Your Ultimate Sardinia Road Trip: 7 Days in Sardinia Itinerary
Home to dreamy white-sand beaches, turquoise waters that rival the Caribbean Sea, adorable seaside villages, and exclusive clubs and restaurants, Sardinia is a dream summer destination that everyone should visit once in their lives.
What better way to explore this wonderful island than on a Sardinia road trip?
Once you rent a car and start driving along the dramatic coast of Sardinia, you’ll find cheerful small towns and postcard-perfect beaches that will make you never want to leave.
Planning a Sardinia itinerary can be a bit overwhelming — I mean, where should you go when literally everywhere is beautiful? I’m here to help — I lived in Italy for 15 years and count Sardinia as one of my favorite places in the country.
Give or take a day for travel time, you can follow this 7-day Sardinia road trip itinerary that will give you a sensible (yet stunning) route through the island’s best sights, beaches, and cities.
From off-the-beaten-path coastal villages to the most popular resort towns to smaller islets off the Sardinian coast to beaches lined with crystalline waters, there’s so much to see and do in Sardinia. Time to dive in…. literally — those waters are calling your name!
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What to Know Before Planning a Sardinia Road Trip

Before getting into the details of this road trip itinerary around Sardinia, let’s go over a few things you should know when planning your trip.
Just a little bit of pre-planning will ensure your Sardinia road trip goes off without a hitch.
When to Road Trip Sardinia?

As you might imagine for a Mediterranean island paradise, the “best” season to explore Sardinia is summer: the sun is shining, the water is refreshing, and the beach bars are abuzz…. and yet…
This is also, for some, the worst time to visit: July and August in particular can be super crowded to the point of being almost downright unpleasant. So if the idea of packed beaches and long lines for restaurants makes you feel itchy, better off to avoid these months entirely.
If you still want some warm weather and have flexibility, June and September are better options. You shouldn’t expect empty beaches, but you’ll definitely have a little more breathing room.

If you really want to make sure you won’t have to deal with crowds, you could even plan your road trip for the month of May.
The weather is already beautifully warm, without the sticky summer heat, and people are still working or studying, so the only busy times may be the weekends.
Let’s be real: a road trip around Sardinia in winter doesn’t really make much sense since the most important attractions on the island are the beaches and gorgeous coastal walks.
If you ask me, the earliest suitable month for a road trip would be April and the latest, October.
Driving in Sardinia

Unlike in many urban areas in Italy — and in particular, Sicily — driving around Sardinia is pretty chill. Just be sure to secure an international driving permit (IDP) before your trip (you can do this for $20 or so via AAA if you’re American) and you’re good to go.
The roads are pretty smooth for most of the main island of Sardinia, though some of the smaller islands around it are less so: here, you may even find some bumpy dirt roads.
The traffic in Sardinia varies, but it is typically rather bad on northern coast, as this is the busiest area of Sardinia amongst tourists.
Finally, be aware that Sardinia has no highways. On the downside, this means you’ll need to drive slower and may encounter more traffic, but on the bright side, you won’t have to pay road tolls… which can definitely be a bit extortionate in other parts of Italy, so this is definitely a bright note!
How Many Days for a Sardinia Road Trip?
The island is pretty big so if you wanted to really explore it all, you’d need at least a month, and even then, there’d be more to see.
But, unless you’re blessed with unlimited time to travel, you probably only have a couple of weeks of vacation to plan your trip. Still, even if that’s the case, you can make it work.
The most popular area to explore in Sardinia is the northern coast, home to the famous stretch called Costa Smeralda, lined with resort towns that — of course — offer some stunning beaches.
While this also means the area can get crowded, it’s absolutely still worth exploring. You just won’t find the same landscapes, crystalline waters, and dreamy beaches in the south, except for a few special spots.
You can explore most of the island’s northern part, as well as a few inland and southern cities in roughly one week.
The itinerary below takes eight days, with the possibility of skipping a few parts of this itinerary if you only have six or seven days in Sardinia instead.
Anything less than six days would mean rushing through without really taking time to enjoy your trip, and where’s the fun in that?
Where to Begin a Sardinia Road Trip

The main airport on the island is near Cagliari, in the very south of Sardinia. Most people arrive on the island here (and rent their car here), so this will be your departure and arrival place for this itinerary.
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Without further ado, here is a day-by-day Sardinia itinerary to explore this wonderful island on a memorable road trip.
Day 1: Drive from Cagliari to Alghero
Explore the lively capital city of Cagliari.
Given that most flights arrive in Cagliari, here’s where we’ll begin our Sardinia road trip. But don’t peel out of here just yet — it’s definitely worth spending at least a morning exploring Sardinia’s historic capital city before we drive north to Sardinia’s more beachy sights.
So, what to do with just a few hours in Cagliari? Blitz your visit by first visiting the beautiful Duomo di Cagliari, then be sure to pass by the impressive Bastion Saint Remy, and don’t miss the chance to climb to the top of the medieval Torre dell’Elefante for the best city (and sea) views.
Before leaving Cagliari for the next stop on this road trip, save a bit of time for a stroll around the lively Piazza Yenne. Be sure to have lunch at one of the nearby restaurants; the little local restaurant S’Istrìa is great for delicious traditional dishes!
Make a little detour to Bosa.

