When we started planning our trip to Sardinia, Italy, I kept seeing photos of crystal-clear water that honestly looked too beautiful to be real. After spending ten days road-tripping around the island, I can officially say the pictures don’t do it justice.

Sardinia ended up being one of the most diverse places we’ve ever visited. We explored luxury marinas, medieval towns, quiet beaches, scenic coastal drives, and some of the best restaurants we’ve ever experienced. Every stop felt completely different from the last, which is one of the things I loved most about the island.

If you’re planning your own trip, this is exactly what we did, where we stayed, where we ate, and what I’d absolutely recommend after experiencing it ourselves.

Quick Trip Details

Length of Trip: 10 Days

Arrival Airport: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport

Departure Airport: Cagliari Elmas Airport

Rental Car: Only Sardinia Auto Noleggio (I highly recommend renting a car if you want to see multiple parts of the island.)

Hotels We Stayed At

• Jazz Hotel (Olbia)
• Hotel Las Tronas (Alghero)
• Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa (Villasimius)

Restaurants We Loved

• Al Tuguri
• Sabat Fine Dining
• Hotel Las Tronas Restaurant
• Toyo Sushi
• Agriturismo Sa Bingia

Highlights

• Porto Cervo
• Alghero
• The coastal drive from Alghero to Bosa
• Castello Malaspina
• Spiaggia di Compoltitu
• Villasimius
• Cagliari

Flying from California to Sardinia

We flew from San Francisco to London Heathrow before connecting to Olbia, which is one of the main airports in northern Sardinia.

Since we knew we’d be exploring several different parts of the island, we picked up our rental car from Only Sardinia Auto Noleggio as soon as we landed. Looking back, renting a car was absolutely the right decision. Sardinia is much larger than I expected, and so many of the island’s best beaches, viewpoints, and small towns are only accessible if you have your own transportation.

Rather than starting our road trip immediately, we spent our first night at the Jazz Hotel in Olbia. After nearly a full day of traveling, it was the perfect place to recharge before beginning our adventure the next morning.

First Stop: Porto Cervo

Our first stop was Porto Cervo, located in the famous Costa Smeralda.

Even if luxury shopping isn’t your thing, I still think Porto Cervo is worth visiting. The marina is lined with incredible yachts, beautiful landscaping, waterfront cafés, and high-end boutiques. We spent a few hours walking around, enjoying the atmosphere, and soaking in a completely different side of Sardinia before heading west across the island.

One thing that surprised me during this drive was how quickly the scenery changed. Within a couple of hours we had gone from glamorous marinas to rolling hills, vineyards, cork oak forests, mountain roads, and tiny villages that felt completely untouched. Sardinia is so much more than beautiful beaches, and that became obvious almost immediately.

Arriving in Alghero

By late afternoon we arrived in Alghero, which ended up being one of my favorite towns of the entire trip.

We checked into Hotel Las Tronas, a beautiful waterfront hotel just outside the historic center. I loved staying here because it gave us incredible views of the Mediterranean while still being close enough to walk into Old Town whenever we wanted.

The historic center of Alghero is exactly what you picture when you imagine a charming Italian coastal town. Cobblestone streets, outdoor cafés, local boutiques, flower-covered balconies, and centuries-old buildings are around almost every corner.

One of my favorite things to do was simply wander without a plan. We spent hours walking the old city walls overlooking the Mediterranean, stopping for gelato, browsing small shops, and taking in the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a packed itinerary because exploring is half the fun.

Dinner our first night confirmed something we’d continue to experience throughout the trip: the food in Sardinia is incredible. Fresh seafood, homemade pasta, local wines, and warm hospitality quickly became the theme of our vacation.

If you’re planning your own itinerary, I’d recommend spending at least a few nights in Alghero. It has a completely different feel than the beach resorts farther south and was one of the places I could easily see myself returning to.

One of the Most Beautiful Drives in Sardinia

If there was one thing I’d tell everyone planning a Sardinia itinerary, it’s this:

Do not skip the coastal drive from Alghero to Bosa.

It ended up being one of my favorite drives we’ve ever taken.

The road hugs the coastline with dramatic cliffs on one side and the bright blue Mediterranean on the other. Around almost every corner there’s another incredible viewpoint, and we found ourselves pulling over more times than we planned just to take it all in.

Give yourself extra time for this drive because you’ll absolutely want to stop for photos.

Visiting Bosa

After the drive, we arrived in Bosa, and it looked exactly like the postcards.

