to chose a place that is not very remote, so Olbia/Palau/San Teodoro is a good choice. Cala Gonone is further away from the airport but if the baby is Ok with longest rides then cala Gonone is ok as well. For the boat rentals you can definitely rent your own, I had a friend who recently did it, and it’s in my opinion the best choice as you will set the pace and decide where to go.

For Baunei, the village itself is lovely, very traditional and Sardinian in the real sense. Other villages you can visit… mmmhh, not much around really in terms of villages, but plenty of activities, that’s for sure. What I’m not 100% sure is if with a 5 months old baby you could do some of them like hiking to Cala Goloritze or exploring the Gologone area in the mountains.

If you want to stick to itinerary 8, then you maybe can stay in Cala Gonone and enjoy the beach, visit Dorgali and Orosei perhaps and enjoy the boat trips (definitely the highlight!).

Hope it helps! have a great time in Sardinia

First of all let me thank you for this great website which provides a great deal of info about visiting this beautiful island. You really did a great job in putting up this website.

I have a question for you. We are planning to spend 7/8 nights in last week of August and we would like to visit the South of Sardegna. I am not sure if it is better to book two hotels for 4 nights each, one in Villasimius and one in Pula/Chia or maybe pick one hotel in Quartu Sant Elena for the whole period and travel from there to East and West. I know in this case I might drive a couple of hours a day but I can bear it. I would like to know if you recommend Quartu St Elena as a good place where to stay

Hey Giuseppe! I thought I had already replied to your question as I remember it very clearly… maybe you already commented on another post about holidays in Sardinia? If not, my reply is to just book 1 hotel either in Cagliari or Quartu Sant Elena (I prefer Cagliari of course, as you will be able to also stroll around the nice old town, easily find restaurants and places to chill and so on), and from there you can take day trips by car to both Villasimius and Chia. Booking 2 hotels will just be a struggle. Another option is to either book 1 hotel in Villasimius or 1 hotel in Pula/Chia and just enjoy that part of the island.

Hope it helps! Cheers Clelia

Your website is wonderful! I love your itineraries! I am traveling with my family at the beginning of July to Olbia for one week- I was thinking of going to Cala Gonone (after your recommendation) then driving to the North West Coast- either near Costa Paridiso/ Isola Rossa or Castelsardo. I noticed you haven’t written much on Castelsardo- do you think it would be better to go somewhere a bit further north as Castelsardo may be very touristy?

Again thanks for all your wonderfull tips!

Hi Lucy, Castelsardo is not super touristy, at least compared to other places in Sardinia. The village itself is very nice but I am super picky when it comes to the beaches (to give you an idea, they must have the Caribbean/Polynesian feeling)and Castelsardo is just OK for my standards, that’s probably why i didn’t talk about it but the village as I said is nice and not super crowded! The other village around, like Aggius and Trinita’ D’Agultu, are super small, definitely not touristy but not on the sea, you can check them out if you want a truly local Sardinian experience!

Hello, Clelia!

Thank you for writing this — it has helped me plan my honeymoon, and we’re very excited. I was wondering if you could recommend a boat tour/excursion company for Cala Gonone. We plan to spend a day or two exploring the Orosei coast, including Cala Luna and the Grotta Bue Marino. Which company do you think is the best for a day trip?

Hey Jason, congratulations on your honeymoon!! As for your question, If you are based in Cala Gonone, all the companies offer very similar options. Being on honeymoon I suggest you to rent a private boat (with a member of the crew of course) do that you can skip the crowded boats and most importantly decide if you want to stop more in one beach, plan your personalized stops, helped by the company that knows the best places of course and you will not be tied to the big boats schedules.

That is the most important thing to ask when inquiring for a boat trip in the area. Recommending one, honestly I tried basically all the companies in the area and as I said, so far they are all at the same level to me. Especially the ones that own smallest boats and offer the possibility to rent them for private groups. But you will find plenty of options, don’t worry!

Terrific, thank you!

Your website is great, thanks for all the informative information! I am coming to Sardinia with two friends for a week in August (we’re all 21). I was wondering what you thought was the best itinerary for us? We’ll be flying into Olbia airport and have hear Cala Gonone and the La Maddalena Islands are amazing, but was wondering what your opinion was? We don’t have a ton of money to spend so hoping to find some affordable accommodation 🙂 Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Hey Emily! Wow, you asked me a very difficult question as I LOVE them both! I think that money-wise it’s probably better to opt for Cala Gonone unless you decide to just visit the Arcipelago della Maddalena from the mainland Sardinia during a day trip (I did the same when I was camping in Cannigione, a small village near Arzachena). If you are into camping then Cannigione is the best choice to explore La Maddalena, for cheap accommodation in Cala Gonone or near La Maddalena, you can still find something (I don’t know what your budget is). try to check out this (and filter the price range) Accommodation/ Hotels in Arzachena Accommodation/Hotels in Cannigione Accommodation/Hotels in Cala Gonone

You might still find something worth booking but you’ll have to hurry up! I hope that helps!

Hello Clelia,

I’ve been looking around on the internet for information about Sardinia and I am so happy I found your website ! Information is clear and seems very useful ! Thank you !

Actually we are planning a road trip to Sardinia for two weeks in August (high season… I know haha). We would like to make a round tour of the island, is it too optimistic in two weeks ? We like beaches but we love to discover places by walking around all day.. I like your West and East Coast guides (#7 and #8), do you think we can do them both ? Starting at Cagliari then to Alghero (West Coast itinerary) and then to Olbia and back to Cagliari (East Coast itinerary)?

I would really appreciate having your opinion on this, Again, thank you, Great job !

Thanks for your nice comment! As for your question…is it possible to combine the 2 itineraries that you mention in 2 weeks but honestly, the trip will be super rushed, unless you decide to choose 2 places to set a base for the first week on the west coast (Oristano and Alghero for example) and then other 2 places on the east coast (Palau or Santa Teresa and Cala Gonone, with possibly a quick one day stop in Villasimius to get back to Cagliari).

If you add more stops it becomes nearly impossible to enjoy your vacation and even with 2 stops in each coast is, in my opinion, a bit too much. I think 3 weeks is the minimum to truly enjoy both coasts to the fullest. Sometimes is better to choose only one coast and the south or north part of it and stick with that.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, of course, maybe there are people who don’t mind rushing a bit, I’m the one who likes to travel slowly and maybe see less but more in-depth.

Hope this helps Have a great time in Sardinia 🙂

Hello Clelia, thank you for your wonderful website. I use it to plan our vacation in Sardinia. It’s well organized and easy to read, therefore, useful and informative! Great job!

We fly to Cagliari and drive to Cala Gonone, then descend back to Gagliari traveling the west coast. Google map shows two routes getting from Cagliari airport to Cala Gonone. One is a longer travel time route (3h15m) through Santa Maria. Another is through Santa Giusta (2h26min) – East coast. Is one route more picturesque than another? Since we will be descending back traveling the West coast, should we take the shorter route so we get to Cala Gonone sooner?

Thank you for your time!

Hi Inna! Thanks for your Kind words! So, regarding the two routes, I know them both quite well. Honestly? It really depends on what “picturesque” means to you! The fasted road is definitely not. It basically is a long long road (superstrada) called Carlo Felice until Oristano. All flat, nothing major to see and you have to be super careful as there are intersections that are somehow difficult to see and many speed limit detectors along the way. After Nuoro it might get a bit more interesting as it passes near some villages but nothing major. The bright side is that it’s the fastest route and the preferred one by the locals.

The route via Muravera and Santa Maria Navarrese is somehow more “scenic” but don0t expect heartbreaking views. It’s full of turns, sometimes U turns in the first part near Muravera and when I last drove in there (now it might be better), in some parts, where you are in the middle of the mountains, there is no reception whatsoever. I remember that because I was driving alone to go to Cala Gonone for a boat trip and it was dark so I freaked out a bit as if the car had a problem or something I couldn’t even call anyone for help and there is no much traffic in there. It’s just a small part of the road, but I wanted to mention it.

I liked this road more even if it’s more demanding for the driver but some points are definitely nice, with the mountains and the nature surrounding you and the sights are more varied, not to mention that you have to get inside the villages, so you can have a look at the real Sardinia.

If you have time, and a good navigator, I would say go for the longest route but don’t expect fantastic sceneries, just a different (maybe more authentical) driving experience in Sardinia.

If you don’t have time, or prefer the easier way, go to the Carlo Felice and make a pit stop at the Abbasanta bar (after Oristano, near Macomer), which is the pit stop for everyone going up north for a quick stop at the bathroom, a coffee or just to stretch your legs. Abbasanta is for Sardinian people the sign that we are more or less half way across Sardinia 🙂

Hope it helps! Clelia

Hello Clelia. We are travelling for the first time to Sardinia beginning of July with a family of 4 (our sons are 5 and 7 yo). We both land in and leave from Cagliari and are staying two weeks. The boys love swimming and we definitely want to go snorkeling and maybe even rent a boat. I also would like to do some horseriding. What itinerary would you recommend? A combination of 2 itineraries in the south? Maybe 1 week of changing places and 1 week of chilling close to a beach? Thanks for your tips! Jane

Hei Jane! If you have 2 weeks you are in luck as you have more time to move around without stressing too much (and with the kids might be more stressful for the whole family to be constantly on the move)

That said, I would highly recommend having 2 bases: First week: South Sardinia, Villasimius area is lovely because there is the Village, while in Chia /Tuerredda the nearest village is Pula at around 20/30 min by car, which means you will either have to drive to go out for dinner or stay in the resort/house and cook your own meals (but you will have to still drive to town to buy the groceries, not a big deal, just informing you!) For Horseriding, I tried a while ago near Pula, but I’m sure there will be plenty of options if you ask the tourism information office in Villasimius too.They usually have all sort of activities and for snorkeling everywhere is nice in Sardinia and Villasimius (but also the Chia area) is perfect for chilling on the beach as well!

The second week: Straight to Golfo di Orosei. Ok, I sound like a broken record here but I truly think that the area is the absolute best in Sardinia, as it combines the beauty of an incredible sea with the mountains just behind it. It’s breathtaking! You can certainly rent a boat there and see for yourself what amazing places you can discover.I actually recommend you renting a boat if you are there, it will be the highlight of your trip, instead of going with the organized boat trips, which are nice, less expensive but you are tied to a schedule and can’t stop wherever you want (not to mention that they are big boats with many people)

Hope it helps and have a fantastic time in Sardinia 🙂

Hello, I would like to read your itinerary 6 – South Sardinia but when I click on ITINERARY DETAILS there is nothing to read. Please advise how that works.

Thank you. Hana

Hey Hanka, as I said in the beginning of the post, I’m still working on it, this is why there are no further details on the itinerary yet. Sorry for the inconvenience but managing a whole website by myself is a lot of work! 🙂

I know, I am sorry, I noticed your warning only when I emailed you. Shame the itinerary is not ready, I am going to Cagliari on 01st of June. Can you please recommend some good restaurants and wine places in Cagliari? Nothing touristic, but local cuisine. Thanks and good luck with finishing your web site. It will be awesome once ready :-).

This website is a great resource. Thanks! I’m thinking about trying to combine Itineraries 2 and 8 somehow into 1 week. I like beaches but don’t like to spend much time just sitting on the beach. I prefer to walk around and hopefully experience the culture, food, wine, etc. Would 4 days in the Cala Gonone area and 3 days in Alghero area be OK?

Hey Donald! Sorry I have completely missed your comment until now!

I think that if you don’t mind “losing” half a day to move from Cala Gonone to Alghero, that would be a great choice! I assume you are flying into Olbia and out from Alghero, right? As this is an itinerary that most people choose when they are flying in and out in different airports. If not… maybe I would stick around the coast where the airport is. Less stressful 🙂

Hey Clelia your website is fab! It’s been so helpful in planning my trip to sardinia! We are coming over in june after visiting Rome and venice and we have chosen itinerary 8 to be the one we are going to follow and jiggle a little! We’re spending 8 days! Do you recommend anything specific in the cala gonone and baunei area to do? Apart from take in the amazing scenery and beaches! Thank you Holly

Hey Holly! Glad you find it useful 🙂 All the Golfo di Orosei is fantastic, I definitely recommend a visit to Baunei to check out the Altiplano and the Golgo (su Gorroppu), but trust me, in 8 days you will already have plenty of activities, from visiting the beaches and the trek to Cala Goloritze, seeing Dorgali village, Su Gologone, the boat trip (I would do it twice, once asking to stay the whole day at Cala Mariolu and get picked up by the boat when they finish and the second time to check out all the beaches).

I’m sure you will have an amazing time! Cheers

Dear Clelia!

This is excellent piece of work! Thank You for sharing all this information’s with us.

I would have couple questions for You, If You don’t mind.

Right now, I am wondering about trip to Sardinia. We have booked flights to Rome and we thought that relax in Sardinia after exhausting sightseeing would be great.

We plan to spend in Sardinia one week, mostly on relax at beaches so our first choice was Itinerary #2 | NORTH WEST SARDINIA.

I read a lot about Sardinia and I have some questions for You about Your proposal. So, 2 days in Alghero is it enough? What about Maria Pia beach? Is it worth our time? Or maybe is it better to spend this time in Stintino? At beginning our plans included one week in Alghero and small trips to Stintino and Bosa for 1 day each. Is it wrong idea?

I would like to ask You about boat trips/cruises to see for example Neptuno Cave. Would You recommend smth like this? I know that this is possible from Alghero, I dont know if theres any possible trips like that from Stintino.

And finally Sardinia By Bus & Train: Moving Around The Island Without A Car! Honestly I don’t know if we need rented car. In our plans, we prefered to relax on beaches and taste a bit of Sardinia’s night life. So whats about public transport? Airport transport shouldn’t be a problem i suppose, but what with normal transport from Alghero to Stintino/Bosa? Are we going to find any connections? Or not? 😛

Sorry for my english 🙂 I tried my best tho 😛

With greeting, Tom

Hey Tom! Ok, let’s see if I can reply to all your questions 🙂

1) If you want to relax on a beach, then stay put in one place is a good idea. 2) Alghero is a good base as being a large city has the easiest connections to the airport, Bosa, Stintino etc 3) Daily trips to Stintino and Bosa from Alghero by public transport are not a bad idea. 4) To get to la Pelosa Beach (marvelous!) you can get a private bus which will take around one hour, here is the link to their timetable, you can also see the other routes to and from the airport 5) If I had to choose one beach I’d go for Stintino la Pelosa and if you are willing to travel FROM there to the other places, I would actually set the base in Stintino rather than Alghero, but that’s my personal preference as I would stay the whole day at the beach and go back and forth would bother me a bit if I didn’t have a car. 6) There are tours to the Nettuno grotto, you can get there by boat or with the stairs, so it’s definitely doable even without the car

I hope it helped! Cheers 🙂

Hi Clelia, LOVE your site. I am actually a travel blogger, so I totally understand the work that goes into a site like this. Well done!

My friend and I are coming into Sardinia (Cagliari) on June 30th and have to depart the morning of June 5th. So 6 days. I’ve read all of your itineraries and it sounds like you love the north and east. We are ambitious travelers- we like to see a lot in a little time.

Given our time constraints (I also gathered the island is much bigger than I realize), which itinerary should first time Sardinian explorers do if we are flying in and out of Cagliari? Should we just stay in the south- or is the north so great and worth going up to explore?

Thanks a million! Dre

Hey Adrienne! Oh I0m so glad you realize how much work there is behind all this 🙂 Anyway, back to your questions! If you have 6 days it’s rather tricky. As you pointed out, Sardinia is big and you can either see as many things as you can possibly fit in but not really enjoy them to the fullest or choose less and soak in the experience.

I would definitely go with the second option. Not sure where you are from but you could always come back for more another time as many people do 😉 If you arrive and depart from Cagliari, the best advice I can give is to explore the beauty of the south. I know I push the east coast a lot, but I’m from the south so for me all that beauty is maybe taken for granted a bit and you could split up your days visiting both sides: The Chia/Tuerredda part (on the south-west) and the Villasimius/Costa rei part on the (south-east).

They are both trips that the locals regularly do in one day during the weekends when they are waiting for the proper holidays. I made them several times and it’s not that bad. Since you seem to be pretty active and don’t mind moving around, you can also visit Nora ruins on the way to Chia and take your time to also explore Cagliari, which is a truly enchanting city with beautiful viewpoints.

All in all, I’d say, leave the east coast for a second visit to Sardinia and enjoy the beauty of the south! There is also a nice day boat trip departing from Villasimius that is worth checking out and all that part of the coast is amazing, coming from Cagliari by car, take the panoramic route and you won’t be disappointed, filled with small coves and breathtaking landscapes of cliffs over the sea. I LOVE that route, it is an experience for itself. Just be careful as there are quite a few U-turns to make, so go slow and enjoy the ride!

Hope this helps! By the way, I’m also going back to Villasimius this year and can’t wait!

Hello! Can you please tell me if 4-5 nights in Sardinia will be ok to visit the most beautiful beaches?? Which ones you recommend if I have only max 5 nights in the island? Please let me know Thanks! Natalia

Hi Natalia!

