Imagine cruising along the coastline while you marvel at the turquoise water, windows down, Italian music turned up and the breeze of the Mediterranean Sea blowing through your hair. A sun-salt smell dances up your nose. As you stretch out your arm you can feel la dolce vita! But also hiking on panoramic trails with breathtaking sea views, fragrant wildflower meadows and ancients ruins are part of your Sardinia road trip.
With local names like “Italian Tahiti” and “Seychelles of Europe” you get a feeling of what to expect on a Sardinia road trip itinerary. Yet, once you actually see the paradisiacal beaches and the crystal clear water with your own eyes, it will still blow your mind.
Paired with numerous cute medieval towns, Mediterranean food, hiking routes with spectacular views, warm temperatures, and welcoming locals, this island is the perfect destination.
And with its countless panoramic coastal roads with spectacular views of the sea, a road trip is the best way to explore Sardinia.
Being so large, you can be sure to see a variety of landscapes throughout your trip. So brace yourself for this Sardinia road trip, taking you through the island’s highlights as well as some hidden gems.
I also included several Sardinia itineraries so you can find what works best for you, depending on how much time you have.
Table of contents
Stops on your Sardinia road trip
Northeast Sardinia (Olbia | Costa Smeralda)
Already when we arrived at Olbia harbor by ferry, we were amazed by the turquoise water (and this was the harbor, after all).
With an international airport and a huge harbor, chances are your Sardinia road trip starts in Olbia. It’s a cute town with its old town and an ancient aqueduct, but it’s obviously also a very touristy one.
And so is the famous Costa Smeralda, a neat area to visit during the low season for some of Sardinia’s best beaches. But it’s also one of the most expensive ones, especially around Porto Cervo. So I’d honestly skip this part of the coast during the high season, or make just a quick stop, and head on to other magnificent regions.
Especially south of Olbia, you can find a bunch of fantastic beaches.
Impressions of Northeast Sardinia: Capo d’Orso | Costa Smeralda | Castelsardo
Impressions of Northeast Sardinia: Capo d’Orso | Castelsardo
ToDo in Sardinia’s northeast:
- Visit San Pantaleo – Especially after dark, this small village spreads a special charm. We passed by chance, looking for a dinner spot, and loved strolling through the beautifully lit village and its boutique shops.
- Join a boat tour – In Sardinia, you have to spend time on the water & many scenic spots can be found on Sardinia’s east coast:
- Golfo Aranci: Dolphin watching tour with a sustainable tour company – Golfo Aranci is one of the best places to watch dolphins. This tour company pays attention to sustainable practices and animal welfare which is super important with any activity involving animals.
- Catamaran tour around La Maddalena from Palau: – If you’re short on time and can’t spend a few nights on La Maddalena, make sure to do a boat trip to see the spectacular archipelago
- Olbia – The pretty town is worth a stroll and has some great restaurants for dinner. And there’s an aqueduct you can visit.
- Capo d’Orso – This rock can be reached after just a short walk up the hill (it’s a 3€ fee). And while it’s known for having the shape of a bear, I found it way more interesting because of its amazing views across the sea and La Maddalena. The perfect stop before heading to La Maddalena.
- Capo Testa (Belvedere Punta Contessa) – A viewpoint across the sea and a peninsula that is only connected to Sardinia by a narrow strip of land. It’s a wonderful hike up there to enjoy the view.
- Castelsardo – A little town set spectacularly on the cliffs facing the sea which makes a nice stop on the way on your Sardinia road trip.
- Beaches
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- Spiaggia Del Dottore – It’s a mini hike down a steep trail but so worth it!
- Spiaggia Barca Bruciata – A charming cove that is almost deserted during the low season. We were able to park for free on the side of the road, but there’s also a large paid parking.
- Spiaggia Pischine & Cala dell’Ulticeddu – Wonderful, quiet beaches
- Spiaggia di Capriccioli – Awarded one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, of course it gets crowded and parking is expensive. So I’d avoid this beach during the high season, but is worth a stop during the low season.
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Eat in Sardinia’s northeast:
- Anticas Licanzias Bistrò – Homemade Sardinian pasta in Olbia (come early to get on the waiting list for outdoor seating or reserve an indoor table)
- ZAÏA Sardinia – For a wonderful high class dinner with sea view
- Gelateria Da Brivido – Natural homemade ice cream with delicious, always changing flavors (even vegan ones) in Olbia
Stay in Sardinia’s northeast:
Budget stay:
- Stazzu La Capretta Farm Stay – When you love animals and nature, you will love this farm stay. Especially the view from your own terrace across the landscape is breathtaking.
