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The Ultimate Sardinia Itinerary: 7 Days on This Beautiful Island

panoramic view of the island in Sardinia showcasing the boats on the blue waters and surrounding scenic mountains.

Sardinia had been on my travel bucket list for ages. A Sardinian family ran my favorite restaurant in my hometown and they always used to tell stories of the beaches, historic villages, and stunning scenery. I also knew the food would be delicious!

There were, however, a lot of things I didn't know about Sardinia – mainly how big it is. As Europe's second-largest island, second only to Sicily, creating the perfect week-long Sardinia itinerary isn't exactly easy especially when there's so much stunning coastline to explore and towns to visit.

For this itinerary, I've decided to stick to my two favorite parts of Sardinia – the south and east of the island. The north is amazing too, and if you've got time I'd definitely recommend visiting Palau and the Costa Smeralda beaches. But, because most international flights fly into Cagliari in the south, I figured this is the best place to start!

Getting to Sardinia

By Ferry

Sardinia is a popular holiday destination for Italians, so one of the easiest ways to get there is from mainland Italy. There are frequent ferries leaving from Genoa, Naples, and Rome which is a beautiful way to arrive, although not exactly quickly. Many ferries run overnight and, for example, the ferry from Rome to Sardinia can take around 14 hours. One reason why many Italians decide to take the ferry is because it means they can bring their own car with them. As you'll find out in a moment, having a car in Sardinia is a big bonus.

By Plane

Another way to arrive on the island is by plane.

There are three airports in Sardinia:

  • Cagliari Elmas Airport

  • Olbia

  • and Alghero Fertilia Airport

Flights run year-round but there are a lot from other European destinations during summer. Cagliari is the airport that the majority of airlines fly to.

Getting Around Sardinia

As I already mentioned, Sardinia is a big island. It takes around 3 hours to drive from Cagliari to Olbia in the north. There are some bus connections between the major towns but they don't run very often and you'll be left waiting at bus stops rather than enjoying the pristine beaches and hidden gems that this island has to offer.

By far the easiest way to get around Sardinia is by car. You can rent one at the airport or bring one with you from the mainland if you're traveling by ferry. Some larger roads on the island link up the towns and cities and more track-like roads lead to the best beaches.

If you don't plan on driving, there are some organized tours that could be a possibility. I wouldn't recommend taking taxis – even for short trips within the city they were expensive, so I can't imagine how much they'd be for an hour's ride!

aerial view of the beach and rock formations from an island in Sardinia Italy

Tips for Visiting Sardinia

Sardinia can get very busy in the summer months, especially in August. For that reason, I'd recommend going in May or September. I went at the end of September and it was still warm enough to swim in the Mediterranean Sea (except for a few days when it was cloudy), restaurants were open, and even the most stunning beaches weren't too full. The flights were a bit cheaper then than during the peak season too. May is another beautiful month to go as the season starts up and the weather is usually great.

A further tip for when you visit Sardinia is not to try and do everything in one trip. There's so much to do that you could easily revisit the island and enjoy other sandy beaches, idyllic towns, and beautiful nature. I recommend a good balance between exploring and relaxing!

7-Day Sardinia Itinerary Overview

Day 1-2: Cagliari. The first days of this itinerary are spent in the island's capital, exploring this charming town and visiting nearby beaches.

Day 3-4: Villasimius. This is in the southeast of the island and is perfect for visiting idyllic villages and stunning beaches.

Day 5-7: Cala Gonone and the East Coast. The east coast of Sardinia is home to some of the best beaches and sea caves. On the last day, you'll head back to Cagliari to catch your flight.

7-Day Sardinia Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Cagliari and the Quartiere Castello

I didn't know much about Cagliari before I went. It was never really on my radar as somewhere to visit. But it's amazing. In fact, it could make an excellent weekend away break too.

The best thing about Cagliari is that it has the perfect mixture of ancient history, art, culture, and beautiful beaches. There are also some wonderful restaurants.

Getting from the airport to the city center is easy. There's a train that runs often and that costs less than US$2, so it could be a good idea to get that and save on the car rental for the first few days. Of course, you can always drive into town from the airport too.

Depending on when your flight arrives, I'd spend your first day or afternoon in Cagliari wandering around the Quartiere Castello, or the Castello district. This area of the city sits on a hilltop, surrounded by a 14th-century town wall and beautiful towers. You can visit Torre di San Pancrazio and Torre dell’Elefante which give you beautiful views out across the city rooftops.

