Ultimate Sardinia Travel Guide

A little-known island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia has long been a secluded getaway of the exclusive European yacht crowd. Full of natural wonders and rich history, the sprawling island features diverse landscapes including deep canyons, mountain ranges, limestone cliffs, and, of course, idyllic white sand beaches bordering the emerald blue waters of the Mediterranean. The island’s lengthy history stretches way back, past its Italian settlements, all the way to the Paleolithic era. The noteworthy Nuragic civilization flourished in the Bronze Age and left behind thousands of circular stone towers known as Nuraghes that give the island a mythical feel. Sardinia offers a magical adventure to anyone looking to wander from the beaten path.

With nearly 1200 miles of sparkling coastline, the Italian island is the second largest in the Mediterranean. It’s impossible to see the entire island over a week-long stay so it’s important to focus on a specific region. Costa Smeralda, put on the map by Prince Karim Aga Khan, is a posh yachting hotspot along the northeast coast. Cagliari is the capital city of Sardinia. Olbia and the east coast have both wonderful hiking and beaches. 

Read more about the best areas and Where to Stay in Sardinia.

Sardinia is a destination for travelers looking for a unique Mediterranean adventure. Immerse yourself in the casual ambiance and enjoy Sardinia’s raw beauty. The island has plenty of luxury, but not the conceited kind. Unwind on a romantic honeymoon. Enjoy a relaxing and lively girls’ trip. Go for an active vacation, equal parts hiking and beach. Or take the whole family on an unforgettable experience. Sardinia is a wonderful adventure for all types of travelers. The Ultimate Sardinia Travel Guide includes everything you need to know about visiting the Mediterranean island! 

Know Before You Go

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sardinia is in the summer months when the weather is hot and the days are long. July and August are high season with the busiest crowds and temperatures rarely fall below 75°F. June and September are ideal as the weather is perfect and the crowds are smaller. If you love cooler weather, then April, May, and October are excellent months to visit, featuring sunny days and mild temperatures (50-70°F) with appealing shoulder-season prices. 

• How Long to Stay: Given Sardinia’s numerous beaches and attractions, allot at least four days to explore a single area. With 10 days on Sardinia, you can split your visit into multiple regions or explore further from a home base. If you’re looking to trek around the entire island, allot at least three-four weeks to see the different regions. 
• Currency: Euros.

How to Get to Sardinia 

The best way to reach Sardinia is to fly into one of the island’s three main airports. You can take a ferry to Sardinia from mainland Italy, but the ferry takes anywhere from five to 12 hours depending on the route. The flight from Rome to Sardinia takes just one hour. A roundtrip to/from Rome ticket can be purchased for under $300. 

If you’re visiting Costa Smeralda and the east side of the island, fly into the Olbia Airport. If you’d like to explore the southern half of the island, you’ll want to access via Cagliari Elmas Airport, situated just outside the island’s capital of Cagliari. The Alghero Airport serves the town of Alghero on the west side of the island. 

If you’re traveling to Sardinia from the United States, it is usually cheaper to split your flights into two different reservations. First, book your international flights to Rome. Then, on a separate reservation, book a direct flight from Rome to Sardinia on a local or budget carrier like ITA Airways or Volotea. 

How to Get Around – Do You Need a Car on Sardinia? 

Yes, it is necessary to have some mode of transportation when visiting Sardinia. Restaurants, beaches, and hotels are spread out along the coast and interior regions.  I highly recommend renting a car. Taxis are very expensive and Uber is not available. For reference, our 30-minute taxi from Olbia to the hotel cost €100. If you’re comfortable driving a scooter and are staying within a 20-mile radius, you can get away with renting a moped to visit different beaches. Given the high demand of rental vehicles, make sure to reserve a car well in advance! 

Where to Stay in Sardinia 

Given the sheer size of Sardinia, it’s important to hone in on a specific region or regions to visit. It’s impossible to see the entire island during a week-long (or even two week) stay. Costa Smeralda, along the northeast coast, is known for its pristine beaches, luxury hotels, and chic beach clubs. Porto Cervo in Costa Smeralda is the destination for yachts and jet-setters visiting Sardinia. The city of Olbia, along the east coast, is a great base if you’re looking to visit both Costa Smeralda and some of the island’s other highlights like Gorropu Canyon. Olbia’s central location makes it great a base for an adventurous visit that includes both hiking and beaches. The capital city of Cagliari, along the south coast, is the largest city on the island and a great year-round destination. The colorful city has plenty to explore and lovely beaches. Poetto Beach is one of the best in the area. An hour outside of Cagliari is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Su Nuraxi, the ruins of a Nuragian settlement—a necessary stop for history lovers visiting the Southern region. 

