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Sardegna Turismo

Saint ephysius, the festival of sardinia, sardinia unveils its architectural treasures, coastal towers, a hundred viewpoints, picked just for you.

Shoes full of footsteps

Authentic natural luxury

Sardinia, the land of Giants

Four villages, heart of the Island

Tradition at the table looks to the future

Sardinia the whole year round

The fortresses of prehistoric Sardinia

From Orune to Galtellì with Grazia Deledda

Spring in the villages

Ancient city of Tharros

Basilica di San Saturnino

Travelling with flavour

Capodanno 2024, in Sardegna è festa in piazza

Places of the heart.

Santa Teresa Gallura

Cala Gonone

Costa Verde

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• Must see events
• An island to be discovered

Things to do

• Calendar of events
• Itineraries

Places to see

• How to arrive in Sardinia
• How to get around Sardinia
• Travelling safely
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Southern Italy

Sardinia: a journey to the island of the emerald sea, nuraghi, unspoilt nature and millenary traditions.

Crystal-clear waters, beaches of soft, white sand, granite rocks framed by wild, fragrant Mediterranean scrub: welcome to Sardinia, an island of a thousand contrasts that will also seduce you with its unique archaeological heritage and its people's innate sense of hospitality.

Cagliari goes straight to the heart: a millenary history, a sea of dreams and endless attractions History, art and culture go hand in hand with beautiful beaches, lagoon areas and green parks: Cagliari is the Sardinian jewel of a city that enchants with its majestic architecture, winding alleyways and privileged location directly overlooking the sea.

Deep cultural roots at a stone's throw from the sea Sassari rises on a plateau that descends to the north-west towards the Gulf of Asinara and the Nurra plain. The centre, surrounded by woods and olive groves, is characterised by its narrow streets and the remains of ancient walls. A stop at the Cathedral of St Nicholas, with its Gothic layout but Baroque façade, is a must. A few steps from the cathedral are the Ducal Palace and the Jesuit College. The true symbol of the city is the Rossello Fountain, in late Renaissance style. Its complex symbolism representing the four seasons is a reminder of the inexorable passage of time. In the heart of Gallura, Aggius is a true open-air art gallery. This small village is known for its brightly painted doors, geometric shapes and traditional designs. If you move to the coast, you can choose between the beaches of Platamona, famous for surfing and windsurfing, Stintino, La Pelosa and La Pelosetta, with white sand and crystal clear sea. At Ferragosto (mid-August), don't miss the “festha manna”, the great feast, the historical procession dedicated to the Assumption that freed the city from the plague. During the Descent of the Candlesticks the candles are carried on the shoulders with dancing in front of the ecstatic crowd.

Discovering ancient and little-known traditions The province of Oristano, although not very extensive, is rich in places to visit. Already the capital has much to offer, with its beautiful cathedral, the Archaeological Museum and local delicacies. But it is by moving just a few kilometres away from the centre that one comes across striking places. Like the small town of Cabras, with its Mari Ermi, Is Arutas and Maimoni beaches, rich in quartzite grains. Dive in search of the underwater medicinal spring at Funtana Meiga. Plenty of culture, instead, in the varied archaeological heritage of the Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu, also known as the Museum of the Giants of Mont'e Prama. The Sinis Peninsula is home to the ghost town of San Salvatore, the set of numerous “spaghetti westerns”, and San Giovanni, where the second oldest early Christian church in Sardinia lies. At Tharros, however, the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city can be admired. The Guilcer area includes villages such as Ghilarza, where Antonio Gramsci's house-museum stands, Abbasanta, the archaeological site of the Nuraghe Losa, and Paulilatino, where you can visit the mysterious well of Santa Cristina. Finally, stop at Fordongianus, inland, with its ancient Roman baths and Aragonese House.

Authentic and surprising land Sardinia is not only sea and beaches, and the province of Nuoro is a clear demonstration of this. An area rich in history, art and traditions, which varies from kilometre to kilometre, passing from green valleys to high mountains. One of the symbols of the Nuoro area is Monte Ortobene, a 955-metre granite mountain. On its summit, the Cuccuru Nigheddu, the Statue of the Redeemer stands. One can admire the wonderful landscape, which opens up to the Gennargentu and the Gulf of Orosei. Not far away, in the Sedda Oddai park area, is the small Church of Solitude, which houses the remains of writer Grazia Deledda. A must-see destination is the Tanca Manna nuraghe, a megalithic monument in the shape of a single tower with a dome, built with rocks and granite blocks, with two opposing niches inside. On the Supramonte slopes, just a few kilometres from Oliena, one comes across the karstic spring of Su Gologone and the deep canyon of Su Gorropu, created by the erosion of Rio Flumineddu. Finally, the cave of Ispinigoli, inside which rings, jewellery and sun symbols were found, revealing the existence of a Phoenician sacrificial well.

South Sardinia (formerly Carbonia-Iglesias) Isolated beaches, coves and caves: discovering a new side to Sardinia Carbonia-Iglesias is dominated by the two cities that until 2016 were the administrative capitals of its namesake province, which was later incorporated into the province of South Sardinia. Carbonia became a town as recently as the 1930s, developed around the disused coal mines that tourists can now visit thanks to the Serbariu coal mine museum, which opened in 2006. The area surrounding the city boasts archaeological sites that bear witness to the passage of civilisations over the centuries, from the Monte Sirai archaeological site to the Cannas di Sotto archaeological park. Visitors who love the sea can enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Sulcis coastline: Masua beach, Portopaglietto beach and Porto Paglia beach are among the most popular. Iglesias, a royal city in Sardinia during Spanish rule, boasts a historic centre full of churches ranging from Gothic-style architecture to the Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. It also has a coastline with an amazing number of coves and caves to explore, offering you the chance to relax while enjoying stunning views.

What to see in Sardinia

• Art & Culture

Sardinia: an ideal destination for a digital detox break

Sardinia’s Green Train: slow is back!

Sardinia, where canyoning goes from mountains to the sea

Sardinian Pecorino Cheese

Discovering the iconic dish of Sardinia: pane carasau

Autumn in Barbagia and the most authentic Sardinia

Barumini and its nuraghi: the other side of Sardinia

The Murals of Orgosolo

The Domus de Janas in Sardinia: discovering the tombs carved into the rock

Castelsardo

Jogging in autumn and the beauty of running on the waterfront: the secret of sport in Sardinia

Wildlife Sardinia

La Maddalena Archipelago National Park

White Beaches in Italy, where you can find the Caribbean in the Mediterranean

Cagliari’s finest view: 12 viewpoints that offer an unmissable spectacle

Stintino and Asinara

Free Climbing in Sardinia

The 100 Towers Walk in Sardinia, an intense experience in search of breathtaking views and spirituality

From the Costa Paradiso to Palau: wonderful beaches and a taste of local culture

From Porto Torres to Castelsardo: the enchanting Gulf of Asinara

Itinerary from the Gulf of Asinara to the Costa Smeralda

Canyoning in the heart of the land

Archaeological Sardinia

The Tombs of the Giants: from archaeology to spirituality, in Sardegna

Menhirs and Dolmens, the ancient stone civilisations in Sardinia

Sulcis Iglesiente, terrain rich in history

Teatro Lirico di Cagliari

Phoenicians and Punics conquering Sardinia: a fascinating archaeological tour

Discover what to do in sardinia.

Saint Ephysius: the most engaging festival in Sardinia

The source of inspiration for your italian adventures.

Where to dock in a roadstead in Italy, 8 beautiful and little-used mooring sites

The most scenic golf courses in Italy

Adventure parks: acrobatics among the branches

Orani, Ulassai and San Sperate, conceptual art where you don't expect it

Discovering the Baronie: a corner of authentic Sardinia tucked between the sea and the mountains

Land of emerald sea, nuraghi and millenary traditions

Sardinia: a journey to the island of the emerald sea, nuraghi, unspoilt nature and millenary traditions. Crystal-clear waters, beaches of soft, white sand, granite rocks framed by wild, fragrant Mediterranean scrub: welcome to Sardinia, an island of a thousand contrasts that will also seduce you with its unique archaeological heritage and its people's innate sense of hospitality.

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Visit Sardinia: Top 25 Things to Do and Must See Attractions

The 25 best things to do in sardinia (bucket list).

You’re planning to visit Sardinia during your next trip? You want to know more about the best places to visit?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, i have prepared this guide of the 25 best things to do in Sardinia , with all the must-see attractions of the island.

Discover Cagliari , the Costa Smeralda , the Gulf of Orosei , Alghero and many more amazing places to visit during your trip.

So, where to go in Sardinia? What are the best points of interest?

Let’s find out!

1. Cagliari

2. the scenic sp71 road from porto teulada to chia, 3. sant’antioco island, 4. san pietro island, 5. the nuraghes, 6. the iglesiente coast, 7. tharros and the sinis peninsula, 8. oristano, 10. asinara island, 11. alghero, 12. the neptune caves, 13. castelsardo, 14. costa paradiso, 15. capo testa, 16. la maddalena island, 17. caprera island, 18. costa smeralda and porto cervo, 19. orgosolo, 20. gulf of orosei, 21. bue marino caves, 22. gorropu gorge and the ss 125 road, 23. sardinia beaches, 24. visiting caves in sardinia, 25. discover sardinian cuisine, renting a boat in sardinia, you’re traveling in sardinia these articles will help you, visit sardinia: the 25 best places to visit and must-see attractions.

In order to help you plan your stay in Sardinia, I have prepared detailed itineraries depending on your trip duration . You should read them after reading this article.

You can find them here, simply click on the orange links to read the articles:

• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sardinia – With all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (North + South)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sardinia – How to visit Sardinia in 6, 7 or 8 days (North or 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

They will allow you to plan your trip very easily!

And if you have any question, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section, at the end of the article. I would be glad to help you plan your stay.

Let’s start this guide of Sardinia with Cagliari, the capital.

If the modern part of the city isn’t very interesting, the historical center however is worth a visit.

If you’re visiting Sardinia, you’re likely to start or end your trip at Cagliari airport, so why not stay around for a bit and go for a stroll in the old town.

Here are the best places to see in Cagliari:

• Il Castello:  uptown traditional district where most of the tourist attractions are located
• Cagliari Cathedral : you should go have a look at the Aragonese chapels and the Martyrs crypt
• Palazzo di Citta:  located next to the cathedral, this small museum displays Sardinian paintings and textiles
• The National Archaeological Museum  and its collection of objects and artifacts from the Nuragic civilization . It’s one of the main museums of Sardinia
• Bastion of Saint Remy and the Umberto I terrace with its incredible view over Cagliari
• San Benedetto market  to try out all the Sardinian delicacies
• Poetto beach:  this 7km long beach is one of the longest in Italy and the closest to the city center.

Looking for more things to do in Cagliari? Read my detailed article: The 10 Best things to do in Cagliari

Another must see in Sardinia is the scenic road (“Strada Panoramica” in Italian) from Porto Teulada to Chia .

The SP71 road is one of the most beautiful of the island.

It goes along the South-East coastline with amazing panoramic views . Also called Strada Panoramica della Costa del Sud, the road passes by several beaches with crystal clear water .

