Sardinia Travelers Recommend

Sardinia is an island of contrasts, with wildly untamed countryside and luxury beach resorts, idyllic white-sand beaches and time-capsule mountain villages, Bronze Age ruins and magnificent Romanesque cathedrals. With three days on the island, you’ll be able to experience a bit of all Sardinia has to offer. Here’s how.

Day 1: Olbia

Most ferries and flights arrive in this port city on Sardinia’s northeastern coast, so begin your exploration of the island here. Take a turn around the city on a tuk-tuk tour to get your bearings, then use Olbia as your jumping-off point to explore the spectacular Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda). Opt for a minivan tour to admire the coastline as far as Santa Teresa Gallura by land, or take a yacht or sailboat tour to explore this pristine stretch of coast by sea. Most boat tours also take in the pink-sand beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago and the Caprera Island nature reserve and include lunch onboard. Alternatively, head south to San Teodoro to explore the rugged countryside of Mount Nieddu, known for its waterfalls and sweeping views, by ATV.

Day 2: Alghero

Today, head west across the island to this popular coastal retreat, a medieval city with both a delightfully picturesque old town and easy access to the postcard-perfect beaches nearby. Start with a walking tour to take in the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria and the boutiques and shops selling traditional coral jewelry along Via Roma. Gourmands can choose a food-and-wine walking tour or join a farmhouse cooking class in the countryside to prepare and enjoy classic Sardinian dishes. Otherwise, choose a traditional restaurant to sample the city’s Spanish-influenced dishes, such as paella algherese (Alghero paella) and aragosta alla catalana (Catalan crayfish). In the afternoon, set sail by boat or kayak along Alghero’s Coral Coast to the dazzling Neptune’s Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno) at Capo Caccia, famous for its magnificent rock formations. End your day with a traditional dinner in the home of a local fisherman.

Day 3: Cagliari

Perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the island’s cities, the southern coastal town of Cagliari has an intact old town, unspoilt wetlands, and easy access to premier archaeological sites. Begin with a tour of the Castello district, the city’s time-capsule historic center. After taking in the hilltop citadel and city cathedral, head to the water’s edge to admire the colorful resident flamingoes inside Molentargius Natural Park. Gourmands can explore Cagliari’s culinary side with a cooking class, home-dining experience, or wine tour to the surrounding vineyards. Archaeology enthusiasts will want to join a tour of the nearby Phoenician ruins in Nora or the neolithic Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most fascinating remains of the island’s mysterious Nuragic culture.

Though a favorite holiday retreat for Italians, the island of Sardinia is less well-known to international tourists. With a week to spend, you can explore the sandy beaches and colorful grottoes along its coastline, sample its distinct cuisine, and learn about its prehistoric past. Here’s how to experience the best of Sardinia in seven days. 

Days 1–3: The Northern Coast

Most visitors to Sardinia arrive by taking a plane or ferry to the port city of Olbia on the northeastern coast, a convenient jumping-off point for exploring the spectacular beaches and luxury resorts along the Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda). Catch your breath with a tuk-tuk tour around Olbia before heading north to spend a few days exploring the coastline and islets. Stop for a dolphin-watching cruise in Golfo Arancini, then continue up to Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo, the Costa Smeralda’s two main resort areas. Explore the coastline by land with a minivan tour, or opt for a yacht or sailboat tour to the Maddalena Archipelago and Caprera Island nature reserve. Be sure to stop in Santa Teresa di Gallura to visit the Lu Brandali Nuragic ruins dating from the Bronze Age and in the picturesque hilltop village of Castelsardo, home of the Museum of Mediterranean Weaving. 

Dedicate your final day to discovering Asinara National Park, a tiny, offshore islet with historic ruins, hiking trails, untouched countryside, and idyllic beaches. Join a full-day sail that stops for swimming and snorkeling and includes time for hiking, as well as an onboard Sardinian lunch. 