One of the best things to do in this area is just wander the narrow streets, admire the iconic architecture, and browse boutique shops selling ceramics and homemade gifts.

You should also go to the Santa Maria Cathedral and visit the Royal Palace. For history lovers, there's a beautiful Roman amphitheater too. I'd also recommend walking around the botanical gardens in Quartiere Castello. It's home to thousands of plant species and the large trees offer some much-needed shade on a hot day!

For dinner, you should go to Osteria Sa Domu Sarda, which is close to the marina. They serve traditional Sardinian dishes and most of the ingredients are locally sourced. Note: If you go at peak time, you should probably book in advance.

panoramic view featuring the old buildings,  architecture and skyline of Cagliari in Sardinias Italy

Day 2: Food Markets and Beaches

One of my favorite things to do in Cagliari is visit the San Benedetto Food Market. There's also a fantastic food tour you can take! This incredible market is spread out over two floors and has more than 300 stalls and vendors! One floor is entirely dedicated to fresh seafood and many of the people selling it are fishermen who arrive early in the morning. If you're staying in self-catered accommodation, I'd suggest buying some seafood for dinner. It's incredibly fresh.

There are also a couple of delis and mini cafes in the market where you can enjoy breakfast. Many of them offer free samples of cheeses and meats to try. The other floor of the market is packed full of fruit and veg stalls.

In the afternoon, head to Poetto Beach. This a beautiful and much longer beach than in other areas of the island and it's only a 20-minute drive from the center of Cagliari. If you haven't rented a car yet, you can also get a bus from Matteotti Square.

Poetto Beach is great for adults and kids alike. Because it's quite big, you can always find somewhere to put your towel down, and the water is crystal clear. There are also a couple of beach bars and restaurants for enjoying a sundown drink or dinner.

old church architecture and buildings along the street of Cagliari in Sardinias

Where to Stay in Cagliari

($$$) Palazzo Doglio

($$) Birkin Marina

($) SoleLuna B&B

Day 3: Drive to Villasimius and Enjoy the Beach

Villasimius is a beautiful town on the southeast coast of Sardinia. It's a popular tourist destination thanks to its crystal clear waters and good water sports opportunities. You can even go scuba diving in Villasimius and it's possible to see barracuda, amongst other fish.

Villasimius is just over an hour's drive away from Cagliari and I suggest breaking up the drive and stopping at one of my favorite beaches on the way. Solanas Beach is about 45 minutes from Cagliari and is such a beautiful and wild stretch of sand. The sand is bright white and the sea is beautifully turquoise. It's a popular place for those touring the island and there are a couple of campsites nearby. There's not a lot in the way of facilities, at least there wasn't much open when I went, so I'd recommend bringing lunch from Cagliari.

When you're done enjoying the perfect water, head east towards Villasimius. If you're visiting Sardinia in winter or early spring, you might see migrating flamingos in the Stagno di Notteri lagoon. The whole lagoon changes to bright pink when they arrive!

Sa Tankitta is a great restaurant for dinner, serving fresh seafood and pasta dishes.

blue green waters and pristine beach sands at Solanas Beach

Day 4: Porto Giunco and Punta Molentis Beach

The main reason why Villasimius is such a popular destination is because of all the amazing beaches nearby. The town itself is cute but there's not a huge amount to do. Porto Giunco is a wide and fairly shallow beach that's amazing for kids. The sand is perfectly white and the water is crystal clear and ideal for snorkeling. There are a couple of beach bars and cafes and you can rent daybeds too.

From Porto Giunco you can walk along the Sentiero delle Cave path which leads to a 16th-century watchtower that has some beautiful views over the water.

Punta Molentis beach is another incredible one in the Villasimius area and is just a short drive away. If you're going to Sardinia in the low season, it should be fine to go to this beach in the afternoon. However, if you go in high season, you should really go in the morning. It's a smaller, cove-like beach with two sides – one that's sand and one that's rocky.

panoramic view of Punta Molentis Beach with visitors enjoying the beach

Where to Stat in Villasimius

($$$) Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa

($$) Boutique Hotel Su Sergenti

($) Residence Le Fontane

Day 5: Travel to Cala Gonone

Cala Gonone is around 2.5 hours away from Villasimius, so it's best to wake up early, grab breakfast in Villasimius, and head straight there. There are lots of amazing beaches around Cala Gonone, including some of the most famous ones on the island.

