Sardinia Sights in the North from Olbia to Alghero

During our 16-day Sardinia tour in May, we discovered countless Sardinia sights in the north, which we would like to introduce to you in more detail in today’s post. The Italian island in the Mediterranean completely blew us away and surprised us with new highlights every day.

We couldn’t stop being amazed. Sardinia is simply a must-see, as this island is rightly nicknamed the “Caribbean of Europe.” In the north, you will find some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, exciting excursion destinations, Caribbean offshore islands, charming villages, historic old towns and so much more.

What else you should know

What else you should know
Sardinia sights in the north – an overview
- 1. Start in the port city of Olbia
- 2. The beautiful Costa Smeralda
- 3. Walk through Porto Cervo
- 4. Bike tour on the island of La Maddalena
- 5. Dream beach on the island of Caprera
- 6. Kitesurfing in Porto Pollo
- 7. Santa Teresa Gallura & Capo Testa
- 8. Along the North Coast
- 9. The Hilltop Village of Castelsardo
- 10. Short Break in Porto Torres
- 11. Stintino Peninsula & La Pelosa
- 12. Wine Tasting in Sardinia
- 13. Exploring Alghero
- 14. Capo Caccia with Grotta di Nettuno
Sardinia Sights in the North – Our Conclusion
How much time should I plan for the north of Sardinia?
When is the best time to travel to Sardinia?
Which accommodations do you recommend?
How much does a rental car cost in Sardinia?
How much does a Sardinia tour cost?
Which travel guide should I use for planning?

Sardinia Sights in the North – An Overview

On the following map, we have marked the most beautiful sights in Sardinia in the north for you. Of course, there is so much more to discover, but we only had 15 days. On our next trip, we definitely want to explore the island’s interior, as there are numerous highlights there too. On our last two trips, we focused more on the coastal regions, as the beaches and bays were the main focus.

Our entire route at a glance:

2 nights in Olbia
2 nights in Santa Teresa di Gallura
2 nights in Porto Torres
1 night in Alghero
2 nights in Oristano
2 nights in Carbonia
2 nights in San Vito
2 nights in Santa Maria Navarrese

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1. Start in the port city of Olbia

We spent the first two nights in the small port city of Olbia, located in the northeast of Sardinia. It was the ideal starting point for us, as our plane landed at the international airport here and we could pick up our rental car* immediately afterwards. We were also really looking forward to starting with the north, northeast, and northwest.

Olbia is an industrial and port city, but still boasts a historic and quite charming old town. Stroll through the alleys of the old town, stroll along Corso Umberto, visit the Basilica of San Simplicio, and walk along the harbor at sunset. We recommend half a day in Olbia; in our opinion, that’s perfectly sufficient.

Cool tours & excursions from Olbia:

Dolphin watching & Snorkeling Boat Tour near Figarolo*
From Olbia: Full-Day Boat Tour to the La Maddalena Archipelago*
Olbia Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk*
Sardinia: Food and Wine Tour*

Sardinia Sights in the North Olbia Port Sardinia Sights-Olbia-Old Town Powered by GetYourGuide

2. The beautiful Costa Smeralda

Olbia is the ideal starting point for exploring the Costa Smeralda (“Emerald Coast”). This area is located in the northeast of the island and awaits you with stunningly beautiful beaches and bays, as well as exclusive holiday resorts. In the summer months of July and August, the coast becomes a meeting place for high society. Then you can marvel at countless luxury yachts, especially in Porto Cervo.

Start early in the morning from Olbia and cruise leisurely along the coast towards Porto Cervo. Along the way, be sure to stop at one or two beaches and enjoy the turquoise Mediterranean. The view from the small street restaurant “Primma o poi mi pongu appostu” is highly recommended. With a cup of coffee, you can overlook the beautiful, lush coastline.

We can recommend the following bays and beaches:

Spiaggia di Rena Bianca
Cala Petra Ruja (somewhat hidden)
Spiaggia Capriccioli
Spiaggia Poltu Di Li Coggh

3. Walk through Porto Cervo

Of course, we also stopped again in the small harbor town of Porto Cervo. As already mentioned, during the high season (July & August), everyone who’s anyone comes here. Stars and starlets meet here, stay in their luxury hotels, dine in exclusive restaurants, and party the night away in one of the trendy yacht clubs.

We would recommend avoiding the place at this time, as it’s very crowded. However, during the off-season (May, early June, October), you can leisurely stroll through the beautiful streets, enjoy an ice cream by the harbor, and browse the many luxury brand shops. The capital of the Costa Smeralda is very pretty to look at and well worth an afternoon. But beware: The prices are of course much higher here!

