Article mis à jour le 16 Aug 2024
What to do in Sardinia ? Visiting the north of Sardinia ?
Planning a trip to Sardinia ? We’ve put together a road trip itinerary for you to discover the must-sees of the north of Sardinia ! Immerse yourself in the magic of this paradise island in the Mediterranean, where turquoise waters line golden sandy beaches and the warm hospitality of the locals envelops you in a gentle atmosphere of dolce vita.
In this article, I detail my favourite places in the north half of Sardinia, with 2 suggested itineraries for a one-week trip. For practical information, see the bottom of the page !
One-week itineraries for a trip to Sardinia
Option 1 : between villages and dream beaches (approx. 400 km)
- Arrival in Olbia and drive to Alghero (day 1)
- Visit to Alghero and Porto Conte (day 2)
- Stintino and Gulf of Asinara (day 3)
- Castelsardo, Costa Paradiso and Santa Teresa de Gallura (day 4)
- Maddalena archipelago (days 5 and 6)
- Boat trip in the Gulf of Aranci (day 7)
Option 2 : heavenly beaches and Sardinia (approx. 500 km)
- Arrival in Olbia and drive to Orosei (day 1)
- Day’s boat trip in the Gulf of Orosei (day 2)
- Natural pools inland (day 3)
- Boat trip in the Gulf of Aranci (day 4)
- Maddalena archipelago (days 5 and 6)
- North-east beaches (day 7)
What to do in the north of Sardinia ? Itinerary no. 1
Must-see places
Now that you’ve got your road trip itineraries for Sardinia, I’m going to take you step by step through the places I’ve recommended, with suggestions for accommodation and overnight parking for those travelling by van.
Alghero, the authentic town – days 1 & 2
Alghero is a lively old Catalan town. It has a colourful centre and a harbour. It’s pleasant to stroll along the ramparts. You can also explore the narrow streets with their shops and restaurants with terraces.
Last but not least, the sunset over the sea is magnificent, as Alghero is located at the very western end of Sardinia. You can watch it from the town at the Riservato Beach Bar. Or head by car to Capo Caccia. 🤩 Don’t miss a visit to Grotta di Nettuno either !
💌 For an unforgettable moment, I recommend this sunset sailing excursion. An aperitivo will be served on board.
Where to stay in Alghero ?
I recommend that you spend 2 nights in Alghero so that you don’t have to change hotels to visit the regional park the next day !
- At the hotel, in one of the modern rooms at Villa Asfodela Guest House or at Saige Holidays. Some have jacuzzis for romantic breaks 🥰.
- By van : south of Alghero, I spotted this place on Park4night with sunset views.
Porto Conte Regional Natural Park – day 2
On this itinerary in Sardinia, you’ll follow the west coast northwards, looping back to Olbia. Just 30 minutes from Alghero are some magnificent beaches and coves in the Porto Conte Regional Nature Park. This is where the Capo Caccia I mentioned earlier stands proudly.
It’s an unspoilt almost-island, around 2km wide and 12km long. There are some great walks to be had, with countless plant species. The views over the Mediterranean Sea are superb. For the more sporty, there is a cycle path from Alghero (about 20 km). Just a few minutes north of this nature park is the beautiful beach of Porto Ferro.
↠ Access to this regional park is free, and there is no entrance fee.
Stintino – day 3
🚗 Allow 1 hour’s drive between Alghero and this stage.
Warning the eyes ! Just above Stintino you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean : La Pelosa. The water is really translucent there … Then you have foot for tens of meters! This place is unfortunately a victim of its success, so crowded with people. We recommend that you get there early enough. But the photos still make you want to take a dip ! ☀️
↠ From June 1 to October 31, bookings must be made online for access to Spaggia La Pelosa. To preserve the site, access is limited to 1,500 people per day.
After enjoying these heavenly waters in the morning, I recommend a boat trip into the Gulf of Asinara to check out the beaches on the small islands above. 🥰
Where to stay around Stintino ?
- At the hotel : you can stay 1 night at Lispusada Agriturismo, which offers beautiful rooms with swimming pool and an excellent breakfast.