The colorful houses climbing the hillside above the Temo River immediately catch your attention, and seeing them reflected in the water was one of the prettiest views of the entire trip.

We made the climb to Castello Malaspina, and while it’s definitely uphill, the panoramic views are worth every step. From the top you can see the entire town, the river winding toward the sea, and the surrounding countryside.

After exploring the castle, we had lunch along the river, and it ended up being one of those simple meals that you’ll remember forever. Sitting outside with that view, watching boats drift by, perfectly captured the slower pace of life we came to love in Sardinia.

Spiaggia di Compoltitu

On our way back toward Alghero, we stopped at Spiaggia di Compoltitu, and it quickly became one of my favorite beaches of the trip.

There is about a quarter-mile walk down a rocky trail, so wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in. Once you reach the beach, though, you’ll understand why everyone makes the hike.

The water was unbelievably clear, the sand was soft, and even though there were quite a few people there, it never felt crowded. We spent a couple of hours swimming, relaxing, and enjoying what felt like one of Sardinia’s hidden gems.

If you’re looking for a beach that truly lives up to the photos, this is it.

Dinner at Al Tuguri

That evening we had reservations at Al Tuguri, and it ended up being one of the best meals of our entire vacation.

We chose the tasting menu, which I would absolutely recommend if it’s available. Every course highlighted local Sardinian ingredients, and the creativity and presentation were incredible without ever feeling pretentious.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion while you’re in Alghero, I’d make this reservation well in advance.

A Slower Day at Hotel Las Tronas

One thing we intentionally built into this trip was time to slow down.

Instead of trying to squeeze in another sightseeing day, we spent one afternoon enjoying Hotel Las Tronas and everything the property has to offer.

The hotel sits right on the Mediterranean, and it’s the perfect place to relax between road trips. We spent hours reading, enjoying the views, and simply appreciating where we were. Looking back, I’m so glad we left room in our itinerary for days like this instead of trying to see every attraction.

That evening we had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, and the lobster was easily one of the best I’ve ever had. Between the food and the oceanfront setting, it was another unforgettable meal.

Riservato Beach Bar

To wrap up our last night in Alghero, we headed to Riservato Beach Bar, and it was such a fun surprise.

Set right on the water, it has a completely different vibe than Old Town. There was a DJ playing music, everyone was dressed up, and it had that effortless European summer atmosphere you always hope to find while traveling.

We grabbed drinks, watched the sunset over the Mediterranean, and spent the evening people-watching before heading back to the hotel.

It was the perfect way to end our time in Alghero.

Looking back, Alghero wasn’t just one of my favorite stops in Sardinia. It was one of my favorite towns we’ve visited anywhere in Italy. Between the history, incredible restaurants, beautiful coastline, and relaxed pace, it’s a place I’d go back to in a heartbeat.

Driving to Villasimius

After a few incredible days in Alghero, it was time to head to the southern part of the island.

The drive to Villasimius took about four and a half hours, but honestly, it never felt long. One thing that surprised me most about Sardinia was how much the landscape changes depending on where you are. During one drive you’ll pass mountains, vineyards, olive groves, tiny villages, farmland, and then suddenly you’re back along the coast looking at some of the clearest water you’ve ever seen.

If you’re debating whether it’s worth driving around the island instead of staying in one place, my answer is absolutely yes. Exploring different regions ended up being one of the best parts of the trip.

Our Stay at Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa

For the second half of our vacation, we checked into Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa in Villasimius.

This hotel had a completely different feel from Hotel Las Tronas, which is one of the reasons I loved staying at both.

Las Tronas felt like an intimate boutique hotel tucked along the water, while Almar Timi Ama felt like a true Mediterranean beach resort. The property is much larger, with beautiful landscaping, multiple restaurants, a gorgeous pool, and easy access to one of the prettiest beaches we visited in Sardinia.

If you’re looking for a resort where you can truly relax for a few days, this is a wonderful option.

A Beach That Lives Up to the Photos

One of the highlights of staying at Almar Timi Ama is its private beach club.

It’s about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, or you can take the complimentary shuttle if you prefer.

The beach is exactly what you picture when you think of Sardinia. Soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and plenty of space to spread out and relax.

I’ve traveled to enough beaches to know that sometimes the pictures online are better than real life. That wasn’t the case here. The water really is that clear, and the colors honestly look photoshopped.

We spent an entire day swimming, reading, and enjoying the slower pace after several days of sightseeing. It ended up being one of my favorite beach days of the trip.

