This put up might comprise affilliate hyperlinks. It implies that in the event you purchase one thing by considered one of these hyperlinks, we would get a small fee at no further value to you. Affiliate fee helps us hold this journey weblog operating.
On this article, I’ll share our itinerary for 4 days in Sardinia! We explored Northern Sardinia by automobile and visited a number of the most important highlights in Sardinia: Costa Smeralda, Alghero and La Pelosa. We additionally stayed in Olbia and Palau and noticed a number of the most lovely seashores in Sardinia. If that sounds proper up your road, hold studying!
Earlier than we begin with the itinerary, listed below are some helpful issues to find out about Sardinia:
Do you want a automobile in Sardinia?
Sadly, public transport shouldn’t be working very incessantly in Sardinia and a few locations on this itinerary aren’t accessible by public transport. In the event you can, I like to recommend renting a automobile. We rented our automobile by Rentalcars.com and selected the operator Sicily by Automobile. We acquired the automobile we booked and didn’t have any points with Sicily By Automobile; due to this fact, I might undoubtedly suggest it.Â
If renting a automobile is out of the query, I like to recommend both staying in a city with good seashores like Santa Theresa Gallura or Alghero and see if there’s a public bus that may take you to different seashores and cities. Alternatively, you can even guide excursions that might carry you to different locations in Sardinia like these ones:
La Maddalena Archipelago Boat TourÂ
Costa Smeralda Day Journey – the very best villages and seashores
What number of days do you want in Sardinia?
In the event you’re questioning, what number of days do you want in Sardinia, ideally as many as you could have! There are many issues to do in Sardinia and also you gained’t be bored or drained. Furthermore, the island is so large that on this itinerary, we’re solely specializing in North Sardinia. Nevertheless, if in case you have 10 days or 2 weeks in Sardinia, you’ll be able to go to each the North and the South of the island – they’re fairly completely different! The Southern a part of the island has much more sightseeing you are able to do and has much more landmarks!
What’s there to do in Sardinia?
North Sardinia isn’t the very best place for sightseeing (in contrast to Sicily – learn my put up concerning the itinerary for per week in Sicily), however it’s a beautiful vacation spot for a seaside vacation because it has a number of the most lovely seashores in Europe. There are some pretty lovely cities in Sardinia as properly (Alghero, Cagliari), however the majority of cities in Sardinia aren’t very spectacular. Meals in Sardinia is great as properly! The very best factor to do in Sardinia, for my part, is to drive round and discover essentially the most lovely seashores and eat in pretty genuine eating places! In the event you come to the South of Sardinia, you are able to do a bit extra sightseeing, however the very best seashores are undoubtedly within the North!
What’s the very best time to go to Sardinia?
In the event you’re questioning, what’s the very best time to go to Sardinia, I might suggest going in the course of the months when it’s attainable to swim – from June to late September!Â
Alright, with out additional ado, let’s begin with the itinerary for 4 days in North Sardinia:
The overview of our itinerary for a protracted weekend in North Sardinia:
Day 0: Land in Olbia at 9pm, gather a rental automobile, keep in a single day close to Olbia at Lodge Il Timone
Day 1: Principe seaside, Porto Cervo, lunch in Cannigione, Mannena seaside, night & dinner in Palau, an evening at Lodge Piccada
Day 2: Rena Blanca seaside in Santa Theresa Gallura, lunch in Castelsardo, then seaside in Alghero, a night exploring Alghero and staying there in a single day at Lodge Angedras
Day 3: La Pelosa seaside (wants advance reserving), so we stayed at La Pelosetta, lunch there, then driving again to Olbia & Porto Istana Seaside, an evening at Mercure Olbia
Day 4: Exploring Olbia, Pittolungu seaside and return flightsÂ
Now, let’s discuss concerning the itinerary in additional element
4 days in Sardinia: Northern Sardinia itinerary by automobile (from Olbia to Alghero)
Day 0: Arrival in Olbia
Our flight to Olbia departed from London Heathrow round 5pm, which meant that we needed to take 1/2 days off to get to the airport on time. It takes round 2 hours to get to Olbia from London. After the passport management, we had been queuing to gather our pre-booked rental automobile. That took over an hour, because the queue is big. We had been fairly fortunate that our lodge was closing reception fairly late, round 11pm as we acquired there simply on time, round 22:30pm, regardless of touchdown simply earlier than 9pm!Â
In a single day, we stayed at lodge Il Timone – we picked it due to its good opinions, reasonably priced worth proximity to the airport and to our subsequent vacation spot. Nevertheless, the reception there closes at 11pm. In the event you really feel such as you is perhaps delayed, contemplate staying at Mercure Olbia which has a 24-hour entrance desk!
