Sardinia has white-sand beaches and clear water, from the Costa Smeralda to the wilder Cala Goloritze, plus Bronze Age stone towers and a distinctive cuisine. June to September is peak beach season; spring is great for hiking.
Good to know
- Rent a car; public transport is sparse outside towns.
- Book beach-club tables and boats in July and August.
- Some beaches limit daily visitors; reserve ahead.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Shallow, turquoise bay with a Spanish tower; reservations are required in summer.
A beach reached by trail or boat below limestone cliffs, among the most beautiful in Italy.
Glamorous yacht harbor and emerald coves in the north, with beach clubs and upscale shopping.
Boat day among pink-granite islands with swimming stops at sandy beaches and clear coves.
Catalan-influenced walled port with ramparts and seafood restaurants.
UNESCO Bronze Age tower complex built by the Nuragic civilization, 3,500 years old, with underground passages.
Sea cave with stalactites reached by boat or 654-step stairway.
Hilltop Castello district with views and an excellent fish market.
Europe's deepest canyon, with a rocky hike between 400-meter limestone walls; a guide is recommended.
Tasting at family wineries in the interior, known for Cannonau, the red wine linked to the island's longevity.
Farmhouse feast with porceddu, culurgiones and local wine, served family-style at long tables.