Thanks for stopping by 🙂 In 4-5 days, rushing a bit… you could see a few nice beaches for sure but not the entire perimeter of Sardinia 🙂 Whatever part you decide to explore, it certainly offers some of the top beaches in the world, I can guarantee you that!

I’m from the south and my favorites in there are Tuerredda, Chia beach, Villasimius/costa rei and surroundings. If you decide for the northeast, the best are : cala Mariolu, Cala Sisine, Cala Biriola (you can see them all in one day if you want via boat trip), or go further north near Cannigione/Arzachena and discover the marvels of Cala di Volpe and Romazzino, with a boat trip to the Archipelago Della Maddalena and a day trip to Santa Teresa di Gallura. On the west coast, you could visit San Giovanni di Sinis, Is Aruttas and the lovely panoramic Nebida.

As you can see, you have plenty of choices but I recommend to choose ONE area and stick with that otherwise it becomes super stressful and you won’t truly enjoy any of these amazing beaches!

Hi, Love the site and hope to utilise as many of your suggestions as possible.

I have not quite found what we need though and I throw down our gauntlet!

I’m planning to fly into Olbia and ferry out of Cagliari to travel to Naples. We will hire a car and travel south over 5 or 6 days. We would like to include a horseride, a nature hike and a beautiful spa!!!! Maybe one night at a beach destination and also an agritourism.

Hey Denise, sorry late reply as I was on vacation (weird huh?!) 😀

Let’s see!

1)Horseride: There are a few places I tried a while ago, one was near Chia beach where I rode a horse on the beach at sunset (fabulous experience!),

2)Nature hike: this is a no brainer, the Golfo di Orosei is the place to be, from hiking to Cala Goloritze or Su Gorroppu, Cala Biriola or the Gennargentu mountains, you will have plenty of options, all beautiful.

3) Spa: There are plenty of resorts that offer Spa treatment in their facilities when I want to find one I usually go for a filter on Booking.com to narrow down my choice. I don’t know a specific one in Sardinia, but I’m currently working on it, as before recommend anything I need to try it first!

4) Night at the beach: I’d say it’s almost impossible if you mean camping. It was legal back in the day, now you could be heavily fined if you are found on a beach sleeping even with a sleeping bag and no tent.

5) Agritourism: Golfo di Orosei area is again the best place in my opinion. If you want a taste of real Sardinia, check out Baunei (also convenient for the hiking trails) or Dorgali, you will find some super lovely ones in there and I’m sure the owners will be able to direct you to the other activities you want to try (like horse riding and hiking in particular, but also places to eat or buy local food etc)

Thanks for all the information, it’s trully awesome and really useful!

Sorry to post it here, but I’ve noticed the “Itinerary details” of the North East Sardinhia trip are empty and I would really like to see them.

Thanks, David

Hey David, all the details for the itineraries are still work in progress, trying my best but doing all by myself it take a lot of work and time! I’ll do my best to add the details asap!

Ciao Clelia

many thanks for such a resourceful site!

I am considering Itinerary 8, but the links to the details do not work – can you help? Also I am planning to come in 2 weeks on the week before Pasqua – could you recommend any interesting related celebrations to attend while in the area?

Many many thanks for your help, Celine

Hi Celine! Sorry, I’m still working to add the details, that’s wy you can’t see them yet. Regarding the celebrations, if you come to the week before Pasqua, on Sunday there is the catholic ritual in basically every church where people gather to get the benediction of the palm leaves/decorations. If you decide for Itinerary 8, this is definitely something I would recommend to see in one of the traditional villages like Dorgali , Orosei, or if you can make it, Baunei is even better. There are some other specific celebrations in that period but this one is definitely something to consider to see the real Italy and the real traditions in Sardinia (whether you are a catholic or not, as its part of the culture). Also, if you are still around during ” La Settimana Santa” you will also able to witness to “la via Crucis”, a traditional catholic procession held 3 days before Pasqua. In some villages is truly beautiful to watch!

I love Itinerary 8, and I’ll try to work on it but unfortunately, being the sole owner of the website I barely have the time to reply to the many comments. Not sure whether you already had a look at it but there is another guide I wrote, this time is finished with all the details, and even if it was referred to couples it’s become a comprehensive guide on Sardinia and it might help you out as I also talk about some of the areas you want to explore.

Thanks for this informative webpage – so useful!

I am planning Itinerary #1 and was wondering if you can suggest a good wine/vine yard tour? It will be my boyfriends first Italian trip and I think the Italian wine is the best so would love him to experience this.

Hey Megan, thanks for stopping by! Sardinia is well known for its famous wines such as “Cannonau” and “Vermentino di Sardegna” just to name a few! I’m not a super-expert in wines but being Sardinian, my father and relatives introduced me to them and all I know is that they are super strong for me. One glass and I’m out 🙂 Also, I have good news for your boyfriend as if you choose the itinerary n.1, about 10km away from Cala Gonone (20 min by car more or less), you can’t miss the small village of Dorgali which happens to have a winery that offers tours in the vineyard, the wine cellar and wine degustation. The name is Cantina Sociale di Dorgali – Via Piemonte 11 – Dorgali (NU) here you can find the link to their website (finally they are starting to create them in English too, yayyy!)

I hope this helps and have a fantastic time in Sardinia 🙂

Hi, i just want to say thankyou so much for this, i had such unrealistic goals that would have ruined the time i had most likely. im going to cagliari in the second week of july this year, i just wanted to know if the sardinia south itinerary will have the details added?

just because im terrible with navigation! Thanks again! <3

Hey Melody, I’m trying to fill in the details for the itineraries but it’s taking me longer than I expected, I hope I they will be ready soon! The south of Sardinia is marvelous!

Thank you so much! This is extremely detailed and helpful. We are looking to travel to Sardinia for our honeymoon in early July and want to stay away from the massive crowds, but also love crystal clear waters/white sand beaches and can splurge a bit on hotels. We will be in Sardinia for 7 days. Would you recommend any other hotels that are luxury?

Thank you for all of your help! Natalie

Hey Natalie, Congratulations on your Honeymoon! Early July might still be a good time to visit as the massive crowds come more towards mid July and the peak is certainly August so you might be able to escape them. Especially if you can splurge on a fancy hotel (hey it’s your honeymoon after all!), they usually have a private beach, swimming pools and all.

For the north I would recommend two of my absolute favorite hotels: Hotel Pitrizza and Hotel Cala di Volpe , They are nearby some of the most enchanting beaches in Sardinia, so if you rent a car you can explore them very easily, as well as rent a boat for the incredible trip to La Maddalena Archipelago (not to be missed!!)

If I had to choose, I would go for one of these two (and I’m VERY picky!!!) 😀 Cheers and I hope you have a great time in Sardinia!

Can I just say this is so amazing , the way you have done it by region and the details ! It definitely help ALOT especially considering how big Sardinia is and people don’t realise. Thanks so much for all your effort!

Thanks Viv! Glad I could be of help!

I agree with Viv, the article is great, as well as the guide Sardinia for couples. They will both be of great use in our soon to be honeymoon :). Can you please tell me if the details for each itinerary are also available? It shows nothing when I click the button, but I understood from Viv’s comment that the details are amazing. Thank you for all your help!

Hey! Thanks for the lovely comment, I’m super late with the details for each itinerary…trying to fill in the info but it’s taking longer than I thought! You can scroll the comment section as I give some more detailed info on certain areas in there (just need to copy them in the article really!!) Have a great time in my paradise Island! Cheers

Great, thank you so much! Can’t wait to get there! 🙂

Hey, I’m arriving to Olbia and leaving from Alghero, last week of june. I will be there for 7 days, what itinerary would you recommend? Thank you! great blog!

Hey Belen, sorry for the late reply! As for the itinerary, I’d suggest the n.3 “North Sardinia”, as you will be starting from Olbia and then you will easily reach Alghero from Costa Paradiso! This is one of the ideal itineraries for people who arrive in Olbia and fly out from Alghero 🙂

Wow this blog is amazing! Thank you, this is going to make my planning for Sardinia that much easier. I have forwarded this link onto my friends who will soon also be planning trips here.

I will be travelling with my good friend late June 2017. I am tossing up on either your North East or East Coast itineraries, which one would you recommend over the other?

Hey Hannah, I’m super late in replying to all the comments! Ok If I had to choose one (but that’s just my preference) I would go for the East coast itinerary. I love nature and there is so much to see in there, as it’s a combination of mountains, canyons and obviously beautiful beaches and sea.

I’m traveling to Sardinia in mid September and since you look like the expert of this beautiful island, I have a question 🙂

We are staying at La Sorgente (agriturismo) in Castiadas, for a week. We will rent a car in Cagliari, so getting around is not a problem. The only problem is that we have to come back to the ”hotel” every night for diner. We are used to travel long distance, so we had planned to go to many places (30 min. to 3h of travel). But as I travel through your blog, it seems like am a bit optimistic about my vacation haha. I think I should scale down the destinations. So here was my plan (1 day each) :

– Villasimus (Punta Molentis, Porto Giunco or Mari Pintau) – Oristano (Punta Is Arutas, Tharros and Capo S. Marco) – Chia (Tuerreda, the scenic road Costa del Sud and Nora) – Supramonte (SS125 (for the view), Cala Gonone) – Barumini (Su Nuraxi) – Isola di Sant’Antioco (Nido dei Passeri, Calasetta, Cala Lunga)

Is that possible or I’m trying the impossible ? 🙂 Which area should I let go?

Sorry Dominik! I’ve been completely overwhelmed by messages about Sardinia, so sometimes I miss a few of them. I hope you had a great time in my paradise Island 🙂

Hi !! Thank you so much for your work in this article! I’m going with my family in October and we only have 5 days in Sardinia. Actually, we didn’t get a ferry from Corsica, I don’t know if they still work in that date or we have to get there and see what we get. We love beaches but the quiet ones, and we LOVE nature :); hikking, trekking, everything. So my question is.. what do you recommend for a 5/6 day trip from the north and ending the 16th in Cagliari to go to Sicily? Thank you very much!! 🙂

Once again… sorry if I missed some messages. I am trying to create a specific page where I will offer a more in-depth consultancy for a small fee as otherwise, I feel bad that I miss your comments and replying to everyone in more than 10 articles is becoming nearly impossible 🙂 Thanks for your patience everyone!

Hi there, wanted your advice on the best areas to go for 1 week in early June. Going to go with my good friend, and we are after idyllic beach spots, could possibly dabble in a some beach activities, surrounded by great food and drinks and perhaps a little shopping. In summary we just want a chilled relaxing beach getaway. I haven’t booked flights yet, so flexible as to which airport we are to fly into, and plan on renting a car. Appreciate your help.

Sorry Hannah, late again! I hope you had a fantastic time!

Hi Clelia, first off, thanks for the great information,

my wife and I are coming to Sardinia as part of our honeymoon for six nights on September 18th and reading through this blog, we diced to go with the cala galone route.

We are 30 year olds, looking to explore the beautiful beaches and eat great food and a few nights of going out for drinks.

Would you recommend splitting the trip 3 nights in Galone and 3 nights in San Teodoro or should we stay longer in Galone.

I’m thinking that we will be exploring the beaches around Galone, maybe a stop in oresei

I see that Teodoro has a more lively nightlife and also beautiful beaches.

Thanks in advance, Sasha

Hey Sasha, I’m super late I know! Had some issues with the comment section that’s why I couldn’t reply to yours! I hope you had a great time in Sardinia 🙂 Cheers Clelia

what a great website in the jungle of information regarding Sardinia! It has helped already a lot to plan our trip to Sardinia.

My boyfriend and me are flying into Olbia on the 24th September and leaving from there as well on the 2nd October. We have decided that we would like quite relaxing holidays without rush. So will definitely head to Cala Gonone to experience all these wonderful beaches. But 8 days there might be too much and as your #1 itinerary suggests, we were thinking of splitting the time and spending 3-4 nights in San Teodoro as well. But to our understanding, this is mostly for beaches as well. Given that we arrive late September and that the weather might be less predictable and not so warm, would you be able to suggest an alternative, where we could find some nature/things to see if the weather is not suitable for the beach? We will be renting a car for the whole stay, so would not mind to drive. Thanks in advance!

Hi Egle! Actually, I think that going to the Cala Gonone/Orosei area for 8 days is perfect for what you need. Not only you can enjoy the beaches but if the weather is not good on some days, the area is perfect for other activities, like visiting the Gorge in the Gennargentu area, the beautiful Baunei village and su Gologone. All incredible places immersed in nature. This is actually why that area is my favorite, as it really has it all, from beaches to culture and wild nature. Not to mention genuine Sardinian food and people! My brother just came back from 8 days in a small villa (in the north part of Sardinia) and they didn’t change location. They simply used the car to explore other areas. Is a lot less stressful and you will never get bored!

Since you are renting the car, I think that 8 days in the Orosei area would be very relaxing and interesting! Hope this help

I’m planning a trip to Italy next year for summer 2017 around July. Me and 2 or 3 friends in ours 20’s 23-24 years old. We would love to visit Sardinia, where would it be best to fly from Rome? I think either itinerary number 3 or 4 would be suitable for really nice beaches? I’m wanting to just relax and swim in really nice turquoise waters at the beach, tan, and eat good food and drink a couple cocktails. would you recommend itinerary 3 would be best? We are looking at some Air BnBs close walking distance to beach but we will hire a car to get around the island.

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/2622143

would this air BnB a good location?

Thank you so much for putting this comprehensive guide together. We’ve been wanting to visit Sardinia for a while – and finally going this year. We’ve been trying to figure out what the weather is like in late September – early October (our travel dates are Sep 24 – Oct 5). Do you think we would still be able to swim if we go to the southern part of the island?..

Many thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi Daria! Thanks for stopping by! As for the weather… ah! I wish I could tell you for sure 🙂 What I know is based on my experience, being a local in here. So, this summer so far has been very unpredictable and slightly less hot than what we are used to experience here in Sardinia. Last night I was on my balcony (my family lives in South Sardinia) and there was a cool breeze, which is quite unusual for July. That said, the weather is obviously still good, warm and sunny most of the days now, it starts to change at the beginning of September becoming less hot and a bit more unpredictable.

At the end of September the temperatures are around 20/22 degrees as average (some years more some other years less). There could be days when it’s cold and days when you can go to the beach and swim. As I said, quite unpredictable, so coming at the end of September is a bet, but it’s a lot less expensive, that’s for sure. And if you are in luck and have sunny days, the beaches will be almost completely deserted.

Hope it helps! Cheers

Dear Clelia, my goodness, you have done a phenomenal job compiling the guides! The texts and photos are incredible! I wanted to ask for your advise, as I am trying to compile two of your itineraries in one for a trip that is about a month away. My bf and I are planning to get to Olbia on the 26th of August and drive directly to Santa Teresa Gallura, where to set our exploration base for the next 5 days. Within those 5 days, I was thinking of taking a couple of day trips to Maddalena Archipelago and Bonifacio. But spend most of the time in the neighbourhood beaches. I heard that the local beach called Tahiti is good, is there any other place that I could look into? After that Im not sure, if we should change the base to Alghero or Bosa? I found good Airbnb options in both those locations and quite hesitant of which one to pick. Would you be so kind and let me know your thoughts on the perfect option. Many thanks in advance for your time!

Santa Teresa is a great choice! I had one reader who emailed me telling me that they had the time of their life in Santa Teresa di Gallura! Apart for La Rena Bianca which is the main beach and obviously Tahiti, there are so many places you can visit if you have a car. Santa Teresa is strategically located so that you can visit other nearby areas, such as the beautiful beaches near Palau/ Costa Smeralda. They are paradise and you don’t even have to spend a lot on a place in Porto Cervo (which is quite expensive).

Other than Santa Teresa, You could go to Alghero and visit Stintino. If you want to book extra activities near Alghero, I strongly suggest you to contact Gabriella, (I wrote a page about her services as she loves the island as much as I do and she is a real expert in the Alghero area!) you can read it in here .

Bosa Marina is a nice village, but Alghero might be a better choice for you, considering that you can drive there more easily from Santa Teresa.

I’m planning a 2 week trip with my husband to Sardinia this October. We plan to drive, fly into one airport and out of another (any of the three major airports are a possibility). We would like to see as much of the island as possible and still enjoy some down time. Although we enjoy the beach and costal scenery, we will not be spending the day there. I looked at your one week itineraries and thought possibly I should combine 2 or 3? Thanks for your help.

Yes in 2 weeks, you can definitely combine 2 Itineraries (I won’t say 3 unless you really want to rush things!). Also note that being October, you might not be able to swim anymore as the water gets cold and the weather is more unpredictable than in August/September.Also the possibility to book a boat trip in October are limited or none, depending on the weather conditions. But if you want to visit Sardinia not just for the beaches, then October can be an amazing month for you!

Thanks Celia, Unfortunately I was unable to go last October, but plan to try again maybe this May. I love your site and am sure I can structure a trip that will be great. Grazie per tutto.

