Sardinia, Italy
If you’re looking to live out a Euro summer without the crowds (I know, I didn’t think it was possible either), Sardinia is the perfect destination for you! A hidden gem west of southern Italy, with gorgeous clear beaches, it’s the second largest island in Italy, after (and very close to) Sicily, and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. There are 4 major areas of Sardinia- Cagliari (where I went), Olbia, Sassari, and Nuoro. I stayed for 5 days, and would say that was a sufficient amount of time for Cagliari and its surrounding areas.
What you’ll find
Before You Go
Weather - The best time to travel to Sardinia is between May and October. However, it is really hot in July and August, so avoid those dates if you plan to hike. When I visited in July it was around 90 F.
Transportation - You can use Uber if you stay in the center of the city, but there are very few drivers. In fact, we called two in one day, hours apart, and got the same driver twice! A car rental is necessary, especially if you want to explore the beaches. I used Sixt, and didn’t book anything prior. However, you’ll have more options if you reserve earlier.
Tuna - When you dine out in Sardinia, you’ll notice every restaurant has some variation of a tuna tartare. As a tuna tartare enthusiast myself, I can confidently say I had some of the best I’ve ever had on the island. I'll get more into why Sardinia is so big on tuna later.
Cash - The only time we needed cash is when a place we were at called us a taxi and we needed to pay the driver directly (the most expensive ride was 30 Euros). Otherwise, everywhere took contactless payment.
Limoncello Spritz - Forget about Aperol Spritzes, a limoncello spritz is where it’s at - trust me. I ended up coming home with 4 bottles of limoncello after.
Accommodations - Cagliari is full of AirBnb’s and small hotels. We stayed at an apartment in the city center, close to the train station. Everything was easily accessible, and we kept the car nearby as well.
What to Pack
Bug Spray: Mosquitos do come out at night
Clothing:
Beaches- swimsuits, hat, sunblock (this is my fav brand- Hailey Bieber recommended), and sunglasses
Rocky Beaches- Some beaches are a bit rocky (don’t worry, plenty of sandy beaches as well). A pair of water shoes and a waterproof sleeve for your phone could be useful.
Sneakers - Some of the beaches, and touristy areas, are difficult to walk to in open toe shoes.
Drivers license - You will need to rent a car to get around the island. We booked a car through Sixt directly at the airport. I’d recommend booking in advance to have more options. Make sure you specify an automatic car if you can’t drive stick when making your reservation. We used Waze to get around, and it alerted us of any speed cameras.
Clothing - Lightweight clothing is a must in the summer months. I packed maxi dresses and linen outfits to stay cool in the heat.
Beaches
The beaches in Sardinia were the highlight of the trip. I challenged myself to find the best beach, but it was way too difficult. Keep in mind that many of these beaches need to be driven to. Out of the 200 beaches on island, these are the ones I researched/visited:
Cagliari:
Poetto Beach - This beach was in the city of Cagliari, and it was the first and worst beach we visited. Don’t get me wrong, the water was gorgeous, but it was extremely crowded. A chair at a beach club cost 20 euros each.
Calamosca - I didn’t make it to this one, but it is also very close to the city.
Sella Del Diavolo - More of a scenic spot than a beach, head here for scenic views. There’s also a trail that can be walked.
La Paillote - Before it becomes an incredible restaurant at night, this beach club is a must visit. I came here twice, and the limoncello spritz’s (best ones on the trip) they served may have been a reason for it :). The beach is rocky so make sure you have water shoes.
West of Cagliari:
Driving along the highway here, you’ll drive past many scenic views with areas to pull over and take photos.
Spiaggia di Piscinnì - Calm ,warm waters and an enjoyable beach off the main highway.
Spiaggia Di Campana Pontile - This was a huge beach, with some crowds, and light waves in the water. It was thoroughly enjoyable and was different from the previous beaches.
Cala Lunga - beach between two cliffs, but drinks weren’t good and the beach smelled bad.
East of Cagliari:
Spiaggia di Porto Pirastu - This was my favorite beach in all of Sardinia. It was super empty, the water was calm, and it felt refreshing.
Spiaggia di Portu de S’llixi & Cala Sa Figu - both these beaches are right next to each other, but I preferred Cala Sa Figu. In order to get to the beaches though. you have a long drive up a windy mountain, then you have to walk down a super rocky path (bring sneakers for this walk, it wasn’t super easy). Spiaggia di Portu de S’llixi was a little smaller, and was more crowded. Cala Sa Figu was another one of my top beaches, not too crowded, water was perfect, and waves weren’t knocking me over.
