A south Sardinia road trip

The Italian island of Sardinia is a destination that was made for road trips.

Scenic roads take you from the dazzling blue coast to the mountainous inland terrain, peppered with quaint towns in between.

It was for this reason that we decided to do a Sardinia road trip, specifically a south Sardinia road trip.

Starting at Cagliari, this post details our Sardinia 7-day road trip itinerary. It lists all the places we visited, main points of interest and where we stayed in Sardinia.

You can use this post to plan your own Sardinia itinerary or use it as a mini south Sardinia guide.

Perfect material for your Italy bucket list I hope you find it helpful for planning your own trip to Italy.

A south Sardinia road trip

Traveling around Sardinia — the basics

Sardinia (Sardegna) is an island located off the west coast of Italy. An autonomous region, its capital, or capoluogo, is the city of Cagliari. It's also one of the most popular islands where Italians like to vacation.

It’s an island filled with mountains, woods, rocky coasts and long sandy beaches. Unlike Sicily, Sardinia is filled with large uninhabited territories and wild, remote landscapes.

Most famous for its fine, white sandy beaches and crystalline waters, Sardinia is a no-brainer for any beach lover.

Sardinia is a very easy island to get to.

Main international airports include Cagliari Elmas in the south and Olbia Costa Smeralda in the north. From the mainland in Lazio, there’s also the option to take a ferry from the port at Civitavecchia.

We arrived in Sardinia from Verona Villafranca airport, with a comfortable flight time of 1hr 10mins.

Day 1 — arrival in Cagliari

The thermostat presented a sweltering 95°F (35°C) when we arrived at our hotel in Cagliari on a Tuesday afternoon.

How to get to Cagliari from the airport

Cagliari has the shortest journey time from the airport to the center of any destination I’ve ever traveled to.

By train, it’s around a 10-minute ride from Elmas Airport to the center of Cagliari. Super easy to find, the train station’s connected to the airport and is just six minutes on foot. There’s also no chance of missing your stop as Cagliari is the final station on the line.

It’s also worth mentioning how cheap train tickets cost in Sardinia. Per adult, we paid €1.30 ($1.33/£1.09)* for a one-way ticket.

If you prefer to take a taxi, it’s a fixed price of €20 ($20.45/£16.79)* from Elmas Airport to Cagliari center.

Main points of interest in Cagliari

After freshening up at our hotel, we headed out into the center.

A big advantage to visiting Cagliari is that the main attractions are all within close walking distance. On top of this they’re also all free, something that's a big help if organizing budget travel to Sardinia.

During our 2 days in Cagliari, we were pleasantly surprised by the low prices in the city.

Budget travelers should definitely consider visiting Cagliari. It's one of the cheapest places we’ve visited in Italy and it has tons of travel potential.

Without a doubt, the most striking attraction in Cagliari is the Bastione di Sant Remy.

The historic early 20th century building was named after the first Viceroy of Piedmont, the Baron of Saint Remy. Overlooking Piazza Costituzione, it’s a magnificent sight at the intersection of Via Garibaldi and Via Manno.

Bastione di Sant Remy, Piazza Costituzione, Cagliari

Better at the top

Ascend the stairs to the top of the Bastione di Sant Remy to enjoy panoramic views across Cagliari and beyond. Here, you’ll find several panoramic points including Terrazza Umberto I and Regina Elena (Bastione).

From the Bastione di Sant Remy, other attractions in Cagliari are all close by. They include the Torre dell’Elefante and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, Cagliari’s Duomo.

We spent the remainder of our first day in Cagliari walking through the center. On our second, and final night of our south Sardinia road trip, we explored the area surrounding the marina.

A city with plenty to see, for us, Cagliari is the best place to stay in Sardinia without a car.

Torre dell’Elefante (Elephant Tower), Via Santa Croce
Cattedrale di Santa Maria (St Mary’s Cathedral), Piazza Palazzo, 4/a

Where to stay in Cagliari

Over 7 nights, we spent 2 in Cagliari, the first and the last night of our road trip in Sardinia.

Our first hotel was at casa minù santa chiara. The location’s excellent and situated right in the heart of Cagliari’s city center.

While our room was clean and sufficient for 1 night, we wouldn’t likely stay here again. The room we were given was quite small, outdated and the ‘breakfast’ in our room was a packet of tostada and marmalade.

Our second hotel was CRAMU Bed & Breakfast. Just minutes’ walk from Cagliari train station, it’s a convenient choice for the city. Rooms are modern and the place is well decorated but we also wouldn’t likely stay here again.

