top places to visit sardinia

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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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.

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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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What to see in Sardinia

15 Places to see in Sardinia

Sardinia is well-known as a paradise in the heart of the Mediterranean. Obviously, its sunny coasts and its white and sandy beaches are the main tourist attractions, but there is a endless list of places and facets to discover in Sardinia. We are talking about the most renowned towns and cities, the most characteristic islands and, of course, important sites of historical and cultural interest. In this short guide you will find some suggestions on what to see in Sardinia during your next holidays: 15 ideas that might tempt you and, perhaps, guide you in choosing your next destination. They are all ideal for a stay as a couple or for a family holiday in Sardinia , although some excursions might prove rather tiring for the tiny tots. 

1) Giara of Gesturi and Nuraghe of Barumini

The Giara, located in the center-east of Sardinia, hosts a rare herd existing in Italy and in Europe of little wild horses and a park with cork oaks forests and Mediterranean maquis. This area is well known also for its archaeological monuments such as the famous Barumini nuraghe , so called “Su Nuraxi” declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The nuraghes are defensive towers to be found throughout the island, marked by their truncated cone shape and built with great blocks of roughly hewn stone, using the dry-stone technique. The nuraghi are defensive towers found throughout the island and are marked by their truncated cone shape; they are constructed in huge stone blocks according to the dry stone technique.

Where to sleep in Central Sardinia?

• Antica Locanda Lunetta , Mandas The historical centre of Mandas and the welcoming and nice atmosphere of the Antica Locanda Lunetta are perfect for a romantic escape. Privacy and relax will allow you to take a break from the daily routine.

2) Maddalena Archipelago

Consisting of 7 major islands, Maddalena Archipelago is another Unesco World heritage (declared in 1994) of Sardinia. Its waters are clear and clean, and each year welcome snorkelling buffs in search of the unspoilt seabed of the Mediterranean. Full day or half day boat excursions are organized: they allow you to visit some small beaches and coves only reachable by boat, whose nature is still preserved and whose beauty is breathtaking. These tours usually include visits to the Island of Spargi; Budelli, where you can admire the famous pink beach; S.Maria; Caprera and finally La Maddalena. Alternatively you can rent a car on the Island of La Maddalena for an independent and adventurous tour of the local beaches. Lovers of pure and pristine sea can choose to stay at the 5-star Grand Hotel Ma&Ma , in the south-west coast of the island, at 350 meters far from the sea. Otherwise, for a more private and secluded stay, La Casitta is the right choice. Offering a familiar and attentive service, it is one of the few villas in the small island of Santa Maria.

Where to sleep?

• Grand Hotel Ma&Ma ***** L , La Maddalena Located in the island of La Maddalena, the Grand Hotel Ma&Ma is the perfect choice for lovers of pure and uncontaminated sea. A few kilometers separate the hotel from the city center, which offers a wide selection of typical restaurants.
• La Casitta , Isola di Santa Maria Owners of a private island? Not a dream! La Casitta is one of the few villas in Santa Maria Island, where you can discover the true contact with nature and choose every day a secluded cove where lounging and free your mind of all thoughts.

Discover all the hotels in the Archipelago of La Maddalena >

3) Chia beaches

Dominated by the homonym tower , visible by all its beaches, Chia owes its popularity to the transparency of its waters, which bathe the coast of Chia for about6 Km. In Chia area you can also visit the archaeological site of Nora, of punic origins, considered the most ancient village of Sardinia. Chia area reaches Capo Spartivento, the second most southern point of Sardinia, where is located the spectacular Faro di Capo Spartivento , a lighthouse – still working - turned into luxury Guesthouse .

• Chia Laguna , Baia di Chia The Chia Laguna, part of the Italian Hospitality Collection, has been awarded as "Best Family Resort in the Mediterranean" with the World Travel Award 2014; "Italy's Leading Family Resort" and "Seven Stars Family Resort" 2018 and 2019.
• Hotel Aquadulci **** , Su Giudeu Small, charming hotel, furnished with taste and with sunny and relaxing colours. Hotel Aquadulci is suitable for couples of all ages and for families and beach lovers who appreciate the simplicity.
• Faro Capo Spartivento ***** , Capo Spartivento Surrounded by a still wild and unspoiled nature, where the Mediterranean scrub grows with its splendid colours and scents, the Lighthouse stands on a cliff overlooking the sea. The right choice to really enjoy the silence of nature and take time for oneself.

Discover all the hotels in Chia >

4) Gulf Of Orosei

The Gulf of Orosei, in central-eastern Sardinia is one of the most beautiful spot in Sardinia. Famous for the Bue Marino Caves , made of stalactites and stalagmites that reflects in the water giving us amazing trick of the light. There are some countries along the coast known for their gastronomic products, handicrafts and archaeological areas such as Tiscali and Serra Orrios , the karst area called Supramonte , the forests of Suttaterra and Ghivine on the sea slopes of Supramonte; the Cedrino river ; the canyon of Su Gorroppu , the deepest one in Sardinia and one of the deepest in Europe, finally you can enjoy a spectacular seascape (Cala Mariolu, Cala Sisine, Cala Goloritzè, Cala Biriola, Cala Fuili, Cala Luna).

• Hotel Nascar **** , Santa Maria Navarrese The Hotel Nascar is located in the beautiful and wild region of Ogliastra, among the crystal clear sea and mountains. It is suitable for travellers looking for a familiar, genuine and warm atmosphere, away from crowds and urban life.
• Nicolaus Club Torre Moresca **** , Orosei Set in a thick pinewood, just a short distance from the beautiful beach of Cala Ginepro, the Nicolaus Club Torre Moresca is a welcoming 4-star hotel, which offers interiors in pleasing traditional style, and finely designed and landscaped external areas.
• Lanthia Resort **** , Santa Maria Navarrese Located in the beautiful and still largely unspoiled region of Ogliastra, the Lanthia Resort is located in the town of Santa Maria Navarrese, very quiet and popular summer resort.

Discover all the hotels in Orosei >

Situated on the north west coast, Alghero still shows traces of its Catalan past, whose use has been preserved in the variant of the “algherese” , and spoken nowadays in a small percentage. The town boasts a striking Gothic-style historic center with the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Guillot Palace and the 14th-century Church of San Francesco, the Coral Museum and a long natural bay overlooking the emerald sea.

• Villa Mosca Charming House , Alghero Just a short distance from the historic centre of Alghero, the Hotel Villa Mosca is a fine historic residence looking out over the shore. It offers stylish accommodation, and its ambience is both classy and welcoming.
• Villa Las Tronas ***** , Alghero With its enviable location on the sea close to the old town, Villa Las Tronas is the ideal choice for those who wish to discover the sea, the surrounding area, the characteristic alleys of the old town.
• Corte Rosada Couples Resort and SPA , Alghero The Corte Rosada is a Boutique Hotel that has been completely restored, with new furnishings and update technologies and  services.

Discover all the hotels in Alghero >

Situated on the north west coast, it has the romantic charm of the river cities and a lot of traditions still alive. The historic district of the city worthwhile to visit, made by colorful houses that climb the hill on the side. The top of the hill is dominated by the Malaspina Castle, so called by the Tuscan family who built it up in the XII century. The Castle can be seen from the historic Ponte Vecchio of Bosa , considered one of the 30 most beautiful bridges in Italy.

Where to sleep in Bosa?

• Corte Fiorita *** , Bosa Corte Fiorita is located in the romantic town of Bosa, crossed by the Temo, the only navigable river in Sardinia. It is a “Albergo diffuso”, a hotel split into different buildings in the old town of Bosa. It is suggested to travellers looking for a quiet stay in a small but nice town, near the beach.

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7) Neptune Caves

The most popular caves of Sardinia find in Alghero and are dedicated to the sea God Neptune . They extend for some 6 km and have been dug out over thousands of years by freshwater. They are both reachable via ferry boat and through a 600 steps staircase, offering stunning views over the sea and the coast.

• Bienestar Maison de Charme *** , Alghero Perfectly set in the city center, this B&B combines the fascination of a historic residence with the freshness of unobtrusive service and great attention to detail. We recommend Bienestar to those who prefer small hotels, with a stylish welcoming ambience.

8) Murales of Orgosolo and Mamoiada Museum

Mamoiada and Orgosolo are two traditional Sardinian places located in the heart of the island, the region called Barbagia, in the Province of Nuoro. Orgosolo is well-known for its wonderful Murales (about 150), while Mamoiada for its traditional carnival masks: you can discover all them and much more visiting the Mediterranean masks museum of the town.

Where to sleep in Barbagia?

• Hotel Su Gologone **** , Oliena Tourism icon of Sardinia, Su Gologone Hotel is an artistic and culinary laboratory, where the continuous details refinement, both in furnishing and in food, gives the opportunity to live unique experiences to those who choose this heaven of Charme.

9) Carloforte

It has about 6.400 inhabitants and is the only municipality of the Island of S. Pietro, in the south-western coast of Sardinia. A quiet and lovely place , with small pretty beaches and charming narrow streets, a own dialect which is a variant of Ligurian language, testimony of its history, unique in Sardinia.

Where to sleep in Carloforte?

• Hotel Riviera **** , Carloforte Right next to the port and the historic centre of Carloforte, the Hotel Riviera offers guests the possibility of accessing all the services and restaurants of this small island town.

10) Bastion of Saint Remy, Cagliari

Overlooking the city is the ancient area of Castello , a fortified medieval hilltop neighborhood situated uphill from the rest of the city. Also really important are the historical neighborhoods of Stampace (area of bourgeois and merchant), the Marina (area of fishermen and sailors) and Villanova (area of shepherds and farmers). The Bastion of Saint Remy is one of the symbols of the city, situated in the area of Castello, from its terrace you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the underlying charming marina. Among the attractions: the Cathedral of Cagliari of the XIII century, the National Archaeological Museum which exhibits artefacts from the Nuragic Age to the Byzantine era, Roman ceramics and also you can’t miss The Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria. Among the archaeological sites worthy of note are the Roman Amphitheater and finally the Poetto, the beach of the city that stretches for about 8 kilometers, starting from the panoramic promontory of La Sella del Diavolo .

• La Villa del Mare , Lungomare Poetto Villa del Mare faces Poetto beach, boasts the salty tang of the sea and a panoramic view of Golfo degli Angeli. The beach is popular all the year round, fully equipped for a morning stay and perfect for a walk in the evening with background live music from the historical kiosks.
• T Hotel **** s , Cagliari Situated in a central area, not far from the historic centre, the Thotel is the ideal venue for guests seeking a modern, comfortable ambience, a spa, an excellent restaurant and with all the city’s main attractions accessible either on foot or with a short car trip.
• Palazzo Doglio ***** , Cagliari Luxury hotel in the heart of Cagliari, very close to the historic centre and a few km from Poetto beach. Recommended for business or leisure stays, it combines the functionality of a business hotel with the comfort of a city holiday, thanks to its location and the services offered.

