We love road trips and have already undertaken many. We fondly remember the round trip through Holland, Israel, Portugal, or even Iceland. A road trip to Sardinia is also a real highlight for all travel enthusiasts. You might find it hard to believe, but Sardinia looks like the Caribbean in many places: turquoise blue sea, crystal-clear water, and white sandy beaches. The only thing missing is lush green palm trees. Sardinia is one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever visited in Europe.

A few years ago, I drove from Olbia to the other side, to Alghero. The route always followed the beautiful coastline (click here for the new post about northern Sardinia). Of course, I could have circumnavigated the entire island, but I didn’t want to rush and wanted to take my time. Besides, I now have enough reasons to travel to Sardinia again with Marco. Here are my best tips and highlights for a successful holiday in Sardinia.

What else you should know

• Sardinia’s highlights in the north
• Sardinia’s highlights in the west
• Sardinia’s highlights in the south
• Sardinia’s highlights in the east

• Costs of our Sardinia Round trip
• Our beautiful accommodations
• Travel preparation for Sardinia
• 16-day Sardinia round trip

• What else you should know
• 1. The best time to travel for a Sardinia round trip
• 2. Arrival by plane
• 3. Taking the ferry to Sardinia
• 4. Booking a rental car for Sardinia
• 5. Booking accommodations
• 6. Sardinia road trip – highlights from Olbia to Alghero
• 7. Conclusion of the Sardinia road trip

1. The best time to travel for a Sardinia tour

Of course, many vacationers rely on traveling during the holidays. However, for those who manage to vacation at another time, I recommend April (but not at Easter), May, or September.

The tourist crowds aren’t there yet or have already left, and the island is a bit more peaceful again. The roads are clear, and the weather is also playing along. On some days in April, we enjoyed temperatures of up to 28 degrees Celsius in the sun. So why travel during peak season when it’s far too hot anyway?

In general, we had really pleasant weather for a road trip the whole time. There was no rain. Another advantage, of course, is that it’s not that expensive. The rental car was very cheap, as were the B&Bs. However, in April, many accommodations are still closed.

You can see craftsmen everywhere, busy renovating and preparing the accommodations for the season. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet on the island. I can’t even imagine how crowded it must be during peak season. More about that here: Best time to travel to Sardinia.

2. Arrival by plane

Ryanair or EasyJet fly cheaply to Olbia, Alghero, or south to Cagliari. Plan at least a week, or ideally two. This way, you can explore some corners of the island in a relaxed manner. If you just want to stay in your hotel, a week is enough.

We paid just €42 for our round-trip flight (a special sale at the time). We only had hand luggage with us for those 9 days (if I remember correctly). That was completely sufficient for us. In general, flights to Sardinia are always quite cheap. However, it’s still worth booking in advance. You can always save a few euros this way.

Olbia is located in the northeast of the island. You can fly from Hanover, Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, Hamburg, Friedrichshafen, Cologne, and Düsseldorf. Cagliari is located in the south of the island. From Germany, you can fly from Düsseldorf-Weeze, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt-Hahn, or Berlin.

For an additional charge, you can also fly from Stuttgart, Cologne, Hamburg, or Hanover. Alghero is located in the northwest of the island. This region is also served by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair. Flights start from Memmingen, Frankfurt-Hahn, or Berlin. We flew with EasyJet from Berlin-Schönefeld to Olbia.

3. By ferry to Sardinia

Many vacationers actually come to the island with their own car or motorhome/camper. This means, of course, that you have to take one of the ferries to the island. There are three major providers for crossings to Sardinia: SardiniaFerries, Mobylines, DirectFerries, and Tirrenia. You can depart from Genoa, Marseille, Livorno, Piombino, Naples, Civitavecchia, or Sicily.

The costs vary, just as they do with airline tickets. It’s best to compare providers and prices in advance. There are also occasional special offers. Depending on the departure port and travel period, prices range from at least €150 to €300 for the round trip. With Mobylines, the crossing in October from Civitavecchia to Olbia for two people with a car costs around €150 (€75 per person). Without a vehicle, the ferries are of course much cheaper (from €40 each way).

