Holidays in Sardinia

The resorts of Sardinia often feature in lists of the best in the Mediterranean, as well as in rankings of the most prestigious holiday destinations in Europe as a whole. What has Sardinia done to deserve such an honor? Let’s find out what secrets this ancient island holds and why, year after year, it is visited by travelers from all over the globe.

What you need to know about Sardinia

Sardinia is the second-largest Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. For many centuries the island was inhabited by different peoples, which is why its architecture and culture as a whole differ from those of mainland Italy. Much of what remains from Sardinia’s former “owners” now has the status of unique historical monuments protected by the Italian government and UNESCO. In addition, the island can boast stunning nature and extremely picturesque landscapes.

The main tourist audience visiting Sardinia consists of young people, attracted by the vibrant nightlife and opportunities for active water sports, as well as connoisseurs of comfort and luxury, for whose holidays all conditions have been created here (the fashionable Costa Smeralda resort alone is worth mentioning!).

Where the island of Sardinia is located

The island of Sardinia is located between Sicily and Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, to the west of the Apennine Peninsula. It is an autonomous region with its capital in Cagliari. The island is connected with the outside world primarily by air travel, which is handled by numerous private airfields and three international airports — in Olbia, Cagliari and Fertilia.

When it’s best to go to Sardinia

The climate in Sardinia can be called one of the most comfortable in all of Italy: in summer the average temperature generally does not rise above +30 °C, and in winter it does not fall below 7 °C. In the summer months the water temperature is around +25 °C. An important advantage of the local climate is the dry air, which allows you to feel comfortable in almost any weather. The best period for a beach holiday is from July to September; for the rest of the year the island is best suited for sightseeing trips.

What to do in Sardinia

The range of activities in Sardinia is not as obvious as, say, in Rome. But that does not mean there is any shortage of things to do :) In particular, here you can:

• Relax on one of the upmarket beaches.
• Take part in a yacht regatta, which are extremely popular in Sardinia.
• Do water sports, including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and much more.
• Discover the rich underwater flora and fauna around the island by diving or scuba diving.
• Go fishing and catch a catshark, which inhabits the local waters.
• Rent a bicycle and set off on one of the many cycling routes, or even take part in the large-scale island bike race Sassari–Cagliari.
• Play a round of golf at one of the local golf clubs, including Is Arenas, Tanko and Pevero.
• Enjoy the island’s vibrant nightlife, which is especially lively at the upscale resorts with their numerous bars and beach clubs.
• Go shopping, in which the island can quite compete with major cities of mainland Italy.
• Try the local cuisine, which differs significantly from traditional Italian cuisine. We particularly recommend the local bread, cheese, fish and seafood dishes, roast suckling pig, as well as wine and myrtle liqueur.
• Watch the pink flamingos in the San Teodoro lagoon.
• Go sea urchin hunting.
• Explore structures left by ancient civilizations, including the Giants’ Tombs, Nuraghe and the Sardinian ziggurat.
• Take an excursion to Neptune’s Grotto.
• Travel around the island on the old Green Train.
• See albino donkeys and wild mouflons, which now live only in Corsica and Sardinia.
• Stroll around the local miniature park.

Which hotel in Sardinia to choose

• Resort Cala di Falco 4* (Costa Smeralda)
  The cozy seaside Resort Cala di Falco 4* is located in the north of the island. Its special charm lies in the combination of easy access to beach activities and proximity to the sea with the feeling of staying at a country villa surrounded by fruit gardens. Guests have at their disposal a swimming pool, a restaurant with excellent cuisine and a stunning terrace, as well as a range of services for family leisure.
• Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & SPA 5* (Isola Rossa)
  The five-star La Marinedda is considered the best spa hotel in the region and one of the best of its kind in all of Sardinia. This place, with its luxurious Mediterranean-style suites, mini-club, huge range of spa services and excellent selection of dishes, is the perfect choice for those who value uncompromising comfort and need complete relaxation and a break from everyday worries.
• Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & Spa 4* (Isola Rossa)
  Hotel Relax Torreruja Thalasso & Spa is another great accommodation option in Isola Rossa. This cozy and stylish hotel has a large pool with crystal-clear seawater, sun terraces for relaxing under the gentle Italian sun with great views, a small spa and an excellent restaurant with a wide assortment.
• L’Agnata di De André 3* (Tempio Pausania)
  L’Agnata di De André is located in a historic mansion whose façade is draped in grapevines and surrounded by orchards that create an unparalleled atmosphere of coziness. Guests can enjoy simple yet elegantly decorated rooms in traditional style, garden relaxation areas, a swimming pool and a restaurant specializing in island cuisine.
• Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel & Suites 4* (Golfo Aranci)
  Gabbiano Azzurro is one of the best accommodation options for fans of beach holidays and lovers of scenic shores: the hotel has access to its own secluded white-sand beach and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, including all kinds of meat and fresh fish dishes. In addition, the hotel has two swimming pools.
• Villa del Golfo Lifestyle Resort 4* (Cannigione)
  Strictly speaking, Villa del Golfo could be considered an average four-star resort were it not for the stunning view of the coastline with granite cliffs and the island of Caprera, the large terrace with a huge pool, the excellent beauty salon, live music, a restaurant with gourmet cuisine, a reading room and the opportunity to go on a yacht trip directly from the hotel. In all other respects, it is just an ordinary hotel :)
• Forte Village Resort 4* (Santa Margherita di Pula)
  The Forte Village resort has such a well-developed infrastructure that it resembles a small self-contained town rather than a hotel. It is located on a picturesque beach in the commune of Santa Margherita di Pula, just 40 kilometers from Sardinia’s capital. The hotel grounds feature numerous luxurious bungalows, an outdoor pool, the Acquaforte spa with a wide range of treatments, 21 restaurants, a sports complex, two entertainment centers (Wonderland and Leisureland) and a PADI diving center.

Where to eat well in Sardinia

Sardinia is a true paradise for those who are simultaneously partial to traditional Italian cuisine, wines and all kinds of fish and seafood delicacies: this is exactly what Sardinia has in greatest abundance! Once on the island, you should be prepared for the fact that local establishments are conventionally divided into several types:

• Restaurants in Alghero, where they serve exquisite dishes made from fresh fish and seafood, for example, Al Tuguri and Al Vecchio Mulino.
• Small trattorias and buffet-style cafés where you can eat well and inexpensively. Among them are Is Ghiotto in Alghero and Antica Trattoria in Olbia.
• Wine bars with cocktails and traditional snacks, which are plentiful in every town in Sardinia.
• Award-winning Michelin-starred restaurants, most of which are in Cagliari, such as Dal Corsaro.

What to combine a trip to the island of Sardinia with

Sardinia is located close to the mainland, several other Mediterranean islands and the Apennine Peninsula, which is occupied by Italy, meaning that travelers have many options for complex itineraries. These include:

• Corsica and Sicily, two other distinctive islands with stunning nature and vivid local character.
• Rome, which can serve as the ideal point for a long, or even very long, stopover :)
• The French Riviera and Monaco, which can be reached in just a few hours to enjoy a beach holiday in a completely different style.