There are so many of them, just pick one and take a dip!

Here is the list of my favorite spots along the road: 

• Spiaggia di Cala Piscinni, you can park right next to the entrance, very kid-friendly!
• Torre di Pixinni beach is a pebble beach and one of my favorites from my trip to Sardinia. We were totally alone when we went there!
• Tuerredda beach  and its turquoise water
• Su Giudeu beach  is so huge that you’ll always find a free spot there
• Cipolla beach is another nice sandy beach with nice rock formations around and super clear water. It’s my favorite beach of the Strada Panoramica! 
• The Capo Spartivento lighthouse: take the path from Cala Cipolla to get there. The view over the entire coastline is breathtaking!

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in South Sardinia, then you should stop by Sant’Antioco island . It’s the 4th biggest island in Italy after Sicily , Sardinia and Elba.

A bridge connects the island to the mainland, so no need to take a ferry to get there.

What to see in Sant’Antioco, Sardinia:

• Sant’Antioco city: the island’s main city. You can walk around the port and the beachfront, visit the Sant’Antioco basilica, go to the archeological museum, the Forte Su Piso or even the Villagio Ipogeo and see troglodyte houses
• Maladroxia, a small beach town with lots of hotels and restaurants
• Coa Quaddus beach, unsupervised beach with a nice view over Torre Canai
• Cala Sapone beach:  small beach with bars and restaurants around. You can also rent pedal boats and kayaks
• Cala Lunga beach:  the most beautiful beach in Sant’Antico! A great sand beach with clear shallow water

Right next to Sant’Antioco, San Pietro  is another worthy place to visit in Sardinia.

Must see attractions on San Pietro island:

• Carloforte: where most of the hotels, shops, restaurants and cafés are located. There isn’t much to see, but it gets very lively by the end of the day, so stop there and get a drink!
• Bobba beach: a very trendy beach in San Pietro. There is a big parking lot, a bar and you can rent kayaks. If you want to snap great shots of the surrounding rock formations, go for a walk on the path to the right side.
• Conca coastline: from there you have some nice views of the cliffs
• Spiagga Spalmatore (Caletta beach), the most famous beach
• Capo Sandalo,  for sure the most beautiful spot on the island! From there you have a 180 ° view of the surroundings.

Voyage Tips Advice To go to San Pietro from Sant’Antioco, take the ferry leaving from Calasseta.

There is one every hour and it’s a 30min trip.

Tickets are around 35€ for 2 people + 1 vehicle.

If you travel to Sardinia, you need to go see at least one nuraghe , they’re everywhere on the island!

But first, what is a nuraghe?

If you have never heard about them, no worries: it was the same for me before going to Sardinia.

Basically, nuraghes are rock structures from the Bronze age and the Nuragic civilization . We don’t know exactly what they were used for, but studies say they were used as observation towers and for sacred rituals .

At first they were just made of one simple tower, but some nuraghes turned into fortified multiple towers complexes.

The most visited in Sardinia is Su Nuraxi Nuraghe . It’s a large complex located in Barumini and the only one listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

It’s made of one central tower with a bastion, 4 side towers, a yard and a well. Fortifications and more towers were added to it over time. A small Nuragic village with about 50 houses was also built around it.

Only guided tours are available .

Other noteworthy nuraghes are the Arrubiu, Di Palmavera and Santu Antine Nuraghe.

You’re going to Sardinia? Then, the Iglesiente Coast is another place you shouldn’t miss.

The SP 83 coastal road along the Iglesiente is famous for its breathtaking views over the sea and the mountains.

It also goes through ancient mining towns , an important feature of this part of Sardinia. This region used to hold the majority of the island’s resources such as lead and silver.

Today, this mountainous region is characterized by wild preserved landscapes.

Here are the must-see attractions along the Iglesiente coast, Sardinia:

• Fontanamare beach: a long sandy beach popular among surfers
• The Pan di Zucchero rock was named after the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With an height of 133 meters, it’s one of the tallest faraglioni of Sardinia.
• Nebida and its viewpoint on the Pan di Zucchero
• Masua and its beach, the scenic view over the Pan di Zucchero from there is very beautiful
• Porto Flavia mine: the cliff was dug in for almost 600 meters to allow ore transportation. You can only visit it with a guided tour, it needs to be booked at the Iglesias tourist office.
• Cala Domestica, a small beach surrounded by limestone cliffs
• Buggerru, a former mining village
• Portixeddu beach, a 3 km long sandy beach surrounded by pine trees

Let’s continue exploring Sardinia by going to the Sinis Peninsula .

This area is located in the Center-Western part of Sardinia, close to the Gulf of Oristano . You’ll find there several beaches among the most beautiful of Sardinia, the most famous being for sure Is Aruttas and Putzu Idu.

The peninsula is also home to a major archeological site of the island: Tharros archeological site .

This former trading post was founded by the Phoenicians and quickly became a major trade hub, thanks to its strategic location.

It was completely abandoned in 1070 and only ruins remain today.

The site is open every day and the entrance fee is 5€.

Voyage Tips Advice Right after Tharros, you can go for a lovely walk on Capo San Marco .

Another great place to visit in Sardinia is the city of Oristano , on the Western part of the island.

Oristano is a very pleasant city, perfect to walk around for about an hour in the historic center . It’s very small but it’s super lovely, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants and coffee shops there. There’s also a commercial street to do some shopping.

Visit Oristano, in Sardinia:

• Start by going to the Piazza del Duomo and admire the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral
• Continue with the Church of San Francesco
• Then go to the Piazza Eleonora d’Arborea. It pays tribute to the Judge of Oristano, who drafted the Carta de Logu, known to be one of the first civil codes in Europe.
• Finish with the Piazza Roma where the Tower of Mariano II is located. During the medieval period, Oristano used to be a fortified city, and this is one of the 2 remaining towers.

Voyage Tips Advice Don’t leave Oristano without having an ice cream at Barbagelato , located on Piazza Rima.

 Let me get straight to the point: it’s fore sure the best ice cream I had in Sardinia, and probably the best I have ever had in my life!

If you’re looking for things to do in Sardinia, then you should go visit the lovely town of Bosa.

Bosa is a cute small town with pastel colored houses , located next to a river. With its castle up the hill , it’s in my opinion one of the most beautiful villages in Sardinia .

The best viewpoint to take pictures of Bosa is located on the road, a few minutes before entering the town.

Here are the main tourist attractions in Bosa:

• The ponte Vecchio (“old bridge”) to acces the old town
• The Corso Vittorio Emanuel, the main avenue of the city, with many restaurants and gift shops
• Bosa Cathedral
• The Museum Casa Deriu to have a look at the lace and embroidery artwork – Very popular in Bosa
• The Castle of Serravalle: overlooking the whole city, you should definitely go upstairs to enjoy the view of the sea and mountains. You can also visit the castle, mainly famous for its chapel and ancient frescos.

A few kilometers away from Bosa there is also the Bosa Marina coastal resort .

The place isn’t very beautiful, so if you want to take a beach break after visiting Bosa, you should rather go to the beaches located North of the city , such as Compultittu or de S’abba Drucche beach.

During your trip to Sardinia, why not go to Asinara island?

Located at the North-Western tip of the island , the place has quite a unique history: from World War I to December 1997, it was housing prisoners of war and even prisoners from the mafia!

In 1997, the prison closed and Asinara island was established as a National Park, thanks to its rich flora (many endemic species) and Fauna.

Nowadays, cars are not allowed on Asinara island except, of course, for tourist excursions.

To visit the island, you first need to take a boat in Stintino .

The trip takes about 30min and there’s usually only one departure per day, around 9:00. You definitely need to book it in advance!

There are 3 ways to discover the island:

You can go on a jeep tour with a guide, hop on the tourist mini-train or rent a bike (the only autonomous way to visit the island). Everything gets booked very quickly, so don’t forget to book your excursion in advance.

In any case, be on time! Because if you miss the boat, there is no other solution to get there (or come back to Sardinia – you don’t want to sleep in the prison, right? 😅)

Once on the island, you can visit the prison , picnic in a cove and see the famous albino dwarf donkeys of Asinara .

As it’s a protected area, you won’t really be able to take a dip there. Swimming is prohibited in most beaches.

Alghero is another town that’s worth a visit in Sardinia

Located on the North-Western coast, the city is famous for its historical center and paved alleys, full of monuments to check out.

For sure, Alghero is a very nice town , but let’s be honest, it’s also very touristy!

You will find gift shops, restaurants and coffee shops everywhere . There are also many stores selling coral jewelry , the specialty of the region.

So, what are the best things to do in Alghero, Sardinia ?

• Take a walk on the ramparts, they have been recently renovated so it’s really nice
• Wander in the old city and its narrow streets
• Go for a stroll along the Lungomare promenade
• Discover Alghero cathedral
• Go up the cathedral bell tower and enjoy the view
• Have a drink on Piazza Civica, the main square in Alghero
• Visit the Coral Museum, to discover local craft
• Book a tour to the Neptune caves (more details below)

For more information about Alghero, you can read my detailed article about the city: The 6 Best things to do in Alghero

And if you chose Alghero as your base during your stay in Sardinia, you should definitely read my itinerary to visit Alghero and its surroundings in one week:   North West of Sardinia in a week

The Neptune caves are a another must-see during a trip to Sardinia.

Located close to Alghero , there are several ways to go to the Neptune caves:

• By boat from Alghero. The boat drops you off at the entrance and pick you up after your visit. You should book your tickets in advance.
• By boat from the pier in Porto Conte, the last village before the caves.
• On foot! You’ll have to go down the 654 steps carved in the cliff , it’s quite impressive. Don’t forget that you’ll also have to climb them back later! It’s the most exhausting option but it’s the “safest” one in a way: when the sea is a bit rough, boats can’t disembark passengers and have to go back to the port.

The caves are 4km long but only a part of it is open to the public. During your visit, you will see numerous stalactites and stalagmites and even an inland lake.

Only guided tours are available, they start every hour from 9:00 to 19:00 . So keep in mind that if you come to the cave at 09:10, you’ll have to wait for the 10:00 tour.

The tour takes about 45min and costs 13€ per person (7€ for children).

Looking for the best places to visit in Sardinia?

Then Castelsardo, a lovely medieval village located in Sassari province is a great choice for a few hours stop.

And if I say medieval village, you say… castles and ramparts! Castelsardo will not disappoint you on that.

You can go on a nice walk in the village , discover the cathedral, the bell tower, the chiesa di Santa Maria and the castle. You’ll find inside a museum dedicated to the famous local craft: basketry.

You’ll even be able to see on the streets a few old ladies still practicing this art. They’ll be delighted to give you a demonstration!

Castelsardo is a popular stop for tours, so you’ll also find there the usual gift shops and local craft shops, along with many bars and restaurants . Allow about 1 or 2 hours for the whole visit.

Speaking of Castelsardo, don’t forget to also stop by the Elephant Rock located nearby.

As its name suggest, this rock, the most famous of Sardinia, has the shape of an elephant. There are also two neolithic tombs inside .

You must stop there to take a few pics!

I can’t talk about the best things to do in Sardinia without mentioning the Costa Paradiso, a stunning coast with many coves. It’s really a place you should visit during your trip to Sardinia.