When you’re ready to get on the road from Cagliari, start driving north towards Alghero — but we won’t be going direct, but rather making a brief detour. Once you reach the town of Macomer — it should take about an hour and a half — you’ll make a quick detour, heading towards Bosa.
Let me quickly convince you why this town is worth the side quest. A colorful hilltop town that overlooks the Temo River, Bosa is considered by many — including myself — of the most beautiful Sardinian towns.
For the best views, be sure to climb to the top of the Castle of Serravalle for an epic panorama, and you can also spend a little time enjoying the historic city center of this charming town.
For another lovely scenic view of Bosa, drive along the Strada Statale 129 on the opposite side of the river.
Make your way to Alghero.

From Bosa, it’s another hour to Alghero: a beautiful city known for its fortified old town, once used for defense but now a major tourist charmer.
You can spend your first afternoon in Sardinia exploring its unique historic center, enjoying its marvelous Catalan-Gothic styled Alghero Cathedral (be sure to climb its bell tower for a great view!), as well the many defensive towers of the city.
For dinner, sample traditional Sardinian dishes at Trattoria Lo Romanì or L’Incontro Restaurant.
Day 2: Alghero and Capo Caccia
Start your day by going to Capo Caccia.

Start your day by heading to Neptune’s Grotto, a marine cave in Capo Caccia, roughly 30 minutes’ driving distance from Alghero.
You have two options to visit the caves. You can drive to Capo Caccia — but that means you also have to descend the many steps of the impressive Escala del Cabirol — or alternately, you can catch a boat from Alghero.
Heads up! If you choose to drive there, you have to book your visit online.
As an alternative, you can take one of the many boats departing regularly from the port of Alghero and sailing straight to the cave if you don’t want to deal with all those steps (or if your mobility needs make that not possible).
Although the many steps to access the caves may be intimidating, driving to Neptune’s Grotto will allow you to see other scenic spots around Capo Caccia, in the Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte.
Explore the Porto Conte area.

Once you’re there, hit the hiking trails to discover beautiful viewpoints and tiny coves with crystalline waters.
For a beautiful little cove, I suggest making your way out to Cala Dragunara where you can stop for a brief little swim stop. You can also visit the Belvedere Foradada — it has views, appropriately, of the beautiful Isola Foradada — or alternately, if you’re up for a bit of a walk, you can hike to Torre de la Penya.
You can easily spend half a day exploring this area, so bring some snacks or pack a lunch. However, if you’d rather have lunch in the area, you can find a few restaurants near Cala Tramariglio and Spiaggia di Mugoni.
If you’re not sure where to eat, La Nuvola and Le Ninfe are both good options.
Hike or enjoy some beach time before exploring the archaeological area.

Before heading back to Alghero, I suggest making a quick stop for some beach time. Two lovely beaches are in this general area, Platja del Llatzeret and Le Bombarde. Both have sandy beaches and Sardinia’s trademark crystal blue waters.
There’s a cool archaeological site here called Nuraghe Palmavera, which is also worth visiting — it dates all the way back to the Bronze Age and the Nuragic settlements of Sardinia.
Have dinner and spend the night in Alghero.

Back in Alghero, enjoy delicious seafood at Ristorante Il Cenacolo 2 or Terra Bistrot.
After dinner, wander around Alghero’s charming old town to enjoy the lovely views by night.
Day 3: Sassari and Stintino
Head to the beautiful city of Sassari.

Today, I suggest making your first stop in Sassari, Sardinia’s second city.
Give yourself a few hours in Sassari just to aimlessly explore and wander! Still, be sure to prioritize a visit to the following important historic spots: the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, and the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem.
If you want to stay in town for lunch, I would suggest Il Vecchio Mulino. It’s a cozy place for traditional (and delicious!) Sardinian dishes.
Head to the tip of Sardinia, Stintino.

