Sardinia

A thousand miles of Mediterranean coast, from Costa Smeralda to wild coves.

White sand and granite, not just one famous bay. Liscia Ruja and the Maddalena archipelago are the glamorous north. Cala Mariolu and the east coves are the boat-day religion. August is a different, louder island.

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Location

40.12° N, 9.01° EOpen in OpenStreetMap

Must-see spots

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Best time to visit

June and September

Trip planner

A Sardinia itinerary

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Field guide

Rent a car. Sardinia's beaches are a coastline, not a single resort strip. The east coves want a boat; the north wants a reservation.

North vs east

Costa Smeralda is polished and priced accordingly. The Gulf of Orosei is cliffs and pebble-sand coves you reach by boat from Cala Gonone. Both are 'Sardinia.' They are not interchangeable.

When

June and September have the water without the August density. July is already busy. Some beach clubs take the best sand — pay or walk farther.

Pack this in your notes

Ferries from the mainland book out in summer. So do cars.
Cala Mariolu is a morning boat, not a 2 p.m. idea.
Bring water shoes for rocky entries.
Sardinian bread, cheese, and a seaside lunch beat another resort buffet.

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Traveler reviews

Rate and review

Rae S.

8/10

Sardinia in June and September

Costa Smeralda swim that is not at noon. Best window from where I sat: June and September. I would not trade this coast for a busier island.

Dec 5, 2025

Noah P.

10/10

The water is the itinerary in Sardinia

A boat into the Gulf of Orosei coves. Costa Smeralda swim that is not at noon. In Italy the color of the water does more work than any hotel list. A thousand miles of Mediterranean coast, from Costa Smeralda to wild coves.

Nov 4, 2025

Amelia K.

10/10

The water is the itinerary in Sardinia

La Maddalena if the ferries line up. Is Arutas for the quartz-grain beach. In Italy the color of the water does more work than any hotel list. A thousand miles of Mediterranean coast, from Costa Smeralda to wild coves.

Jan 6, 2025