How To Get To Sardinia
There are 3 airports in Sardinia: Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia. The island is well connected to the rest of Italy via regular and budget airlines. There also are direct budget flights from various European destinations â several cities in the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany France Poland etc. There also are seasonal direct flights to Israel.
Since one of the best things to do in Sardinia is driving around, catching the ferry from mainland Italy may be a good options it allows visitors to come with their own car. There are regular ferries from Livorno, Genoa and Civitavecchia, as well as from Naples. There are occasional ferries from Barcelona.
What To Do Around Olbia In 4 Days
- 2 days on Costa Smeralda:
- On the first day, visit Porto Cervo, the capital of this very chic Sardinian coast. Youll be able to gaze at the yachts in the marina and discover the luxury boutiques. You can also go take a dip at Liscia Ruja beach, Cappriccioli, or Principe beach.
- On the second day, travel more inland to go explore interesting archeological sites around Arzachena. Giants tombs, nuraghes You will love it if you are interested in history!
If you want more information about la Maddalena, you should read my detailed article:All my best tips to visit la Maddalena.
Enjoy The Beaches Of Capo Testa
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.
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Best Places To Stay In Sardinia
My recommendation to those visiting Sardinia is to pick one of the main cities as a starting point from where to explore the rest of the island. Cagliari and Alghero are generally the best places to stay in Sardinia , with lots of accommodation options for all budgets and tastes. There are a few fabulous hotels and resorts around the island that are worth the trip in and of themselves.
If one of the things to do in Sardinia is picking a suitable place to stay, the following list of the best places to stay in Sardinia will be of great help:
Cagliari
Cagliari has some of the best accommodation options in Sardinia. Hereâs a small selection of them:
- T Hotelhas large comfortable rooms, a fantastic reception area, a bistro and a great cocktail bar. Itâs a favorite of locals too. Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.
Visit Tharros Ancient Phoenician City
Its in the Sinis Peninsula and one of the most interesting Sardinia attractions in Oristano province. Founded by the Phoenicians between the 8th and 7th centuries BC, it offers wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea. Especially once you climb the Tower of San Giovanni.
The view and the large expanse of archaeological ruins make it one of the most interesting things to do in Sardinia whether you are a history buff or simply want to discover the history of the Italian island.
If you are into Phoenician history and ruins, visit also the important archaeological site of Nora close to Cagliari.
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Roman City Of Tharros
The ancient city of Tharros was once a bustling Roman centre for Sardinia and a must-see when on the island.
Being almost 3000 years old, Tharros is now in ruins but you can still wander and see the serving structures that were once part of this colossal city.
Its a great place to wander and really accessible, too. This means its one of the best things to do in Sardinia if youve got the whole family whit you. No massive hikes, or treacherous climbs!
In total, youll probably spend about 1-2 hours here, making it a great little stop whilst driving the island.
Visit Alghero In 3 Days
If you want to visit Alghero and its surrounding in 3 days, I recommend the following itinerary:
- 1 day in the city of Alghero: a stroll in the old town to discover piazza Civica, Alghero cathedral and its bell tower, then go on the ramparts to enjoy the sunset.
- 1 day to go on an excursion to the Neptune caves . In the afternoon, you can hike in Porto Conte Natural Park and then end the day at Porto Ferro, a very wild beach located nearby.
- 1 day in Bosa, located one hour drive from Alghero. With its colored houses by the river and castle dominating the village, Bosa is clearly worth a look! From Serravalle castle, you can also enjoy a great view over the sea and surrounding mountains. You can end the day at one of the beaches near Bosa. My favorite ones are Compulittu beach and SAbba Drucche.
For more information about Alghero and its surroundings, you should read my article All Best things to do in Alghero.
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Admire Pink Flamingoes In Molentargius Nature Reserve
Cagliari and the surroundings are nesting spot for pink flamingoes and other species of birds. Going to Molentargius Nature Reserve is what to do in Cagliari for great chances to see flamingoes from a close distance. The best access point to Molentargius is Poetto beach. The park is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in the summer, and from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm in the winter. Admission is free but you may want to rent a bike to explore it.
There even are guided tours that to all the way to Molentargius. Here are some of them:
A Brief History Of Aggius
The village dates back to the Middle Ages, its name is in fact attested since the 14th century. However, its origins are still uncertain to date, we dont know if the name comes from ancient Latin or Greek. However, there are several evidences that place its origins since prehistoric times.