Usually, on your way to the coast and the village , you have to go through a gated road with a guard . I say “usually” because, when we went there, the gate was open and there was no guard in sight.

After that, the road goes down towards the sea and goes through many holiday homes more or less hidden in the surrounding nature.

Even if it overall looks very nice, you’ll quickly understand that you’ve arrived in the super touristy part of Sardinia , with its big holiday resorts and higher prices.

In a way it’s like the French Riviera of Sardinia!

The most popular cove in Costa Paradiso is Li Cossi . You can get there following a very beautiful (and easy) path for about 10min on foot from the parking lot.

The cove is magnificent but quite small , so it’s always a bit crowded. It makes sense given how many houses are located close to it.

On the beach, You will find a bar and you can also rent paddle boats and kayaks.

You should really do this kind of activities there: with the pink granite rock and the turquoise water , the landscape is splendid!

The Capo Testa was one of my favorite place during my trip to Sardinia.

Capo Testa was used during Roman times as a granite carry and is now a long stretch of giant rock formations with surprising shapes ! This phenomenon is due to erosion in this area located right next to the sea.

It’s really an amazing place, you can walk around the site at your own pace and take pictures of all these giant rocks.

There is also a few beautiful beaches in Capo Testa:

• Spiaggia Zia Culumba with its big rocks and crystal clear water
• Cala Spinosa, turquoise water and nice rock formations!
• Cala Francese, accessible via a path from Capo Testa lighthouse
• Ponente beach and Rena di Levante beach, 2 large fine sandy beaches.

The Maddalena Island is for sure one of the best places to visit in Sardinia.

The island is part of the Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park, made of 7 islands.

The 2 biggest, La Maddalena and La Caprera (more info about it below), are the only ones you can visit by car. The other smaller islands can only by explored by boat.

To go to Maddalena Island , there are ferries leaving from Palau .

The trip lasts about 20min and costs 40€ roundtrip for 2 people and a car. Several companies offer this trip every day.

The main attraction in La Maddalena is, without a doubt, the beaches . There is no city or specific villages to visit.

You should rent a car and drive along the panoramic road going around the island to enjoy the views. You should of course take beach breaks whenever you feel like it.

Here are the best spots to take a dip on Maddalena island:

• Bassa Trinita: white sand and clear water are waiting for you there. It’s also a very popular beach so there’s often a lot of people
• Spiaggia di Monte di Rena: a large sandy beach, also quite popular
• Spiaggia del Cardellino: a quieter beach located right after Monte di Rena. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the sea in Sardinia
• Spalmatore beach, one of the most touristy on the Island
• Testa del Polpo beach or Capocchia du Purpu, meaning “octopus head”. You must stop there, it’s in my opinion the best beach of La Maddalena. Turquoise shallow water, big rocks, it looks just like the Seychelles!

If you also want to visit the other islands only accessible by boat (such as Budelli or Spargi ), you should book your day trip now (click here) .

This full day trip will take you around the islands with several beach breaks or visits. It also includes the lunch.

For more details about the Maddalena, you should read my article: How to visit the Maddalena archipelago?

Voyage Tips Advice During your boat trip from Palau to reach la Maddalena , you can see in the distance on your left the famous Roccia del Orso, a rock shaped like a bear.

It’s possible to visit the site, but you have to pay for both the parking and the entrance to the site, that’s a lot just to look at a rock.

La Caprera is the 2nd biggest island of the Maddalena archipelago . It’s super easy to go there, you just have to cross the bridge connecting it with its neighbor , La Maddalena island.

There too, you’ll find many amazing beaches:

• Cala Serena: easily a accessible on foot (10min away from Garibaldi beach) it is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful beach of La Caprera
• Cala Caprarese: located at the mouth of a river, it looks like you’re in a small fjord
• Cala Napoletana: the most popular beach, with many boats moored close by
• The isolated beaches: Cala Brigantina and Cala Coticcio. You’ll need to walk a bit more to reach them.

After the beach, go to the Teialone tower viewpoint . A staircase leads to the highest point of the island, at 212 metres above sea level.

Of course, don’t forget to go the house of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Compendio Garibaldino.

You may not know it, but the Italian patriot bought the island and made it his home when he retired. Nowadays, you can go on a guided tour of his home.

The best way to finish your visit of La Caprera is to go to the Batteria Poggio Rasu Superiore .

This former military battery offers the most beautiful view over the whole island and its surroundings. You may even spot wild goats there!

You’ll find more information about visiting Caprera island in my article: The best things to do in La Maddalena archipelago.

Voyage Tips Advice For your lunch break on Caprera island, you shouold go to “I Mille” .

The Costa Smeralda is very popular in Sardinia among the jet set and other wealthy people.

It’s really the place to be and to be seen for all the billionaires with their yachts.

Porto Cervo port, the “capital” of Costa Smeralda, is filled with luxury boats . You’ll also find there many luxury boutiques , perfect to get the latest trendy bag. A few celebrities like Harrison Ford or Sting own big properties there.

The beaches around Porto Cervo are in the same vibe: no free parking lots, most of the beaches are private with sun beds everywhere . Nevertheless, they are still really beautiful. Just don’t go there if you want to be alone 😋.

Where to take a dip on the Costa Smeralda:

• Pevero beach, located 3km away from Porto Cervo, this beach is very popular and often crowded. When we were there, we even saw a 100 meters long yacht in the bay
• Principe beach : also very popular (and very nice) beach
• Romazzino beach
• Capriccioli beach
• Ruja beach: an upscale private beach, well equipped.

If you plan to go to Costa Smeralda during your trip to Sardinia, You should read my detailed Costa Smeralda guide: How to visit the Costa Smeralda?

Voyage Tips Advice It was the Aga Khan who decided to buy that land in 1962, and create the Costa Smeralda consortium .

His goal was to turn this region into a renowned holiday resort .

When you visit Sardinia , you can also discover beautiful mountain villages such as Orgosolo .

Orgosolo is famous for its “murals” , paintings and frescos painted directly on the houses facades .

Most of them have some kind of political message or are related to major international events such as 9/11 for example. There are more than 200 murals in Orgosolo.

Most frescoes are located along the Corso Repubblica and the adjacent streets.

If you want to know the story behind the murals, you should rent an audioguide with a map (5€/person) , or just the map for 3€ if you prefer.

Of course, you can also simply wander in the streets for free!

This place is quite popular, so you’ll find many tourist shops selling murals-related products: mousepads, coasters, t-shirts, and even postcards.

The main tourist attraction in the Gulf of Orosei are the cruises, taking you to coves that are only accessible by boat.

Most boats leave from Cala Gonone , a small coastal town.

There are many cruises agencies to choose from , they are located in the city center and on the pier . Overall, they all offer the same kind of trips, for the same price.

However, as the place is very famous, you should really book your cruise at least a day in advance.

There are 3 ways to discover the Gulf of Orosei by boat:

• A sailboat cruise: it’s a full-day tour, about 90€ per person, including lunch and several beach breaks.
• A zodiac cruise with a skipper driving the boat. You will do several stops in coves and it costs about 40€ per person. Departure at 9:30 and return at 17:30.
• Renting a zodiac that you can drive yourself even without a boat license. It costs around 120€ for the boat and gas. It’s the option I have choosen during my trip, as I am not a big fan of strict schedule. I really prefer to go where I want, when I want! At the end of the day if you’re at least 4 people, it’s even cheaper than a cruise. Besides, it’s super fun (and not too complicated) to drive the boat.

Whatever way you choose, here are the best coves of the Gulf of Orosei:

• Cala Sisine
• Cala Biriola
• Cala Mariolu
• Cala Gabbiani
• Cala Goloritzé

This cruise is one of the best activity you can do in Sardinia!

For more information, check out my detailed article: How to visit the Gulf of Orosei and Supramonte.

Located in the Gulf of Orosei, not far from the coves, the Bue Marino caves are a major point of interest in this part of Sardinia.

They’re named after the monk seal, called, “bue marino” in Italian. These caves were its last shelter before it went extinct.

You need to go there by boat, and departures are only from Cala Gonone.

There are 2 types of tours to visit the caves:

• A full day cruise including stops at the coves and the cave (40€ + 9€ entrance fee to the cave)
• A shuttle boat to the cave (about 25€ roundtrip with entrance fee to the cave included).

Some tour agencies also offer a visit to the cave with a beach break in Cala Luna. It’s up to you, depending on how long you plan to stay there.

There are only guided tours of the caves, starting every hour , and lasting about one hour. You’ll discover a large and beautiful limestone cave , including the candelabra hall and the mirrors hall.

Do you want to do a bit of hiking during your trip to Sardinia?

Then you should go to the Gorropu gorge. This gorge, one of the deeepest in Europe , is one of the most beautiful hiking spots in Sardinia!

It’s located not far from the Gulf of Orosei, and it’s accessible via the Dorgali-Arbatax road , also named SS125. This scenic road will allow you to enjoy beautiful views of the mountains along the way.

There are several hike departure points to go to the gorge.

• One starts from the parking located close to the Silana Hotel , km 183 on the SS125 road.
• Another is located on the Ponte Sa Barva , 15km away from Dorgali.

Either way, it’s at least a 4-5 hours hike.

Once you reach the entrance of the gorge, you’ll have to pay 5€ to get in . Then, you’ll be able to walk around and explore the canyon , with its huge limestone cliffs.

The last part of the canyon (the red path) is only allowed if you’re with a guide. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a lot of water with you!

For the way back , if you’re too tired, you can hop on a Jeep that will take you back to the parking lot for about 15€.

Remember though that it takes about one hour walking to get to the Jeeps.

Where to go in Sardinia to see magnificent beaches?

The answer is simple: everywhere!

Indeed, when you’re in Sardinia, you can take a beach break anytime and it won’t take you long to find the perfect beach. From small isolated coves to long sandy beaches filled with sun beds , there’s something for everyone.

I already mentioned plenty of beaches in this article, so here’s a recap of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Sardinia:

• Su Giudeu beach on the Costa del Sud
• Cala Lunga on Sant’Antioco island
• Pelosa beach in Stintino
• Li Cossi beach on the Costa Paradiso
• Capocchia du Purpu beach on Maddalena island
• Spiaggia del Principe (Prince’s beach) on the Costa Smeralda
• All the beaches in the Gulf of Orosei

Of course there are hundreds of others beaches in Sardinia, so it would be impossible to give you a complete list… But I’ll soon share with you a full guide of the best beaches in Sardinia!

Tired of the beach and looking for alternative activities in Sardinia?

Why not cool down a bit and go visit cave?

Besides the Neptune caves and Bue Marino caves I talked about earlier, there are other interesting caves to visit in Sardinia.

Which caves to visit in Sardinia?