Discover all the hotels in Cagliari >

11) Castelsardo

The town of Castelsardo is a charming medieval village included among “ The most beautiful villages in Italy ”. From the top of Doria Castle, which dominates the town, you will enjoy exciting views over the gulf of Asinara.

Where to sleep in Castelsardo?

• Hotel Bajaloglia Resort **** , Castelsardo One of the highlights of the Hotel Bajaloglia Resort is the scenic location and the consequent tranquility: a hotel full of charm furnished with style, on top of a hill. Castelsardo is a few kilometers away and is easily accessible by car.

12) Villasimius

One of the most favorite towns in the South of Sardinia popular for its renowned resorts and long white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, coves and a landscape covered in the Mediterranean scrub. Villasimius doubles its population in the summer time. Among the most beautiful beaches you will have Porto sa Ruxi, Campus and Campulongu, La Spiaggia del Riso (so called just because of the "beans" that make it up), Cala Caterina, the enchanting Porto Giunco, the wonderful Punta Molentis and the pink flamingos flying above the blue and clear sea of this miraculous seaside pearl of South Sardinia .

• Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi ***** , Villasimius A historical icon of Sardinian hospitality, the stylish renovation goes hand in hand with the high quality of the services on offer, allowing the resort to take up a top position among Sardinia’s family-oriented hotels. The spectacular location makes the resort truly unique.
• Hotel Cala Caterina **** , Villasimius A small romantic hotel for those who are in search of total relaxation. Both singles or couples who want to take a rest from a winter of hard work, will find in Hotel Cala Caterina their second home. The private park that leads to the sea will be for them the perfect place to read a book or relax.
• Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna ***** , Villasimius Located in front of one of the most famous Sardinian stretches of fine white sand, we recommend the hotel to sea lovers and families, but also to those who want to discover the many treatments offered by one of the most famous Thalasso centres of the Mediterranean.

Discover all the hotels in Villasimius >

13) Island of Tavolara - Capo Coda Cavallo

C apo Coda Cavallo , in north-eastern Sardinia - Gallura , is a promontory of granite land jutting above coastline in a stretch of sea sheltered by the majestic island of Tavolara , the rocks of Molara and the isle of Proratora. It is a 15,000 hectares of protected marine area, that has conserved its environmental heritage and the fish fauna due to the difficulties in reaching the place. The protected natural marine area of Punta Coda Cavallo is composed of many inlets with cliffs and sandy beaches immersed in the Mediterranean scrub that releases intense aromas; worth to see the beach of La Cinta developing for about 5 kilometers with a very white sand. The marine area of Tavolara-Capo Coda Cavallo is ideal for diving.

• Hotel Don Diego **** , Porto San Paolo Only a few steps away from a nice, little sandy beach with spectacular panoramic view on the island Tavolara, the hotel is ideal for couples of each age and also families as well guests do appreciate the unique position and vicinity to San Teodoro.
• CalaCuncheddi **** , Olbia We recommend this hotel to couples who are looking for a place to get away from the hustle. Here you will find a very elegant setting, an excellent service and a cuisine of the high level. The distance to the sea is only a short walk and the view of the bay is spectacular.

Discover all the hotels in Northern Sardinia >

14) Sinis peninsula - Tharros

The ancient settlement of Tharros is situated at the southern edge of the Sinis peninsula . Founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C. near a pre-existing nuragic village from the Bronze Age, it suffered under Carthaginian first then Roman dominations, and finally fell under the Vandals and the Byzantines dominations. A gradual decay led to the abandonment of the site around the year 1050 A.D. The area is like an open-air museum that stands overlooking the sea: ancient streets, houses, shops from the Roman era, the temple and the necropolis are among the ruins that the Sinis Peninsula offers us. You can also visit the small early Christian church of San Giovanni situated nearby Tharros village.

Where to sleep in the Sinis region?

• Is Arenas Resort ***** , Narbolia A modern and elegant 5-star hotel, a perfect choice for nature lovers, due to its unique location, embedded in a big pine forest. They will find here the right spot, just a few hundred meters from a wild sea-coast and few kilometres from very interesting archaeological sites.
• Is Benas Country Lodge **** , Putzu Idu Small, charming hotel nestled in the vast plain of Oristano. The few rooms and the relaxing setting make it ideal for couples of all ages looking for contact with nature, who love to organize every day a trip to discover the surroundings.
• Hotel Lucrezia *** , Riola Sardo Antique flavours and details, small touches of modernity wisely embellish the pretty and refined design of Hotel Lucrezia. Ideal for dynamic travellers of all ages, who desire to discover the thousand secrets of Sardinia.

15) Costa Verde - Marina di Arbus

In the South-West of Sardinia , among mounts and shrubs shaped by the wind, in the wildest and most isolated Sardinia, an imposing coastline develops for about 47 kilometers: this is the mighty Costa Verde. A succession of pristine beaches such as Piscinas – with the highest sand dunes in Europe – cliffs that burst deep into a green waters sea, so loved by the most daring surfers. You will be amazed by the fantastic sunsets along this coast, where your eyes get lost in a strong elation for the sky turning into pink. Marina di Arbus is not just about the sea: there is the declared archaeological mining site of Montevecchio and also Bugerru, Ingurtosu plus the one of Porto Flavia in Masua. You can’t miss the sea stacks of Pan di Zucchero and the defensive Tower of Torre dei Corsari . In the village of Arbus you’ll find the Knife Museum, which has the heaviest flick-knife in the world.

Where to sleep in Costa Verde?

• Le Dune Piscinas **** , Arbus The wildlife here is the queen. The golden dunes of sand, junipers and miles of deserted beaches make this place similar to Africa. Le Dune Piscinas is recommended for travellers who are looking for a unique experience with nature.

Sardinia is an ideal holiday destination thanks to its splendid beaches and great historical, cultural and natural heritage. Visitors can cross the island from the North (Santa Teresa di Gallura) to the South (Chia) by car in 5 hours, taking the cross-island highway known as the “Carlo Felice”.  The ideal is to concentrate on those localities near your accommodation – don’t miss at least one of the following.

The best ancient hamlets of Sardinia are: 

• Castelsardo
• Tempio Pausania

The best archaeological sites in Sardinia are: 

• The Nuragic village of Su Nuraxi (Barumini)
• The ruins of Tharros , a coastal town founded by the Phoenicians, near Oristano
• The Sacred Well of Santa Cristina
• The archaeological complex of Pranu Muttedu, with the highest concentration of menhirs and megaliths on the island
• The petrified forest of Martis

The best beaches in Sardinia are:

• Cala Mariolu - Punta Ispulgi - Baunei - Ogliastra
• Cala Spinosa - Santa Teresa Gallura – Olbia-Tempio
• Cala Coticcio - Isola di Caprera – Olbia-Tempio
• Tuerredda - Teulada – Cagliari
• La Pelosa - Stintino – Sassari
• Solanas - Sinnai – Cagliari
• Scoglio di Peppino - Castiadas – Cagliari
• Rena Majori-  località Rena Majore, Aglientu – Olbia-Tempio
• Cala Goloritzé - Baunei – Ogliastra
• Cala Domestica -  Buggerru – Carbonia-Iglesias
• Su Giudeu - Chia, località Capo Spartivento – Cagliari
• Spiaggia Rosa Budelli - Arcipelago di La Maddalena – Olbia-Tempio
• Punta Molentis - Villasimius – Cagliari
• Cala Brandinchi - San Teodoro – Olbia-Tempio
• Porto Giunco - Villasimius – Cagliari

Romantic places suggested for couples in Sardinia are: 

• The beaches of Villasimius and Chia
• Santa Teresa di Gallura
• Mine of Masua: Porto Flavia

Places suggested for family vacation visits are: 

• The beaches of Villasimius
• Nuraghe Su Nuraxi
• The Archaeological Museum of Cagliari
• Orgosolo, the city of Murales (mural paintings)

One week in Sardinia: Ultimate 6, 7 or 8 days Itinerary + My Best Tips

• A week in Sardinia: which Itinerary for 6, 7 or 8 Days?

You want to go for a 1 week trip to Sardinia and you’re looking for the best Itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you 2 recommended Itineraries for a week in Sardinia.

Depending on where you will land ( Cagliari or Olbia), these 7 days itineraries in the North or South of Sardinia will allow you to discover some of the best places to visit on the island.

If you prefer to visit the North, you will discover the Costa Smeralda and Maddalena islands whereas the south will allow you to enjoy the region around Cagliari and Sant’Antioco island.

For both itineraries, in addition to the best things to do and must-see attractions , I will also give you all my best tips as well as a list of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit during your one week trip to Sardinia? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Where to stay on Costa Smeralda

Where to stay in maddalena, where to stay in capo testa / santa teresa di gallura, where to stay in olbia, where to stay in cagliari, where to stay in teulada, where to stay in sant’antioco, where to stay on the iglesiente coast, where to stay in oristano, visit sardinia in 1 week: north or south , renting a car in sardinia: my best tips, other activities for 1 week in sardinia, renting a boat in sardinia, you’re traveling in sardinia these articles will help you, itinerary: one week in northern sardinia, 1) costa smeralda / porto cervo (2 days).

You want to visit Northern Sardinia in one week? Then you should ideally take a flight to Olbia airport.

As Sardinia is a big island, you will need to rent a car to make the most of your stay.

In order to get the best price and not be scammed , you should book your car in advance on Rentalcars.com. I will tell you why I always use this website at the end of this article, in the “Renting a car in Sardinia: My best tips” section.

You will quickly notice that Olbia isn’t a very interesting city to visit, so just grab your car and head directly to the Costa Smeralda! It will be the perfect place to start your 1 week itinerary in Northern Sardinia .

The Costa Smeralda stretches from Porto Rotondo in the Gulf of Cugnana to Cannigione in the Gulf of Arzachena.

With its many luxury hotels, villas and shops, the Costa Smeralda is clearly the fanciest place in Sardinia . If you’re there during high-season, you might even spot a few celebrities during your trip!

For your first day, you should go to Porto Cervo, the “capital” of Costa Smeralda located just 40 min away by car from Olbia. Depending on your landing time in Sardinia, you may have time to make a few stops along the way.

If you do, you should definitely stop by one of the following beaches: Liscia Ruja beach, Capriccioli beach, Romazzino beach or Principe beach. They are all very beautiful!

Spend your first night on the Costa Smeralda.

On the day after, start your day with a stroll at Porto Cervo Marina to admire the yachts and sailboats, and walk around the commercial streets. Don’t miss the “Stella Maris” church located next to the harbor!

In addition to the luxury, the Costa Smeralda is also famous for its archeological sites , including a few famous Sardinian nuraghes .

So let’s go around Arzachena town to visit the Nuraghe La Prisgiona and see Giant’s graves. The great thing is that it’s only 25 min away from Porto Cervo.

While you’re there, another must-see is the village of San Pantaleo . This charming and authentic village offers a beautiful scenic view over the mountains.

