Sardinia is big, mountainous and laced with slow coastal roads, which means a good itinerary matters as much as choosing the right beach. This guide builds three realistic routes of 7, 10 and 14 days around how the island actually works on the ground: its road network, ferry ports, airports and regional differences between the glamorous northeast, rugged central Barbagia, wild Gulf of Orosei and laid back south. It is written for travelers who want concrete distances, drive times, bases, typical costs and honest trade offs so they can stop chasing the whole map and start enjoying the island.
Why You Cannot See All of Sardinia in Seven Days
On a map, Sardinia looks compact. In reality, it is Italy’s second largest island and the distances between key regions are longer than most first time visitors expect. The fast inland highway between Olbia and Cagliari, the SS131DCN and SS131, is around 260 kilometres and normally about 2 hours 40 minutes of pure driving in light traffic. Coastal roads are slower, often single carriageway, twisting and shared with local traffic, tractors and camper vans in summer. Once you leave the main spine, average speeds drop sharply.
This matters when people try to combine La Maddalena in the far northeast, Alghero in the northwest, the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast, plus Cagliari and the southwest in a single seven day trip. On paper it is possible. In practice it means hours each day in the car. Olbia to Alghero is roughly 135 kilometres and about 1 hour 50 minutes in ideal conditions. Alghero to Cala Gonone on the Gulf of Orosei is another 170 to 190 kilometres and about 2 hours 40 minutes through the interior. From Cala Gonone to Cagliari you are looking at a further 220 to 230 kilometres and about 2 hours 30 minutes. Simply linking those key points already adds up to more than seven hours of driving and that does not include detours to beaches, parking searches or peak season delays.
When you factor in realistically 30 to 40 percent extra time for July and August congestion on the arteries, plus the need to park near beaches, take ferries and check into new hotels, a seven day “island grand tour” leaves you sprinting from one coast to another with barely a full day anywhere. Most visitors report feeling they spent their week on the SS131 instead of in the water. This guide therefore keeps the seven day plans tightly focused on either the north and northeast, or the north and northwest around Alghero, and expands gradually for ten and fourteen days instead of pretending that more pins on a map equal a better holiday.
Public transport does not magically solve the distance problem either. ARST, the regional operator, runs long distance buses such as Sassari to Alghero, Nuoro to Cagliari and Sassari to Cagliari, and there are Trenitalia and regional trains on the main north south corridor. These are useful for reaching cities, inland hubs and some resort towns, but they do not reach every cala, cove and trailhead. Even with buses and trains, you need to choose a manageable slice of the island for a one week trip.
Getting In: Airports, Ferry Ports and Car Rental Reality
Sardinia has three main airports for visitors: Olbia Costa Smeralda in the northeast, Alghero Fertilia in the northwest and Cagliari Elmas in the south. Olbia is the best gateway for the Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena, San Teodoro and the Gallura region, with frequent seasonal flights from across Europe. Alghero serves the north and northwest including Stintino and Bosa and is popular with low cost airlines. Cagliari is the island’s busiest airport and the logical entry point for the south coast, Chia, Villasimius and access to Barumini and Barbagia in the interior.
If you are arriving by sea with a car, the main passenger ferry ports are Olbia and nearby Golfo Aranci for the northeast, Porto Torres for the northwest, and Cagliari and Arbatax for the south and central east. Ferries operate from major mainland ports such as Civitavecchia near Rome, Genoa and Livorno, with crossing times typically between 5 and 12 hours depending on route and operator. Arbatax is particularly useful if your focus is the Gulf of Orosei and Ogliastra, while Santa Teresa Gallura and Palau handle busy shorter links to Corsica and the La Maddalena archipelago.
One way car rentals between Sardinian airports are widely available, but they are not free. Major agencies and reputable local companies usually allow you to pick up in Olbia and drop in Cagliari, or the reverse, with surcharges that in 2026 often fall somewhere between about 50 and 125 euros, depending on company and season. One example is a local firm that lists a one way fee of around 125 euros between rental points in different Sardinian cities, while travelers on recent trips report drop fees close to 100 euros for a five day rental from Olbia to Cagliari. International brokers and chains may quote slightly lower or higher surcharges, and some packages include the fee. It is worth checking the rental conditions carefully, especially for late night airport pick ups and insurance, because airport location fees, cross border restrictions and excess deposits can all add substantially to the base price.
