Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Cagliari
Morning Arrival & check-in
Land at Cagliari-Elmas Airport, just 7 km from the city center. Pick up your rental car (essential for exploring the island) and check into the Marina or Stampace district, at the foot of the Castello.
Afternoon Castello quarter
Climb to the Castello, the medieval citadel perched on the hill overlooking Cagliari. Stroll through cobblestone lanes, admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria (13th century), the Pisan towers of San Pancrazio and the Elephant, and enjoy the panorama over the harbor and salt flats from Terrazza Umberto I.
Evening Dinner in Marina district
Head down to the Marina district for your first Sardinian dinner. This lively neighborhood is packed with trattorias serving local specialties: fregola with seafood (typical small ball-shaped pasta), bottarga (mullet roe), and porceddu (roast suckling pig).
Day 2 Cagliari: History & Beach
Morning Archaeological Museum & Roman amphitheatre
Visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, home to the finest collection of Nuragic bronzetti (bronze statuettes from the Nuragic civilization, 1500-500 BC) and the Giants of Mont'e Prama, monumental statues unique in the Mediterranean. Follow with the Roman amphitheatre (2nd century), carved into limestone rock.
Afternoon Poetto beach
Head to Poetto beach, an 8 km ribbon of sand stretching along Cagliari. It's the most spectacular urban beach in the Mediterranean, with views of the Sella del Diavolo (rocky promontory). Turquoise water, fine sand, and the pink Molentargius salt flats just behind.
Evening Aperitivo in Villanova
End the day in the Villanova quarter, the most colorful in Cagliari. Its lanes adorned with street art and flower-filled balconies come alive at aperitivo hour. Savor a mirto (Sardinian myrtle liqueur) or a crisp vermentino accompanied by culurgiones (Sardinian ravioli stuffed with potato and mint).
Day 3 Nuraghi & Central Sardinia
Morning Su Nuraxi di Barumini (UNESCO)
Drive to Barumini (1h from Cagliari) to visit Su Nuraxi, the largest Nuragic complex in Sardinia, a UNESCO site. This basalt-stone fortress village dates to 1500 BC and bears witness to a unique civilization found nowhere else in the Mediterranean. The 18m central tower is impressive.
Afternoon Giara di Gesturi plateau
15 min from Barumini, climb to the basalt plateau of Giara di Gesturi (580m), a unique lunar landscape covered with cork oaks and temporary ponds (pauli). It's the last refuge of the cavallini della Giara, small wild horses that have lived here for millennia.
Evening Dinner in Oristano
Drive to Oristano (45 min) for the night. This quiet town is the heart of agricultural Sardinia. Dine in a local trattoria to discover vernaccia di Oristano (unique oxidative white wine), pecorino sardo, and malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchetti with sausage and saffron sauce).
Day 4 Alghero & the Coral Riviera
Morning Drive to Alghero & Catalan old town
Drive to Alghero (2h from Oristano) along the west coast. Alghero is unique in Sardinia: colonized by Catalans in the 14th century, it preserved its language (Alguerès, a Catalan dialect) and architecture. Explore the sea-facing ramparts, lanes with wrought-iron balconies, and Gothic churches.
Afternoon Neptune's Grotto
Take the boat from Alghero harbor (25 min) to reach the Grotta di Nettuno, one of the most beautiful sea caves in Europe. Stalactites and stalagmites reflect in an underground saltwater lake with surreal colors. You can also access it via the Escala del Cabirol (654 steps carved into the cliff).
Evening Seafood dinner on the ramparts
Dine at a restaurant on Alghero's ramparts facing the sunset over the sea. The specialty here is Catalan-style lobster (aragosta alla catalana), served cold with tomatoes and onions. An iconic Alghero dish found nowhere else in Sardinia.
Day 5 Stintino & La Pelosa
Morning La Pelosa beach
Leave early for La Pelosa (40 min from Alghero), often ranked among Europe's most beautiful beaches. Crystal-clear turquoise water over white sand, with the Aragonese tower and Asinara island as a backdrop. A true Caribbean-postcard landscape in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Afternoon Asinara National Park
Board a boat from Stintino to Asinara island, a wild and preserved national park. A former penal colony closed in 1997, the island remained untouched. You'll see white albino donkeys (endemic species), incredibly clear waters, and prison remnants in a surreal setting.
Evening Free evening in Alghero
Return to Alghero for a free evening. Stroll along the ramparts at sunset, grab an artisan gelato in the historic center, or settle at a terrace to enjoy the summer Mediterranean atmosphere. Alghero is one of Sardinia's most pleasant towns in the evening.
Day 6 Road to Costa Smeralda
Morning Castelsardo
Leaving Alghero heading northeast, stop at Castelsardo (1h), one of Sardinia's most beautiful villages. Perched on a volcanic promontory facing the sea, this fortified medieval village offers breathtaking views. Visit the citadel and the Museo dell'Intreccio (traditional Sardinian basket-weaving).
Afternoon San Pantaleo village
Continue to San Pantaleo (1h30), a granite village nestled among the wind-sculpted rocks of Gallura. This artists' village has become the bohemian heart of Costa Smeralda — art galleries, ceramic workshops, and trendy cafes in a setting of ancient stones. Every Thursday, an artisan market fills the square.
Evening Porto Cervo evening stroll
Head to Porto Cervo (20 min), the glamorous jewel of Costa Smeralda, created in the 1960s by Prince Aga Khan. Stroll the piazzetta, admire the yachts in the marina, and have a drink in this casually luxurious setting. The architecture is unique — a blend of Sardinian tradition and modern design.
Day 7 La Maddalena Archipelago
Morning Boat trip to La Maddalena & Budelli
From Palau (30 min from Costa Smeralda), board a boat for a full day in the La Maddalena archipelago, a national park of 7 islands with unreal blue waters. The boat tours the most spectacular coves: Cala Corsara (Spargi), Spiaggia Rosa (Budelli, visible from the boat), and the natural pools of La Maddalena.
Afternoon Spargi coves & swimming
The afternoon of the boat tour is devoted to swimming in the coves of Spargi and Caprera. Cala Corsara on Spargi offers a landscape of pink granite rocks sculpted by the wind, plunging into translucent water. Stop at Caprera to see Garibaldi's house-museum if the tour allows.
Evening Farewell dinner in Olbia
Drive to Olbia (30 min) for your last Sardinian evening. The recently renovated pedestrian historic center is pleasant and lively. Treat yourself to a final feast of Sardinian specialties: zuppa gallurese (gratinéed bread and cheese soup), porceddu, and seadas (cheese fritters with honey) for dessert.
Day 8 Last Morning & Departure
Morning Olbia market & San Simplicio Basilica
Last morning in Olbia: visit the covered market for gastronomic souvenirs (pecorino, bottarga, mirto, torrone). Then discover the Basilica of San Simplicio (11th century), the oldest Romanesque building in Sardinia, in granite and limestone, with a moving sobriety.
Afternoon Free time & last swim
If your flight is in late afternoon, enjoy a few hours at Pittulongu beach (10 min from Olbia), a fine sand cove bordered by granite rocks. Transparent water and a more intimate setting than the big Costa Smeralda beaches — perfect for a last Sardinian swim.
Evening Airport transfer & departure
Return your rental car at Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport and board your flight with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a mind full of landscapes. Sardinia is an island that leaves its mark — you'll be back.