Our room (Superior) was comfortable but the bathroom was small and the air conditioning didn’t ventilate the room well.

Cagliari part two

Should we return to Cagliari again, we’ve spotted other choices that’d be more suitable to our tastes.

B&B Marina di Castello Cagliari is situated right by the marina, with rooms overlooking the water. Towards the center, Hotel Carlo Felice is just minutes’ walk from the Bastion offering chic rooms and generous living space.

casa minù santa chiara, Salita di Santa Chiara, 17
CRAMU Bed & Breakfast, Viale Trieste, 6

Day 2 — Villasimius and the Costa Rei

We began day 2 of our south Sardinia road trip by collecting our rental car from the airport.

While the journey to return to the airport was straightforward, the same can’t be said about our car rental experience. We’d booked long before our vacation and thought we’d gotten a great deal for our Sardinia road trip. How wrong we were.

Car rental disappointment

On arrival, we were asked to pay an extra €250 ($256/£209) on top of the deposit we’d already paid online. The explanation’s too long-winded to explain here, but in short, it was related to the method of payment we used. On top of that, we were also given another car to the one we’d originally requested.

My advice: read the small print of any car rental company, but particularly those that brand themselves as ‘low cost.’ I’d also advise reading any online (recent) reviews, as many will save you from making the same mistake.

For reference, we rented our car from Viaggiare Rent. The experience put a damper on the start of our south Sardinia road trip but we also learned from it.

From now on, we vow to only hire from reputable companies in the future. We know we’ll likely pay more, but there will be less chance of shady hidden charges or bogus wording — we hope.

First stop — Spiaggia del Poetto

Putting our car rental drama behind us, we headed straight to our first stop, and our first beach in Sardinia.

Spiaggia del Poetto is around a 17-minute drive and is a long stretch of sandy beach just outside Cagliari’s center. Stretching 5mi (8km) in length, it’s a welcome break from the humidity of the city.

Visiting Sardinia in mid-to-late July, we found the beaches to be busy but not overly packed. August will surely be a different story. It’s why I always advise against traveling in Italy during this month if at all possible.

Spiaggia del Poetto (Poet’s beach), Cagliari

The most scenic drive

From Spiaggia del Poetto we continued our road trip further west to the town of Villasimius. Probably my favorite route of our entire Sardinia road trip, we were treated to the prettiest views of the coast.

Sardinia is most famous for its immaculate sea, powdery sandy beaches and its aquamarine waters. And driving from Cagliari along the SP17 highway and the Costa Rei, the views didn’t disappoint.

One feature that Sardinia does so well is placing scenic viewing points along the roads. They do spring up when you least expect it, so look out for them in advance when on the road.

Unknown beaches

I’d be lying if I said I knew all of the beaches’ names we’d stopped at before arriving at Villasimius. From a distance and at a good height, any of the beaches you spot here are a glorious sight.

If you’re thinking of doing a beach tour of the area, the following beaches will make your social media beam.

• Spiaggia di Mari Pintau
• Spiaggia di Genn’e Mari
• Spiaggia di Porto Sa Ruxi
• Spiaggia di Marongiu
• Solanas
• Spiaggia di Campus

Lunch and a beach break in Villasimius

We arrived in a very quiet Villasimius at a time when restaurants were beginning to close. Many restaurants in Italy close around 2 or 3pm; something that many visitors aren't aware of.

Viewing beach after beach on the road had worked up quite an appetite. Fortunately for us, there was one place still happily accepting diners.

Baccasardus Wine Bar is a down-to-earth bar offering sharing plates and local wines.

My photo doesn’t do it justice, but believe me, the portions here are huge. For reference, we ordered a sharing platter of local hams and cheeses (bread included), and it cost €15 ($15/£12).

If you’re hungry (and thirsty) and visiting Villasimius, do your hunger pangs a favor by bookmarking Baccasardus Wine Bar.

Baccasardus Wine Bar, Via del Mare, 57

Map: places we visited on our south Sardinia road trip

Back to the beach

After lunch, we made the very short journey to the town’s main beach, Spiaggia di Simius. Parking lots are available for visitors and are within a close walking distance to the beach.

Comfortable, convenient (bar on the beach) and family friendly, it’s extremely relaxing and a good choice in the area.