Sorry Clelia, a mistype

No problem 🙂

Hey Carol, glad you are finally able to make it to Sardinia, I hope you’ll have an amazing time in paradise! I will be back for a month or so to visit my family in July and I can’t wait! (and I’m living in another Paradise, Mexico.. but Sardinia will always be Sardinia!)

Hi Clelia. Excellent post by the way 🙂

We are travelling in 3 (couple + baby 2yrs) and the itinerary 4 seems to be perfect as I’d like to drive less in order to have more time to relax on the beaches and so on. We’ll be going to Italy in August for 1 week. Do you think we could stay based in a place only and from there visit all places around or should we book different hotels?

Also, any chance to have the itinerary details tab working any time soon so that we could see your suggestions?

Hey Emerson, I’m desperately trying to fill in the details for each itinerary in time but it’s a tough job as I run this blog all by myself and people have no idea on how many behind the scenes things you have to do to keep it running 🙂 Anyway, for your question, I think it’s definitely better to chose a base, rent a car and take day drives. One week is worth it if you want to relax and considering that you have a baby is also less stressful for everyone. Anyway, I will try to fill in the details asap but I can’t guarantee that 100%.

Good Job !!!!!

Thanks Nassima! Still working on it, should be finished soon 🙂

We are coming a week from today! Yay! Any chance you will have some southern itineraries up this week? 🙂 Thank you

Hey Ben, auch… I’m so late with updating the article, so I’m not sure I’m going to make it before you are here! Doing all by myself is quite challenging :/

Thank you for this post! My boyfriend and I are visiting Sardegna from the 21st to the 28th August. We’re flying to Olbia so I think the first itinerary is the best for us. Am I right? So now we’re looking for an Airbnb or hotel to stay at during a week. In which place should we stay?

Cheers, Sílvia

Hi Silvia! I guess you want to stay one week in a place as a base, right? If so… all the three areas mentioned in the fist itinerary ar amazing! San Teodoro/ Budoni are much closer to the airport, so if you don’t want to drive too much around maybe that could be your right choice but don’t miss Cala Gonone for any reason!!! 😀 I put my suggestions for the hotel in here, if you haven’t booked yet, you can see what’s still available! Good Luck and have a great stay in Sardinia 🙂

Hello! Thank you for your fast answer. 🙂 We found this house through Airbnb. Do you reckon it’s a good location? https://www.airbnb.pt/rooms/6759191?checkin=21%2F08%2F2016&checkout=28%2F08%2F2016&guests=4&s=N1ayBjaw

Thank youuu 🙂

I checked out the house, the location is OK, not central though so you’ll need the car to go and get the groceries etc, but Budoni is quite small, so I think it might be a good choice for you 🙂

It’s really amazing how much work you’ve done to create the guide and itineraries – they are absolutly the best I’ve found We will definitly use it-at the end of june we are visiting your paradise for the second time! Thank you! E.

Thank you so much for your comment E! I apologise again as I still haven’t finished them, but I’m juggling 10 things together lately! I’m glad you’re visiting again my lovely Island! I hope you’ll have a great time 🙂

Hello, When I click on the ‘itenerary’, no details expand/collapse at all. I have tried on two different computers as well. I am very interested in the Itinerary #1 | SARDINIA NORTH-EAST COAST (1 week) Thank you for your help! Ben

Itinerary #1 | SARDINIA NORTH-EAST COAST

Hi Ben, Yes I know, the article is still work in progress (it’s taking a while, sorry about that!) The itineraries should be ready by the end of next week!

Great! Thank you! We are coming on the 18th, would love to see it before so we can use it to plan. 🙂 Thank you so much for the site and for your efforts!!

June 18th, that is. 🙂

Hi Ben, I’ll do my best!! So much to do all by myself. Sorry that I posted the article without the details but I thought I could already give people an idea of what I think is feasible 🙂

i may have been absent minded but the beautiful area of Ogliastra deserves a special description which i could not find

Hi Angela Thanks for stopping by! You are right, there is no detailed description in the article (YET), as I said at the very beginning in red, I’m still working on this guide and the itinerary part which cover basically everything that there is to see and to do in a certain location is still work in progress. Not to mention that I stated in the intro of my itinerary N.8 that The Golfo di Orosei is my absolute favorite , and I also already talk extensively about Gala Gonone and its surroundings in another article here .

I love Ogliastra and for me is the best in Sardinia , that’s why I’m taking my time to write a comprehensive guide, don’t worry, I will cover that area not only here but in many other places on my website. If you have any suggestion or recommendation (I gather that you might be Sardinian, given your name) 🙂 feel free to mention them! I always love to hear from other people who love Sardinia as much as I do!

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Ciao Clelia,

I love your website. There are many important informations for me and my trip to Sardinia. I am from Slovakia and I have got my uncle and cousin in Italy and I love this country! I love italian food, italian weather, italian people and their mentality. However, the best place in Italy is Sardegna! I was there 8 years ago and I falled in love. Beautiful place! I want live there! This autumn 10-20.9. I with my boyfriend will go to Sardegna again. I am really happy. 10 days in paradise. Could you recommend me some places or itinerary for 10 days holidays? Our airport is Alghero and we want booking car. What about prices low cost accomodation (no camp) and car rental in September? Thank you very much!

Hi Bety, I’m glad you liked Sardinia so much that you would like to live here 🙂 As for your question, September is an ideal month to book your holidays, and for the Itinerary, it really all depends on what you want to do (relax, activities, beaches, hiking, biking?) I suggest you have a look at my article “ Sardinia for couples ” as there is a section dedicated to Alghero where you can stay for a few days and then continue either on the west coast or move to the east coast and leave from Olbia airport. So I would split the holiday in 5+5 days each one in a different coast (or the North of Sardinia anyways).

That article is quite comprehensive and gives you an idea of what are the other places you could visit on the east coast too!

Thanx Clelia,

I was looking at new article – 1 week itinerary. Clelia, it is really awesome. Your website was a big inspiration for me and my itinerary. We will rent a car (I hope in Fiat 500, I love it!) and I would like to stay 2 days in Alghero, then 2 days in Bosa and last days of my holiday in Cabras. From Cabras we can make lot of trips with or without car, I think:). This year I explore west coast and next year I look foward to great beaches in the east. I can not wait! Btw. Ho iniziato a imparare l’italiano questo mese:) O, Clelia please, can you write me some tipical sardinian food, that I have a taste? Thank you very much. Ciao!

Hi Bety! so great to see that you are learning Italian, well done!!! I’m glad to know that the article, although I still have to add some parts to it, helped you and I also like your Itinerary! As for typical Sardinian food …Ohh where do I start??! 🙂 Try “spaghetti alla bottarga” , seadas (typical Sardinian dessert), Flan di latte (another dessert but it’s a bit more difficult to find in the restaurants), “Sa Panada” (this is actually a dish that was invented in my village!), culurgiones , malloreddus and all the seafood dishes! Not to mention (if you like pork meat) the famous “ maialetto sardo “. Other typical sardinian products are the famous cheese and wine combination ( Pecorino Sardo and Cannonau ).

Enjoy all these delicious dishes, and don’t forget to ask for a Mirto at the end of the meal to digest all this food!! 🙂

I have been trying to read your answers, but Its so much information, so forgive me if you have already answered this question.

My husbond and I are planning to go to Sardinia the last week of july. We have already booked 3 days in Cala Gonone, and have 3 more days to spend another place south or west on the island.

I have read about Pula and Bosa. Which one do you recommend if we want easy access to the beaches and laid-back atmosphere without the big party/nightlife? We will rent a car, but would stay close to the beach… Maybe you have another suggestion for us?

Thanks for this blog! Its awesome 🙂

Thanks Christian and sorry for my late reply, I hope you’ll manage to read my answer as you still have time to plan. So if you stay in Cala Gonone and want to change for the south (or for the west coast) you need to consider that it takes at least 2 hours to reach Bosa and 3/4 hours to reach Pula, so I’d say the best bet would be Bosa, which is a lovely Village, even if the sea in my opinion is not comparable with the east coast but it’s still nice and the atmosphere is incredible, so it is definitely worth a visit!

Hi from Sydney, Australia! My partner and I have only 4 nights – any suggestions on where we should base ourselves in Sardinia? We are arriving from Milan and need to fly to Rome after our stay, any recommendations on flights/ferries would also be very useful! We have quite a jam-packed month in Europe, so these 4 nights will be our downtime – looking for beautiful swimming beaches, restaurants with atmosphere and perhaps a bit of nightlife as well. Planning to hire a car to see as much as possible. Any suggestions at all would be much appreciated! Thank you, Lara

Hi Lara, sorry for the late reply… not sure if I can still help as I don’t see which month you decided to visit?

Hi Clelia! Congratulations on your blog! It’s really well organized, and it has a lot of detailed information, at least for the Sardinia island.

I’m planning my one week itinerary for Sardinia, where I’m going with a friend for a week.

We fly direct from Madrid. We arrive to Cagliari on Saturday the 29th of August, and return from the same place on Sunday the 6th of September.

What do you reckon about the following plan? It look very busy to be honest!

Saturday – Cagliari, rent a car, walk around, go out that night. Sunday 30 – beaches nearby: Chia, Portopino area. Maybe Villasimius for afternoon/evening? Monday 31 – drive to Cala Gonone area. Hoping from cala to cala. Maybe renting a zodiac for that? Tuesday 1 – Cala Goloritze trek & day trip. Wednesday 2, Thursday 3, Friday 4 – San Teodoro, Porto Rotondo, Porto Cervo, Poltu Quatu, Baja Sardinia, La Maddalena archipielago, Rosa beach at Isla Budelli, Santa Teresa Gallura. I have to dig more into what to see these days. Saturday 5 – Stintino (Pelosa beach) & Porto Torres. Maybe Alguero? Drive to Cagliari Sunday 6 – return car and fly back.

Thanks so much for your help!

So Sorry Roberto, I’ve totally missed your comment! I hope you had a great time in Sardinia and, just as a reference for other people reading…the itinerary suggested is wayyy too busy in my opinion. I recommend (for 1 week) 1 max 2 places and not far away from each other (maximum 2 hrs drive from each other).

Wow!!! Quite impressed with the blog and your answers Clelia! Thanks so much for your work.

I’m going with a friend from Sat 29th of August and until Sun 6th of September.

First plan, after an afternoon reading websites (glad to know what you think about!!!):

Sat 29: arriving to Cagliari early morning. Hotel, rent car, seeing Cagliari, night there. Sun 30: driving to Golfo di Orosei. Cala Goloritze trek. Mon 31: zodiak cala sight seeing (Cala Liberotto, Grotte Blue Marino, Cala Gonone) Tue 1: drive to Porto Cervo area. La Maddalena boat trip (Rosa beach at Isla Budelli?) Wed 2: Beach day. San Teodoro? Thu 3 and Fri 4: Stintino (Pelosa beach), Porto Torres, Alghero. Sat 5: Chia and back to Cagliari. Sun 6: flight back from Cagliari.

Maybe three days in Porto Cervo area and only one in Alghero area? Maybe three days in Cala Gonone and three days in Porto Cervo areas, and none in Alguero/Chia areas?

We’ll need to invite you to a few drinks if we can see you around there 😀

Thanks, regards, Roberto.

Apologies again 🙂

Ciao Clelia, I just want to congratulate for your blog! I am Sardinian as you and I live abroad (unfortunately my job is not cool as yours though!). I discovered your blog while helping a friend to plan his trip to Sardinia. There are many websites about Sardinia but I found your blog rich of useful and practical tips and at the same time simple and easy to read. Your are doing an amazing job…please keep going!

Thanks Valentina, what a lovely message, I’ll try my best! lately I felt guilty as I was traveling and I couldn’t reply to the many messages I constantly receive. I love helping people to discover my beautiful Island and I have no intention to stop 🙂

What a great website is this..thanksss a lot..

I need your advises. Me and my friend will be Cagliari on 2-3-4 July. Should we rent a car or public transportation is enough?

We are very curious about the island. But I don’t know which beaches are reachable from Cagliari? What have to do in this city?Where are the strange places? about nights? and of course about foods 🙂

could you help me to plan these 3 daysin cagliari? I couldn’t arrange in order all the things in 3 days :S without enough information like someone from island 😉

**btw I am trying to subscribe but I did not recieve any e-mail.

Hey Tugce, thanks for your comment, I’m glad you find the info on my website useful! 🙂 If you didn’t check it out already, I suggest you to have a look at my article for couples in Sardinia (even if you are not looking for a romantic gateway, that guide is massive and it has a whole chapter about Cagliari with the closest beaches, restaurants, things to do and accommodation), you can find it in here .

Let me know if you need further help! Cheers Cle

Props for your awesome website. I am Wendy 27 y/o and want to travel Sardegna with my gf for ten days or so. So Ive been checking websites today while i was procrastinating my work, but i couldnt find practical information until i landed on your blog. Really great info, yay, thanks! As for me I like to travel without any plans (usually i only book a flight) and on a very low budget but my gf wants to travel with a strict itinerary. So we have to plan this one carefully;) We wanna see as much as possible without rushing. We land 19 sept in the evening in Olbia and fly back on the 29th from Olbia as well. We want to rent a car. So there the ingredients for an awesome roadtrip. Before Id seen ur website i thought it was a good idea to stay at the shore in Olbia for two days. then drive south to orosei stay there two days continue: muravera – cagliari – arbus – bosa – stintino – olbia. But i dont know if its a good plan and maybe it is not even realistic. The thing we really want to see are the salt lakes and flamingo’s 😉 and the awesome beaches u mentioned on the east coast. I guess for that its best to stay in Cala Gonono then? Also we dont wanna miss Stintino and Cagliari. I really would love to stay in the city. And i read some about the dunes on the westcoast near Montevvechio. After reading more of ur info i came to the conclusion we also cant miss Maddalena as well. My god, there are so many beautiful places, i dont know any more :$ and i dont wanna google too much cause i dont wanna ruin the experience by having some expectations. So I was hoping u can help us out a little bit on the itinerary, give some advice on a well balanced schedule between beach and some nature / culture (by car). Thanks in advance!!

Hi Wendy, thanks for stopping by! Since you’re traveling to Sardinia in September I’m still in time to give you some suggestions tips in the next few days, stay tuned! 🙂

Hey Clelia,

I came across your page and fell in love with Sardinia before I even arrive. My friend and I are planning a short trip to Sardinia in mid-July. We have a busy itinerary for our 5-day stay since we want to see as much as we can. We will start our journey in Alghero, drive up to Stintino, then Santa Teresa and two days in the Cala Gonone area and back to Alghero. Thanks to your posts this route came to life 🙂 I was wondering if you could recommend some boat trip companies for the 1-day trip to the Cala Mariolu beach. Would really appreciate your help!

Greetings from Germany

Hey Caroline, sorry I completely missed a few comments in here as I was traveling non stop. I hope you’re having a great time in Sardinia!

Hi Clelia, I’ve really enjoyed your guide to Sardinia! There are just too many options! My friend and I are hiring a car and we are keen to explore the West coast – somewhere between Alghero and Cagliari. We just want to base ourselves somewhere so then we can go to different beaches. Staying very close to one beach would be great, but we are also keen to explore. We are going in July and hoping that side of the island will be less touristy and hopefully cheaper? So the question is where should we look for somewhere to stay on the west side of the island? Thanks! Erin

Hey Erin, I guess I’m too late now to reply to your questions! Unfortunately when I am traveling is difficult to catch up with all the messages and emails I receive about Sardinia. I wish you a smashing holiday in my beautiful Island 🙂

My boyfriend and I have been struggling to find any decent information on Sardinia until we found your site! Love it, so helpful and has been giving us great ideas for far! 🙂

We are travelling this friday the 22, till the 27th. We are flying in and out of Alghero. Since we don’t have a huge amount of time, we would love a few recommendations of beaches/must see/not to miss spots! We ideally want to camp (or cheap accommodation) and are looking to chill out. Also is there anywhere to buy a cheap tent?

Sorry I’ve been overwhelmed by requests and I must have missed your message!If you arrive in Alghero I suggest to visit the beaches of La Pelosa, le Bombarde and check out for camping areas (but I’m afraid there is nothing much near Alghero) you’ll have to move towards the North East to find something decent. As for the tent, there are shops in Alghero where you can find a cheap one, but the campings also allow you to get one for a cheap price directly in there

I hope it helps!! I don’t know what budget do you have but you can check out here , for Alghero, as they have pretty good deals for accommodation and here for Stintino

What a great blog!

I would love to get some recommendations from you, as me and boyfriend are visiting Sardinia in two weeks for 4 days.

We are staying in Porto Cervo, and I was hoping you could give us some tips about what we could visit/do during the day – as we would like to explore some beautiful beaches, but also do some sight and activities too.

We will be hiring a car, so we don’t mind venturing out a bit further!

During the evening we are hoping to enjoy the nightlife/restaurants – if you have any favourite places to go I would love to hear them!

I would really appreciate any tips, advice and information about Porto Cervo, and surrounding areas like Coast Smeralda.

