Our 10-Day Sardinia Itinerary
Sardinia had been on our travel bucket list for years. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, spectacular beaches, rugged mountains, charming coastal towns, and, of course, incredible Italian food, it sounded like the perfect island escape.
To make the most of our visit, we hired a car and spent 10 days exploring the island at a relaxed pace. This itinerary is based on our own road trip around the island, sharing the route we took, our favourite places, and everything we learned to help you plan your own unforgettable Sardinian adventure.
10-Day Sardinia Itinerary
Here’s how we split our 10 nights in Sardinia:
1 Night - Palau
2 Nights - La Maddalena
1 Night - Sassari
1 Night - Alghero
1 Night - Bosa
1 Night - Cagliari
2 Nights - Cala Gonone
The Start of Our Sardinia Road Trip
Sardinia is a surprisingly large island, and if you want to experience more than just one corner of it, hiring a car is essential.
With ten days to explore, we wanted to see as much of the island as possible. Before setting off, we mapped out our route, booked all of our accommodation, and created a list of the places we didn't want to miss. At the same time, we left plenty of room in our itinerary for spontaneous stops and hidden gems we might discover along the way.
Our journey began at Olbia Airport, where we collected our hire car before hitting the road. We found car rental prices in Sardinia to be slightly higher than we've experienced in other destinations, so we'd definitely recommend comparing rental companies and booking as far in advance as possible. One thing we also noticed while researching was that some rental companies receive poor reviews for charging additional fees at the end of a hire period, particularly for pre-existing damage or excess sand left in the car after beach days. Taking photos of the vehicle before you leave the airport and giving it a quick clean before returning it can save a lot of hassle.
Most car rental companies also require a credit card for the security deposit. We used our American Express Platinum Card, which includes car rental insurance benefits, meaning we didn't need to purchase the additional insurance offered by the rental company.
Olbia to Palau and Everything in Between
Our first destination was the coastal town of Palau, where we planned to spend a relaxing first evening before catching an early ferry to La Maddalena the following morning.
The drive from Olbia to Palau is around 40 kilometres, but rather than heading straight there, we made a couple of scenic detours.
Our first stop was Porto Cervo, one of Sardinia's most glamorous destinations and a favourite among luxury yacht owners and celebrities. Designer boutiques, waterfront restaurants, and an impressive marina give the town an exclusive feel that's quite different from the rest of the island. We wandered around the harbour, admired the yachts, paid a little too much for a Diet Coke, and continued our journey.
Our next stop, Baja Sardinia, felt much more like the authentic Sardinia we had imagined before arriving. The relaxed atmosphere, beautiful coastline, and slower pace immediately won us over.
A short 15-minute walk uphill led us to a family-run pizzeria serving incredible Neapolitan-style pizzas, Foodie Eccellenze Italiane. Despite arriving without a reservation on a busy evening, the staff kindly found us a table. It's clearly a popular local favourite, so if you're planning to visit, we'd highly recommend booking ahead.
Visiting La Maddalena
The next morning, we boarded one of the first ferries from Palau to La Maddalena, a beautiful island off Sardinia's north coast famous for its turquoise waters, rugged coastline, and some of the island's most spectacular beaches. The ferry crossing takes approximately 30 minutes, making it an easy and worthwhile day trip or overnight destination.
As we had arrived early, our accommodation wasn't quite ready for check-in, so we headed straight for our first beach of the trip: Spiaggia Testa del Polpo.
If you're planning to explore Sardinia's most beautiful beaches, be prepared for a little adventure. Many of the island's hidden coves are reached via narrow, rocky roads, and parking can become difficult, especially during the summer months. Thanks to social media, many once-secret beaches are now incredibly popular, so we'd recommend arriving as early as possible to beat both the crowds and the heat.
Reaching Spiaggia Testa del Polpo involved a slow drive along a single-track rocky road, but the effort was more than worthwhile. The beach itself is relatively small, and the limited parking fills up quickly, particularly as the day progresses.
The reward is exactly what Sardinia is famous for: crystal-clear, shallow turquoise water that almost looks tropical. Throughout the day, more and more boats and yachts anchored offshore, their passengers making the most of one of the island's most picturesque swimming spots.
After spending the afternoon relaxing by the water, we returned to our accommodation, freshened up, and headed out to explore La Maddalena town, excited to see what our first evening on the island had in store. For dinner we ended up at the magnificent La Porta Stretta, located in one of the side streets and a great spot for seafood and a nice atmosphere.
Our second day in La Maddalena brought one of the highlights of our entire Sardinia road trip. We spent the day at Cala Andreani, a secluded beach on the neighbouring island of Caprera, and it quickly became one of our favourite beaches on the island.
With its crystal-clear turquoise water, rocky coastline, and quieter atmosphere, Cala Andreani felt like a hidden slice of paradise.
We enjoyed it so much that what was meant to be just a few hours turned into an entire day. Before we knew it, the afternoon had slipped away and we found ourselves watching the sun begin to set over the coastline - a perfect ending to one of our favourite beach days in Sardinia.
A Day in Castelsardo & Sassari
After two unforgettable days in La Maddalena, it was time to continue our road trip south towards Sassari. At around 130 kilometres, this was one of the longer drives of our itinerary, but like many roads in Sardinia, the journey itself was just as memorable as the destination.
The route winds along the island's northern coastline, with rugged mountains on one side and sparkling Mediterranean views on the other, making it well worth taking your time and enjoying the scenery.
To break up the drive, we stopped in Castelsardo, a picturesque medieval town that proudly features on the list of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages (I Borghi più belli d'Italia). Perched high on a rocky headland overlooking the sea, it's one of those places that immediately catches your eye.