Best Hotels in Costa Smeralda

The most famous luxury hotel on the island is Cala di Volpe. This famed property in the heart of Costa Smeralda, ideally located near some of Sardinia’s top beaches, has welcomed guests since the 1960s. Its five-star amenities include a massive saltwater pool, SHISEIDO spa, and Pevero Golf Club. The chic Hotel Pitrizza overlooks the Tyrian Sea and the islands of La Maddalena Archipelago. Just 10 minutes from Porto Cervo, Hotel Pitrizza is close to local attractions yet secluded with its own private beach. With grass carefully placed on the roofs of villas, the five-star property is built to blend in with the surrounding rock and greenery. If you’re looking for luxury on a budget and don’t mind driving an extra 15 minutes to the beaches, Hotel Villa del Golfo is a great option. Located in Cannigione, the boutique hotel has a beautiful pool and is within walking distance of the town’s restaurants and markets. 

Best Hotels Near Olbia & Cagliari

Located just south of Olbia is Baglioni Resort Sardinia. The newly-opened luxury hotel is well-located for exploring more of the island’s east coast while also being close to Costa Smeralda. The resort lies along the Tavolara Marine Reserve—a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Food enthusiasts can enjoy the Michelin-starred restaurant on location, Gusto by Sadler. Along the east coast in the seaside town of Cala Gonone is Hotel Villa Gustui Maris Cala Gonone. The four-star property is perfectly located for hiking Gorropu Canyon and enjoying stunning beaches like Cala Luna. In the center of Cagliari is Palazzo Doglio. The upscale hotel features a beautiful courtyard, spa, and indoor pool. With both parking and a beach shuttle available to guests, Palazzo Doglio is a great option for those staying in Cagliari. Another top-rated hotel in Cagliari, Hotel Villa Fanny features an elegant garden and bar.

What to Do on Sardinia

Explore La Maddalena Archipelago by Boat

A boat trip exploring La Maddalena Archipelago is a must on any visit to Sardinia. A protected national park and sanctuary for wildlife, La Maddalena Archipelago offers some of the most pristine emerald lagoons in all the Mediterranean. Located between Sardinia and Corsica, the archipelago is made up of seven main islands and more than fifty islets. While visiting here, be sure to explore the port of La Maddalena and swim along the natural beaches of Caprera, Spargi, and Razzoli islands. The archipelago is also home to one of the few pink sand beaches in the world, Spiaggia Rosa, on Budelli island. A day exploring the Parco Nazionale Archipelago di La Maddalena by boat is easily a highlight of any trip to Sardinia. 

Beach-Hopping 

Sardinia has no shortage of coastline and no matter what region of the island you visit, you’re sure to find incredible beaches. Costa Smeralda features stunning beaches that rival any on the mainland. My favorite days on Sardinia are spent lounging under the hot sun and diving into the clear, cool waters for a lazy swim. Make sure to pack plenty of drinking water and grab picnic supplies in town before spending the day beach-hopping. Listed below are some of the best beaches in Sardinia with a focus on Costa Smeralda. 

• Spiaggia Capriccioli (Costa Smeralda, Northeast Sardinia) – One of the best beaches on the island, Spiaggia Capriccioli is a quiet sandy inlet with a granite outcrop splitting the beach into two sections. The waters are clear and quiet making it a great spot for families and snorkeling. Arrive early as the beach and parking fill up quickly. 
• Spiaggia del Principe (Costa Smeralda, Northeast Sardinia) – Another one of Sardinia’s best beaches, Spiaggia del Principe was named after Prince Karim Aga Khan. The undeveloped beach features powder white sand and requires a short walk through the brush from the parking lot. 
• Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja (Costa Smeralda, Northeast Sardinia) – Home to several beach clubs, Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja is one of the longest beaches in Costa Smeralda. If you’re looking for a beach with plenty of amenities, rent a sun lounger and spend a day relaxing at one of the beach clubs. The White Beach Club is one of the best here.  
• Spiaggia del Pevero (Costa Smeralda, Northeast Sardinia) – Less than two miles outside of Porto Cervo is Spiaggia del Pevero. This beach is actually two beaches: Spiaggia del Piccolo Pevero (small beach) and Piaggia del Piccolo Grande (big beach). The clear and shallow waters are great for snorkeling and there’s even a hotel and restaurant within walking distance of the beaches. 
• Cala Brandinchi (San Teodoro, East Sardinia) – One of the most famous and beautiful beaches on Sardinia, Cala Brandinchi is nicknamed “Little Tahiti” for its clear and shallow waters. The soft sandy beach faces east and stretches close to half a mile long. Located just south of Olbia and an hour drive from Porto Cervo. 
• Cala Luna (Gulf of Orosei, East Sardinia) – A secluded and scenic beach surrounded by limestone cliffs. The only way to access the beach is by hiking the 2.5 miles in or taking a boat from the Cala Gonone marina, which only operates during the summer. A few miles from Cala Luna is Grotta del Bue Marino, a series of famous caves with Neolithic carvings and stalactites. If you’re in the area, make sure to take a boat tour of the grotto from Cala Gonone.  