Many thanks! S xxx

Sorry for the late reply, crazy busy days! I don’t know Porto Cervo town very well but the surrounding areas are full of beautiful places to visit! you can rent a boat, go for a day trip to La Maddalena, discover the awesome beaches of Cala do Volpe, Capriccioli, Spiaggia del Principe, liscia Ruja… and Porto Rotondo of course! If you like park themes, you can go to baja Sardinia to the most famous aquapark! 🙂

Unfortunately for the restaurants I can’t be of any help for now, I would ask some friends who go there regularly when I’m putting together my guide for the costa Smeralda area, but for now I’d rather direct you to TripAdvisor , as I’m sure they will have some better info on good restaurants in there!

Cheers, and have a great time 🙂

Your page is awesome! SO much great information and definitely doing every thing you recommend. Thinking I should pack my bags and move there 😛

I am going to Sardinia with my boyfriend for 8 nights in first week of August (30th July – 7th August) and we cannot wait!

We arrive into Cagliari at 7.50am and fly out of Olbia at 8.30am. We are going to hire a car for the whole trip.

We are finding it very hard to come up with an itinerary though. There is so many people recommending so many different things, which towns you should stay in and which not to, and then saying you shouldn’t try do too many things… it’s an overload of information haha!

Is there a specific itinerary that you recommend doing that isn’t too rushed but a perfect way to see your beautiful island? Should we spend a night in each town or will that be too rushed? We want a relaxing holiday but at the same time we want to see a lot.

All of the towns sound incredible. My partner and I are in our 20s, we enjoy beaches, hiking (nothing too intense though), live music, exploring, boat trips, good food and bars/nightlife.

Do you have any live music events during this period? What boat trips do you recommend?

I would really appreciate your help, i’ve read so many blog posts on Sardinia but it’s so hard to pick what to do because everything seems so pretty!!!

Have a lovely day 🙂 x

Hi Gioia, I get your point! I’m a full-time traveler (except for when I have to stop to work hard on my blog) and when I’m in a destination and only a few days, I’d like to see a lot, but at the same time I also want to relax!

My advice is: don’t rush too much. You won’t have a great experience. Plus, Hopefully, Sardinia won’t go anywhere and you can always come back and explore another area 🙂 It took me 15 years to say that I know Sardinia quite well but there are still a few places that I need to discover!

That said, my idea for one week (considering your flights) is:

30th of July : Cagliari (if you’d like to have more “beach life” you might skip the city) otherwise you can dedicate the first day to see the main attractions and views which are especially beautiful by night. The Via Roma walk admiring the pier, the main beach “Poetto”, the Old city with its cathedral and towers and the Bastione to see the whole city from above.

SECOND OPTION WITHOUT VISITING CAGLIARI 30-31 July :Drive directly to Villasimius , where you can spend at least 2 days. the place is nice for young people and also the beaches are very nice ( to know more about Villasimius, you can check my other article on the top 10 beaches or wait for my next guide to be out (I’m finishing the one “Sardinia by car” where I also point out the distances from the main airports to help people organize their itineraries.

1-2nd of August: : Drive up north to Golfo di Orosei , where you can’t miss the trek to Cala Goloritze (it will take the whole day) and the boat trip to Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and Cala Sisine (another full day). I’d suggest you to stay or in Cala Gonone or Orosei, where there are very nice beaches to explore other than the boat trip, but you’ll have to drive down to Cala Gonone to take the boats, but it’s OK as the road is panoramic and it’s around 1 hour away (for me totally worth it)

3-4th of August: : Drive to San Teodoro and if the main beach “La Cinta” is too crowded, explore the surrounding areas of Budoni, the Marine park of Tavolara Island, Cala Brandinchi etc. San Teodoro town is great for people in their twenties as it’s lively with cocktail bars, live music and nice places to have some good fun!

5-6th of August: Move up to Arzachena/Cannigione and take 1 day for the boat trip to Arcipelago della Maddalena (as I always say: the Golfo di Orosei and La Maddalena Boat trips are UNMISSABLE!). So 1 day it would be dedicated to that and the second day, a beach of your choice! There are many nice ones in the area: Capriccioli, liscia Ruja, Spiaggia del Principe and many others reachable by car. After the day at the beach I’d recommend a visit to Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, the VIP part of the Island, even if your budget is not huge, it’s nice to have a look at the famous plaza and the pier. If you don’t like the idea You could find some nice restaurant not in Porto Cervo or Porto Rotondo town so you won’t spend a fortune 🙂

7th of August: You will be heading to Olbia airport (which is quite close to the area, that’s why I recommend to stay there for your last days so you wont have to wake up too late in the morning and can enjoy your last night in Sardinia.

As for the live music events, if you stay in Vllasimius and San Teodoro, they already offer some nice places with live music but if you want to keep and eye to the calendar of the official events, have a look at the official website for Sardinia here .

If this Itinerary is too rushed for you (spending just 2 days in each place can be stressful) the you can either skip Villasimius or San Teodoro, but please don’t miss the boat trips!!

Oh my god!!! You are actually amazing! My boyfriend and I are so happy, literally made everything 100% easier. Thank you so so much 🙂

We have booked 2 nights in Villasimius. YAY!

2 nights in Cala Gonone/Orosei (Which town do you recommend? Do you think Cala Gonone is better because of the boat?) -With the Cala Goloritze Hike.. where do you start and finish? -Boat trip (Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and Cala Sisine) where do you take this from? Is there a specific company that you recommend? And do you need to book in advance as it’s peak season?

We have booked 2 nights in San Teodoro.

2 day/1 night in Arzachena/Cannigione (Which town do you think is better to stay in?) -Boat Trip (Arcipelago della Maddalena) – where do you take this from? Is there a specific company that you recommend? And do you need to book in advance as it’s peak season?

1 night in Oblia, we have to drop the car off at nighttime unfortunately.

Home time :,(

On these two boat trips, are you able to go snorkling/scuba diving?

Let me know about what towns you think and the boat trips.

I am so excited 😀

Have a fantastic day 🙂 x

Hi Gioia, Wow! you sound very excited 🙂 Given the itinerary you’ve chosen, I can understand why! You are going to see some of the best places in Sardinia!

As for your questions, I copy and paste them and leave my reply below them!

2 nights in Cala Gonone/Orosei (Which town do you recommend? Do you think Cala Gonone is better because of the boat?)

I’d recommend Cala Gonone if you want to be directly on the beach and it’s also quite convenient for the boat trips, yes. Orosei is also nice and there are a few private companies that Organize boat trips but the most of them depart from Cala Gonone, I’d say, if you are interested in beaches and the famous boat trip, Cala Gonone is your best choice!

-With the Cala Goloritze Hike.. where do you start and finish?

To get to Cala Goloritze’ you need to go towards Baunei, a small village, depending on where you are staying, if you decide for Cala Gonone get the SS125 orientale Sarda (the name of the road), directed south to Baunei. It will take around 1 hour to get there and from Baunei is another 15/20 minutes to get to the parking lot. You will easily find the place as there are many signs on the road indicating Cala Goloritze. From there, there is a wooden sign that indicates the path to go down. Don’t forget to bring a lot of water with you, towels, food and a good pair of shoes for the hike 🙂 It’s not super difficult but you have to be careful. I also recommend you to be there very early in the morning so you can enjoy the beach and also because the sun disappears behind the mountains quite early (around 4:30) so you’ll have the time to enjoy the beach and get ready to go up again! It’s a bit tiring but totally worth it!

-Boat trip (Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and Cala Sisine) where do you take this from? Is there a specific company that you recommend? And do you need to book in advance as it’s peak season?

There are several companies to book the boat trips and they depart from a few piers including: Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax, Orosei. If you are in Cala Gonone there are a few websites you can check online. A good one (to give you an idea of the options and prices) is this one . And yes, I’d say it’s better to book in advance if you go during peak season! The companies are quite similar in the end, unless you want to rent your own boat. Make sure they serve lunch and ask what itinerary are they following and how long do they stop at each beach. Sometimes you have to pay an extra fee to visit additional attractions such as le Grotte del bue marino and la Grotta del fico. Le Grotte del Bue Marino are beautiful, but if you want to spend your day at the beach, i’d say to skip them and stay a bit more relaxing on the beach, but it’s up to you! 🙂

2 day/1 night in Arzachena/Cannigione (Which town do you think is better to stay in?)

Depending on what you want to do: Cannigione is on the sea but the village is super small and not much do to. If you use it to go to the Arcipelago Della Maddalena Boat trip it is a good choice! (unless you can stay directly in Palau, so you’re near to the pier). there are also boat trip from Cannigione to Caprera Island and the last time I went to Cannigione there were also boat trips to the Arcipelago, but you’ll need to ask your hotel for more info as the main pier is Palau.

Arzachena is also nice but not on the sea, and there are more restaurants and options for Accommodation, they are very close to each other so it really depends on you! -Boat Trip (Arcipelago della Maddalena) – where do you take this from? Is there a specific company that you recommend? And do you need to book in advance as it’s peak season?

(See my response above! Usually they start from Palau, but you can also ask for the Cannigione options), I never used any online website, I simply went to one of the many agencies in town either the day before (or 2-3 days before the date I wanted to take the tour), but since you’re staying for only one day in the aread I’d recommend to make an enquiry online to make sure you reserve your tickets. I found these agencies online: Elena Tours , Maggiorleggero Tour and you’ll find many other just googling “Arcipelago della Maddalena tours” 🙂

On these two boat trips, are you able to go snorkeling/scuba diving?

I once scuba dive in Cala Mariolu, you better ask if the option is still available. Depending on your level of expertise, this immersion is quite easy also for beginners, nothing like the big Australian Barrier reef of course but still a fun thing to do. Snorkeling in Cala Mariolu is also fun, if you can swim properly there are small “caves” on the water, but be careful with the underwater currents (they are not usually strong in there but on the rocks the sea is a bit less calm.

All in all, I think both boat trips are SO WORTH IT, no matter how many times I did them (a least 5 times each), I always want to go back!!

Have a great time in Sardinia :)) Cheers Cle

Hello Clelia. I´m travelling to Sardignia (Alghero) on June 21, 2015 and leaving (from Cagliari) on the 27th (early). I’m with my husband and my 3-year-old son. We want to hire a car and get to know Sardignia. What would recomend? We were thinking of staying, for instance, the first night in Alghero, as we arrive quite late, and then head to Orosei, for instance (following your previous recommendation here). What would you recomend?

Hey Ines, Thanks for stopping by! if you fly to Alghero I recommend staying 1 day in the area and visit Stintino (you can’t miss it!), then you could drive to the Golfo di Orosei (which is quite a ride!) and stay there for the rest of the week and then head to cagliari on your last day.

Or (but this is more stressful), stop first in San Teodoro for 2/3 days (you could drive to Palau for the boat trip to Arcipelago della Maddalena), then 2 days in Golfo di Orosei for the Boat trip to Cala Mariolu and the hike to Cala Goloritze, and then head south to Cagliari to catch your plane.

This way you’ll see quite a lot but you’ll be in a rush, so if you want to relax it’s not ideal.

If you simply want to relax I’d say the Palau area (Costa Smeralda) and its beaches (plus the boat trip to La Maddalena) would be enough. Or skip Palau and just spend the holiday in Orosei, discovering the surrounding beaches.

It’s up to you and how you’d like your holiday to be! Hope it helps 🙂

Thank you so much, Clelia. Very good tips and in fact a little bit of what we had hoped we would be able to do. We can’t wait for this exciting trip. Thank you so much, Inês

You’re Welcome Ines! I hope you’ll have a great time in Sardinia 🙂

Clelia, sono finita qua per caso da un’altro articolo, e come sempre rimango affascinata dalla tua inventiva e, soprattutto, mi domando: ma come fai a fare tutto? Altro che giornate da 24 ore di lavoro per te!!! 🙂

Bravissima come sempre!

ahahah grazie Lady Pillo! Non hai idea del lavoro che c’e dietro (anzi, in realta’ un’idea ce l’hai altrimenti non mi avresti chiesto come faccio a fare tutto)!! E come faccio? in realta’ sono un vampiro e non dormo la notte! A parte gli scherzi, e’ la mia passione, e quando c’e passione… non lo vedi come un lavoro! Sono anche stressata eh, ma quando mi sveglio la mattina e apro il computer sono strafelice del mio lavoro 🙂

Un abbraccio e grazie per le belle parole! Cle

i am travelling for the first time to Italy. we are in positano from the 17th to the 22st and wanted to go for a for about six days to sardinia. We are a family of four – we are 45 and 46 years old and our sons are 14 and 10 and love water water sports hiking etc.

Could you suggest where we should stay (clean, comfortable ,decent sized, mid price range, maybe a little luxury), which beaches to visit and how to plan this trip. Your website looks fantastic and you seem just the person who suggestions we would really enjoy. thanks

ps we are leaving for venice on the 7th so if we could get the info before ( i am sorry for the rush) it would be great

Hey Tushna, thanks for stopping by! I’m working on this post as we speak, and I hope to have it done soon! As for your question, you have various options When it comes to visit Sardinia for 1 week, my suggestion is always to only pick one, max 2 places otherwise your visit would be a bit rushed and you won’t be able to really see things at the right pace.

So, I’d say this would be my favorite itinerary for 1 week:

North Sardinia 3 nights in Orosei and 3 nights in Arzachena/Cannigione: If you land at the Olbia airport that’s Ideal.

You could head south to Orosei first (or Cala Gonone) as from there you can take the boats for the day trip to the Golfo di Orosei area and see the beautiful beaches of Cala Mariolu, Cala Sisine and Cala Luna, the rest of the days you can hike to Cala Goloritze, snorkel in the crystal clear waters and visit the Parco Nazionale del Gennargentu.

Then you’ll head north to Arzachena/ Cannigione and also either rent a boat to the Arcipelago della Maddalena day trip (also incredibly beautiful) and then relax on the nearby beaches in the Costa Smeralda area like Capriccioli and Spiaggia del Principe.

You can stay at a mid-range/luxury Hotel near Arzachena (depending on your budget, I’m linking to my favorite booking website, I personally use for my stays and it has loads of options). In the Arzachena area you can discover the traditional village and also relax on the small coves around for some good snorkeling!

Obviously you will need a car, as you’ll need it to reach the most beautiful beaches! Hope this helps!

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One week in Sardinia: Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary + My Best Tips

• A week in Sardinia: which Itinerary for 6, 7 or 8 Days?

You want to go for a 1 week trip to Sardinia and you’re looking for the best Itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you 2 recommended Itineraries for a week in Sardinia.

Depending on where you will land ( Cagliari or Olbia), these 7 days itineraries in the North or South of Sardinia will allow you to discover some of the best places to visit on the island.

If you prefer to visit the North, you will discover the Costa Smeralda and Maddalena islands whereas the south will allow you to enjoy the region around Cagliari and Sant’Antioco island.

For both itineraries, in addition to the best things to do and must-see attractions , I will also give you all my best tips as well as a list of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit during your one week trip to Sardinia? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Where to stay on Costa Smeralda

Where to stay in maddalena, where to stay in capo testa / santa teresa di gallura, where to stay in olbia, where to stay in cagliari, where to stay in teulada, where to stay in sant’antioco, where to stay on the iglesiente coast, where to stay in oristano, visit sardinia in 1 week: north or south , renting a car in sardinia: my best tips, other activities for 1 week in sardinia, renting a boat in sardinia, you’re traveling in sardinia these articles will help you, itinerary: one week in northern sardinia, 1) costa smeralda / porto cervo (2 days).

You want to visit Northern Sardinia in one week? Then you should ideally take a flight to Olbia airport.

As Sardinia is a big island, you will need to rent a car to make the most of your stay.

In order to get the best price and not be scammed , you should book your car in advance on Rentalcars.com. I will tell you why I always use this website at the end of this article, in the “Renting a car in Sardinia: My best tips” section.

You will quickly notice that Olbia isn’t a very interesting city to visit, so just grab your car and head directly to the Costa Smeralda! It will be the perfect place to start your 1 week itinerary in Northern Sardinia .

The Costa Smeralda stretches from Porto Rotondo in the Gulf of Cugnana to Cannigione in the Gulf of Arzachena.

With its many luxury hotels, villas and shops, the Costa Smeralda is clearly the fanciest place in Sardinia . If you’re there during high-season, you might even spot a few celebrities during your trip!

For your first day, you should go to Porto Cervo, the “capital” of Costa Smeralda located just 40 min away by car from Olbia. Depending on your landing time in Sardinia, you may have time to make a few stops along the way.

If you do, you should definitely stop by one of the following beaches: Liscia Ruja beach, Capriccioli beach, Romazzino beach or Principe beach. They are all very beautiful!

Spend your first night on the Costa Smeralda.

On the day after, start your day with a stroll at Porto Cervo Marina to admire the yachts and sailboats, and walk around the commercial streets. Don’t miss the “Stella Maris” church located next to the harbor!

In addition to the luxury, the Costa Smeralda is also famous for its archeological sites , including a few famous Sardinian nuraghes .

