Sardinia is one of Italy´s absolute gems. The island, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea is mainly known for the beautiful beaches, the clear water and the diverse landscapes. From a relaxing beach vacation to an exciting adventure in the mountains – Sardinia has it all. Many travellers come to island every year to explore and live life. If you are among them or intend to go on a trip to Sardinia in the future, there are a few things you should know before visiting Sardinia.
Read this guide BEFORE booking your trip. This will allow you to use all the information for your own advance and get the best possible insider tips right from the beginning. Grab a pen and your travel-planning-book and let´s go!
The island is quite big and cannot be travelled from one location
Do not mistake the size of Sardinia. Many travellers are not aware of how big Sardinia actually is. Travelling from one end to the other can take up to four or five hours. Therefore, it is impossible to explore the island from just one location.
Knowing the distance between the places you want to visit is essential for planning your trip. It is best to first check out what you want to do in Sardinia and which places you absolutely do not want to miss. Make a list or save them on Google Maps to get the best overview on what is planned. You will then quickly discover that basing yourself in one hotel will not make it work. Driving each day for several hours will not only exhaust you, but ruin the trip to Sardinia as well.
Therefore, be aware of the size of Sardinia and the distances between the stunning beaches, mountains and whatever places you would like to see before booking your accommodation.
(Of course, if you are doing a roadtrip and travel Sardinia in a camper van, this is not something to consider as you can move freely and set up your home wherever you like)
It is best to split accommodations around the island
And here the solution: split accommodations around the island and book two or three stays for your journey. This is perfect, if you are staying for a week or longer and have some time to explore and get to know the different areas of Sardinia.
And yes, it can be quite hard to decide: am I going to visit the North or the South? And what about the West and East Coast? Depending on the length of your trip, make sure to split your time and spend a few days in each area. This allows you to not only see more of the beautiful island but as well to get an overall picture and compare the different parts of Sardinia.
Spoiler alert: each area is stunning in its own way and you won´t regret travelling around.
It is quite expensive
Another thing you need to know before visiting Sardinia are the prices. Yes, Sardinia is all but cheap. Of course, there are multiple budget options and you can save some money on accommodation and food. But still, this part of Italy is quite pricey. This goes especially for parking, hotels and drinks.
For most travellers, the biggest struggle is the accommodation. While Sardinia does offer cheap stays, they are sometimes not as inviting and good-looking as you want them to be. You end up still paying quite a lot of money per night, but not getting a comfortable room. Which sucks.
To solve this, you should plan your trip a little earlier to have a bigger selection when it comes to booking your stays. With some luck, you will find a good offer. Depending on where you are staying, the prices can vary. The North offers more options than the South, but the Costa Smeralda is one of the priciest areas of the island.
The off-season is the best time to visit Sardinia
Travelling to Sardinia during the warm summer months, such as July and August? Might not be the best idea. Sardinia is one of the numerous destinations which gets incredibly crowded during the summer months. The beaches are full, the prices are high and tourists are everywhere.
If you prefer a quieter time and some less-crowded beaches, the off-season is the best time. The months of May or September and October are good choices if you still want to enjoy the good weather and the beaches. This also means getting cheaper deals on flights, hotels and rental cars.
Consider two airports for your journey
And next on the lists of what you need to know before visiting Sardinia: the airports. This is closely connected to selecting multiple stays for your journey. If you are travelling from North to South or vice versa, you can book your flights according to your travel route. Sardinia has three airports, two of them can be reached from almost any airport in Europe (Alghero is a smaller airport, click here to check the flight schedule).
It is best to know this before actually booking your flights. Selecting the right airports closest to your stays can save you hours of driving around Sardinia. And if you plan to rent a car, you can as well return it on a different airport than your arrival.
Dare to go off the beaten path
This is a number 1 rule when travelling and of course, Sardinia is no difference. The island is perfect for going a little off the beaten path and explore some hidden gems. Especially when it comes to beaches or hiking. There are many smaller beaches and bays which will provide you a totally different experience than the crowded beaches in the tourist areas.
Being on a beach almost all by yourself in Sardinia? Yes, it´s possible. Going off the beaten path can lead to the most beautiful beaches and trails on the island. Totally worth it!
Click here to get the exclusive list of the best beaches in Sardinia.