If you prefer to travel partly or entirely without a car, ARST buses and regional trains can get you from airport cities to most main centers. For example, buses link Alghero with Sassari and coastal villages, and services connect Cagliari with Oristano, Nuoro, Barumini and the main towns in Barbagia. The new intermodal hub in Nuoro, opened fully in 2026, improved connections between long distance buses and local services. However, you should not expect a bus to drop you at Cala Goloritze or every hidden beach in the Gulf of Orosei. For those, you either join organized boat excursions, book transfers, or accept some walking and taxi costs on top of bus and train fares.
Seven Day Itinerary: Northeast Focus via Olbia
This seven day route assumes you arrive and depart via Olbia airport or ferry and focuses on San Teodoro, the Costa Smeralda, Palau, La Maddalena and Santa Teresa Gallura. It limits daily driving and uses two main bases so you can unpack properly. Daily spending estimates below are for a mid range couple excluding flights or ferries, and assume car rental already paid. Adjust up if you favor luxury dining or five star resorts.
Day 1: Olbia to San Teodoro. Pick up your rental car at Olbia and drive about 30 kilometres south, roughly 30 minutes, on the coastal highway to San Teodoro. Base: San Teodoro for two nights. After check in, head for La Cinta beach, where you can find paid parking a short walk behind the dunes at around 1 to 2 euros per hour in high season. Lunch and dinner options cluster in the village; a simple lunch of panini and drinks for two runs about 20 to 30 euros, while dinner with seafood and wine can be 60 to 80 euros. Daily couple budget including hotel, meals, fuel and parking is in the region of 180 to 250 euros, depending on room choice.
Day 2: Beaches around San Teodoro. Keep your base in San Teodoro. Drive 15 to 20 minutes to Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu, where private fields and small lots usually charge a flat fee around 10 to 15 euros per day in peak months, and else free or cheaper in shoulder season. You will walk 5 to 10 minutes from the car to the beach. Expect to spend most of the day here; moving between multiple beaches adds more parking searches and walking in the heat. A couple renting two sun loungers and an umbrella at a lido may pay 25 to 40 euros per day. Dinner back in town offers pizzerias at 30 to 40 euros per couple or trattorias nearer 60 euros.
Day 3: Costa Smeralda and transfer to Palau. Check out and drive about 45 to 60 minutes north via Olbia to the Costa Smeralda. Stop in Porto Cervo for a mid morning walk around the marina and a coffee, then continue to Spiaggia del Principe or Romazzino. Paid parking is usually on roadside verges or small lots, so keep coins or a card handy. In the late afternoon, continue about 35 kilometres, roughly 45 to 55 minutes, to Palau. Base: Palau for four nights. Palau has several mid range hotels and apartments within walking distance of the port, around 110 to 160 euros per night for a couple in 2026 for shoulder season dates when booked ahead.
Day 4: La Maddalena boat trip. Leave the car in Palau, pay for a full day covered parking spot near the port at around 10 to 15 euros, and join a shared boat excursion through the La Maddalena archipelago. These trips, on traditional wooden boats or modern vessels, usually last about 7 to 8 hours, visiting islands like Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria, with multiple swim stops and a lunch on board. Prices for a standard shared tour in 2026 cluster roughly between 45 and 70 euros per person, lunch sometimes included. This is different from simply taking the car ferry and exploring La Maddalena and Caprera on your own. The boat excursion is about seeing remote coves and sandbanks that are only practical by sea.
Day 5: La Maddalena and Caprera by car. Today you do the other side of the archipelago experience. Drive your car onto the Palau to La Maddalena ferry, a 20 minute crossing with departures roughly every half hour in season, costing around 35 to 50 euros return for a car and two passengers depending on vehicle size and date. Once on La Maddalena, follow the panoramic coastal road with photo stops, then cross the bridge to Caprera. Caprera deserves most of a day, with short walks down to Cala Coticcio’s viewpoint, Cala Napoletana or Relitto and visits to Garibaldi’s Compendium if open. Driving time is low, maybe 45 minutes total, but walking to and from beaches and coves takes several hours, and many paths are rocky. Return on an evening ferry and have dinner in Palau’s harborfront restaurants.
Day 6: Santa Teresa Gallura and nearby coves. Drive about 25 kilometres, around 30 minutes, north to Santa Teresa Gallura for the day. Park near Rena Bianca beach at paid municipal lots or on blue lined streets, typically a few euros per hour in high season. Spend the morning swimming with views across to Corsica, then wander through the village for a relaxed lunch for 40 to 60 euros for two. In the afternoon, drive west along the coast to Capo Testa, another 10 to 15 minutes, where you can explore granite rock formations and small coves such as Cala Spinosa. Return to Palau at the end of the day. Daily couple budget for fuel, meals, parking and small extras is close to 150 to 220 euros, excluding accommodation already counted.