So let’s go around Arzachena town to visit the Nuraghe La Prisgiona and see Giant’s graves. The great thing is that it’s only 25 min away from Porto Cervo.

While you’re there, another must-see is the village of San Pantaleo . This charming and authentic village offers a beautiful scenic view over the mountains.

And at the end of the day, head to a beach close to Porto Cervo or to one of the other seaside resorts of Costa Smeralda such as Poltu Quatu, Cannigione or Baia Sardinia.

If you want more information about the Costa Smeralda, you should read my detailed article: The 10 best things to do in Costa Smeralda .

You get it, the Costa Smeralda is the most touristic and expensive place of Sardinia . There are many luxury hotels, so it’s really perfect if you’re looking for an upscale experience!

However, the best hotels are fully booked months in advance, so you should really book your accommodation as early as possible.

• Residenza Capriccioli: Located just 3min walking from Cappricioli beach and 8km away from Porto Cervo. Studio and apartment with kitchenette and balcony/terrace starting from 100€ per night. Considering the area, it’s one of the cheapest accommodations available so book ahead of time! Strong points: walking distance to the beach, the swimming pools, great location. The best choice on the Costa Smeralda if you’re traveling on a budget!
• Grand Hôtel Poltu Quatu: Located in Poltu Quatu, 12min away from the beach. Very spacious and bright double room, with traditional Sardinian furniture, starting from 190€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the location, excellent breakfast, friendly staff. It’s my favorite on the Costa Smeralda for its amazing value for money!
• Cervo Hotel,Costa Smeralda Resort: Located in Porto Cervo, 15min walking from the beach. This 5* hotel offers comfortable and warm double rooms, starting from 280€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: exceptional setting, staff always available, calm, nicely decorated. It’s my recommendation for a romantic stay on the Costa Smeralda!
• Cala Di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel: Located in a natural setting, only 6 min walking from the beach. This luxury hotel on Costa Smeralda offers splendid double rooms with a view on the gardens or on Cala di Volpe bay, starting from 400€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: 5 stars service, the private beach, stunning setting, friendly staff. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay on the Costa Smeralda!

2) The Maddalena archipelago ( 3 days )

The next stop of this week in Northern Sardinia is the Maddalena archipelago .

Made of 7 islands, the archipelago is a dream destination for beach lovers and hikers!

From Costa Smeralda, it takes about 40min by car to reach Palau , the departure point for the ferries to Maddalena island .

There is a departure every 30 min: the trip lasts 20 min and costs about 40€ for one car and two people . The ferry boats takes you to the main island of the archipelago: La Maddalena island.

For your first day in La Maddalena, you can drive around the island on the scenic road . It’s the best way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and make stops along the way at the numerous beaches!

Bassa Trinita, Monte di Rena and Spalmatore beach are the most popular ones, but I personally prefer Capocchia du Purpu beach . With its big rocks and turquoise water, it looks just like the Seychelles!

Spend the night in one of the hotels recommended below.

Let’s continue this 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Sardinia with Caprera island , another island of the Maddalena archipelago. You can go there by car: simply cross the bridge linking La Maddalena to Caprera island.

Over there too, get ready for beautiful beaches . The only difference is that you’ll have to walk a bit to reach them .

Caprera island is wilder than its neighbor, making it a great spot to go hiking . Most of the hikes are very easy and reward you with a beautiful cove to take a dip. And during your walk, you may even see the famous Caprera wild goats!

In my opinion, the best beaches of Caprera are Cala Serena, Caprarese, Coticcio and Brigantina.

Between hiking and swimming, you can easily spend the entire day on the island. There are also nice viewpoints, the best ones being the Teialone lookout tower or the Batteria Poggio Rasu Superiore.

A the end of the day, go back to La Maddalena island to spend the night.

For your 3rd and last day , you should explore the other islands of the archipelago.

They are only accessible by boat , so the best way to visit them is to opt for a 1-day boat excursion . You should book it in advance here to make sure to have a seat!

All departures are from La Maddalena port . During the day, you will be able to enjoy the beaches on Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi and Razzoli island. It costs around 40€ per person, lunch included. It’s really an amazing day trip!

Spend one last night on Maddalena island.

Find out all the best things to do in La Maddalena in my detailed article: How to visit La Maddalena?

• AHR Residence Leonis La Maddalena: Located in the center of La Maddalena. Fully furnished spacious studio starting from 70€ per night. Strong points: the location (very close to the port and restaurants), fully equipped kitchen, high quality bedding.
• Residenza Mordini: Located only 100 metes way from the Maddalena port. Comfortable and spacious double room starting from 110€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: warm welcome, quiet atmosphere, close to the city center, homemade breakfast. It’s my favorite place in Maddalena for its great value for money!
• Residenza Marginetto: Located on the Northern part of the island, and just one minute walking from the beach. Holiday home with kitchen, living room, patio and barbecue starting from 110€ per night. Strong points: the very quiet location at the edge of the island, stunning surroundings, direct access to the beach. This is the best choice for relaxing holidays!
• Grand Hotel Ma&Ma Resort: Located 100 meters away from the Punta Tegge beach. This luxury hotel, the only 5 stars of the island, offers splendid double rooms starting from 250€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the pool, the spa, the very attentive staff, the proximity to the beach. It’s the best hotel for a luxury stay in the Maddalena archipelago!

3) Capo Testa / Santa Teresa di Gallura (1 day)

It’s already the 3rd part of your one week itinerary in Northern Sardinia! This morning, you will take the ferry back to Palau.

Once in Palau, head to Capo Testa , located not far from Santa Teresa di Gallura seaside town. It will take you around 35 min by car to get there.

Capo Testa is a former granite carry , full of giant rock formations with surprising shapes. Located on the sea side, it’s an amazing spot to take stunning pictures!

As the site is quite large, you can easily hike around for a few hours. You can also go to several beaches:

• Cala Francese , left of the Capo Testa lighthouse when you arrive from the parking lot
• Cala di l’ea, south of the lightouse, near the “Valle de la Luna”.

There’re a few more beaches around Capo Testa, so you can spend the afternoon at one of them . I recommend you “ Spiaggia Zia Culumba “, with its big rocks and crystal clear water. On the left of this beach, you can also take a small path by the sea side to reach small hidden coves.

To be honest, Capo Testa was one of the best places I visited during my trip to Sardinia!

In the evening, you should sleep in Santa Tereas di Gallura , the closest city to Capo Testa. The city center is lovely, with lots of restaurants and café terraces.

• La Reggia Di Nausicaa: Located 10 min walking from Santa Teresa port. One bedroom apartment with a kitchenette starting from 55€ per night. Strong points: the swimming pool and friendly staff.
• Villa Gandamar: Located 2km from the city center. Big and comfortable double room starting from 80€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: great breakfast, lovely atmosphere, very quiet. It’s my favorite hotel for its amazing value for money!
• Hotel Corallaro: Located in Santa Teresa’s historical center, 2min from the beach. Modern double room starting from 140€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the swimming pool, close to the beach, very helpful staff. It’s the best choice for a romantic stay in Sardinia!

4) Going back to Olbia (1 day)

If you’re doing a 7 days itinerary in Northern Sardinia , it will be time for you to head back to Olbia.

If your flight is at the end of the day or early the morning after, you can enjoy the beach one last time in the morning.

Then drive back to Olbia, 1h20 away from Santa Teresa di Gallura, to take your flight back home or spend one last night in Olbia (if your flight is early in the next morning).

This one week itinerary in Northern Sardinia is now over! Now you know what to do in Sardinia for 6, 7 or 8 days from Olbia.

If you plan to spend 8 days in Northern Sardinia:

• Spend one more day around Capo Testa . For example, you can go to Costa Paradiso (50 min away from Capo Testa) and enjoy the magnificent Li Cossi Beach.
• Residenze del Centro: Located in the heart of Olbia. New, clean and modern apartment starting from 65€ per night, with an additional breakfast 10€. What I loved: high quality accommodation, helpful staff, good location.
• Jazz Hotel: Located 2km away from the city center and 500m from the airport, Comfortable and modern double room starting from 100€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: modern design, friendly staff, the swimming pool. It’s the perfect hotel to stay at the end of your trip to Sardinia as it’s so close to the airport (10min on foot), but you don’t hear any plane noise! It’s my recommendation in Olbia for its amazing value for money!
• Maison et charme hotel boutique: Located 100m away from the city center and 3km away from the airport. New and well decorated luxury suite, starting from 120€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the decoration, the room is very comfortable, the owner is always available.

Itinerary: one week in Southern Sardinia

1) cagliari (1 day).

To visit Southern Sardinia in one week , you will need to land in Cagliari, the island’s capital.

As the island is quite big, you will also need to rent a car . In order to get the best price, you should really book it in advance!

I personally always use Rentalcars.com website, as it’s by far the most convenient. I will tell you everything you need to know a bit below, in the “Renting a car in Sardinia: My best tips” section.

Let’s now start this one week itinerary in Southern Sardinia with the visit of Cagliari.

Depending on your arrival time, you can visit:

• Il Castello: the city’s ancient district, where all Cagliari’s must see attractions are located
• The Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Sanctuary of the Martyrs
• The Saint Remy Bastion and the Umberto I terrace, offering a beautiful view over the whole city
• The Palazzo di Citta, housing a Sardinian paintings museum

And if you’re in the mood for some beach time, you should go to Poetto beach . It’s 7 km long , so you’ll be sure to find a free spot to enjoy your first day in Sardinia.

For more ideas about the best things to do in Cagliari, you should read my article: Visit Cagliari: the Definitive guide.

• Birkin Castello: Located in the Castello district and 50 meters away from the Cathedral. A very cozy and comfortable double room from 60 € per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the location, the rich breakfast, the helpful staff.
• Budget Rooms Cagliari : Located in the old town. A well decorated and warm double room from 85 € per night. Pros: the location to visit Cagliari on foot, the friendly staff.
• Hotel Villa Fanny : Located 1 km from the centre of Cagliari, 15 minutes walk away from the harbour. A double room with refined and luxurious decoration from 130 € per night, breakfast included. Pros: the kindness of the staff, the calm, the perfect bedding, the excellent and varied breakfast. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Cagliari!

2) Teulada (1 day)

On the day after, let’s continue this 6, 7, 8 days itinerary in Southern Sardinia on one of the most beautiful scenic roads of the island: the SP71.

The road begins in Chia , 1h away of Cagliari, and goes for 25km until Teulada . You’ll drive along the seaside the whole time and enjoy stunning views between the sea and mountains .

The best thing about the Strada Panoramica della Costa del Sud is that you can easily park your car on the side of the road and enjoy beautiful coves and beaches .

One of my favorites is Cala Cipolla , with its crystal clear water and big rocks.

While you’re there, you should also take the path on the right side of the beach . It leads you to Capo Spartivento lighthouse, located on the top of a hill . From there, the view over the whole coast is breathtaking!

Plan to picnic on one of the beaches and spend the day enjoying the wonderful Southeastern coast of Sardinia.

Spend the night in Teulada .

• B&B Su Tostainu: Located in Teulada. Clean and spacious double room starting from 60€, breakfast included. Strong points: lovely hotel, good breakfast.
• Hotel Jasmine: Located 600m away from the city center of Teulada. Spacious double room with balcony starting from 70€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: friendly welcome, high quality bedding, good value for money.
• Agriturismo S’Arxola: Located in Teulada. Comfortable double room starting from 95€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: its location between countryside and sea, excellent traditional homemade breakfast, friendly and helpful owner.

3) Sant’Antioco island (2 days)

Third stop of this one week itinerary in Southern Sardinia: Sant’Antioco island , 40 minutes away from Teulada.

No need to take a ferry, there’s a bridge to go there. You will directly arrive in the main city of the island: Sant’Antioco city.

Park your car close to the port and the tourist information office and go for a walk along the pier. Don’t hesitate to also stop by the Basilica di Sant’Antioco Martire and go visit the archeological museum.

Then, get back to your car and go explore the island’s best beaches .

The best options are: Maladroxia (small resort), Coa Quaddus (wilder), Cala Sapone and Cala Lunga .

The latter, with its transparent shallow water is in my opinion the most beautiful beach of Sant’Antioco. It’s quite wild and a bit hidden, as it’s located at the end of a cove.

Spend your first night in Sant’Antioco.

On the day after, you should go to San Pietro, the neighboring island.

To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry from Calasseta town (departure every hour). The trip lasts about 30min and costs 35€ for two people and a car, roundtrip.

In San Pietro , you’ll arrive in the city of Carloforte. There isn’t any specific place to visit there, so you can just take a walk along the seaside and maybe stop by one of the many coffee shops and restaurants.

After, it will be time to explore the island by car!

• Pass by Spiaggia La bobba and walk along the path on the seaside until you reach the famous column shaped rocks.
• Follow the coastline of La Conca to enjoy beautiful views over the cliffs
• Take a beach break at Spiaggia Spalmatore, the most popular beach of San Pietro
• Enjoy the stunning scenic view at Capo Sandalo!

Spend another night in Sant’Antioco.

• B&B LA VELA: Located in the city of Sant’Antioco. Double room with balcony and sea view starting from 60€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Calm, great view, very friendly owner.
• Complesso Residenziale Isola dei Mori: Located 10min walking from Cala Sapone. Fully equipped studio apartment with kitchenette starting from 85€ per night. What I loved: being able to cook your own food, calm, close to the beach.
• Mercury Boutique Hotel: Located between Cala Sapone and Cala Lunga. Bright and spacious double room with balcony and sea view starting fro 100€ per night. Strong points: 2 swimming pools, very generous buffet style breakfast, good atmosphere and nice view. It’s simply the most beautiful hotel on Sant’Antioco island!

4) The Iglesiente coast (1 day)

Your one week tour in Sardinia will now take you to the Iglesiente coast.

First, you will head to Fontana Mare beach, offering a nice view over the surrounding mountains.

Then, you will reach Nebida and Masua . From these two locations you can see the famous Pan di Zucchero (“sugar loaf” in English). With 133 meters high, it’s the tallest faraglioni of Sardinia.

You may not know it, but in the past, Iglesiente was the mining region of Sardinia . So nowadays, a popular tourist attraction is to visit one of the former mines!

The most famous one is for sure Porto Flavia , dug 600 meters deep in the cliff. You will need to book your visit in advance at Iglesias tourist information office.

After your visit, you should spend some relaxing time at Cala Domestica. Located at the end of a cove, it’s really a great spot to take a dip. And if you want to have a drink or eat something, there’s also a small snack bar .

This beach is a must-see during your 7 days itinerary in Sardinia!

At the end of the day, head to Portixeddu area for the night. If you want to enjoy the beach again, there is a 3km long beach next to the town. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset!

• B&B Raggio di Sole: Located in Fluminimaggiore. Comfortable and bright double room starting from 60€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: very relaxing place, great welcome, stunning view. It’s my favorite accommodation for its great value for money!
• Agriturismo Fighezia: Located in Fluminimaggiore. Double room with mountain and sea view starting from 85€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the view from the rooms, extremely calm, high quality meals.
• La Rosa Dei Venti: Located in Buggerru. Very spacious and warm double room starting from 115€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the breakfast on the roof with a view, the calm, the friendly welcome.

5) Oristano / Cagliari (2 days)

Let’s continue this one week Sardinia itinerary and go to Oristano!

Oristano is located about 1h25 by car from the end of the Iglesiente coast. Don’t go directly to the city (you will have time to visit it later) and continue driving towards the Sinis Peninsula . There, you will find beautiful beaches such as San Giovanni di Sinis and the Spiaggia di Capo San Marco.

The peninsula is also home to a famous Sardinian archeological site: Tharros . It costs 5€ to visit the site, however, I prefer to warn you: there isn’t much to see. Even if you don’t want to visit the site, you should however definitely go for a walk around San Giovanni tower and the Capo San Marco lighthouse.

At the end of the day, go to Oristano and spend the night there .

In the evening, you can go on a stroll to see:

• The piazza del duomo
• The cathedral
• The Chiesa di San Francesco
• The piazza Eleonara d’Arborea
• The piazza Roma.

Then, have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area and don’t forget to stop for dessert at Barbagelato for a good ice cream . It’s simply the the best ice cream shop of all Sardinia!

Spend the night in Oristano.

If you’re visiting Southern Sardinia in 7 days, it will now be time to head back to Cagliari and fly back home. If your flight is at the end of the day, you can spend one last morning at the beach somewhere around Oristano, as it’s only 1h away from Cagliari.

If you visit Southern Sardinia in 8 days:

• On that extra day: in the morning, go visit Bosa (1h away from Oristano)
• Spend the afternoon at the beach

If you’re in Southern Sardinia only for 6 days, you can either:

• Not go on San Pietro island (and only go to Sant’Antioco)
• Skip Oristano
• Sa Domu e Crakeras: Located in the center of Oristano. Basic but very clean double room starting from 45€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: free private parking, excellent service.
• Hotel Il Duomo: Located in the heart of Oristano’s historical center. This hotel used to be a mansion and offers spacious, pleasant rooms in a very elegant style. Starting from 80€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: great location in the center, calm, nice common spaces, great breakfasts with many different dishes. It’s my favorite hotel for its great value for money!
• Hotel Raffael: Located in the Sinis peninsula, in Putzu Idu, 5min walking from the beach. Bright and spacious double rooms, most of them with their private fully equipped terrace and view on the garden. Starting from 140€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: calm, big garden with a swimming pool, the terrace, excellent and generous breakfast, very friendly staff. It’s the best hotel for a romantic stay around Oristano!

