Sardinia / Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Let’s explore here

What’s it like in Sardinia?

Sardinia is simply lovey, especially the south east of the island! It’s part of Italy, and is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, being around 165 miles (270 km) long and 90 miles wide (145 km). The capital, Cagliari, is a really lovely city of around 150,000 people, which sits on the south coast. The population of the whole island is around 1½ million people (2021).

Although it’s located only 9 miles (16 km) from the very mountainous Corsica, it’s really quite different, with lots of hills and flat terrain, as well as some glorious mountain areas. The highest point is Punta La Marmora, slightly east of the centre of the island, at 6,017 ft (1,834 m) above sea level.

Sardinia has the highest rate of centenarians in the world, at 22 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Whilst we were there, we saw lovely, large gatherings of classic cars on the highways between Santa Teresa Gallura and Palau, such as one long line of over thirty 1970-80s Porsche 911s, and another line of around twenty old-school-mini Fiat 500s … great for putting a smile on your face 🙂

A bit about the history of Sardinia

Early History and Ancient Settlements

Sardinia has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It was originally inhabited by ancient peoples, including the Nuragic civilization, which emerged around 1800 BC. The Nuragics built distinctive stone structures known as nuraghes, which are scattered across the island and remain a symbol of Sardinia’s prehistoric heritage.

Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman Influence

By the 9th century BC, the island came under the influence of the Phoenicians, who established colonies such as Carthage in modern-day Tunisia. Sardinia was later dominated by the Carthaginians until it was taken over by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, after the Punic Wars. Under Roman rule, Sardinia became an important part of the Roman Empire, contributing agricultural products and resources. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, Sardinia became part of the Byzantine Empire.

Medieval Sardinia

During the Middle Ages, Sardinia was frequently invaded and controlled by various powers. It was ruled by the Byzantines for several centuries before being taken by the Arabs in the 8th century. However, by the 11th century, the island came under the control of the Judicates, independent kingdoms that ruled the island. These included the Judicate of Cagliari, Judicate of Arborea, Judicate of Logudoro, and Judicate of Gallura. The island was later contested between the Pisan and Genoese republics.

Spanish Rule and the Kingdom of Sardinia

In the 16th century, the island came under the control of Spain, becoming part of the Spanish Empire. Spanish rule led to significant cultural and economic changes, but it also created tensions with local Sardinian nobility. In the 18th century, Sardinia was ceded to the House of Savoy as part of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), marking the beginning of Piedmont-Sardinian rule. This period saw Sardinia become part of the larger Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, which eventually played a key role in the unification of Italy in the 1860s.

20th century

Sardinia faced economic and social challenges during the early 20th century, including a significant migration to mainland Italy in search of better opportunities. After World War II, Sardinia was granted autonomy within the Italian Republic in 1948, allowing it to maintain a degree of self-governance over local affairs.

Contemporary Sardinia

Today, Sardinia is one of Italy’s 20 regions and remains an important cultural and historical centre. It is known for its unique traditions, language, and stunning landscapes, including its beaches and mountainous interior. While its economy has diversified, tourism remains a key sector. Sardinia continues to maintain its distinct identity, with ongoing efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and autonomy within Italy.

Sardinia road trip

Our Sardinian road trip was part of a much larger European road trip, and started as we left magnificent Corsica by ferry:

The ferry from Corsica to Sardinia

In 2024 we drove to Sardinia from Corsica, both islands of which were long time ambitions for us. We caught the ferry from Bonifacio in Corsica to Santa Teresa Gallura in Sardinia.

Due to the small distance between the two islands, at 9 miles (16 km), the ferry journey only takes 50 minutes – 1 hour, and thus there are no cabins. There are numerous scheduled crossings in both directions per day.

Paying for the ferry from Corsica to Sardinia

We travelled using Moby lines and paid for the ferry online. We booked two days before the journey with ease.

The ferry from Sardinia to Naples in mainland Italy

We were initially going to take the ferry from Sardinia on to Sicily, as we made our way to Malta, but the ferry only runs once per week and was full for cars … we’d left it too late!!! This was despite looking over a week in advance! That’s what can happen when you don’t know exactly when you’ll be travelling, and when you don’t want to rush your travels. In the end we travelled from Sardinia to Naples in mainland Italy.

The ferry we travelled on from Cagliari to Naples was an overnight ferry that took 14½ hours. It should be noted that car parking at the port in Cagliari is free on Sundays! When on board the ferry, we were upgraded again to an outside cabin that had a window – which was great for views of the sunrise and the approach to Naples.

Paying for the ferry from Sardinia to Naples

We booked a week in advance in order to guarantee us a place for our car and a cabin. We travelled using Grimaldi lines and booked online with ease.

Map of our road trip in Sardinia

Our favourite places in Sardinia

These are some of the best places that we explored on our road trips through Sardinia. We’ve put them in alphabetical order.

Arbus

Arbus is a lovely, small, town in the hills in south west Sardinia. It sits in pretty surroundings and has great proximity to both mountains and the beach.

Buggerru

Buggerru is a small town on the coast in south east Sardinia. There are numerous sandy beaches in the area.

Cagliari

Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia, with a population of around 150,000 people (2015). It’s a lovely city on the south coast with loads of restaurants and cafés down by the harbour. It’s also free parking by the harbour on Sundays!