4. Book a rental car for Sardinia

Be sure to rent a car. This way, you can reach even the most remote bays and beaches. Besides, it’s boring to just stay in a hotel for a week. And that “I’m in a different place every day” feeling is simply priceless! Sardinia is simply perfect for a road trip, and exploring the coast is incredibly fun.

In 95% of cases, we always book our car at billiger-mietwagen.de*. A week’s rental car in Sardinia in the summer, for example, currently costs around €500 including fully comprehensive insurance with no deductible, windshield and tire protection, unlimited mileage, and a fair fuel policy. In addition to our rental car, we spent around €60 on gasoline for the entire trip. Currently, however, 1 liter of gasoline on the island costs between €1.60 and €1.75.

Note: Sardinians don’t like speed limits. The speed limit is 50 km/h almost everywhere, and 90 to 110 km/h on highways. When driving along the coast, don’t let the locals stress you out and drive at a leisurely pace. Sooner or later, they’ll probably get annoyed and overtake you.

Parking is a tricky thing in Sardinia. In towns and regions, there are blue-marked parking spaces, which you have to pay for. Yellow-marked parking spaces are reserved for disabled people. All spaces not marked blue or yellow are free to use.

5. Booking Accommodation

In the off-season, you don’t have to plan everything perfectly. There are guesthouses and B&Bs everywhere, and they are also signposted on the streets. Be spontaneous and just stay where you like. However, during the high season, you should book in advance. You can find a large selection of accommodations on Booking.com*. It’s also worth looking at sites like Airbnb. There you’ll find a huge selection of private rooms, houses, guesthouses, and apartments.

Below are some of our accommodations for our route from Olbia to Alghero. In the off-season, accommodations are really very affordable. For example, in Porto Cervo (the place of the rich and famous), you’ll have to shell out €380 per night with breakfast during peak season. In October, it’s just €80. In general, you can expect to pay 30 € per night in cheap and good B&B’s in the low season.

• Olbia: B&B Bibiebò*
• Porto Cervo: Hotel Luci di la Muntagna*
• Palau: Hotel Palau*
• La Maddalena: Hotel Excelsior*
• Porto Pollo: Appartamento in villa Porto Pollo*
• Castelsardo: B&B Casa Doria*
• Stintino: B&B Roccabianca*
• Alghero: Hotel Calabona*

6. Sardinia Road Trip – Highlights from Olbia to Alghero

In the following section, I’ll show you the most beautiful highlights of our trip through the north of Sardinia. We started in Olbia and drove along the Costa Smeralda. Then we took the ferry to the beautiful La Maddalena archipelago. We then drove from Palau to Porto Pollo and continued along the coast to Castelsardo.

Not far from there, we also stopped in Stintino. After 8 days, we reached Alghero in the northwest of the island, relaxed and refreshed. In total, we drove around 550 – 600 kilometers during this time. We can definitely recommend this route; it was a really cool Sardinia road trip. We only stayed one night in each town (2 nights on La Maddalena) and then moved on. The timing worked out perfectly and it wasn’t stressful at all.

6.1. Exploring Olbia at a leisurely pace

Olbia is a truly beautiful coastal town in Sardinia. We particularly liked the cozy old town. It’s said to be particularly busy in the summer, as many planes and ferries arrive here. We recommend the main street, Corso Umberto, for a stroll and a delicious meal. We wandered through the alleys and stopped at a few restaurants. We didn’t need a car on site; especially in the city center, you can easily reach everything on foot.

The Viale Aldo Moro shopping street also has a lot to offer. It is directly connected to Via Gabriele D’Annunzio. Many shops, boutiques, cafés, bars, and restaurants line the old town. The old city walls, a Roman viaduct, and an archaeological museum are also there for culture buffs. The Basilica of San Simplicio in Olbia and the Villa Tamponi are also particularly beautiful.

The larger shopping centers are usually located a little outside the center, on the outskirts of the city. For example, you’ll find the Auchan Center right next to the airport on the old SS125 road to San Teodoro. At the northern exit toward the Costa Smeralda is the shopping paradise centered around the Terra Nova shopping center. There’s also a fashion outlet on the northbound exit road. ☞The most beautiful beaches: Spiaggia Pittulongu and Cala Brandinchi.