If, however, you want to take it slowly driving there, you could stop off at a couple of beaches along the way, including Su Sirboni Beach. It's just a 5-minute walk away from the car park and the water is clear and shallow.

If you arrive early to Cala Gonone, definitely head to Cala Fuili which is just a short drive away. There is a beach in Cala Gonone, which is good, but nowhere near as stunning as Cala Fuili. But, Cala Fuili is popular, and it's pretty small, so definitely try to arrive early. There aren't any facilities on the beach, so bring water and snacks too!

crystal clear waters and beautiful rock formations along the beach with greenery view at Cala Fuili Sardina

Day 6: Boat Trip Along the Gulf of Orosei

Cala Gonone is in the Gulf of Orosei and the best way to visit all the beaches and see the stunning scenery is with a boat trip. The best ones stop at various beaches so you can go and explore on land, as well as jump off for a snorkel.

Cala Luna is one of the most famous and popular beaches in Sardinia. It's a small cove that can be accessed via boat or by walking from Cala Fuili car park. But, be warned, it takes around 1.5 hours to hike there, so bring some water! If you do decide to hike rather than get a boat, you'll be impressed by the beautiful scenery and limestone cliffs. Once you arrive at Cala Luna, either by boat or foot, you'll be met with pristine water and lots of stunning caves to explore.

Other common stops on boat tours along the Gulf of Orosei are the Piscine di Venere natural pools, Cala Sisine, and Cala Goloritze.

Where to Stay in Cala Gonone

($$$) Hotel Resort Nuraghe Arvu

($$) Biriola EcoResort Cala Gonone

($) Casa M & M

Day 7: Head Back to Cagliari Airport

It's time to head back to Cagliari to get your flight. If your flight back home is from Olbia, Cala Gonone is roughly in the middle, so it's possible to drive there too.

Depending on what time your flight is, you might have time to walk along the Marina in Cagliari. Colorful buildings and tall palm trees line the strip and you'll see some really impressive boats sailing by. There are also a couple of bars and restaurants for a final bowl of pasta or an aperol before you catch your flight.

7-Day Sardinia Itinerary – Frequently Asked Questions

Turquoise waters of Sardinia along the rocky mountains and blue skyline

🏖️ How Long Should You Spend in Sardinia?

This itinerary is for one week which is a great length of time to explore the island, enjoy some of its best beaches, and leave some things to do for your next trip! Of course, you could easily stay longer too.

🌇 Is Sardinia a Good Place to Visit if You Don't Like Beaches?

There are lots of great inland towns and cities in Sardinia which are perfect for those wanting a bit more culture. There are also some wonderful hikes and Roman ruins for history fans. A lot of the allure of Sardinia, however, is its incredible beaches. If that's not for you, you could think about visiting Tuscany or another mainland Italian city.

🏝️ Is La Maddalena Archipelago Worth Visiting?

This archipelago is a little group of islands off the north coast of Sardinia. If you're in the area, they're 100% worth visiting. You can organize a boat tour to the Maddalena archipelago to go snorkeling and the water is beautifully clear! It's close to Palau and Porto Cervo, so they're quite easy to get to.

💰 Is Sardinia Expensive?

Sardinia is in line with other European islands when it comes to prices. Some of the more luxurious resorts are, of course, much more expensive and it can definitely have a more luxurious side. However, there are plenty of more affordable accommodation options too.

👨‍👩‍👧 Is Sardinia a Good Place to Go with Kids?

Sardinia is a wonderful place to go with kids. There are some great beaches close to the major towns and kids will love playing on the perfectly white sand. Some of the best beaches, however, can be difficult for little legs as you might have to walk 20 minutes or more from the car park.

7-Day Sardinia Itinerary – Final Words

Sardinia is an incredible island. It's home to some of Europe's best beaches, wonderfully fresh food, culture, and historic towns. 7 days is sure to leave you wanting more, after all, in a week you'll only see a small section of the island.

This Sardinia itinerary will give you a great taste of the diverse scenery and you'll get to swim in crystal-clear waters and relax on pure white sand. You'll be planning your trip back before you know it!

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