Premium stay:
- Casagliana Suite Resort – A wonderful tranquil oasis in the countryside close to Olbia and numerous breathtaking beaches. The hosts are very passionate about making your stay extraordinary.
Hotel recommendation for Northeast Sardinia: Stazzu La Capretta Farmstay
This lovely farm was so much more than we could have expected. Fabienne and Alain have created an oasis in nature – all of it built by hand by themselves! Each room has a private terrace with a spectacular view of the countryside, and the animals are so lovely. We especially fell in love with the cat Chef who lives in the farmhouse and slept inside with us every night. If you love animals, this is a paradise!
Tip: Free parking in Olbia on your Sardinia road trip
There are three large free parking lots on the harbor of Olbia, from where you can walk into the center in 5 minutes.
Impressions of Northeast Sardinia: Olbia & Pantaleo by night
La Maddalena Archipelago
Holy moly! These beaches!
While many people think La Maddalena is a small island next to Sardinia, it’s way more than that. Actually, it’s an archipelago of 62 small islands and they’re often called the Seychelles of the Mediterranean Sea. And once you’re there, you know exactly why. The beaches and the crystal clear water here are breathtaking.
I also noticed that all islands including the beaches and the parking lots were spotless clean. It’s a protected national park, after all. And the locals really take care of it.
Impressions of La Maddalena
To Do in La Maddalena
- Ride the panoramic routes around the island(s) – Three islands are connected by bridges La Maddalena, Isola Giardinelli & Caprera
- Go hiking on Caprera Island – We did this amazing hike along the coast with spectacular views and beach stops on the way (total walking time is around 2:30 – 3 hours), starting at the parking of Spiaggia di Garibaldi & we walked the tour the other way around where we came across breathtaking beaches such as Cala Serena and Spiaggia di Punta Crucitta. I highly recommend this scenic hike!
- Beach, beach, beach – Our favorites were:
- Spiagga Testa del Polpo – A gorgeous, small beach on the tiny island Isola Giardinelli (you can easily reach it through a bridge from La Maddalena, but the road is very bumpy)
- Cala Spalmatore & Spiaggia del Costone – When it’s windy (which happens a lot over here), these are the best beaches to spend a less windy day
- Bassa Trinita – The best for sunset, where you can enjoy a drink in the cute beach bar “Snack Bar Trinitá”
Eat in La Maddalena
- Arutas Bistrot & Fruit Bar – Especially when you’re craving something different from pizza and pasta, Arutas is the place to go. A lovely mix of Sardinian and Mexican cuisine, here you can find great vegetarian & vegan options.
Stay in La Maddalena
Budget stay:
- Capricci di Vento Design Guest House – A small, modern guest house with a rooftop terrace, thoughtfully decorated rooms & equipped with everything you could wish for (they even provide beach bags with snorkeling gear and umbrellas)
Premium stay:
- Villa Grace – Wonderful villa with sea view in traditional Sardinia style in a calmer area of La Maddalena. where you can have full privacy.
Hotel recommendation for La Maddalena: Capricci di Vento Design Guest House
This guest house surprised us not mainly because of its beautiful, modern rooms or its rooftop terrace, but with how thoughtful the owner have equipped it. You can grab a beach towel, a snorkeling mask, and an umbrella and spend the whole day on La Maddalena’s stunning beaches.
Tip: Ferry & Parking in La Maddalena on your Sardinia road trip
- Take the “Maddalena lines” ferry (instead of Delcomar), as they’re the cheaper ones. We paid 40€ return for 2 people and a car (in October 2024).
- Also, there’s free parking on the whole island of La Maddalena and its neighboring islands.
Impressions of La Maddalena
Northwest Sardinia (Alghero | Sassari | Bosa)
The small town Bosa is a cobblestoned little fairy tale. Full of colorful houses and narrow alleys inviting you to stroll through.
Here’s actually where I’d recommend spending most of your time in Sardinia’s northwest, as not only the town is charming but so is the surrounding region.
To be honest, the area further north (around Alghero) was the part of the island on our Sardinia road trip that I liked the least. That’s mainly because it’s one of the island’s most touristy areas.