Spiaggia di Feraxi - Nice beach, but the distance from the start of the sand to the water was huge, so it took some time to walk in and out.
Orosei - A east coast Sardinian town with stunning beaches. It is a bit of a drive, and I didnt have the time to visit, but a beautiful destination if you can fit it into your trip
Baunei - On the coast of Baunei, you’ll find 20 miles of gorgeous beaches. Many of these beaches are only accessible by boat. Here are some boat tour options that hit the more prominent beaches in the area.
Things To See in Cagliari
San Benedetto Market - One of the largest and most vibrant indoor markets in Italy, renowned for its fresh seafood, local produce, and bustling atmosphere.
Cagliari Cathedral - A stunning 13th-century cathedral located in the Castello district, known for its beautiful facade and richly decorated interior, including the crypt of the martyrs.
Bastion of St. Ramy - A fort and terrace providing panoramic views of Cagliari and its surroundings, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
Elephant Tower - A medieval tower built in the early 14th century, notable for its impressive height and the small stone elephant adorning one of its corners.
San Pancrazio Tower - Another significant medieval tower in Cagliari, offering historical insight and spectacular views over the city and its surroundings.
Royal Palace - This historical building, also known as the Viceroy's Palace, once served as the residence of the Spanish and Savoyard viceroys and now houses the Prefecture of Cagliari.
Roman Amphitheater - An ancient Roman structure carved into the hillside, used for gladiatorial contests and performances, showcasing Cagliari's rich historical heritage.
Botanical Garden - A lush garden located near the Roman Amphitheater, featuring a diverse collection of Mediterranean and tropical plants, as well as archaeological ruins.
Food
The food in Sardinia, although in Italy, is different from the mainland. As I mentioned earlier, the island is famous for tuna. Tuna fishing in Carloforte, which is 7 kilometers off the coast, is the only tuna trap that uses ancient traditions that were passed down by the Arabs. The bluefin tuna from here is known to be one of the best in the world. Some of the top sushi restaurants in Japan actually get their bluefin tuna from Sardinia!
Below are some of the restaurants I was able to hit.
Pescerí -A delicious seafood restaurant in Cagliari city center. They have fresh fish on display that you can pick from, and they cook it for you. The fish was flavorful. As no surprise to anyone who knows me, the tuna tartare and muscles were my favorite. It was delicious, but I wouldn’t rate it as one of my top meals.
Vittorino - You can’t go to Italy without grabbing some gelato!
Caffè dell'Arte Specialty Coffee - A modern, rustic coffee shop. Amazing coffee options, full breakfast menu, and so many records to select from. Andrea, the owner, was super helpful and gave a list of all his local recommendations.
La Paillote - One of the more upscale restaurants I was able to dine at in Sardinia - incredible food and probably one of my favorite restaurants. Definitely dress in nicer attire here, and make a reservation! They had a live band too!
Antica Cagliari - With over 4,000 reviews, Antica is not one to miss in Cagliari city center. Tiramisu was a must have!
Ditrizio Pasticceria - Perfect for a coffee, sandwiches, and pastries! My favorite was the ham croissant!
Osteria Kobuta - This place was to die for! It’s a modern Italian/Asian fusion restaurant serving Japanese dishes, with a Sardinian twist.
Luigi Pomata - A delicious seafood restaurant on the Michelin guide. We met Chef Luigi while we were there, and got to chat with him. Highly reccomend!
Nightlife
I didn't do much going out while in Cagliari. The sun was so draining, so I was calling it an early night every night. Below are some bars I did make it to and some clubs that were recommended to us!
La Paillote - If you can get a late dinner here, they turn into a club at 11pm. I was too tired to stay but it was getting more and more crowded as I headed out.
Piazza Yenne - This area has a ton of bars with outdoor seating. The energy here is amazing!
American Bar Gemini - This was a recommendation, but didn’t have the chance to make it. Cocktail bar with super positive reviews!
Libarium Nostrum - On the top of a hill, known for its views and drinks! Over 2,000 reviews!
Aria Beach Lounge - Nightclub and beach club with music and drinks!
Terrazze di Calamosca - Bar on the water serving bites, cocktails, and a gorgeous views.
