Home › Sardinia › How many days
How many days in Sardinia? 6 days of beaches, nuraghi and the Gulf of Orosei
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Sardinia is Italy's second-largest island, with some of the clearest sea in the Mediterranean, mountains with an ancient shepherd culture, and more than 7,000 nuraghi, Bronze Age stone towers found nowhere else. It is big: driving from north to south takes about 3.5 hours. Six days covers the north-east (Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena archipelago), the Catalan town of Alghero, the coves of the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast, the nuraghe of Su Nuraxi and the capital, Cagliari. With less time, choose one half of the island.
Short answer
Four days covers one half: either the north (La Maddalena, Costa Smeralda, Alghero) or the south and east (Cagliari, Su Nuraxi, Orosei).
The 6-day plan, day by day
Day 1: La Maddalena archipelago
Morning. From Palau, take a boat tour of the La Maddalena National Park (about €40-60 with lunch): Spargi, Budelli with the famous pink beach (seen from the boat; landing is forbidden), and the natural pools of Santa Maria.
Afternoon. Swim in the turquoise water of Cala Corsara and the Porto della Madonna lagoon between the islands.
Evening. Walk the small town of La Maddalena or return to Palau for dinner.
The park charges an environmental fee, usually included in the boat ticket.
Day 2: Costa Smeralda
Morning. Drive the Costa Smeralda, developed in the 1960s by the Aga Khan, and swim at Spiaggia del Principe, Liscia Ruja or Capriccioli.
Afternoon. Visit the yacht harbour of Porto Cervo and the hilltop village of San Pantaleo, then see the Tombs of the Giants of Coddu Vecchiu near Arzachena, Bronze Age tombs with a huge carved stone.
Evening. Drive west along the coast to Castelsardo, a medieval town on a rock, or continue to Alghero (about 2-2.5 hours).
Beach parking in July and August costs €10-20 per day and fills by 10:00.
Day 3: Alghero and Capo Caccia
Morning. Walk the sea walls of Alghero, founded by the Catalans in the 14th century; locals still speak a dialect of Catalan. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the old town.
Afternoon. Reach Neptune's Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno, about €14-16) by boat from Alghero or by the 654 steps of the Escala del Cabirol down the cliff at Capo Caccia. Swim at La Pelosa (Stintino, about 1 hour north; booking and a fee required in summer) or the closer Le Bombarde.
Evening. Watch the sunset from the bastions of Alghero, with lobster alla catalana.
La Pelosa limits visitors in summer; book online and bring a straw mat, as towels are not allowed on the sand.
Day 4: The Gulf of Orosei
Morning. Drive to Cala Gonone (about 3 hours from Alghero, or stay nearer) and take a boat along the Gulf of Orosei to Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, Cala Biriola and Cala Goloritzè, white coves under limestone cliffs.
Afternoon. Visit the Bue Marino grotto or swim from the boat. Strong hikers can walk to Cala Goloritzè from the Golgo plateau (about 1 hour down, 1.5 hours up; small fee).
Evening. Have dinner in Cala Gonone or the mountain village of Dorgali.
Rent a small boat without a licence (up to 40 hp) to explore the coves on your own.
Day 5: Barbagia and Su Nuraxi
Morning. Drive through the Barbagia mountains to Orgosolo, a village painted with political murals, or hike the Gorropu gorge, one of Europe's deepest.
Afternoon. Visit Su Nuraxi di Barumini (UNESCO, about €15), the largest nuraghe complex, a Bronze Age fortress with a central tower and a village around it. Visits are guided.
Evening. Continue to Cagliari (about 1 hour).
Sardinia's mountain roads are slow; allow more time than the map shows.
Day 6: Cagliari and the south
Morning. Explore Cagliari's Castello quarter, the Bastione di Saint Remy terrace, the cathedral and the National Archaeological Museum, with the Giants of Mont'e Prama, Bronze Age stone statues.