One of Sardinia’s most famous beaches “La Pelosa” is located on the Stintino peninsula which gets super crowded. And while I think it’s a good thing that they restrict the number of tourists allowed on the beach each day to protect it from overtourism, I don’t see why they only allow you to lay on the beach on a mat that you have to buy. That’s just another way to make money and has nothing to do with protecting nature.
Alghero is indeed a beautiful medieval city with an ancient city wall and lovely sunsets. Yet, the city loses part of its charm to the many souvenir shops in my opinion. So I’d rather stay in Bosa and visit Alghero just for a day trip.
Impressions of Northwest Sardinia: Alghero & Bosa
ToDo in Northwest Sardinia
- Stroll through the colorful alleys of Bosa – The people of Bosa love colors which you can see in the painted houses and the decoration along the alleys.
- Have a glass of Malvasia – Bosa is known for its Malvasia wine that grows around the area
- Drive along the panoramic road from Alghero to Bosa – The coastal road SP49 was one of my highlights during our Sardinia road trip because of its breathtaking panorama
- Alghero – This medieval city is definitely worth a stroll. For a spectacular sunset, head to the wall next to the sea.
- E-Bike tour in the Natural Park of Porte Conte – In this tour you can enjoy a blend of off-road action, exploring history, and amazing views. It’s possible for all skill levels.
- Wine & olive oil tasting at a local farm – Taste 5 local wines and high-quality olive oil with traditional bread and snacks while you learn about local traditions.
- Visit an animal shelter – Alice will warmly welcome you and show you around the shelter which is especially a nice experience for kids. You can also add a vegetarian lunch or dinner made with local farm produce and lots of love.
- Beaches
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- Is Arutas Beach – Also called “rice beach” and you will instantly see why: The sand is more like grains of risotto rice. I loved it because you don’t get sand stuck on your towel and swimwear but still have the feeling as soft as sand, and the water is spectacularly clear here.
- S’Archittu – After a nice, short walk you reach the small bay with a view to the arch over the sea which was created by erosion on the limestone cliffs. It’s one of those natural spectacles that you know will be destroyed at some point in time. Which makes it even more special, I think.
- Spiaggia Su Pallosu – It’s not only a beautiful beach but a lovely place to meet and cuddle with cats if you arrange it with the local shelter.
Eat in northwest Sardinia
- Cajò (Alghero) – Delicious Neapolitan pizza
- Bacco Bistrot (Bosa) – for delicious panini and “bistoccu” (a kind of flatbread) for which you can pick your toppings yourself
Stay in the Northwest
- VAARAK – The hostess Anna will make you feel right at home in this small guesthouse in Bosa decorated with such attention to every small detail
- Antica Dimora – A family-run small hotel known for its sustainability practices and excellent slow food close to Bosa
- Sailing Nights Boat & Breakfast – A very unique place to stay in Alghero: we loved our short but special time staying on a boat in the harbor of Alghero, especially the morning and evening on the small terrace
Hotel recommendation for Bosa (northwest Sardinia): VAARAK
A guesthouse decorated with much love for detail. Anna is a fantastic hostess, who will make sure you enjoy your stay to the fullest. Also, the house is super close to Bosa’s center and it’s easy to get around and to park.
Hotel recommendation for Alghero (northwest Sardinia): Sailing Nights Boat & Breakfast
Looking for a unique accommodation? Then why not spend a night or two on a boat? We stayed here for one night and this was a really special experience. And it’s so much larger inside than you’d expect. You can enjoy the sun on the boat’s terrace and get a feel for how it must be living on a boat while sailing the ocean. I loved it!
Tip: Free parking in Alghero & Bosa on your Sardinia road trip
- There’s a large free parking on the harbor of Alghero, where you’re right next to the old town.
- In Bosa, there’s free parking next to Ponte Vecchio and on the side of the street of Lungo Temo Emilio Scherer.
Beaches in the east: Is Arutas & S’Archittu
South Sardinia (Cagliari | Sant’Antioco | Villasimius)
Sardinia’s south awaits you with so many panoramic roads. One more engrossing than the other. If you ask me, the coastal roads on our Sardinia road trip could all be awarded as some of Europe’s most scenic routes.
And, of course, there are breathtaking beaches around Buggeru and around Villasimius.
