July 15, 2021
Beautiful beaches, magnificent mountains, alluring old towns and some pretty fabulous food make a holiday in Sardinia an intoxicating idea. But on the second-largest island in Italy – and the Mediterranean – the choice of what to see and do is enormous. To make it easier, we’ve whittled it down to the top ten things to see and do in Sardinia.
1. Hit the beach
With nearly 2,000km of coastline, plus a sprinkling of islands here and there, Sardinia has a dizzying choice of beaches. You’ll find everything from long stretches of fine white sand to rocky coves best accessed by boat.
If you’re in the northern part of the island near Alghero, head to the sparkling blue waters of the beach at La Pelosa, where you can swim out to the islet of La Pelosa and have a rest by the 16th-century Pelosa tower.
2. Step back in time at Nora
Step into the 9th century BC when you wander through the vast archaeological park at Nora on Sardinia’s southern coast. Here, on a peninsula that curves below the Gulf of Cagliari, you can explore ruins left behind by the Phoenicians and the Romans, and all with gorgeous views of the sea.
A guided tour, which comes with the ticket, will fill you in on the details of life in Nora all those centuries ago. Afterwards, go for a swim in the neighbouring beaches at Nora, Fichi and Su Guventeddu.
3. Explore Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari
Sardinia’s capital city combines everything you want from an Italian holiday: some fascinating cultural and historic sights, a buzzing medieval old town, a lively waterfront and a lovely beach next door.
Start in the hilltop Castello district above the town – preferably via the white limestone Bastione di Saint Remy, whose large terrace offers views of the city as well as mesmerising sunsets. Once you’ve nosed around the medieval cathedral, have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Via Sardegna near the marina before ending the afternoon with a swim on Poetto beach.
4. Hike in the Gola di Gorropu
It’s one of southern Europe’s most dramatic gorges, and certainly the most impressive in Sardinia. Halfway down the island towards its eastern side, the limestone cliffs of Gola di Gorropu soar for 500m and offer some exhilarating hiking.
Choose from one of several circuits that typically take three to four hours and lead you through holm oak forests and along breathtaking ridges with superb views. If you fancy a shorter trek, you can book a 4x4 in advance and be dropped off at certain locations. Or just stay in the car and take the highlights tour of the canyon.
5. Discover the ruins of Tiscali
Just north of Gola di Gorropu is another spectacular sight, although it can come as a surprise. Hidden within a cave in Monte Tiscali are the ruins of a Nuragic village, Tiscali, which date from the 15th to 8th centuries BC. It’s about a two-hour hike to reach the village, but the views of the gorges and valleys are worth it.
6. Go to the markets
You might think you know Italian food, but the food markets here will introduce you to some fantastic flavours that are purely Sardinian.
Cheese lovers should look out for pecorino sardo, a wonderfully sharp sheep’s milk cheese that’s delicious on pasta as well as on its own. If you like seafood, pick up a piece of bottarga, salted cured fish roe that’s gorgeous when grated on a dish of spaghetti and clams. Check out wine stalls for bottles of robust Cannonau red wine.
7. Stop in on Sassari
Set in the north-western part of the island, Sardinia’s second-largest city is rich with historic sights among its atmospheric medieval lanes. As you explore the old quarter, look out for the handsome baroque cathedral and the hulking remains of the 14th-century Castello Aragonese, then round out your historical tour at the Museo Sanna archaeological museum. For lunch, grab a table at one of the café terraces that line the stately Piazza Italia.
From Sassari, you can drive north to the beaches of the Golfo dell’Asinara (Gulf of Asinara) or head inland to the south to roam the ancient ruins of Nuraghe Santu Antine.
8. Get a taste of Spain in Alghero
There’s a distinctive Catalan flavour in Alghero, one of the north-west coast’s most attractive seaside cities, a legacy of a 14th-century takeover. You’ll find it everywhere from the street names in the old town to the plentiful seafood that’s served in Alghero’s excellent fish restaurants.
Soak up the buzzing atmosphere of Pizza Civica’s cafés and boutiques before climbing one of the Torre di Porta Terra for views of the city from the top of the tower. Beyond the walls of the old town is the port, where you can hop on an excursion boat. Beach lovers can check out the various stretches of sand to the north of the city on the way to Maria Pia.
9. Take the boat trip out to Neptune’s Grotto
One of the most popular boat trips from Alghero – and with good reason – is to the series of marine caves that pockmark Capo Caccia’s limestone cliffs facing the city from across the bay. The star attraction is Neptune’s Grotto, where guided tours take you through a shimmering world of stalactites and stalagmites.
If you decide to travel there by land, you’ll have a challenging descent along a rocky path, but the views along the way are worth the effort. Check the forecast in advance, as boats won’t be running in anything approaching bad weather.
10. Island hop in the Maddalena archipelago
These dreamy islands on Sardinia’s north-east tip form part of the island’s first national park – they also have some of Sardinia’s best beaches. La Maddalena, the largest, is a place where time seem slow as you splay out on the sand. When you’re ready to move, hire a bike and cycle along the bridge that connects La Maddalena with neighbouring island Caprera.
Boat charters will take you for swimming and snorkelling on some of the smaller islands, including Santo Stefano, Budelli (which also has great diving) and Spargi.
Have a comment or question about this article? You can contact us on Twitter or Facebook.