During the Middle Ages, Aggius belonged to the Judicate of Gallura, and its territory was much more extended than what it is today, incorporating several villages that now are independent towns.
When the time of Judicates was over, Aggius went through several dominations much like the rest of Sardinia: first, the Aragonese rule and then the Spanish one. Spanish rule lasted more or less 400 years, and it had a great influence in Aggiusâ dialect and local traditions an influence that is still visible nowadays.
Finally, in the 18th century, Sardinia became part of what was then known as the Kindgom of Sardinia and Piedmont, rules by the Savoy family. During the 19th century, there were numerous feuds in the town one of those inspired the book Il Muto di Gallura, written by Enrico Costa.
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Watch The Sunset At La Pelosa Beach
As the sun sets and casts beautiful golden hues over the ocean, theres no better place to be than La Pelosa beach.
Rising up from the shores, the jagged cliffs provide a striking backdrop against the azure waters below. The soft white sand is the perfect spot for relaxing, soaking up the incredible views, and watching as time seems to slow down and drift away.
Whether youre reveling in the cool breeze of the evening or simply letting your worries melt away, theres no question that sunset at La Pelosa is a unique and unforgettable experience.
So why not grab a bottle of wine and head down to this stunning slice of paradise? Probably the most known beach in Sardinia and one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Have A Long Lunch In Laconi
I ate at Hotel Ristorante Sardegna. This family-run restaurant has been passed down for generations and theres every chance youll meet Rita, the current owner who will welcome you in as if you are one of her own. Try the culurgiones and if you eat too many to move on, this restaurant is also a hotel.
Most of what I did in Laconi was eat so it was dusk by the time I got to do any real exploring. And then the skies opened and poured what seemed like all of Sardinias surrounding waters onto my head, cutting my sightseeing short.
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Visit The Nearby Islands
Speaking of other islands, one of the nicest things to do in Sardinia is exploring the smaller islands off its coast. SantâAntioco can be easily reached from the mainland, to which it is connected via a bridge. This small island is home to the lovely fishing villages of SantâAntioco and Calasetta, is packed with nice beaches and is connected by ferry to the nearby island of Carloforte.
Off the north east coast of the island, La Maddalena archipelago is one of the best places in Sardinia, with a myriad of stunning beaches. There, Caprera is where the house of Garibaldi, one of the most prominent figures of Italian history, is located.
Asinara island, located on the top north west of Sardinia, can be reached on a short ferry ride from either Porto Torres or Stintino. It used to be a leper colony, and then became a prison colony. In 1997 the prison was closed and the island became a national park. Currently nobody lives there except the park rangers. The island is absolutely gorgeous and visiting is one of the top things to do in Sardinia.
Visit The Olbia Area In 3 Days
For a 3 days trip to Olbia, I recommend:
- 1 day on the Costa Smeralda: visit Porto Cervo, and enjoy the beautiful beaches!
- 1 day in the inland part of Costa Smeralda: you can explore the area around Arzachena, where many archeological sites are located. For example, you can see there several nuraghes and the giants tombs. You can also visit San Pantaleo village, a lovely traditional village offering great views over the nearby mountains.
- Do a 1 day boat excursion around the Maddalena islands. This archipelago features some of the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia! Some of them are only accessible There are departures for this kind of day trip from most of the seaside resorts on Costa Smeralda, such as Poltu Quatu, Baia Sardinia or Cannigione.
For more information about Costa Smeralda, you can read my article: The 10 Best things to do on the Costa Smeralda. And as always, you will also find in this guide my selection of the best accommodations.
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Plunge From The Natural Arch Of Sarchittu
This is for the most adventurous. And also for experienced divers. This beautiful natural arch was dug by the water in the span of several centuries. Its clear waters hide a very rocky bed all around, so if you want to do the plunge, first make sure you check where you can actually land, also asking the locals.
You dont feel the need to be so adventurous? No problem. You can have a fantastic swim under the arch and between the arch and the small white beach facing it.
This is one of the best beaches in Sardinia if you like quiet and secluded corners and prefer peaceful swimming and sunbathing to crowded tourist resorts.
Go Snorkeling At Cala Goloritz
Cala Goloritzé is one of the most beautiful snorkeling destinations in the world. Im not joking about that and if you dont believe my words, watch the video below.
Theres nothing quite like snorkeling through these spectacular natural wonders with calm and crystal clear waters. Whether youre just dipping your toes in or exploring the seafloor up close, youll love catching up with the incredible fish and sea creatures called Cala Goloritzé home.