The town's most recognisable landmark is Castello dei Doria, a striking hilltop castle that dominates the skyline. Long before we reached the town, we could already see the fortress rising above the colourful houses, making for an unforgettable first impression. Whether you choose to explore the narrow cobbled streets, browse the local artisan shops, or simply admire the panoramic coastal views, Castelsardo is a stop that's well worth adding to any northern Sardinia road trip.
After arriving in Sassari, we spent the night exploring the city, but if we're being completely honest, it was probably the most underwhelming stop of our Sardinia road trip.
Compared to the colourful coastal towns and charming villages we'd visited elsewhere on the island, Sassari felt quieter and a little more worn than we had expected. While it has its own history and local character, it didn't quite capture us in the same way as the other destinations on our itinerary. Looking back, if we were planning this road trip again, we'd likely choose to spend an extra night elsewhere instead.
That said, one place we can wholeheartedly recommend is Trattoria Romana. This cosy, family-run restaurant had all the charm of an authentic Italian nonna's kitchen. We shared a generous selection of antipasti, followed by a rich and creamy carbonara, all accompanied by a carafe of the house wine. It was one of those simple, traditional meals that reminded us why Italy is so hard to beat when it comes to food, and it ended up being the highlight of our time in Sassari.
Overnight Stay in Alghero
Our next stop on the road trip was Alghero, a beautiful coastal town on Sardinia's north-west coast that's known for its charming Old Town, cobbled streets, and impressive medieval walls.
We spent just one night here, giving us enough time to wander through the historic centre, browse the boutique shops, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere before heading off on one of the area's most popular excursions the following day- Neptune's Grotto.
Exploring Neptune’s Grotto
No trip to Alghero is complete without visiting Neptune's Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno), one of Sardinia's most spectacular natural attractions.
The cave can be reached either by boat from Alghero's harbour or by car, followed by the famous Escala del Cabirol - a dramatic cliffside staircase of around 600 steps leading down to the cave entrance.
As with many of Sardinia's most popular attractions, Neptune's Grotto can become busy, particularly during the summer months. We'd recommend arriving early in the morning to enjoy a quieter experience and to avoid the queues that build up later in the day.
We chose to drive and take on the staircase ourselves. While the descent is easy enough, don't underestimate the climb back up - it certainly gets the heart rate going! Thankfully, the effort is rewarded with breathtaking views over the turquoise Mediterranean, as the staircase winds its way down the dramatic limestone cliffs before revealing one of Sardinia's most impressive natural wonders below.
Dinner at Fogo Churrascaria
One meal we'd been looking forward to since planning the trip was dinner at Fogo Churrascaria, so we made sure to reserve a table well in advance - and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Fogo combines the traditional Brazilian churrasco experience with a Sardinian twist. We were seated in a beautiful outdoor courtyard, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed evening after a day of exploring.
As expected from a traditional Brazilian steakhouse, the waiters continuously brought an impressive selection of perfectly cooked meats directly to our table throughout the evening. Alongside the endless cuts of meat was a generous buffet filled with fresh salads, homemade dips, and a variety of side dishes, giving us plenty to pair with each serving.
As self-confessed meat lovers, this was one of our favourite dining experiences of the entire trip. The quality of the food was outstanding, the service was warm and attentive, and the whole evening felt like a real occasion. If you're spending a night in Alghero and enjoy great steak, we'd highly recommend adding Fogo Churrascaria to your itinerary.
Bosa: Sardinia’s Most Colourful Riverside Town
We arrived in Bosa in the late afternoon, and it turned out to be the perfect place to slow the pace after several days of sightseeing. With its colourful riverside buildings, narrow cobbled streets, and laid-back atmosphere, Bosa immediately became one of the most charming towns we visited in Sardinia.
Although our stay was short, we spent the evening wandering through the historic centre, stopping every so often for an Aperol Spritz and simply soaking up the atmosphere. Sometimes the best travel memories come from having no real agenda, and Bosa was one of those places where getting lost among the old streets was all part of the experience.
Before calling it a night, we enjoyed one of the best buffalo mozzarella salads of the trip at Bacco Bistrot. Fresh, simple, and packed with flavour, it was the perfect meal to round off a relaxing evening in one of Sardinia's prettiest towns.
Cala Gonone: Saving the Best Until Last
We spent the final two nights of our Sardinia road trip in Cala Gonone, and looking back, it truly felt like we'd saved the best until last.
Nestled on Sardinia's spectacular east coast, Cala Gonone became the perfect place to end our adventure. This part of the island is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and some of the clearest turquoise water we've ever seen. After days of road-tripping, it was the ideal destination to slow down and simply enjoy everything that makes Sardinia so special.
Our evenings were spent exactly as you'd imagine an Italian summer should be - wandering along the waterfront, sharing antipasti boards, and sipping more Aperol Spritz than we'd care to admit as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. It was the perfect way to soak up our final moments on the island.
To make the most of our first full day, we booked a boat tour along the Gulf of Orosei, one of the most popular experiences in Sardinia. Cruising along the dramatic coastline gave us access to secluded beaches that can't easily be reached by road, as well as hidden caves, sea grottos, and countless swimming spots where the water was so clear it hardly looked real.
Is a Sardinia Road Trip Worth It?
Before visiting Sardinia, we'd seen countless photos of its turquoise waters and picture-perfect beaches, but nothing quite prepared us for experiencing the island in person.
Whether you're visiting for a long weekend or, like us, have ten days to explore, we can't recommend a Sardinia road trip enough. Hire a car, embrace the scenic drives, leave room for unexpected detours, and don't be afraid to spend an entire afternoon on a beach you never planned to visit. Those spontaneous moments often become the ones you remember most.