Day 7: Back to Olbia. On your final day, drive directly from Palau to Olbia, about 50 kilometres and roughly 55 minutes, for your flight or ferry. If you have a late departure, stop for a last swim at a convenient beach near Porto San Paolo or Pittulongu, factoring in extra time to shower and reach the airport. Handover the car, allowing at least 30 minutes for inspection. Fuel for this whole seven day northeast loop rarely exceeds one full tank for a small to mid sized car, so roughly 70 to 100 euros at 2026 fuel prices.
Seven Day Alternative: Alghero and the Northwest
If you arrive in Alghero and prefer to stay on the northwest side of the island, this alternative seven day route focuses on Alghero, Capo Caccia, Stintino and Bosa. It avoids crossing the island, keeps most drives under 90 minutes and works both with a rental car and partially by ARST bus for those who prefer fewer driving days.
Base yourself in Alghero for the full seven nights to avoid packing and unpacking. The town has a compact historic center, long lido beach within walking distance and an airport about 15 minutes’ drive away. Mid range couples’ hotel rooms in Alghero in shoulder season fall around 100 to 170 euros per night, with apartments sometimes cheaper. For those using ARST, urban and suburban lines link Alghero with nearby Porto Conte, Capo Caccia and the airport, and regional services connect Alghero with Sassari.
Days 1 to 3 are about Alghero itself, its beaches and Capo Caccia. Spend one full day simply walking the bastions, swimming at the town beach and dining in the old town, where dinner for two at a seafood trattoria will often run 60 to 90 euros including wine. Another day, if you have a car, drive 30 to 40 minutes to Capo Caccia and visit the viewpoint or the steps down to Neptune’s Grotto, noting there are hundreds of steps and it can be hot. Paid parking around the cape is relatively limited, so arriving before mid morning helps. A third day can focus on the Porto Conte bay, with family friendly beaches like Mugoni and Maria Pia, accessible by car or ARST bus from town.
Day 4 is a drive to Stintino and La Pelosa. Alghero to Stintino is roughly 55 to 65 kilometres and usually about 1 hour 15 minutes by car, passing near Porto Torres. Because La Pelosa has restricted access and a reservation system in peak months, plan ahead and arrive early. Public parking is strictly regulated, with daily fees that can easily reach 15 to 20 euros close to the beach in high summer. Expect to spend almost the entire day here to make the trip worthwhile, then drive back to Alghero in the evening. Fuel, parking and food for this day for a couple could reach 120 to 180 euros, depending on how many services you use.
Day 5 is a day trip south to Bosa. The coastal road from Alghero to Bosa is one of Sardinia’s most scenic drives, with cliffs, curves and sea views, covering about 45 kilometres and around 1 hour 15 minutes each way due to its winding nature. Leave Alghero mid morning, have a coffee stop at one of the viewpoints, then lunch and a stroll through Bosa’s pastel houses and riverside lanes. If you are car free, seasonal bus services usually connect Alghero and Bosa, though not as frequently as commuter routes. Return to Alghero for dinner.
Days 6 and 7 are flexible: more time in Alghero’s old town, an extra excursion into the inland villages via Sassari and ARST buses, or a slower final day at Maria Pia or Lido Beach before flying home. The key gain of this Alghero based week is that you see a varied coastline without long transfers to the east or south, and you can realistically combine car days with a few days where you simply walk or ride a short bus to the beach.
Ten Day Itinerary: Adding Alghero, Bosa and the Gulf of Orosei
With ten days, you can meaningfully broaden your Sardinia experience by linking the northeast, northwest and the east coast around the Gulf of Orosei without extreme backtracking. This sample route works well for an open jaw trip that starts in Olbia and ends in Cagliari, but you can also loop back to your starting point at the cost of one extra longer drive.
Days 1 to 4 follow the northeast plan already described: arrive in Olbia, spend two nights in San Teodoro, then move to Palau for two nights with one day on a La Maddalena boat trip and one day split between Caprera and Santa Teresa Gallura. Up to this point, total driving remains under about 4 hours combined, excluding local beach hops.