Spiaggia di Simius (Simius beach), Viale del Sud – Est

Addio Villasimius

Around early afternoon, we left Villasimius to drive to the location of our second night in Sardinia. During the 1hr 27min drive, we enjoyed some spectacular scenery, courtesy of the delightful pink flamingos.

During late spring and summer, it’s possible to spot these incredible birds bathing in wet and marshy areas outside Cagliari.

We spotted hordes of free roaming flamingos at the Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline as we drove through Cagliari. If you’ve time to spare, consider staying for a longer visit.

Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline (Molentargius Nature Park), Via la Palma, 9

Destination: San Giorgio, Sarroch

A long, remote and dusty road led us to the gate of our second hotel, Su Cappeddu Agriturismo. Located in the small town of San Giorgio in the commune of Sarroch, it’s an ideal peaceful getaway.

We wanted to experience different accommodation types on our south Sardinia road trip and so decided upon an agriturismo inland.

Agriturismi are typically places in the Italian countryside that offer lodging as well as home-cooked food and produce. They can sometimes be cheaper than staying at a hotel or B&B and have a relaxed, down-to-earth vibe.

Inside Su Cappeddu

Our room was modern, bright and spacious as was the bathroom. Unfortunately, the WiFi didn’t work during our stay and the breakfast, though consisting of traditional Sardinian sweets was disappointing.

There’s a restaurant on site, but don’t presume — as a guest — that there will be a table waiting for you. On our visit, we were told that the restaurant only took reservations on Sunday. But, double check this as things can, and usually do, always change.

Su Cappeddu Agriturismo, Strada Vicinale Bia Monti, 09010 Villa San Pietro

An evening in Nora

There are a few coastal towns to see near Sarroch but we chose to visit Nora.

The picturesque town is home to some pretty beaches, including its namesake Spiaggia di Nora plus an archaeological area.

If you love to watch dramatic sunsets, double underline Nora. Its lagoon may not sound particularly exciting but visit on a summer’s evening and feel your heart begin to melt.

• Spiaggia di Nora (Nora Beach)
• Laguna di Nora (Nora Lagoon)
• Area archeologica di Nora (Nora archaeological area)

Sunset dinner at Fradis Minoris Ristorante

The main reason for our evening visit to Nora was our dinner plans. We’d booked a table at Fradis Minoris Ristorante and couldn’t have chosen better.

The Michelin-star restaurant is situated at the end of the lagoon pairing superb dishes and golden sunsets.

It only offers a set menu (fish and seafood) so consider this before booking. Also bear in mind that the walk from the closest car park to the restaurant is around 15 minutes.

Cars aren’t permitted to enter the stretch of road and will receive a fine if they do so. Though a pretty route, walking in 90°F (32°C) heat, even at 8pm, wasn’t enjoyable.

Still, we’d a great dining experience and I’d recommend it if visiting Nora.

Fradis Minoris Ristorante, Laguna di Nora Località, Viale Nora

Day 3 — Porto Pino and Sant’Antioco

We started day 3 of our south Sardinia road trip continuing west along the island’s southern coast.

Our plan was to visit the town of Porto Pino and to visit some of the beaches in the area. The drive along this stretch felt more remote than previous routes but was nonetheless still beautiful. Around 1 hour later (starting from Pula), we’d arrived at Porto Pino.

Famous for being a tourist resort, it wasn’t as busy as we’d expected, especially for late July. Like the Costa Rei towards Villasimius, you’re spoiled for choice for beaches in this region.

We soaked up the sun at the town’s namesake beach, Spiaggia di Porto Pino. Warm waters, fine sand and plenty of space to find your own spot, we’d a really relaxing time.

Other nearby beaches worth noting include:

• Spiaggia della Dune (Dune beach), S.S.195 Località Portedda
• Spiaggia di Porto Pineddu (Porto Pineddu beach), Sant'Anna arresi
• Spiaggia dei Francesi (French beach), Porto Pinetto

The islands of Sardinia

Something you may not know about traveling to Sardinia is that the island’s connected to other smaller islands.

And, as someone who’s always up for some island hopping, I was excited to discover more.

Sant’Antioco is the second largest island in Sardinia and the fourth in Italy. Characterized by its quiet beaches, pretty coves and wild nature, Sant’Antioco offers a different perspective to visiting Sardinia.

Charming Calasetta

For our third night of our south Sardinia road trip, we checked into the colorful town of Calasetta. A town with a rich history of fishing, Calasetta is home to colorful houses and a pretty port.

