Oh Sardinia. What a beautiful place you are. There are countless reasons why a trip to Sardinia should be on top of your travelling bucketlist. With the clearest water in Europe, the paradise beaches, the culture and the laid-back atmosphere, the island is a dream for almost anyone. From beach lovers, to sport addicts, climbers and road trip fans – Sardinia is worth a visit. Here are 14 amazing and outstanding things to do in Sardinia which will guarantee you an unforgettable time in the South of Italy. This is your full guide to experience Sardinia at its best and get all the must-dos the island has to offer.
Visit Capo Testa
Let´s start this journey with one of the most beautiful places in Sardinia. Located on the very Northern edge of the island, Capo Testa is both known for its impressive rock formations and the rough sea side. On a clear day you can see all the way to Corsica, the neighbor island of Sardinia.
Capo Testa is well-known among climbers. With stunning climbing routes and the unique rocks, it really is a climbing paradise. But not only for climbers, this is one of the best things to do in Sardinia. Capo Testa is home to beautiful beaches as well. Small bays with views over the ocean and a clear blue water perfect for snorkeling.
Make sure to spend at least a day at Capo Testa and stay until the sun sets. The best place to watch the sunset at Capo Testa is from the old lighthouse. You can climb on the rocks and find your own place to watch the show of the sky. And do not forget to bring a drink – there is even a small bar at the end of the parking lots which offers Aperol and beer to go.
Spend an evening in the dreamy streets of Alghero
One of the most picturesque cities in Sardinia is Alghero. Alghero is located on the Northwest coast of the island and can easily be reached via the small airport. But the city is much more than just an arrival point.
Alghero is a city with a special charm and atmosphere. One that makes travellers fall in love and get attached to the place. During the day, you can stroll around the city, do some shopping and visit the harbor and other historical monuments. The city once was under Spanish influence and you will feel like being in Spain for a little while. Especially when you look at the menus of the restaurants, you will notice the Spanish flair. You can order Paella and Sangria at almost any corner and spend a Spanish night (if you need a break from Italian food for a day).
But the best time to really experience and feel Alghero is during the evening. The narrow streets, the lights and the warm air create a special atmosphere. Both locals and tourists are out on the streets, sitting in bars or restaurants. During the weekends, there are often local celebrations around the city and you can hear music and dance. Most of the smaller shops are still open until 10 pm and you can stroll around, have an ice cream and just enjoy Alghero.
It is absolutely worth it to stay in Alghero for a night (or even longer) and get this experience in – one of the best things to do in Sardinia and definitely the number 1 city for your list.
Go on a adventurous hike in the South of Sardinia
Are you ready to experience the South of Sardinia? You will quickly notice that this is the area where you can go on an adventure in the outdoors. With mountains and a huge variety in flora and fauna, the South is perfect for hiking lovers.
But even if hiking is not your thing, you should consider going on one hike during your time in Sardinia. Most of them do not require a certain level of fitness and lead along the coast. But if you have more motivation, look for a mountain to climb. The views from the top are absolutely worth it and you can overlook both the ocean and the land.
A VERY easy and short hike starts at Porto Giunco, close to the town of Villasimius. It leads you to the Torre di Porto Giunco, a stunning view point.
Go on a road trip
Sardinia is basically made for a road trip adventure! Many travellers bring their own van or car, or decide to rent a vehicle on the island. With many camping spots, both paid and free, all over the island, you can perfectly spend a few weeks just living on the road.
And is there anything better than putting your home up directly next to the ocean and on a new spot every single night? Definitely not. Therefore, you should indeed consider travelling Sardinia by van.
If this is not an option, you can as well rent a car. This will allow you to move freely and travel to different places all around the island. As Sardinia is quite big, it is perfect to change your location a few times to see the most of it.
A rental car will give you the road trip feeling as well. Driving along the West Coast for example is one of the most scenic and impressive routes. Ready for an adventure on the road?
Hop on a boat trip through the National Park del Golfo Orosei
A very different way to experience Sardinia is by boat. Boat trips or rentals are especially popular in the area of the National Park del Golfo di Orosei. Many of the paradise beaches can only be reached by boat.
If you are staying in the area, this is one of the best things to do. You can book a boat trip or a water taxi which will take you to the most beautiful beaches of the area. Most trips last half-day or the whole day and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the views and the water.
Plan a shopping day in Olbia or Cagliari
This is one of the best things to do in Sardinia if the weather decided not to be sunny. Which can be the case, especially if you are staying in the South. But do not worry – there is an alternative program. Sardinia is actually quite good for some shopping. The bigger cities offer both local shops and the well-known brands. You can spend an entire day strolling around the city of Olbia or Cagliari.
