Sardinia road trip: our tips

Sardinia is an island as mysterious as plenty of natural and archaeological attractions that deserve to be explored with proper attention. Whether by car or motorhome, you will only need four wheels to appreciate such beauty and arrange each pit stop according to your preferences. 

In this article we will share with you some tips in order to plan your day-by-day Sardinia road trip, driving along the most enchanting and breathtaking stretches of this timeless island. Buckle up, let's set off on a road trip to discover the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean!

If your port of call is Porto Torres, the first destination to set on your GPS is Alghero, just a 40-minute drive away. The city, also known as 'little Barcelona' for the Catalan Gothic style that overwhelms it in every corner, is full of beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlife.

Once in Alghero, along the so-called Riviera del Corallo (Coral Riviera), if you want to stop for a dip in the sea, you will be spoilt for choice: Maria Pia beach or Le Bombarde beach if you are looking for fine sand and transparent water. Alternatively, a little further on, the quieter and more reserved Mugoni beach.

The afternoon is spent visiting the old town, the beating heart of the city with its alleys, old walls, coral workshops and ancient fortresses. The first is the Porta Terra Tower, which marks the entrance to the historic centre leaving the port behind. After a short stroll through the streets and elegant historical buildings, the first point of interest is the Cathedral and the Santa Maria Bell Tower. If you have some time to spare, you can climb to the top of the 40-metre-high tower and admire the fabulous view over the rooftops of Alghero. Afterwards, let yourself be carried away by the romantic alleys of Alghero and you will reach the Bastioni, one of the most panoramic and at the same time liveliest spots in the historic centre thanks to the many bars and restaurants serving local cuisine where you can stop for dinner.

Where to sleep in and around Alghero? Among the villas for rent closest to the Catalan city we find:

• Villa Il Rifugio del Bandito: decorated according to the Sardinian style, this villa for rent in Sardinia is surrounded by large green spaces where guests can relax in company: the villa can accommodate up to 9 people.
• Villa Linayre: after a long drive, the perfect way to regenerate is diving into this splendid villa’s private pool, near Stintino. Inside, comfortable and finely furnished spaces.

Any self-respecting road trip must include breathtaking roads that can be travelled by car or motorbike. The coast road from Alghero to north east Sardinia is about 130 km long and is an experience we highly recommend because it will give you scenery of rare beauty, curve after curve.

As soon as you get to the small village of Santa Teresa di Gallura, the first point of interest is the Rena Bianca beach, in the city heart. A small, unspoilt bay with fine, white sand, surrounded by a panoramic path suitable for trekking enthusiasts.

In the evening, if you want to experience the sunset, we recommend one of the most fascinating places in the area: the Valle della Luna (Moon Valley). Located on the Capo Testa peninsula, this mysterious masterpiece of nature has, since the 1960s, become a must for many travellers seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily routine.

If you are wondering which is the perfect accommodation in Santa Teresa di Gallura, we suggest:

• Villa Filugnana: this villa for rent in Santa Teresa di Gallura represents everything a typical villa in Sardinia must have, from granite to olive trees. Inside, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms for groups of up to 6 people and a fantastic private pool.
• Villa Onyx: a charming villa in Santa Teresa di Gallura with modern design and attention to detail. Spacious interiors to accommodate up to 9 people and a private pool where you can relax and spend pleasant moments in company. Just beyond, the wonderful inlets of the Sardinian coastline.

Driving southwards towards Olbia, there is a curvy road that offers many wonderful landscape views. We are talking about the stretch between Palau and Arzachena, often congested by thousands of tourists on their way to the various locations around the vibrant Costa Smeralda. The ingredients for a perfect holiday are all there: Caribbean like beaches, where the white sand blends with the blue sea; but also design, fashion, music, events. Not far from the coast can also be found cultural attractions such as nuraghi, tombs of the giants and other archaeological monuments dating back to the prehistoric civilisations that inhabited the island.

