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2K SharesThere are many more things to do in Sardinia than one would expect. It is a real pity that the vast majority of people outside of Europe don’t even have an idea of, so that when they visit Italy, they limit themselves to the most famous attractions, exploring, and little else.Those who venture to Sardinia do so in the summer months, to discover its amazing beaches, and hardly ever explore all the other beautiful places that the island has to offer. Yet, as a proud local, I won’t ever tire to say that there’s more than beaches in Sardinia. In fact, there are so many things to do in Sardinia that even those who, like me, have lived here most of their lives, have not done all of them.Finally, and contrary to what most people think, Sardinia is great to visit any time of year – or else, would we Sardinians stubbornly make it a point of spending our life here? Let me say it loud and clear once again: there are things to do in Sardinia in any season, for any taste and for any budget (and despite the reputation the island has for being an extremely expensive place to travel to).This post highlights the things to do in Sardinia throughout the year, as locals enjoy them, and gives a few tips to make the most of the island – whatever the season. Keep in mind that for each activity I recommend, the list is absolutely non-exhaustive as there simply are too many options! Table of Contents.A Local’s Guide To The Things To Do In Sardinia Go to the beachI know I said that there’s more than beautiful beaches in Sardinia, but why lie?

One of the top things to do in Sardinia is – indeed – going to the beach, and sure enough we never miss an opportunity to do so.In the summer time, one of the nicest things to do in Sardinia is spending endless hours laying under the sun, swimming in the clear waters of the Mediterranean, soaking in the marine breeze.During the off season, we still go to the beach to walk, run, bike or skate. Some enjoying playing beach volley or beach tennis.

Whatever the sport, it’s a fact that exercising on the waterfront is what to do in Sardinia to stay fit.Urban and at times even more remote beaches are used for festivals, concerts and events – large or small. In fact, many think that one of the things to do in Sardinia is having wedding celebrations at the beach.But there’s more. The many kiosks and small restaurants along urban beaches – such as Poetto in Cagliari, the island’s capital – are fantastic places to hang out and meet friends for a quick coffee or lunch break any time the sun is out. Having a break at the beach is one of the things to do in Sardinia.I have already written and one on. Sailing is one of the things to do in Sardinia Sail around the islandWith such a beautiful coast and almost persistent winds, it is only obvious that one of the ultimate things to do in Sardinia is sailing. There are several harbors from where to set sail around the island, and various protected bays to spend some relaxing hours.

Several companies offer chartered sailboats and personnel to travel around the island. It is the ultimate way to appreciate the amazing sea of Sardinia.Among the best places in Sardinia for sailing there are the south coast with the tiny bays of Cala Regina, Mari Pintau, Torre delle Stelle all the way to Villasimius and Cala Pira; the North East coast and the Maddalena Archipelago, and the north west coast around Asinara island.These are some of the best boat tours in Sardinia:.Visit the nearby islandsSpeaking of other islands, one of the nicest things to do in Sardinia is exploring the smaller islands off its coast. Sant’Antioco can be easily reached from the mainland, to which it is connected via a bridge. This small island is home to the lovely fishing villages of Sant’Antioco and Calasetta, is packed with nice beaches and is connected by ferry to the nearby island of Carloforte.Off the north east coast of the island, La Maddalena archipelago is one of the best places in Sardinia, with a myriad of stunning beaches. There, Caprera is where the house of Garibaldi, one of the most prominent figures of Italian history, is located.Asinara island, located on the top north west of Sardinia, can be reached on a short ferry ride from either Porto Torres or Stintino. It used to be a leper colony, and then became a prison colony. In 1997 the prison was closed and the island became a national park.