As you have seen in this guide, to visit Sardinia in one week, you will need to choose between the North and the South of the island.

A Northern itinerary is great if you don’t mind going in quite crowded and touristy places . Northern Sardinia is really the fancy part of the island, with many luxury hotels and relatively high prices.

I won’t hide you that the Costa Smeralda and Maddalena islands are the most famous destination for 6-7 days trip to Sardinia.

With that in mind, it’s essential to book your accommodations in advance! Also, don’t worry, the beaches, even if a bit crowded, are absolutely stunning.

You should visit Southern Sardinia if you’re looking for a more authentic experience , less mass tourism-oriented.

In the South, Beaches are wilder and as beautiful as in the North! The South is also a better choice if you’re traveling with your family , as the region is more tranquil and laid back.

Anyway, no matter if you choose to go to the North or the South, you will for sure enjoy amazing beaches and relax under the sun during your 6, 7 or 8 days trip to Sardinia!

If you have any question to plan your itinerary in Sardinia, and don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below. Together, we will plan you a perfect week in Northern or Southern Sardinia.

As I told you in the 2 itineraries, you will need to rent a car in order to make the most of your 1 week trip to Sardinia.

To rent it, I recommend you to use Rentalcars.com website. It’s the one I always use, no matter if I am traveling to Sicily , Spain, Malta , Thailand or even Canada ! It’s really user friendly and it offers some really cool features:

• You can easily compare prices between all the car rental agencies in 1 location
• You can get the “full protection insurance”: you will get refunded in case of any damage, accident or if the car is stolen (tested and approved on many occasions! They refunded me more than 1300 euros to date)
• Canceling or modifying your booking is free
• They have the “Best Price Guarantee”: if you find cheaper elsewhere for a similar car, Rentalcars.com will refund you the difference!

You want to do more activities during your 1-week trip to Sardinia ?

No problem!

I have created for you a list of the best activities you can do on the island.

Simply click on the links below for more information and to make your reservations:

1) Northern Sardinia

• From Palau: Full day boat trip + snorkeling in Spargi and Budelli islands + lunch included
• From Porto Cervo or from Baia Sardinia : Mini-cruise + snorkeling in Cala Coticcio, on the island of Caprera
• From Porto Cervo or from Baia Sardinia Cruise + visit to the beaches and bays of the island of Caprera, with swimming stops
• From Porto Cervo : Day trip – Dolphin and whale watching + Snorkeling around the Maddalena Islands – A half day trip is also possible.
• Jet-ski tour around Caprera island from Baia Sardinia
• Jet Ski Tour around Spargi island from Baia Sardinia.
• Cruise around the Costa Smeralda to discover its most beautiful beaches
• Windsurfing course at Porto Pollo
• Diving session near the Maddalena archipelago
• Boat trip to the Lavezzi islands (Corsica) – departure from Santa Teresa di Gallura (north of Sardinia)
• Stand Up paddle tour (between Stintino and Castelsardo).

2) Southern Sardinia

• 3-hour kayak tour with a guide in Cagliari
• Kitesurfing lessons near Cagliari
• Via Ferrata (hiking) or climbing at the Pan di Zucchero (on the coast of Iglesiente)
• Kitesurfing lessons (Island of Sant’Antioco)

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your itinerary in Sardinia, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Sardinia? 😊

Sardinia travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sardinia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sardinia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Sardinia: All Voyage Tips articles about Sardinia are listed here.

• The 25 Best Things to do in Sardinia
• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sardinia – With all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (North + South)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sardinia – The definitive guide to visit Northern Sardinia in 10 days!
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sardinia – The perfect 14, 15 or 16 days itinerary in Northern Sardinia
• Itinerary: 14, 15 or 16 days in Sardinia – The perfect 2 weeks itinerary in Southern Sardinia
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Sardinia – With all my best tips to visit the whole island in 20 or 21 days!
• Itinerary: North West of Sardinia (1 week) – How to visit Sardinia in 6, 7 or 8 days from Alghero
• Alghero: The 6 best places to visit
• Cagliari: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Costa Smeralda: The definitive guide to plan your stay
• Gulf of Orosei & Supramonte: The 10 best things to do
• La Maddalena: All my best tips to visit the islands

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 25 comments.

We don’t usually rent a car. How would you describe driving in Maddalena?

Hello Doris,

No problem to drive in La Maddalena, the roads are in good conditions. On the main scenic road, there are parking spots on the side allowing you to stop and enjoy the view or go to the beach.

Same on Caprera island, the roads are pretty good.

I did a 3 weeks road trip around Sardinia and overall, the roads are great Sardinian people drive carefully – The driving style is very different than the one in Sicily or south of Italy for example!

Enjoy your trip to Sardinia!

Is it reasonable to arrive on the ferry from Corsica, rent a car in the north, then drive south to a rental house? Can having a central location, doing day trips, give a nice taste of the island?

Hello Grace,

If you want to drive from the north of Sardinia (the ferry arrival from Corsica is in Santa Teresa) to the south (for example, Cagliari), it’s a little over 3.5 hours.

I wouldn’t advise you to take one accommodation in the centre of the island because it’s really lost in the mountains. And in the end, you will drive a lot every day.

If you only have a week, it’s best to visit either the South or stay in the North.

Enjoy your stay in Sardinia!

Thanks for these wonderful tips. We will travel to Sardina and have one week. We will land in cagliari and were thinking combining South (3 days) and North (4 days) and leave the rental car in Olbia and fly to Nepal from there. The main goal of the trip is to relax and see and enjoy the best beaches and sea. I wonder if this is possible. Where are the best and most interesting beaches and scenary? Is it possible for you to suggest an itinary based mainly on seaside holiday with a number of different beaches? Thanks again!

Hello Volkan,

Thank you very much! I’m glad that my one-week itinerary in Sardinia is helping you to plan your stay.

For the most beautiful beaches, you can already find all my recommendations in this article.

If you arrive in Cagliari and want to spend 3 days in the South, you can stay in the surroundings and go to the beaches of the SP71 road and Sant’Antioco island.

After that, you can go north, stopping at Cala Gonone to visit the coves of the Gulf of Orosei.

Then the most beautiful beaches in the North are on the Costa Smeralda and the archipelago of La Maddalena. You can find detailed information about these places here: Destination Sardinia .

Enjoy your week in Sardinia!

Hi Vincent Thank you for your usefull itinarary of sardinia , i want go there by my housband for our honey moon and relaxing there. I come frome Iran And i go to austria and then italy I want to know for a week relaxation trip , and also swimming and sunning in the beach in middle of september which beach is your recomand ? I read your itinarary but you recomandad several beaches i want a sandy beach with warm water and also a hotel near that . Can you help me ? Thank you and Best Wishes Hoora

Hello Hoora,

I would recommend you to stay in the North of Sardinia, in the Costa Smeralda area. You have several very nice hotels perfect for a honeymoon on the sea front (you can click on the name of the hotels to see the pictures and all the information): – Hotel Abi d’Oru in Porto Rotondo – Pevero Hotel in Porto Cervo – Hotel Romazzino in Porto Cervo – Hotel La Rocca Resort & Spa in Baja Sardinia – Hotel Li Finistreddi in Cannigione.

Great site, thanks Vincent. We are planning a ladies trip mid September and I’m hoping we can all do 10 days. I truly can’t decide north or south!! We like the hike, bike, be in charming towns, enjoy the beach, etc. We will of course have a car possibly even have to do 2 unfortunately with luggage. Please let me know what you think of my itinerary? not sure of the order yet. Assuming mid September will still have availability and not be outrageous prices on Costa Smeralda but I could be wrong????

Fly into Olbia and stay in Porto Certo or Rotunda (will try and do airbnb’s since we have 4 people) or if not stay at a 5 Star hotel for only a night then over to La Maddalena for 3 nights (is that too long?) we can hike on Caprera Island like you suggest.

Santa Teresa *(looks lovely to me()

Next would be Asinara National Park (should we base in Stintino?) also see Castelsardo?

Alghero OR Bosa? Where to base? Friend said Bosa is a must see and it looks perfect to me.

Orosei for a boast day?

I just don’t see how we can see entire island in 10 days if we want to do airbnb’s and not change hotels constantly. Trying to figure out order of towns and where it’s best to base. We will do regional flight from Rome so assuming we can go in one city and out another? Might pay drop off fees with rental car. Please help if you don’t mind. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Thanks Jamie!

Regarding your itinerary: – Ok for one night towards Porto Cervo – 3 nights in La Maddalena is perfect – Santa Teresa ok – You can pass by Castelsardo on the way between Santa Teresa and Asinara – For accommodation you can look between Porto Torres and Stintino. – Alghero is more lively than Bosa, there are more restaurants and things to do in the area. You can visit Bosa from Alghero, as it’s only 50 minutes by car. Bosa is just a photo opportunity, it’s a short visit. – I’m not sure if you have time to do the day trip to the Gulf of Orosei. For 10 days, the programme is already quite full.

You can rent the car in Olbia and return it to Olbia, it will save you extra costs.

Hi Vincent, love your site, am finding it very helpful! I will be in Sardinia for 7 nights, flying into Olbia from Nice and then flying out of Cagliari to Bari. Am trying to work out the my travels from north to south, am currently thinking: – fly into Olbia in the morning and drive to to Orosei region (stay either in Orosei, Cala Gonone or Dalgari), spend 3 nights here for hiking and boat tour – drive west to Bosa, stay here 3 nights and explore north/south – drive Bosa to Cagliari, exploring Cagliari town on last day Would love your thoughts, thanks!

Hi Rachael,

Thank you so much! I’m glad my blog is helping you plan your one week itinerary to Sardinia. What you have planned is perfectly feasible, no problem.

Excellent, thanks Vincent! One other question, do you think a small car (like a Fiat 500) is fine for this type of driving?

You’re welcome!

Yes, a small car will be fine. I rented a fiat panda for my road trip in Sardinia and had no problems.

Have a nice day,

Hi Vincent Your website is fabulous and Sardinia looks beautiful!!

I’m hoping you could give me your opinion as I’m not certain it is the right time for me to go there.

I’m a 19 year old travelling by myself this September, mostly in London for a short uni program and after that am really wanting to do a mostly relaxing beach holiday.

I am considering 5 days in Sardinia, 3 nights in La Maddalena and a night or 2 in Costa Smeralda. From reading your info and others it looks like you really need to have a car while in Sardinia.

I won’t be driving and I am on a budget. So just not sure whether to do a trip to Sardinia now or leave it for another time.

Would appreciate any thoughts or advice you may have. Thanks very much Janelle

Hello Janelle,

Thank you! Yes, Sardinia is really beautiful and has some superb beaches. Unfortunately, for me, you really need a car to visit it and get to the beaches. What’s more, this part of Sardinia (the whole Costa Smeralda) is reputed to be one of the most expensive on the island, so I think it would be complicated to find cheap accommodation in September. I think it would be better for you to go there next time when you can hire a car.

If you want to enjoy the sun and beaches without hiring a car, maybe Malta could be for you. It’s possible to find cheap hotels in the St Paul’s Bay / Mellieha area (North of the island) or on Gozo (the other island of Malta). You can eat there very cheaply. There are also youth hostels in the south of the island. The Mellieha area has some of the most beautiful beaches in Malta, and Gozo also has some great swimming spots. You can get around by bus or use VTC apps like Uber. In Malta and Gozo, it’s best to use Bolt (which isn’t very expensive either). If you’re interested, you can find all my articles here: Destination Malta .

Don’t hesitate if you have any questions!

Thank you so much for your response Vincent. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and for your honesty.

I have had a quick look at Malta but will check it out more and save Sardinia for another time.

Thanks again Janelle

We will be visiting Sardegna for the first time and currently live on mainland Italy. Do you know if it’s possible to use your own kayak at any of the beaches or cove areas? We can’t seem to find any regulations or information about kayaking besides rental locations. Thanks so much! And thank you for this article, we will be doing your 1 week in the north recommendation 😊

Thank you! I’m glad that my itinerary for a week in Sardinia is helping you organise your visits.

As for kayaking, I’m honestly not sure but I don’t see why you shouldn’t be allowed to use your kayak. I would advise you to contact one of the companies that organise kayak tours in Sardinia and ask them whether or not there are any special regulations. They should know.

Don’t hesitate to tell me the answer, it may be useful to other travellers.

Hello Vincent,

We are staying for 10 days in Sardinia flying into Cagliari and after 2 days we plan to drive straight up to Maddalena (is that too much?) Could you suggest which route is best to enjoy the views please and is there somewhere we could stop for a break about half way? We are planning 3or 4 days here and then driving south again spending the remainder of the holiday in Oristano before returning to Cagliari.

Hello Naomi,

To get from Cagliari to Palau (where the ferry leaves for the island of La Maddalena), you need to allow about 3 hours 45 minutes by car. It’s the quickest route, but it passes through the interior of Sardinia, so there’s not much to see.

You can also take the road along the entire east coast of Sardinia to enjoy the views. But the journey takes at least 5 hours by car.

Vincent I don’t know you-but you place wonderful itineraries for free here, so we know you know your stuff! When folks ask you such detailed questions that would take your time to answer, consider setting up a link where they can hire you for a consult to help create a personalized itinerary! Why not? Regards, Viv

Thanks a lot of your kind comment and suggestion! To be honest, I am really happy to help people plan their trip for free by answering their questions in the comments section. I try to write as detailed articles as possible, sometimes suggesting variations or several options of visits when it’s possible and worth it. Most people are thus asking me for relatively small changes to the itinerary, so it’s not too complicated to answer, and I wouldn’t see myself charging a fee for this. However, creating tailor made itineraries for clients would be much more work, and I believe that would easily turn into a full time job if I start offering this service! That would mean I won’t have time anymore to write guides, translate them, travel, take care of the photos etc.. and that would be a bit sad, as it’s what I enjoy doing and what helps most people to plan their trip! Of course I could always subcontract the work to someone else, but I believe this is not really fair, as they wouldn’t really have visited the places I talk about.

I actually have another blog about Mauritius with one of my friends who lives there, and she is offering this type of service. As it’s a small blog about 1 destination, it’s not a problem, as she has a few enquiries per month and can manage it along with the blog writing!

Thanks again Viv, and if you have any question to plan your trip to Sardinia or anywhere else, don’t hesitate.

Have a wonderful day!

Hi ! I love your iterinary wondering if you could help me? First time visit (anniversary trip) total of 7 nights in July . Wanted to know how I can squeeze in algehero , Porto cervo maddalena? Is this possible? We are mostly interested in beach, charters and relaxing.

Hello Mari,

Thanks a lot!

For your trip, you can follow my itinerary for a week in Northern Sardinia, as it already includes Porto Cervo and La Maddalena.

As for Alghero, if you’re only staying for 7 nights, I think it’s too short to include it, as it’s about 2h30 by car from Palau. Plus, as you say you’re mainly interested in the beaches, it’s not worth going to Alghero for that.

There are many more beautiful coves around the Costa Smeralda or towards Capo Testa, which I mention in this itinerary, or a little further towards Costa Paradiso. For a week, it’s best to concentrate on this area.

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10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Sardinia

Sardinia is a place of impeccable beauty – it is a big island chock full of beautiful beaches , unspoiled mountain scenery, and fascinating medieval towns . With such riches on offer, it can be difficult to know where to start when planning a trip.

Here are 10 of the best places to go in Sardinia that definitely won’t disappoint.

The best cities to visit in Sardinia are the capital Cagliari in the south and Alghero in the north.

Cagliari is a buzzing city with plenty of local life to discover. It’s by far the biggest and liveliest city on the island.

There’s a hilltop old quarter called Castello which is a delight for exploring on foot, whilst the city beach Poetto stretches on for miles and comes alive with beach clubs in the summer.

There is an international airport at Cagliari and it’s also a gateway to the fabulous beaches areas west at Pula and Chia , and east towards Villasimius and the Costa Rei .

Lequarci Waterfall

Waterfalls are not the first thing that spring to mind when you think of Sardinia, but it’s a mountainous island so there are plenty to be found (especially in the spring).

Cascata di Lequarci is one of the most impressive. It’s located inland on the east coast where there are plenty more to discover if you have your own wheels.

Castelsardo

Picturesque Castelsardo is undoubtedly one of the most charming and beautiful towns in Sardinia.

It’s known for its colourful houses, streets lined with traditional handicrafts, and epic sunsets. The coastline is mainly rocky but there are a few small beaches. 

Located on the north coast, it’s easy to reach from Alghero and is a popular day trip destination.

Costa Smeralda

Costa Smeralda is the big-name tourist draw in Sardinia. It’s a section of impeccable shoreline in the northeast corner of Sardinia which is frequented by the rich and famous.

