FIRST TIME IN SARDINIA - Info and Tips
We often get the question, which places are suited as a starting point for the first trip to Sardinia. This depends on many factors, such as the duration of the trip, the travel time and above all, of course your own preferences.
Do you just want to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation with the family? Or do you love to explore new places and feel like hiking over hill and dale? Or do you want to go out in the evening and enjoy the nightlife? Discover here our best tips for your perfect Sardinia vacation.
Beach & Family vacation on the east coast
For the perfect family vacation on the beach, the places on the beautiful east coast of Sardinia are particularly suitable. For those who attach importance to a short journey and good transport connections, places near Olbia, such as Golfo Aranci, are recommended.
Golfo Aranci is only about 20 minutes by car northeast of Olbia and can also be reached by train. Great beaches like Cala Sabina, Spiaggia di Marinella, or the „house beach“ Spiaggia Golfo Aranci can be reached in a few minutes by car.
North of Golfo Aranci stretches the Costa Smeralda, which is known for its Caribbean-like dream beaches. In Porto Cervo, the home of high society, you can admire beautiful yachts in the harbor and if you can afford it, you can shop in the many noble boutiques.
If you are in the area, you should definitely make a trip to the small mountain village of San Pantaleo, there is a great old town with excellent restaurants and small stores. Further northeast there is the archipelago of La Maddalena, which you can visit by (car) ferry and which is ideal for diving, hiking and boat trips.
Tip: Even if the Costa Smeralda is generally a little more expensive, it is worth visiting the beaches of the Costa Smeralda (parking fees about 2-3 € / hour). Examples of the beautiful beaches with white, fine sand and turquoise waters are the Spiaggia del Principe, Spiaggia Grande Pevero or Spiaggia di Rena Bianca.
Further south, below Olbia, runs the beautiful east coast of Sardinia with its long and gently sloping sandy beaches, which are particularly suitable for families with small children.
Starting with San Teodoro with the dream beaches La Cinta, Cala Brandichi and Cala Giroglu, through the towns of Budoni, Posada, La Caletta and Santa Lucia, there are several places with supermarkets, restaurants and direct proximity to the sea.
Discover the Golfo di Orosei National Park
If you drive further south to Orosei, you will enjoy a small picturesque old town, in whose narrow streets nice restaurants and ice cream parlors invite you to linger. In addition, it is not far from Orosei to the Golfo di Orosei National Park, which, in addition to magnificent mountain landscapes, offers highlights such as the Gola Su Gorroppu – one of the deepest gorges in Europe. If you want to spend relaxing days on the beach, hiking or exploring the national park by car, Orosei is the perfect place for you.
Further south of Orosei there is the Costa di Baunei with its striking cliffs and the breathtaking bays Cala Goloritze, Cala Mariolu and Cala Luna. The bays are visited daily by numerous boats during the summer months. Guided tours are not too expensive and start from Orosei, Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarese and Arbatax.
You can rent a small motorboat without a license and go to the beaches on your own, but there is a lot of traffic (especially in high season) so you should be an experienced captain to avoid getting in the way of other boats. In addition, boats are only allowed to stop briefly at the small dream beaches and must then head for an anchorage a good distance from land to make room for the following boats.
Alghero - the most EXciting city of Sardinia
Strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, lingering in the countless stores and restaurants, and still experiencing history and culture – Alghero offers all this. The Catalan-influenced city is located on the northwestern coast of Sardinia and is definitely worth a visit.
Culturally, the city has a lot to offer, because Alghero has many medieval monuments. The old town with its thick walls bears witness to the conquest of the Catalans in 1354, who then drove the locals out of the city. To this day, both Italian and Catalan street signs can be seen, and some residents speak Italian.
From Alghero, a trip to the very northwest of Sardinia is worthwhile. There, amidst the magnificent blue colors of the Mediterranean, lies a peninsula that juts into the sea around the small town of Stintino.
All around are several beaches, which also stretch flat into the sea and are therefore also well suited for families. Particularly well known is the dream beach La Pelosa, but it can get very crowded, especially in the summer months.
The beautiful South of Sardinia
With crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and breathtaking coastal landscapes, the south of Sardinia is an almost perfect holiday region.
Starting with the kilometre-long and wide sandy beach of Costa Rei, head further south across the picturesque bays to the small town of Villasimius. Absolute dream beaches are Cala Pira, Spiaggia di Punta Molentis or also Spiaggia di Cala Sinzias.
Next to Villasimius you will find even more stunning beaches like Spiaggia di Porto Giunco, Spiaggia di Simius and Spiaggia di Campulongu.
If you want to continue on to Cagliari, you should take the wonderful coastal road (see on map below), which impresses with breathtaking views of the sea. Day trips or better two or three days in Cagliari are definitely recommended, because the capital of Sardinia offers everything your heart desires.
Cagliari has a rich history and culture and offers a wealth of sights, including the medieval old town and the Cathedral of Santa Maria. With its many restaurants and (aperitif) bars, where locals and tourists already throng in the late afternoon, a lively atmosphere develops in the narrow streets in the evening hours.
Cagliari’s most famous beach is Poetto beach. Poetto is close to Cagliari and is an elongated beach perfect for a day by the sea. With its shallow waters and golden sand, Poetto is ideal for families and children. There are also many beach clubs, restaurants and bars nearby for refreshment and relaxation.
From Cagliari, continue southwest to the lively town of Pula. In Pula, all the charm of Sardinia is evident – the narrow streets of the old town offer Mediterranean flair and are home to weekly markets and many small and large squares where people meet and sometimes sing and dance in the evenings. Pula also offers a wealth of restaurants, bars and shops and is therefore a popular destination for tourists who want to experience real Sardinian life.
Not far from Pula is the small village of Chia. Chia is very popular with tourists, certainly because there are three more spectacular beaches nearby: Spiaggia di Tueredda, Spiaggia Su Giudeu and Cala Cipolla. The beaches captivate with turquoise water and fine, white sand. In this region there are also many hiking trails and vantage points that offer a magnificent view of the sea.
Finally, if you are in the southwest, the small municipality of Carloforte on the island of San Pietro is well worth a visit. With its white houses and narrow streets, Carloforte is a picturesque fishing village known for its delicious seafood dishes. It is also a popular starting point for boat trips to the neighbouring islands.