For those who are more adventurous, Cala Goloritzé is also an excellent location for scuba diving. Whether youre just starting out or are an experienced diver, there are countless dive sites to explore, each with its own unique features.
So if you love to explore the depths of the ocean and get up close and personal with marine life, then a visit to Cala Goloritzé is definitely worth adding to your travel bucket list!
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Sardinia Holidays In One Week
Ill give you one Itinerary for each area with places to visit, things to do & where to stay in Sardinia. Everything you need to know to plan your Sardinian Holidays, already tested by me for your convenience!
So, do you want to plan a fabulous Holiday in Sardinia and you only have 1 week? You have no idea how many emails I receive asking me where to stay, what to do and which areas of Sardinia are the best for a one week vacation. I can relate, trust me! I know how difficult it is to plan a one-week itinerary when the timing is tight, and Im here to try and help you out to craft a great Sardinia holiday for you!
Before jumping to the juicy part let me tell you that It took me a hell of a lot of time to put together this article for you! After receiving countless emails and messages filled with all types of requests, I decided to create the itineraries based on your frequently asked questions:
Explore One Of The Largest Marine Caves In Italy
Did you know that there is a Catalan presence on Sardinia? The northwest coast of Sardinia, particularly the town of Alghero, faces Spain, and Spanish traditions and the Catalan language have trickled over the Mediterranean to the island. Algherese Catalan is much closer to Spanish than Italian.
This part of Sardinia is also known for its gorgeous caves, particularly those between Porto Conte and Capo Caccia. Of particular note is Neptunes Grotto, one of the largest marine caves in Italy and truly a jewel of the Mediterranean. The grotto was formed two million years ago, and you can still pass through its many rooms to marvel at the monumental rock formations as well as the underground lake. You can get to the grotto via boats that depart daily from Alghero or, if youre feeling adventurous, you can climb the 654 cliff-clinging steps.
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Experience The Culture In The Cities And Towns
And last but not least on the list of the best things to do in Sardinia is the culture. The best way to experience it, is to simply go out on the streets. Be in the cities during the weekend and with a little luck, you will be able to join or witness a traditional celebration. You will see the traditional clothing, the music and the dances. If you are interested, make sure to ask your host for more details if there is anything going on during your stay!
Day Trips From Sardinia
Give yourself a day for a trip off the island to Tavolara. This rocky island off the east coast used to be home to a Nato radio station, but today its a quiet granite outcrop surrounded by water of startling colour. Boat trips depart from Olbia, throw you into the water for a bit, usher you to land for a feast and then ferry you back home.
Other trips take you north to the archipelago of La Maddalena, the jewels in Sardinias crown. Cala Luna and Baunei are some of the most resplendent, closeted coves, which are reachable only by boat from other towns further up the coast. Day trips almost always involve food this cultures rhythm beats with a culinary heart.
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Wander The Pretty Streets Of Oliena
And then the sun came out and what a difference it made. Another hilltop town, Oliena offered up some fantastic vistas.
Walking the streets, crumbling is perhaps the best description for parts of the town but that made it all the more beautiful and photogenic. I understand there is a push for regeneration in the town. More specifically, regeneration of the courtyards with the hope that the local people will come out of their disparate homes and start to socialise like they once did not too many generations ago.
A Locals Guide To The Things To Do In Cagliari
There are many more things to do in Cagliari than youâd expect â so many, that even locals hardly get to do them all.
Sardinia is one of the hottest holiday destinations in the summer, with people crowding its gorgeous beaches. What most ignore is that even the cities are beautiful. Cagliari, the capital, is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year, and one of the best places in Sardinia to get a good understanding of the islandâs history, culture and spirit.
No matter what your tastes in travel are, and regardless of the time of year you visit Cagliari, this city has something for you and you are bound to fall in love with it. The same happened to D. H. Lawrence when arrived here in 1920. He found it to be ââ¦strange and rather wonderful, not a bit like Italy.â
Cagliari, whose name comes from the Punic Karel or Karalis , has a long history: founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it saw Roman, Punics, Arab, Pisans and Aragonese dominations, among others.
In Sardinian language, however, Cagliari is called Casteddu, which means castle, a name that refers to the walled medieval city where the doors were closed every night. Cagliari is beautiful, and quite unique too. Facing the Mediterranean Sea but with mountains at its back on the hills yet right by a big plane mixing a variety of architectural styles and layers and layers of history, this is a city worth discovering.
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