Day 5 is the transfer to Alghero. From Palau, drive around 140 to 160 kilometres across the north, typically about 2 hours 30 minutes via Tempio Pausania and Sassari, depending on route and traffic. Base: Alghero for two nights. After check in, walk the old town, have gelato on the bastions and watch sunset over Capo Caccia. Parking around the center is metered; expect a few euros for several hours in blue zones or consider a paid lot slightly outside the walls.
Day 6 is a full day around Alghero and Bosa. You can either spend it all locally, as in the seven day Alghero plan, or, if you feel fresh enough, drive the coastal road to Bosa and back, about 2 hours 30 minutes of scenic but slow driving total. Keep an eye on your own tolerance; adding this drive on top of the previous day’s transfer still leaves you within a manageable total, but it is your main “road day” of the whole trip.
Day 7 is the cross island drive to the Gulf of Orosei. From Alghero to Cala Gonone is roughly 190 kilometres and about 2 hours 45 minutes through Macomer and Nuoro on inland roads. Base: Cala Gonone or Orosei town for three nights. These are the key hubs for exploring the famous coves of the Gulf of Orosei, including Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritze, all of which are time consuming to access. Accommodation in Cala Gonone for a mid range couple usually runs from around 90 to 160 euros per night outside the absolute peak weeks.
Day 8 is dedicated to a boat excursion along the Gulf of Orosei. Whether you choose a shared larger boat, a smaller rubber dinghy with skipper, or a self drive rental if you have experience, expect the trip to last the bulk of the day. Departures from Cala Gonone usually start in the morning around 9 to 10, with returns around 17 to 18. In between, you will visit several beaches, with some time ashore at coves that have no road access. Prices in 2026 often range from 45 to 80 euros per person for shared tours, with fuel, skipper and sometimes lunch included. This full day commitment is why you should not plan a long transfer on the same day; you need time for boarding, sailing, swimming, shade breaks, possibly cave visits and slow disembarkation back at the port.
Day 9 can be used either for a hike to Cala Goloritze or other trails in the Supramonte, or for a more relaxed beach day at Cala Fuili, Cartoe or Osalla, which are reachable by car and short walks. Parking at trailheads and beaches is often in informal paid lots, charging around 5 to 10 euros for the day. Bring cash and plan for basic facilities. Dinner back in Cala Gonone or Orosei usually costs 50 to 80 euros for a couple at a mid range restaurant.
Day 10 is your exit south to Cagliari if you are flying from there. From Cala Gonone to Cagliari via the inland main road is about 225 kilometres and around 2 hours 30 minutes of steady driving. If your flight is later in the day, you can stop briefly in Nuoro or at an inland village in Barbagia on the way. One way rental drop in Cagliari means you avoid backtracking all the way to Olbia. Travelers who must return to Olbia instead should count about 1 hour 45 minutes for Cala Gonone to Olbia via Nuoro, roughly 115 to 130 kilometres, and adjust the previous nights accordingly.
Fourteen Day Itinerary: Adding Cagliari, the South Coast and Inland Heritage
A full two weeks in Sardinia allows you to visit the northeast, northwest, Gulf of Orosei and the south, and to include inland heritage sites such as Su Nuraxi, Barbagia villages and rock cut tombs recognised by UNESCO in 2025, while still leaving proper time for beaches. The following outline assumes an open jaw trip starting in Olbia and finishing in Cagliari, using three or four main bases to limit hotel changes.
Days 1 to 4 follow the northeast structure: two nights around San Teodoro, then two nights in Palau with La Maddalena boat day and a Caprera or Santa Teresa Gallura day. Days 5 and 6 are in Alghero with a Bosa drive, as explained in the ten day itinerary. By now, you have experienced very different northern coasts without rushing south.
Day 7 is the transfer from Alghero to the Gulf of Orosei, using Cala Gonone or Orosei as your base for three nights (Days 7 to 9). One day is committed to the full day boat excursion along the Gulf from Cala Gonone, another to hikes or car accessible beaches, and a possible third to explore inland Supramonte villages or the karst interior. At this point, you have spent 9 days and had four distinct coastal experiences plus your first taste of inland landscapes.
Day 10 takes you inland to Barumini. From Cala Gonone to Barumini is around 160 to 180 kilometres and about 2 hours 15 minutes, using the inland main roads. Su Nuraxi di Barumini, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 as the premier Nuragic archaeological site, is here. Guided visits typically last about an hour and involve walking and climbing on uneven stone. Tickets in recent years have been in the order of 15 euros per adult for combined site and museum entry, with small reductions for children. Plan to arrive mid morning or mid afternoon when the light is softer and temperatures slightly lower.