Next, head to the very northernmost tip of Sardinia: the coastal town of Stintino, known for its enchanting beaches (particularly La Pelosa and the smaller La Pelosetta).
Both these face the small islet, Isola della Pelosa, known for its iconic 16th-century tower — with another view of the larger Isola Piana.
All along this eastern coast between Stintino and Capo Falcone, you’ll find a number of secret little coves (calas) which would make a great spot to stop for an impromptu swim or picnic.
Want a little more direction than that? Caletta di La Pelosa, Spiaggia del Gabbiano, and Spiaggia Punta Negra are all great spots for sunbathing, swimming, and even snorkeling (BYO snorkel, though — many of these areas don’t have any amenities like gear rental)

You can pick a beach to claim for the day, or keep driving along the coast and checking out the gorgeous views and hidden coves as you go. Once you reach the western coast, it’s more rocky than sandy, but you still get some really nice scenic vistas.
After exploring the natural landscapes around Stintino, head to the small town for dinner — I suggest anything seafood from Trattoria Opera Viva or Ristorante Lina di S. Maddau.
Day 4: Asinara National Park
Catch a ferry to Asinara National Park.

Start your day as early as possible by heading to the port to catch a ferry to Asinara National Park.
Asinara is a smaller island just off the northwestern coast tip of Sardinia, entirely occupied by the Asinara National Park… but that’s just its latest incarnation.
In past lives, the island was formerly known as Devil’s Island (Isola del Diavolo) for its macabre chapters.
Its isolation has made it a desirable place for the undesirable: it’s served as a quarantine location, a prison for war prisoners during World War I later for mafiosi and other extremists during the political turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. Admittedly, not exactly the most peaceful of histories — but it’s quite scenic now.
Legend has it that the island was initially called Herculis Insula by Ancient Romans because they believed the Greek hero had created it. According to the tale, Hercules grabbed the tip of the northwestern peninsula and pulled until he detached a small part. As he took hold of the piece of land, Hercules squeezed it until he created a narrowing in the middle of the island!
Legends and history aside, Asinara as it stands now is a wonderful destination for a day trip!

Catch the ferry from Stintino to the tiny port of Fornelli, at Asinara’s southernmost point. It’s a super easy and usually quite calm ferry ride; it takes less than half an hour, and there are multiple daily departures so you won’t usually have to wait long.
Plan to spend the entire day exploring the island, so my pro tip is to plan ahead and bring a picnic lunch with you! There are only two places to eat on the island, both in Cala d’Oliva. If you choose to have lunch there, La Locanda del Parco Asinara is the better choice of the two.
There are many ways to explore the island of Asinara — I’d suggest renting a bike or using the public transportation (which is only available from July to September). Alternatively, you can join a sailing tour of the island!
No matter how you explore the island, don’t miss the charming little hamlet Cala d’Oliva, the harbor of Cala Reale, the beaches of Cala Sabina and Cala Sant’Andrea, and the stunning views from Fortezza del Castellaccio.

On the island, you’ll also get to see the adorable albino donkeys strewn about, which supposedly gave the island its current name. (The Italian word for donkey is asino.)
There are some non-albino donkeys too, but the white donkeys are what makes the island famous!
Once you’ve explored the Asinara National Park, head back to Stintino. Here, you have two options. You can either stay a second night there, or drive half an hour to Porto Torres.
For dinner in Porto Torres, I suggest Ristorante Pizzeria San Gavino.
Day 5: Costa Paradiso
Start the day by driving to Castelsardo.

Your fifth day of this road trip around Sardinia is dedicated to exploring most of the island’s northern coast. From Stintino or Porto Torres, drive east along the coast towards another famous Sardinian town: Castelsardo, built atop a cliff with the medieval Castello dei Doria as its crown.
Torre di Frigiano, near the harbor, offers one of the best views of the town. Be sure to visit the castle as well as the Cathedral of Saint Anthony Abbott. And don’t forget to head to Parco Lu Grannadu to enjoy beautiful coastal views.
If you’re starting to feel peckish, I suggest you go to Il Cormorano for what is certain to be a delightful lunch.
Move on to Costa Paradiso.

Next up is Costa Paradiso, a village which merits its name for its beaches, crystalline waters perfect for snorkeling, and beautiful rocky geography.
Some of the most beautiful beaches around Costa Paradiso are the Spiaggi di Cala li Cossi, Cala Sarraina, and Tinnari.
Spend a few hours at any of these before driving to another scenic location, Capo Testa.
Admire the beauty of Capo Testa and Palau.
Connected to the main island by only the tiniest of whispers of land, Capo Testa has a beautiful lighthouse that more than merits the additional drive.
This area is especially perfect for unforgettable sunset views! After sunset, finish the day by driving to Palau where you’ll check into your hotel and seek out some dinner.
The harbor area of Palau has many great restaurants, so you won’t have a hard time finding a spot for dinner, but if you are looking for some recommendations, Il Ghiottone and Il Kalamaro are among the most beloved.
Day 6: La Maddalena
Take a day trip to La Maddelena.

