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Sardinia rewards travellers who look beyond the brochure image of a beach holiday. The island offers a rich mix of accommodation, from family-run agriturismi in the interior to resort hotels along the coast, and a growing range of excursions that reveal its archaeology, food and landscapes.

Where to Stay

Accommodation on the island spans several distinct categories, each suiting a different kind of trip.

Hotels and resorts range from small country hotels to large coastal resorts with spa and thalasso facilities. Notable options include country hotels in the Gallura and Barbagia interiors, resort hotels on the Costa Smeralda and around Porto Cervo, and properties with wellness centres on the north-west coast.

Agriturismi offer a farm-stay experience, often with home-cooked meals and a rural setting. They are found across the island, including in the Gallura region and the countryside around Nuoro and Oristano.

Residences and apartments suit longer stays and self-catering holidays, with complexes in coastal locations such as Badesi, Palau, Orosei and the Costa Rei.

Bed and breakfasts provide a smaller-scale alternative, often in historic towns or converted rural buildings.

Camping villages cater to those travelling with tents, caravans or mobile homes, with sites on the coast and near popular beaches.

Tours and Excursions

Several organised tours cover the island by car over eight to fifteen days, ranging from a compact introduction to more in-depth itineraries focused on food, wine and rural stays. Shorter round trips concentrate on either the north or the south of the island.

Day excursions include boat trips along the coast, including to the Maddalena archipelago and around Villasimius, snorkelling tours, diving in the Costa Smeralda, and guided hikes. Among the inland options are jeep and hiking combinations to the Su Gorropu gorge and to the Tiscali nuragic village, a hike to Cala Luna, and city tours of Cagliari by Segway or by Ape Calessino.

Planning a Trip

Sardinia’s size means that a single trip rarely covers everything. The north-east, with the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena islands, differs markedly from the quieter south-west and the mountainous interior. Travellers often combine a coastal stay with a few nights inland, using an agriturismo as a base for exploring nuraghe sites, gorges and local food.

Ferries and flights connect the island with mainland Italy and other European cities, and a hire car is generally the most practical way to move between regions.