Sardinia Holidays – Sun, Sand & Seriously Good Gelato

Sardinia isn’t just another pretty face in the Med. Whether you’re chasing peaceful coves, epic adventures, or the perfect sunset spritz, this Italian gem knows exactly how to deliver.

✨ Destination Highlights

• So. Much. Coast. (1,850km, to be exact)

• Peace and quiet vibes (no motorways, and it's one of the least populated regions in Italy!)

• A sweet tooth's paradise - did someone say gelato and cannolis?!

• Bangin' street art - hit up Orgosolo for cool murals at every turn

🎉 3 Fun Facts About Sardinia You Didn’t Know

• Home of the Blue Zone – Sardinia’s got a secret to long life. It’s one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live longer, thanks to fresh air, good food, and probably lots of vino.

• Ancient stone structures galore – Sardinia is home to over 7,000 nuraghi (those cool prehistoric towers). Move over, Stonehenge!

• Pink sand – Yep, you read that right. Budelli Island has beaches with pink sand because everything is better in pink -  but no pocketing it as a souvenir or you’ll be in big trouble!

What are the best beaches to visit on your holidays to Sardinia?

You say Sardinia, we think beaches. It's just how our mind works! But this place is known for its sandy goodness - we mean, with so much coastline under its nose, how could it not be?! It's got a winning combo of dramatic cliffs, super-soft sands and sea so blue you'll think there's a real-life Insta filter on it. Try flopping a towel down at one of these for a bangin' beach holiday:

• Spiaggia della Pelosa Beach – hands-down the most popular beach on the island, and with its clear, shallow waters, white sands, watersports menu and nearby restaurants, we can definitely see why!

• Spiaggia di Lampianu – it's not the easiest to find, but if you like your beach days quiet, this hidden cove is for you. It's a tiny stretch of coast sheltered by rugged rocks and calm waters perfect for snorkelling in.

• Porto Giunco Beach - this one's a bit tucked away, but once you find it, it's FREE to access, bustling with friendly locals and has fine sands just begging for you to plonk a towel onto. Plus, there's a pretty lagoon behind it where you can spot flamingos!

• Cala Brandinchi - so tropical, it's nicknamed 'Little Tahiti'. It's a long stretch, perfect for strolling along the waterline, and the sea is shallow and clear - ideal for paddling youngsters.

• Tuerreda Beach - this place is so exclusive, there's a limit on how many people can sprawl out on it, so get here early if you want to guarantee a spot! Trust us, it's worth it for the clear waters, pillowy-sand and beaut surroundings.

• Cala Goloritzè - you'll need to hike to get to this small but gorg corner of coast, where boat trips come and go and the marine life is ready for its close-up. Bring your snorkel!

• Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja - sandwiched conveniently between the villages of Portisco and Cala di Volpe, with powdery-white sands, sunbeds and parasols to rent, and a nearby beach bar serving breakfast from 8:30AM.

What are the top hotels to stay at on your Sardinia holidays?

When it comes to resting your head in Sardinia, it's all about keeping things cheap and swanky at the hotels on offer that showcase that gorgeous coastline. If we can't see the sea from our balcony, we don't want it. (Kidding.) (Sort of.) Check out these top spots:

• Club Baia Di Conte - smack-dab along the beachfront with a rooftop terrace, a choice of pools, a kids' club for the youngsters and 12(!!!) tennis courts on site. We didn't think we needed that many, but why not?!

• Residence Cristal Blu - as Italian as they come, with a pool terrace that oozes charm, a beach within walking distance and a pizzeria right next door!

• Jazz Hotel - you might be in Italy, but you can still enjoy a Turkish bath here, as well as a dunk in the outdoor pool and a bite to eat from the on-site restaurant

• Residenze Gallura San Teodoro - easy-breezy self-catering apartments with a shared outdoor BBQ, a beach just a speedy drive away, and a bunch of Italian restaurants and bars at your fingertips

• Blu Hotel Laconia Village - get your seaside fix at this bright and cheerful hotel, with pools for the adults and kiddos, chilled piano nights and a shuttle down to the beach

• Hotel Stelle Marine - your one-stop-shop for beach vibes, pool vibes and fun vibes! It's got a beach nearby, a pool on site and a range of sports to pick from

🏨 Where to Stay on your holidays to Sardinia

💑 For Couples

Baia Sardinia – tucked away on the island’s northern coast, Baia Sardinia is a laid-back slice of paradise. Think powdery sands, clear waters perfect for snorkelling, and cosy seaside restaurants for lingering over fresh seafood and local wine. It’s the kind of place where you can wander hand-in-hand along the promenade, hop on a boat to explore hidden coves, and still make it back in time for a sunset spritz.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Families

Alghero – family-friendly beaches, splash-worthy waterparks, and a charming old town for gentle wanders (and gelato stops). Kids build sandcastles, you build a wine collection. Win-win.

👯‍♂️ For Groups

Cagliari – daytime beach sessions, evening pizza pitstops, and nights that roll into sunrise. Cagliari mixes coastal relaxation with lively nightlife for a balanced group jolly.