And at the end of the day, head to a beach close to Porto Cervo or to one of the other seaside resorts of Costa Smeralda such as Poltu Quatu, Cannigione or Baia Sardinia.

If you want more information about the Costa Smeralda, you should read my detailed article: The 10 best things to do in Costa Smeralda .

You get it, the Costa Smeralda is the most touristic and expensive place of Sardinia . There are many luxury hotels, so it’s really perfect if you’re looking for an upscale experience!

However, the best hotels are fully booked months in advance, so you should really book your accommodation as early as possible.

• Residenza Capriccioli: Located just 3min walking from Cappricioli beach and 8km away from Porto Cervo. Studio and apartment with kitchenette and balcony/terrace starting from 100€ per night. Considering the area, it’s one of the cheapest accommodations available so book ahead of time! Strong points: walking distance to the beach, the swimming pools, great location. The best choice on the Costa Smeralda if you’re traveling on a budget!
• Grand Hôtel Poltu Quatu: Located in Poltu Quatu, 12min away from the beach. Very spacious and bright double room, with traditional Sardinian furniture, starting from 190€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the location, excellent breakfast, friendly staff. It’s my favorite on the Costa Smeralda for its amazing value for money!
• Cervo Hotel,Costa Smeralda Resort: Located in Porto Cervo, 15min walking from the beach. This 5* hotel offers comfortable and warm double rooms, starting from 280€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: exceptional setting, staff always available, calm, nicely decorated. It’s my recommendation for a romantic stay on the Costa Smeralda!
• Cala Di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel: Located in a natural setting, only 6 min walking from the beach. This luxury hotel on Costa Smeralda offers splendid double rooms with a view on the gardens or on Cala di Volpe bay, starting from 400€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: 5 stars service, the private beach, stunning setting, friendly staff. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay on the Costa Smeralda!

2) The Maddalena archipelago ( 3 days )

The next stop of this week in Northern Sardinia is the Maddalena archipelago .

Made of 7 islands, the archipelago is a dream destination for beach lovers and hikers!

From Costa Smeralda, it takes about 40min by car to reach Palau , the departure point for the ferries to Maddalena island .

There is a departure every 30 min: the trip lasts 20 min and costs about 40€ for one car and two people . The ferry boats takes you to the main island of the archipelago: La Maddalena island.

For your first day in La Maddalena, you can drive around the island on the scenic road . It’s the best way to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and make stops along the way at the numerous beaches!

Bassa Trinita, Monte di Rena and Spalmatore beach are the most popular ones, but I personally prefer Capocchia du Purpu beach . With its big rocks and turquoise water, it looks just like the Seychelles!

Spend the night in one of the hotels recommended below.

Let’s continue this 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Sardinia with Caprera island , another island of the Maddalena archipelago. You can go there by car: simply cross the bridge linking La Maddalena to Caprera island.

Over there too, get ready for beautiful beaches . The only difference is that you’ll have to walk a bit to reach them .

Caprera island is wilder than its neighbor, making it a great spot to go hiking . Most of the hikes are very easy and reward you with a beautiful cove to take a dip. And during your walk, you may even see the famous Caprera wild goats!

In my opinion, the best beaches of Caprera are Cala Serena, Caprarese, Coticcio and Brigantina.

Between hiking and swimming, you can easily spend the entire day on the island. There are also nice viewpoints, the best ones being the Teialone lookout tower or the Batteria Poggio Rasu Superiore.

A the end of the day, go back to La Maddalena island to spend the night.

For your 3rd and last day , you should explore the other islands of the archipelago.

They are only accessible by boat , so the best way to visit them is to opt for a 1-day boat excursion . You should book it in advance here to make sure to have a seat!

All departures are from La Maddalena port . During the day, you will be able to enjoy the beaches on Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi and Razzoli island. It costs around 40€ per person, lunch included. It’s really an amazing day trip!

Spend one last night on Maddalena island.

Find out all the best things to do in La Maddalena in my detailed article: How to visit La Maddalena?

• AHR Residence Leonis La Maddalena: Located in the center of La Maddalena. Fully furnished spacious studio starting from 70€ per night. Strong points: the location (very close to the port and restaurants), fully equipped kitchen, high quality bedding.
• Residenza Mordini: Located only 100 metes way from the Maddalena port. Comfortable and spacious double room starting from 110€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: warm welcome, quiet atmosphere, close to the city center, homemade breakfast. It’s my favorite place in Maddalena for its great value for money!
• Residenza Marginetto: Located on the Northern part of the island, and just one minute walking from the beach. Holiday home with kitchen, living room, patio and barbecue starting from 110€ per night. Strong points: the very quiet location at the edge of the island, stunning surroundings, direct access to the beach. This is the best choice for relaxing holidays!
• Grand Hotel Ma&Ma Resort: Located 100 meters away from the Punta Tegge beach. This luxury hotel, the only 5 stars of the island, offers splendid double rooms starting from 250€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the pool, the spa, the very attentive staff, the proximity to the beach. It’s the best hotel for a luxury stay in the Maddalena archipelago!

3) Capo Testa / Santa Teresa di Gallura (1 day)

It’s already the 3rd part of your one week itinerary in Northern Sardinia! This morning, you will take the ferry back to Palau.

Once in Palau, head to Capo Testa , located not far from Santa Teresa di Gallura seaside town. It will take you around 35 min by car to get there.

Capo Testa is a former granite carry , full of giant rock formations with surprising shapes. Located on the sea side, it’s an amazing spot to take stunning pictures!

As the site is quite large, you can easily hike around for a few hours. You can also go to several beaches:

• Cala Francese , left of the Capo Testa lighthouse when you arrive from the parking lot
• Cala di l’ea, south of the lightouse, near the “Valle de la Luna”.

There’re a few more beaches around Capo Testa, so you can spend the afternoon at one of them . I recommend you “ Spiaggia Zia Culumba “, with its big rocks and crystal clear water. On the left of this beach, you can also take a small path by the sea side to reach small hidden coves.

To be honest, Capo Testa was one of the best places I visited during my trip to Sardinia!

In the evening, you should sleep in Santa Tereas di Gallura , the closest city to Capo Testa. The city center is lovely, with lots of restaurants and café terraces.

• La Reggia Di Nausicaa: Located 10 min walking from Santa Teresa port. One bedroom apartment with a kitchenette starting from 55€ per night. Strong points: the swimming pool and friendly staff.
• Villa Gandamar: Located 2km from the city center. Big and comfortable double room starting from 80€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: great breakfast, lovely atmosphere, very quiet. It’s my favorite hotel for its amazing value for money!
• Hotel Corallaro: Located in Santa Teresa’s historical center, 2min from the beach. Modern double room starting from 140€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the swimming pool, close to the beach, very helpful staff. It’s the best choice for a romantic stay in Sardinia!

4) Going back to Olbia (1 day)

If you’re doing a 7 days itinerary in Northern Sardinia , it will be time for you to head back to Olbia.

If your flight is at the end of the day or early the morning after, you can enjoy the beach one last time in the morning.

Then drive back to Olbia, 1h20 away from Santa Teresa di Gallura, to take your flight back home or spend one last night in Olbia (if your flight is early in the next morning).

This one week itinerary in Northern Sardinia is now over! Now you know what to do in Sardinia for 6, 7 or 8 days from Olbia.

If you plan to spend 8 days in Northern Sardinia:

• Spend one more day around Capo Testa . For example, you can go to Costa Paradiso (50 min away from Capo Testa) and enjoy the magnificent Li Cossi Beach.
• Residenze del Centro: Located in the heart of Olbia. New, clean and modern apartment starting from 65€ per night, with an additional breakfast 10€. What I loved: high quality accommodation, helpful staff, good location.
• Jazz Hotel: Located 2km away from the city center and 500m from the airport, Comfortable and modern double room starting from 100€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: modern design, friendly staff, the swimming pool. It’s the perfect hotel to stay at the end of your trip to Sardinia as it’s so close to the airport (10min on foot), but you don’t hear any plane noise! It’s my recommendation in Olbia for its amazing value for money!
• Maison et charme hotel boutique: Located 100m away from the city center and 3km away from the airport. New and well decorated luxury suite, starting from 120€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the decoration, the room is very comfortable, the owner is always available.

Itinerary: one week in Southern Sardinia

1) cagliari (1 day).

To visit Southern Sardinia in one week , you will need to land in Cagliari, the island’s capital.

As the island is quite big, you will also need to rent a car . In order to get the best price, you should really book it in advance!

I personally always use Rentalcars.com website, as it’s by far the most convenient. I will tell you everything you need to know a bit below, in the “Renting a car in Sardinia: My best tips” section.

Let’s now start this one week itinerary in Southern Sardinia with the visit of Cagliari.

Depending on your arrival time, you can visit:

• Il Castello: the city’s ancient district, where all Cagliari’s must see attractions are located
• The Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Sanctuary of the Martyrs
• The Saint Remy Bastion and the Umberto I terrace, offering a beautiful view over the whole city
• The Palazzo di Citta, housing a Sardinian paintings museum

And if you’re in the mood for some beach time, you should go to Poetto beach . It’s 7 km long , so you’ll be sure to find a free spot to enjoy your first day in Sardinia.

For more ideas about the best things to do in Cagliari, you should read my article: Visit Cagliari: the Definitive guide.

• Birkin Castello: Located in the Castello district and 50 meters away from the Cathedral. A very cozy and comfortable double room from 60 € per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the location, the rich breakfast, the helpful staff.
• Budget Rooms Cagliari : Located in the old town. A well decorated and warm double room from 85 € per night. Pros: the location to visit Cagliari on foot, the friendly staff.
• Hotel Villa Fanny : Located 1 km from the centre of Cagliari, 15 minutes walk away from the harbour. A double room with refined and luxurious decoration from 130 € per night, breakfast included. Pros: the kindness of the staff, the calm, the perfect bedding, the excellent and varied breakfast. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Cagliari!

2) Teulada (1 day)

On the day after, let’s continue this 6, 7, 8 days itinerary in Southern Sardinia on one of the most beautiful scenic roads of the island: the SP71.

The road begins in Chia , 1h away of Cagliari, and goes for 25km until Teulada . You’ll drive along the seaside the whole time and enjoy stunning views between the sea and mountains .

The best thing about the Strada Panoramica della Costa del Sud is that you can easily park your car on the side of the road and enjoy beautiful coves and beaches .

One of my favorites is Cala Cipolla , with its crystal clear water and big rocks.

While you’re there, you should also take the path on the right side of the beach . It leads you to Capo Spartivento lighthouse, located on the top of a hill . From there, the view over the whole coast is breathtaking!

Plan to picnic on one of the beaches and spend the day enjoying the wonderful Southeastern coast of Sardinia.

Spend the night in Teulada .

