Sardinia Road Trip Itinerary: 14 Days of Epic Island Exploration

Sardinia delivers the most effective Mediterranean street journeys in Europe. This two-week itinerary covers every coast of the island, hitting celebrated seashores, historic cities, and genuine inland gems.

The information follows sights, routes, and consists of native journey practices. Begin and finish factors may be both Olbia (north) or Cagliari (south), each with main airports and ferry connections.

For those who’re already on the Italian mainland, an awesome possibility is to take the ferry to the island. This typically makes extra sense than flying, as you possibly can convey your automobile too, which is what we did. That manner, we might convey all the pieces we wanted, go to a few actually stunning locations alongside the best way, and luxuriate in a cool ferry crossing. Plus, we saved on airfares and automobile rental prices.

Learn as nicely our journey tip on How to Get to Sardinia.

Fast Overview: Route & Areas

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Days 1–4: North Coast – Seashores & Glamour

Base: Olbia / Costa Smeralda

• Drive from Olbia to Porto Cervo and the famed Costa Smeralda.
• Discover Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli Seaside, and Liscia Ruja—all verified for turquoise, shallow waters and well-maintained amenities. You’ll go to a number of the most stunning seashores on this planet. The surroundings, the colour of the water and the rock formations are merely beautiful.
• Take the Palau ferry (autos allowed) to La Maddalena Archipelago Nationwide Park, famend for abandoned sandy coves and clear snorkeling. A number of licensed boat excursions function day by day.
• Tip: Porto Cervo is famous for upscale nightlife, however northern Sardinia’s villages like San Pantaleo and Cannigione provide genuine meals and decrease costs.

The seashores all around the island are beautiful. The north-eastern ones are probably the most well-known, however we’ve seen many others that had been equally inviting and delightful.
That’s why we’ve included just a few of them on this article: Best Beaches in Sardinia

Days 5–7: West Coast – Genuine Sardinia

Base: Alghero, Bosa

• Drive to Alghero, a city with Catalan roots, medieval partitions, and bustling seafood markets. Its outdated city and Neptune’s Grotto cave (guided excursions year-round, climate allowing) are customer highlights.
• Comply with the scenic SP49 coastal street to Bosa—a riverside village with pastel homes and the Malaspina Citadel. Bosa is confirmed for its picturesque middle and river views.
• South of Bosa, uncover the quartz-sand seashore at Is Arutas and wild waves of the Costa Verde.

Days 8–10: South Coast – Historical past & Capital Tradition

Base: Cagliari / Villasimius

• Head south through Oristano in the direction of Cagliari, the historic Sardinian capital.
• Cagliari’s high websites: the Bastion of Saint Remy, Poetto Seaside, the traditional Roman amphitheater, and the outdated districts of Castello and Marina.
• Eat: Cagliari’s eating places serve signature dishes like culurgiones (Sardinian ravioli) and bottarga (cured mullet roe).
• Tour: Day journeys to Villasimius and Costa Rei for unspoiled south-eastern seashores are easy through SS125 freeway.

Days 11–14: East Coast – Wild Landscapes & Journey

Base: Orosei, Cala Gonone, Baunei

• Drive up the SS125 (the “Orientale Sarda,” one in all Italy’s high scenic roads) to Orosei. The Gulf of Orosei is legendary for limestone cliffs, sea caves, and pristine coves.
• Cala Gonone: Gateway for boat excursions to Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, and the ocean cave Grotta del Bue Marino. Journeys run day by day in summer season—affirm availability and climate earlier than reserving;
• A hike to Cala Goloritzé, a UNESCO-listed seashore solely accessible on foot, is extremely advisable (path well-signposted and maintained).