The beaches are second-to-none and there are numerous marinas along the coast geared towards the megayacht fraternity.

If you fancy a luxury beach holiday and money is no object then Costa Smeralda is the place for you.

It can feel somewhat artificial but is also arguably the best part of Sardinia for beaches . The land is privately owned so development has been kept in check. Porto Rotondo and Palau are the prettiest of the towns.

To find the best beach destination for you check out our Sardinia Beach Resort Guide .

La Maddalena Archipelago

La Maddalena is a stunning archipelago off Sardinia’s north coast. It’s now a national park and consists of 62 small islands.

It’s located opposite the Costa Smeralda and is a popular destination for yachts and boat trips. Only 3 of the islands are inhabited. La Maddalena is home to some of Sardinia’s most iconic beaches including the pink-tinged sands on Budelli and the rock formations on Caprera .

If you want to stay overnight head to the island of La Maddalena , or else you can arrange a boat trip from Santa Teresa Gallura or Palau .

Golfo de Orosei

The Golfo di Orosei on Sardinia’s east coast is where you’ll find the most dramatic coastal scenery – green mountains, jagged limestone cliffs, and hidden beaches.

This is the best place to visit for the adventurous traveller. The coastline is best explored by boat – small rentals and excursions are common – but there are activities galore up in the hills too. Don’t miss hiking the Gorrupu Gorge .

Cala Gonone is the main resort town in the area but you can also use Arbatax or Santa Maria Navarrese as a base.

Algero is the main city in northern Sardinia and it has a distinctive atmosphere thanks to its proud Catalan heritage. This is reflected in the architecture and food of the city, which is sometimes referred to as Little Barcelona .

As with Cagliari, it has impressive city beaches both at the Lido San Giovanni and slightly further out at Maria Pia . Or you can keep going west along the coast to the scenic Porte Conte National Park which is fantastic for walks.

Highlights include a boat trip out to Neptune’s Grotto where you’ll find red cliffs and coastal caves, walking the well-preserved city walls, and dining at one of the many seafood restaurants by the sea.

Another beautiful coastal area to discover is the Capo Testa peninsula on the northern tip of the island.

The distinctive wind-hewn granite rocks which appear on so many beaches along the north coast seem to run riot here. It has a sculptural feel and is a fascinating spot for hiking.

You can reach Capo Testa from nearby Santa Teresa Gallura.

The beautiful town of Bosa is on Sardinia’s west coast, a short (1 hour) drive south of Alghero.

It’s quite unique in Sardinia for its tall colourful houses which are reminiscent of buildings from the Italian Riviera . It was once at the heart of a prosperous tannery trade. The medieval streets are full of character and are overlooked by the 12th-century Malaspina Castle .

Bosa is a riverfront settlement, a short distance inland from the sea. It’s a popular location for day trips or short romantic breaks.

San Teodoro

There are so many beautiful coastal areas in Sardinia that it’s truly difficult to narrow them down, but the east coast region around the popular resort town of San Teodoro is worth a mention for its vast scalloped lagoon beaches.

As a counterpoint to the ritzy Costa Smeralda, this section of the coast is family-friendly and you’ll plenty of campsites and summer clubs near the beach. Families from the Italian mainland flock here in summer for the natural appeal and some of the best beaches in Sardinia .

Come in early June for the best chance of spotting flamingos . The nearest international airport is Olbia.

10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Sardinia

Where to Stay in Sardinia: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide

10 Best Mediterranean Islands for Beaches

10 Most Beautiful Italian Islands

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Vacations in Sardinia

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Cheap Sardinia package deals

Most popular sardinia flight and hotel deals, all inclusive vacation packages to sardinia, search by stars, search by review score, search by board, search by price, search by freebies, when to book a vacation in sardinia, tips for finding sardinia package deals.

• There are loads of types of vacations in Sardinia and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $749; Family vacation $660; Romantic vacation $852; Luxury vacation $1,259; Budget vacation $517.

Why should you book a vacation package to Sardinia?

With a package holiday, you can cut the cost of enjoying the upmarket Costa Smeralda, find somewhere affordable within reach of the Maddalena Islands, or be close to medieval gems like Sassari or the capital, Cagliari.

When should you book a vacation package to Sardinia?

Sardinia's peak holiday season tends to run from late June to the middle of September. April, May and October tend to offer fine weather (and the benefit of some gorgeous flowers in spring). February can be an offbeat time to go, with hardly any crowds and spectacular equestrian displays during the island's carnival celebrations.

Where should you stay in Sardinia during your vacation?

For any vacation type in sardinia:.

The Hotel Le Palme in Porto Cervo is one of the best value hotels on the Costa Smeralda, with its attractive palm fringed setting, seawater pool and proximity to the beach. It's around 20 miles from Olbia Airport via Highway 125.

The laid-back Hotel Corbezzoli is a stone's throw from Porto Ottiolu's superb beach in northwest Sardinia and is another all-round winner thanks to its poolside cocktail bar, free parking and large grounds. Again, it's around 20 miles from Olbia by road.

For family vacations in Sardinia:

Costa Rei's Villa Rei Sole is one of Sardinia's finest family hotels, offering spacious self-catering villa accommodation close to the beach and boasting a quiet, but not too isolated location. Cagliari Airport is around 50 miles away via the SS125 highway.

The 4-star Hotel La Conchiglia in Cala Gonone has a stunning location overlooking the Orosei Gulf. The highly rated restaurant, canoeing excursions and nearby coastal scenery makes it ideal for families. It's about 90 mins drive from Olbia on the SS125.

For romantic vacations in Sardinia:

Close to the mysterious ancient ruins at Nora, the Hotel Costa dei Fiori is the perfect romantic bolthole. Rooms tend to have sublime views from their balconies, secluded beaches aren't far away and everything is furnished beautifully. It's also just 25 miles drive from Cagliari Airport.

The Country Hotel Vessus offers an upscale retreat in rural Sardinia. This renovated manor nestles in picturesque olive groves and is an atmospheric, friendly family-run option with comfortable rooms. Very close to the beautiful city of Alghero, the hotel can easily be reached from Alghero Airport via the SS291.

For luxury vacations in Sardinia:

Possibly Sardinia's premier luxury retreat, Arbatax Monte Turri overlooks a breathtaking private beach (accessible via clear glass elevators), as well as a relaxation spa and easy access to the unspoiled Bellavista peninsula. Airport transfers are available from both Cagliari and Olbia.

Cagliari's plushest hotel, the Regina Margherita is right at the heart of this mesmerizing city. Next to the bustling Via Roma, home to most of Cagliari's boutiques and fine dining options, it's a short walk from the port and the Castello. Even better, it's only 10 mins from the airport by taxi.

For budget vacations in Sardinia:

The ideal base for exploring the natural beauty and beaches of the Ogliastra region, the Hotel Santa Maria in southeastern Sardinia is a budget gem. Wreck diving or free climbing excursions can be booked with ease, as well as boat trips around the coast. Airport transfers can be arranged, but it's an easy drive along the SS125 from Cagliari.

Just outside the appealing ancient town of Bosa, the Mannu Hotel is another outstanding affordable option, with a popular traditional Sardinian restaurant (check out the suckling pig) and a convenient location around an hour's drive from Alghero Airport.

Where to stay in Sardinia

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Your Sardinia Vacation

With a Sardinia vacation package, you can forget about the stress of planning and put all your energy into experiencing everything this interesting destination has on offer. Your trip to Sardinia wouldn't be complete without checking out some of its best cities, starting with Olbia , Cagliari and Arzachena . When it's time to stop dreaming and start packing, Expedia will help turn your Sardinia vacation into a reality.

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Where to stay in Sardinia

Olbia City Centre

Unique features of Olbia City Centre include the coffeehouses and waterfront views. Make a stop by Piazza Matteotti or Church of San Paolo while you're exploring the area.

San Teodoro City Centre

You'll enjoy the parks and spas in San Teodoro City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at San Teodoro Beach or Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area.

Alghero City Centre

Alghero City Centre is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Piazza Civica and Alghero Market.

Visitors highly recommend Lido for its beaches, and you can make a stop by San Giovanni Beach while you're in town.

Isola Rossa

Unique features of Isola Rossa include the waterfront views and beaches. Make a stop by Isola Rossa Beach or Isola Rossa Marina while you're exploring the area.

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Where to go when

Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in sardinia, port of olbia.

Start your journey in Sardinia by exploring this busy transportation hub and the charming town that surrounds it.

Pittulongu Beach

Spend a day at this beautiful beach, a perfect introduction to Sardinia’s characteristic white sands and blue waters.

La Pelosa Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at La Pelosa Beach during your travels in La Pelosa?

What to do in Sardinia

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The Perfect One Week in Sardinia Itinerary

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 25th July 2023

Categories Italy , Itineraries

Last Updated on 25th July 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

In this one-week Sardinia itinerary , we will be focusing on the southern coast of the island, checking out the best shores, the capital of Cagliari, and some of the traditional villages where time seems to have stopped forever.

One of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean, and indeed one of the largest islands in Europe , there is a lot to see and do in Sardinia.

One of the most popular Italian destinations in summer, there are dozens of towns, amazing beaches, and incredible traditions to discover… and sometimes, one week in Sardinia might not seem enough to see it all.

Basic Things to Know About Sardinia

Where is sardinia, how to get to sardinia, moving around, tips to spend a week in sardinia, days 1-2 in sardinia: cagliari, day 3-4 in sardinia: villasimius, day 4-7 in sardinia: costa rei and back to cagliari.

Italy’s most popular summer destination, Sardinia, is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily (which is also Italian).

Sardinia is an important autonomous region best known for its bilingual identity, with a unique autochthonous language, Algherese Catalan, one of the twelve different linguistic minorities scattered around the country, some of them also found in Sardinia 

The island is also known for its national parks and reserves and a varied ecosystem that includes not just impressive sandy shores, but also mountains, plains, woods, and extensive uninhabited territories.

The island is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, close to the coast of the Toscana region and the French island of Corsica which is separated from Sardinia by the Strait of Bonifacio.

The best and most practical way to get to Sardinia is from Italy. Most people get to Sardinia by ferry from the ports of Genoa , Naples, and Rome and so a visit here can be combined with a trip to one of Italy’s most famous cities.

There are also regular commercial flights to the island landing in any of the three airports on the island: Cagliari, Olbia, and Alghero. There are also dozens of seasonal charter flights during the high season from many different Italian towns.

Although flying is faster and cheaper than boarding a ferry (oftentimes overnight), a boat will give you the possibility to board with your own vehicle, which you will soon learn, offers incredible autonomy and flexibility to move around such a big island. 

Keep in mind, for instance, that one of the most popular ferry routes (departing from Civitavecchia in Rome) takes about 14 hours while the flight Rome-Sardinia takes about an hour. 

If you’re traveling from France and want to embark your vehicle, you can take the ferry from Marseille. The journey Marseille-Sardinia can take from 11 to 17 hours. Make sure to book in advance as the popularity of the island means that prices are very elevated in the high season and so it’s best to book well in advance.

Given the impressive distances you need to travel to see the most important landmarks, but also cities, natural reserves, and beaches, the best way to discover Sardinia is to rent a car.  Check car rental prices here.

For you to get a better idea regarding distances, keep in mind that it takes about 3 hours to get from Cagliari (in the south) to Olbia (in the north), or about 2.5 hours from Cagliari to Alghero, on the western coast of Sardinia. By bus, the travel time can even double, especially in the high season.

This gives you enough flexibility to plan a smart itinerary according to the available time you have to spend on the island.

There are also buses and (very few) connecting the main towns on the island, however, schedules aren’t always practical nor are the services punctual. Generally speaking, the service is not really efficient and it will make you waste lots of precious time changing from one bus to the other in some remote bus station. 

On the other hand, if driving is not in your plans, you can still see quite a lot of Sardinia by joining different organized tours with pick-up or transfer services. This is another way to get efficient transport to see the best of Sardinia without getting behind the wheel.

As we have already mentioned above, the island is huge, so if you fantasize about seeing most of Sardinia in one week, then forget it. In general, driving times are incredibly long, which means you will be spending most of your time on the road instead of enjoying the best of the island.

This time, we have decided to explore the amazing south of the island, which will also give you the chance to check out the most important city and capital of the island. 

We did not just choose this itinerary because of the amazing beaches you can enjoy, but also because most international flights land in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. So if you’re not traveling from Italy, chances are that Cagliari will be your starting point for a Sardinia vacation.

Besides, staying in or near Cagliari offers more access to transport, organized excursions, boat trips, and a good highway network to reach other areas of Sardinia as well.

Finally, the best thing you can do is to keep your itinerary flexible and enjoy every stop along the way. Take enough time to see one or two sites at a time and do not pack a lot in a day. 

You won’t enjoy all the magic natural places that the island has to offer, you’ll be stressed out, and miss a lot of the fun that has made Sardinia the number one holiday spot among Italians. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our top Italy travel tips .

One Week in Sardinia – The South Coast: Cagliari, Costa Rei and Villasimius

A perfect itinerary if you land at the airport of Cagliari, moving around this trip includes stops in interesting places along the southeastern coast of the island. 

This part of Sardinia is perfect for those who cannot spend long hours far from crystal clear beaches, but who also have a passion for water sports and close contact with nature.

This itinerary is ideal for those looking to spend long hours relaxing by the sea, but that will also enjoy some nightlife activities, interesting villages, and plenty of cultural experiences.

The itinerary includes three main stops, the capital of the island, Cagliari, as well as the gorgeous seaside resorts of Villasimius and Costa Rei.

For those looking to see more, there are day trips included, such as a visit to Pula or the spectacular Chia Beach on the southern tip of Sardinia.

There is a lot to see in the capital of the island. Devote the first day in Cagliari to adapt to the unique rhythm of the city, somewhat calmer and more laid-back than in mainland Italy. It is a great idea to start by exploring San Benedetto Market, which is open in the mornings (until 2 pm).

This is the city’s biggest food market as well as the most amazing display of Sardinia’s traditional cuisine. Don’t be mistaken, if you thought you knew everything about Italian food , think it over. 

Due to the hundreds of years of isolation and the long distance that separates Sardinia from mainland Italy, the local gastronomy is completely different and it almost does not resemble what you could eat in the rest of the country.

No place is better than the market to taste Sardinia’s remarkable cheeses and cold cuts, original bread specialties, unusual pasta, and unexpected sweets.

If you like fish and seafood, the market won’t disappoint either. In fact, there is a whole floor devoted to seafood!

Next up, head to the Castello District, the oldest of the historic districts in the city, hosting some of the most important landmarks in the capital, such as the Cathedral of Cagliari, and the Bastion of Saint Remy.

This beautiful quarter is on top of a hill where, in the past, the nobles and wealthy inhabitants of Sardinia would build impressive mansions and other buildings.

Among the inhabitants of the district, there were also Spanish and Pisans. The latter fortified the area and used it as the headquarters for their naval forces. 

The district features narrow alleys, mostly pedestrian, dozens of quaint cafés and traditional restaurants, but also amazing observing points over the sea and the pristine coast, scattered along the ramparts of the district. 

When exploring the Castello district, you can also check out The Elephant Tower and San Pancrazio Tower, built by the Pisans in the fourteenth century and open to the public. Also in the same area, you can visit the Cagliari Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Royal Palace.

Finally, in the northern part of the district, there is an interesting Roman Amphitheatre and a unique Botanical Garden that, with its over 2000 plant species is a perfect example of Sardinia’s natural diversity and incredible ecosystem.

End the day heading to the Saint Remy Bastion which connects the upper and lower parts of the city and is one of the most characteristic symbols of the town.

To learn more and see the best of Cagliari, it is a good idea to join a walking tour of the old town hosted by a local like this one .

On your second day in Cagliari, why not venture beyond the boundaries of the city to learn more about the history of the island? Sardinia is home to some of the most incredible archaeological sites in the country, featuring an intriguing characteristic monument, the nuraghe. 

These fortress-type constructions were built by the ancient inhabitants of the island back in 1800 BC, approximately. 

There are more than 7000 nuraghes in Sardinia, often with surrounding fortifications and villages. These are the only tangible testimony of the ancient Sardinian civilization, also known as Nuragic, as there are no written records of this civilization.

About an hour from Cagliari, the nuraghe Su Nuraxi is the largest and most famous nuraghe of Sardinia and is the only nuraghe listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It features clear walls and fortifications and it is also the only nuraghe that has been fully excavated, around the area, there is also an interesting Nuragic village with rests of about 50 small houses. 

For better organisation and to learn even more about this mysterious place, check out this organised activity that explores this Bronze Age defence system.

Devote the afternoon to visiting one of the nicest beaches in the area, the impressive Poetto Beach. Over here, you can spend a fantastic time swimming and admiring the incredible color of the sea. This is one of the closest beaches to the city as well as a popular getaway for locals and visitors alike.

Known as one of the longest beaches on the island, the coastal resort extends for over 7 kilometers. The place is well organized, featuring exclusive beach clubs, restaurants, bars, and a variety of water sports facilities.