4. Cycling tour on the island of La Maddalena

One of the top sights in Sardinia in the north is definitely the La Maddalena archipelago, which consists of 7 islands. You should definitely take a whole day and see, among other things, the beautiful beaches. You can take guided boat tours* to the islands or take the ferry from Palau yourself. We took the ferry and rented e-bikes for the day (€40 per person). We cycled around the main island of La Maddalena (approx. 2 hours) and then over to the island of Caprera. La Maddalena is a charming island with stunning natural beauty. During our bike tour, we discovered beautiful bays and beaches, enjoyed the wonderful weather, and were continually amazed by the stunning views. The roads are very well maintained, so it’s virtually impossible to get lost. The climbs are easy to manage with an e-bike, which is very helpful given the high temperatures. After your tour, you can stroll through the alleys in the city center and enjoy a delicious meal.

Great tours to La Maddalena in Sardinia:

Adventure diving in La Maddalena National Park*
From Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago – Full-day boat tour*
From Palau: Catamaran tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago*

Information about ferry tickets:

no reservation necessary; Simply purchase at the port
Ferries depart every 15 minutes during the season
Travel time from Palau: 15-20 minutes
Ticket is valid for the day and is not time-bound
Price: return just under €10 per person (more expensive by car)

5. Dream beach on the island of Caprera

A bridge takes you from La Maddalena to the island of Caprera. There you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, although it is not without its difficulties. With our e-bikes, we crossed the bridge and continued about 6 kilometers to the starting point of the hike. Even from a distance, we saw a few cars parked on the side of the road, which wasn’t the case 8 years ago.

We hiked (moderately) around 40 minutes over hill and dale along the “Sentiero per Cala Coticcio” to the beautiful bay of “Cala Coticcio” (also called Cala Tahiti). We could hardly believe our eyes and were overwhelmed by the beauty of this bay.

We wouldn’t recommend driving or hiking to this beach during peak season. However, if the countless other vacationers and the many boats in the bay don’t bother you, go for it!

Important note: You can reach Cala Coticcio beach on the island of Caprera either by excursion boat* or via a narrow path after a 40-minute hike (more information here). During the season, you are now only allowed to hike to this beach with a guide (June 1st – September 30th), for which you have to pay on site (approximately €25 per person).

We were able to hike to the beach on our own in May (and also in April 2015) and enjoy the view to the fullest. In the off-season, the beach isn’t as crowded. During the season, there are a lot of tourists and boats there. It’s best to read the current reviews on TripAdvisor.

6. Kitesurfing in Porto Pollo

On my first trip 7 or 8 years ago, I spent some time in the wide bay of Porto Pollo. Located between Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura, it boasts the finest sand, crystal-clear water, and numerous water sports. Back then, we rented two kayaks from the MB Pro Center and paddled over to the small island of “Isolotto Costa Serena.”

Due to the consistent wind conditions in the bays, this spot is also very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. If you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach, this is the place to be. Be sure to check out Rupi’s Beach Bar! Alternatively, excursion boats depart from Porto Pollo to the La Maddalena archipelago*.

7. Santa Teresa Gallura & Capo Testa

If you’re taking a Sardinia tour, you should definitely explore Capo Testa with its lighthouse and the Valle della Luna. This cape at the northern tip of Sardinia, with its many impressive granite cliffs, is definitely one of the top sights in northern Sardinia. In good weather, you can even see the coast of Corsica, which is only about 10 km from the cape. The many small bays on the cape are also stunningly beautiful and offer fantastic views.

Insider tip:You can take kayak tours to Capo Testa and explore the beautiful cape from the water. It’s best to ask at your accommodation for tour operators or keep an eye out in the town center of Santa Teresa Gallura. We highly recommend a trip to the cape; the scenery is absolutely breathtaking! Plan at least 1.5 to 2 hours for this.

8. Along the North Coast

From the cape, our tour continued along the north coast towards Castelsardo. Along the way, we passed countless beaches, such as the Spiaggia Rena Majori with its fine sand and turquoise water. A few kilometers further, you reach the Spiaggia Monti Russu, which is also incredibly beautiful. Wooden walkways lead along the beach and offer a fantastic view of the sea.

Also recommended is the beautiful bay of Cala Sarraina, with its impressive natural surroundings, clear water, and slightly pinkish sand. Also worth seeing are the beach of Tinnari, the Spiaggia di Cala li Cossi and the kilometer-long Spiaggia Li Mindi di Badesi. But no matter which beach you choose, almost all of them are truly beautiful and inviting.