Highlights & Actions

• Finest seashores: Spiaggia del Principe, La Pelosa (Stintino), Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, Poetto, and Is Arutas.
• Historic websites: Su Nuraxi nuraghe (Barumini, UNESCO-verified), Castello di Cagliari, Malaspina Citadel (Bosa).
• Wildlife: Pink flamingos seen at Cagliari’s salt flats and Molentargius Park in spring and summer season.
• Consuming: Attempt native specialties—porceddu (roast suckling pig), seadas (cheese pastry with honey), and Cannonau wine.
• Boat excursions: Licensed operators on La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei provide day by day journeys; advance reserving advisable for August.

Learn as nicely our journey tips on…

Important journey ideas for Sardinian street journeys

Sardinia is good for street journey explorers, however a profitable journey requires up-to-date planning and native know-how. Listed below are a very powerful journey ideas for anybody self-driving round Sardinia’s coast:

1. Automotive Rent & Reserving

• Advance reservation required: Particularly in July-August, guide your automobile weeks forward for the very best availability and costs.
• Rental places: Main airports at Olbia and Cagliari, plus Alghero and port cities.
• Driver necessities: Most rental businesses require a sound EU or worldwide driver’s license, and drivers to be no less than 21 (typically 25) years outdated.

We headed to Sardinia with our personal automobile and took the in a single day ferry. That saved us the rental automobile prices, flights and we had an awesome journey and the children liked the ferry crossing.

2. Driving & Roads

• Highway circumstances: Highways (SS and SP roads) and essential coastal routes are nicely maintained and paved. Inland routes may be slim and winding—drive slowly and with warning.
• Velocity limits: 50km/h (cities), 90km/h (secondary roads), 110km/h (main roads), until in any other case posted. Many roads have velocity cameras (“autovelox”).
• Gasoline: Most gasoline stations settle for playing cards and are open day by day, although some shut for a protracted lunch (12:30–15:30) exterior large cities. Refill earlier than getting into distant coastal stretches.

3. Navigation & Indicators

• Navigation: GPS or Google Maps works nicely, however convey a paper map as cell reception could also be weak within the mountains and distant coasts.
• Highway indicators: Indicators are clear and usually in Italian, with some places listed in Sardinian dialect.

4. Parking & ZTL (Restricted Zones)

• Seaside/city parking: Many seashores and city facilities have paid parking zones. All the time examine indicators for cut-off dates and fee strategies.
• ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato): Many elderly city areas (particularly Cagliari, Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo) limit non-resident automobile entry throughout components of the day. Fines are automated for violations. Fairly nasty, proper? So be careful and search for marked indicators.

5. Security & Safety

• Private security: Sardinia is very secure for self-driving vacationers. Violent crime is uncommon; customary precautions apply.
• Automobile security: Theft from autos can happen, notably at distant seashores. As traditional, by no means depart seen valuables in your automobile.

6. Ferries and Island Connections

• Automotive ferries: The one automobile ferry to La Maddalena leaves from Palau (runs year-round).
• Advance reserving is extremely advisable throughout summer season and weekends.

7. Necessities to Pack

• Solar safety: Sardinian solar is intense; pack sunscreen, hats, and sun shades.
• Money: Though playing cards are extensively accepted, many distant seashore parking tons or rural eating places settle for solely money.
• Water and snacks: Providers are sparse alongside some distant coastlines or mountain stretches.

8. Native Driving Tradition

• Locals could drive rapidly on winding roads; use pull-outs to let sooner vehicles go.
• Roundabouts: All the time yield to visitors already inside.

9. Emergency Info

• Emergency quantity: Dial 112 for police, hearth, or medical emergencies.
• Breakdown providers: Most rental businesses present a toll-free quantity for help. Just be sure you have the contact particulars of your insurance coverage, in case you drive with your individual automobile.

10. Sustainability

• Respect seashores and nature reserves: Take all waste with you; by no means park on sand dunes.
• Assist native: Use native guides, eat regional delicacies, and store at markets for genuine experiences.

These journey ideas for driving in Sardinia will assist guarantee each a clean journey and a accountable journey expertise.

Journey Dudes encourages accountable and sustainable exploration. Respect native pointers, get rid of waste correctly, and assist genuine Sardinian companies all through your journey.