Sardinia delivers probably the greatest Mediterranean highway 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 contains native journey practices. Begin and finish factors could be both Olbia (north) or Cagliari (south), each with main airports and ferry connections.
In case you’re already on the Italian mainland, an important choice is to take the ferry to the island. This typically makes extra sense than flying, as you’ll be able to convey your automotive too, which is what we did. That method, we may convey every little thing 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 automotive rental prices.
Learn as effectively our journey tip on The best way to Get to Sardinia.
Fast Overview: Route & Areas
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 number 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 (autos 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 provide genuine meals and decrease costs.
The seashores everywhere in the island are beautiful. 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 a couple of 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 Its outdated city and Neptune’s Grotto cave (guided excursions year-round, climate allowing) are customer highlights.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 highway 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 seaside 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 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 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 in every of 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 seaside solely accessible on foot, is very 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 Fortress (Bosa).
Wildlife: Pink flamingos seen at Cagliari’s salt flats and Molentargius Park in spring and summer time.
Consuming: Attempt 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 day by day journeys; advance reserving really useful for August.
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Important journey ideas for Sardinian highway journeys
Sardinia is good for highway journey explorers, however a profitable journey requires up-to-date planning and native know-how. Listed here are a very powerful journey ideas for anybody self-driving round Sardinia’s coast:
1. Automobile Rent & Reserving
Advance reservation required: Particularly in July-August, ebook your automotive weeks forward for the perfect availability and costs.
Rental areas: Main airports at Olbia and Cagliari, plus Alghero and port cities.
Driver necessities: Most rental companies require a legitimate EU or worldwide driver’s license, and drivers to be at the least 21 (generally 25) years outdated.
We headed to Sardinia with our personal automotive and took the in a single day ferry. That saved us the rental automotive prices, flights and we had an important journey and the children liked the ferry crossing.
2. Driving & Roads
Street circumstances: Highways (SS and SP roads) and predominant coastal routes are effectively maintained and paved. Inland routes could be slender 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 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) exterior massive cities. Refill earlier than coming into distant coastal stretches.
3. Navigation & Indicators
Navigation: GPS or Google Maps works effectively, however convey 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. At all times examine indicators for closing dates and cost strategies.
ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato): Many elderly city areas (particularly Cagliari, Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo) prohibit non-resident automotive entry throughout components of the day. Fines are automated 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; normal precautions apply.
Automobile security: Theft from autos can happen, significantly at distant seashores. As typical, by no means go away seen valuables in your automotive.
6. Ferries and Island Connections
Automobile ferries: The one automotive ferry to La Maddalena leaves from Palau (runs year-round).
Advance reserving is very really useful 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 seaside parking tons 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 might drive shortly on winding roads; use pull-outs to let quicker automobiles cross.
Roundabouts: At all times yield to visitors already inside.
9. Emergency Info
Emergency quantity: Dial 112 for police, fireplace, or medical emergencies.
Breakdown companies: Most rental companies present a toll-free quantity for help. Just be sure you have the contact particulars of your insurance coverage, for those who drive with your individual automotive.
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 clean journey and a accountable journey expertise.
Journey Dudes encourages accountable and sustainable exploration. Respect native tips, get rid of waste correctly, and help genuine Sardinian companies all through your journey.
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