Days 4–5: Alghero and the Western Coast

Move on to the pretty and popular resort town of Alghero, a medieval port city historically linked to Spain, which has shaped both its architecture and cuisine. Join a walking tour of the picturesque historic center to admire the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria and browse the boutiques and coral shops that line Via Roma. Foodies can take a deep dive into the local cuisine with a food and wine walking tour of Alghero, or join a farmhouse cooking class in the countryside to learn to make regional Catalan-influenced dishes. Alternatively, opt for a traditional home-cooked dinner with a local fisherman and his family to sample authentic recipes and learn about the island’s culture and history.

The next day, take to the seas by boat or kayak to explore the beauty of Alghero’s Coral Coast from the water. Most boat tours stop in the otherworldly Neptune’s Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno) at Capo Caccia, known for its bright blue waters and dramatic boulder and stalactite formations, and at a number of tiny coves for swimming and snorkeling. 

Days 6–7: Cagliari and the Southern Coast

With its medieval old town, nearby archaeological sites, excellent cuisine, and vast choice of outdoor adventures, Cagliari is a good choice for your final two days on Sardinia. Join a guided walking, Segway, Fiat 500, or tuk-tuk tour of the hilltop old town, then head to the sea-level wetlands along the coastline to admire the flamingos and other waterfowl at the Molentargius nature reserve. Dedicate the afternoon to the city’s unique cuisine with a home-dining experience or a Sardinian cooking class led by a local chef.  

Spend your last day enjoying Cagliari’s outdoor activities: Explore Devil’s Saddle by kayak or hiking trail, sail across the Gulf of Cagliari, or relaxing on the area’s beaches. History buffs can instead opt for an archaeological tour to the Phoenician ruins at Nora or to the neolithic site Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, head inland to visit the mountain villages of Mamoiada and Orgosolo or Carloforte on San Pietro island.

End your week on Sardinia with a winery tour to sample island reds and whites paired with artisan sheep cheese and cured meat or by connecting with a local family in their home with an evening of cooking and dining together.

You can find a little something for everyone with two days in Cagliari: history buffs will love the medieval old town and nearby archaeological sites, foodies can savor the island’s cuisine, and outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in kayaking, hiking, or sailing adventures. Here are your options for a crowd-pleasing two days in Cagliari.

Day 1: Cagliari: History and Nature

**Morning:**Cagliari’s old town is one of the most storied and fascinating on the island of Sardinia, so delve into its history and architecture with a guided walking tour, or zip from place to place on wheels by exploring via Segway, Fiat 500, or tuk-tuk.

**Afternoon:**From the historic center, move on to Cagliari’s coastline. Nature lovers can admire the flamingos and other waterfowl at the peaceful Molentargius wetlands by touring the park on foot, Segway, or by tuk-tuk. Sun worshippers can instead spend a few hours basking on the lively Poetto beach, cool drink in hand.

**Night:**It’s time to dine, either at the home of a local, who has prepared a traditional Sardinian meal, or at a cooking class with an instructor who can teach you how to make classic dishes like potato and cheese ravioli (culurgionis) and the unique bread of Sardinia.  

Day 2: A Day of Adventure

**Morning:**In addition to its historic cities, Sardinia also offers opportunities for outdoor adventure. Set off to kayak and hike at Devil’s Saddle, explore the Cave of Neptune sea grotto, sail across the Gulf of Cagliari by boat, or discover the best beaches on a day trip from Cagliari.

**Afternoon:**Take a deeper dive into the island’s history and culture by opting for an archaeological tour to the Phoenician ruins of Nora or the neolithic Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, visit the mountain villages of Mamoiada and Orgosolo or Carloforte on San Pietro island.

**Night:**Dedicate the evening to the island’s food and wine. Join a winery tour to taste Sardinian reds and whites paired with traditional specialties like sheep cheese and cured meats, or meet a local family for the unique experience of cooking and dining together in their home.

Cagliari is Sardinia’s most important port city, with a striking historic center and an ideal location along the southern coast for exploring the island’s highlights by land or sea. Here are a few ways to enjoy both inland treasures and gorgeous coastline over three days, from neolithic ruins to pristine natural reserves.

