Insider Tips
Island hack
If you’re looking for beaches and can’t hack the dizzying prices of the glitzy Costa Smeralda, know that Sardinia’s beaches are spectacular everywhere. From Olbia, Cannigione is worth a look. Once a fishing village, it has many beautiful beaches, local markets and restaurants serving typical Gallurian dishes. It is also the perfect starting point to visit the Maddelena archipelago.
Attractions
There’s a festival going on somewhere, wherever you are in Sardinia. Plan your trip to coincide with one of them and experience Sardinian culture at its best, for free. The most famous of them all is Sant’Efisio, which takes place over four days in May. Start at the Church of Sant’Efisio in Cagliari and watch the representatives from every corner of the island display their spectacular costumes, some on horseback, others accompanied by musicians playing traditional instruments.
Neighborhood Watch
The further south you go, you’ll find that prices drop with every mile traveled. For example, La Caletta’s La Nuova Torre restaurant serves an average pizza for around €12 (£10), and then you can stroll around the harbor and visit one of the simple local bars along the main road, Via Nazario Sauro.
Hotels
Several of the more upscale hotels have their own beaches, even boats, so it’s possible to arrange a private dinner on the beach, go dolphin and whale watching, or even arrange a romantic overnight cruise. For example, Delphina has eight hotels in the north of Sardinia and several boats at their disposal, including a beautiful sailboat from 1927.