Sardinia Road Trip Itinerary: 14 Days of Epic Island Exploration

Sardinia delivers probably the greatest Mediterranean street journeys in Europe. This two-week itinerary covers every coast of the island, hitting celebrated seashores, historic cities, and genuine inland gems.

The information follows sights, routes, and consists of native journey practices. Begin and finish factors may be both Olbia (north) or Cagliari (south), each with main airports and ferry connections.

If you happen to’re already on the Italian mainland, a terrific choice is to take the ferry to the island. This typically makes extra sense than flying, as you possibly can carry your automobile too, which is what we did. That method, we might carry every thing we would have liked, go to a few actually stunning locations alongside the best way, and luxuriate in a cool ferry crossing. Plus, we saved on airfares and automobile rental prices.

Learn as effectively our journey tip on Methods to Get to Sardinia.

Fast Overview: Route & Areas

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Days 1–4: North Coast – Seashores & Glamour

Base: Olbia / Costa Smeralda

• Drive from Olbia to Porto Cervo and the famed Costa Smeralda.
• Discover Prince seashore, Capriccioli Seasideand Smoothing stays—all verified for turquoise, shallow waters and well-maintained amenities. You’ll go to a number of the most stunning seashores on the planet. The surroundings, the colour of the water and the rock formations are merely gorgeous.
• Take the Palau ferry (autos allowed) to Matinal Natinalally Machinesfamend for abandoned sandy coves and clear snorkeling. A number of licensed boat excursions function each day.
• Tip: Porto Cervo is famous for upscale nightlife, however northern Sardinia’s villages like San Pantaleo and Cannigione provide genuine meals and decrease costs.

The seashores all around the island are gorgeous. The north-eastern ones are essentially the most well-known, however we’ve seen many others that have been equally inviting and exquisite.
That’s why we’ve included a number of of them on this article: Finest Seashores in Sardinia

Days 5–7: West Coast – Genuine Sardinia

Base: Alghero, Bosa

• Drive to Algheroa city with Catalan roots, medieval partitions, and bustling seafood markets. Its outdated city and Neptune’s Grotto cave (guided excursions year-round, climate allowing) are customer highlights.
• Observe the scenic SP49 coastal street to Bosa—a riverside village with pastel homes and the Malaspina Fortress. Bosa is confirmed for its picturesque heart and river views.
• South of Bosa, uncover the quartz-sand seashore at IS Mentioned and wild waves of the Costa Verde.

Days 8–10: South Coast – Historical past & Capital Tradition

Base: Cagliari / Villasimius

• Head south by way of Oristano in the direction of Cagliarithe historic Sardinian capital.
• Cagliari’s prime websites: the Bastion of Saint Remy, Poetto Seasidethe traditional Roman amphitheaterand the outdated districts of Castello and Marina.
• Eat: Cagliari’s eating places serve signature dishes like culurgiones (Sardinian ravioli) and bottarga (cured mullet roe).
• Tour: Day journeys to Villasimius and Costa Rei for unspoiled south-eastern seashores are simple by way of SS125 freeway.

Days 11–14: East Coast – Wild Landscapes & Journey

Base: Orosei, Cala Gonone, Baunei

• Drive up the SS125 (the “Orientale Sarda,” certainly one of Italy’s prime scenic roads) to Orosei. The Gulf of Orosei is known for limestone cliffs, sea caves, and pristine coves.
• Cala Gonone: Gateway for boat excursions to Cala Luna, To prepare dinner marioloand the ocean cave Grotto del Bue Marino. Journeys run each day in summer time—affirm availability and climate earlier than reserving;
• A hike to Cala Goloritzéa UNESCO-listed seashore solely accessible on foot, is extremely really useful (path well-signposted and maintained).

