Located between Spain, Tunisia, the French Riviera and mainland Italy, Sardinia is one of Europe’s most attractive Mediterranean getaways. The island is well known as a beach holiday destination, with its stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters, but it’s well worth exploring Sardinia’s walking trails, urban attractions and unique cultural heritage in more depth.
Admire Cagliari’s mix of architectural styles © alxpin / Getty Images
1. Cagliari
Perfect for urban excitement
Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital and largest city, is the perfect place to start or end your trip. Wander the narrow lanes of Il Castello, Cagliari’s hilltop medieval fortress, admire the dazzling mix of architectural styles in the Cathedral of Santa Maria and take in the sweeping views from the top of the Elephante Tower. Discover Sardinia’s multi-layered history at the magnificent National Archaeological Museum, then peruse the artworks at the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts.
For shopping, dining and nightlife, head to Cagliari’s bustling Marina District along its palm-lined waterfront, or for something quieter, visit the fountains and gardens of Orto Botanico or hop on a bus to the expansive sands of Poetto Beach.
2. Gulf of Orosei
Perfect for a boat trip to enjoy dramatic coastlines and beautiful scenery
With limestone cliffs plummeting into the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Orosei is one of Europe’s most dramatic coastal destinations. The abrupt change where the land meets the sea means the bay’s best beaches, such as Cala Mariol, can only be reached by boat or on foot. The easiest way to explore this coastline is on a boat tour departing from the holiday resort of Cala Gonone, where you can spend the day diving in and out of caves and coves, with plenty of time for sunbathing and swimming.
Hardy hikers ready to explore further will be greatly rewarded with one of Sardinia’s finest coastal trail networks, stretching from Cala Luna south of Orosei to Cala Sisine. For climbing enthusiasts, the ultimate reward is Selvaggio Blu, a multi-day climb up the cliffs and enjoying idyllic seaside scenery rarely seen by tourists.
Planning tip: For a tough but memorable day of hiking, take an early boat to Cala Sisine and hike 12 km (one way) along the coast to Cala Gonone. Be sure to stop along the way to take photos at the huge natural stone arch, Arco di Lupil.
Taking a dip on a secluded beach in La Maddalena Archipelago National Park © Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty Images
3. Maddalena Islands
Ideal for island hopping
This beautiful archipelago, dotted in the calm waters of northeast Sardinia, has been protected as a national park since 1994. From the small coastal resort town of Palau, small boat operators run day island-hopping trips to spot dolphins and explore secluded beaches, or take a 15-minute ferry ride to the archipelago’s two largest islands, Maddalena and Caprera.
For a laid-back Mediterranean vibe, stroll along the pedestrianized Via XX Settembre in La Maddalena’s historic center and pause for an aperitivo during your evening stroll. During the day, head 7 km east over the causeway to Compendio Garibaldino, the vast former residence of Italian national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, before swimming at Due Mari or Spiaggia del L’Eritto.
4. Splatoon
Great for hiking
Hikers will love Supramonte, a rugged limestone massif dotted with deep gorges and secluded valleys and crisscrossed by fantastic walking trails. The five-mile round-trip hike to Gora S Gorrup, just south of Dorgali, passes through an enchanting gorge perfect for swimming and riverside picnics, before boulder-hopping upstream between sheer, multi-coloured cliffs in a spectacular, suddenly narrowing canyon.
Equally impressive is a hike to the prehistoric village of Tiscali; its stone walls and ruined buildings lie in the shade of holm oak and turpentine trees, surrounded by the collapsed remains of a huge cave that once served as a mountaintop lookout for Bronze Age Sardinians. If you prefer secluded beaches, zigzag up to Altopiano del Gorgo north of Baunei and hike the Cala Goloritze trail, which descends dramatically to a pristine cove topped by towering dagger-shaped rock formations.
Planning tip: To avoid the tourist boats at Cala Goloritze, head out early in the morning when the weather is cooler and you’ll have the beach pretty much to yourself.
5. Alghero
Perfect for couples
Facing the Mediterranean Sea westwards towards Spain, charming Alghero feels equal parts Iberian and Sardinian. The city’s official language is Catalan, and its gilded 16th-century walls evoke the Aragonese era. Climb the bell tower next to the cathedral for panoramic views of the historic centre’s cobbled streets and Gothic palaces, with the sparkling waters of the Riviera del Corallo as a backdrop.
To fully experience Alghero’s laid-back holiday atmosphere, take an early evening stroll along the sea walls, surrounded by three picturesque towers and lined with open-air restaurant terraces. At sunset, it’s the perfect place to take in the surrounding views while savoring a bottle of Vermentino and a plate of Aragosta alla Catalana (lobster with olive oil, tomatoes, onions and lemon juice).
Do as the locals do and gather your family and friends for a big meal © Johner Images / Getty Images
6. Barbagia
Perfect for traditional Sardinian culture
The rugged hills south of Nuoro were the last Sardinian outpost conquered by the Romans, and were given the name Barbagia (something like ‘barbarians’). The region’s festivals retain ancient traditions, the most famous of which is Sant’Antonio Abate in mid-January, when bonfires light up the streets of the village of Mamoiada and masked men in sheepskins and cowbells parade through the town.
If you miss the main event, the Mediterranean Mask Museum in Mamoiada is the next best thing, with a fantastic exhibition of masks, costumes and video footage. The nearby village of Orgosolo is also a fascinating place to explore. Pick up a multilingual audio guide from the tourist office and head to Corso Repubblica to explore Orgosolo’s incredible collection of 200 murals depicting a variety of political and historical themes.
Planning tip: Autumn is also a great time to visit Barbagia, when villages in the region invite visitors to experience local cultural and culinary traditions during the Barbagia Autumn Festival (September to December).
7. Nuraghe su Nuraxi
Great for history
Sardinia’s many prehistoric sites, known as nuraghi, offer a glimpse into the island’s prehistory. If you only have time to visit one, make it the Nuraghe su Nuraghi, about an hour north of Cagliari. Time has eroded the four conical towers that once dominated the site, but walking down the stone steps and through the narrow passageways, it’s easy to imagine the Bronze Age village that once stood here. At the heart of the ruins are the remains of an imposing 18-metre-tall tower, surrounded by a circular courtyard with walls seven metres thick.
Planning tip: To discover Sardinia’s thousands of nuraghi, check out the Nurnet map.
Nature reigns supreme on Asinara Island, which can only be visited on day trips © Elisa Locci / Shutterstock
8. Asinara National Park
Great for wildlife
Located on the remote northwestern tip of Sardinia, Asinara National Park is an island oasis where nature still reigns supreme. Albino donkeys, wild boars and silky-wool mouflon sheep roam the macchia (Mediterranean scrub), peregrine falcons soar overhead and loggerhead turtles migrate through the surrounding waters. Access is restricted to day trippers only. To make the most of the island’s pristine beaches and granite coves, catch an early morning ferry from Porto Torres or take a catamaran from the summer resort of Stintino, where you can also laze on the sands of dreamy Pelosa Beach.
