Sardinia delivers the most effective 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 sights, routes, and consists of native journey practices. Begin and finish factors will be both Olbia (north) or Cagliari (south), each with main airports and ferry connections.
For those who’re already on the Italian mainland, an ideal possibility is to take the ferry to the island. This typically makes extra sense than flying, as you’ll be able to deliver your automobile too, which is what we did. That means, we may deliver all the pieces we wanted, go to a few actually lovely locations alongside the way in which, and luxuriate in a cool ferry crossing. Plus, we saved on airfares and automobile rental prices.
Learn as effectively our journey tip on How one can Get to Sardinia.
Ferry to Sardinia, Italy.
Fast Overview: Route & Areas
Daysregion/Area1–4north Coast (Olbia, Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena) 5–7West Coast (Alghero, Bosa, Costa Verde) 8–10South Coast (Cagliari, Villasimius) 11–14east 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 services. You’ll go to a few of the most lovely seashores on the earth. The surroundings, the colour of the water and the rock formations are merely beautiful.
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 day by day.
Tip: Porto Cervo is famous for upscale nightlife, however northern Sardinia’s villages like San Pantaleo and Cannigione supply genuine meals and decrease costs.
Prince on the Costa Smeralda seashore in Sardinia, Italy.
The seashores everywhere in the island are beautiful. The north-eastern ones are probably the most well-known, however we’ve seen many others that had been equally inviting and exquisite.
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 Its outdated city and Neptune’s Grotto cave (guided excursions year-round, climate allowing) are customer highlights.
Observe the scenic SP49 coastal street to Bosa—a riverside village with pastel homes and the Malaspina Fortress. Bosa is confirmed for its picturesque middle and river views.
South of Bosa, uncover the quartz-sand seashore at Is Arutas and wild waves of the Costa Verde.
Bastioni Marco Polo in Alghero in Sardinia, Italy.
Days 8–10: South Coast – Historical past & Capital Tradition
Base: Cagliari / Villasimius
Head south through Oristano in the direction of Cagliari, the historic Sardinian capital.
Cagliari’s prime websites: the Bastion of Saint Remy, Poetto Seashore, the traditional Roman amphitheater, and the outdated 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 easy through SS125 freeway.
Roman amphitheater in Cagliari, Italy.
Days 11–14: East Coast – Wild Landscapes & Journey
Base: Orosei, Cala Gonone, Baunei
Drive up the SS125 (the “Orientale Sarda,” one in all Italy’s prime scenic roads) to Orosei. The Gulf of Orosei is known 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 day by day in summer time—affirm availability and climate earlier than reserving;
A hike to Cala Goloritzé, a UNESCO-listed seashore solely accessible on foot, is extremely beneficial (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 Fortress (Bosa).
Wildlife: Pink flamingos seen at Cagliari’s salt flats and Molentargius Park in spring and summer time.
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 supply day by day journeys; advance reserving beneficial for August.
Native specialties of Sardinia, Italy.
Learn as effectively our journey recommendations on…
Important journey suggestions for Sardinian street journeys
Sardinia is good for street journey explorers, however a profitable journey requires up-to-date planning and native know-how. Listed below are crucial journey suggestions for anybody self-driving round Sardinia’s coast:
Street in Sardinia, Italy.
1. Automotive Rent & Reserving
Advance reservation required: Particularly in July-August, e book your automobile weeks forward for the very best availability and costs.
Rental areas: Main airports at Olbia and Cagliari, plus Alghero and port cities.
Driver necessities: Most rental businesses require a legitimate EU or worldwide driver’s license, and drivers to be a minimum of 21 (typically 25) years outdated.
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 an ideal journey and the children liked the ferry crossing.
2. Driving & Roads
Street situations: Highways (SS and SP roads) and primary coastal routes are effectively maintained and paved. Inland routes will be slim and winding—drive slowly and with warning.
Pace limits: 50km/h (cities), 90km/h (secondary roads), 110km/h (main roads), until in any other case posted. Many roads have velocity cameras (“autovelox”).
Gas: Most fuel stations settle for playing cards and are open day by day, although some shut for an extended lunch (12:30–15:30) outdoors large cities. Replenish earlier than getting into distant coastal stretches.
3. Navigation & Indicators
Navigation: GPS or Google Maps works effectively, however deliver a paper map as cell reception could also be weak within the mountains and distant coasts.
Street indicators: Indicators are clear and sometimes 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 examine indicators for deadlines and cost strategies.
ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato): Many aged city areas (particularly Cagliari, Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo) prohibit 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 may be very secure for self-driving vacationers. Violent crime is uncommon; customary precautions apply.
Car security: Theft from automobiles can happen, notably at distant seashores. As regular, 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 beneficial throughout summer time 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 shortly on winding roads; use pull-outs to let quicker automobiles move.
Roundabouts: All the time yield to site visitors already inside.
9. Emergency Data
Emergency quantity: Dial 112 for police, fireplace, or medical emergencies.
Breakdown companies: Most rental businesses present a toll-free quantity for help. Just be sure you have the contact particulars of your insurance coverage, when you drive with your individual 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 suggestions for driving in Sardinia will assist guarantee each a clean journey and a accountable journey expertise.
Journey Dudes encourages accountable and sustainable exploration. Respect native pointers, eliminate waste correctly, and help genuine Sardinian companies all through your journey.
I am positive you have had comparable experiences I had while touring. You are in a sure place and a fellow traveler, or an area, tip you off on a little-known seashore, bar or lodging. Nice journey suggestions from different vacationers or locals all the time add one thing particular to our travels. That was the inspiration for Journey Dudes.
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I am positive you have had comparable experiences I had while touring. You are in a sure place and a fellow traveler, or an area, tip you off on a little-known seashore, bar or lodging. Nice journey suggestions from different vacationers or locals all the time add one thing particular to our travels. That was the inspiration for Journey Dudes.