• Su Marmuri cave: located close to Ulassai and Tortoli, the cave is 1km long and up to 50 meters high. It’s for sure one of the most impressive caves in Sardinia. The visit last about 1 hour and you’ll see many rock formations, some with surprising shapes. I loved it!
• Ispinigoli cave: located in the area of Dorgali, close to the Gulf of Orosei. It’s worth going there to see the giant stalagmite, it’s more than 38 meters tall! You can only visit with a 45 minutes guided tour.
• Is Zuddas cave: located 6km away from Santadi, it’s a beautiful cave with amazing crystals in the last hall. Allow about 1h for the guided tour.
• Su Mannau cave: located close to Fluminimaggiore. The visit last 1 hour and you’ll see several indoor lakes.
• San Giovanni cave: located 4 km away from Domusnovas, this small cave with stalactites and stalagmites is free to visit.

If you’re going to Sardinia, you should at least once eat at an agriturismo (a kind of farm stay), it’s the best place to taste authentic Sardinian cuisine!

A typical agriturismo menu includes:

• Some antispati: a plate filled with cheese, cured meat + roasted and marinated vegetables such as eggplant or artichoke.
• A primo piatto: usually a pasta dish. Some popular Sardinian specialties are the gnochetti (shell shaped pasta) and the culurgiones (a kind of cheese stuffed ravioli served with tomato sauce).
• A secondo piatto: it can be meat or fish, served with a salad and vegetables. One Sardinian specialty is porceddu, a roasted suckling pig.
• A dessert: the sebadas are the most common desserts. These are fried ricotta puff pastries topped with honey. It’s so delicious!
• A digestive: It will often be a “mirto”, the most famous one.

Menus in agriturismos have fixed price, usually between 25€ and 30€ per person , drinks included (water + wine).

I can guarantee that you’re getting a great value for your money, because the portion are ultra generous! It’s hard to get to the end of the meal.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to 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? 😊

And you, what do you plan to visit during your trip to 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 my articles to help you plan your trip to Sardinia are listed here.

• 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 2 comments.

Very informative! Thank you! Would you have a lists of agritourismi?

Thanks Carol! I’m glad my article helps you to plan your trip to Sardinia.

You can find a list of all the agriturismo’s restaurant with prices and localisation here: Agriturismo in Sardinia.

However, if you also want to book a room (not just the meal), you should not use the website I mentionned above. With the current situation, it’s better to go trought an international website like booking.com . Else you might not get refunded if your trip is canceled.

You can find all the info you need to prepare your trip to Sardinia such as itineraries and things do on the different parts of the island (Cagliari, Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena…) by clicking on this link: Destination Sardinia .

And if you need more help to organize your stay, don’t hesitate to ask me.

Enjoy your trip to Sardinia!

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Plan Your Trip to Sardinia: Best of Sardinia Tourism

Essential Sardinia

How to do Sardinia in 7 days

Where to live like a local in Cagliari

Browse collections

Sailing around sardinia.

Step back in time

Day-to-night beach fun

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Hiking and biking the island

• Kemani Wine Restaurant Villa Sara Olbia
• Agriturismo Su Nuratolu
• El Davalito
• Ristorante Pasta e Vino
• Spiaggia Rena Bianca
• Grotta del Bue Marino
• Cala Sinzias
• Selvaggio Blu
• Budelli arcipelago Maddalena
• Guided boat excursion "Sella del Diavolo". Possible sighting of "Dolphins"
• Catamaran Tour TENERE' Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione
• Underground Cagliari tour
• One Day Guided Boat Tour along the Baunei Coast
• Boat tour of the devil's saddle with swimming and aperitif stops

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Sardinia

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated May 3, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Maybe the only thing you've heard about Sardinia is its fabled Costa Smeralda, Emerald Coast, which takes its name from the color of the water that laps against its white-sand beaches. But there is a lot more to the rugged Mediterranean island than this sybaritic jet set paradise.

Tourists seeing Sardinia for the first time are surprised to discover that an island so well known for its outstanding beaches can be so rugged and mountainous only a few kilometers from the wave-washed sands. That combination of mountains and pristine beaches make it one of the most beautiful islands in the world .

The other thing that may surprise you is the staggering number of prehistoric sites, especially the enigmatic round stone towers known as nuraghi (singular: nuraghe). You'll learn about the mysteries these prehistoric forts/dwellings hide as you climb their dark stone stairs and explore passageways built in the Bronze and Iron ages. You can also walk on original Roman streets and visit the windswept ruins of cities built by the Phoenicians.

Unique local customs and traditional festivals, attractions you'll find no place else, a cuisine that's quite distinct from the rest of Italy, even a different language (although everyone speaks Italian, and many speak English) make Sardinia a one-of-a-kind place to visit. Discover the best things to do on this fascinating island with our list of the top attractions in Sardinia.

1. Cagliari and the Costa Sud

2. tour nuraghe su nuraxi, 3. visit the costa smeralda, 4. watch the sunset from alghero, 5. nuraghe losa, 6. explore arzachena's prehistoric sites, 7. santa cristina nuraghe and the holy well, 8. discover nuoro and the gennargentu, 9. valle dei nuraghi (valley of nuraghi), 10. enjoy the beaches of capo testa, 11. arcipelago de la maddalena (maddalena islands), 12. tharros, 14. climb to castelsardo, 15. cruise to grotta di nettuno, 16. costa verde, 17. sassari, getting to sardinia, map of attractions & things to do in sardinia.

Most tourists begin their visit in the island capital of Cagliari , stopping at least to climb from Piazza della Costituzione to Bastione San Remy. Built to defend the Castello quarter, site of the beautiful cathedral and the stronghold of whoever controlled the city at the time, today they provide both historical and visual perspective, with sweeping views over the city and bay.

Not far from the Bastione San Remy is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, with beautifully displayed Punic, Greek, and Roman artifacts, as well as ancient gold work and other treasures discovered in the enigmatic round stone structures called nuraghi , which you will see all over Sardinia.

Head east from the city, and in minutes you can be sunning yourself on one of the fabled beaches that makes Sardinia one of Europe's favorite summer playgrounds. South of Cagliari, the Costa Sud offers tourists a glimpse of Sardinia's infinite variety. From the medieval streets and tall bastions of Cagliari, it's only a few kilometers to the ruins of the ancient city of Nora , where Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans had their trading posts.

Between the headlands beyond Nora are white sandy beaches of the Costa Sud. Some, like Porto Campana and Spiaggia Sa Colonia, are long stretches with long shallow drop-offs, perfect for families with children. Others, like Porticciolo Beach, are beautiful and secluded crescents of white sand. Some have refreshment kiosks and facilities for water sports. The Costa Sud has some of the best beaches in Sardinia.

Within easy reach of Cagliari and the airport, and close to the archeological site of Nora, Forte Village Resort is a self-contained group of hotels overlooking the beach, with water sports, swimming pools, playgrounds, and other recreation facilities. Forte Village is one of the top hotels and resorts in Sardinia.

Remains of literally thousands of these stone towers scatter throughout Sardinia, most in complete ruin, but this is the best preserved and most complete. It is also the closest major one to Cagliari, and the best interpreted, with 30-minute tours and English-speaking guides.

If you can see only one, see this one, which UNESCO cited as one of the best restorations anywhere in the Mediterranean . Timber found in the walls of the central tower was carbon dated to 1,500 BC, and the outer towers were built in the 11th or 12th century BC. You can go inside the tower, climbing to its upper reaches for a close-up view of the stacked dome made of dry stones without mortar.

Spiral stairways inside its 1.8-meter walls connect the three stories, and as you climb through the passageways, you can appreciate the finesse of the engineering and workmanship these prehistoric people achieved.

After exploring the towers and the foundations of the ancient village surrounding it, be sure to stop in the Casa Zapata Museum , in the village, where, along with other fascinating exhibits, you can see another nuraghe that has been excavated under the building. Here, you get a bird's-eye view of the construction from a walkway above the walls.

Address: SS 131, Barumini (near Sanluri)

From the port town of Olbia to the tip of Capo de Testa some of the world's most beautiful beaches are set in craggy coves washed by a sea so green and clear that it's known to the world as the Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast.

The comparison with one of the most expensive jewels might also apply to the clientele that has frequented the coast since it was developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960s into a series of resorts for the uber-wealthy. Cosseted resort "villages" are built to resemble Greek islands and the Riviera.

The center of all this is Porto Cervo , a resort village and marina for private yachts built in the 1960s. The resorts take guests by boat to the secluded beaches, which are inaccessible by land. People-watching is Porto Cervo's primary attraction for those not booked into a resort. The most modest resort town in the region is lively little Cannigione , on the Gulf of Arzachena.

The five-star L'ea Bianca Luxury Resort , near Porto Cervo, personifies the sybaritic lifestyle that made the Costa Smeralda famous, its smart rooms overlooking the sea from private balconies.

Don't be surprised if the language you hear around you in this lively seaside city sounds a bit different-almost like Spanish. It is, and you may still find some signs and labels in Spanish, too. A 14th-century Pope gave Sardinia to the King of Aragon, hoping to wrest the island from control of Pisa and Genoa.

The king gave fiefdoms to about 400 families from Aragon and Catalonia if they would settle the island with a base in Alghero, displacing the local population. Mass in the church of San Francesco is still said in Catalan, and you should add it to your sightseeing list to see the graceful 13th-century cloister, reached through the sacristy to the left of the altar.

The 14th-century cathedral has a Spanish Gothic doorway. As afternoon fades into evening, one of the popular things to do is climb the walls built by the Spanish to protect against attack by sea, and join locals for an evening promenade along their wide bastions to watch the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Another vantage point for watching the sunset is from a former private palazzo overlooking the sea, the old town bastions and beautiful Capo Caccia, Villa las Tronas Hotel & Spa was a favorite retreat of the Savoy royal family, and the service and accommodations are still fit for a king.

You may wonder if you need to stop at every nuraghe, and if you haven't become fascinated with these mysterious towers by now, perhaps you shouldn't. But most tourists quickly fall under the spell of these towers, of which so much remains unknown, and soon discover that each one is quite different.

Considered one of the three best, Losa has several distinctions. It is lighted inside by recessed lamps, so if you don't carry a flashlight, this is your chance to see the interior details of its stacked stone thalos domes. It is one of the most complex, a large tower with three outer towers forming a triangular bastion, which you can explore through a maze of stone passageways that spiral up inside its massive walls.

The second floor is still intact and the roof complete. Although dating from about the 12th to 14th centuries BC (the Bronze Age), the large central room of the main tower is in excellent condition and more refined in its construction than most others. A tiny museum contains bronze bracelets and other artifacts found here.

Location: Off SS 131, close to Abbasanta

One of the highest concentrations of Stone and Copper Ages attractions is only a few kilometers from the Costa Smeralda resorts, but seems a whole world away. The six notable sites include nuraghi, burial sites, and the curious chambered tombs known locally as tomba gigante (giants' graves).

The principal chambered tomb of Coddu Vecchiu , a tunnel grave from the 18th century BC, had an entry facade of flat stones added several centuries later, and another, Li Lolghi , has a similar entrance, but with a three-and-a-half-meter standing stone.

The nearby necropolis of Li Muri had stone graves built inside circles of flat standing stones once covered by mounds of earth. Nuraghi Albucciu is unusual in that its shape is oval, with one side formed by a large stone outcrop. Nuraghe La Prisgiona is the most recently excavated, a central tower with two side towers and the remains of a village.