Currently nobody lives there except the park rangers. The island is absolutely gorgeous and visiting is one of the top things to do in Sardinia.Make sure to read my post “Here’s some tours of the nearby islands:. Visiting Bosa is one of the things to do in Sardinia Explore the quaint villagesSardinia is packed with beautiful, quaint villages. Needless to say, one of the nicest things to do in Sardinia, is exploring them – and the good news is that this can be done in any season.Among the best places in Sardinia there’s Bosa, a village located on the west coast, north of Oristano and on the banks of the river Temo. Dominated by the Malaspina castle, from where there is a stunning view of the village and of the coast, 3 kms west of it, the village is a series of beautiful alleys and colorful houses, and some antique tanneries, witnessing what once used to be the main economic activity in the area.Make sure to read my post.Castelsardo, on the north of Sardinia, was built around the castle that was erected in the 12th century by the Doria family, and from where there’s a splendid view of the village below and of the coast. It is a maze of narrow alleys and the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed. Visiting is one of the things to do in Sardinia.Fonni is the highest village in Sardinia, located at over 1000 meters above sea level.

Famous for its murals, much like the nearby Orgosolo and Mamoiada, it’s one of those places that give a totally different perspective on the island, and it gives access to an incredible number of hiking trails in the Gennargentu area. Visiting is what to do in Sardinia when wanting to explore a lesser known part of the island.One of the unmissable things to do in Sardinia is visiting the gorgeous Calasetta, on the island of Sant’Antioco, is located off the south western coast of Sardinia. It was founded in 1769 and the main economic activity used to be coral and tuna fishing – tuna is the main ingredient in local cuisine. Molentargius (the lagoon in the distance) is one of the best places in Sardinia to admire wildlife Enjoy nature and wildlifeSardinia hardly comes to mind as a nature and wildlife destination. However, enjoying nature is definitely what to do in Sardinia. The island is very mountainous; the countryside is gorgeous, and it is also home to the highest sand dunes in Europe!

(By the way, stealing sand is strictly prohibited, as well as getting on the dunes).Admiring wildlife is one of the things to do in Sardinia. Those who visit may be pleased to know that there are many nature reserves where it is possible to do so.

Giara horses are a species that can only be seen in the Giara region of Sardinia; pink flamingoes nest in the lagoon around Cagliari and in other parts of the island (visiting Molentargius nature park to observe flamingoes is one of the things to do in Sardinia). Dolphins are often spotted along the coast (some of them actually live in Cagliari harbor!).Here are some good tours to nature reserves:. One of the things to do in Sardinia is discovering the unique archaeological sites. This is Su Nuraxi, in Barumini Discover unique archaeological sitesSardinia is home to some of the most unique archaeological sites in the world. Nuraghe date back to the age between 1900 and 730 BCE; they are typical of the island, had defensive functions and villages were built around them. There are many scattered around.

The best preserved one is that of Barumini, at about 45 minutes drive from Cagliari and a. Visiting Su Nuraghe of Barumini is one of the things to do in Sardinia.Nora, near the lovely Pula and at around 45 minutes drive from Cagliari, was founded under the Phoenician domination, but it was then conquered by the Romans in 238 BC. It used to be a rich market town and a prominent harbor thanks to the protected bay from which it was possible to sail under any wind. The remains are really well kept, and visiting is what to do in Sardinia to learn more about its Roman past.Another of the best places in Sardinia to uncover its history is Tharros, a Phoenician site located in the Sinis Peninsula, right on the coast.Check out my postCagliari itself is home to several interesting sites – first and foremost the beautiful Roman anfiteather which is located in the heart of the city; the necropolis of Tuvixeddu, dating back to Phoenician times. They are some of the most interesting places in Sardinia.Here are some of the best tours to archaeological sites:.Visit the old minesOne of the most interesting things to do in Sardinia is visiting the old mines.

There are various mines in the south of the island, in the region of Sulcis. The mines of Buggerru, Nebida and Masua are all stunning.

One of the best places in Sardinia is Porto Flavia, built between 1923 and 1924 and which was the harbor that served the mines in the area. The views of it from the sea are stunning. Come to think of it, this area has some of the most spectacular beaches in Sardinia, such as Masua Pan di Zucchero and Cala Domestica.The following tours go to the mines and Porto Flavia:.And the cavesScattered around Sardinia there are many caves, all different one from the other. One of the unmissable things to do in Sardinia is exploring them. The most famous ones are the Grotte (caves) di Nettuno, a bit outside Alghero. It takes 600 steps downhill to get there, and the same uphill on the way out, but it is well worth the effort.

