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Cala Goloritzé on the Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia

No. 4 25 Great Islands to Visit 2026

Sardinia

Sardinia, Italy

Clear water and white beaches, rugged mountains and thousands of prehistoric stone towers.

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Photo: Unukorno, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. Its coastline is known for clear water and white beaches, from the Costa Smeralda in the north-east to the south coast near Cagliari.

Inland are mountains, cork forests and thousands of nuraghi, Bronze Age stone towers; Su Nuraxi at Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Church San Giovanni di Sinis - Cabras - Sardinia - Italy
Church San Giovanni di Sinis - Cabras - Sardinia - Italy. Photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Sardinia Arbatax Rocce rosse
Sardinia Arbatax Rocce rosse. Photo: Isiwal, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
At Tharros, Sardinia
At Tharros, Sardinia. Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

June and September are ideal for beaches; July and August are hottest and busiest. Spring and autumn suit walking.

Highlights

  • 1

    La Maddalena archipelago

    A national park of islands and coves off the north-east coast, reached by boat.

  • 2

    Cala Goloritzé

    A beach with a rock spire on the Gulf of Orosei, reached on foot or by boat.

  • 3

    Su Nuraxi di Barumini

    The best-known nuragic complex.

  • 4

    Cagliari

    The capital, with a hilltop old town and a long city beach.

  • 5

    Alghero

    A walled town with Catalan heritage and nearby sea caves.

Getting there

Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero airports have flights from Italy and Europe. Ferries run from Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia and other ports, many overnight.

Practical tips

Opening & tickets
Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
Time needed
A week or more.

Official information: Sardegna Turismo (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

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