- By van : this spot found on Park4night is a 10-minute walk from Stintino.
If you’re not too tired, you can also drive the hour to the next day’s stage. For accommodation in Castelsardo, I warmly recommend the Il Vicolo dei Ginepri hotel : the rooms are sublime !
Castelsardo – day 4
A change of scenery. In Castelsardo, you’ll find a charming Sardinian town with facades painted in different colours, clinging to the rocks that line the coastline. It’s a sight reminiscent of the Cinque Terre!
If you’re there in the evening, the orange hue of the town at sunset is sumptuous. There’s even a little beach below where you can enjoy the spectacle with your feet in the water.
Costa Paradiso
🚗 45 minutes by car from Castelsardo
The name alone is evocative !
Costa Paradiso is a small town that has a pretty sandy beach between the rocks. You can enjoy crystal clear water as you like it. There is a very nice walk to do along the coast.
Spend the afternoon there after enjoying Castelsardo in the morning.
Santa Teresa di Gallura
💌 On the road between Costa Paradiso and Santa Teresa di Gallura, you’ll find lots of beautiful beaches. I always find everything on Google Maps but here are the ones I recommend most for a swim stop : Cala Sarraina, Spaggia Naracu Niéddu, Spaggia Monti Russu, Spaggia Rena Majori.
Santa Teresa di Gallura is one of the largest cities in the north of Sardinia. Santa Teresa Gallura is very flowery, with many traders. This was not really planned at the base, but we stopped here to take a ferry to Corsica. We stayed 48 hours in the south of Corsica to see family. If you have time to make a stopover in Corsica, don’t hesitate, the prices are affordable and the crossing to Bonifacio only takes an hour.
↠ Our one-week itinerary for a road trip in Southern Corsica
Back to the Sardinians, direction Palau to take the ferry to the islands of La Maddalena.
The islands of Maddalena, the jewel of the north of Sardinia – days 5 & 6
❤️ We recommend that you spend at least one night on the Maddalena Islands to fully enjoy it. However, if you don’t have time, you can book this full-day boat trip to visit them.
It is quite easy to get to the Maddalena archipelago. There are ferries every 30 minutes and the service is very good. Again, we’re repeating ourselves, but plan to go early (first boat at 8:15 am) to avoid the crowds and have to wait for the next boat… especially if you have a car and want to cross with it ! Besides, having a car is really essential to get around.
Ferry price : € 50 for two people with 1 car, round trip.
Visit the Maddalena Islands
Once on the main island, La Maddalena, you will be surrounded by turquoise blue water, it is truly beautiful. We recognize in his city the Italian charm, with its pretty colors and flowers. We had done the tour quite quickly, as we had come for 2 days here to enjoy nature and the beaches ! In order to find the best spots, we always use the Google Maps app with satellite view to find the clearest waters. Here you will have a lot of choice.
We started off at the Polpo beach on the Giardinelli peninsula. It is accessible by car just a 15-minute drive from the port of arrival. It was beautiful and it wasn’t too crowded. It’s like being transported to the Seychelles…
One of the best beaches during our road trip in Sardinia
The next day, head to Caprera Island (east of the archipelago) for a ride, to descend into a cove. This island is much more unspoiled, with greenery and little habitation. It took us 20 minutes to get to the “Fosso di Stefano” trailhead. Then, it takes 30 minutes of walking to discover Cala Coticcio beach. It is arguably one of the most beautiful places we have seen in Europe. The water is peaceful and translucent.
The beach is tiny, we recommend that you try to find a small flat area on the rocks to be quieter (then you will have a much better view). Getting there early enough will allow you to park closer to the start of the trail. Plan to take good shoes, do not go in flip flops because there are small rocks to climb and 120 meters of vertical drop! If you make the most of a morning on this spot, stop by Barone Rosso on the way back for a delicious, inexpensive lunch. This snack doesn’t look like much but the dishes are delicious and plentiful.
We spent the rest of the time criss-crossing the island in search of beautiful viewpoints, so you’ll have plenty to do !
Where to stay on the Maddalena Islands ?
- In a hotel : Villa Manini Suites, perfectly located.
- By van : there are a few spots on Park4night free of charge, or you can choose a campsite on the main island.