Home to approximately 3,000 people, it’s small enough that you can see everything in a day. If you’re keen to relax on its beaches, Calasetta has 3 close by. They are:

• Spiaggia di Sottotore
• Spiaggia di La Salina
• Spiaggia Grande

Night time in Calasetta

The highlight of our visit, and the best thing to do in Calasetta, was watching the sunset.

As you explore the small town center, you eventually come across Torre Sabauda. The Savoy built it between 1756 and 1757 to defend the passage between Sant’Antioco and San Pietro island.

Today, it’s open to the public and is a good viewing point to enjoy panoramic views from the island.

Unfortunately, the tower closes each night at 6pm meaning it’s a no-go for viewing sunsets. Instead, the viewing points surrounding the tower are your best option and still offer spectacular views.

Torre Sabauda (Sabauda Tower), Via R. Elena, 1

At the peak of summertime in Sardinia, the sun sets around 8:40pm. After savoring the colorful scenes, we stopped by Piazza Pietro Belly, ending our evening with crunchy pizzas and local wine.

Belly Ristorante tipico calasettano Pizzeria, Via Roma 2

Where to stay in Calasetta, Sant’Antioco

Calasetta has several options for accommodation but we found them quite limited.

We settled on Hotel Cala di Seta Calasetta. A 3-star hotel in town, it’s a good location for exploring the town and port area. Our room was a good size with a ‘harbor’ view, though this was blocked by other buildings.

Slightly dated, the very friendly staff and decent breakfast compensated for it. The hotel’s good for 1 night, but we probably wouldn’t have stayed any longer.

Hotel Cala di Seta Calasetta, Viale R. Margherita, 61

Day 4 — Cala Grotta and Carloforte

In order to beat the crowds — and the heat — in summer in Italy, arriving early at any attraction is essential.

Which is why, we set out early to visit our first stop that day in Sant’Antioco, Cala Grotta. Sardinia is blessed with many coves, or calas, around the island. Not always the easiest locations to reach, the reward is satisfying once you lay eyes on the views.

How to get to Cala Grotta

An easy 20-minute drive from Calasetta, the road leading there is rural, gruff and feels very off the grid.

Our GPS did us well to reach Cala Grotta after exiting the SS126 highway. Road signs were non-existent and having connectivity was a huge help.

There’s no allocated parking area upon arriving at Cala Grotta, so take the first spot you find.

The rocky inlet is characterized by a big sea cave. Surrounded by flat rocks, many come here to sunbathe or swim. While some choose to jump into the deep seabed, there’s also the option to use the ‘natural stepladders’.

Wearing closed shoes or bringing a pair of water shoes when visiting Cala Grotta is essential. The rocks aren’t the easiest to walk on, and the last thing you want to do is lose your grip.

Arriving at Arco dei baci

Less than a 10-minute drive from Cala Grotta is another bathing spot of natural beauty. Arco dei baci is another sight to be relished, but the walk to get there is much more challenging.

It takes around 10 minutes to walk from the parking area to the cliff edge. But, beneath the glare of the morning sun, it can feel longer.

I felt a rush of trepidation as I saw the challenge that lay ahead of us. Sticking to a path already used, we descended the cliff slowly, the grip on our sport shoes aiding our every step.

Like Cala Grotta, there were already people bathing and swimming in the aquamarine waters. Please note, that both places have no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk.

Cala Grotta
Arco dei baci

From Sant’Antioco to San Pietro

We returned to the mainland to catch the ferry from Portoscuso to San Pietro island. You can take a ferry directly from Calasetta to Carloforte, but this route doesn’t carry vehicles.

A return ticket cost €27 ($27/£22)*, which was cheaper than what we’d expected. After a relaxing 30-minute boat ride, we arrived at the colorful port of Carloforte. Incredibly pretty upon first sight, the promenade along the seafront instantly erased any tiredness.

The borgo of Carloforte

Carloforte is among the borghi considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Having already written about several, including Asolo and Orta San Giulio, I was happy to add another to my list.

Like the other borghi I’ve covered, Carloforte is small enough that you can see everything within a day.

Via Cavour is the main street that runs along the seafront promenade (lungomare). It’s lined with restaurants, cafes and independent shops.

Veer off into the side streets, and here you’ll find a mix of colorful homes and inviting restaurants. Reminiscent of our trip to Burano, visiting Carloforte leaves you with nothing but good memories and extremely colorful photos.

Where to stay in Carloforte

My favorite accommodation of our south Sardinia road trip, we’d a very comfortable stay at Le Saline Suites.