This region is known for its rock outcrops, often eroded by the wind into curious shapes; one just east of Arzachena looks like a giant mushroom. A short walk from one of these outcrops, in the hills above Arzachena, the cottages of Tenuta Pilastru are tastefully decorated in locally crafted furnishings and art, and each has its own terrace for savoring the view. Savor, too, the meals at the outstanding restaurant.

Not far north of Oristano is one of Sardinia's most atmospheric and diverse archaeological attractions, where you can see a remarkably preserved "holy well" -a well temple from 1200-1100 BC-and a nuraghe tower where you can climb to its open wildflower-strewn roof for views down onto the prehistoric stone village that surrounded it.

One of the oblong houses still has its stone roof intact. Take a flashlight, so you can see the interior as you climb to the nuraghe roof. If you want another layer of history, stop between the well and the nuraghe to see the group of tiny stone pilgrim lodgings, former monks' cells surrounding a 12th-century church. Pilgrimages still come here in May and October.

Location: Cabras, 19 kilometers west of Oristano

Clinging to the top of a steep mountain ridge, the precipitous streets of Nuoro open to views in every direction. The 19th-century cathedral of Santa Maria della Neve sits above a cliff that drops straight into the valley, and the small plaza in front of the church is almost the only level spot in town.

Nuoro is a good base for exploring the surrounding Gennargentu , Sardinia's most rugged and beautiful interior mountains, and the remote villages ( Mamoiada is especially interesting), which seem barely touched by the 20th century, let alone the 21st. It's a fascinating region, with towns clinging to steep mountainsides and local customs that still ring of the ancient past. Trekking through the Gola Su Gorropu, known as Europe's Grand Canyon, is one of the best things to do in Italy for adventure seekers.

Driving here, however, is not for the faint of heart, as roads are narrow and steep with hairpin turns over sheer drops, without railings. You can learn more about these villages and their often strange customs at the outstanding Museo Etnografico Sardo (Museum of Sardinian Traditions), which alone is worth a stopover in Nuoro.

This is the island's best collection (and brilliantly displayed) of Sardinian costume and decorative art; clothing is shown on models with jewelry and accessories worn at weddings and festivals. An entire gallery displays traditional masks. While you're there, the National Archeological Museum has collections excavated from the Neolithic sites, as well as fossils.

Ringed by the cones of ancient volcanoes, this broad, flat valley, scattered with eroded rock formations, is also sprinkled with prehistoric sites, foremost of them, the 16-meter-tall Nuraghe Santu Antine .

One of the island's three largest and most complex, with three towers connected by a defensive wall, Santu Antine was built in the 16th century BC. This is one of the most interesting to explore, because you can climb the stairs inside the thick walls of the central tower to the second and third floors, which are intact, and follow an upper corridor from the west to the north towers.

From the top, you can see several other nuraghi, and a short drive away is Sant'Andrea Priu , tombs carved into a rock somewhere between 4000 and 3000 BC. They were used in medieval times as hermitages, and you can see frescoes painted inside some. This site is open irregularly, but you can see it from the entrance and climb a trail to see those on the top.

Location: Off SS 131, Torralba, Sardegna

In Northern Sardinia, between the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena Islands, Capo Testa shares the same luminous turquoise waters and pristine sandy beaches. Many of these are backed by cliffs and rock formations that are carved into fantastic shapes by the wind, making them among the island's most scenic beaches.

Best of all, unlike those of the Costa Smeralda, these beaches are free, and you don't need to take a boat to get to them. Near the pleasant town of Santa Teresa Gallura, where there are hotels and restaurants, you'll find three of the area's seven Blue Flag beaches: Rena di Ponente, Rena Levante , and Rena Bianca . The latter is the largest, with a gentle slope and shallow waters. Those looking for windsurfing and snorkeling waters should head to Santa Reparata .

Ferries leave the little port of Palau regularly for the half-hour trip to La Maddalena, the only town in the archipelago in the Strait of Bonifacio, between Sardinia and Corsica . Apart from the beaches, the most remote of which are reached only by boat, tourists come here to cross over the causeway and bridge to the neighboring island of Caprera .

The home here of Giuseppe Garibaldi , revered as the father of the Italian state for his leadership in the fight for Italian unity and independence, is a national monument that attracts visitors from all over Italy and beyond. The other end of the island has several beaches, easy to find by paths leading from the single road.

The sea around the islands is popular with sailors. The combination of white- and pink-sand beaches , crystal waters, and a myriad of secluded beaches on tiny islands put the Maddalenas among the best European beach destinations .

Walk amid the stone remains of Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman cultures on this rocky point and try to picture what it looked like when the Roman streets beneath your feet were lined by shops where you now see only foundations and doorsteps. Columns from the baths still stand, along with parts of the aqueduct and temples; the amphitheater overlooks the sea.

On the hilltop above is a Phoenician necropolis (they left about 650 BC). For a sense of what archaeologists have found here, visit the excellent Museo Civico Giovanni Marongiu in the town of Cabras where carved stone stele, funerary urns, and other finds are displayed, positioned as they were originally found.

You can see more of the treasures unearthed here in the Antiquarium Arborense museum, in the small city of Oristano , also nearby. The Duomo of Santa Maria in Oristano dates from medieval times, but was renovated during the Spanish rule of this part of Sardinia in the 18th and 19th centuries, which accounts for the colorful tiles covering its domes.

A former private palazzo, Residenza d'Epoca Regina d'Arborea has elegant rooms furnished with antiques and Murano chandeliers. Although it's one minute from the Duomo of Santa Maria in the center of Oristano, the hotel provides free parking. The sumptuous breakfast is served on fine china.

Since the 9th century BCE, Bosa has overlooked the mouth of Sardinia's only navigable river, in a valley that is today green with farms. A tangle of medieval streets winds from the old stone bridge and pastel buildings lining the riverfront to the hilltop Malaspina Castle . The palm-lined riverfront, colorful houses, and castle rising above them make Bosa one of the most charming towns in Europe .

Although you can drive straight to the castle, take some time to walk in the old streets, where modest little houses mix comfortably with grand noble homes; the restored manor house of Casa Deriu is open as a museum with furnished rooms and an art gallery. Inside the castle is a 13th-century chapel, where you should see the unusual 14th-century fresco cycle.

The coastal road north from Bosa to Alghero is spectacular, and not at all hair-raising, despite its height above the sea in places.

As attractive as the busy little fishing harbor town is, with its pastel houses climbing up the hill, it pales compared to the medieval village inside the walls above. At the very top is a 12th-century castle with a good museum that explores the local craft specialty of basket making.

The narrow streets around the castle wind steeply down the hill, breaking into steps at the steepest points, and in doorways, you may see women weaving baskets with intricate designs. Views from the top extend in both directions along the coast and as far as Corsica.

The Duomo, in the little plaza below, has one of Sardinia's finest altarpieces, dating from the 15th century, along with fine woodcarvings in the choir and a crypt. Its bell tower began life as a lighthouse.

Take a cruise from the Banchina Dogana (harbor) in Alghero to the tip of Capo Caccia, the long headland that you saw from Alghero's walls, to visit this beautiful cave, bristling with stalagmites and stalactites that reflect in an underground lake.

The Grotta di Nettuno was carved by the sea, in cliffs that tower almost 304 meters above. The mouth of the cave is at sea level, and arriving by water is the most dramatic way to approach, not to mention the easiest. But you can also drive here, about 14 kilometers from Alghero, passing an interesting nuraghi alongside the road. Once here, you'll need to walk down (and, remember, also climb back up) on the 656 steps of the Escala del Cabirol (goat stairs), carved into the face of the cliff.

Location: Capo Caccia, Alghero, Sardinia

Some of the best beaches in Italy , miles of dune-backed sands along the southwest coast, are among the best-kept secrets of Sardinia. The Costa Verde has few tourist services, hence few tourists, which is one of its chief attractions. You'll find small hotels and comfortable country guesthouses, such as the modest Hotel Corsaro Nero , on a hillside overlooking the beach at Portu Maga.

Be prepared to bring your own loungers and beach umbrellas, and don't expect to find beach-side snack bars. But do expect to find secluded spots without another person in sight, along with wide beaches and dunes as high as 60 meters, among Europe's highest.

The only beach where you're likely to find vendors and kiosks is Scivu Beach, where a three kilometer stretch of white sand still leaves everyone plenty of space. This western shore of Sardinia gets more active surf and more wind than the eastern and southern beaches, so the Costa Verde is not an ideal place to visit for family holidays.

Sassari, Sardinia's second largest city, is a lively university and cultural center, and boasts some fine buildings in Catalan Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. Walk down Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the main street in medieval times, looking up to see old porticos and windows on homes from the region's Spanish period, five centuries ago.

Museo Nazionale Sanna , one of Sardinia's most important museums, displays archaeological collections that include Nuragic bronze figures and jewelry, as well as Roman artifacts. Don't miss the Duomo, whose façade is a riot (you might say a hodge-podge) of 17th-century ornament styles, created by stone carvers from Milan.

Several other churches are worth looking inside if they are open, but the most memorable of all stands almost alone in a landscape of grazing sheep about 12 kilometers south of Sassari on SS 131. The black-and-white striped tower soars above the church and ruined cloister of Santissima Trinità di Saccargia , the finest example of Pisan architecture in Sardinia. Inside, if you're lucky enough to find it open, are 13th-century frescoes.

Car ferries connect Sardinia to mainland Italy, 193 kilometers away, and less frequently to Mediterranean ports in both France and Spain. Ferries leave from Savona (on the western Italian Riviera), Genoa, Livorno (near Pisa), and Civitavecchia (Rome), arriving at the Sardinian ports of Cagliari (the capital in the southern part of the island), Arbatax (on the east coast), Olbia (Costa Smeralda), and Porto Torres (north coast).

Lines serving Sardinia are Tirrenia, Grandi Navi Veloci, Moby Lines, Snav, Corsica/Sardinia Ferries, and Grimaldi Lines. Regular flights connect Cagliari International Airport to Rome and other cities, and smaller airports for domestic and other flights are at Olbia and Alghero.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Exploring by Ferry: From Cagliari, you can travel by ferry to Palermo to tour the attractions of Sicily , which also has some of the best beaches in Italy . From Palau, on the north coast, you can take a day trip - or longer-to explore Corsica , the neighboring French island. From here, you can take a ferry to chic Nice , a good base to explore the beautiful Côte d'Azur .

Other Mediterranean Islands to Visit: If sampling Sardinia whets your appetite for more island living, you might explore the Spanish island of Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands , or see the attractions of Malta .

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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.

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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Cala Coticcio from the air: Alien / Adobe Stock

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Sardinia   Travel Guide

Courtesy of lucafabbian | Getty Images

6 Best Things To Do in Sardinia

Updated February 11, 2021

Most of the best things to do in Sardinia are concentrated on the coasts. The cerulean waters and soft beaches found at places like Cala Mariolu and Parco Nazionale dell'Archipelago di La Maddalena are some of the main draws, but hiking the northern

• All Things To Do

Cala Mariolu Cala Mariolu free

Reaching Cala Mariolu, a pebble beach segmented by large limestone rocks on Sardinia's east coast, takes some effort – but most travelers say the picturesque spot is worth the exertion. The waters that lap the shore are every shade of blue, and the tucked-away spot feels like a hidden paradise. 