9. The hilltop village of Castelsardo

Before we reached the beautiful hilltop village of Castelsardo, we first had to endure the countless switchbacks. Those who aren’t particularly “curve-savvy” should definitely take a break every now and then. But it’s worth it! Shortly before reaching the village, we could already glimpse the hill with its colorful house facades from the road.

We parked the car in front of the gates of the medieval old town (here are the coordinates) and walked up. Due to the rather steep climb and the many stairs, the walk to the old town was already quite strenuous. Once there, we strolled through the beautiful winding streets of Castelsardo, enjoyed the view of the sea, browsed through a few shops, and finally ordered some delicious pasta at the Ristorante Il Bounty. Right at the top of the hill sits the medieval castle, from where we also enjoyed a phenomenal view. The Cathedral of Sant’Antonio Abate, located to the north of the old town, is also very beautiful. Our tip: Just go with the flow and explore Castelsardo on your own!

Castelsardo: Visit to a vineyard at sunset with tasting*
Medieval village tour in Castelsardo with aperitif*
Castelsardo: Basket-making workshop and museum tour*

10. Short break in Porto Torres

Porto Torres was a great starting point for us to explore some corners of the north. We also treated ourselves to a day’s break in the industrial and port city and relaxed on the beautiful beach outside of town. Porto Torres itself isn’t a particular highlight in our opinion, but it is conveniently located.

It’s only 30 minutes to Stintino (La Pelosa), and just 40 minutes to Castelsardo or Alghero. In Porto Torres, we had a lovely room in a B&B for two nights. You can find all the information here: Our lovely accommodations in Sardinia.

11. Stintino Peninsula & La Pelosa

Our tour continued to the Stintino peninsula, where a beautiful beach awaited us. We parked our car, walked down to La Pelosa beach, and couldn’t get enough of the view. The bay is truly beautiful, with very fine sand and a brilliant blue water. You can walk countless meters into the water without it getting too deep. This makes the beach particularly suitable for children.

Right behind the picture-perfect La Pelosa beach, you can spot the Asinara Island, which is a nature reserve and also worth a trip. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for that, but we’ll make up for it next time. We had a coffee at a beach restaurant and enjoyed the view over the bay.

During the high season it is said to be very crowded and also expensive, so the low season (May, early June, October) is recommended.

!! Important for your visit!!

During the season (June 1st – September 30th), a maximum of 1,500 people are allowed to visit the beach daily (adult admission: €3.50, children up to 12 years free). This is to regulate the crowds and protect nature. You should definitely register online in advance to secure a ticket. During peak season, tickets sell out very quickly, and you’ll have to check on site to see if you can still get one.

You’ll also need a mat for your towel on the beach (e.g., a raffia mat), which you can also buy from vendors on site (approx. €5). This is to prevent too much of the fine sand from being eroded over time. Anyone caught stealing sand can expect hefty fines of up to €3,000. And before we forget: Parking costs €2.50 per hour during the season.

12. Wine Tasting in Sardinia

The many sights in the north of Sardinia are diverse and varied. We’ve already introduced you to beaches, towns, villages, bays, and other islands, but how about a wine tasting in picturesque surroundings? We took a closer look at this too and by chance landed at the Ledà d’Ittiri wine resort.

The mild climate, the many hours of sunshine, the salty air, and the calcareous soil allow very sweet, strong, and noble wines to thrive here. Every region on the island has its own unique wine. This beautiful wine resort is located amidst vineyards and olive groves. Here, you can not only stay overnight but also experience a wine tasting as a day guest.

You can either take part in a guided wine tasting or sample the various wines on your own in the garden. Cheese, sausage, and crackers are also served with the wines. We highly recommend a trip to this winery. You can book the wine tasting here*.

Other wineries in Sardinia:

Winery Sella & Mosca
Ligios Winery
Contini Winery in Cabras
Antichi Poderi di Jerzu Winery
Argiolas Winery
Olbios Winery
Li Seddi Winery
Asinara Winery

13. Exploring Alghero

After the first beautiful and varied days in Sardinia, we reached the island’s fifth-largest city – Alghero. We really liked this city because there’s so much to discover. Stroll through the winding streets of the historic old town, marvel at the sunset at the traditional harbor, feast on Sardinian specialties, browse the colorful shops, and enjoy the dynamic juxtaposition of cultures.

We spent an afternoon in Alghero and also stayed overnight there. If you also want to visit Capo Caccia and the Neptune’s Grotto, you should plan a full day. The sights in Alghero can be explored in just a few hours, such as the old city walls, the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the beautiful Church of San Michele.

10 km north of Alghero, you can also marvel at the 40 sandstone rock tombs, which are part of the Anghelu Ruju necropolis.