We actually decided for one stop in the south during our Sardinia road trip, staying close to Cagliari. So we went on day trips to Sant’Antioco and Dune di Piscinas in the southwest and the beaches around Villasimius in the southeast, but if you’ve got enough time, I recommend splitting it into two stays (southwest and southeast).
ToDo in the Southwest
- Dune di Piscinas – A huge wandering dune where you can do spectacular hikes, or simply spend a day by the seemingly endless beach. The last part of the road is a bit bumpy but parking is just 5 € for a whole day.
- Sant’Antioco – This small island is connected to Sardinia with a bridge and makes up for a great day trip. There are some spectacular cliffs you can hike along, arches from where you can jump into the water, and on calm days even natural pools.
- Beaches
- Spiaggia di Piscinas – The beach in the wandering dune is so large, it can hardly get overcrowded.
- Spiaggia di Scivu – A rougher beach with a tough road getting there which makes it not too crowded. In my opinion a great hidden gem in Sardinia. And the sand is so soft.
- Spiaggia di Cala Domestica – A small bay with spectacular, turquoise water and not too crowded even in the high season. There’s also a nice viewpoint across the cliffs.
- Is Arenas Biancas – Perfectly white sand and clear water, and on the salt lake next to it, you may see flamingos.
- Spiaggia di Tueredda – One of those beaches I’d never visit during the high season, as it’s one of Sardinia’s most famous beaches & gets really crowded. But during the off-season, a true paradise.
- Su Giudeu Beach – A paradisiacal, shallow beach with a small island you can even reach walking through the water
Beaches in the south: Villasimius & Tueredda
ToDo in the Southeast
- Short hike to Sella del Diavolo – From this hill next to Cagliari you have an awesome view across the city, the coast and the salines (It’s a short 1h hike from the parking)
- Boat Tour with 4 Swim Stops, Snorkeling & Prosecco – Departing from Cagliari port, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful bays and beaches and the crystal clear water around Sella del Diavolo.
- Cagliari Underground Tour – A tour through a world underneath the city along a WWII tunnel, a crypt, and the remains of an old Roman City found under a church. A different kind of activity (for us, it was perfect on a rainy day in Cagliari) giving you some insights into Sardinia’s past.
- Picnic with Sardinian Donkeys – An unusual experience, but if you love animals, you’ll love this. You can cuddle with the well-treated donkeys while enjoying great local food & wine (lots of options for vegetarians if you let them know in advance).
- Parco Archaelogico di Nora – An archeological site of an ancient Roman city close to Pula
- Beaches – There are countless spectacular beaches around Villasimius. The popular ones get really crowded and parking can be expensive (5-10€ a day). So make sure to always stop at smaller, lesser-known bays as well because those are all gorgeous as well
- Porto Giunco – One of the most famous beaches around Villasimius with an amazing view across the sandbank from a tower you can walk up to. There are usually also flamingos around, but it’s not the best beach to go on a windy day.
- Spiaggia di Porto Sa Ruxi – fine, white sand and super clear water. A dream during the off-season! In high season crazy crowded & 10€ for parking.
- Spiaggia di Punta Molentis – Wonderful for snorkeling, but I can only recommend it during the off-season.
- Spiaggia di Genn’e Mari – Another fantastic beach with perfect sand and clear water
- Spiaggia Costa Rei – A long beach with higher chances to get a spot even during the high season (it’s touristy, but a really long bay, so there’s lots of space)
Eat
- Gintilla Vegan Restaurant – Probably the best dinner we had during our time in Sardinia with vegan specialties such as Carbonara or Lasagna
- Bistrot Cavó – The service, the atmosphere, the vegan food: Everything was perfect here! Italy needs more restaurants like this!
- Birdi – A small restaurant by a local Woman who may seem somewhat confused, but she’s lovely and does everything herself (everything veggie)
Stay
Budget stays:
- Lavita Camp – A dreamy glamping site between Cagliari & Villasimius. I would have loved to stay here, but we decided against it in the end because there were some rainy days coming up.
- Corte Boero B&B – A nice B&B a bit outside of Cagliari run by the very warm and welcoming Marcello where we spent a few lovely days. The homemade jam and bread for breakfast were delicious.
Premium stay:
- Fra Cielo e Mare Boutique Rooms – Wonderful rooms, centrally located in Cagliari with a rooftop terrace and a spectacular view across the city. Some rooms even have their own terrace with an outdoor shower.
