Sardinia

Sardinia is Italy's second-largest island, a Mediterranean jewel where turquoise coves rival the Caribbean, rugged mountains hide ancient Nuragic civilisations, and authentic villages serve roast suckling pig and Cannonau wine far from the tourist trail. From the glamour of Costa Smeralda's superyacht harbours to the wild gorges of the Gennargentu and the notably pink sands of Budelli beach in the Maddalena Archipelago, no two corners of the island feel the same.

Colorful hillside town with a medieval castle on top, overlooking the sea under a clear blue sky in Sardinia, Italy.

SardiniaTravel Essentials

Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Italian; Sardinian (Sardo) widely spoken
Best time
May–June and September–October
Plug
Type F (Schuko), 230V / 50Hz

Overview

Sardinia sits in the western Mediterranean between Italy, Corsica, and the North African coast, yet feels like a world entirely its own. Its 1,800 kilometres of coastline range from the powder-white luxury beaches of the north-east to the dramatic sea-stack cliffs of the south-west, while the interior shelters a largely wild region — the Barbagia highlands, where shepherds still speak a language closer to Latin than Italian. The island is home to thousands of Nuragic stone towers and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini, plus a food culture so distinct it has been called a cuisine within a cuisine. Whether you come for a week of beach-hopping, a road trip through mountain villages, or a sailing charter along the Golfo di Orosei, Sardinia rewards visitors who give it time.

Why visit Sardinia

Sardinia offers an unmatched combination of Europe's clearest waters, a living Bronze Age archaeological landscape, and an interior so wild and authentic it feels undiscovered — all within a short flight of most European capitals.

At a glance

  • Second-largest island in the Mediterranean at 24,090 km²
  • Capital city is Cagliari, in the south of the island
  • Home to thousands of Nuragic stone towers, more than anywhere else on Earth
  • Part of Italy but with its own autonomous regional government and distinct Sardinian language
  • One of the world's five Blue Zones — residents here live unusually long lives
  • Three international airports: Cagliari, Olbia, and Alghero

Best time to visit Sardinia

May to June and September to October offer the best balance of warm weather, swimmable seas, and manageable crowds; July and August are peak season with the best beach weather but heavy traffic and higher prices. Read our best time to visit guide.

Places to visit in Sardinia

Guides

Top attractions in Sardinia

🛫 From Sardinia to Sicily

If Sardinia's wild beaches and Nuragic mysteries have captivated you, Sicily offers another layer of Mediterranean depth — Greek temples, Baroque hill towns, and the brooding presence of Mount Etna, all wrapped in one of Italy's richest food cultures.

Explore our Sicily guide