As its name suggests, the accommodation’s situated in front of the Saline di Carloforte. During peak season, it’s possible to spot pink flamingos gracing the waters here.

Our room at Le Saline Suites was spacious, modern and very clean. The only downside was that the WiFi didn’t work once. Still, I’d recommend staying here if looking for an affordable — and centrally located — place to stay in Carloforte.

It’s a 6-minute walk to the center and there’s ample free parking available by the accommodation.

Beach and a sunset at La Caletta

Like Calasetta, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to catch another glorious sunset. Taking a local’s advice, we made the 20-minute drive to La Caletta located on the west of San Pietro island.

Even at 8pm, the beach was still busy with bathers and people enjoying the warm sea water. We sat on the sand, and sipped on our drinks as the sun slowly begin to set.

A vision of deep orange and burnt yellows played out before us, before the sun finally bid us goodnight. Definitely one of my favorite ever sunsets, La Caletta is one not to miss.

Day 5 — on to Cabras

The next part of our route was the longest, and most tiring, part of our south Sardinia road trip. After taking the ferry back from Carloforte to the mainland, our next destination was Cabras.

Situated towards the center of Sardinia, on the west coast, Cabras is characterized by small towns and idyllic beaches.

Better on the highway

Had we decided to take the highway, the journey time would’ve taken around 1hr 46mins. However, with no other plans that day, we decided to take the scenic route. Looking back, I wish we hadn’t.

What started out as a pretty drive that passed through small coastal towns, soon turned into a curve nightmare.

We lost track of the number of curves we encountered when driving inland. Couple this with several sharp turns and impatient drivers driving closely behind on tight bends, it became quite stressful.

Lunch stop at Buggerru

Our one stop on this route was at the coastal town of Buggerru. Home to a beach of the same name, it has all the characteristics of a ‘sleepy little town’.

The restaurant of choice was Gastronomia Cottu e Pappau. Here, we enjoyed a traditional Sardinian dish of fregola pasta served with a mix of seafood.

Unfortunately, my experience was tainted by a couple in the restaurant that constantly glared at me while we ate.

Being a woman of color in Italy, turning heads in certain venues is something I’m used to. However, this usually lasts for a few seconds, not for an entire meal.

Needless to say, I began to feel very uncomfortable. The fixated way they were looking at me didn’t come from a place of curiosity. But, without wanting to give the couple any satisfaction, we finished our meal, thanked the friendly staff and left.

Unsurprisingly, Buggerru isn’t somewhere that we’d likely revisit. But, the food at Gastronomia Cottu e Pappau was good as was the service.

Gastronomia Cottu e Pappau, Via dei Lidi

Beach day and agriturismo dining

We arrived at hotel number 5, Hotel Sa Pedrera, feeling beat, but happy to have made it.

Rustic and rural are the best words to describe this 3-star hotel. The garden area is groomed and inviting, with hammocks ready to host weary guests.

‘Rice’ sand at Spiaggia Is Arutas

On the advice of the owner, we wasted no time in preparing for the beach. Cabras is brimming with plenty of gorgeous beaches, but we decided upon Spiaggia Is Arutas.

Famous for its quartz, ‘rice-like’ sand, the beach was packed by the time we’d arrived. This wasn’t a huge surprise given that it was 4.30pm on a Saturday afternoon. The sand was exactly as described but its beauty was overshadowed by the orchestra of umbrellas and lounge chairs.

One important thing to remember is that it’s prohibited to take any of the sand from the beaches in Sardinia. Signs are in place advising guests, so if you do, and get caught, expect to pay a fine.

Dinner at Agriturismo Su Barroccu

We ended our evening in Cabras on a delicious note at the delightful Agriturismo Su Barroccu. A night of good home cooking and outdoor dining, it’s a down-to-earth spot to eat well in Cabras.

Agriturismo Su Barroccu also offers accommodation but we were here to eat.

Steaming plates of gnocchetti Sardi in a ragu sauce was followed by a generous serving of wood-roasted pork (maialino). Accompanied by a glass of Sardinian Cannonau wine, we left feeling full and wholly satisfied.

Agriturismo Su Barroccu, Strada Statale 292, km 117

Day 6 — Oristano and Dune di Piscinas

Our final day of our south Sardinia road trip began in the nearby city of Oristano. The historic center had the quiet and calming vibes typical of any Sunday morning in small town Italy.