Grotte Is Zuddas, in Santadi (at about 40 minutes drive from Cagliari) is another beautiful cave to explore.Other caves that make for an interesting visit are the Grotte del Bue Marino, in the area of Golfo di Orosei and which can be visited on a boat trip departing from Cala Gonone, near Dorgali, and the Grotta del Fico, in the same area. Grotta di Janas, near Sadali, was thought to be home of the janas (half fairies, half witches).

They are among some of the best places to visit in Sardinia.These tours go to some of the nicest caves in Sardinia:. Castello di San Michele – one of the most interesting places to visit in Sardinia Explore the castlesOne of the things to do in Sardinia is discovering the many castles. I have already mentioned the castles of Bosa and Castelsardo, but it pays to know that there’s many more on the island. One that I wholeheartedly recommend visiting is Acquafredda castle, in Siliqua, at around 40 minutes drive from Cagliari. It’s undergone renovation works and on a clear day the views expand all the way to Cagliari.Located on a hill that dominates the city, Castello di San Michele in Cagliari used to have defensive functions. The views of the city from there are stunning, and there’s a beautiful park around it with a nicely kept cat colony.

It’s one of the most interesting places in Sardinia, though not many tourists visit it. Attending a festival is one of the unmissable things to do in Sardinia – this one is Sartiglia, in Oristano Attend a festival. There’s one just about any week, to celebrate pretty much anything.

From traditional religious festivals in honor of local saints to music or wine and food festivals, there is something for just about anybody and one of the unmissable things to do in Sardinia is joining in the celebrations.The most popular local festival is Sant’Efisio, which has been taking place for over 400 years each 1st of May. The parade sees representatives of a selection of villages of Sardinia, who walk the 50 km from Cagliari to Pula in traditional clothes to celebrate Sant’Efisio, saint patron of the island. Attending is one of the things to do in Sardinia to get a glimpse of the beautiful traditional costumes, and listen to traditional music.The list of religious festivals is huge, and I can’t possibly name all of them but a few. Among the most interesting ones there are I Candelieri, which takes place in Sassari each 14 of August; San Simplicio, taking place each May in Olbia; the Corsa degli Scalzi, taking place each first weekend of September in the Sinis Peninsula.The list of other (non-religious festivals) is just as long.

Autunno in Barbagia is a series of village festivals during which for 28 weekends, starting in September and until mid December, the villages of the Barbagia region celebrate their traditions, culture and food. Autunno in Barbagia is a favorite of Sardinians, and attending is one of the things to do in Sardinia in the fall.This tour goes to Autunno in Barbagia:.Girotonno takes place every June in San Pietro Island. The whole festival is about the fishing and the eating of tuna (eating is one of the things to do in Sardinia), but there’s also lots of music involved.One of the things to do in Sardinia for jazz lovers is attending Time in Jazz, which takes place each August in Berchidda and the surrounding countryside and villages.

It is a full week of open air concerts in a gorgeous setting; the founder of the festival is Paolo Fresu, world famous Sardinia-born trumpet player.Among the things to in Sardinia for wine lovers there’s going to one of the many wine festivals that regularly take place. One of them is Calici Sotto Le Stelle, happening each year in August in the lovely setting of Jerzu.

Kite surfing – one of the things to do in Sardinia Practice all the water sportsThe coast of Sardinia is perfect for water sports. One of the top things to do in Sardinia is surfing. Depending on the winds, it is possible to catch waves in various locations around the island. Check my post about to find out more. Sardinia is also a paradise for windsurf and kite surf, and it regularly hosts kite surfing competitions.SUP is quickly becoming a favorite of the locals, and while this is one of the nicest things to do in Sardinia during the summer, many enjoy it also at other times of year. Nowadays, some companies even offer SUP expeditions, going along the coast from one beach to the other, enjoying lunch off shore, and appreciating the wonderfully clear waters.Finally, among the things to do in Sardinia there’s diving. There are several areas in Sardinia that are perfect for that: one is the area around Capo Carbonara, off the coast of Villasimius, which is a protected marine park and where marine life is thriving.

