Sardinia delivers among the finest Mediterranean street journeys in Europe. This two-week itinerary covers every coast of the island, hitting celebrated seashores, historic cities, and genuine inland gems.
The information follows points of interest, routes, and contains native journey practices. Begin and finish factors might be both Olbia (north) or Cagliari (south), each with main airports and ferry connections.
When you’re already on the Italian mainland, a terrific choice is to take the ferry to the island. This typically makes extra sense than flying, as you may carry your automobile too, which is what we did. That manner, we may carry every thing we would have liked, go to a few actually stunning locations alongside the way in which, and revel in a cool ferry crossing. Plus, we saved on airfares and automobile rental prices.
Learn as properly our journey tip on How you can Get to Sardinia.
Fast Overview: Route & Areas
| Days | Area/Space |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | North Coast (Olbia, Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena) |
| 5–7 | West Coast (Alghero, Bosa, Costa Verde) |
| 8–10 | South Coast (Cagliari, Villasimius) |
| 11–14 | East Coast (Orosei, Cala Gonone, Baunei, Olbia) |
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1–4: North Coast – Seashores & Glamour
Base: Olbia / Costa Smeralda
- Drive from Olbia to Porto Cervo and the famed Costa Smeralda.
- Discover Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli Seashore, and Liscia Ruja—all verified for turquoise, shallow waters and well-maintained amenities. You’ll go to among the most stunning seashores on the planet. The surroundings, the colour of the water and the rock formations are merely gorgeous.
- Take the Palau ferry (automobiles allowed) to La Maddalena Archipelago Nationwide Park, famend for abandoned sandy coves and clear snorkeling. A number of licensed boat excursions function each day.
- Tip: Porto Cervo is famous for upscale nightlife, however northern Sardinia’s villages like San Pantaleo and Cannigione provide genuine meals and decrease costs.
The seashores all around the island are gorgeous. The north-eastern ones are essentially the most well-known, however we’ve seen many others that had been equally inviting and delightful.
That’s why we’ve included just a few of them on this article: Finest Seashores in Sardinia
Days 5–7: West Coast – Genuine Sardinia
Base: Alghero, Bosa
- Drive to Alghero, a city with Catalan roots, medieval partitions, and bustling seafood markets. Its previous city and Neptune’s Grotto cave (guided excursions year-round, climate allowing) are customer highlights.
- Comply with the scenic SP49 coastal street to Bosa—a riverside village with pastel homes and the Malaspina Fort. Bosa is confirmed for its picturesque heart and river views.
- South of Bosa, uncover the quartz-sand seashore at Is Arutas and wild waves of the Costa Verde.
Days 8–10: South Coast – Historical past & Capital Tradition
Base: Cagliari / Villasimius
- Head south through Oristano in direction of Cagliari, the historic Sardinian capital.
- Cagliari’s prime websites: the Bastion of Saint Remy, Poetto Seashore, the traditional Roman amphitheater, and the previous districts of Castello and Marina.
- Eat: Cagliari’s eating places serve signature dishes like culurgiones (Sardinian ravioli) and bottarga (cured mullet roe).
- Tour: Day journeys to Villasimius and Costa Rei for unspoiled south-eastern seashores are simple through SS125 freeway.
Days 11–14: East Coast – Wild Landscapes & Journey
Base: Orosei, Cala Gonone, Baunei
- Drive up the SS125 (the “Orientale Sarda,” one among Italy’s prime scenic roads) to Orosei. The Gulf of Orosei is legendary for limestone cliffs, sea caves, and pristine coves.
- Cala Gonone: Gateway for boat excursions to Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, and the ocean cave Grotta del Bue Marino. Journeys run each day in summer season—affirm availability and climate earlier than reserving;
- A hike to Cala Goloritzé, a UNESCO-listed seashore solely accessible on foot, is extremely really useful (path well-signposted and maintained).
Highlights & Actions
- Finest seashores: Spiaggia del Principe, La Pelosa (Stintino), Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, Poetto, and Is Arutas.