Hotel recommendation for southern Sardinia: Corte Boero B&B
Just a short drive outside of Cagliari, Marcello has created a small countryside oasis. His wife bakes all the bread and sweets herself and you can enjoy the sun in their courtyard.
Tip: Free parking in Cagliari on your Sardinia road trip
We’ve always found a spot in Via Sant’Ignazio da Laconi (another chance is a bit further in Viale Luigi Giussani). From here it’s just a ten minute walk to the historic center.
Cagliari | underground tour | flamingos
East Sardinia (Baunei | Dorgali | Cala Gonone | Gulf of Orosei)
Moving on to the east coast, you will find one of Sardinia’s most beautiful stretches of coastline around the Gulf of Orosei.
Cruise around the Supramonte mountains and enjoy this spectacular landscape on your Sardinia road trip.
The lovely mountain village Baunei is a wonderful destination to spend a few days with breathtaking hiking routes.
Baunei & wine tasting in Dorgali
ToDo in the East
- Hike to Cala Goloritzé – What a breathtaking hike! The walk down to the beach is quite popular, but I highly recommend taking a detour to an amazing viewpoint that honestly blew my mind. Standing up there with a view down on the bays, boats and the blue sea is unbelievable. We only met two other hikers on the way to the viewpoint, so this is by far not as crowded as the beach. Yet, jumping into the turquoise water after the hike down is the perfect reward. It’s around 10k and partly steep which took us around 4h (here’s the link to our hike). You can park and start your hike here.
- Hike into the Gola Gorropu canyon – One of the deepest canyons in Europe! There are several ways to reach this amazing canyon. You can do the full hike starting at Passo Ghenna Selana which is around 9 km and 5 hours hiking, because you have to walk all the way down to the canyon & back up (park here). Or you can book a guided hike with lunch & Jeep ride where they take you down by Jeep, so you can skip the steep path and start walking closer to the canyon.
- Boat trip – a boat trip around the Gulf of Orosei is the one thing you shouldn’t miss during your Sardinia road trip. This spectacular coast, its paradisiacal beaches and turquoise water will leave you speechless.
- Dinghy cruise with swim stops around the Gulf of Orosei (start: Cala Ganone) – I’m so sad our tour got canceled due to a storm because I would have loved to explore beaches and caves like Cala Luna by boat. With a small boat you can even drive into the caves and don’t have to share the boat with so many other tourist which is much more fun in my opinion.
- Baunei Coast Cruise with swim stops (start Santa Maria Navarrese) – This is a great option starting a bit further north, perfect if you stay in Baunei, and also on a small boat with fewer people.
- Rent a boat – Did you know that you can rent a 5-meter boat (up to 40 PS) without a license for 200€ per day (up to six people)? Make sure to reserve one on time, especially during the high season. Rent a boat here and enjoy all the amazing beaches and the coast on your own terms.
- Visit a winery – The scenic region around Dorgali and the valley of Oddoene is where the famous Cannonau red wine grows. So there are many vineries offering guided tours and tastings.
- Red rocks of Arbatax – Next to the small town Arbatax, you can visit these impressive red rocks and combine them with a stroll through town.
- Beaches
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- Spiaggia di Biderosa – Only a limited number of cars can access this nature reserve, so they make sure to prevent these beaches from overtourism and protect local bird species and trees. There are several white-sand coves as well as Sa Curcurica lagoon within the nature reserve.
- Cala Goloritzé & Cala Mariolu – Two spectacular bays that are only accessible by boat or a 1.5-hour hike. But: We went there in October and it was already quite crowded. As they’re some of Sardinia’s most popular beaches, I’d probably avoid them during the high season and look for a lesser-known bay in this spectacular area.
- Cala Luna – A wonderful beach with interesting caves not accessible by land, but a usual stop on the boat trip.
Cala Goloritzé in October
Eat
- Chiosco Monte Longu – A simple bar with great pizza and spectacular sea views close to Dorgali.
- Bar Trattoria Belvedere – Delicious gnocchi & pasta with an amazing view from their terrace in Baunei.
- L’Olivastro Bar – Enjoy a spritz next to the sea on its beautiful tree-covered terrace (close to Baunei).
- MurMè – Great takeaway piadine in Baunei, which you can grab before a hike or a day by the beach.
