Sardinia - Travel Highlights and Tips
A voyage to Sardinia will excite the senses. From atop the island’s mountain peaks, Sardinia offers you views of the emerald sea, pristine beaches and forests rich in amazing wildlife. Explore the coast and find beaches with secret coves to discover. The island is filled with luxurious and vibrant villages that tell a tale of a unique ancient history and culture.
Travel Highlights
- Walk through the old town of Nuoro and admire its art and history, like the Duomo Cathedral with its 19th-century painting painstakingly preserved by local artists.
- Explore the beauty of the local flora and fauna of Asinara National Park where you can see the symbolic blue-eyed albino donkey. Go boating, sailing, scuba diving and fishing in this marine wonderland.
- Visit the Castello Quarter of Cagliari and take in the history of the Roman Villa of Tigellio and the Necropolis of Tuvixeddu, home to hundreds of tombs from 5 B.C. – 1 A.D.
- Go hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in Monte Arci Regional Park in the Province of Oristano where you can spot wild boar and foxes all along the trails.
- Spend a relaxing day at some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Italy, like Olbia-Tempio’s Liscia Ruja and Punta Capriccioli.
- Discover the many famous archeological sites of Sardinia like the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Su Nuxari a Barumini, one of the most famous Nuragic complexes in Europe.
- Explore the spectacular caves of Grotta del Fico, Grotta Su Marmuri or Grotta Su Meraculu. Climb the peaks and cliffs that rise breathtakingly from the sea.
- Visit the historic walled city of Alghero with its narrow alleys that lead to the lively piazzas lined with shops selling their famous red-coral jewelry and restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood.
Travel Tips
- Travel to Sardinia in the summer to avoid the violent storms that batter the island in the autumn. You can escape the heat of the beaches by heading to the cooler climate of the mountains.
- Avoid the crowd by heading to Sardinia’s southern coast. It’s full of quaint little beaches like Spiaggia di Cala Cipolla.
- Make sure to brush up on your Italian if you plan to travel by taxi; local cabs are quite expensive and the drivers usually don’t speak foreign languages.
- Purchase local wines only from specialty stores if you plan to take it home as a reminder of your Sardinia holiday.
- Explore the island by rental car. The best rates and most reliable cars can be found at the airport.
- Use Cagliari or Alghero as your home base to explore Sardinia. There are many great hotels and resorts for all budgets and tastes.
- Pack a picnic lunch. Many of the beaches don’t have places to buy food and dining on the beaches of Sardinia.
- Even though the island is small, don’t try to hit all the tourist spots in one trip. Don’t rush! Concentrate in an area or two during a week’s vacation.
- Make sure you have your diving card if you plan to explore the sea beneath the waves.