Exploring Villasimius

One evening we decided to leave the resort and explore the town of Villasimius.

Before heading into town, we walked through the nearby marina. It’s a beautiful area for a stroll, but it’s fairly small, so after a little while we decided to keep exploring.

I’m so glad we did.

The town of Villasimius has such a fun atmosphere in the evenings. Many of the streets become pedestrian-only, and they’re lined with restaurants, boutiques, wine bars, and little shops. Everyone is outside enjoying dinner or walking through town, and it has such a lively energy without feeling overwhelming.

It was one of those places where we ended up walking much longer than we planned simply because we didn’t want the evening to end.

Dinner at Sa Bingia Fine Dining

While we were in Villasimius, we had dinner at Sa Bingia for another standout meal.

Your hotel can make the reservation, and dinner begins between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. Unlike a traditional restaurant, there’s no menu to order from. Instead, everyone is served the same farm-to-table meal featuring fresh, seasonal Sardinian dishes, along with local wine and water. Course after course kept arriving, and every dish was beautifully prepared. By the end of the meal we were completely stuffed, and it ended up being one of the most memorable dining experiences of our entire trip.

Exploring Cagliari Before Heading Home

Before flying home, we made one last stop in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital.

Even though we only had a few hours, I’m really glad we included it in our itinerary. It gave us one final glimpse of a completely different side of the island.

Our first stop was the Bastione di Saint Remy, where you’ll find incredible panoramic views overlooking the city, harbor, and Mediterranean. It’s one of those places that’s absolutely worth visiting, even if you’re short on time.

From there we walked to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Sardinia. The architecture and artwork inside were stunning, and it was a peaceful way to spend our last morning before heading to the airport.

For lunch, we mixed things up and ate at Toyo Sushi. After so many incredible Italian meals throughout the trip, it was actually a fun change of pace and a great way to end our vacation.

From there, we returned our rental car to Only Sardinia Auto Noleggio at Cagliari Elmas Airport. Since we flew into Olbia and out of Cagliari, being able to do a one-way rental made our itinerary so much easier. I’d absolutely do it the same way again.

Would I Visit Sardinia Again?

Without hesitation…yes.

Before this trip, I expected beautiful beaches. What I didn’t expect was how incredibly diverse the island would be.

Every stop felt different.

Porto Cervo gave us a glimpse of Sardinia’s luxury side.

Alghero completely won me over with its historic streets, waterfront views, and amazing restaurants.

The drive from Alghero to Bosa ended up being one of the most beautiful coastal drives I’ve ever experienced.

Villasimius was everything I hoped for in a beach destination, with crystal-clear water that somehow looked even better in person than it did in photos.

Then Cagliari gave us one last chance to experience the island’s history before flying home.

That variety is what makes Sardinia so special.

My Biggest Tips for Planning a Sardinia Trip

If you’re planning your own vacation, here’s what I’d recommend after spending ten days exploring the island.

✔ Rent a car. This is probably my biggest piece of advice. Some of our favorite beaches, viewpoints, and small towns would have been impossible to see without one.

✔ Stay in more than one area. Alghero and Villasimius feel completely different, and I’m so glad we experienced both.

✔ Don’t rush the drives. The roads between destinations became some of our favorite memories. Leave extra time because you’ll definitely want to stop for photos.

✔ Make restaurant reservations early. Especially during the summer months if you want to eat at restaurants like Al Tuguri or Sabat Fine Dining.

✔ Build in downtime. We intentionally planned slower afternoons at both Hotel Las Tronas and Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa, and those ended up being some of our favorite moments of the trip.

Our Favorite Places in Sardinia

If you’re short on time, these were the experiences that stood out the most.

Favorite Hotel

Hotel Las Tronas (Alghero)

Favorite Beach Resort

Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa (Villasimius)

Favorite Scenic Drive

The coastal road between Alghero and Bosa

Favorite Beach

Spiaggia di Compoltitu

Favorite Historic Town

Alghero

Favorite Fine Dining

Al Tuguri

Favorite Beach Day

The beach club at Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa

Favorite Evening

Drinks at Riservato Beach Bar followed by a sunset over the Mediterranean

Final Thoughts

Sardinia completely exceeded my expectations.

It isn’t just a destination for beautiful beaches. It’s a place filled with incredible food, charming towns, scenic road trips, welcoming people, and landscapes that change around every corner.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting Sardinia, I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own trip. I’d happily do this exact route again, and there are still so many places on the island I’d love to explore the next time we visit.

Until next time, Sardinia. 🇮🇹