• B&B Su Tostainu: Located in Teulada. Clean and spacious double room starting from 60€, breakfast included. Strong points: lovely hotel, good breakfast.
• Hotel Jasmine: Located 600m away from the city center of Teulada. Spacious double room with balcony starting from 70€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: friendly welcome, high quality bedding, good value for money.
• Agriturismo S’Arxola: Located in Teulada. Comfortable double room starting from 95€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: its location between countryside and sea, excellent traditional homemade breakfast, friendly and helpful owner.

3) Sant’Antioco island (2 days)

Third stop of this one week itinerary in Southern Sardinia: Sant’Antioco island , 40 minutes away from Teulada.

No need to take a ferry, there’s a bridge to go there. You will directly arrive in the main city of the island: Sant’Antioco city.

Park your car close to the port and the tourist information office and go for a walk along the pier. Don’t hesitate to also stop by the Basilica di Sant’Antioco Martire and go visit the archeological museum.

Then, get back to your car and go explore the island’s best beaches .

The best options are: Maladroxia (small resort), Coa Quaddus (wilder), Cala Sapone and Cala Lunga .

The latter, with its transparent shallow water is in my opinion the most beautiful beach of Sant’Antioco. It’s quite wild and a bit hidden, as it’s located at the end of a cove.

Spend your first night in Sant’Antioco.

On the day after, you should go to San Pietro, the neighboring island.

To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry from Calasseta town (departure every hour). The trip lasts about 30min and costs 35€ for two people and a car, roundtrip.

In San Pietro , you’ll arrive in the city of Carloforte. There isn’t any specific place to visit there, so you can just take a walk along the seaside and maybe stop by one of the many coffee shops and restaurants.

After, it will be time to explore the island by car!

• Pass by Spiaggia La bobba and walk along the path on the seaside until you reach the famous column shaped rocks.
• Follow the coastline of La Conca to enjoy beautiful views over the cliffs
• Take a beach break at Spiaggia Spalmatore, the most popular beach of San Pietro
• Enjoy the stunning scenic view at Capo Sandalo!

Spend another night in Sant’Antioco.

• B&B LA VELA: Located in the city of Sant’Antioco. Double room with balcony and sea view starting from 60€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Calm, great view, very friendly owner.
• Complesso Residenziale Isola dei Mori: Located 10min walking from Cala Sapone. Fully equipped studio apartment with kitchenette starting from 85€ per night. What I loved: being able to cook your own food, calm, close to the beach.
• Mercury Boutique Hotel: Located between Cala Sapone and Cala Lunga. Bright and spacious double room with balcony and sea view starting fro 100€ per night. Strong points: 2 swimming pools, very generous buffet style breakfast, good atmosphere and nice view. It’s simply the most beautiful hotel on Sant’Antioco island!

4) The Iglesiente coast (1 day)

Your one week tour in Sardinia will now take you to the Iglesiente coast.

First, you will head to Fontana Mare beach, offering a nice view over the surrounding mountains.

Then, you will reach Nebida and Masua . From these two locations you can see the famous Pan di Zucchero (“sugar loaf” in English). With 133 meters high, it’s the tallest faraglioni of Sardinia.

You may not know it, but in the past, Iglesiente was the mining region of Sardinia . So nowadays, a popular tourist attraction is to visit one of the former mines!

The most famous one is for sure Porto Flavia , dug 600 meters deep in the cliff. You will need to book your visit in advance at Iglesias tourist information office.

After your visit, you should spend some relaxing time at Cala Domestica. Located at the end of a cove, it’s really a great spot to take a dip. And if you want to have a drink or eat something, there’s also a small snack bar .

This beach is a must-see during your 7 days itinerary in Sardinia!

At the end of the day, head to Portixeddu area for the night. If you want to enjoy the beach again, there is a 3km long beach next to the town. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset!

• B&B Raggio di Sole: Located in Fluminimaggiore. Comfortable and bright double room starting from 60€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: very relaxing place, great welcome, stunning view. It’s my favorite accommodation for its great value for money!
• Agriturismo Fighezia: Located in Fluminimaggiore. Double room with mountain and sea view starting from 85€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the view from the rooms, extremely calm, high quality meals.
• La Rosa Dei Venti: Located in Buggerru. Very spacious and warm double room starting from 115€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the breakfast on the roof with a view, the calm, the friendly welcome.

5) Oristano / Cagliari (2 days)

Let’s continue this one week Sardinia itinerary and go to Oristano!

Oristano is located about 1h25 by car from the end of the Iglesiente coast. Don’t go directly to the city (you will have time to visit it later) and continue driving towards the Sinis Peninsula . There, you will find beautiful beaches such as San Giovanni di Sinis and the Spiaggia di Capo San Marco.

The peninsula is also home to a famous Sardinian archeological site: Tharros . It costs 5€ to visit the site, however, I prefer to warn you: there isn’t much to see. Even if you don’t want to visit the site, you should however definitely go for a walk around San Giovanni tower and the Capo San Marco lighthouse.

At the end of the day, go to Oristano and spend the night there .

In the evening, you can go on a stroll to see:

• The piazza del duomo
• The cathedral
• The Chiesa di San Francesco
• The piazza Eleonara d’Arborea
• The piazza Roma.

Then, have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area and don’t forget to stop for dessert at Barbagelato for a good ice cream . It’s simply the the best ice cream shop of all Sardinia!

Spend the night in Oristano.

If you’re visiting Southern Sardinia in 7 days, it will now be time to head back to Cagliari and fly back home. If your flight is at the end of the day, you can spend one last morning at the beach somewhere around Oristano, as it’s only 1h away from Cagliari.

If you visit Southern Sardinia in 8 days:

• On that extra day: in the morning, go visit Bosa (1h away from Oristano)
• Spend the afternoon at the beach

If you’re in Southern Sardinia only for 6 days, you can either:

• Not go on San Pietro island (and only go to Sant’Antioco)
• Skip Oristano
• Sa Domu e Crakeras: Located in the center of Oristano. Basic but very clean double room starting from 45€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: free private parking, excellent service.
• Hotel Il Duomo: Located in the heart of Oristano’s historical center. This hotel used to be a mansion and offers spacious, pleasant rooms in a very elegant style. Starting from 80€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: great location in the center, calm, nice common spaces, great breakfasts with many different dishes. It’s my favorite hotel for its great value for money!
• Hotel Raffael: Located in the Sinis peninsula, in Putzu Idu, 5min walking from the beach. Bright and spacious double rooms, most of them with their private fully equipped terrace and view on the garden. Starting from 140€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: calm, big garden with a swimming pool, the terrace, excellent and generous breakfast, very friendly staff. It’s the best hotel for a romantic stay around Oristano!

As you have seen in this guide, to visit Sardinia in one week, you will need to choose between the North and the South of the island.

A Northern itinerary is great if you don’t mind going in quite crowded and touristy places . Northern Sardinia is really the fancy part of the island, with many luxury hotels and relatively high prices.

I won’t hide you that the Costa Smeralda and Maddalena islands are the most famous destination for 6-7 days trip to Sardinia.

With that in mind, it’s essential to book your accommodations in advance! Also, don’t worry, the beaches, even if a bit crowded, are absolutely stunning.

You should visit Southern Sardinia if you’re looking for a more authentic experience , less mass tourism-oriented.

In the South, Beaches are wilder and as beautiful as in the North! The South is also a better choice if you’re traveling with your family , as the region is more tranquil and laid back.

Anyway, no matter if you choose to go to the North or the South, you will for sure enjoy amazing beaches and relax under the sun during your 6, 7 or 8 days trip to Sardinia!

If you have any question to plan your itinerary in Sardinia, and don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below. Together, we will plan you a perfect week in Northern or Southern Sardinia.

As I told you in the 2 itineraries, you will need to rent a car in order to make the most of your 1 week trip to Sardinia.

To rent it, I recommend you to use Rentalcars.com website. It’s the one I always use, no matter if I am traveling to Sicily , Spain, Malta , Thailand or even Canada ! It’s really user friendly and it offers some really cool features:

• You can easily compare prices between all the car rental agencies in 1 location
• You can get the “full protection insurance”: you will get refunded in case of any damage, accident or if the car is stolen (tested and approved on many occasions! They refunded me more than 1300 euros to date)
• Canceling or modifying your booking is free
• They have the “Best Price Guarantee”: if you find cheaper elsewhere for a similar car, Rentalcars.com will refund you the difference!

You want to do more activities during your 1-week trip to Sardinia ?

No problem!

I have created for you a list of the best activities you can do on the island.

Simply click on the links below for more information and to make your reservations:

1) Northern Sardinia

• From Palau: Full day boat trip + snorkeling in Spargi and Budelli islands + lunch included
• From Porto Cervo or from Baia Sardinia : Mini-cruise + snorkeling in Cala Coticcio, on the island of Caprera
• From Porto Cervo or from Baia Sardinia Cruise + visit to the beaches and bays of the island of Caprera, with swimming stops
• From Porto Cervo : Day trip – Dolphin and whale watching + Snorkeling around the Maddalena Islands – A half day trip is also possible.
• Jet-ski tour around Caprera island from Baia Sardinia
• Jet Ski Tour around Spargi island from Baia Sardinia.
• Cruise around the Costa Smeralda to discover its most beautiful beaches
• Windsurfing course at Porto Pollo
• Diving session near the Maddalena archipelago
• Boat trip to the Lavezzi islands (Corsica) – departure from Santa Teresa di Gallura (north of Sardinia)
• Stand Up paddle tour (between Stintino and Castelsardo).

2) Southern Sardinia

• 3-hour kayak tour with a guide in Cagliari
• Kitesurfing lessons near Cagliari
• Via Ferrata (hiking) or climbing at the Pan di Zucchero (on the coast of Iglesiente)
• Kitesurfing lessons (Island of Sant’Antioco)

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your itinerary in Sardinia, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Sardinia? 😊

Sardinia travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sardinia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sardinia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Sardinia: All Voyage Tips articles about Sardinia are listed here.

• The 25 Best Things to do in Sardinia
• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sardinia – With all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (North + South)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sardinia – The definitive guide to visit Northern Sardinia in 10 days!
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sardinia – The perfect 14, 15 or 16 days itinerary in Northern Sardinia
• Itinerary: 14, 15 or 16 days in Sardinia – The perfect 2 weeks itinerary in Southern Sardinia
• Itinerary: 3 weeks in Sardinia – With all my best tips to visit the whole island in 20 or 21 days!
• Itinerary: North West of Sardinia (1 week) – How to visit Sardinia in 6, 7 or 8 days from Alghero
• Alghero: The 6 best places to visit
• Cagliari: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Costa Smeralda: The definitive guide to plan your stay
• Gulf of Orosei & Supramonte: The 10 best things to do
• La Maddalena: All my best tips to visit the islands

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Discussion 25 comments.

We don’t usually rent a car. How would you describe driving in Maddalena?

Hello Doris,

No problem to drive in La Maddalena, the roads are in good conditions. On the main scenic road, there are parking spots on the side allowing you to stop and enjoy the view or go to the beach.

Same on Caprera island, the roads are pretty good.