6.2. Emerald Coast “Costa Smeralda”

Our journey continued. We left Olbia by car and drove north along the coast. The coast of the rich and famous, the “Costa Smeralda,” is a good starting point for a road trip. Along the way, we passed many beautiful bays and cafés. The Costa Smeralda is one of the island’s most famous regions; during peak season, it’s likely to be very busy.

According to online reports, this is where high society meets with expensive cars and large yachts. On the promenade, people party until the early hours in one of the many clubs and bars. Nevertheless, this stretch is particularly beautiful and easy to explore by car. In the off-season, as mentioned above, you can even stay inexpensively in the posh town of Porto Cervo (only €80 instead of €400).

But it’s not the “rich and beautiful” who are of interest here, but the unique Emerald Coast with its dream beaches and fairytale towns. The most beautiful beaches are Rena Bianca, Grande Pevero, and Liscia Ruja. But you can’t just laze on the beach here; you can also go sightseeing. The mountain village of San Pantaleo, for example, is very beautiful, just 20 minutes from Porto Cervo. From there, you can enjoy wonderful hikes and mountain tours.

Porto Cervo itself is probably the hotspot for luxury hotels, yachts, and money. In the evening, you can still treat yourself to a cozy dinner at the harbor. The Sardinian holiday atmosphere is especially beautiful in the evening. Afterwards, you can stroll past the luxury boutiques to the piazza. From there, you’ll have a fantastic view of the harbor with all the ships and yachts. A stop at Capo d’Orso (climb to the Bear Rock) is also worthwhile.

6.3. The La Maddalena Archipelago

Do you actually know the beautiful archipelago north of Sardinia? On this archipelago, which consists of seven main islands and more than 62 smaller ones, as well as inselbergs, nature conservation is a top priority: The La Maddalena National Park stretches over approximately 180 kilometers of coastline and covers 15,000 hectares.

Treat yourself to 2 to 3 days on La Maddalena and enjoy the wonderful island feeling. The archipelago is also called the “Seychelles of the Mediterranean.” You can take the ferry from Palau. These depart at least once an hour. We paid €33 for a return trip for two people and a car (€16.50 per person).

Spend two or three nights here and drive along the panoramic road. You’ll circle the island and discover wonderful places, bays, and beaches – believe me! Also, drive over the bridge to the island of Caprera. There’s a hiking trail here to Cala Tahiti. We hiked for an hour through rocks, mountains, and cliffs until we reached this bay. It was one of the most beautiful moments of our Sardinia tour. Update on this in our new Sardinia posts! —> Sardinia tour in the north.

6.4. Kitesurfing and surfing in Porto Pollo

Looking for an active holiday? Visit the MB ProCenter in Porto Pollo. The owner is a kind soul and will immediately make you feel like you’re in the right place! Rent a kayak, take a surfing course, or try stand-up paddling. The costs are also very reasonable.

An hour of SUP costs €20, an hour of kayaking €15, and an hour of windsurfing, for example, €20. Then head to the beautiful bays or simply relax on the beach. We kayaked out onto the water to a wonderful bay. There wasn’t a soul there, just us, music, and a lot of good cheer!

There’s also a cool beach bar on the beach where we spent a lot of time. We can recommend Rupi’s Beach Bar as well as Café del Mar. On the other side, at Spiaggia di Barrabisa, you can mainly watch windsurfers on the water. Of course, you can also try it yourself. No matter what you decide to do there, here on the beach you can do one thing above all else: Relax and chill!

6.5. The Santa Teresa Gallura Peninsula

Now another highlight awaits you. The Santa Teresa Gallura Peninsula is arguably one of the most beautiful corners in the north of the island of Sardinia. The high waves, the tafoni rocks, the stunning beaches, and the beautiful valleys will take your breath away. Drive to the lighthouse and look at Cala Spinosa. This bay is simply unbelievably beautiful. It’s best to park your car and explore the small peninsula on foot.

In the summer months, Santa Teresa is a popular holiday resort. Numerous bars, pubs, and restaurants can be found in the center. From July to September, there is also a small art market in the main streets. And don’t forget the absolutely dreamy beach right on your doorstep: Rena Bianca. It’s just a few meters from the old town. A beach bus takes you to the area’s most important beaches from June to mid-September.

