Italy's niche treasure island | Sardinia waters are bluer than the Maldives!
If you’ve already been to Cinque Terre, Amalfi and looking for a more niche, purer Mediterranean island, then you can’t miss Sardinia! It is the second largest island in Italy, known as the “Maldives of Europe” and boasts emerald-like waters, smooth white sandy beaches, rich history and pristine nature, perfect for a summer vacation!
🚗How to play in Sardinia? Understand geography first!
Sardinia is large and divided into several main regions:
•North|Costa Smeralda Emerald Coast: The most famous resort area with clear waters and high-end resorts for those who love high-quality beach life.
•South|Around Cagliari: The seat of the capital, rich in life, good beaches, and more affordable prices.
•West|Alghero: Known as the “Catalan town”, it has a pleasant climate and beach + culture.
•East|Orosei Bay & Cala Gonone: The most scenic coastline for those who love hiking, nature-loving travelers.
📌 Suggested route: If there is not much time, you can choose the northern or eastern focus to play an area, do not be greedy to go the whole island, it will be too rushed.
🏖 Day 1 - Arrival in Sardinia + Resort stay
•It is recommended to fly to Olbia Airport (North) or Cagliari Airport (South)
• Self-drive pickup, highest degree of freedom🚗
•Experience pristine life with a stay at a seaside hotel or agriturismo (country homestay)
• Dinner recommended local restaurant try suckling pig (roast suckling pig) + seafood pasta
🛥Day 2 - Day Trip to the Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda)
• Must-visit beaches: Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli Beach, Liscia Ruja
• Optional sea excursions (Recommended Traveling to book a one-day charter boat): Check in La Maddalena Islands
•Evening visit Porto Cervo, a luxury port, a star resort
🏞 Day 3 - Orosei Bay Hiking Expedition + Celebrity Beach
•Boat or hike to: Cala Luna, Cala Goloritzé (super beautiful photos!)
•If you don’t want to hike, opt for a boat trip from Cala Gonone
• It is recommended to bring water shoes + snorkeling equipment, the sea water is super clear, the underwater world is stunning✨
🏛 Day 4 - Explore the town of Alghero + caving
• Stroll through the old town of Alghero, colorful houses + Spanish flair
• Tour of the Grotta di Nettuno
• Enjoy the sunset 🌅 with a spritz at the beachfront bar in the evening
🍷 Day 5 - Local living experience + off-island
• Recommended experience: local vineyard wine tasting, small town morning market to buy specialties
•Specialties: bottarga (dried caviar) + pane carasau (Sardine pizza)
🍝Must-eat food recommendations
• Roast Suckling Porceddu: A Sardinian specialty, crispy and delicious
• Seaweed Pasta Ricci di Mare: Order super fresh at a seaside restaurant!
•Bottarga: The Sardinian version of "seafood truffles", great on noodles
•Culurgiones: Sardinian specialty dumplings shaped like a braided bag with a cheese + mint filling
•Perfect with a glass of Sardinian red wine Cannonau!
📝Practical Tips
•🚗 Recommended self-driving: The island’s bus system is limited, self-driving is the most convenient way (Jet-Ting and others can be booked)
•🕶 Best travel season: May ~ October, July-August hottest and busiest
•📶 Network signals It is generally recommended to download offline maps in advance
•💳 Most places support credit cards, but gas stations recommend cash
•🧴 Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, snorkel essentials!
Sardinia is the kind of place you love the more you live, without the hustle and bustle of over-commercialization or the exhaustion of “celebrity” checking in. Only Mediterranean blue, green mountains and simple locals. Suitable for slow feelings, suitable for short escapes.
📌 If you are planning a trip to Italy, you might as well set aside a few days to come to Sardinia, it will be an unexpected surprise!