Afternoon. Swim at Poetto, the city beach, or drive to Villasimius or Chia for white sand and clear water. See the flamingos in the Molentargius lagoon.
Evening. Have a final dinner in the Marina quarter with fresh seafood and fregola.
Cagliari's airport is 15 minutes from the centre, convenient for flying home.
Only have 4 days?
With 4 days, choose the north (Days 1-3 and Castelsardo) or the south and east (Days 4-6).
Got extra days?
With more time, add the Sinis peninsula and the Phoenician-Roman city of Tharros, the islands of Sant'Antioco and San Pietro, or the wild Costa Verde dunes.
Where to stay in Sardinia
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Agriturismi / B&Bs inland | Farm stays with home cooking. | €70-120 |
| Mid-range | Alghero / Cagliari old towns | Walk to restaurants, good bases. | €110-200 |
| Mid-range | Palau / Cala Gonone / Villasimius | Close to boat trips and beaches. | €120-220 |
| Comfort | Costa Smeralda resorts | Luxury hotels on private bays. | €400-1,500 |
Getting around
A car is essential. Sardinia has three airports: Olbia (north-east), Alghero (north-west) and Cagliari (south). Consider flying into one and out of another to avoid driving back. Ferries arrive from Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and Barcelona. Trains and buses exist but are slow.
What to eat in Sardinia
Try culurgiones (potato-filled pasta closed like an ear of wheat), malloreddus (small gnocchi with sausage sauce), porceddu (roast suckling pig), fregola with clams, pane carasau (thin crispy bread), bottarga (mullet roe), pecorino sardo, and seadas (fried pastry with cheese and honey). Drink Cannonau red and Vermentino white. A trattoria meal costs €25-40.
Best time to visit
June and September are ideal: warm sea, fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, especially in the north-east. May and October are good for walking and quieter beaches. Many coastal businesses close from November to March.
Month-by-month weather for Sardinia →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €40 | €85 | €300 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €110 |
| Boats & sights | €15 | €40 | €100 |
| Car (share) & fuel | €25 | €35 | €60 |
| Total per person, per day | about €110 | about €210 | about €570 |
Approximate 2026 prices. Some municipalities charge a tourist tax; some beaches (La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzè, parts of the Maddalena park) charge access or environmental fees.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Sardinia too big for one week?
No, but you cannot see everything without many hours of driving. Choose two or three bases and use different arrival and departure airports.
Do I need a car?
Yes: public transport is limited, and most beaches, nuraghi and villages are reachable only by car.
North or south Sardinia?
The north has the Maddalena islands, the Costa Smeralda and Alghero; the south has Cagliari, Villasimius and Chia. The east has the Gulf of Orosei. All have superb beaches.
Can I take sand or shells home?
No: it is forbidden, and fines can be very high. Airport security checks luggage for sand and shells.
What are nuraghi?
Stone towers built by the Nuragic civilisation from about 1800 BC. There are more than 7,000 on the island; Su Nuraxi is the most complete.
Is Sardinia good for families?
Very: many beaches have shallow, calm water, and boat trips and caves are fun for children.
Can I visit the pink beach of Budelli?
Only from a boat: landing has been forbidden since the 1990s to protect the pink sand.
How do I get to Sardinia by ferry?
From Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia or Naples to Olbia, Porto Torres or Cagliari, with overnight crossings of about 7-12 hours. Book cabins and cars early for summer.
Is Sardinia expensive?
The Costa Smeralda is very expensive; the rest of the island is moderately priced, especially agriturismi and inland towns.
What is the best beach in Sardinia?
Favourites include La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzè, Cala Mariolu, Tuerredda, Spiaggia del Principe and Cala Brandinchi, often called 'little Tahiti'.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Italy trips. Prices, beach rules and fees are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Sardegna Turismo, park and ferry websites before booking.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan may earn a commission; the price you pay is the same. How we make money.