6.6. Detour to Isola Rossa

If you make your way to Castelsardo, you’ll pass the village of Isola Rossa. You should definitely plan a stop here, as a variety of beautiful beaches and bays await you. Longa Beach has white sand and crystal-clear water and is located right in the resort of Isola Rossa. The water slopes gently, making it a favorite spot for families with children. You can also go diving or rent a canoe or pedal boat here.

We’ve heard that surfers also like this area. La Marinedda Beach is located in the bay between Isola Rossa and the Li Caneddi promontory. An international surf contest is even held here every year. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available on the beach for a fee. Also very beautiful is the Li Tinnari beach, nestled between granite cliffs. This romantic bay with its pebble beach is only accessible by boat or on foot along the path to Monte Tinnari.

6.7. The dreamy hilltop town of Castelsardo

Be sure to visit Castelsardo and stroll through the beautiful streets of this small hilltop town. We haven’t experienced such a rustic Italian atmosphere in a long time. The castle with its winding streets, the beautiful panoramic viewpoints, and the basket-weaving museum are especially worth seeing. The town of Castelsardo exudes a mix of natural beauty, tourism, traditions, and charming sights.

Treat yourself to a coffee in the small, narrow streets and enjoy the Italian flair. The route from Porto Pollo to Castelsardo is also truly beautiful. Note: The old town is car-free! It’s best to park at the foot of the hill and then continue on foot. Parking is subject to a fee; you can get parking tickets from the machine or the parking attendant.

6.8. Pure Caribbean in Stintino

We then continued on to Stintino in our rental car. The fishing village between the two bays on the peninsula in the Gulf of Asinara is particularly captivating with its stunning beaches. The crystal-clear, turquoise water and the white, picture-perfect beach of La Pelosa immediately give you the impression you’re somewhere in the Caribbean.

Incidentally, the peninsula was largely uninhabited until 150 years ago. Since 1999, you can explore the national park by excursion boat from Stintino or Porto Torres. Simply amazing! We also saw many kite surfers in the water here, performing daredevil stunts above the water.

Locally, you’ll find many accommodations and holiday resorts stretching far into the hinterland. Stintino, however, is quieter and very relaxing. Only during the holidays and high season can the many cars be a bit annoying, we were told. Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 holidaymakers come to the peninsula each year. During the off-season, it was quite empty for us.

6.9. Through the alleys of Alghero

On day 8, we reached our destination, Alghero. At first, we were a bit overwhelmed by the number of tourists. After more than a week of beach and nature, the sheer number of visitors was a bit too much for us. But Alghero is a very beautiful city, and the old town is particularly beautiful. You’ll find countless restaurants, cafés, shops, boutiques, and other stores there. Perfect for strolling, wandering, and feasting.

The historic city walls of Alghero are also definitely worth a visit. From the various towers, you have a great view of the harbor and the sea. We continue to the harbor, where you’ll find not only yachts and boats, but also the opportunity to take some cool tours. Whether hiking, city tours, boat trips, or cooking classes – Alghero has a lot to offer.

In the west of Alghero, there’s the “Grotta di Nettuno.” This impressive stalactite cave can be reached by boat or on foot via numerous steps. The limestone cliffs “Capo Caccia,” with a height of approximately 168 meters, are also not to be missed. These are located just north of Alghero. We chose the footpath and had to descend about 645 steps before reaching the grotto. You can, of course, also arrive by boat.

Back then, we had to pay €13 admission and were led through the cave by a guide. Truly impressive. If you’re arriving by boat from Alghero’s harbor, please keep in mind that you’ll also have to pay the grotto entrance fee in addition to the €16 for the boat tour. It’s better to walk; it’s much more fun anyway!

7. Conclusion: Sardinia Road Trip

Although we didn’t see the whole island, Sardinia simply blew us away. We hadn’t expected such a paradise in the Mediterranean. We often felt like we were on vacation in the Caribbean. The Sardinia road trip was incredibly fun, and we will definitely come back to explore the other parts.

During the off-season, it was very pleasant, quiet, and not at all crowded. On our next trip, we would return during the off-season. You also save a lot of money by coming outside of the school holidays and peak season. Sardinia is a must-see. This beautiful Italian island has so much to offer!