Plan your Sardinia holiday with essential travel tips, where to stay, what to see and how to move easily around the island.
Explore Hotels for any budgetSardinia is one of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands but planning your holiday properly is essential. Public transport is not always reliable and many of the best beaches and historical sites are located far from main towns and not always very well connected with public transportation.
This guide helps you choose where to stay, what to visit and why booking a rental car or private transfer in advance can make your trip smoother and stress-free.
Sardinia is served by three main airports: Cagliari in the south, Olbia in the north-east and Alghero in the north-west. Flight prices can vary significantly depending on travel dates, departure airport and airline.
Using a flight comparison tool before booking helps you:
Search flights in advance to secure better fares and plan your holiday itinerary with confidence.
Exploring Sardinia by car opens up an entirely different side of the island, revealing beaches and coves far beyond the main resort areas. The Costa Smeralda is a perfect example: known for its emerald‑green water and glamorous atmosphere, it also offers an impressive number of easily accessible beaches. From the soft curves of Capriccioli to the wide sweep of Liscia Ruja and the sheltered coves around Spiaggia del Principe, the coastline is dotted with small bays that are simple to reach and ideal for beach-hopping.
Heading south, the island becomes wilder and more dramatic. Around Chia, you’ll find a chain of golden beaches backed by dunes and fragrant Mediterranean scrub. Su Giudeu and Cala Cipolla stand out for their shallow, crystal‑clear water and peaceful atmosphere, making this area one of the most beautiful and family-friendly stretches of coast in Sardinia. Further east, Villasimius offers a mix of postcard-perfect beaches such as Porto Giunco and Punta Molentis, where granite rocks meet luminous turquoise water. The marine protected area here keeps the sea exceptionally clear, ideal for snorkelling and relaxed swimming.
Beyond the south, several other coastal gems reward the freedom of having your own vehicle. Costa Rei stretches for kilometres along pale sand and calm, shallow water, perfect for long walks and laid‑back days by the sea. The Gulf of Orosei is more adventurous, with dramatic cliffs and secluded coves like Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, and Cala Goloritzé, many reachable by boat or scenic hiking trails. In the northeast, Palau serves as the gateway to the La Maddalena Archipelago, a protected cluster of islands with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean; exploring by car or boat reveals beaches that feel almost untouched. Finally, the far northwest is home to Stintino and its iconic La Pelosa Beach, famous for its powder-white sand and shallow, Caribbean-like lagoon.
Having your own vehicle will allow you to explore hidden coves and quieter white sandy beaches.
Sardinia is not only about beaches. The island hosts prehistoric Nuragic sites, ancient tombs known as Domus de Janas, Roman ruins and medieval churches.
Top cultural attractions include:
Public transport coverage across Sardinia can be limited especially when travelling between beaches, countryside villages and archaeological sites.
Comparing car hire options before arrival allows you to:
If you prefer not to drive immediately after arrival, booking a private transfer from the airport can be the easiest way to reach your accommodation without stress.
Compare hotels, car hire and transfers in advance to avoid last-minute availability issues.
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