Similarly, Carloforte has some very good diving spots. There also are some great shipwreck dives around the island.

Trying local specialties is one of the things to do in Sardinia Try all the local specialtiesFood in Sardinia is simply delicious, and eating is one of the ultimate things to do in Sardinia. Here, all dishes are prepared using strictly fresh and local ingredients. Even burgers are prepared using locally sourced produce, and some pizzerie have now started offering pizza made with a base which uses “su framentu” – natural yeast.Among the must tries there is fregola con le arselle: it looks like a rough and thicker cous cous, which is slowly simmered with a tomato and clams sauce and a few other ingredients.

Sella del Diavolo, in Cagliari, is one of the best places in Sardinia for panoramic views Practical Information To Organize Your Trip To Sardinia When To Visit SardiniaAny season is good to visit Sardinia. Winter is typically mild on the coast, though it does snow in the mountains. The highest chances of rain are in the late winter months and in November, though it may also rain in April and May. Spring and fall are the best season to enjoy all the things to do in Sardinia other than the beaches.

The temperatures rise a lot in the summer, making it perfect to enjoy the amazing beaches. How To Get To SardiniaThere are 3 airports in Sardinia: Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia. The island is well connected to the rest of Italy via regular and budget airlines. There also are direct budget flights from various European destinations – several cities in the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany; France; Poland etc. There also are seasonal direct flights to Israel.Since one of the best things to do in Sardinia is driving around, catching the ferry from mainland Italy may be a good options it allows visitors to come with their own car. There are regular ferries from Livorno, Genoa and Civitavecchia, as well as from Naples. There are occasional ferries from Barcelona.

Moving Around SardiniaPublic transportation in Sardinia is fairly good and connects all the main cities and villages, as well as some of the main tourist attractions, but it can be painfully slow. I would dare say that one of the things to do in Sardinia is renting a car to reach all the most interesting places to visit around the island and be more independent. Porto Pino is one of the best places in Sardinia to appreciate the nature: it’s one of the areas that have beautiful sand dunes. Best Places To Stay In SardiniaMy recommendation to those visiting Sardinia is to pick one of the main cities as a starting point from where to explore the rest of the island.

Cagliari and Alghero are generally the best places to stay in Sardinia (unless on a beach holiday), with lots of accommodation options for all budgets and tastes. There are a few fabulous hotels and resorts around the island that are worth the trip in and of themselves.If one of the things to do in Sardinia is picking a suitable place to stay, the following list of the best places to stay in Sardinia will be of great help: CagliariCagliari has some of the best accommodation options in Sardinia. Here’s a small selection of them:. has large comfortable rooms, a fantastic reception area, a bistro and a great cocktail bar. It’s a favorite of locals too. Click and.

is a fantastic boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Click and. is in the heart of the city and a great option for backpackers. Click and.Check out my post AlgheroAlghero has some lovely hotels in the heart of the old town.

Here are some of them:. has lovely room and is perfectly located in the heart of the city. Click.

is a fabulous apartment. Click. is another great apartment in the heart of the city. Click.Rest of SardiniaThere are some excellent places to stay scattered around Sardinia.

Here are some of them:., in Santa Margherita di Pula, may well be the best resort in Europe. Click and., in Costa Rei, is one of the best resorts on the island. Click and., not far from Oliena, is a fantastic boutique hotel perfect for pampering oneself.

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Click and.Other useful informationRemember to always get a good travel insurance for your trips. You can find a good one.For more readings about Sardinia, you may want to check one of these books:.Have you ever been to Sardinia? What are your favorite things to do in Sardinia? Pin It For Later! Hi Ronald, thank you for your comment.Finding a place that is sheltered from the wind is less than easy – it really depends on the wind and the direction in which it blows. Some places are sheltered from the mistral, others from scirocco, etc etc. The season is still high, so you won’t really find many places that are strictly local.