Excursion to the Gulf of Aranci – day 7
To end this road trip itinerary in the north of Sardinia on a high note, I can only warmly recommend the excursion I took during my last stay. During the day, in a small group, we discovered the most beautiful spots in the Gulf of Aranci, near Olbia.
The aperitif and lunch served by Maurizio were delicious and made exclusively from local produce. The swimming stops were top notch, with the possibility of seeing dolphins. In conclusion : a perfect day. Not to be missed !
What to do in the north of Sardinia ? Road trip itinerary no. 2
For this second road trip itinerary in the north of Sardinia, we’re going to cover a bit more road to enjoy the beaches of the east coast, but also the inland areas. Don’t forget that everything we recommend is accessible to families too.
The Gulf of Orosei and its heavenly beaches – days 1 & 2
Once you’ve arrived in Olbia, head straight for the pretty village of Orosei. Here you’ll find Sardinian charm in all its splendour: colourful old buildings, flower-filled alleyways and, of course, restaurants ! Take the time to stroll through the town centre before heading out for your first Italian meal. I tried Pasta & Pasta di Peddio Luca, which serves traditional pasta made with quality ingredients. It was very good but I found the prices high for Italy.
Where to stay in Orosei ?
- At the Domo Pro Vois hotel : perfectly located with tastefully decorated rooms
- By van : GPS coordinates – we slept on the edge of the pond with a view of the mountains, it was magnificent ! In the same location, you can also stay by the beach under the pine trees.
Visit the Gulf of Orosei by boat without a licence
In my opinion, the Gulf of Orosei is one of the most beautiful places in Sardinia. The cliffs and mountains lining the coast add a unique touch to the landscape. The beaches are probably among the most beautiful in the world… They are difficult to reach on foot, but if you’re motivated, some can be reached by hiking (with a bit of a climb). My recommendation is to hire a boat without a licence to enjoy the beaches of the Gulf of Orosei. This will allow you to see them all in one day and swim wherever you want while avoiding the crowds ! 🥰
If you’ve never piloted a boat before, don’t worry : it’s very simple. If you’re travelling with several people, the cost is split so it totally pays for the day. The Gulf of Orosei is a must-see in Sardinia, so don’t miss out !
↠ Book your boat without a licence
For your information, you can set off with your boat from 8.30am from Cala Gonone. It’s a 40-minute drive from Orosei.
The beaches of the Gulf of Orosei
The boat hire company will provide you with a map showing the recommended stops. If you’re ever on foot, choose the splendid Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna with its unusual caves or Cala Mariolu. By boat, of course, you can do it all, including diving in the turquoise waters of the Pools of Venus.
Natural pools inland – day 3
Sardinia doesn’t just have beaches to offer ! There’s plenty to discover inland too. If you’re a mountain, hiking or climbing enthusiast, you’ll find what you’re looking for. My pet peeve is the natural pools. Here are two of them for a refreshing swim, a moment suspended from the crowds on the beaches.
S’Ogliu Ermanu natural pool
🚗 2h drive from Cala Gonone
This little natural pool is a hidden nugget of Sardinia. This place is very unspoilt, so I would ask you to be extra vigilant not to leave any trace of your passage there. It is located near the village of Ussassai. The start of the trail is on these GPS coordinates, so you can park your car by the roadside right here. It’s an easy 15-minute walk to the pool.
Be careful, the water is very, very cold !
Natural pools of Bau Mela
🚗 45 minutes by car from the previous stage
If you’ve ever been to the Purcaraccia waterfalls in Corsica, you’ll find that the natural pools at Bau Mela are a lot like them ! I loved swimming there, especially as the water is a pleasant temperature. There are plenty of rocks to rest on. Pack a picnic if you want to spend several hours there.
↠ Access is free – see GPS coordinates
Note that there are plenty of other waterfalls and natural pools to visit in Sardinia if you have the time, such as Cascata Sa Stiddiosa.
Where to stay when visiting the natural pools ?
If you don’t want to drive too far, you have several options. Either you can make the most of the journey by sleeping inland after day 2 by boat without a licence, or you can drive to the pools in the morning and sleep there on the evening of day 3.