You can get there by car (about 20 minutes from the centre) or you can also take the bus from the main Matteotti Square.

One of the most incredible villages and beaches on the southern coast of Sardinia, Villasimius offers both relaxation and tranquillity but also some of the most incredible landscapes on the island.

Even if we decided to devote two days to the region, chances are that you won’t want to leave! Known as the pearl of the south, this incredible coastal portion of Sardinia features beautiful glimmering crystal-clear water with pleasantly warm temperatures. 

All around the area, unique clear granite cliffs, and coves, but also unexpected lagoons and lush hills.

Among the gems you can enjoy in the Villasimius region, start by heading to the promontory of Capo Carbonara promontory which is home to a protected marine area with incredible panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

Other beaches to explore during your two days in this village include Porto Sa Ruxi, Campus , Campulongu, and Riso Beach. Riso in Italian means rice and the name perfectly described the unusual rice-shaped sand that has made the place truly famous.

In the late evenings, you can enjoy a walk along the tourist harbor and have fun going shopping for souvenirs in the commercial area of the village. You can also dine delicious dishes of seafood served on the waterfront until late in the evening.

On your second day in Villasimius, it is a good idea to spend some time checking out the western side of Capo Carbonara, here you will discover the incredible beach of Cala Caterina and the marshes of Stagno di Notteri, known for the incredible number of pink flamingos that live in the area.

Over here, you can also admire (or even visit), the famous islands of Serpentara and Cavoli, both known for several shipwrecks as well as impressive underwater life that you can explore scuba diving.

If you’re still fascinated about the past of the island, there are several archaeological ruins from the Nuragic age that you can visit, such as the Accu Is Traias necropolis as well as the Roman Baths of Santa Maria. 

In Villasimius, there is also an interesting archaeological museum, with interesting displays related to the shipwrecks that took place in the area over the centuries.

If you prefer to devote more time to Cagliari and only want to see the highlights of Villasimius, you can check out this Villasimius beaches day trip that also includes transportation and a short visit to Costa Rei.

Spend your last days in Sardinia enjoying Costa Rei, one of the most enchanting areas of the island. Over here, you can explore the Sarrabus a natural park and reserve with the impressive backdrop of the Sette Fratelli mountain range.

A favorite destination among hikers and fans of walks in nature, the region includes lush hills, an impressive deep blue coast, and amazing dunes.

Different beaches or, as locals call them, calas , are some of the most impressive spots you can discover in Costa Rei. One of the most impressive ones, Cala Pira, is a beautiful, although fairly small bay with crystal seas surrounded by dunes and juniper trees. 

Not far, Cala Sinzias is a protected shore surrounded by a thick pine forest, standing sandwiched between two small cliffs that give the area a private atmosphere, despite being quite close to the town of Costa Rei.

The little town is a very lively coastal resort bordered by a magnificent stretch of fine white sand in clear contrast with the deep emerald green of the sea in the area. 

The sandy beach, which is about 10 kilometers long features shallow, safe waters, and all the organized services you need, including good restaurants, and bars, but also hotels, entertainment, and shopping opportunities

On your second day in Costa Reis, you can drive to Muravera, another interesting coastal resort that hosts interesting activities and events devoted to the promotion of Sardinia’s most unique traditions and culture, the area is also known for a variety of gastronomic festivals that take place not only in summer.

For more information about the traditions of Costa Rei, it is a good idea to visit the Castiadas Penal Colony. Today a cultural center and museum this former prison dates back to 1877. 

The fields surrounding the detention center, which now produce an incredible variety of organic products, were once tilled by semi-free prisoners.

When it is time to go back to Cagliari, it is a great idea to drive from the south to the airport along one of the most impressive scenic routes in Italy. This panoramic road travels north along the coast, passing through gorgeous hills overlooking the magnificent shores of the south of the island.

Day Trips in the Area

If you have extra time during your trip or plan to do alternative things to the ones suggested in this itinerary, check out these interesting day trips that will surely add more color to your Sardinia escape:

Day Trip to Pula

Easy to reach from Cagliari, the small town of Pula is a great destination for water sports, fun entertainment, and, again, great beaches. 

Pula is located about 38 kilometers from the center of Cagliari, there are incredible shores to spend the day swimming or practicing water sports, but also an interesting archaeological site, the Ancient City of Nora which dates from the Punic times but saw its most important development during the Roman era. 

Among the things to discover are the ruins of ancient houses and public buildings, an imposing theater, and diverse thermal complexes.

If you’re visiting Pula for its beaches, they won’t disappoint, the most famous of all is Santa Maria di Pula, a 10-kilometer-long collection of coves surrounded by thick pine forests that offer natural shade and fresher temperatures.

Day Trip to Chia Beach

Turquoise calm waters and clear sand are the most distinctive traits of Chia Beach and they are worth a day trip from Villasimius, Cagliari, or Costa Rei. Also famous for its wildlife, the dozens of dolphins that come to breed on its coast, and a picturesque lagoon with pink flamingos.

Near the main seaside area, you can check out the impressive Campana Dune, another popular beach that features sand dunes over 20 meters high. 

The whole area is popular among water sports fanatics who come to Chia Beach to have fun doing kitesurfing, kayaking, surfing, paddle boating, and snorkelling.

Enjoyed reading about how to spend a week in Sardinia itinerary? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book . She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.

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Sardinia Tours & Trips

Sardinia is a unique island located in the Mediterranean sea . The territory belongs to Italy and encompasses more than 2,000 km of coastline. It is the perfect destination for travellers who enjoy spending their time at the beach or for mountain enthusiasts always on the lookout for the next hike. The island's rugged landscape is due to the presence of nuraghi, stone ruins dating back from the Bronze Age, in the shape of beehives. Cagliari is the island's capital and is an enchanting city with a powerful medieval presence.

28 Sardinia tour packages with 91 reviews

Sardinia & Corsica Sailing Adventure

This thril was fantastic, I would highly recommend it. Our skipper Noon was brilliant and made the trip so great. We had a great mix of people on our tour and it was a lot of fun. Noon cooked food for us and that was some of the best Italian food I have ever had. When we were at the harbours he took us to some fantastic restaurants and great little bars. The beaches and swimming spots each day were amazing, there was a lot of swimming and waking up anchored in quiet bays surrounded by islands was so nice. We went to Bonifacio and it was so beautiful there. We had some rough weather during our trip, but Noon chose spot to anchor or habours to stay at that were safe and out of the bad weather. My only slightly negative comments would be about the actual boat. One of the fridges didn’t work for the duration of the trip and the cabin area of the boat wasn’t overly clean when we boarded and wasn’t stocked with linen. Thankfully the next day we had linen supplies to us.

• In-depth Cultural

Sardinia: Magic Tour

Excellent private tour, comfortable accomodations, fine meals, knowledgeable tour guides, exceptional tour service.

• Self-Guided Cycling
• Christmas & New Year

Cycling in Sardinia

My husband and I had a wonderful time touring the west coast of Sardegna. The scenery was absolutely magical. The level of riding was on the high end of medium difficulty. We could not have completed the 320 kms in 6 days without the e-bikes. The gps app was fantastic. We were leary about going self-guided prior to the tour, but the gps app made it very easy to navigate. The accommodations were a bit volatile, some nice, some not so nice. First, one of the agritourismos charged us 40 euro per person for a very mediocre meal. Unfortunately, we had to eat there as there were no other options. Additionally, they had a mean little dog that unprovoked, nipped my husband (Sa Perda Mercada). Secondly, in Gonessa at B&B Domus de Janas, there was hardly a breakfast and it wasn't easy getting access to the accommodation, i.e no service. Of the other accommodations, Villa Canu and Hotel Le Torri were nice because they had pools, Muma Hostel was acceptable, agritourismo Terranieddas was in a beautiful setting and they served a wonderful meal for 30 euro which they let us split, i.e. 15 euro per person, the Marin hotel was just ok, but they had extremely friendly and helpful employees and the best breakfast of the trip. Additionally, I didn't find the man that ran the orientation (and also led the guided tour) very friendly or helpful to those not on the guided tour. Finally, it would improve the tour for the non-guided participants if the gps routes had more information regarding stops for drinks and food along the way. In summary, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, met some nice people along the way and we would definitely, highly recommend this trip to others. We only offer criticisms to help better the Dolcevita experience for future participants.

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Sardinia's East Coast

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Walking in Sardinia

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

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Sardinian Splendours

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Island Enchantment: Sardinia & Corsica

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Best of Sardinia - 7 days

Sardinia Unveiled - Unearth the Treasures of Italy's Enigmatic Island

Best Journey of Sardinia - 7 Days

The Ultimate Sardinia & Corsica Explorer

6 Days SARDINIA TOUR - from Rome

Sardinia & Corsica Discovery - 14 days

What people love about sardinia tours.

Great week sailing with a fantastic group of solo travellers! Nuncio looked after us all really well and involved us in decisions. A pretty relaxed pace but with opportunity to explore and sight see as well. Would definitely recommend!

My husband and I had a wonderful time touring the west coast of Sardegna. The scenery was absolutely magical. The level of riding was on the high end of medium difficulty. We could not have completed the 320 kms in 6 days without the e-bikes. The gps app was fantastic. We were leary about going self-guided prior to the tour, but the gps app made it very easy to navigate. The accommodations were a bit volatile, some nice, some not so nice. First, one of the agritourismos charged us 40 euro per person for a very mediocre meal. Unfortunately, we had to eat there as there were no other options. Additionally, they had a mean little dog that unprovoked, nipped my husband (Sa Perda Mercada). Secondly, in Gonessa at B&B Domus de Janas, there was hardly a breakfast and it wasn't easy getting access to the accommodation, i.e no service. Of the other accommodations, Villa Canu and Hotel Le Torri were nice because they had pools, Muma Hostel was acceptable, agritourismo Terranieddas was in a beautiful setting and they served a wonderful meal for 30 euro which they let us split, i.e. 15 euro per person, the Marin hotel was just ok, but they had extremely friendly and helpful employees and the best breakfast of the trip. Additionally, I didn't find the man that ran the orientation (and also led the guided tour) very friendly or helpful to those not on the guided tour. Finally, it would improve the tour for the non-guided participants if the gps routes had more information regarding stops for drinks and food along the way. In summary, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, met some nice people along the way and we would definitely, highly recommend this trip to others. We only offer criticisms to help better the Dolcevita experience for future participants.

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The true cost of traveling out of state for an abortion is more than financial

While kari lake and others have painted abortion travel as simple road trips, the reality is not so simple, by nicole karlis, published april 19, 2024 5:15am (edt), updated april 19, 2024 8:06pm (edt).

In June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade , which provided Americans with a constitutional right to abortion, it changed what options Hanz Dismer had in the state of Missouri.

While abortion access was already severely limited in Missourit, minutes after the Supreme Court’s decision was released the state Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued an opinion to kick off the state’s trigger ban making it one of the first states to nearly outlaw abortion. At the same time, the state’s last remaining abortion clinic quickly halted its services . All of these events unfolded along the backdrop of Dismer’s unplanned pregnancy. 

“I took a pregnancy test after my shift in the clinic and realized that I'm pregnant, and I have more rights now than I will when I go home tonight,” Dismer told Salon. “That hit hard.”

The pregnancy wasn’t necessarily unwanted, Dismer told Salon. It just wasn’t “happening at the right time.” Ultimately, terminating the pregnancy was the best choice they could make for themself. But for Dismer, the rapidly changing legal landscape in their home state changed the calculus on how they could access abortion care. Not only in terms of where Dismer could access services, Dismer planned on getting an abortion at the clinic they worked at as a social worker in Illinois, but the support that accompanied Dismer. For example, Dismer couldn’t have anyone drive with them to and from the clinic for support.

"It's forcing shame and stigma on you during what is already the worst moment of your life."

“Because I didn't want anyone else to face the potential to be aiding and abetting an abortion, right?” Dismer said. “Not only was I faced with an unplanned pregnancy that I had to figure out if this was a good time in my life to become a parent, and what my partner's needs are, and all of that, but I also had to contend with the legal landscape, which made that decision making process unnecessarily traumatic.” 

Dismer isn’t alone in feeling the emotional toll of having to travel out of state for an abortion. A 2023 study published in the journal Contraception found that the emotional cost of having to travel out of state is a common experience.

“It's forcing shame and stigma on you during what is already the worst moment of your life,” one study participant testified . Another said, “It was very stressful having to plan that trip and get there and be away from everyone and everything I knew.”

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes .

Following the Dobbs decision, states have been able to make their own laws severely restricting abortion access across the United States. According to the Guttmacher Institute , there has been a rise in interstate travel for abortion care since Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade. The institute estimates one in five abortion patients traveled out of state for abortion care in 2023, compared to one in 10 who did so in 2020.

This week, Kari Lake brushed off criticism of abortion bans in her state of Arizona, saying "Even if we have a restrictive law here, you can go three hours that way, three hours that way, and you're going to be able to have an abortion."

But the reality is not so simple.

As Salon previously reported , shock waves and ripple effects are felt across the maternal health landscape when just one or two states implement near-total abortion bans. While many people think it’s easy to cross state lines to access care, it doesn’t come without both an emotional, and financial cost, to the patient.

Megan Jeyifo, executive director of Chicago Abortion Fund, knows firsthand the challenges people face when traveling state lines to access abortion care. Since Dobbs, Illinois has seen an influx in patients from the south. Data from the Society of Family Planning #WeCount found that after Dobbs, Illinois saw the biggest increase in out-of-state abortions. 

At the Chicago Abortion Fund, Jeyifo and her colleagues help provide medical referrals and financial support to people who are facing barriers to access abortion services. Jeyifo emphasized it is “traumatizing” to travel for this care. 

“People 100 percent internalize the difficulty that they face in accessing care, and can view it as a reflection of the morality of that care,” Jeyifo said. “I think part of our job as abortion funds is to say ‘It is not your fault this is hard. This is hard by design because politicians want us to not have control over our own bodies, and how we start or grow our families.’”

"This is hard by design because politicians want us to not have control over our own bodies."

Then there’s the financial component. Jeyifo told Salon it’s almost unheard of that insurance will cover the procedure when traveling from a state where there’s limited access to abortion care. Medicaid will not cover a patient if they travel out of state for an abortion either. Jeyifo said the average support cost, like for lodging, CAF provides a patient is $380. The average voucher they provide for the procedure itself is $480. And that’s just an average.

Between the cost of flights and the cost of Chicago hotels, Jeyifo said it’s very easy to spend up to $1,500 or $2,000 on one person's travel expenses. Notably, it’s estimated that only one in three Americans can comfortably cover a $400 emergency expense. Frequently, CAF has to help arrange childcare for a patient, too. 

“We are literally supporting people that have to bring their children with them on an 11 hour or more one-way car trip,” Jeyifo said. “And that is a status quo, that is normalized at this moment. Childcare is a really huge barrier for our callers.”

Dr. Jennifer Kerns, a professor in the department of obstetrics gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF and staff physician at Trust Women, an abortion clinic in Kansas, said she sees firsthand the burden of people having to travel out of state for an abortion — sometimes to even have access to medication abortion.

“Some people are traveling by car, up to 12 hours just to drive to the clinic to access medications,” Kerns told Salon. “We routinely hear about how long it's taken patients to garner all of the resources needed to make arrangements, to make this trip, and we're only seeing the patients who actually ended up getting to us — we're not seeing the patients who made attempts or can't take that much time off of work or can't find anybody to watch their kids.”

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In the lawsuit of women suing states, like Texas, for being unable to obtain proper healthcare while pregnant due to abortion restrictions, the stories reveal the massive burdens and barriers women face when having to travel out of state, too. At 15 weeks pregnant, one plaintiff suing Texas had to travel to a clinic in Colorado to undergo a selective reduction abortion procedure after learning one of her twins had the highly fatal genetic condition trisomy 18 . The procedure and cost of travel totaled thousands of dollars, the lawsuit said . 

Kimberly Inez McGuire executive director of URGE (Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity), told Salon this is especially for difficult for young people.

“Young people in this country are facing just extreme levels of economic precarity,” McGuire said. “They're struggling to find jobs that pay well, they're struggling to find jobs that have any paid sick time, and depending on the care that someone needs, it might be required that someone take one to three weeks to travel if they’re seeking abortion care.”

Traveling to access abortion care can turn someone’s life “upside down,” McGuire said. 

“People are having to decide if they're trying to pay rent, or buy this very expensive plane ticket,”McGuire said. “There are support networks out there, but there's never enough, right? It’s uprooting peoples’ lives, and it’s why we have got to end these abortion bans.”

about abortion

• Will Roe v. Wade ever be restored? How certain legal challenges could reinstate abortion protections
• How the Texas trial changed the story of abortion rights in America
• In Wisconsin, women’s health care is constricted by an 1849 law. These doctors are aghast
• Groups sue to overturn Idaho "abortion trafficking" law targeting teens

Nicole Karlis is a senior writer at Salon, specializing in health and science. Tweet her @nicolekarlis .

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