Travel Guide for your Sardinia holidays

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Things to do in Sardinia for families

There's a tonne going on when it comes to family holidays in Sardinia, from waterparks to adventure parks and plenty of lil trips you can make to fill your days. We wanna shout about the adventure parks though, specifically, Sardinia Avventura Park where you can get your George of the Jungle vibes on with tree-top courses to climb along, resting points where you can bask in the nature of the woods, zip-lines, you name it, it's here. And with nine different courses ranging in difficulty, there truly is something for everyone.

The beaches are where it's at for all things family-fun with plenty of lush water and sand for you all to relax to the max - but the even better thing about a lot of the beaches in Sardinia is the water sports. Head to Porto Pollo beach in the summer for a banging surf spot, or choose a calmer beach like Orri, let the little ones practice their scuba diving skills in the shallow, clear water and all be on the lookout for some nifty rock pools.

❤️ Things to do in Sardinia for Couples

Holidays to Sardinia seem like the perfect pick for all things boujee bevs and sunset strolls, that's what we're bringing to the table for all you lovers out there on your couples holidays (especially the ones that leave the Christmas lights up til January). Mosey on over to Olbia and visit the vineyard there for all things tastings and tours, stroll through the rich grapes ready to be pressed into your new fave bottle of red. The cellars are stocked so make sure you've got space to cart a few bottles back to your hotel and keep the romantic vibes rolling.

We know it's low-key cliche to say going for a sunset stroll is the perfect thing for a couple to do on a jollie, but when the views are this spectacular we reckon you should consider it. If you want some privacy then we recommend heading over to the beach near Argentiera, or if you're more about a tipple while the sun goes down then you should deffo head over to Alghero and cheers to a top-tier vacay.

🏛️ Things to do in Sardinia for Culture Vultures

We're all about chasing those historical highs when it comes to a classic jolly, not everyones about lounging by the pool, so why not make your Sardinia holidays richer with a boat trip to the Grotte di Nettuno? It's a cave system near Alghero with all the stalactites and stalagmites you can feast your eyes on, picture it: sailing slowly through gorge hidden troves with a warm glow bouncing off the still water as you soak up this time capsule of mother natures beauty.

If you've not quite got your sea legs, or you prefer exploring on two feet, then make a day trip to Cagliari and soak up the architecture, the history, the Sardinian flare. It's a town that dates back thousands of years, and has everything from museums to delish dining and even nightclubs by the beach. You can make a reyt good day of it wandering the ancient streets and feeling like a proper Sardinian local.

🛥️ Things to do in Sardinia for Avid Adventurers

You Sardinia holidays could use an injection of exploration. If you're all about the thrills on your jollies, we reckon you should get yourself over to Sa Spendula canyon where you can wander by one of the highest waterfalls in all of Sardinia, or, if you wanna see it a lil closer, book yourself onto some canyoning. Get up close and personal with the refreshing spray, get immersed in the lush canopy of trees, test your core strength as you climb your way around the rocks, it's all to play for on your active holidays.

If you aren't so bothered about keeping your feet on the ground then maybe get yourself booked onto a private kayak tour on your group holidays. Picture paddling your way along the Devils Saddle in Cagliari and feasting your eyes on the gorge reefs that traverse along this strip of land as you bob on by. Better yet, the water is crystal clear and on hot days, you can trade your kayak oar for a snorkel and swim around the saddle for an even closer view of this gorge and often unexplored part of Sardinia.

🍽️Things to do for foodies in Sardinia

Sardinia is a foodie’s dream served up on a sun-drenched platter. From rustic agriturismos dishing up homemade pasta and pecorino straight from the farm, to coastal seafood spots where the catch of the day is practically still doing laps, this island knows how to feed you well. Try porceddu – Sardinia’s famed roast suckling pig – slow-cooked over embers for hours until it melts in your mouth, or sample culurgiones, delicate pasta pockets filled with potato, mint, and cheese. Don’t skip a visit to a traditional food market like San Benedetto in Cagliari, where you can graze your way through local cheeses, olive oils, and bottles of Cannonau wine. Bellissimo.

🚗 Getting Around Sardinia

🚌 Buses  

Sardinia’s bus system is reliable, affordable, and perfect for getting around without burning through your gelato fund. Hop between towns like Cagliari, Alghero, and Olbia with ease. It's a great option for budget-conscious travellers, but just remember, rural buses might not run as frequently, so plan ahead if you’re heading off the beaten track.

🚖 Taxis & Car Hire

Renting a car is hands down the best way to explore Sardinia like a pro. Want to find those secret coves and pristine, secluded beaches? A car gives you the ultimate freedom to cruise the island at your own pace. Plus, who doesn't love a good coastal road trip with the tunes blasting and epic views?

🚴‍♀️ Bikes

If you're feeling energetic (and let’s be honest, needing to burn off some of that extra pasta and wine), grab a bike and pedal along Sardinia’s stunning coastlines. Perfect for soaking in the sights with the wind in your hair!

If Sardinia has got you itching for more Italy, check these spots out:

• Abruzzo

• Adriatic Riviera

• Bologna

• Brescia

• Lake Como

• Lake Garda

• Liguria

• Milan

• Naples

• Neopolitan Riviera

• Puglia

• Rimini

• Rome

• Sicily

• Turin

• Tuscany

• Venice

• Verona