I’m a huge fans of islands (perhaps because I’ve lived my whole life on the island of Manhattan), and Sardinia has long been on my short list. I just know I’d love this Italian island! If you’re looking to learn more about Sardinia like I am, I hope you’ll enjoy this post brought to you by Expedia.
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and thanks to its size, it can offer travellers an incredibly diverse range of experiences to enjoy. Whether you want to amble around tiny picturesque villages, take in outstanding natural landscapes, of all descriptions, or get up to something a little more active, holidays to Sardinia really do have it all.
Beaches and Coast
Some of the Mediterranean region’s very best unspoilt beaches can be found on Sardinia. The beautiful turquoise ocean, the white sand and the top summer temperatures of 26°C can fool you into thinking you’re in a much more tropical location. The climate gets cooler as you move inland towards the mountains and valleys.
The well-known San Teodoro coastline offers the breathtaking La Cinta beach and a lagoon packed with flora, fauna and flamingos. Porto Pino is perhaps the best option for natural reefs, dunes and underwater diving, while the beaches of Costa Verde will appeal to those wanting a more unspoilt, wild and natural setting.
For a more glitzy experience, there’s the Costa Smeralda, offering visitors the very best in luxury accommodation, five-star beaches and high-end shops. The Santa Teresa di Gallura area provides a more laid-back and less extravagant experience, while still giving tourists everything you would expect from a top-class resort.
Islands and Inland
It’s important not to forget the islands that surround Sardinia, which offer up some unique sights and experiences of their own. Isola dei Gabbiani is a must-see if windsurfing or kite surfing is your passion, while Sant’Antioco and San Pietro to the southwest offer both cosy, quiet beaches and towns full of character and diversion.
Take a trip to inland Sardinia and a whole new world opens up, filled with mountain peaks, diverse vegetation and plenty of opportunities for hiking and climbing. Negotiate your way between the grazing cattle and sheep to find citrus groves, stunning natural vistas and eerie, abandoned stone temples from a bygone era.
Places of interest
If cobbled streets and church spires appeal more than stretches of coastline and dips in the ocean, then you’re also well catered for in Sardinia. Places of particular interest include the medieval-style city of Bosa, which gives you an opportunity to step into the island’s Catalan past, and the historic Calgliari, which manages to blend both traditional and contemporary tastes into an appealing whole that will take you some time to explore fully.
Alghero is one of Sardinia’s most picturesque destinations, whether you settle down in one of the busy squares or take a wander down some of the narrow backstreets that lead to nowhere in particular. Nuoro, near the centre of Sardinia, is well worth a trip too; it offers a selection of museums and churches and a towering mountain backdrop, courtesy of Monte Ortobene, that prompted author D.H. Lawrence to describe it as “the end of the world.”
The Maddalena Archipelago, off the northwest coast, should be high up on anyone’s list of spots to visit – a gloriously unspoilt collection of islands, hidden coves and beaches that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s not the only one, either; the Nuraghe of Barumini, a unique temple ruin of circles and swirls, also has this distinction and is nestled in the southern half of the island.
Other Activities
There’s much more to Sardinia than sightseeing. The cuisine you can enjoy is also exceptional, with pasta, cheeses and bread being particular specialities for the locals. A broad and high-quality selection of Sardinian wines is available to go with your food and, if you’re particularly daring, you can try the filu e ferru firewater. Restaurants run the full gamut from quirky and local, to large and tourist-orientated.
Canoeing and kayaking trips can be booked from multiple locations, including Bosa, while boating and walking tours are also available if you can’t decide exactly what to see and would like someone else to decide for you. Diving, fishing and windsurfing trips are also popular, so there is the option to put together a more energetic schedule, should you wish. This is the beauty of Sardinia – a rich diversity and something to suit every holiday-maker.
The Pearl of the Mediterranean
It’s not difficult to see why Sardinia earned its nickname “the pearl of the Mediterranean.” Few places on earth can offer this special combination of stunning beaches, charming towns and breathtaking inland scenery, all on one island. Now more accessible than ever, though still unspoilt by tourism in many areas, there’s no reason not to visit.