I did a 3 weeks road trip around Sardinia and overall, the roads are great Sardinian people drive carefully – The driving style is very different than the one in Sicily or south of Italy for example!

Enjoy your trip to Sardinia!

Is it reasonable to arrive on the ferry from Corsica, rent a car in the north, then drive south to a rental house? Can having a central location, doing day trips, give a nice taste of the island?

Hello Grace,

If you want to drive from the north of Sardinia (the ferry arrival from Corsica is in Santa Teresa) to the south (for example, Cagliari), it’s a little over 3.5 hours.

I wouldn’t advise you to take one accommodation in the centre of the island because it’s really lost in the mountains. And in the end, you will drive a lot every day.

If you only have a week, it’s best to visit either the South or stay in the North.

Enjoy your stay in Sardinia!

Thanks for these wonderful tips. We will travel to Sardina and have one week. We will land in cagliari and were thinking combining South (3 days) and North (4 days) and leave the rental car in Olbia and fly to Nepal from there. The main goal of the trip is to relax and see and enjoy the best beaches and sea. I wonder if this is possible. Where are the best and most interesting beaches and scenary? Is it possible for you to suggest an itinary based mainly on seaside holiday with a number of different beaches? Thanks again!

Hello Volkan,

Thank you very much! I’m glad that my one-week itinerary in Sardinia is helping you to plan your stay.

For the most beautiful beaches, you can already find all my recommendations in this article.

If you arrive in Cagliari and want to spend 3 days in the South, you can stay in the surroundings and go to the beaches of the SP71 road and Sant’Antioco island.

After that, you can go north, stopping at Cala Gonone to visit the coves of the Gulf of Orosei.

Then the most beautiful beaches in the North are on the Costa Smeralda and the archipelago of La Maddalena. You can find detailed information about these places here: Destination Sardinia .

Enjoy your week in Sardinia!

Hi Vincent Thank you for your usefull itinarary of sardinia , i want go there by my housband for our honey moon and relaxing there. I come frome Iran And i go to austria and then italy I want to know for a week relaxation trip , and also swimming and sunning in the beach in middle of september which beach is your recomand ? I read your itinarary but you recomandad several beaches i want a sandy beach with warm water and also a hotel near that . Can you help me ? Thank you and Best Wishes Hoora

Hello Hoora,

I would recommend you to stay in the North of Sardinia, in the Costa Smeralda area. You have several very nice hotels perfect for a honeymoon on the sea front (you can click on the name of the hotels to see the pictures and all the information): – Hotel Abi d’Oru in Porto Rotondo – Pevero Hotel in Porto Cervo – Hotel Romazzino in Porto Cervo – Hotel La Rocca Resort & Spa in Baja Sardinia – Hotel Li Finistreddi in Cannigione.

Great site, thanks Vincent. We are planning a ladies trip mid September and I’m hoping we can all do 10 days. I truly can’t decide north or south!! We like the hike, bike, be in charming towns, enjoy the beach, etc. We will of course have a car possibly even have to do 2 unfortunately with luggage. Please let me know what you think of my itinerary? not sure of the order yet. Assuming mid September will still have availability and not be outrageous prices on Costa Smeralda but I could be wrong????

Fly into Olbia and stay in Porto Certo or Rotunda (will try and do airbnb’s since we have 4 people) or if not stay at a 5 Star hotel for only a night then over to La Maddalena for 3 nights (is that too long?) we can hike on Caprera Island like you suggest.

Santa Teresa *(looks lovely to me()

Next would be Asinara National Park (should we base in Stintino?) also see Castelsardo?

Alghero OR Bosa? Where to base? Friend said Bosa is a must see and it looks perfect to me.

Orosei for a boast day?

I just don’t see how we can see entire island in 10 days if we want to do airbnb’s and not change hotels constantly. Trying to figure out order of towns and where it’s best to base. We will do regional flight from Rome so assuming we can go in one city and out another? Might pay drop off fees with rental car. Please help if you don’t mind. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Thanks Jamie!

Regarding your itinerary: – Ok for one night towards Porto Cervo – 3 nights in La Maddalena is perfect – Santa Teresa ok – You can pass by Castelsardo on the way between Santa Teresa and Asinara – For accommodation you can look between Porto Torres and Stintino. – Alghero is more lively than Bosa, there are more restaurants and things to do in the area. You can visit Bosa from Alghero, as it’s only 50 minutes by car. Bosa is just a photo opportunity, it’s a short visit. – I’m not sure if you have time to do the day trip to the Gulf of Orosei. For 10 days, the programme is already quite full.

You can rent the car in Olbia and return it to Olbia, it will save you extra costs.

Hi Vincent, love your site, am finding it very helpful! I will be in Sardinia for 7 nights, flying into Olbia from Nice and then flying out of Cagliari to Bari. Am trying to work out the my travels from north to south, am currently thinking: – fly into Olbia in the morning and drive to to Orosei region (stay either in Orosei, Cala Gonone or Dalgari), spend 3 nights here for hiking and boat tour – drive west to Bosa, stay here 3 nights and explore north/south – drive Bosa to Cagliari, exploring Cagliari town on last day Would love your thoughts, thanks!

Hi Rachael,

Thank you so much! I’m glad my blog is helping you plan your one week itinerary to Sardinia. What you have planned is perfectly feasible, no problem.

Excellent, thanks Vincent! One other question, do you think a small car (like a Fiat 500) is fine for this type of driving?

You’re welcome!

Yes, a small car will be fine. I rented a fiat panda for my road trip in Sardinia and had no problems.

Have a nice day,

Hi Vincent Your website is fabulous and Sardinia looks beautiful!!

I’m hoping you could give me your opinion as I’m not certain it is the right time for me to go there.

I’m a 19 year old travelling by myself this September, mostly in London for a short uni program and after that am really wanting to do a mostly relaxing beach holiday.

I am considering 5 days in Sardinia, 3 nights in La Maddalena and a night or 2 in Costa Smeralda. From reading your info and others it looks like you really need to have a car while in Sardinia.

I won’t be driving and I am on a budget. So just not sure whether to do a trip to Sardinia now or leave it for another time.

Would appreciate any thoughts or advice you may have. Thanks very much Janelle

Hello Janelle,

Thank you! Yes, Sardinia is really beautiful and has some superb beaches. Unfortunately, for me, you really need a car to visit it and get to the beaches. What’s more, this part of Sardinia (the whole Costa Smeralda) is reputed to be one of the most expensive on the island, so I think it would be complicated to find cheap accommodation in September. I think it would be better for you to go there next time when you can hire a car.

If you want to enjoy the sun and beaches without hiring a car, maybe Malta could be for you. It’s possible to find cheap hotels in the St Paul’s Bay / Mellieha area (North of the island) or on Gozo (the other island of Malta). You can eat there very cheaply. There are also youth hostels in the south of the island. The Mellieha area has some of the most beautiful beaches in Malta, and Gozo also has some great swimming spots. You can get around by bus or use VTC apps like Uber. In Malta and Gozo, it’s best to use Bolt (which isn’t very expensive either). If you’re interested, you can find all my articles here: Destination Malta .

Don’t hesitate if you have any questions!

Thank you so much for your response Vincent. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and for your honesty.

I have had a quick look at Malta but will check it out more and save Sardinia for another time.

Thanks again Janelle

We will be visiting Sardegna for the first time and currently live on mainland Italy. Do you know if it’s possible to use your own kayak at any of the beaches or cove areas? We can’t seem to find any regulations or information about kayaking besides rental locations. Thanks so much! And thank you for this article, we will be doing your 1 week in the north recommendation 😊

Thank you! I’m glad that my itinerary for a week in Sardinia is helping you organise your visits.

As for kayaking, I’m honestly not sure but I don’t see why you shouldn’t be allowed to use your kayak. I would advise you to contact one of the companies that organise kayak tours in Sardinia and ask them whether or not there are any special regulations. They should know.

Don’t hesitate to tell me the answer, it may be useful to other travellers.

Hello Vincent,

We are staying for 10 days in Sardinia flying into Cagliari and after 2 days we plan to drive straight up to Maddalena (is that too much?) Could you suggest which route is best to enjoy the views please and is there somewhere we could stop for a break about half way? We are planning 3or 4 days here and then driving south again spending the remainder of the holiday in Oristano before returning to Cagliari.

Hello Naomi,

To get from Cagliari to Palau (where the ferry leaves for the island of La Maddalena), you need to allow about 3 hours 45 minutes by car. It’s the quickest route, but it passes through the interior of Sardinia, so there’s not much to see.

You can also take the road along the entire east coast of Sardinia to enjoy the views. But the journey takes at least 5 hours by car.

Vincent I don’t know you-but you place wonderful itineraries for free here, so we know you know your stuff! When folks ask you such detailed questions that would take your time to answer, consider setting up a link where they can hire you for a consult to help create a personalized itinerary! Why not? Regards, Viv

Thanks a lot of your kind comment and suggestion! To be honest, I am really happy to help people plan their trip for free by answering their questions in the comments section. I try to write as detailed articles as possible, sometimes suggesting variations or several options of visits when it’s possible and worth it. Most people are thus asking me for relatively small changes to the itinerary, so it’s not too complicated to answer, and I wouldn’t see myself charging a fee for this. However, creating tailor made itineraries for clients would be much more work, and I believe that would easily turn into a full time job if I start offering this service! That would mean I won’t have time anymore to write guides, translate them, travel, take care of the photos etc.. and that would be a bit sad, as it’s what I enjoy doing and what helps most people to plan their trip! Of course I could always subcontract the work to someone else, but I believe this is not really fair, as they wouldn’t really have visited the places I talk about.

I actually have another blog about Mauritius with one of my friends who lives there, and she is offering this type of service. As it’s a small blog about 1 destination, it’s not a problem, as she has a few enquiries per month and can manage it along with the blog writing!

Thanks again Viv, and if you have any question to plan your trip to Sardinia or anywhere else, don’t hesitate.

Have a wonderful day!

Hi ! I love your iterinary wondering if you could help me? First time visit (anniversary trip) total of 7 nights in July . Wanted to know how I can squeeze in algehero , Porto cervo maddalena? Is this possible? We are mostly interested in beach, charters and relaxing.

Hello Mari,

Thanks a lot!

For your trip, you can follow my itinerary for a week in Northern Sardinia, as it already includes Porto Cervo and La Maddalena.

As for Alghero, if you’re only staying for 7 nights, I think it’s too short to include it, as it’s about 2h30 by car from Palau. Plus, as you say you’re mainly interested in the beaches, it’s not worth going to Alghero for that.

There are many more beautiful coves around the Costa Smeralda or towards Capo Testa, which I mention in this itinerary, or a little further towards Costa Paradiso. For a week, it’s best to concentrate on this area.