After visiting Su Nuraxi, continue another roughly 60 to 70 kilometres, about 1 hour, to Cagliari. Base: Cagliari for three or four nights, depending on how you want to split the remainder. Cagliari offers a mix of beaches at Poetto, cultural sights in the Castello district, markets and restaurants that stay lively year round. Daily spending for a mid range couple, including accommodation, meals and local transport or parking, typically runs close to 200 to 260 euros outside the top summer weeks.
Days 11 and 12 focus on the south coast around Chia and Villasimius. Cagliari to Chia is about 55 kilometres and roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by car along the southern coast road, while Cagliari to Villasimius is about 50 to 55 kilometres and also around 1 hour 15 minutes. Because the two lie in opposite directions along the bay, tackle them on separate days. For Chia, drive out in the morning, park near Su Giudeu or Cala Cipolla where private fields and seasonal lots often ask around 8 to 12 euros a day, then enjoy the dunes and clear water. For Villasimius, head east, stopping along the way at viewpoints over Costa Rei or the smaller coves. Parking again is controlled in high season with municipal or private lots. A simple lunch at beach kiosks can cost 25 to 40 euros for two, while a full restaurant meal in Cagliari at night may be 60 to 90 euros.
Day 13 is your inland and Barbagia day from Cagliari, or a split overnight. One option is to drive north toward Nuoro and choose a Barbagia village such as Orgosolo, famous for its murals, or Mamoiada, known for traditional masks. Cagliari to Nuoro is about 180 kilometres and 2 hours by main road, with further short drives to individual villages. Here you can look for evidence of Nuragic heritage beyond Barumini, see rural Sardinian life and, where possible, visit rock cut tombs known locally as domus de janas. In 2025, a cluster of these prehistoric chamber tombs in central Sardinia gained UNESCO recognition, drawing more attention to these sites. Visiting one or two as part of a day trip adds context to Su Nuraxi and connects the coastal holiday with the island’s deeper history.
Day 14 is for Cagliari itself and your departure. If you fly in the evening, spend the morning at Poetto beach or the Molentargius wetlands, then explore the Castello bastions and cathedral. Return the car at the airport with ample margin for inspection. For travelers returning by ferry from Cagliari to the mainland, keep in mind that evening and overnight sailings require early check in with the vehicle.
Costs, Car Free Options and Practical Budgets
Setting realistic budgets helps you choose between the seven, ten and fourteen day versions of this Sardinia itinerary. For a couple in 2026, renting a small to mid sized car for a week from a reputable company at an airport location typically ranges from roughly 300 to 550 euros in shoulder season, with higher prices in August. One way drop fees between Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari usually add 50 to 125 euros. Fuel on the routes described here is unlikely to exceed one full tank for seven days, around 70 to 100 euros, rising to 150 to 200 euros for a full two week loop that crosses the island several times.
Accommodation for a mid range couple in coastal towns such as San Teodoro, Palau, Alghero, Cala Gonone and Cagliari commonly falls in the 90 to 170 euro per night range outside the most expensive August weeks, with higher rates for sea view rooms and boutique stays. Self catering apartments can save money, especially for families. Meals vary widely, but a realistic working figure is 60 to 100 euros per day for two people who mix café breakfasts, casual lunches and one sit down dinner. Entrance fees and excursions, such as 50 to 70 euros per person for a La Maddalena boat trip and 45 to 80 euros per person for a Gulf of Orosei cruise, quickly add up, so allowing 300 to 500 euros per person for activities across ten to fourteen days is sensible.
For families, multiply accommodation and meals accordingly but note that many boat trips, museums and archaeological sites offer reduced prices for children. A family of four in a two bedroom apartment might spend around 140 to 220 euros per night on lodging, plus 80 to 140 euros per day on food depending on ages and dining style. Car rental for a larger vehicle may cost 30 to 40 percent more than a small hatchback, and one way fees are usually the same or only slightly higher.