Now it’s time for one of my favorite little gems in Sardinia: the La Maddalena archipelago, which is luckily very easily accessible by ferry from Palau.
Unlike Asinara, La Maddalena is connected to Palau by large ferries that allow you to board your car if you wish to do so. While public transportation is available around the island (well, at least it is in high season), I do recommend bringing your car as you will be able to see a lot more.
The ferry ride only lasts 15 minutes, perfect for busy itineraries like ours. You’ll arrive quickly and have nearly a full day to explore. Since the port is in the small town of the same name, La Maddelena, stroll around the town starting with its charming Via Amendola.
As you drive along the coast, there are a few points of interest that are all worthy of a stop. For beaches, I suggest Spiaggia di Punta Tegge, Cala Francese, and Spiaggia di Cala Spalmatore.
You can also cross the bridge to Isola Giardinelli (another island in the archipelago, car-accessible) and check out Spiaggia Testa del Polpo and Spiaggia Giardinelli.
Recommended Tours: If you’d rather take a break from driving (and who could blame you?), you can also join a guided full-day tour of La Maddalena from Palau. Check out this affordable La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Trip by Boat or this Island-Hopping Sailing Tour with Lunch, so you don’t need to think about a thing. |
Note that most restaurants on the island are in the town of La Maddalena proper, so in the interest of being expedient with your time, I suggest you have lunch before exploring the rest of the island or pack some food if you’d rather spend the day at the beach.
I can recommend Ristorante Caprera and Ristorante Anima Lunga: both are great options for a delicious lunch in La Maddalena.
Depending on how much time you want to spend driving versus just relaxing on the beach, you can also cross to the nearby Caprera Island, also connected by bridge.
Two of my favorite spots are in the northern part of Caprera: Cala Napoletana and Spiaggia di Punta Crucitta.
After spending a whole day exploring La Maddalena, go back to Palau. You can spend a second night here or drive ahead to Porto Cervo, only half an hour away.
Day 7: Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda
Start the day exploring Porto Cervo.

Located along the famous Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo is better known as the party hotspot in Sardinia, with exclusive clubs like Billionaire or Just Cavalli.
However, there’s much more to discover along the coast near Porto Cervo, so even if you’re not on the guest list, you can still enjoy this area.
Pack your lunch and head to the first spot for the day, Baja Sardinia, just a 10-minute drive from Porto Cervo.
Belvedere Baja Sardinia will reward you with gorgeous coastal views, while Spiaggia Tre Monti is a lovely sandy beach where you can spend a few hours sunbathing.
From the main beach of Baja Sardinia, take the panoramic walk to Batteria Battistoni, a former military battery.
If you didn’t pack lunch, grab something in Baja Sardinia before driving to Capo Ferro to enjoy more breathtaking coastal views.
Explore the old lighthouse and enjoy some beach time.

Check out the old Capo Ferro Lighthouse and stop by Spiaggia Cala Granu to swim in the turquoise water.
You can spend the rest of the afternoon at one of the beaches south of Porto Cervo.
Spiaggia del Grande Pevero is the most famous in the area and while it absolutely lives up to the hype, it can get quite crowded during peak season.
Further south, Capriccioli is another area filled with wonderful beaches, although these tend to be packed in summer as well. For a more secluded beach, head to Cala Liccia to really relax.
In the evening, drive back to Porto Cervo, where you can have dinner and check out one of the many clubs if you’re in the mood for a party.
The shopping mall Promenade du Port has many restaurants serving delicious food, like Elit Promenade Cafè or Cibò.
Day 8 of Your Sardinia Itinerary: Nuoro and Villasimius
Make your way back, stopping in Nuoro.
On the last day of your road trip around Sardinia, you’ll be driving back south toward Cagliari.
Along the way is the city of Nuoro, one of the largest in Sardinia, where you can stop off to explore and stretch your legs.
The city is also known as the “Sardinian Athens” due to its cultural and historical importance.
But just before reaching Nuoro, you can visit one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Sardinia, the Complesso Nuragico e Nuraghe di Noddule.
The site is a meaningful testimony of the prehistoric settlements all over Sardinia, featuring multiple nuraghe, the striking ancient megalithic edifices scattered all across the island.
After admiring the nuraghe, head to Nuoro for a lunch break. Sample delicious Sardinian street food at Panelentu or enjoy a hearty meal at Il Rifugio.
After you finish eating, take a bit of time to just wander around the city center for a while before hopping back in the car to drive south.
Make one final stop in Villasimius.

From Nuoro, you can either drive straight to Cagliari, where you can leave your rental car and end your road trip, or have one last stop in Villasimius to spend the night before going back to Cagliari.
Villasimius is one of the most popular beach destinations near Cagliari, worth seeing if you have enough time.
The town is less than one hour from Cagliari, so it’s an easy stop to add on the way back.
If you stop here, check out Spiaggia di Punta Molentis and Spiaggia di Porto Giunco.
If you’re up for a short hike, explore the trails around Capo Carbonara.
Back in Cagliari, leave your car and spend any time you have left exploring the city!

Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.