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12 of the most beautiful towns and villages in Sardinia

Sardi nia is Italy's second-largest island, a favorite among Italian visitors and vacationers alike. It's home to some of Italy's most stunning white-sand beaches, as well as the glamourous yachting region of the Costa Smeralda. But what you may not know is that it's also home to some of Italy's most charming villages. Whether it be a colorful day trip, a hideaway in the mountains or an idyllic seaside stay, consider a visit to one of Sardinia's most beautiful villages.

For more Mediterranean vacation inspiration, check out some of our most recent Italy content:

• 19 of the most beautiful villages in Italy
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The River Temo flows through the center of the colorful village of Bosa. With the medieval Serravalle Castle (also known as the Malaspina Castle), a number of churches, a few museums and even ancient tanneries, there's plenty to do and see and this village. Plus, Bosa overlooks the sea, and there are several sandy beaches nearby, too.

2. Galtelli

Located in the Cedrino River valley, this Medieval village is made almost entirely out of stone. Nearby, hike up Mount Tuttavista for panoramic views and to see the famed bronze Christ statue, a route that many pilgrims have trekked over the years. Galtelli, once a religious landmark, has several churches to visit, or there are numerous hiking and rock climbing spots around Tuttavista.

3. Stintino

Stintino is home to one of Sardinia's most popular beaches , La Pelosa. It's a stunning strip of white sand and calm turquoise waters with views of the Torre Pelosa in the distance. But the town and port of Stintino are just as beautiful. And, Stintino is also known for having some of the most delectable seafood on the island, so make sure to sample some at a local restaurant -- fan favorites are the sea urchin, octopus and clams.

4. Castelsardo

Many refer to this hilltop, seaside village as Sardinia's "best-kept secret." Well, we're spilling the beans: Castelsardo is an absolutely gorgeous spot for a vacation. For the best views (you can even spot Corsica on a clear day) hike up to the top of the hill to visit the Castello dei Doria. A short drive away from the village, visit Elephant Rock, a giant rock formation shaped like -- you guessed it -- an elephant.

Did you know you can ski in Sardinia? The village of Fonni is near some of the highest peaks in Sardinia apt for skiing during the winter season. During the warmer months, explore the town and its many painted wall murals. Nearby, there are plenty of hiking trails and wooded areas to get some fresh air.

6. Carloforte

Carloforte is located on the small islet of San Pietro, just off the southwestern coast of Sardinia . Here, you'll experience a very traditional Sardinian village experience: colorful buildings, a charming harbor, ancient churches and even abandoned salt pans. Make sure to sample the tuna when visiting -- Carloforte has a yearly tuna festival and competition!

An easy day trip from the nearby city of Cagliari, Pula is best known for its nearby archaeological ruins of Nora that date back to the 4th century BC. Back in Pula, enjoy specialty dishes like the sweet and salty mixture of figs and ham in a lively square such as the Piazza del Popolo. There are many sandy beaches around Pula, too, as well as pine forests with walking and hiking trails.

8. Calasetta

Calasetta's white sand beaches and bustling town atmosphere are perfect for a relaxing vacation . If you get tired of the expansive Sottotorre Beach, visit Calasetta's Contemporary Art Museum (MACC). For gorgeous views of the town, beach and sea, head up to the Torre Sabauda, a stone tower located at Calasetta's highest point.

9. La Maddalena

La Maddalena is a village located on the La Maddalena Islands just off the north coast of Sardinia. These islands not only have some of the most breathtaking beaches in Europe (if you squint, you might think you're sprawled on the fine pearly sands of the Caribbean), but Maddalena village is also surprisingly picturesque. Check out the Garibaldi statue in the harbor and the Santa Maria Maddalena Church when you tire of exploring the island's natural coves and beaches.

10. Orgosolo

Known as the "village of murals," this UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to prehistoric times. Orgosolo has hundreds of murals painted around town, and the best way to see them is simply to wander around and discover them. The mountainous village also has lots of hiking and walking trails leading directly from the town into the woods and nearby hills.

11. Santa Teresa di Gallura

Overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio, this seaside village is best visited during shoulder season -- you'll avoid the massive influx of tourists that summer sees, but also enjoy the lovely weather that May, June, September and October bring. In between beach trips, make sure to pay a visit to the Longosardo Tower, a 16th-century structure built by one of Spain's former kings.

12. Alghero

Alghero is really a city, but its historical center feels like its own tiny, quaint village. With a massively long stretch of city beach, it will be a toss-up to decide whether to have a day of sand and sun or roam the old city's stone walls (yes, there are seven towers guarding them). The fortified walls are also excellent spots for viewing the sunset .

Bottom line

Sardinia is famous for its beaches, but that's not all this Italian island has. With many tiny seaside villages, mountain collectives and even ski towns, exploring some of these lesser-visited towns is the way to go.

For more beautiful European village inspiration, check out these articles:

• 15 of the most beautiful villages in Europe
• 13 of the most beautiful villages in Portugal
• 15 of the most beautiful villages in Spain
• 19 of the most beautiful villages in France
• 13 of the most beautiful villages in Greece

(Feature image courtesy of Gian Luca Salis / EyeEm / Getty)

Sardinia   Travel Guide

Courtesy of lucafabbian | Getty Images

6 Best Things To Do in Sardinia

Updated Feb. 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. 

Popular Tours

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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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The 10 best things to do in Sardinia

W here to start? Giants' tombs, mysterious Nuraghic fortresses, or exquisite sandy beaches lapped by impossibly turquoise sea? Then there’s the mountainous interior, excellent for hiking. But one of the best ways to experience Sardinia is to arrange your trip around one its many festivals. Sardinians are immensely proud of their traditions and you’ll see intricate costumes, taste local foods and hear some of the most unusual music – polyphonic folk singing, accompanied by launeddas (pipes) that have been played for over 3,000 years.

For further inspiration, see our guide to Sardinia and the island's best hotels , restaurants , nightlife and beaches .

Find things to do by area

Porto cervo, golfo aranci, meet sardinia's 'stone army'.

Up in Cagliari’s Castello area is a museum complex that includes one of Sardinia’s finest archeological museums, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, which has exhibits dating back to 6000 BC. Unmissable is the Sardinian 'stone army': the sculptures, which are more than three metres high, with some weighing over 400 kilos, are 500 years older than China’s Terracotta Army. Other fascinating exhibits include a collection of 'pintadera' – terracotta plates used to showcase the breads created for Sardinia’s many festivals.

Insider tip:  In the museum complex is a decent art gallery, a museum of Far Eastern art, and a collection of weird 19th-century anatomical wax specimens.

Contact:  Museo Archeologico Nazionale,  museoarcheocagliari.beniculturali.it ; Pinacoteca art gallery,  pinacoteca.cagliari.beniculturali.it ; Museo d’Arte Siamese,  museicivicicagliari.it ; Mostra di Cere Anatomiche, 00 39 070 675 7627

Get swept up in the festivities of a four-day festival

Every May, Cagliari celebrates the city’s survival from a 17th-century plague, and gives thanks to its patron saint, Sant’Efisio. The four-day festival starts at the church of Sant’Efisio, and hundreds of participants from all over the island, wearing their town’s typical costume, accompany an effigy of Sant’Efisio (which normally resides in the church), 40 kilometres down the coast to Nora, then back, accompanied by musicians, enormous bread 'sculptures', and thousands of followers.

Insider tip: This is an excellent opportunity to hear musicians playing the ancient launeddas (pipes), as well as extraordinary polyphonic folk singing. Events carry on well into the evening, so head for Piazza del Carmine for more music and celebrating.

Contact: cagliariturismo.it

Price: Free to watch

Flock to see Cagliari’s resident flamingos

The Molentargius-Saline Regional Park, spread over 1,600 hectares, was established in 1999 in order to protect the vast numbers of waterfowl that came to nest and winter here each year. Today it has the widest range of species in the Mediterranean, and is the most important site for flamingos, which number in their tens of thousands. The area had been designated a world heritage site in 1976. As well as birdlife, there are a number of buildings dating back to the 1900s that reflect the area’s mining past.

Insider tip: The park takes its name from the men who used to lead the donkeys ( su molenti ) that carried salt from the plains. One of the best ways to explore the park is by bike, and it’s possible to hire binoculars from the park’s Infopoint.

Contact:   parcomolentargius.it

Opening times: Daily, sunrise-sunset

Price: Free

Spot symbolism in a beautiful church

Porto Cervo’s Stella Maris church is situated on a hill overlooking the sea, and the story behind it is as beautiful as the church itself: the Aga Khan, the current Imam of Ismaili Muslims, wanted to give thanks to the Catholic population for allowing him to develop the area. He commissioned the architect who had been most involved in the creation of the Costa Smeralda, Michele Busiri Vici, to build the extraordinary church for the people.

Insider tip: The church is full of symbolism: the undulation of the whitewashed exterior is reminiscent of waves. The cupola, decorated in curved tiles, reminds you of the turquoise sea, and six monolithic columns of local granite support the front of the building. Look out for 16th-century artist El Greco’s 'Mater Dolorosa'.

Contact:   chiesastellamaris.it

Dive with Dolphins and discover underwater marine flora

A thriving community of bottlenose dolphins lives in the waters of the Golfo Aranci (not least because of the location of a nearby fish farm that provides rich pickings) and Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel hosts regular boat trips that enable you to watch them feed and play, close up. You can even go snorkelling alongside them.  

Insider tip:  Discover underwater marine flora and fauna with PADI-qualified scuba divers. Explore the marine protected areas of Tavolara and the Molara Islands, as well as the natural reserve of Figarolo and Capofigari and the Island of Mortorio.

Contact:   hotelgabbianoazzurro.com

Be awestruck by the Giants’ Tomb

The Tomba dei Giganti (Giants’ tomb) dates from around 1600 BC, and one of the best preserved is at Coddu Vecchiu, in Arzachena. The site was only excavated in 1966 and little is known about the 11 granite stones that are arranged in a semicircle, measuring around 12 metres across, but it is thought that the arrangement might harness some subterranean energy for the purposes of rejuvenation – an abiding theme in Sardinia. The central stele – about four metres high – incorporates the entrance to the megalithic tomb beyond. Some suggest that the shape of the construction depicts that of a woman giving birth.

Insider tip:  Though thought to have been a tomb for a giant, the most likely explanation, if less ‘Game of Thrones’, is that it was a communal burial chamber. That said, the Bell Beaker people, who probably arrived here before making for Britain, were thought to be pretty tall.

Walk in the footsteps of the Carthaginians

Just outside the pretty town of Pula, along the coast from Cagliari, the ancient site of Nora holds Sardinia’s most impressive Carthaginian and Roman ruins, which include mosaics, temples and thermal baths. Its situation, overlooking the sea, makes the site even more spectacular. The tours are fascinating, thanks to the enthusiastic guides who provide plenty of information about the site.

Insider tip: When you’re done, there are several beaches nearby, but a 20-minute drive takes you to Chia, where you’ll find a series of magnificent bays, beyond which lie the lagoons that are such important flamingo breeding grounds.