Highlights & Actions

• Finest seashores: The Prince seashore, La Pelosa (Stintino), Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, Poetto, and is arutas.
• Historic websites: On nuraxi nuraghe (Barumini, UNESCO, UNESCO, SILCFED), casting by Cagliari, Piglel citadel (BONEA).
• Wildlife: Pink flamingos seen at Cagliari’s salt flats and Molentargius Park in spring and summer time.
• Consuming: Strive native specialties—porceddu (roast suckling pig), seadas (cheese pastry with honey), and Cannonau wine.
• Boat excursions: Licensed operators on La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei provide each day journeys; advance reserving really useful for August.

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Important journey suggestions for Sardinian street journeys

Sardinia is right for street journey explorers, however a profitable journey requires up-to-date planning and native know-how. Listed below are crucial journey suggestions for anybody self-driving round Sardinia’s coast:

1. Automobile Rent & Reserving

• Advance reservation required: Particularly in July-August, guide your automobile weeks forward for the perfect availability and costs.
• Rental places: Main airports at Olbia and Cagliari, plus Alghero and port cities.
• Driver necessities: Most rental businesses require a legitimate EU or worldwide driver’s license, and drivers to be not less than 21 (typically 25) years outdated.

We headed to Sardinia with our personal automobile and took the in a single day ferry. That saved us the rental automobile prices, flights and we had a terrific journey and the youngsters beloved the ferry crossing.

2. Driving & Roads

• Street situations: Highways (SS and SP roads) and principal coastal routes are effectively maintained and paved. Inland routes may be slim and winding—drive slowly and with warning.
• Velocity limits: 50km/h (cities), 90km/h (secondary roads), 110km/h (main roads), except in any other case posted. Many roads have velocity cameras (“autovelox”).
• Gas: Most fuel stations settle for playing cards and are open each day, although some shut for an extended lunch (12:30–15:30) outdoors massive cities. Replenish earlier than coming into distant coastal stretches.

3. Navigation & Indicators

• Navigation: GPS or Google Maps works effectively, however carry a paper map as cell reception could also be weak within the mountains and distant coasts.
• Street indicators: Indicators are clear and sometimes in Italian, with some places listed in Sardinian dialect.

4. Parking & ZTL (Restricted Zones)

• Seaside/city parking: Many seashores and city facilities have paid parking zones. All the time examine indicators for cut-off dates and cost strategies.
• Ztl (restricted site visitors space): Many elderly city areas (particularly Cagliari, Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo) prohibit non-resident automobile entry throughout elements of the day. Fines are computerized for violations. Fairly nasty, proper? So be careful and search for marked indicators.

5. Security & Safety

• Private security: Sardinia is very protected for self-driving vacationers. Violent crime is uncommon; customary precautions apply.
• Car security: Theft from autos can happen, notably at distant seashores. As ordinary, by no means go away seen valuables in your automobile.

6. Ferries and Island Connections

• Automobile ferries: The one automobile ferry to La Maddalena leaves from Palau (runs year-round).
• Advance reserving is extremely really useful throughout summer time and weekends.

7. Necessities to Pack

• Solar safety: Sardinian solar is intense; pack sunscreen, hats, and sun shades.
• Money: Though playing cards are broadly accepted, many distant seashore parking tons or rural eating places settle for solely money.
• Water and snacks: Companies are sparse alongside some distant coastlines or mountain stretches.

8. Native Driving Tradition

• Locals could drive rapidly on winding roads; use pull-outs to let sooner vehicles move.
• Roundabouts: All the time yield to site visitors already inside.

9. Emergency Data

• Emergency quantity: Dial 112 for police, fireplace, or medical emergencies.
• Breakdown providers: Most rental businesses present a toll-free quantity for help. Just remember to have the contact particulars of your insurance coverage, should you drive with your personal automobile.

10. Sustainability

• Respect seashores and nature reserves: Take all waste with you; by no means park on sand dunes.
• Assist native: Use native guides, eat regional delicacies, and store at markets for genuine experiences.

These journey suggestions for driving in Sardinia will assist guarantee each a easy journey and a accountable journey expertise.

Journey Dudes encourages accountable and sustainable exploration. Respect native pointers, get rid of waste correctly, and assist genuine Sardinian companies all through your journey.