Day 1: The Historic Port City

Cagliari has been Sardinia’s most important port city for centuries, and its old town is testimony to its long and captivating history. Explore highlights, such as the medieval Castello citadel and the ornate Cathedral of Santa Maria and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria, with a guided walking tour, or zip through the city streets on wheels in a Fiat 500 automobile, on a tuk-tuk, or Segway. 

After exploring Cagliari’s historic quarter, head outside the city to the coast and admire the resident flamingos and other wildlife at the serene Molentargius wetlands, or stake out a deck chair on Poetto beach to watch locals sunbathe and frolic in the waves. For a delicious end to your day, try a hands-on cooking class and learn how to prepare classic island dishes, or sit down for dinner with a local family to enjoy traditional recipes prepared in their home kitchen.

Day 2: Island Highlights by Land

Sardinia’s singular culture remains different from mainland Italy, and each individual city and town on this island also is distinct from its neighbors. Take a closer look at this patchwork of histories, languages, and cuisines on a day trip to the medieval port city of Alghero and the Riviera del Corallo on Sardinia’s opposite coast, or by joining an excursion to the tiny inland villages in the Barbagia Mountains to spend the day with a local family. 

Archaeology enthusiasts can head to the town of Barumini to visit the center and nearby Su Nuraxi archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the Bronze Age. Gourmands can opt for a Sardinian food and wine tour that stops at wineries in the countryside surrounding Cagliari to imbibe in the best local labels and sample traditional delicacies like artisan cheeses and cured meats.

Day 3: Coastal Beauty

You’ve explored Sardinia’s inland heart, so today skirt its spectacular coastline. Adventure lovers can hop in a 4x4 to take on the most rugged and isolated stretches of coast as part of a guided day trip; alternatively, join a more sedate guided excursion to the island’s best beaches via air-conditioned minivan. 

For sports enthusiasts who want to get away from the beach crowds, an active day of hiking and kayaking along the coast near Cagliari is ideal. And, if you just want to relax, set sail on a hop-on-hop-off mini-cruise on the Gulf of Orosei, stopping to swim or explore the coast at your leisure.

Best known for its idyllic coastline and unspoiled countryside, the cities on the island of Sardinia captivate with their blend of cultural treasures and free-spirited Mediterranean vibe. Here’s how to get to know the capital and port city of Cagliari in one day, from its hilltop medieval citadel to its lively waterfront. 

Morning: The Castle and Beyond

The historic district of Castello is so synonymous with Cagliari that islanders commonly use Casteddu—Castello in the Sardinian dialect—as shorthand to refer to the city as a whole. For some of the best views, join a tour that starts at this walled fortress and its 14th-century towers. You have a wide range of options, from combined walking and minivan tours to guided visits via Segway, tuk-tuk, and Fiat 500. Generally, tours work their way downhill to touch on architectural highlights, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria, as well as archaeological sites, such as the Roman amphitheater and Phoenician necropolis of Tuvixeddu.

Afternoon: The Wetlands and Coast

After seeing cultural sights in Cagliari’s historic center, explore the city’s natural beauty. Admire the famous flamingo population at Molentargius Natural Park, a wetland reserve outside the city that hosts a wealth of bird life and can be toured via bike, tuk-tuk, or Segway. For a livelier outdoor excursion, head to Poetto beach, a four-mile-long stretch of sand where locals gather on summer days to sunbathe and socialize at the beach clubs. You also can explore Cagliari’s coastline by sea aboard a skippered sailboat.

Night: The Island Cuisine

You’ve seen Cagliari’s architectural and scenic gems, so it’s time to delve into its unique cuisine. Join a wine tour to one of the island wineries in the countryside and taste some of the local labels paired with artisan cheeses and other area specialties, or sit down to a traditional home-cooked meal with a local cook. Aspiring or experienced chefs can opt for a cooking class, followed by dinner with the instructor, to learn how to recreate at home some of the most traditional Sardinian dishes like ravioli (culurgionis) or dumplings with sausage (malloreddus alla salsiccia).