Contact:   nora.beniculturali.unipd.it

Admire the variety and intricacy of Sardinia’s local costumes

The largest ethnographic museum in Sardinia, Museo del Costume, explores the island’s rich culture through its costumes, jewellery, and musical instruments, including a 3,000-year-old launeddas – an ancient trio of pipes that sounds something like a set of bagpipes. There’s even a section on bread: there are 100s of different bread designs that are used for the island’s many festivals.

Insider tip:  Entrance is free on the first Sunday of the month, otherwise 5 euros. A combined ticket for 8 euros includes entrance to the Deleddiano Museum dedicated to the life of Sardinia’s winner of the 1926 Nobel Prize in Literature, Grazia Deledda.

Contact:   isresardegna.it

Meet the white donkeys of Asinara

North of Sassari lies the island of Asinara – Sardinia’s Alcatraz – which was once a 19th-century penal colony, World War 1 prisoner-of-war camp, and, during the 1970s, a prison. Today it’s a superb marine and wildlife reserve, and its most unusual residents are the albino donkeys.

Insider tip: The island is excellent for walking and cycling, and has a couple of lovely beaches, including Cala d’Oliva. It’s also possible to visit the old prison buildings. Boats leave Stintino at 9.30am and return at 4.30pm.

Contact: parcoasinara.org

Discover Sardinia’s wild interior (and bizarre festivals)

The mountainous region of Barbagia has wonderful trails for walkers, and many of its own festivals, including the extraordinary Mamoaida (February), a truly bizarre re-enactment of the victory of Barbagian shepherds over Saracen invaders: the Issohadores (‘shepherds’ dressed in red felt waistcoats) lead, by rope, the Mamuthones (‘captured Saracens’ wearing black wooden masks and sheepskins with cowbells attached) through the streets.

Hundreds of murals colour the streets of Orgosolo and have much to impart about the strength of resistance on the island. Themes range from the depiction of rural life – including the work of women and shepherds – to the socio-political struggles for power.

Contact:  sardegnaturismo.it

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

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• The 12 Most Surreal And...

The Most Surreal and Beautiful Places in Sardinia

The Italian island of Sardinia is filled with natural wonder. Its turquoise Mediterranean water and miles of beaches are the main draws, but its mysterious ancient structures, hiking trails and colourful mountain towns are also worth discovering. From Neptune’s Grotto to Cala Brandinchi, here are our guide for the things to do in Sardinia, Italy .

Interested in exploring a different part of Italy? Join Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure to Sicily our 10-day trip to Southern Italy.

Neptune’s Grotto, for an otherworldly cave

Take the long seaside staircase escala del cabirol, or “goat steps,” down to this incredible natural wonder near Alghero. The grotto takes its name from Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. Inside you’ll find a large saltwater lake and both stalactites and stalagmites that create an otherworldly experience. If you don’t fancy climbing down (and up) the 656 steps, and if the water is calm, you can take a boat from the harbour in the Port of Alghero .

Argentiera, for a mining ghost town

This ghost town is a stone’s throw from the university town of Sassari on the western coast of the island. A former mining town dating back to Roman times, Argentiera is now part of a Unesco-protected collection of eight separate areas known as the Parco Geominerario . You can roam the abandoned mine buildings and explore the nearby beaches for an unusual day out.

La Pelosa Beach, for the most beautiful beach in Sardinia

While it is virtually impossible to name just one beach as the most beautiful beach in Sardinia, La Pelosa Beach in Stintino is without a doubt one of them. Calm turquoise waters and soft sugar-white sand are banked on one side, with lush Mediterranean vegetation and a view of the island of Asinara on the other. There is also a charming 17th-century tower thrown in the mix for good measure.

Murals of Orgosolo, for creative street art

In the isolated and rugged mountain region known as the Barbagia, there is a town that has always had a strong and independent voice. The buildings in the town of Orgosolo serve as a canvas to broadcast the thoughts and will of the inhabitants. The practice began in the 1960s and grew. Today, you will find political statements and depictions of daily village life expressed in large-scale murals.

Su Nuraxi di Barumini, for ancient archeology

The mysterious and ancient structures that are known as Nuraghe are scattered all over Sardinia. The Su Nuraxi is part of the Barumini archaeological site and is considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of Bronze Age civilization villages. This site has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.

Gola di Gorropu, for hiking in canyons

Located in a vast chasm on the Supramonte mountain, the Gola di Gorropu is often called Italy’s Grand Canyon. Almost 1,500ft (457m) down and a mile (just under 2km) wide, this place offers trails to hike and rivers to raft and swim in. If you believe in myths, keeps your eyes out for Sa Mama de Gorropu, Sardinia’s very own Bigfoot.

Capo Testa, for scenic views

At Capo Testa, up in north Sardinia, wind has sculpted granite boulders into soft shapes, and the water is deep and crystal clear. At the nearby Cala dei Corsari, the water is indeed so clear that you can spot submerged Roman-era columns. The end of the day, as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, is particularly scenic here.

Mamoiada, for a unique cultural carnival experience

This town, nestled in the Barbagia hills, is best known for its carnival costumes and masks worn by the mamuthones , who wear black leather and large bells, and issohadores, who wear hats called berrittas and distinctive red-and-black outfits. Also of note is a carved granite stone sculpture, the Menhir of Perda Pinta, which dates back to 3200 BCE.

Santa Teresa Gallura, for epic Sardinian scenery

Located on a narrow strip of land, on the Strait of Bonifacio, Santa Teresa Gallura is an oasis of greens and blues, replete with vegetation, granite boulders and clear, cool seas. Find a beach with a view of the nearby French island of Corsica or visit the Giants’ Tomb, a megalithic archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age. In the summer season, the town’s main piazza is abuzz with shops and restaurants.

Castelsardo, for a picture-perfect pretty town

This town on the northwest coast of the island shows up on a lot of “prettiest towns in Italy” lists with good reason. With a castle, beautiful beaches and spa hotels, there is a lot to like about Castelsardo. Other highlights here include the rock formation known as the Roccia dell’Elefante and the interesting Museo dell’Intreccio Mediterraneo, which is dedicated to the island art of basket weaving.

Tempio Pausania, for elaborate carnival floats

For three days in midwinter, the sleepy town of Tempio in northern Sardinia transforms with lively and colourful festivities. Carnival in Tempio Pausania is celebrated with parades, elaborately decorated floats and masked performers on foot and horseback. You will likely spot Lu Linzolu Cupaltatu, a mysterious female figure who walks along the streets completely wrapped in a sheet, and Ghjolghju Puntogliu, the enormous masked figure who marks the end of the celebrations and the beginning of Lent.

Cala Brandinchi, for a beach lover’s paradise

This beach is so beautiful that locals call it Little Tahiti. Bounded by a cool pine forest on one side and turquoise water on the other, the soft white sand completes the paradise effect. There are private beach clubs that rent out sun loungers and umbrellas.

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More From Forbes

Umbria to sardinia: top places to stay in italy this summer.

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This year, Italy’s hotel world is upping the ante when it comes to its many standout luxury offerings, with a plethora of new openings and property updates giving even more choice to visitors. From Italy’s mountainous peaks to its azure waters in the dramatic south of the country, here is Part 2 of Italy’s latest hotel news from the centre to the south of the country.

The Contessa Suite at Borgo Dei Conti.

Opening this summer is Borgo dei Conti Resort , a 40-room & suite luxury property in Umbria and a member of Relais & Chateaux. The region of Umbria, which neighbours Tuscany but is often overlooked, has been dubbed the ‘green heart of Italy’ and is full of treasures when it comes to untouched country estates, art and its own unique cuisine (porchetta is big here). Championing all of this is Borgo dei Conti, surrounded by 50 acres of picturesque olive groves and forest. The resort has been designed by Milanese firm, Spagnulo and Partners, with its rich colour palettes paying homage to Umbria’s history.

A bathroom in the Suite del Conte.

Inspired by the work of iconic Renaissance painters, such as Pietro Perugino and Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael), the saturated hues are complemented by traditional architecture dating back to the 19th century and native materials that have been paired with contemporary furnishings. The estate also features a culinary offering overseen by executive chef Emanuele Mazzella, and includes a fine dining restaurant, ground-floor bar, classic trattoria, pizzeria and poolside bar. When it comes to wellness, guests can tap into the luxurious spa with its two saunas, a hammam, multiple Jacuzzis and relaxation areas.

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Last year, Rome was in the spotlight with a long list of hotel openings which saw brands, such as Six Senses, Romeo, Edition and Bulgari, open their doors.

Laura Gonzalez's vibrant designs at Casa Monti.

This summer, family-owned Leitmotiv is set to offer something different as they debut Casa Monti , opening 1 June 2024. Just as with the opening of La Fantaisie in Paris last summer, Leitmotiv wants to champion small-scale producers and local creative talent with its first Italian hotel. Casa Monti, says the brand, will be a romantic tribute to the charming and lesser-known neighbourhood of Rione Monti, with its village vibe, artisan shops, chic wine bars and new-age art galleries.

The boutique hotel will offer just 36 rooms, a restaurant, an aperitivo bar and a Susanne Kaufmann spa overlooking the city. Local culture will be reflected in the interiors of Casa Monti, which have been designed by Laura Gonzalez, with crafted materials and bespoke prints evoking a carefree Italian spirit. The interior designer is best known for creating bold interiors without compromising on the spirit of the place. When designing the hotel, Gonzalez was inspired by the Italian notion of sprezzatura— the feeling of relaxed ease and effortless elegance and she has imbued each space with her trademark colourful style.

Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli.

Meanwhile, the classic hotel that is Donna Camilla Savelli , found within the walls of a 17th-century convent, in the heart of Trastevere, Rome, has just completed major renovations. Originally designed and built by Francesco Borromini, Donna Camilla Savelli is steeped in history which dates back to 1642. The Baroque hotel’s 87 rooms have been revived while still preserving the charm of their original design. Each room is elegantly furnished, featuring views of the old convent, the cityscape or of the hotel’s peaceful internal gardens. The new renovations seamlessly blend the old world with the new, encapsulating the beauty of Rome.

Views across the Amalfi coastline from Borgo Santandrea.

On the Amalfi Coast, luxury cliffside hotel Borgo Santandrea is debuting three new suites with heartstopping sea views across the Amalfi coast. Each comes with its own expansive private terrace, private plunge pool and blinds that automatically open—giving way to panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Additionally, two brand new luxury boats have been added to the Borgo Fleet, PARDO 50 and SAXDOR 320, offering guests the opportunity to be stylishly transported straight from Naples airport to Borgo Santandrea’s private jetty. The yachts can also be used for private boat tours to popular local hotspots, such as Amalfi, Capri and Positano.

Borgo Santandrea has two new yachts and its own private jetty.

The hotel has also launched its spa, an architectural feat built into a turret, secretly hidden within the vertically terraced property, and is another way to capture those panoramic views of the Amalfi coastline.

Celebrating its 190th year is Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.