Day 1: Costa Smeralda and Palau
Principe Seaside
On our first full day in Sardinia, we determined to see the highlights of Costa Smeralda, together with the very best seashores within the space. We began with the Spiaggia Principe (Principe Seaside), which can also be known as Spiaggia Poltu Di Li Cogghj. Despite the fact that it’s a small seaside, there are sunbeds for rent there in the event you resolve to remain for longer. Nevertheless, take into account that it takes round 5-8 minutes to achieve it from the parking and also you want comfy sandals to get there, because the highway is slender and entails a little bit of climbing. Additionally, they solely take money on the parking! As for the price, we paid 5 EUR for the parking for two hours.
Porto Cervo
Our subsequent cease was the enduring city Porto Cervo – it’s recognized for its designer retailers, costly eating places and unique seaside golf equipment, visited by millionaires and billionaires. We anticipated a bit extra from Porto Cervo – sadly, it simply regarded like a flowery open-air procuring village with no character and no architectural highlights. The eating places are certainly actually costly – whereas there’s a low cost cafe there, in order for you one thing good, you’ll find yourself paying 30 EUR+ only for a starter.Â
In the event you’re not taken with shopping for a Chanel bag or Hermes sneakers, then there’s not a lot to do in Porto Cervo – it’s a port, so there is no such thing as a seaside close by, simply retailers and eating places. And a whole lot of yachts!
Lunch in Cannigione & Mannena Seaside
Initially, we had been planning to have lunch in Porto Cervo, however we didn’t anticipate most locations to be closed and the one open eating places cost 37 euros only for small starters, so we determined that it’s in all probability not the very best worth for cash and we will have one thing else in one other place. That’s how we discovered the little city known as Cannigione! Cannigione can also be a port – you’ll be able to take a whole lot of boat excursions to La Maddalena and different locations from there. It additionally has just a few eating places. We had a fast lunch with wonderful recent seafood in a spot known as Gennarino retailer – I can undoubtedly suggest this spot!
Afterwards, we drove to Mannena seaside and rented two sunbeds and an umbrella there for 20 EUR! Mannena seaside wasn’t as spectacular because the seaside we visited earlier than, Principe, however it wasn’t as full as Principe seaside and it was only a quick stroll away from the parking!
Alternatively, in the event you’re not excited concerning the prospects of visiting one other seaside, you’ll be able to guide one of many boat excursions like this one, for instance.