Although most visitors say that this beach is truly magnificent, some say that the sheer number of beachgoers can detract from its tranquility. Several visitors recommend renting snorkeling equipment to use at a nearby, swimmable cove.

Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena free

The Parco Nazionale dell'Archipelago di La Maddalena is a collection of islands scattered off Sardinia's northeastern coast. Established as a geomarine national park in 1994, the islands have been on UNESCO's World Heritage site's shortlist since 2006 for their variety of marine and plant life. But tourists tend to visit for the eye candy – the rock formations, the snow-white beaches and the blue-green Mediterranean waters.

Recent travelers said this group of islands rivals those in the Caribbean, thanks to the culture, food and beauty of the place. Others call it a paradise and gush over its crystal clear aquamarine waters.

Capo Testa Capo Testa free

With its wind-whipped granite boulders, the rocky coves of Capo Testa on Sardinia's northern headland are almost sculptural in shape and begging to be hiked and photographed. The nearby lighthouse, Faro di Capo Testa, provides another photo op. While here, stop at beaches like Spiaggia Rena di Levante and Spiaggia Rena di Ponente, which boast aquamarine waves that are as ideal for surfing as they are for wading. 

Recent travelers recommend getting to the beaches early to ensure you find a parking spot, since this area gets quite busy, particularly during the summer high season. 

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Sailing boat trip to the Devil's Saddle

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Sailboat tour from PALAU to the Maddalena Archipelago.

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Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda free

Costa Smeralda is where the jet set land when they arrive in Sardinia. The 35 miles that stretch out over the Emerald Coast are some of the most beautiful in Sardinia – even arguably in the entire Mediterranean – and they're dotted by marvels like Porto Cervo, a cobblestone port village with luxury retailers ideal for window-shopping, and beaches with gentle waters, such as Capriccioli. 

Recent visitors to Costa Smeralda were enchanted by its beaches, highlighting Capriccioli for its accessibility and parking, as well as its beach bar and surrounding shade trees. You'll find Costa Smeralda in northern Sardina. 

Su Nuraxi di Barumini Su Nuraxi di Barumini

To explore the past of the mysterious Nuragic civilization, you should head to Su Nuraxi di Barumini (in southern Sardinia). Although very little is known about the Nuragic people, a lot can be said for their construction prowess. These Bronze Age shepherds and peasants used stone to create elaborate structures, including the settlement at Su Nuraxi, though it's unclear whether they were defensive fortresses, palaces or temples. Here, a tour guide will lead you through the ruins of a Nuraghi fortress with its complex of towers, elaborate inner passageways and outer walls. In 1997, Su Nuraxi was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. 

Recent visitors were impressed with the site preservation here and recommended history and archaeology buffs take time to tour these amazing structures and the Casa Zapata museum. However, reviewers recommend skipping this attraction if you're traveling with young children as the grounds are not stroller-friendly. 

Museo Archeologico Nazionale Museo Archeologico Nazionale

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale tells a chronological history of the island through art and artifacts. Here, you'll see bronze figurines, or bronzetti , that date back to 1800 B.C., towering sandstone sculptures (referred to as the Giganti di Mont'e Prama) created by the Nuragic civilization, Roman-era busts, and more. Although this museum is one of five establishments grouped together at the Cittadella dei Musei, experts say if you're short on time, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale is the one to visit.

Visitors to the museum say that the exhibits on the mysterious Nuragic culture are particularly interesting, and they warn that most – but not all – of the exhibit descriptions are translated into English.

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Visit Sardinia, Italy: travel guide and tourist information

The Italian island of Sardinia is located in the Mediterranean, off the western coast of Italy, and a short distance south of the French island of Corsica.

A very popular summer destination with both Italians and other travellers, Sardinia has a wide range of places and scenic highlights to explore, from the sophistication of the Costa Smerelda to the rugged mountains of the interior, and a large number of popular beaches and resorts.

As well as its beauty, beaches, history and ideal Mediterranean climate that make it such a popular island the welcome that you will receive from the islanders ensures a holiday that won’t soon be forgotten.

With its turquoise waters and beautiful sandy beaches, the average temperature is between on the coastal regions is close to 30 degrees centigrade in the summer months, while inland on the plateau it can get much warmer. The 'winter' season is extremely short and Sardinia is a popular destination all year round.

There are many things to draw visitors to Sardinia in addition to the seaside resorts and beaches, such as the towns and villages that offer a sense of the history of the region, so be sure to allow time away from the beach when you visit! The variety of the history that you can see is a consequence of the many different powers that have controlled the island over the last 5000 years.

Almost unique to Sardinia, scattered across the Sardinian landscape you can also see more than 7000 'nuraghi', cone-shaped stone huts and fortresses, along with unusual temples and whole villages that date to the Bronze Age.

Selected towns on Sardinia

Highlights: towns and historical sights

Cagliari : at the southern gulf of Sardinia and the island’s main harbour, Cagliari has been the capital of Sardinia since Roman times and is one of the main entry points to the island with ferry services to Cagliari from Sicily and Naples.

Alghero : once used as a fortress for the Spanish Viceroy, you can still see many examples of 16th century architecture here and the seven towers that were used for defense that dominate this walled city.

Outside the old town, most of the activity is in and around the port where you will find row upon row of fishing boats with plenty of bars and places to eat along the way. Quick trips outside the town lead to the beaches at Porto Conte and to the impressive Palmavera Nurag ruins. See Alghero .

Nuoro : many feel that for a taste of the true Sardinia you should head into the mountains to visit the town of Nuoro. The region is very remote and the people here still speak the original language of Sardo and have hung on to many of their old traditions, including craft making. This entire region is considered to be a cultural center where artists, authors, and poets like to gather.

The landscape here is wild and beautiful, and Nouru is surround by three different mountain ranges. See Nuoro .

Of the many beaches on Sardinia there are a few that stand out as particularly well known:

Costa Smeralda : The “Emerald Coast” is the preferred spot on the island for the rich and famous of the world to come to play. Its beaches are hard to beat and there are many beautiful coves as well.

Cagliari : besides the cultural sites here and great shopping and restaurants, Cagliari features one of Sardinia’s longest beaches

Portobello : The town of Portobello is on the northern coast of the island and is thought of as the most romantic place in Sardinia. It sits right on what is thought of as a perfect “swimmer’s beach.”

Sardinian cuisine

Sardinia bases much of their food on the seafood that is so abundant locally, from the spicy fish soup called Burrida to lobster, crab, anchovies, squid and clams that are extremely popular in the local dishes. Don’t pass up the famous pasta dishes that include the Sardinian’s own versions of gnocchi and ravioli served with pungent cheeses. These dishes are wonderful served with one of the local wines.

Tourist Awards

There are two villages on Sardinia that are classified as being among the 'most beautiful villages in Italy: Bosa and Castelsardo . There are also several towns and villages that have received the Italian 'Orange Flag Award' for sustainable tourism: Aggius , Galtellì, Gavoi , Laconi , Oliena and Sardara.

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8 things to know before traveling to Sardinia, Italy

Mar 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Ensure you have the trip of a lifetime in Sardinia with these top tips © ivan canavera / Shutterstock

Ferries and resorts fill up during summer when crowds reach Sardinia to make the most of its dreamy coastline. But turquoise waters are just part of the allure. Ancient traditions blend with diverse landscapes on Italy ’s second island, where stretches of fine sand and soaring cliffs surround a mountainous interior covered in Mediterranean scrub.

Whether you are planning a road trip, a through-hike or a tour in search of the hidden coves that dot the rugged coast, here are some things you should keep in mind before visiting Sardinia.

1. Plan for at least a week to visit

Stretching for approximately 270km north to south, Sardinia may appear small on the map, but you’ll soon realize that covering each province could take weeks if you want to see all that this island has to offer. From exploring the ruins left behind by the ancient Nuragic civilization to diving into marine reserves dotting the coast and visiting wineries in the hilly interior, you’ll feel rushed if you plan to squeeze everything in just a few days.

Take at least a full week to travel beyond the highlights and make sure to organize each leg of your itinerary in advance if you are visiting in the high season, as many of the most popular destinations are likely to be fully booked months in advance.

Plan your itinerary with this list of the top things to do in Sardinia.

2. Avoid crowds and high prices by traveling during the shoulder season

Traveling to Sardinia in July and August means facing the infamous Italian peak holiday season – this is not just the hottest time of the year, but also the period in which the great majority of Italians take their annual holidays and flock to the coast. Crowds are to be expected, and everything becomes pricier in the middle of summer, from ferry tickets to hotels and car rentals.

Visiting before or after the summer will make your trip to Sardinia much more enjoyable. The island is sunny for much of the year, and the swimming season can start as early as April and runs until October. By avoiding peak summer months, you’ll also have access to affordable accommodation and the chance to move around spontaneously, without too much planning.

3. Don’t underestimate the heat

The heat is not to be taken lightly. Global warming is hitting Sardinia especially hard and record temperatures have been registered year after year – in late July of 2023, the eastern coast of the island surpassed 48°C (118°F), with a high risk of forest fires affecting much of the dry interior.

July and August are the warmest months. If you are visiting during this time of the year, it’s best to avoid hiking or cycling in the middle of the day. Needless to say, always carry plenty of water.

4. Fly or book a ferry to get to Sardinia

Sardinia is well connected to mainland Italy and many European destinations, thanks to three airports – Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero – located on three corners of the island. Cagliari , Sardinia’s capital, is the main entry point, but Alghero has long functioned as Ryanair’s main Sardinian airport, offering frequent low-cost flights year-round.

Flying is not the only way of getting to Sardinia. Ferries depart from the ports of Livorno and Piombino in Tuscany , from Civitavecchia (near Rome ), from Naples and from Palermo , allowing you to take the slow trip across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia’s eastern coast. Main operators include Moby, Tirrenia, Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi Lines. You also have the option of continuing your overseas journey to Spain by taking the ferry connecting Porto Torres with Barcelona or by heading north to Corsica .

Sardinia or Sicily? We'll help you choose .

5. Driving is the best way of getting around, but there is a shortage of rental cars

Sardinia has a decent rail network, and buses go where trains can’t. Yet, traveling by public transport is slow and doesn’t allow reaching the more remote areas, where many of the island’s natural wonders are found.

Traveling to Sardinia by ferry means you can take your vehicle with you from mainland Italy. Still, it’s worth comparing the prices of sea transport with those of car rentals, especially if you are visiting in the high season when ships fill up and ticket prices increase significantly.

If you choose to rent a car on arrival during the high season, book in advance. In recent years, Sardinia has experienced a shortage of car rentals, due to a combination of the global ship shortages, the effects of the pandemic on the local economy and the growth in popularity of the island in recent years.

6. Be ready to speak (or listen to) different languages

Sardinia is not just geographically diverse, it’s also linguistically rich. While Italian is spoken everywhere, the local language is Sardinian, a neo-Latin tongue that has been officially recognized as one of Italy’s minority languages and declared endangered by UNESCO. But Sardinian is not the only language spoken by the 1.6 million people living on the island – head northwest to the area of Alghero, and you’ll hear people speak a version of Catalan, a remnant of Spanish domination in the 16th and 17th centuries.