At its core is the city’s Duomo, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. The original structure dates to the 12th century, but much of it was rebuilt after being destroyed in a siege.

Not far from the Duomo is another striking church, the Chiesa di San Francesco. Reflecting a neoclassical architectural style, the church was the work of Cagliari architect, Gaetano Cima.

The historic center of Oristano is small and one you can see in a few hours. Come here for the architecture, the local scene and for the laid-back vibes.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral), Piazza Duomo
Chiesa di San Francesco (St Francis Church), Via Duomo

Arrival at Dune di Piscinas

After 5 whole days of visiting the beaches around south Sardinia, I finally found my perfect match.

Located in the commune of Arbus on the island’s southwest coast is the wonderful Dune di Piscinas.

Not the easiest place to arrive at, the drive to get there is a fascinating one. A gravel-laden road leading to the beach passes by an abandoned coal mine. A scene taken straight out of an Indiana Jones movie, it’s easier to enjoy when having to drive at 20kmh.

Eventually, the path opens up, providing a first glimpse of the mesmerizing dunes above. Dune di Piscinas has plenty of parking, open space, bars and umbrellas and loungers for hire.

Unlike the beach in Cabras, Dune di Piscinas wasn’t at all overcrowded. A perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, we bathed, swam and relaxed. Highly recommended, we wouldn't hestiate to revisit again one day.

Last night in Fluminimaggiore

Our final stop on our road trip around south Sardinia was within the small commune of Fluminimaggiore.

A ‘blink and you might miss it’ kind of place, Anima Hotel Sardinia offers a peaceful oasis in the area.

A Spanish-style hotel, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they’d upgraded our room to the largest one available.

Five-star dining at Anima Hotel Sardinia

Without a doubt, the hotel’s strongest point is its food. Serving classic Sardinian and some Spanish-influenced dishes, we ate so well.

Two meaty mains, a fresh and light salad and a deep-fried Sardinian seada for dessert, we’d no complaints.

The next morning at breakfast was equally impressive and came with a countryside view. I ordered homemade muesli, plum cake and a cappuccino. The owners’ passion for good food and simple, yet delicious cooking was evident.

Definitely a place we’d stay at again, Anima Hotel Sardinia was a good place to end our 7-day Sardinia vacation.

Anima Hotel Sardinia, LOC. Gutturu Mandara S.P. 83 33,840 km

North or south Sardinia

When it comes to deciding between north or south Sardinia, the main difference comes down to the cost.

Southern Sardinia typically costs less for things like accommodation and eating out. We couldn’t believe how cheap some things cost on our south Sardinia road trip. The north of Sardinia, on the other hand, typically attracts an elite clientele, meaning that things will cost more.

This isn’t to say that you can’t visit northern Sardinia on a budget, but expect to pay a little more.

Is the north or south of Sardinia better?

Some friends have commented that the north of Sardinia is better than the south. While I don’t doubt that there are many beautiful places to see in the north, the south is also worth seeing.

Tips on driving around Sardinia

For the majority of our south Sardinia road trip, our experience was a positive one.

It isn’t hard to drive in Sardinia, and the roads are well maintained and so too are the highways. Unlike our road trip in Morocco, we weren’t once stopped or questioned by the local police.

How long does it take to drive around south Sardinia?

Over a 7-day trip, we drove for an average of 1.5 to 2 hours each day. This naturally will differ depending on your itinerary and where you’re staying. Sardinia roads are simple to follow and usually, we stayed on one main road/highway for most of our journeys.

One thing we did find tiring was the number of curves on the roads in Sardinia. Unlike Sicily, we didn’t come across one tunnel on our road trip. While this makes for a more scenic trip, it also adds longer driving times and can quickly tire you out.

Curves, curves and more curves

Once you leave the highways and drive inland or around the coast, pay attention to the curves in the road. Not only do they become more frequent (more so inland), but some can also be quite sharp.

We experienced a few occasions where oncoming cars hadn’t slowed down and came too close for our liking.

Full gas tank in Sardinia

It may sound obvious, but make sure that your tank is full when undertaking a road trip around Sardinia.

The island’s home to large, uninhabited areas, and there may be no gas station for miles. We found this out the hard way when we discovered that the nearest gas station was 25mi (40km) away. To make matters worse, it was in the other direction from our desired destination.

What do you think of our south Sardinia road trip itinerary? Are there some places that you’d add to your own itinerary when visiting Sardinia? Let me know in the comments below.

*prices correct at time of publishing

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