Evening in Palau
Our subsequent and closing cease for our first day trip of 4 days in Sardinia was Palau. Palau is a barely bigger city positioned virtually on the fringe of Costa Smeralda. It’s not very spectacular from the architectural viewpoint (I wouldn’t name it a really fairly city), however it had a beautiful port, a pleasant promenade, an excellent seaside and a whole lot of good eating places! Our lodge for the evening was Lodge Piccada, however in the event you’re taken with one thing barely nicer, LH Porto Rafael Altura Resort is perhaps a greater possibility!Â
For dinner, we picked Restaurant Pasta e Vino and it was pretty! Alternatively, if it’s too busy or to not your liking, we noticed a comfy restaurant known as Il Kalamaro!Â
Day 2 out of 4 days in Sardinia: Santa Theresa Gallura, Castelsardo and Alghero – driving to the West Coast of North Sardinia
Santa Theresa Gallura
Our first cease was Santa Theresa Gallura, one other city positioned proper on the fringe of Costa Smeralda. Santa Theresa Gallura is a pleasant city – it regarded considerably older than Palau! Nevertheless, the principle motive to go to Santa Theresa Gallura is its great seaside. It’s positioned very near the town centre – and it’s completely gorgeous! After visiting over 8 seashores in North Sardinia, this one might be my favorite one! I favored it much more than the well-known La Pelosa! You possibly can lease sunbeds there as properly, nonetheless, they promote out fairly shortly, so be certain to reach there early in the event you want one.Â
Total, I regretted that we didn’t keep in Santa Theresa Gallura to work remotely (as a substitute of Olbia, the place we stayed for one more 3 nights after the sightseeing a part of the journey), as a result of it was one of many nicest mixtures of a beautiful city and wonderful seaside!
Lunch in Castelsardo
Our subsequent cease was Castelsardo, virtually 1 hour driving away from Santa Theresa Gallura. Some sources claimed Castelsardo to be one of the lovely cities in Sardinia, and it’s certainly good – it regarded fairly completely different in comparison with Olbia or Palau. It’s additionally a tiny city, so throughout lunchtime, it regarded utterly lifeless – there have been just a few folks, however all of them had been on a really compact seaside proper within the coronary heart of Castelsardo.
We managed to seek out an open restaurant for lunch – Sale e Peppe and the meal there was probably the greatest we had in Sardinia!Â
If you wish to discover the nicest a part of the city subsequent to the doorway to the Fort/Museum, it’s fast a steep stroll up, nonetheless, you’ll be able to drive a whole lot of this route (which we didn’t as we mistakenly parked on the backside, close to the seaside and already paid for the parking once we realised it’s fairly removed from the precise city centre).Â
Alghero
Our closing cease for the second day in Sardinia was Alghero. It took us one other hour to get there from Castelsardo. As soon as we arrived, we shortly checked in at our lodge Angedras (take into account that it’s fairly removed from the great seaside in Alghero because it turned out), so probably I might suggest Lodge Domomea for exploring the town centre and Don Giovanni to remain near each the seaside & the town centre.
Since we had been removed from the seaside, we needed to drive. We drove to Maria Pia seaside and left our automobile on the parking. The seaside in Alghero was good, though not as spectacular because the seashores close to Olbia. Additionally, surprisingly, the water temperature was lots colder in Alghero in comparison with Santa Theresa Gallura and Olbia! I even felt prefer it was too chilly to swim regardless of it being over 30C exterior!
Within the night, we explored the town centre of Alghero – for my part, it was the prettiest metropolis in Sardinia that we managed to see on this journey. Alghero jogged my memory of lovely cities in Sicily like Syracuse and Catania and it’s undoubtedly many occasions nicer than Olbia. In order for you an ideal mixture of lovely metropolis – good seaside, then Alghero is the most suitable choice!Â
Nevertheless, we weren’t very profitable with discovering a pleasant place to eat for dinner. Alghero was very busy and the very best locations required a reservation, so we ended up within the restaurant known as Marco Polo, which I might suggest to steer clear of. It was in all probability the worst meal we ever had in Italy (and we visited Italy greater than 10 occasions). After that dangerous meal, we visited a wine bar L’Altra Vineria that was nice (5 out of 5)!
Day 3 in Sardinia: La Pelosa, Olbia and Porto Istana
La Pelosa
A variety of sources claimed that La Pelosa is essentially the most lovely seaside in Sardinia and after visiting it, I feel we needed to agree. La Pelosa is unquestionably one of the lovely seashores in Italy, if not in Europe! It’s a really shallow seaside, which implies that the water there seems turquoise, identical to within the Caribbean. It’s additionally very clear, with a whole lot of fishes swimming round and really heat! The one draw back is which you could’t go to in with out an advance reserving in Summer season and in September. It is advisable to guide at the very least 2 weeks upfront if you wish to go to the seaside on the weekend. You possibly can guide it on-line right here.
