13 of the best things to do in Sardinia
15 July 2021 | Updated 16 April 20258 min read
Cagliari The island capital has some of the best things to do in Sardinia.
Beautiful beaches, magnificent mountains, alluring old towns and some pretty fabulous food make a holiday to Sardinia an intoxicating idea.
Sunbathing on the island’s beaches is easily one of the best things to do in Sardinia, but the most rewarding itineraries pack in so much more. There are buzzy coastal cities to explore in the north, a charming capital in the south and, in between, a gorgeous hinterland that’s steeped in history and scribbled with hiking trails.
And that’s just to start. In fact, the choice of what to see and do on the second-largest island in Italy is enormous. To make it easier, we’ve whittled it down to the top 13 things to do in Sardinia.
1. Spend time on Sardinia’s beaches
With nearly 2,000km (1,240 miles) of coastline, plus a sprinkling of islands here and there, Sardinia has a dizzying choice of beautiful beaches. You’ll find everything from long stretches of fine white sand to rocky coves best accessed by boat.
The Gulf of Orosei is the island’s overachiever, with five of Sardinia’s best beaches tucked along a 30km-long (18.6 miles) stretch, including the dramatic Cala Goloritzè and Cala Luna.
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 8th 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 €10 ticket (arrange by phone in advance), 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 and its 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.
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4. Hike in the Gola di Gorropu
Halfway down the island, in the Gulf of Orosei National Park to the east, the limestone cliffs of Gola di Gorropu soar for 500m (1,640ft). It’s one of southern Europe’s most dramatic gorges, and certainly the most impressive in Sardinia.
It costs €6 to enter this protected gorge, but it’s worth it for trails that lead you through holm oak forests and along breathtaking ridges with superb views. Most circuits typically take three to four hours, with some parts only accessible with a guide.
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. Island hop in the Maddalena archipelago
One of the best places to visit in Sardinia isn’t on the island at all. Join an island-hopping boat trip and you can visit the seven dreamy islands of the Maddalena archipelago, on Sardinia’s north-eastern tip.
La Maddalena, the largest, is a place where time seems 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 the neighbouring island of Caprera.
Boat charters from Palau will take you for swimming and snorkelling on some of the smaller islands, including Santo Stefano, Budelli (which also has great diving) and Spargi.
6. 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.
You’ll need to use your imagination to rebuild the looted fragments of the ancient village – imagine a clutch of conical stone huts bathed in light from the natural crater opening – but the site is still incredibly impressive.
It’s about a two-hour hike to reach the village (€6 with a guide). The views of the gorges and valleys are worth it.
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7. Taste Sardinian flavours at the food markets
You might think you know Italian cuisine, but the food markets here will introduce you to some fantastic flavours that are purely Sardinian.
Cheese lovers may already know of casu marzu, the maggot-filled sheep cheese that’s become somewhat of a legend among tourists. While you won’t find this now-illegal delicacy (a result of EU food-safety regulations), you 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. And be sure to keep an eye out for the wine stalls selling bottles of robust cannonau red wine.
8. Head under the waves to spot marine life
Come prepared with goggles and a snorkel for your Sardinia holiday – the waters surrounding the island are incredibly clear and ideal for spotting marine life including seabream, starfish and octopus.
Boat tours can ferry you out to dramatic spots like Ponta Contessa in the north and the huge, sunken Madonna del Naufrago in the south. Otherwise, shore access is easy from the beaches of La Maddalena and at places such as Capo Carbonara, about an hour’s drive from Cagliari.
If you’re a diver, the caves and reefs off Alghero are popular, and there are four PADI-certified dive shops to choose from.
9. Stop in on the city of 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.
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10. Get a taste of Spain in Alghero
There’s a distinctive Catalan flavour in Alghero, one of the northwest 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 Piazza 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 a boat to spot dolphins or just spend a day on the sea. Beach lovers can check out the various stretches of sand to the north of the city on the way to Maria Pia.
11. 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 (€14) take you through 2.5km (1.6 miles) of shimmering stalactites and stalagmites that are reflected in a clear, shallow lake.
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.
12. Meet the white donkeys of Asinara island
Free-roaming albino donkeys are the celebrities of Asinara island, a protected national park off Sardinia’s north coast. It’s unclear how they arrived – origin stories range from genetic dice rolls to 20th-century shipwrecks – but the 120-strong herd is now undoubtedly the most adorable thing to see in Sardinia.
Ferries from the mainland will take you to Fornelli and Cala Reale, both of which offer e-bike rental (private vehicles are forbidden) or you can join a number of tours by bus, 4x4 or tourist train.
Keep an eye out for the abandoned buildings dotted around the island, relics of Asinara’s century-long history as a penal colony and maximum security prison.
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13. Get out on the water
Those hoping to get out on the water will have their choice of waterspots in Sardinia. You’ll find outlets offering paddleboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, as well as board hire, almost anywhere along the coast.
For experts, Porto Pollo’s reliably windy conditions make it a good bet for kite- and windsurfing, while calmer spots along the west and south coasts are better for paddleboarders.
If you prefer to stay dry, you can enjoy Sardinia’s slice of the Mediterranean from the comfort of a catamaran or private boat. Choose a full-day trip to see the island’s burning sunsets at their finest and be on the lookout for dolphins – they’re common in these parts.
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