7. Choose between wilderness or hyper-luxury

In the late 1950s, a development project backed by a group of large foreign investors began transforming the rural area of Gallura into one of Italy’s most luxurious holiday destinations. The Costa Smeralda , a 50km stretch of coastline in the northeastern part of the island, is now home to hotels where rooms cost thousands per night, exclusive nightclubs and restaurants, a yacht club, golf courses and dreamy villas hosting international VIPs.

The publicity received by this corner of Sardinia often overshadows its wilder heart, best experienced through long-distance hikes that cross the island’s majestic landscapes. Pack a tent and a sleeping back to tackle multiday trails such as Selvaggio Blu, considered one of Sardinia’s most challenging treks, or the Grande Traversata del Supramonte, running along the Supramonte mountain range in the eastern part of the island.

8. Take it slow and experience Sardinia on two wheels

Low traffic and roads running right by the coast have long contributed to making Sardinia a favorite destination for bike tourists. This has become even more noticeable in recent years as large investments have been put toward improving existing cycling paths and creating new routes for travelers who enjoy exploring on two wheels. Most cities now have bike rental services and the network of dedicated lanes is growing year after year, allowing both locals and visitors to travel safely and sustainably at a slow pace.

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Undeniably Italian, yet expressing a unique regional identity, Sardinia presents a distinctive take on the Mediterranean island experience. Blending Italian and North African influences, the Sard people fiercely embrace their diverse island home. From the coast to the wilderness of the interior, Sardinia is well worth a visit.

The best travel tips for visiting Sardinia

Best things to do in sardinia, where to stay in sardinia, best restaurants and bars, how to get here, tips for getting around, how many days do you need in sardinia, best time to visit sardinia, tailor-made travel itineraries for italy, created by local experts.

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Experience the picturesque lakes of Northern Italy, including Lake Garda, Como, Lugano and Maggiore; explore the charming Borromean Islands – former favourites of Ernest Hemingway – and stroll the romantic streets of Verona and Milan. All of this, and much more, with this self-drive trip!

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When planning a trip to Sardinia, it is important to keep a few travel tips in mind. First, it is recommended to avoid the peak tourist season in August, as prices can be higher and crowds can be overwhelming. Instead, consider visiting in the shoulder season months of June, July, or September.

Additionally, be prepared for narrow, winding roads and rugged terrain in some areas. It is also worth noting that many businesses, including restaurants and shops, close for a mid-day siesta, so plan accordingly.

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Every trip to Sardinia in Italy is unique and that's why it's essential to stay protected. With our go-to travel insurance provider, Heymondo , you get great value and 24/7 support wherever you are.

Chia beach, Sardinia © Shutterstock

Sardinia offers visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy, from exploring the island's rich history to soaking up the sun on its beautiful beaches. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Sardinia.

#1 Relax at the Sardinian beaches

Even the most discerning beach enthusiasts will find their desires fulfilled with the abundant selection of swimming spots scattered along the mesmerizing coasts of Sardinia. Whether you prefer perennial favorites that have stood the test of time or hidden gems nestled within secluded coves, there's always a beach nearby.

Sardinia boasts some of the most remarkable beaches in all of Italy, guaranteeing an unforgettable beach experience for all who visit. These are some of the best beaches on the island:

• La Pelosa: Located near Stintino in the northwest, La Pelosa is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, fine white sand, and a picturesque backdrop of the medieval tower of Torre della Pelosa.
• Cala Goloritzé: Situated on the east coast, Cala Goloritzé is a hidden gem accessible only by boat or a challenging hike. It features a striking limestone rock formation called the Aguglia, pristine waters, and a small pebble beach.
• Cala Mariolu: Also found on the east coast, Cala Mariolu is known for its pristine and transparent waters, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking rock formations. Snorkeling and diving are popular activities here.
• Spiaggia di Tuerredda: Located in the south, near Chia, Tuerredda Beach is renowned for its Caribbean-like beauty. With its soft sand, clear turquoise waters, and surrounding hills, it is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
• Porto Giunco: Situated in Villasimius on the southeast coast, Porto Giunco offers a stunning landscape with fine white sand, shallow waters, and a backdrop of Mediterranean vegetation and saltwater lagoon.
• Cala Brandinchi: Known as "Little Tahiti," Cala Brandinchi on the northeast coast boasts turquoise waters, pristine white sand, and a pine forest backdrop, creating a truly idyllic setting.
• Spiaggia di Is Arutas: Located on the central west coast near Oristano, Is Arutas is famous for its unique sand made up of tiny quartz grains resembling colorful grains of rice. The beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs and clear waters.
• Spiaggia del Principe: Situated on the Costa Smeralda in the northeast, Spiaggia del Principe offers a secluded and picturesque setting with fine sand, granite rock formations, and turquoise waters.

#2 Discover the area's ancient towers

Nuraghe-spotting is one of the classic pastimes when travelling through the island. Some of these prehistoric monuments are well restored and can only be visited with a ticket; others are mossy ruins in fields, free to enter. One of the most exhilarating is the Nuraghe Mannu outside Cala Gonone.

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

#3 Take time for culinary pursuits

You’ll enjoy the exquisite sea and land-based dishes in restaurants throughout the island. That said, some of the best places are off the tourist track. You'll want to be sure to explore such inland centres as Sássari and Nuoro.

#4 Explore church treasures

You don’t have to visit galleries to see great art in Sardinia – some of the smallest, most unprepossessing churches preserve some real gems of medieval art. For example, the magnificent altarpiece in San Pietro Apostolo, Tuili, is well worth a detour.

#5 Rides and drives

Embarking on a road trip through Sardinia is a gateway to experiencing the island's awe-inspiring landscape, and it is an adventure that will leave travellers in awe. The undulating terrain of the island's mountainous interior presents an enchanting backdrop for long, leisurely journeys, allowing explorers to truly immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region.

One of the most beloved routes is found in the picturesque area of Gerrei, known for its captivating scenery and charming villages. As you traverse the roads south of Dorgali and west of Aggius, you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of rolling hills, rugged mountains, and verdant valleys, evoking a sense of tranquility and wonder. The roads wind through idyllic countryside, adorned with vineyards, olive groves, and grazing sheep, providing a glimpse into the traditional rural life of Sardinia.

Along the way, there are numerous opportunities to stop and explore the hidden gems that dot the landscape, from ancient ruins to quaint villages where time seems to stand still.

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#6 Spend time at the Isles of Wonder

The island has its own subgroups of islands, the most dramatic of which is the archipelago of La Maddalena, off the northeastern coast; you can explore the pristine beaches and silky waters on boat trips – join a group or rent your own motor-dinghy.

#7 Learn about local culture at the Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum in Sardinia is a fascinating place to explore and learn about the island's history and cultural heritage. A visit to this extensive collection – crammed with masks, costumes, craftwork and musical instruments – offers intriguing insights into the local culture.

#8 Plunge into Neptune’s Grotto

Neptune's Grotto is a stunning sea cave and is a must-visit for anyone travelling to the island. Stalactites, stalagmites and eccentric rock formations are the highlights of a tour through the Grotta di Nettuno, a cave complex set in towering cliffs by the sea.

Stairways to stalactite cave of Neptune Grotto in Alghero in Sardinia © Prashant_Agrawal/Shutterstock

#9 See Tharros — one of the best things to do in Sardinia

Tharros, an ancient Phoenician-Roman city in Sardinia, offers visitors a glimpse into the island's rich history through its well-preserved ruins and stunning coastal location. Founded by the Phoenicians on a promontory jutting into the sea, this historic site retains extensive evidence of the Punic and Roman settlers who followed.

#10 Explore the beautiful landscapes of Inland Gallura

Inland Gallura boasts breathtakingly beautiful landscapes that capture the essence of the Mediterranean. Interspersed with thick groves of cork oaks, the granite rockscape of this scarcely populated mountainous zone offers unforgettable panoramas.

#11 Discover the underwater world

Diving enthusiasts will find a captivating underwater world awaiting them in the azure depths surrounding Sardinia. With its clear waters, diverse marine life, and captivating underwater landscapes, the island offers an unforgettable diving experience.

One of the top diving spots in Sardinia is the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara-Capo Coda Cavallo. This area is home to vibrant coral reefs, underwater caves, and a rich variety of marine species, including groupers, moray eels, and colorful nudibranchs. Another renowned site is the Isola di Mal di Ventre, known for its incredible visibility and the opportunity to encounter large pelagic species such as dolphins and tuna.

The Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, located near Villasimius, is another popular diving destination. Its crystal-clear waters are teeming with marine life, including octopuses, seahorses, and various species of colorful fish. For those seeking adventure, the underwater caves of the Grotta del Nereo near Alghero offer a unique and fascinating diving experience.

Other notable diving spots include the underwater archaeological site of Nora, where divers can explore ancient ruins beneath the sea, and the Lavezzi Islands, located between Sardinia and Corsica, known for their abundant marine life and stunning rock formations.

On the whole, accommodation in Sardinia is cheaper than in the rest of Italy. The main problem is the lack of availability, as the various options can be fully booked in summer. Even outside the high season, it’s advisable to book as early as you can.

As well as hotels, there are hostels, B&Bs, agriturismi (rural accommodation), self-catering villas and apartments, and campsites with bungalows or caravans to rent. There is certainly no shortage of options when deciding where to stay in Sardinia .

Colourful traditional Sardinian embroidered dresses, parading in the streets, Italy © hybridimages/Shutterstock

Full meals can be elaborate affairs. These are generally served in a trattoria or a ristorante, though these days there’s often a fine line between the two: traditionally, a trattoria is cheaper and more basic, offering home cooking (cucinacasalinga), while a ristorante is more upmarket (tablecloths and waiters).Antica Dimora del Gruccione, Santu Lussurgiu. This gourmet restaurant concentrates on local meat products (with veggie options) and charges €35 for a five-course meal..

• Dal Corsaro, Cágliari. At this venerable spot – one of Cágliari’s oldest restaurants and the only one that is Michelin-starred – the dominant tone is hushed elegance. Modern, stripped-down versions of classic fish and meat dishes are often memorable.
• Il Mosto, Aggius. This granite-walled trattoria is among Gallura’s finest, offering honest gallurese cuisine at moderate prices (€30 per head for two courses).
• Il Pórtico, Nuoro. You’ll find an innovative approach to the traditional Sard dishes on offer in this smart place with modern art on the walls.
• Mabrouk, Alghero. This is about as near as Alghero comes to a cosy neighbourhood trattoria, where there’s no written menu but a democratic €40 fixed-price dinner for everyone – including unlimited house wine and limoncello.

If you're looking to travel to Sardinia, you have several options available. One way to reach the island is by taking a direct flight from major European cities. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from mainland Italy or other Mediterranean countries.

From the UK, flights operated by Ryanair, Tui and easyJet to Alghero, Olbia and Cagliari are hard to beat for price. From the Italian mainland, there are frequent daily flights to the island’s airports from Rome , Milan and Bologna , with less frequent connections from smaller centres. Most routes are served by Alitalia, Air Italy, easyJet and Ryanair. Prices start at around €40 for a one-way Milan–Alghero ticket.