- Historic websites: Su Nuraxi nuraghe (Barumini, UNESCO-verified), Castello di Cagliari, Malaspina Fort (Bosa).
- Wildlife: Pink flamingos seen at Cagliari’s salt flats and Molentargius Park in spring and summer season.
- Consuming: Strive native specialties—porceddu (roast suckling pig), seadas (cheese pastry with honey), and Cannonau wine.
- Boat excursions: Licensed operators on La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei provide each day journeys; advance reserving really useful for August.
Learn as properly our journey tips on…
Important journey ideas for Sardinian street journeys
Sardinia is right for street journey explorers, however a profitable journey requires up-to-date planning and native know-how. Listed below are an important journey ideas for anybody self-driving round Sardinia’s coast:
1. Automotive Rent & Reserving
- Advance reservation required: Particularly in July-August, e book your automobile weeks forward for one of the best availability and costs.
- Rental areas: Main airports at Olbia and Cagliari, plus Alghero and port cities.
- Driver necessities: Most rental businesses require a sound EU or worldwide driver’s license, and drivers to be not less than 21 (typically 25) years previous.
We headed to Sardinia with our personal automobile and took the in a single day ferry. That saved us the rental automobile prices, flights and we had a terrific journey and the children beloved the ferry crossing.
2. Driving & Roads
- Street circumstances: Highways (SS and SP roads) and essential coastal routes are properly maintained and paved. Inland routes might be slim and winding—drive slowly and with warning.
- Pace limits: 50km/h (cities), 90km/h (secondary roads), 110km/h (main roads), except in any other case posted. Many roads have pace cameras (“autovelox”).
- Gas: Most fuel stations settle for playing cards and are open each day, although some shut for a protracted lunch (12:30–15:30) exterior massive cities. Replenish earlier than getting into distant coastal stretches.
3. Navigation & Indicators
- Navigation: GPS or Google Maps works properly, however carry a paper map as cellular reception could also be weak within the mountains and distant coasts.
- Street indicators: Indicators are clear and usually in Italian, with some areas listed in Sardinian dialect.
4. Parking & ZTL (Restricted Zones)
- Seashore/city parking: Many seashores and city facilities have paid parking zones. All the time test indicators for closing dates and fee strategies.
- ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato): Many aged city areas (particularly Cagliari, Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo) limit non-resident automobile entry throughout components of the day. Fines are computerized for violations. Fairly nasty, proper? So be careful and search for marked indicators.
5. Security & Safety
- Private security: Sardinia is very protected for self-driving vacationers. Violent crime is uncommon; normal precautions apply.
- Car security: Theft from automobiles can happen, notably at distant seashores. As standard, by no means depart seen valuables in your automobile.
6. Ferries and Island Connections
- Automotive ferries: The one automobile ferry to La Maddalena leaves from Palau (runs year-round).
- Advance reserving is extremely really useful throughout summer season and weekends.
7. Necessities to Pack
- Solar safety: Sardinian solar is intense; pack sunscreen, hats, and sun shades.
- Money: Though playing cards are extensively accepted, many distant seashore parking heaps or rural eating places settle for solely money.
- Water and snacks: Providers are sparse alongside some distant coastlines or mountain stretches.
8. Native Driving Tradition
- Locals could drive rapidly on winding roads; use pull-outs to let sooner vehicles cross.
- Roundabouts: All the time yield to visitors already inside.
9. Emergency Data
- Emergency quantity: Dial 112 for police, fireplace, or medical emergencies.
- Breakdown providers: Most rental businesses present a toll-free quantity for help. Just remember to have the contact particulars of your insurance coverage, if you happen to drive with your personal automobile.
10. Sustainability
- Respect seashores and nature reserves: Take all waste with you; by no means park on sand dunes.
- Help native: Use native guides, eat regional delicacies, and store at markets for genuine experiences.
These journey ideas for driving in Sardinia will assist guarantee each a easy journey and a accountable journey expertise.
Journey Dudes encourages accountable and sustainable exploration. Respect native tips, eliminate waste correctly, and assist genuine Sardinian companies all through your journey.