Cagliari is located in the South of Sardinia and the main arrival point for tourists travelling by plane. Olbia is located on the Costa Smeralda on the East coast and the biggest city for shopping. Both are worth a visit and you can as well learn more about the history, architecture and culture of Sardinia.
Watch a sunset on the cliffs
Sardinia´s sunsets really are a must-do. As basically every sunset at the ocean. The best place for sunsets is the West Coast. Most of the beaches are facing the sunset point directly.
A secret tip for the most unique sunset views in Sardinia is the Grotta dei Vasi Rotti. The whole area is made for the sunset lovers and the impressive cliffs will leave you speechless. During the summer months, there is a small truck at the main parking lot. It sells different drinks to make your sunset experience even more enjoyable.
You can either just chill at the parking lot and watch the sunset from there or hike up the cliffs a little to be even higher.
Go snorkeling
One of the best things to do in Sardinia is to enjoy the underwater world. There is not only beauty on land but as well under the water surface. Of course, you should not forget your snorkeling gear or buy one straight away after arriving on the island.
Surely, you can not witness a colorful underwater paradise. But the different fishes and the clear water make it just as good of an experience. The incredibly clear water will make you feel like swimming in a pool instead of the sea. And you can spot different species of marine animals on every beach.
Visit the beaches of the West Coast
Are you ready for some of the best, and also mist secret and quiet beaches of Sardinia? If yes, the West Coast is your best choice. Here, you can find some of the beautiful beaches which are, compared to other places, less crowded. Perfect for a quiet day without the tourist crowds (which are on the everyday routine on most of the beaches during the summer months).
Some stunning beaches and small bays can be found north of Alghero on the Northwest Coast of the island. And for even more secret spots, it is best to just drive along the coast and stop whenever you see a nice place. Yes, this really can lead to the most stunning beaches in this area.
Exploring the West Coast is for those, who like a more laid-back and relaxed experience, away from the crowds and prefer less busy beaches. And to be honest: who doesn’t?
learn more about the beautiful beaches in Sardinia here.
Stroll through the beautiful Stintino
Sardinia is full of stunning villages and towns to visit. One of them is Stintino, located in the very Northwest of the island. Mainly, the area is known for the famous La Pelosa Beach. But instead of simply driving through Stintino, make sure to actually stop and get to know the village.
It is small, but picturesque. With typical Mediterranean streets and houses, it is perfect for a stroll and a Latte Macchiato in one of the cafés. You can visit local shops and just spend a good time.
Plan a day trip to Sardinia ´ s islands
Did you know that Sardinia does not only consist of one main island, but as well of a few smaller ones? Exploring those is one of the best things to do in Sardinia if you want to see even more places and perspectives.
The most popular of those islands is the Isola La Maddalena, which can be reached from the Costa Smeralda or rather, the city of Palau. You can spend an entire day exploring the island or even spend a few nights. With beautiful beaches, shops and delicious food places, La Maddalena is an absolute hotspot and great place to be for travellers.
Other islands to visit for your list are Isola Piana, Caprera or Isola Santo Stefano. All can easily be reached by boat or the public ferry, which is also accessible for cars and vans.
Have a traditional dinner at an agriturismo
Sardinia can best be experienced by actually tasting it and getting to know the culture and the cuisine a little bit better. It is totally different from the typical Italian culture and you can clearly tell that the island has its own way of living.
An Agriturismo is one of those places which invite you to see behind the scenes and get a deeper experience. It is a countryside restaurant where you can enoy homemade meals and delicious treats. They are located, as the name indicates, on the countryside, usually a little outside of the centers. This is the best way to get an insight into Sardinia´s cuisine and taste real food from Sardegna. Totally worth it!
Be aware though that there is not much choice for vegetarians. Depending on where you are going, they might have a few options. It is better to check the menu first before selecting the place to be sure they have something available for you.
Experience Sardinia ´ s farm life
Another great thing to do to get closer to what Sardinia really is like, is the farm life. Farm life has quite a high importance on the island as you will see when driving around. There are special accommodations on farms which will introduce you to the life in the countryside.
Some of the agriturismo do offer places to sleep as well and can be found on platforms such as AirBnB or booking.com.
Experience the culture in the cities and towns
And last but not least on the list of the best things to do in Sardinia is the culture. The best way to experience it, is to simply go out on the streets. Be in the cities during the weekend and with a little luck, you will be able to join or witness a traditional celebration. You will see the traditional clothing, the music and the dances. If you are interested, make sure to ask your host for more details if there is anything going on during your stay!