Relax at a Beach Club

Spend a sunny day relaxing at one of the island’s beach clubs. The beach clubs are full of amenities so you can fully relax with everything you need easily accessible. Rent a sun lounger and enjoy a delicious lunch by the water. The White Beach Club at Liscia Ruja is one of the best in Costa Smeralda. Another fabulous beach club with a party scene is Nikki Beach Sardinia. Nikki Beach Club has locations at many of the world’s top luxury destinations like Saint Tropez and Saint Barths. Phi Beach Club, home to a vibrant night club, is another popular beach club in the area; however, the sandy beach is quite small here. Skip the day visit and come for sunset drinks and late-night dancing. Plan to book your beach club reservation in advance as the loungers fill up in the summer months. 

Hike the Turquoise Coast or Rugged Interior

Sardinia’s diverse landscape makes for world class hiking. Explore the island’s mountainous interior by foot or hike along the coast for unique vantage points of the turquoise water. Some of the island’s best hiking is in Gorropu Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Located in the middle of Sardinia about two hours south of Porto Cervo, the dramatic canyon offers trails for all kinds of hikers. One of the most popular hikes here is Genna Silana. The 5.2 miles out and back trail provides scenic views as you hike down into the canyon. Make sure to bring plenty of water and some cash with you to pay the €5 admission fee to enter the Gola su Gorropu. Close to Gorropu Canyon is Sentiero Cala Luna (6.3 miles out and back). The beautiful coastal path takes you to the beach of Cala Luna with a great mix of forest scenery. You can also hike the 3 miles out and catch the boat back. One of Europe’s most beautiful and rewarding hikes, Selvaggio Blu, is on Sardinia. Selvaggio Blu is a roughly 25-mile path that traverses through forests and cliffs along the east coast of the island. There are several tour companies that organize multi-day excursions for this intense trek. 

Visit Archeological Sites of the Nuragic Civilization

Inhabited since the Paleolithic period, Sardinia has a fascinating and lengthy history. The island’s most significant civilization, the Nuragic, flourished from 1800 BC to 238 BC, when Rome colonized the island after the First Punic War. The most prominent ruins from the Nuragic civilization are enigmatic circular stone towers known as Nuraghes. Sardinia is home to over 7,000 Nuraghes scattered around the island. The best preserved Nuraghe is Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in South Sardinia. About 30-minutes outside of Porto Cervo in Costa Smeralda is Nuraghe La Prisgiona. Nuraghe La Prisgiona is a well-preserved Nuraghe surrounded by a prehistoric village with more than 90 different structures. If ancient history captivates you, consider booking a tour that focuses exclusively on the Nuraghes.

Restaurants & Nightlife 

Sardinian food is unique to the island and just as delicious as mainland Italy. With a heavy focus on local and seasonal ingredients, the island’s cuisine is divided into two categories: food from the land and food from the sea. Every lunch and dinner starts with a basket of pane carasua—crispy paper thin bread (it’s addicting). Sardinia is a famous producer of pecorino cheese so its presence on nearly every menu is no surprise. Malloreddus alla campidanese, local pasta served in tomato sauce with sausage, is Sardinia’s quintessential pasta dish. One of the island’s most well-known meals is su porcheddu, roasted suckling pig. From the sea, expect mussels, squid, and plenty of fresh fish. There’s no shortage of delicious food on the island and the restaurants make sure to highlight local flavors. 

Best Restaurants in Costa Smeralda 

While some of my favorite meals on Sardinia were picnics along the beach after a day of swimming, the island has wonderful restaurants.  Somu is a Michelin-starred restaurant run by owner and chef Salvatore Camedda. Enjoy a prefixed menu consisting of top-quality local flavors and a stunning view of Baja Sardinia Beach. Another Michelin-starred restaurant, ConFusion is located right in Porto Cervo. The stylish restaurant serves unique dishes with a focus on seafood. Aruanà Churrascaria, in Poltu Quatu, serves delicious Brazilian-style grilled meats. Poltu Quatu is a gorgeous village built into a picturesque inlet. Head there a little early and grab a drink on the water before dinner. Cannigione is one of the bigger towns close to Costa Smeralda with several casual and delicious restaurants. Cutter Bistro is right along the water and has great drinks and food. Brezza di Mare specializes in seafood. And if you’re craving something sweet, Bosisio has the best gelato in Cannigione. 

Nightlife

One of the best bars in Costa Smeralda is the one-of-a-kind Le Terraze Rituale. Carved into the rocks, the rooftop establishment features serval terraces with views that stretch to La Maddalena islands. Come here for unforgettable sunset drinks. And after the sun goes down, head into the connected Ritual Club, which has provided late night entertainment to the island for decades. Another unforgettable locale is Phi Beach. The trendy outdoor venue is right on the water in front of Forte Cappellini, a Napoleonic fortress. Come for sunset drinks and stay for the late-night DJ and dancing.