Sardinia Holidays

Sardinia's event calendar runs all year and it goes far deeper than most Mediterranean destinations. These aren't tourist-facing shows put on for visitors; they're centuries-old traditions that the island genuinely lives and breathes. Here's what's worth planning your trip around:

Sa Sartiglia - February/March | Oristano One of the most extraordinary carnival events in Europe. Masked horsemen in elaborate costumes gallop at full speed through the streets of Oristano, each trying to spear a hanging star with their sword. The whole town comes out for it. Seated tickets sell out weeks in advance, worth booking ahead if you're visiting in late winter.

Sant'Efisio Festival - 1–4 May | Cagliari Dating back to 1652, this four-day festival sees over 5,000 people parade through Cagliari in traditional costumes from villages across the island, accompanying the statue of Sant'Efisio,  the saint credited with saving Sardinia from plague. It's claimed to be one of the largest traditional costume processions in the world. Free to watch, but get there early for a good spot.

Cavalcata Sarda - Second-to-last Sunday in May | Sassari A spectacular parade of horsemanship, music and traditional dress that has been running since 1711. Riders from across the island gather in Sassari in full regional costume - an incredible showcase of how varied Sardinian culture is from one end of the island to the other.

S'Ardia di San Costantino - July | Sedilo One of the most thrillingly dangerous traditional events anywhere in Italy. Hundreds of riders race at speed around the church of San Costantino three times, it's chaotic, breathtaking and completely unique. Not for the faint-hearted, but utterly unforgettable.

Time in Jazz - Mid-August | Berchidda Founded by Sardinian jazz trumpeter Paolo Fresu, this internationally respected festival takes over the small northern village of Berchidda every August. Performers play in vineyards, churches, town squares and farm courtyards, the venues are as memorable as the music. One of the most distinctive music festivals in Italy.

Faradda di li Candareri - 14 August | Sassari Nine enormous candles, some weighing over 400kg, are carried through the streets of Sassari by representatives of the city's historic guilds in a procession that has been running for over 700 years. UNESCO recognised it as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Extraordinary to witness.

Sagra del Redentore - Last Sunday of August | Nuoro A religious and folkloric festival held on the slopes of Monte Ortobene, with a procession of traditional costumes, music, poetry contests and a communal feast that goes long into the evening.

Autunno in Barbagia - September to December | Barbagia region Across multiple weekends throughout autumn, villages in the wild Barbagia heartland open their doors, courtyards, workshops, homes to visitors. Local craftspeople demonstrate weaving, woodcarving and leatherwork, and the food and wine on offer is some of the most authentic on the island. A completely different side of Sardinia from the summer coast.

Sardinia doesn't do nightlife the same way Ibiza or Mallorca does and that's a good thing. The island runs on its own rhythm: dinner at nine, a passeggiata through the piazza by ten, and the evening unfolding naturally from there. That said, if you want to dance until sunrise next to a superyacht, that option absolutely exists too. Here's how the island breaks down after dark:

Costa Smeralda - For big nights and big budgets Porto Cervo, Baja Sardinia and Porto Rotondo make up Sardinia's glamour belt, and in summer it genuinely rivals anywhere in Europe for sheer spectacle. Phi Beach is built into an old military fortress on the rocks above the sea, open-air, sunset cocktails, fire dancers and DJ sets that run into the night. Ritual Club is carved directly into the granite rock face, which makes it architecturally unlike any club you've been to before. Billionaire in Porto Cervo is at the extreme end, celebrity DJs, minimum spends and the kind of crowd that arrives by helicopter. Worth one drink to experience the scene, even if the prices are eye-watering. All Costa Smeralda venues are seasonal, roughly June to September.

Cagliari - For proper local nights out The Marina district is where Sardinians actually drink. A string of bars along the harbour stays lively until 2am, no dress code, cold Ichnusa beer and good conversation. Il Merlo Parlante is a popular beer hall with a great local atmosphere. Libarium Nostrum has one of the best locations on the island, cocktails on the old city walls with views over the sea. Fabrik Club is the city's most established venue for live music and DJ nights, and unlike almost everything else on this list, it stays open year-round.