Meanwhile, this year, southern Italy’s grand dame hotel, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria , is set to celebrate its 190 th anniversary. Founded by the Fiorentino family in 1834, it is still run by the sixth generation of the family.The hotel has a famous position on the cliffs in Sorrento with views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius and it remains one of the most iconic hotels in Italy and has hosted some of the world’s greatest icons, including Marilyn Monroe, Sophie Loren, Princess Margaret and Jackie Kennedy. Glamorous guests are treated to Vietri-tiled floors, marble bathrooms, trompe l’oeil artwork and other rarefied details in romantic suites and rooms. The hotel has three full-time furniture restorers for the upkeep of its precious décor.

The terrace at Maestro's at TreVille.

Meanwhile, what was once the former home of acclaimed film director, Franco Zeffirelli, TreVille Positano is known as one of the Amalfi Coast’s iconic properties. Stretching over two hectares of land, the clifftop hotel accommodates just 40 guests, offering an intimate atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of Positano below. Home to 16 uniquely designed suites, TreVille Positano showcases the cosmopolitan glamour of a bygone era fused with the energy of Southern Italy and Zeffirelli’s theatrical vision. Immersed in nature, each room also overlooks the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, retaining the ambience of a summer residence. The hotel is home to an award-winning restaurant, Maestro’s, which takes inspiration from locally grown ingredients from Treville’s on-site organic farm, as well as La Traviata, a dedicated wellness and spa. New at the property is Villa Maura, which is set to open in 2025.

Palazzo Daniele in Puglia.

Located in Italy’s Puglia region, Palazzo Daniele is an 11-suite luxury hotel housed in a 159-year-old family palazzo, and has been recently re-envisioned by new hotel brand, GS Collection. The hotel’s minimalist design is a stylish contrast to the grandeur of the palazzo’s original frescoes and mosaic flooring, and this pared-back design also creates a canvas for the property’s contemporary art collection. The hotel recently opened its new La Torretta suite. Translating to ‘small tower’, it features direct access to the palazzo’s courtyard along with a chic living area and upstairs bedroom connected by a red marble staircase. The suite’s curated décor boasts pieces of art from Christodoulos Panayotou and Sim Way Kim, and a sculpture by LA based artist Bri Williams.

Opening up access to the town of Maratea, found in Basilicata in the south of Italy, are EasyJet’s new flights to Salerno (set to launch on 13 July 2024). As the first and only flights to Salerno from the UK, it means that Basilicata, a stretch of untouched Italy, can be more readily explored and reached by car in under two hours from Salerno airport.

Sea views from Hotel Santavenere.

Part of the Egnazia Group (of Borgo Egnazia fame in Puglia) Hotel Santavenere is the only five-star hotel in Maratea. This year it has undergone a revamp of eight of its garden rooms, which have been redesigned by Italian designer Pino Brescia.

The hotel aspires to show travellers the hidden beauty of Maratea—a small Italian town which holds a panoramic position on one of the most inspiring expanses along the Gulf of Policastro. The town is often left out of popular travel itineraries, such as those involving the Amalfi Coast, which is only two and a half hours away by car, or Rome, which is just three hours away by train.

Capturing the simplicity of Maratha.

In Maratea, guests can discover a piece of Italy that still feels exclusive with the hotel’s in house ‘experience provider’ showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes, wild nature, and dramatic coastline through a series of bespoke experiences.

Meanwhile, the island of Sardinia will see the transformation of Hotel Romazzino into a new Belmond property. Set to reopen this May 2024, the property, found on the Costa Smerelda, will keep Michele Busiri Vici’s iconic architecture, rooted in natural stucco curves and terracotta tiles, as well as the hotel’s renowned six ultra-private villas.

Hotal Romazzino, ow a Belmond property.

The ultra-luxe region of Costa Smeralda is famous for its legendary hotels, such as Hotel Cala di Volpe , as well as Porto Cervo , which acts as a social hub to the global elite. The region has continued to grow in the last few years with the addition of major F&B operators, such as Nikki Beach, Zuma, Novikov, Beefbar and Matsuhisa, while keeping true to the heritage of the destination.

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Top 10 beaches in Sardinia

Jan 3, 2020 • 6 min read

Island hopping around Budelli Island, part of La Maddelena archipelago. Image by Nick Ledger / AWL Images / Getty Images

Even in a country where gorgeous beaches are two a penny, the Italians admit that those in Sardinia  are particularly bellissima . The island regularly tops polls of the world’s best beaches, with spiagge  (beaches) ranging from the rugged, cliff-backed coves of the east to the dune-flanked strands of the west.

Sardinia’s snow-white beaches and bluer-than-blue seas are often likened to the Caribbean – but why, quite frankly, would you want to imagine yourself anywhere else?

Best for escapists: Is Aruttas

Spearing into the Golfo di Oristano, the beaches on the Sinis Peninsula rank among the island’s loveliest, though ideally you need your own car to reach them. Fairest of all is Is Aruttas , an arc frosted with white sand and tiny pebbles that make the water appear a startling shade of aquamarine. For years its quartz sand was carted off for aquariums and beaches on the Costa Smeralda , but no more.

Bored of flopping on the beach? The nearby holiday resort of Putzu Idu attracts surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Or take a boat trip to bare, rocky Isola di Mal di Ventre (Stomach Ache Island), which owes its name to the sea-sickness that sailors often suffered whilst navigating its windy waters.

Best for families: Chia

What the resort of  Chia lacks in charm, it more than makes up for with enticing views. To see what all the fuss is about, head up to the Spanish watchtower and look down on its pretty pair of beaches – Spiaggia Sa Colonia to the west and horseshoe-shaped Spiaggia Su Portu to the east. Both have pale sands and shallow waters. Flamingos wade in the lagoon behind the beach.

Fancy a road trip? The panoramic SP71 road dips and rises for 25km along the Costa del Sud, one of southern Sardinia’s most beautiful coastal stretches.

Best for solitude: Spiaggia di Piscinas

It’s worth going the extra mile to the Costa Verde (Green Coast) for a glimpse of the Sardinian coast at its wildest. Hands down one of the loveliest beaches is Spiaggia di Piscinas , a ribbon of golden sand running between a windswept sea and a vast expanse of dunes flecked by hardy green   scrub. The towering dunes rise up to 60m. Find the beach down a 9km dirt track off the SS126 (Ingurtosu exit).

Want more? Slide over to neighboring Spiaggia di Scivu . Backed by huge dunes, the 3km lick of fine sand is wonderfully secluded.

Best for swimming: Spiaggia Rena Bianca

Santa Teresa di Gallura ’s main beach is a beauty, with a swathe of pale sand and some of the clearest, shallowest water on the island, making it a cracking choice for a proper swim – even for families with small children. From Spiaggia Rena Bianca you can gaze out across the Strait of Bonifacio’s spectrum of blues over to Corsica and up to the 16th-century Torre di Longonsardo .

From the beach’s eastern tip a trail threads along the coast, past granite boulders and rock formations that fire the imagination with their incredible shapes. More spectacular still is Capo Testa , 4km west of Santa Teresa, with its giant, wind-licked granite boulders and trails threading through the scrub to rocky coves and the cobalt Mediterranean.

Best for white sands: Spiaggia della Pelosa

A ravishing sweep of beach, 2.5km north of Stintino, Spiaggia della Pelosa elicits gasps of wonder with its fine sand and shallow sea that fades from aquamarine to topaz. It’s presided over by a Catalan-Aragonese watchtower across the water on the craggy Isola Piana. The beach is packed in July and August, so avoid these months for a more peaceful experience.

While you’re here, take the boat over to the Isola dell’Asinara, a national park named after its resident albino donkeys. The island is best explored on foot or by bike. Or join the windsurfers catching the breeze off Stintino.

Best celebrity hideaway: Spiaggia del Principe

A number of beautiful coves necklace the fabulous swoop of coastline where Gallura’s wind-whipped granite mountains tumble down to fjordlike inlets in the emerald sea. One of the finest is the Spiaggia del Principe , a stunning crescent of pale sand snuggled among low cliffs named after Prince Karim Aga Khan, who has given it his seal of approval.

Bear in mind that the Costa Smeralda is saturated with Italian holidaymakers in July and August, so shun these months for cheaper room rates and quieter beaches.

Best for hikers and climbers: Cala Goloritzè

One of the loveliest bays you’re ever likely to clap eyes on, Cala Goloritzè nestles in the southern crook of the Golfo di Orosei . We can wax lyrical about how the sea shimmers like blue curaçao and bizarre limestone formations fling up from cliffs draped in holm oaks, but seeing really is believing. The Aguglia, a 148m high needle of rock that towers over the beach, is a magnet for climbers.

The beach is around an hour’s walk descending on the old mule trail from the Altopiano del Golgo, a strange, other-worldly plateau where goats, pigs and donkeys graze. A signposted road from Baunei climbs 2km of impossibly steep switchbacks to the plateau.

Best for boat touring: Golfo di Orosei

Where the Gennargentu mountains collide spectacularly with the sea, the huge sweeping crescent of the Golfo di Orosei is no one-hit-wonder when it comes to beaches. Base yourself, say, in Cala Gonone to strike out along the coast on foot or by boat.

If you do nothing else, cruise along the ‘Blue Crescent’, which is honeycombed with grottoes and hidden coves, where limestone cliffs sheer above crystal-clear sea. Rock climbers spider up the cliffs of wildly beautiful Cala Luna , backed by a ravine and pummelled by exquisite turquoise waters. Cala Sisine, Cala Biriola, Cala Mariolu – each cove here is more mind-blowingly beautiful than the next.

Best for exotic vibes: Cala Brandinchi

Undeniably the loveliest of San Teodoro ’s beaches, Cala Brandinchi is often dubbed ‘Little Tahiti’ and it really does live up to the hype. The bay is a thin arc of soft sand lapped by crystalline turquoise waters and surrounded by pine woods. The hump of Isola Tavolara rises on the horizon.

Touring the coast reveals a scattering of other beach beauties, such as Spiaggia La Cinta, with sugar-fine sand and topaz sea. The beach attracts kitesurfers and birdwatchers who head to Stagno San Teodoro to spot pink flamingos, herons, little egrets and kingfishers.

Best for island-hoppers: La Maddalena

Part of a cluster of pink granite islands and islets forming the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena , Isola Maddalena dangles off the northeastern tip of Sardinia in the wind-buffed Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica. It's a terrific base for boating around the island's fabulous coves, jewel-coloured waters and granite licked into weird natural sculptures. Elena Tour is a good choice for boat tours.

Or hop across to its wild, serene sister, Isola Caprera, with pine trees cloaking granite cliffs and several tempting coves. Giuseppe Garibaldi, revolutionary and all-round Italian hero, loved Caprera and made it his home and refuge at the Compendio Garibaldino .

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French tourists could face six years in prison for taking sand from a Sardinian beach The best things to do in Sardinia: an insider's guide How to pack for a family beach trip

Last updated January 2020.

This article was first published May 16, 2019 and updated Jan 3, 2020.

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