If you choose to go car free, base selection becomes critical. Good hub options include Cagliari, Alghero, Olbia and, with some planning, Nuoro. From these, ARST buses and trains can take you to many beaches and villages, but journeys are slower and services may not run late at night. For example, from Cagliari you can reach Poetto beach by city bus, Pula and Nora archeological area by suburban bus, and sometimes Chia or Villasimius via regional routes, though beach access may still involve a walk. In the north, Alghero has both urban buses for its lido and Capo Caccia area and interurban links to Sassari and Bosa. However, places like Cala Goloritze trailhead, remote coves in the Gulf of Orosei and some Nuragic and domus de janas sites are not practical without either organized tours or a car plus short hikes.
As for full trip budgets, a seven day couple’s holiday following the northeast or Alghero based itinerary with a rental car, mid range accommodation, some paid parking, one boat excursion and typical meals might land around 1,800 to 2,600 euros excluding flights or long distance ferries. A ten day route that adds Alghero and the Gulf of Orosei could reach approximately 2,600 to 3,600 euros. A fourteen day itinerary that includes Cagliari, Barumini, several boat trips, more driving and extra admissions will reasonably sit in the 3,600 to 5,000 euro range for a couple, depending heavily on season and hotel category. Families should adjust upward based on lodging size, car category and activity choices, but can save substantially with apartments and home cooking.
FAQ
Q1. Is it realistic to visit La Maddalena, Alghero, the Gulf of Orosei and Cagliari in one week?
Attempting to cover all of these in seven days is technically possible but not enjoyable. You would spend many hours driving long distances such as Alghero to Cala Gonone and Cala Gonone to Cagliari, leaving little time for beaches or villages. It is better to focus on either the north and northeast or the northwest for a one week trip.
Q2. How do La Maddalena boat trips differ from a full day on Caprera?
A La Maddalena boat trip is usually a full day excursion from Palau on a larger vessel that visits several islands and remote coves only reachable by sea, with swim stops and lunch on board. A Caprera day is a self guided visit by car and on foot after taking the ferry to La Maddalena, focusing on beaches and short hikes on a single island connected by bridge, with more flexibility but less range.
Q3. Why do Gulf of Orosei excursions take most of a day?
Boats from Cala Gonone or nearby ports leave in the morning and follow the coastline for many kilometres, stopping at multiple coves such as Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu. Sailing time, beach stops, possible cave visits and boarding and disembarking at each stop all add up, so tours commonly last seven to eight hours.
Q4. Are ARST buses enough to do these itineraries without renting a car?
ARST buses and regional trains are very useful for linking cities and larger towns, but they do not serve every remote beach, trailhead or archaeological site. You can base yourself in hubs like Cagliari or Alghero and reach several beaches and villages by bus, yet some places in Barbagia, the Gulf of Orosei and scattered Nuragic and domus de janas sites are hard to access without a car or organized tour.
Q5. How much should I budget per day for a couple driving this Sardinia route?
For mid range travel outside peak August, a realistic daily budget for a couple is roughly 220 to 320 euros, covering accommodation, meals, local transport, fuel, parking and a modest allowance for entrance fees or boat trips. Costs rise in August and fall in late spring and autumn.
Q6. Which airport is best for a first trip to Sardinia?
Olbia works best for a first visit focused on the northeast, including San Teodoro, Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena. Alghero is ideal if you want a single city base and to explore the northwest. Cagliari makes sense for those interested in the south coast, Su Nuraxi at Barumini, Barbagia and a mix of beaches and history.
Q7. How far in advance should I book boat trips to La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei?
In July and August, booking at least several days ahead is wise, especially for smaller boats and family groups. In shoulder months such as June and September, you often find places just a day or two in advance, but pre booking online or at the harbor ticket offices still avoids disappointment.
Q8. Can I drive across Sardinia in one day between Olbia and Cagliari?
Yes, the main inland road between Olbia and Cagliari is around 260 kilometres and, in clear conditions, takes under three hours of pure driving. Many travelers do it in one day, but if you also want significant sightseeing or beach time, it is better to break the trip with a stop in the interior or at the Gulf of Orosei instead of racing coast to coast.
Q9. Are one way car rentals between Sardinian airports expensive?
Most major and reputable local rental companies allow one way rentals between Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari, with surcharges that often fall somewhere between about 50 and 125 euros according to route and season. When comparing offers, always include these surcharges, insurance and airport fees to understand the real cost.
Q10. Is Sardinia suitable for families following these itineraries?
Yes, Sardinia works very well for families thanks to shallow beaches like La Cinta, Maria Pia, Chia and many coves around La Maddalena. The key is to keep bases to two or three locations, avoid overly long driving days and choose a mix of boat trips, easy walks and simple town beaches so that children are not confined to the car for hours.