Sadly, we didn’t do correct analysis and had no concept about advance bookings, so we had been truly turned down and couldn’t enter La Pelosa seaside. Nevertheless, there’s one other seaside simply across the nook (3-5 minutes strolling) known as La Pelosetta, the place you don’t want a reservation and because it’s so near La Pelosa, you’ll be able to truly swim /stroll there (take into account that you’ll be able to’t keep on the seaside at La Pelosa, as there are a whole lot of employees members checking the wristband on a regular basis, you’ll be able to simply stroll/swim in the event you don’t have a wristband).Â
Nevertheless, in La Pelosetta, we rented two sunbeds and an umbrella for simply 20 EUR (it’s sometimes 30 EUR, however since we had been solely staying for 3 hours, they gave us a reduction).Â
Olbia and Porto Istana
After visiting La Pelosa, we drove all the way in which to Olbia for just below 2 hours. We checked in at our condominium NG Gallura, the place we had been staying for longer to work remotely, however in the event you’re simply staying for one evening, I like to recommend staying at Mercure Olbia! We left our issues and headed to a different seaside, Porto Istana.
Porto Istana is taken into account probably the greatest seashores in very shut proximity to Olbia and is even reachable by bus. It additionally has just a few good eating places close by in the event you resolve to remain for dinner! We stayed there for a few hours and located the water temperature actually heat!Â
In the event you resolve to return to Olbia for dinner, be certain to go to the restaurant known as Mere – it’s undoubtedly the very best one in the entire Olbia (we now have tried fairly just a few eating places there whereas working remotely). Olbia will get fairly packed at evening, and it’s good to stroll across the metropolis centre (it’s fairly small, so you’ll be able to stroll throughout it in lower than 40 minutes)
Day 4: Olbia, San Pantaleo and Pittulongu SeasideÂ
Olbia and San Pantaleo
Within the morning, you’ll be able to stroll across the centre of Olbia once more and see it within the daylight. After that, you’ll be able to drive to San Pantaleo – it was really useful to us a number of occasions by many locals. San Pantaleo is a beautiful village positioned very near Olbia and it’s undoubtedly one of many prettiest spots in North Sardinia. In the event you’re fortunate to be there on a Thursday – it’s a market day in San Pantaleo. The market begins at 8am and you should purchase all types of issues there! San Pantaleo additionally has gorgeous views of the mountains!Â
I’ve learn that Sardinia is a good climbing vacation spot, nonetheless, in all probability not in July, as a result of the temperatures had been reaching 38 levels and it was undoubtedly not the very best climate for climbing except you grew up in a desert! In the event you’re visiting Sardinia between late September and late October, you’ll undoubtedly be capable of hike there, so as a substitute of seeing so many seashores, you’ll be able to allocate a while to climbing!
Pittulongu SeasideÂ
Lastly, in the event you nonetheless have a while earlier than taking a return flight, I like to recommend heading to a different seaside, positioned very near Olbia and San Pantaleo – Pittulongu Seaside. Pittulongu Seaside is definitely not only one seaside however a protracted line of a number of seashores. All of the seashores are pretty and the water was the warmest we now have skilled in Sardinia – excellent for a final swim earlier than flying again house!
Another posts you would possibly take pleasure in studying:
7-day highway journey round Sicily
The very best seashores close to Pisa & Cinque Terre
2 days in Mallorca, Spain – highway journey round Mallorca in winter
From Milan to Rome – 7-day highway journey in Italy
Romantic honeymoon in Italy – the very best itinerary for 10 days
4 days in Ischia – the island with the very best meals in Italy