Once you get there, you can enjoy the sun on one of the beaches on your travel wishlist, which can be: 

• Liscia Ruja beach: one of the most spacious and, for this reason, well served beaches. Crystal-clear sea and white, or better, ultra-white sand.
• Cala Capriccioli: turquoise waters surrounded by striking granite rocks, characteristic of the entire Gallura region.
• Grande Pevero and Piccolo Pevero: the first one is an arc of sand stretching along the coast for about 300 metres, with numerous golf courses belonging to the famous Pevero golf club behind it. The second beach, on the other hand, bordered by rocks and cliffs, is more reserved and protected.

In the late afternoon, on your way back to your villa in Costa Smeralda, you can stop at Arzachena's most famous archaeological site: the La Prisgiona nuraghe and the Coddu 'Ecchiu tomb of the giants. This nuragic complex is one of the best preserved and most representative on the entire island. It can be visited during public opening hours and without a minimum number of participants.

Staying in the surroundings of the Costa Smeralda, the fourth day can be dedicated to discovering the largest islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, which can be easily reached by car from the port of Palau. The ferry crossing, in fact, takes little more than 20 minutes.

Once you land in the town of La Maddalena, you will be enchanted by its picturesque charm: markets and handicraft shops populate its alleys and lanes and a romantic promenade where you can admire the sea. 

Moving away from the city centre, to reach the island of Caprera it is necessary to cross a bridge connecting the two islands. Here, the seascape and landscape that will open up in front of you is a true expression of the wildest nature, which, despite the constant tourism flow, has nevertheless remained preserved and protected. One of the main points of interest for four-wheel travellers is the famous Garibaldi House, the residence where the hero of two worlds spent the last years of his life and where he is still buried today. The museum tour lasts about an hour.

To stay in Costa Smeralda, the best solution is to rent a villa and have all the comforts at your fingertips. 

We recommend:

• Villa Alba Luna: a villa in Porto Cervo that can comfortably host up to 10 people in 5 bedrooms. The private pool overlooking the Gulf of Pevero and the well-kept interior are everything you will need during your holiday in Sardinia. 
• Villa Jaqueline: in the heart of the Costa Smeralda, this villa for rent is decorated with natural Sardinian materials. Roomy and cozy, it has privileged views over one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Mediterranean.
• Casa Sun Bay: exclusive holiday home for rent with direct access to the beach in Sardinia. It is a semi-detached house with an inimitable view and is easily accessible beyond the industrial area of Olbia. This holiday home by the sea in Sardinia has a small, secluded beach on the left side, as well as a number of other equally secluded coves that can be easily reached within a few minutes' walk. 

We end our Sardinia tour by driving about 280 km along Strada Statale 125 (known as the Orientale Sarda), which runs parallel to the coast from north to south across the island.

It leads to the Villasimius area, full of spectacular beaches with fine sand and real natural pools. We especially recommend Porto Giunco beach, with its soft dunes plunging into transparent waters, and Simius beach, still fascinating but more spacious and well-equipped. Finally, Punta Molentis, an authentic portrait of Mediterranean maquis, among granite rocks, colourful shrubs and flowers.

In the evening, the small village of Villasimius comes alive with tourists and locals, who, after a day spent at the beach, populate the numerous restaurants and outdoor bars. During the summer, there is no lack of events and shows for the entertainment of young and old.

Even in the south there is plenty of solutions for comfy accommodation:

• Villa Il Rifugio degli Artisti: this villa for rent with private pool stands on a panoramic promontory in Torre delle Stelle, offering its guests a view that needs no description. Inside, the villa is furnished with fine furniture and design elements carefully selected and is excellent for accommodating up to 20 people.
• Villa Il Sogno delle Nereidi: recently renovated, this beautiful villa for rent with private pool is located in Torre delle Stelle, a few steps from the most beautiful beaches in South Sardinia. The well-kept, designer interiors consist of 3 double bedrooms and 3 stone and natural marble bathrooms. 

Our Sardinia tour stops here, but we hope we have inspired you with some travel ideas for your next four-wheeled holiday. Now all you have to do is contact us (also via Whatsapp or email) and book your villa rental in Sardinia in just a few clicks.

Sardinia Unlimited is a real estate agency in Olbia specialised in property management and in buying and selling of villas in Sardinia. If you are a property owner in Sardinia or would like to purchase a property, contact us by phone or email and find the right solution for you.

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