Regular, year-round ferries sail to Sardinia from mainland Italy , Sicily , Corsica and France . Reserve well in advance for summer crossings, especially if you have a car or bike. August sailings can be fully booked by May. Prices in high season start from about €40/person, depending on the route.

The cheapest tickets (“Ponte”) involve sleeping on deck. Pricier tickets include a reclining armchair and a berth adds another €45 or so. The charge for a medium car is around €130 in high season. Look out for discounts on return tickets bought in advance within certain periods, and for special deals for a car plus two or three passengers.

Trenino Verde train, Sardinia © Shutterstock

If you're looking to travel to Sardinia, you have several options available. One way to reach the island is by taking a direct flight from major European cities like Rome, Milan, or Barcelona to Cagliari, the capital city. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from mainland Italy or other Mediterranean countries such as France or Spain, which offers picturesque views of the island's coastline.

The best way of getting around Sardinia is undoubtedly by car. There are rental offices in all the major towns including Cagliari .

The island-wide bus service is run by ARST , supplemented by smaller independent operators covering specific long-distance routes, for example Turmo between Cagliari and Olbia.

Trains connect the major towns of Cagliari , Oristano, Sassari and Olbia, operated by Trenitalia . Smaller narrow-gauge lines linking Nuoro and Alghero with the main network are run by ARST . From mid-June to mid-Sept, the Trenino Verde trains take slow but scenic routes to various destinations around the island, including Bosa, Tempio Pausania and Láconi.

Beach of "Cala Gonone", Sardinia © LPuddori/Shutterstock

To fully appreciate the island's stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and charming coastal towns, it is recommended to spend at least a week in Sardinia.

That said, if you are interested in exploring the island's more remote areas or embarking on adventurous activities such as hiking, diving or sailing, then you may want to consider extending your stay to ten days or more.

To avoid the crowds, high prices, and heat, it is best to skip August when visiting Sardinia. Meanwhile June, July, and September are still hot but less busy. Swimming is possible from May to October.

Visiting in the winter can be a low-key experience, though some facilities may be closed. Spring is great for festivals and walking, while autumn offers beautiful colours for outdoor activities.

Top image: Beach of "Cala Gonone", Sardinia © LPuddori/Shutterstock

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updated 06.09.2021

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7 of the best places to cruise in Italy

F ew countries can compete with Italy’s tourist appeal . Anyone who visits can enjoy fantastic cities, quaint villages, a string of picture-perfect coastlines, amazing cuisine and a fascinating history.

Alhough skiing , city breaks or a trip to one of the Italian lakes all have their own merits, there is a way to get a taste of several different parts of the country in one whirlwind trip.

Cruises around the Bel Paese give passengers the opportunity to see Italy ’s full range of sights. You can start with the romance of Venice and wind around to the rugged island beauty of Sicily and Sardinia, or begin surrounded by the stark coastal beauty of the Cinque Terre and end in hectic, characterful Naples , via the enchanting capital of Rome .

Whether you just want to see one destination or a handful, there’s likely a cruise to suit you; we’ve rounded up some of the best below.

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast contains a little bit of everything that has made Italy so famous: beautiful coastlines, golden sands, picturesque towns, ancient historic sites and a hearty slice of la dolce vita .

The main towns along this coast include Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano , each renowned for offering a taste of the highlife in often luxurious surroundings, whether that be laid-back beaches or grandiose hotels. Pompeii lies close to these towns, offering an incredible insight into a famous bit of world history, while driving part of the Amalfi Coast’s winding roads is the best way to get amazing views while taking in some delightful towns.

How to do it

See both Sicily and the Amalfi Coast with the ‘ Amalfi & Sicily ’ seven-night package offered by Star Clippers. It starts in Civitavecchia, taking you to Amalfi and Sorrento before moving on to Messina and circling back to Rome.

Prices from £3,629pp including seven nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks and select entertainment. Departing 6 July 2024.

Read more on the best hotels on the Amalfi coast

The capital is a beautiful fusion of historic and contemporary Italian life, from the modern cuisine and nightlife of Monti to the old houses and trattorias of Trastevere or Parione.

The Eternal City is also Europe’s most landmark-filled destination , with everything from Roman ruins to 18th-century fountains. The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon are the undoubtably highlights, as are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. The Vatican City is also contained within Rome, and you don’t want to miss the Sistine Chapel or St Peter’s Basilica.

Most cruises to this part of the country actually dock at nearby Civitavecchia, which is roughly one hour from the capital. Rome is often a starting point for cruises too, as passengers can head north to the Cinque Terre, east to Sardinia and south to Naples and Sicily.

The  Italian Treasures  cruise offered by Atlas Ocean Voyages begins in Valletta , the historic Maltese capital, but after departing very much focuses on the eastern Italian coast. It stops for a night in both Syracuse and Giardini Naxos (on Sicily), before departing to the Amalfi Coast and Capri and then finishing in the capital, where you can explore at your leisure before flying home.

Prices from £2,946pp including eight nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks and onshore excursions. The company is currently running a promotion where the ‘second guest sails free’, so it is possible to get the entire package for just £2,946. Departing 1 September 2024.

Read more on the best hotels in Rome

Venice is perhaps the most beautiful of all Italian cities, situated on a vast lagoon and criss-crossed by dozens of bridges that hang over its canals. Its waterways are lined with the colourful facades of centuries-old buildings, many of which carry a Venetian style that is unique to the city, making for an eclectic cityscape.

A gondola trip, a stroll around St Mark’s Square, a walk over the Ponte Rialto and a visit to the Doge’s Palace are customary for those seeing the city for the first time, though for many the real attraction is getting lost in the sea of mazy alleys and historic bridges .

Many cruises start and end in Venice too, though due to its location at the top of the Adriatic, it can take a while to cruise down to other popular destinations like Bari, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. If you’re visiting on a cruise, chances are it’ll be a longer one, or that it’ll stop in destinations in northern Croatia , Dubrovnik or northern Greece .

Azmara Cruises’ ‘ Italy Intensive Voyage ’ takes passengers all the way from Rome to Venice. It begins by going north to Florence , then turning back on itself and going south to the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. After a brief stop in Kotor, Montenegro , you’ll finish in Venice, with the opportunity to explore at your leisure before flying home.

Prices from £2,060pp including 10 nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks, evening entertainment and select onshore excursions. Departing 10 April 2024.

Read more on the best hotels in Venice

Sicily is another of Italy’s famous islands, sharing a part of the Mediterranean with neighbouring Sardinia. It is equally as charming as Sardinia, and filled with similarly beguiling towns, a variety of natural landscapes and some of the finest culture and history that the country has to offer.

Tradition is paramount here, something that is reflected in a proud local populace. It is also visible in towns and cities like Palermo, and the timeless beauty of Syracuse, as well as on the olive groves and vineyards that dot the slopes of Mount Etna. It makes Sicily a great place to come if you want to see modern-day Italian living with a dose of outdoor adventure, in places like the Parco dell’Etna, along with historic charm (such as that at Syracuse).

Windstar Cruises’ ‘ Sicilian Spendours ’ cruise begins and ends in the Italian capital, but as the name suggests, this trip very much focuses on the largest island in the Mediterranean. It begins by heading to the Amalfi Coast, but then moves on to three Sicilian towns – Trapani, Porto Empedocle and Catania, via Gozo and Malta .

Prices from £3,105pp including 10 nights’ accommodation, meals and onboard entertainment. Departing 28 May 2024.

Read more on the best hotels in Sicily

Sardinia, which sits off the eastern coast around six hours from Civitavecchia by ferry, is one of Italy’s most popular summer destinations. A favourite among both tourists and Italians, it is home to a slew of great beaches – including Cala Goloritzé and the Costa Smerelda – and so is a good choice for days spent flitting between water sports and lying in the sun.

Though it’s understandable if you want to spend most of your time here on the sands, it would be remiss not to visit some of the pastel-hued towns and verdant national parks that lie inland and on the coast. Places like Alghero, Bosa and San Teodoro contain plenty of history throughout their cobbled streets, while Asinara and Gennargentu are two of the most picturesque natural areas.

Sardinia’s southerly location means that cruises that stop here often carry on to Sicily and Malta, and may go further on to the Balearics, Greek islands or even Tunisia .

The ‘ Enchanting Italian Coastlines ’ tour from Emerald Cruises covers both Sardinia and the eastern coast over a period of seven nights. It begins in the capital, moving first to Sorrento and Amalfi and then crossing the Mediterranean to Sardinia and Corsica before looping back.

Prices from £3,379pp including seven nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks and airport transfers. Departing 27 April 2024.

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre competes with the Amalfi Coast for the title of Italy’s most famous coastal area, but the Italian Riviera offers a different kind of beauty in its emerald waters and pastel-coloured towns. The region is part of Liguria, and consists of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. 

Each one has an abundance of old Italian charm, from the faded colours that come alive at sunset to the mazes of alleys leading up from tiny harbours. Only Monterosso has a proper beach, but this village quintet isn’t the place for solely a beach holiday, despite the coastlines. Instead, wander aimlessly through the villages, enjoy a laid-back meal or take to any of the surrounding hiking paths.

These once isolated villages are now tourist hotspots in their own right, with the Cinque Terre Express one of the best ways to get between them. Most cruises dock at La Spezia, the province’s main city, which lies just 20 minutes from the nearest Cinque Terre village, Riomaggiore.

The Cinque Terre is a less frequented destination on longer cruises, so the best bet is to visit as part of a multi-country cruise. Celebrity Cruises offers one such option with their ‘ Italian Riviera & France ’ package, which departs from Rome and initially heads south to Naples before circling around to La Spezia and Santa Margherita. After some time spent enjoying the Italian Riviera, you move on to the French one, seeing Cannes and Marseille before finishing in Barcelona.

Prices from £1,209pp including nine nights’ accommodation, return flights, all meals, daily activities and entertainment. Departing 4 June 2024.

Naples is a fascinating city, buoyed by a vibrant and chaotic energy and blessed with beautiful surroundings – including Mount Vesuvius and an azure bay – and an eclectic blend of architecture.

The city itself has a wealth of culture and history, from the recent and immaterial – such as its devotion to pizza or its football club – to the ancient and pertinent, including the Duomo cathedral and a large collection of Greco-Roman artefacts at the National Archaeological Museum. Be sure to talk a walk around the Spanish Quarter, Centro Storico and Spaccanapoli (the city’s main thoroughfare) to get a real sense of how life is lived in this hectic city.

Naples is the closest major city to the Amalfi Coast, and as such many trips here are combined with a visit to towns like Sorrento or Positano.

You’re spoilt for choice when including Naples in a cruise itinerary, and many cruises that stop here also include visits to parts of Greece and Croatia. A seven-day Mediterranean cruise from Norwegian Cruise Line takes advantage of these stops, taking guests from Rome to Venice via Valletta, Split and Corfu. Nevertheless, the focus is still on Italy, taking in the historic capital, the romantic canals of Venice and all of Naples’ characterful chaos (with an added stop in Messina, Sicily).

Prices from £1,573pp including seven nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks and onboard entertainment. Departing 14 August 2024.

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