Sardinia-Sights-North-Alghero-Old Town_1

14. Capo Caccia with the Grotta di Nettuno

A very popular excursion is also to Capo Caccia, with its massive limestone cliffs in the turquoise sea and the famous Neptune’s Grotto (admission: €14 adults, €10 children). This is an approximately 4-kilometer-long stalactite cave that forms an astonishing cave system. You can reach this cave by bus or car from Alghero, or you can simply book a boat trip directly.

When I was there in April, the visit to the grotto was very relaxed and well-organized. The tour through the cave takes place once an hour and lasts about 30 minutes. During the season, however, it is said to be quite crowded, as excursion boats and other day visitors arrive every hour.

You simply have to decide for yourself whether you want to visit this grotto with lots of other people or in a much quieter setting during the off-season. You should definitely reserve your tickets online in advance during peak months: Click here to make your reservation.

Maristella: Porto Conte Park Snorkeling Boat Tour*
Cooking Class and Four-Course Menu: Sardinian Cuisine in Alghero*
Coasteering in Cala Dragunara near Alghero, Sardinia*

Sardinia Sights in the North – Our Conclusion

The north of Sardinia is beautiful and has an incredible amount to offer. We find it difficult to say that the north is more beautiful than the south or east. The north (from Olbia to Alghero) definitely shows you the most beautiful facets of the island and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.

We find the Caribbean beaches and bays, the small offshore islands, the many great excursion destinations, charming towns and villages, the lush nature and the very special Italian flair particularly beautiful. We are pretty sure that you will like the north just as much!

How much time should I plan for the north of Sardinia?

If you are planning a trip through the north of Sardinia, you should allow at least 7 days, betterare, of course, 10 to 14 days. You’ll definitely love the north of Sardinia, as it already shows you the most beautiful parts of the island.

We needed about 7 days for the route from Olbia to Alghero, and even took a day off. On day 8, we drove along the west coast of Sardinia and spent the second week exploring the south and east of the island.

When is the best time to travel to Sardinia?

We are absolute fans of the off-season! For us, May was simply perfect, as the temperatures were already summery warm, but the costs were still relatively low (free parking, etc.). There weren’t many tourists on the island yet, which made our trip super relaxing.

Locals told us that we should especially avoid the months of July and August, as the Italians themselves are on vacation during these months, and the island is supposed to be completely overcrowded. The many beautiful beaches are full then, the hotspots are overcrowded, and rental car and hotel prices are significantly higher.

The best time to travel to Sardinia is in May, early June, or from late September to October. It’s much more relaxed on the island then. In May, we had temperatures between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius almost every day, hardly any clouds in the sky, and flowers were blooming everywhere. We also went swimming on many beaches, as the water temperatures in May were already very pleasant.

What accommodations can you recommend?

In general, you’ll find countless hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and guest rooms in Sardinia. Before our trip, we did extensive research because we wanted to stay in nice accommodations. It was important to us that they were small, cozy accommodations rather than large hotel complexes. In our separate article, we’ve listed all the accommodations, presented them in more detail, and also provided links. Be sure to check it out:

How much does a rental car cost in Sardinia?

Rental cars are currently very expensive throughout Europe, including in Sardinia. During peak season, you can expect to pay between €90 and €110 per day. We were lucky and spent a long time comparing prices, repeatedly canceling our booking. While we would have had to pay €899 (€59 per day) for two weeks with the first booking, after the fourth booking it was “only” €582 (€39 per day). So, it’s worth keeping an eye on prices even after booking.

How much does a Sardinia round trip cost?

We diligently kept a budget and noted all expenses during our trip. Prices vary, of course, and depend on, among other things, the time of travel, the type of rental car, your own requirements, and the choice of accommodation. Especially in July and August, you can expect significantly higher costs. We spent approximately €1,400 per person for 15 days in Sardinia (including flights, rental car, gas, accommodations, excursions, food, etc.).

We were on the island from mid-May to the end of May and were able to enjoy the benefits of the off-season several times. And we don’t just mean the financial advantages, but also the empty streets and beaches, the few tourists, the lush landscapes, and the wonderful climate. For us, this month was simply perfect, and our trip couldn’t have been more beautiful. You can find a detailed list of all costs here:

Which travel guide should I use for planning?

Are you still looking for a suitable travel guide for your trip to Sardinia? We recommend the travel guide from DuMont Verlag* and the travel guide from Marco Polo*. We used both guides on the island and consulted them frequently, especially on longer car journeys.

If you prefer more detailed information, you should get the travel guide from Michael Müller Verlag*. However, we also like to use Google Maps to plan our trips and mark interesting places in advance that we might want to visit while we’re there.