Alghero - For atmosphere over attitude The medieval bastions of Alghero's old town are arguably the most beautiful setting for an evening drink anywhere in Sardinia. Blau SkyBar and Maracaibo cocktail bar both draw strong reviews for their cocktails and atmosphere, expect mixed crowds of locals and visitors, relaxed dress codes and prices that won't ruin your holiday budget. The vibe here is aperitivo and conversation rather than nightclub, and it's all the better for it.

San Teodoro - For beach club energy A lively small town on the northeast coast that punches well above its size for nightlife in summer. Beach clubs transition from afternoon sessions into evening parties, and the whole strip has an easy, inclusive energy that works for groups of all ages.

Good to know before you go Sardinia's nightlife is almost entirely seasonal, outside of Cagliari, most venues close completely from October through May. If you're visiting in summer, things start late: don't expect a club to fill up before midnight. And the island genuinely runs on cash, have euros on you for bars and door entry.

From hearty classics to seaside delights, the food scene is one you won't want to miss. Keep your eyes peeled for these tasty specialties:

• Culurgiones - handmade pasta parcels stuffed with potato, pecorino and mint. We're droolling.

• Bottarga - salted, cured fish roe served shaved over pasta or crusty bread - it's Sardinia's answer to caviar!

• Pane Carasau - known as 'Sardinian music bread' (we're already sold), this crisp, paper-thin flatbread pairs perfectly with local cheese, olives and cured meats

• Porceddu - pork-lovers, you've got to get your mitts on this traditional roasted suckling pig. It's tender, juicy and bursting with flavour.

• Fregola con Arselle - tiny balls of toasted semolina pasta cooked in a savoury broth and topped with plump, juicy clams

• Pani Pintau - if you like your food to be aesthetic, then you'll love this colourful Sardinian bread, marked with intricate designs from natural spinach and saffron dyes. It's almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

• Malloreddus alla Campidanese - you can't go wrong with sausage pasta, and that's essentially what this is - small pasta shells in a hearty tomato and sausage sauce. Yes please.

• Seadas - crispy fried pastry filled with gooey pecorino cheese and drizzled with honey. Don't knock it 'til you try it.

And if you're in the middle of making your restaurant list, here's a roundup of top-notch places to check out:

Here's the restaurant list woven into the food section in On the Beach voice, with enough detail to be useful rather than just a name-dump:

Where should I eat in Sardinia?

Whether you're after a long lazy lunch or a proper sit-down dinner with the whole table ordering everything on the menu, Sardinia delivers. Here are some restaurants worth bookmarking before you go:

L'Artigiano — La Cucina Tipica Sarda di Nonna Rosa | Nuoro The name says it all, grandmother's kitchen, done properly. Fresh, local and entirely unpretentious, this is the kind of place that reminds you why Sardinian food has its reputation. One of the highest-rated restaurants on the island for good reason.

Abbamele Osteria | Mamoiada A village osteria in the heart of the Barbagia region, where the food is rooted in centuries of mountain tradition. If you're heading inland to explore the festivals or the scenery, this is exactly where you want to stop for lunch.

Ristorante Su Murruai | Riola Sardo Stylish interior, warm service and a menu that takes local ingredients seriously. A great option if you're exploring the west coast around Oristano.

NOVA | Nuoro A modern take on Sardinian flavours in the island's cultural heartland. The kind of restaurant that shows the cuisine can be both traditional and forward-thinking at the same time.

Ristorante Il Fuoco Sacro | San Pantaleo Fine dining in a beautifully quiet setting in the hills above the Costa Smeralda. If you want to eat well without the Porto Cervo price tag, this is a genuinely special alternative just a short drive away.

La Rusticana | Ovodda A tiny gem deep in the Nuoro province - welcoming, fast and remarkably good value. If you stumble across it on a road trip through central Sardinia, do not drive past.

Ristorante Monte Linas | Cagliari Great vibe and seriously good food in the island's capital. A solid choice for a proper dinner after a day exploring the city.

Su Lumarzu | Bonorva Repeatedly described as a hidden gem, this Sardinian restaurant in the province of Sassari punches well above its size. Worth going out of your way for.