If you choose the second option, you will have to get up very early to be on time for the next day’s excursion. Hotels in the mountains and countryside are generally not very modern, so don’t expect great luxury ! For travellers in a van or camper van, it’s very easy to find nice places to park overnight.
Boat trip in the Gulf of Aranci – day 4
Today you’ll be pampered by Maurizio. Leave your mental load on your pillow and let yourself be rocked by the waves… After trying out this excursion, I can’t recommend it highly enough ! On the programme : dolphin watching, aperitivo and lunch with traditional Sardinian products, swimming in turquoise waters. 🤩 What more could you ask for ?!
↠ Book your boat trip in the Gulf of Aranci, near Olbia
Where to sleep near the Gulf of Aranci ?
I recommend that you sleep here on the night of Day 3 so that you don’t get up too early to reach the excursion’s departure port.
- In a hotel : you can sleep in Olbia to enjoy its lively streets and visit the city. I recommend the REEF Suites or the Antares Rooms & Suites.
- By van : we parked at this Park4night spot. It’s not the most beautiful but it’s quiet and by the sea !
Visit the Maddalena Islands – days 5 & 6
The Maddalena archipelago is made up of 7 islands. It’s one of Sardinia’s most heavenly spots, a sweet mix between the Seychelles and the Maldives. 🥰 To get there, head to the port of Palau to catch the ferry. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to spend the night in a van near Palau, I recommend Porta del Paradiso.
It’s just a 15-minute drive from the paradise of Palau to La Maddalena! It’s advisable to take your own car so you can explore the beaches at your leisure.
↠ Allow €25 return per person with a car for the ferry.
Where to stay on the Maddalena Islands ?
- In a hotel : at Villa Manini Suites, perfectly located.
- By van : there are a few spots on free Park4night or your choice of a campsite on the main island.
↠ Alternative : if you don’t have time to devote 2 days to visiting the Maddalena Archipelago, I suggest you book a one-day sailing excursion so you can discover it more quickly.
End of the north of Sardinia road trip – day 7
It’s already the end of this second itinerary. Now you know what to do in Sardinia with all the places I’ve recommended ! ♥️
On this last day, we set off along the north-east coast in search of more great beaches. Here’s my advice :
- Don’t miss Porta del Paradiso, 15 minutes from Palau. It’s a beautiful little beach with breathtaking views of the Maddalena archipelago.
- Further east, Cala Liccia is not to be missed ! Several coves are located in the same place and, to my delight, they are left in their natural state. No beach bar, no deckchairs : nothing ! Just sand and crystal-clear water. GPS coordinates of the car park
- Spaggia Delle Vache is just as beautiful, and only a 30-minute walk away. Be sure to read the Google Maps comments to find the path, as some people have posted very precise directions with photos.
The best time to travel to Sardinia is in May, June or October. In July and August, the weather is also beautiful, but the beaches are crowded with tourists. So I’d advise you to avoid the summer period if at all possible !
How do I get there ?
↠ Plane tickets to Sardinia
As usual, we booked our plane tickets through Ulysse. We find that this is the comparator that finds the best prices and the possibility of setting flexible dates is very practical. You can take advantage of a €10 discount on your first flight booking by registering via our link ! The best way to visit the north of Sardinia is to land at Olbia airport, less than 2 hours from France. Plane tickets are generally very affordable – obviously more expensive in high season.
↠ By ferry
If you don’t want to fly, you can of course get to Sardinia by sea. To compare the best fares and book your crossing, visit the Direct Ferries website.
How do you get around ?
To follow our itineraries, you’ll need to hire a car in Sardinia ! To find a car rental in the north of Sardinia, compare prices on Discovercars. This comparator scans the entire market and gives very low prices. They’re even cheaper than on direct rental websites.
Budget for 1 week road trip in Sardinia
- Plane tickets : € 100 p.p.
- Car rental : € 170 for an economic model
- Gasoline costs : € 30
- Hotels : € 150 per night (or free in van)
- Food : € 35 per person per day
Total: 1 850 € for two people
*Budget for guidance only, based on our travel arrangements, excluding activities
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