Stay
Budget stays:
- bedandclimbing – A lovely small B&B in Baunei, decorated with lots of details for climbing lovers, with a spectacular view from its rooftop terrace.
- B&B Valverde – What a small oasis in the countryside around Dorgali/Cala Ganone, run by lovely Antonietta who will make sure you have everything you need during your stay. The adorable dog Leon & cat Pedro made my day every morning.
Premium stay:
- Monte Forru – A wonderful accommodation centrally located in Baunei with thoughtful, modern rooms decorated with a great love for detail. The highlight is the spectacular rooftop terrace.
Hotel recommendation for east Sardinia: B&B Valverde
This was the perfect ending to our road trip, as it’s just my kind of accommodation. A countryside oasis with adorable animals, a fantastic large garden full of herbs and flowers and a very kind host. Just perfect!
Sardinia itineraries
How many days do you need for a Sardinia road trip?
If you want to visit the whole island and get a nice overview of its different parts you should plan at least 2 weeks in Sardinia. I’d even recommend 2.5 – 3 weeks to cruise around the whole island on your Sardinia road trip without too much stress. This also gives you the opportunity to dive deeper into the local culture and to slow down a bit.
If you have less time, focus on either the north or the south.
How to get to Sardinia?
If you’re planning your Sardinia itinerary with your own car or a camper from Central Europe, you can drive to Italy and take a ferry from Genova (Italy) to either Olbia or Porto Torres. The overnight ferry took around 12 hours and was quite comfy (you can book a cabin or bring an inflatable mattress and a sleeping bag or blanket and make yourself comfortable on the floor. There’s plenty of space and lots of people did that. I wish we had been better prepared honestly! But we found a nice spot on a padded bench which was also not too bad.
There’s also the option to fly to either Olbia or Cagliari and pick up a rental car for your Sardinia road trip there.
How to get around Sardinia?
In my opinion, driving around Sardinia yourself is a highlight itself. There are so many panoramic roads, such as the coastal road between Alghero and Bosa (SP49), the panoramic SP 83 toward Carbonia, SP 71 to Cagliari, SP18 along the coast from Cagliari to Baunei, and the beautiful mountain road SS125 from Baunei to Dorgali.
On a Sardinia road trip, you can stop along the way and enjoy the view whenever you want.
We also never had to pay any tolls in Sardinia, and we never had any issues finding accommodation with free parking.
Besides, there’s free parking in almost all towns and cities and even all over La Maddalena parking is for free.
If you arrive by plane and want to get a rental car, I recommend booking your rental car with CHECK 24 where you can compare offers from countless different rental companies, individualize the type of insurance, and benefit from their service.
Sardinia road trip vibes
Suggested Sardinia itineraries
2 weeks Sardinia itinerary
- Olbia (2 days)
- drive Olbia ⇨ Palau (1h / 40 km) + ferry to La Maddalena (15 min / 40 € return for 2 people & a car)
- La Maddalena (3 days)
- Ferry back to Palau + drive Palau ⇨ Bosa (3.5h / 200 km) with a stop in Alghero (panoramic coastal road SP49 from Alghero to Bosa), add a night in Alghero if you’d like to avoid the long drive
- Bosa (2-3 days), with a day trip to Alghero
- drive Bosa ⇨ Carbonia (3h / 200 km) along the panoramic coastal road SP83 with a stop at S’Archittu
- Carbonia (2-3 days), with a day trip to Sant’Antioco
- drive Carbonia ⇨ Cagliari (2h / 120 km) along the panoramic coastal road SP71
- Cagliari (2-3 days)
- drive Cagliari ⇨ Baunei/Dorgali (2.5h / 150 km) along the panoramic coastal road SP18 and the mountain road SS125
- Baunei/Dorgali (2-3 days)
- drive back to Olbia for the ferry back (2.5h / 150km)
If you arrive by plane in Cagliari, of course, you can also start the same route in Cagliari and do the loop from here.
As you can see, it’s quite a tight schedule, so I recommend 2.5 – 3 weeks, to have more relaxing days in between.