Having said so, I am a huge fan of Costa Rei and there you can find a good mix of locals and tourists. It’s a summer residence, so don’t expect any quaint charm. But – the beach is gorgeous and accessible, and you can explore the many nearby coves (Cala Sinzias, Cala Pira, Punta Molentis, Santa Caterina, Monte Turnu etc etc). Keep in mind it gets crowded in the summer, and I strongly encourage you to book ASAP as by the look of it almost everything is sold out already!. Definitely hit all the beaches of Costa Smeralda (Capriccioli, Grande Pevero, etc) and go on a boat trip around La Maddalena archipelago. I have a post on the best beaches in Sardinia you can check for inspiration.

I don’t want you to move around too much, it becomes tiring, so I am only recommending you stay in the region to explore the beaches, villages etc. I recommend Santa Teresa and Tempio, and if you want to go a bit further you can go to Castelsardo, drive along Costa Paradiso, and perhaps go as far as Alghero and the lovely Bosa. I’d also suggest a boat trip along Golfo di Orosei but it departs from Cala Gonone which isn’t the easiest to reach from Olbia. Hello,I’m traveling solo to Sardinia for 10days for the first time in late Sep.I’m so grateful to have come across your page to help me map out my plan early on.I like the nature, history & culture and has been so intrigued by Sardinia since it’s also less touristic like Amalfi (which I haven’t been but would certainly consider Sardinia over)You mentioned that it’s best to rent a car, but do you think it’s as convenient if I were to depend on the public transport solely as I don’t drive.Thanks so much for your time!. Dear Claudia,In 1983 I was privileged to visit Sardinia for about a week. Though I managed to miss most of the places the virtues of which you extoll, I do remember having an enjoyable time riding the narrow-gauge train through the interior of the island, from Cagliari to Porto Torres I think it was – does this train still operate?My ancestry on my father’s side is from Olbia (my grandfather left there as a small boy in 1912 I think it was). Have you encountered many visitors – especially non-italian-speaking Americans – having success with genealogical research on that part of the island?Are there any italian-language schools you can recommend in or near Olbia?Lastly (and I ask strictly because of my last name), can you recommend the Hotel Sa Pischedda on the Bosa Peninsula, I think it is?Best regards,Ed Pischedda.

Hi Claudia,Your site is wonderful – I wanted to ask if you have any recommendations for day trips or half day trips from the Porto Cervo area? I would love to go to Alghero but it may be too far for my friends. Would you say Alghero is the best if we are willing to travel 2 hours?Do you have recommendations for places that might be about an hour away from the Porto Cervo area where there would be more of a range of Sardinian life and experiences? I did see your response to Vic as I am also arriving at OLB airport.

But if there was one-two things you might recommend – I would appreciate it.Thank you!. Hey Amy, thank you for your lovely comment. First of all, let me tell you that I am not too familiar with the area of Olbia. It’s probably the part of Sardinia that I know the less 🙁 Having said that, Alghero is a 2 hours drive, as you rightly say.

I’d honestly recommend that you go there for a few days to enjoy the atmosphere, the nightlife etc. Depending on when you are visiting, Berchidda is a great place to go.

They have a jazz festival in the summer, but it usually is around this time of year. Another nice place is Santa Teresa di Gallura. Palau is a shorter distance and from there you can go on a boat trip around La Maddalena – which is absolutely incredible. If you want to see more of Sardinian traditions, the area around Nuoro is great and if you visit in September you’ll be able to attend Autunno in Barbagia in one of the villages. I suppose you have missed it in this looong post, as I do certainly mention Barumini – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s about 45 minutes drive from Cagliari. Make sure to also go to Nora – again, mentioned in this post but looks like you’ve missed it!

And if you want a wine tour, go to Serdiana (Argiolas does daily wine tasting tours). All of them are within easy reach from Cagliari. Make sure to check out my posts on things to do in Cagliari and on where to stay in Cagliari for more guidance 🙂 Have fun! @ Copyright 2019 My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage - which however does not affect the final price for the customer. My Adventures Across The World is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made without having fully read the terms and conditions of any third party provider.

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