Sardinia road trip itinerary (click for interactive map)
3 weeks Sardinia itinerary
- Olbia (2 days)
- drive Olbia ⇨ Palau (1h / 40km) + ferry to La Maddalena (15 min / 40 € return for 2 people & a car)
- La Maddalena (3 days)
- Ferry back to Palau + drive Palau ⇨ Alghero (3h / 150km) with a stop in Castelsardo
- Alghero (2 days)
- drive Alghero ⇨ Bosa (1h / 45km) along the panoramic coastal road SP49 from Alghero to Bosa, or you can just spend a day as a stop-over in Alghero & spend more time in Bosa, Cagliari or Baunei/Dorgali
- Bosa (3-4 days)
- drive Bosa ⇨ Carbonia (3h / 200 km) along the panoramic coastal road SP83
- Carbonia (2-3 days), with a day trip to Sant’Antioco
- drive Carbonia ⇨ Cagliari (2h / 120 km)along the panoramic coastal road SP71
- Cagliari (3-4 days)
- drive Cagliari ⇨ Baunei/Dorgali (2.5h / 150 km) along the panoramic coastal road SP18 and the mountain road SS125
- Baunei/Dorgali (3-4 days), or split up into 2 stops
- drive back to Olbia for the ferry back (2.5h / 150km)
1 week Sardinia itinerary
If you have only one week, focus on either the north or the south. You can stay in two areas (e.g. in the north start in Olbia, spend 2-3 days La Maddalena and some days around Bosa/Alghero).
Sardinia road trip vibes
Good to know for your Sardinia road trip
Sustainable travel in Sardinia
Especially when visiting an island, it’s important to protect the ocean. But sustainable travel is a broad topic. While many people only connect it to reducing waste or eco-accommodation, there’s so much more to it.
Sardinia is well aware of the large number of tourists visiting the beautiful island every year. And they’ve started taking measures, such as limiting the number of visitors to some of its most popular beaches.
I noticed that you also find only few large hotels on the island but mostly B&Bs and apartments. So the island is not overly covered with buildings, which I really liked.
Also, more and more sustainable businesses are emerging. The Sardinia Ecotourism Network, for example, consists of 40 companies ranging from tour operators, accommodation facilities, hiking guides, museums and much more that operate with sustainable values. Not only do they reduce their impact on the environment and preserve the island’s heritage, but also offer authentic experiences. Their website is worth a look in order to book sustainable boat tours, wine tastings, or tours through archaeological sites.
It’s important to support these businesses as travelers in order to create a boost in demand and contribute to a shift, so we protect the vulnerable ecosystems, wildlife and cultural heritage of the island. That’s the only way future generations – both locals and travelers – can still enjoy the beauty of Sardinia as we do today.
Let’s keep these spectacular beaches in Sardinia clean
What can I do as a traveler?
We as travelers can make a change by responsible and conscious decisions during our Sardinia road trip. Eventually, we want to enjoy our destination, right? And the way we treat the destination significantly influences, whether future travelers can still enjoy it the way we did.
And of course, we have to make sure that inhabitants, animals, and the environment don’t suffer from our visit.
I’ve written a comprehensive guide full of tips on how to travel more sustainably. Often, small things can change a lot. Check this out, if you’re interested in learning more about it.
But to give you the most relevant tips for your Sardinia itinerary, here’s an overview of what you should consider to reduce the negative impacts of your Sardinia road trip:
- Stay with locals: in guesthouses, small B&Bs or hotels. There are many lovely local B&Bs in Sardinia where you can experience local life.
- Save energy & water: In your accommodation, skip on getting fresh towels & cleaning daily, use a fan instead of aircon, and take short showers. Especially on islands, fresh water is usually scarce.
- Support local businesses: Eat and shop in small locally owned restaurants and shops instead of supporting international chains.
- Book eco-friendly tours: such as this eco-friengly dolphin watching tour or check out Sardinia Ecotourism Network.
- Cause as little waste as possible: It’s actually simple – Say no to plastic bags, straws and packaging (instead bring a tote bag). And when you’re on the beach, never leave any trash but dispose of it properly (ideally in bins with waste separation).
- Bring your own eco-friendly products: Especially on an island like Sardinia where you’re always close the sea, make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen without chemicals that harm the ocean, a shampoo bar that saves plastic and a bamboo toothbrush.
- Bring your own water bottle: I never travel without my self-purifying water bottle with which I can filter water anywhere I go and make it drinkable.
- Avoid any activities that involve animal cruelty: such as visiting aquariums. And make sure to book a tour that pays attention to animal welfare with dolphin watching tours, such as this Dolphin watching tour in Golfo Aranci
- Support organizations helping stray cats and dogs and treat these cuties with some snacks.
- Eat responsibly: Besides eating in local restaurants where ingredients are usually from the island, try to eat less meat or even plant-based. This can radically improve your ecological footprint, as meat consumption is one of the most severe causes of climate change.
- Be respectful. When taking pictures, always ask locals before and respect, if they don’t want pictures taken of them.
Besides, packing light and traveling more slowly makes your trip more sustainable as well.
Weather & travel season
When is the best time to go on a road trip in Sardinia?
As the summer months (June-August) are not only the high season but also the hottest months, I recommend avoiding these months. Rather plan your Sardinia road trip in spring or autumn when temperatures are still great for swimming and beach time, but there are fewer crowds and accommodation is also less expensive.
We were in Sardinia from late September to early October and had an amazing time with temperatures around 24-30 °C, many beach days (on almost empty beaches) and lots of sun.
sunny & rainy days in Sardinia
Language & currency
Italian basics
I always think it’s a shame when travelers visit a foreign country and only stick to English (or even worse, to their own native language). Of course, no one can expect you to learn any language. But learning a few basic phrases in the local language is not only fun and helpful in many situations, but also a way to show respect to the locals.
In Sardinia, everyone speaks Italian, as it’s the official language, but the actual local language is Sardo. It has a lot of influences (Catalan, Latin and even some Arabic due to Sardinia’s history) and varies a lot within regions. So there are many many different dialects.
Here are a few basic Italian phrases that can help you to improve your time during your Sardinia road trip:
- “Hello” – ciao
- “Good morning” / “Good evening” – Buongiorno / Buonasera
- “Thank you” – grazie
- “You’re welcome” – prego
- “How much is it?” – Quanto fa?
- “Could I have…” (e.g. a glass of wine)? – Potrei avere… (un bicchiere di vino)?
- “Without meat” – Senza carne
Is a road trip in Sardinia expensive?
I experienced traveling in Sardinia around the same price level as Italy’s mainland. How expensive your trip gets depends a lot on your way of travel. If you prefer fancy dinners and boutique hotels, you can easily spend an expensive vacation.
We mostly stayed in apartments or guesthouses for around 100 Euros per night for two people in a nice double room. But be aware, that we were traveling at the end of September / beginning of October. In earlier months prices are higher.
Food in Sardinia
Food is such a huge part of a country’s culture. Food is love. And everyone loves Italian food, right?
Besides pizza and pasta, there are many local dishes you have to try. Being an island, there’s plenty of seafood dishes in Sardinia, but you can find many delicious vegetarian options as well:
- Culurgiones – filled pasta (similar to Ravioli) with a filling of potatoes and mint
- Fregola – the Sardinian kind of couscous
- Malloreddus – Sardinian gnocchi
- Seada – a sweet pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream cheese
- Formigelle – sweet cream cheese-filled pastries in a star form
- Pane carasau – the typical, very thin Sardinian flatbread you usually get served as a side dish
- Cannonau – Sardinian red wine is part of any typical dinner over here
- Ichnusa – The typical Sardinian beer from Cagliari
Culurgiones | Fregola | Sardinian sweets
Where to stay on a Sardinia road trip?
While cruising through Sardinia, you can see a lot of campers. There are many wonderful campsites, and wild camping is not allowed and will be fined.
But you can also plan your Sardinia itinerary with a car and stay in guesthouses. We only booked our first nights in Olbia in advance and didn’t have any issues booking our accommodation just 1-2 nights in advance. This way, we were super flexible and were able to stay in one place as long as we liked. But I wouldn’t do that during the high season.
Sardinia road trip – a wrap-up
Sardinia in three words: pane carasau | paradisiacal beaches | scenic roads
Did you know? Sand is protected in Sardinia, so you’re not allowed to take sand with you but may even get fined.
Favorite photo spot: From the viewpoint next to Cala Goloritzé
Favorite food: Of course the typical Culurgiones and Fregula with vegetables
Can’t miss: A boat trip in the Gulf of Orosei
More travel inspiration for Italy & the Mediterranean
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible Sardinia road trip guide! Your detailed recommendations and insights about the best beaches, hiking spots, and charming towns make it feel like a dream destination. I especially appreciate the tips on sustainable travel and where to eat and stay. This itinerary is such a beautiful way to experience the island’s natural wonders and rich culture. Truly inspiring!