Carbonia

Carbonia was founded in 1938 by Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime, to provide housing for the coal mining workforce.

Castelsardo

Castelsardo is a pretty coastal town in the north east of Sardinia. Popular with tourists, even during the off-season, it houses many cafés and restaurants. A 12th century Genoese castle dominates the town.

Cugnana Gulf

The Gulf of Cugnana is a beautiful coastline located in the north east of Sardinia. There are several designer resorts and beautiful beaches in the gulf catering for rich clientele.

Fontanamare

Fontanamare is located in south west Sardinia, and is the location of several sandy beaches, and some lovely rocky coastline to its north. Peppered along the coastline are a number of pretty islets.

Gairo Sant’Elena

Gairo Sant’Elena is located in central east Sardinia. The original village was abandoned due to land slippages and floods in 1951. In 1969 the current village was built. Some of the people moved slightly further afield and built the village of Cardedu. The old village can still be visited.

Gorropu Canyon

The Gorropu Canyon is an awesome gorge created by the River Flumineddu, and the canyon walls reach a height of over 1640 ft (500 m). It’s located in the east of central Sardinia

Lake Gusana

Lake Gusana is a beautiful lake located in central Sardinia near to Gavoi. It’s an artificial lake built in the 1930s to store water for an electricity generator.

Loculi

Loculi is a small town in north east Sardinia, not far from the coast. The world’s largest sheep’s milk cheese was made in Loculi on 19 July 2020, weighing 1,319.4 lb (598.5 kg). The Pecorino cheese was 5ft 3in (1.60 m) in diameter and 11in (0.28m) tall, and was prepared using 4,500 liters (990 gallons) of milk, including nine months of storing.

Mount Orguda

Mount Orguda is located east of the centre of Sardinia, not far from the coast. It sits 3,655 ft (1,114 m) above sea level.

Pan di Zucchero – Sugar Loaf island

Sugar Loaf island is the tallest sea stack in the Mediterranean, at 436 ft (133 m) in height. It is an uninhabited, limestone island close to Masua in south west Sardinia. Its name comes from its resemblance to the famous Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which replaced its original name of Concali su Terràinu in the 18th century.

Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo is a pretty, posh and expensive designer coastal resort in north east Sardinia. It was purposefully designed by architect in the 1960s for rich clientele!

Porto Conte Regional Natural Park

The Porto Conte regional park was founded in 1999 and covers fifty thousand hectares. The park is mostly shallow hills or flat and includes 60 kilometres of sandy beaches alternating with steep cliffs.

The 16th century Tramariglio Tower, that was used for light defence against the Saracens is located in the park. Unfortunately for us, when we were there the weather was inclement!

Pula

Pula is a lovely tourist town in the south of Sardinia, with a number of good cafés and restaurants. It’s also home to Polaris, one of the largest science parks in Italy, focusing on biomedicine, data technology, energy and the environment.

San Nicolò

San Nicolò is a small village in the south west of Sardinia. There is a lovely sandy beach close to the village called Dido beach.

San Pantaleo

Punta Cugnana is a mountain, 2130 ft (650 m) above sea level close to San Pantaleo in north east Sardinia.

Santa Maria Navarrese

Santa Maria Navarrese is a small town located on the east central coast of Sardinia, dominated by the 2123 ft (647 m) high Mount Scoine. There’s a lovely clean beach close-by called Rose beach that overlooks the pretty island of Ogliastra.

Santa Teresa Gallura

Santa Teresa Gallura is a lovely small town on the north east coast of Sardinia. The 16th century Longonsardo watchtower dominates the coastline. The white cliffs of Bonifacio in Corsica can be seen from the town.

Santu Juanni

Santu Juanni is a small hamlet in north east Sardinia. It has a lovely church with a seating area, that’s a lovely place to stop and rest 😉

San Vito

San Vito is a lovely town at the foot of the mountains in the south east of Sardinia. The people are super friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The best food we had in Sardinia was in San Vito!

Sassari

Sassari is located in the north west of Sardinia and is its second largest and second most ppopulpouis city with around ¼ million people in the metropolitan area (2015). Its a lovely city filled with lots of great architecture and art.

Stintino

Stintino is located in the far north west of Sardinia on the Stintino peninsula. The 16th century Pelosa Tower, which was used as heavy defence against the Saracens, is located on Pelosa island just north of Stintino.

Temple of Antas

The Temple of Antas is an excellent ancient temple in south west Sardinia, built by the Carthaginians and then by the Romans.

Teulada

Teulada is a pleasant town in south west Sardinia with a few decent cafés and restaurants for a journey break.

Vignola Mare

Vignola Mare is a pretty little village on the north east coast of Sardinia. It’s very popular with locals due its pristine beach. The 16th century Vignola watchtower looks over the beach.

Villasimius / Crabonaxa

Villasimius is a small town on the south east coast of Sardinia, popular with tourists. The Sardinia name for the town is Crabonaxa, harking back to the 13th century name Carbonara.

What’s it like to drive in Sardinia?

As with almost everywhere on the continent of Europe, they drive on the right hand side of the road in Sardinia.

Driving in Sardinia

Driving in Sardinia is a different affair altogether from driving in mainland Italy or in Sicily! It’s like they’ve all been taught that you must get to where you want to go at the fastest speed possible, and you must drive less than 6 inches (15cm) behind any car that isn’t doing the same!!! This is not a pleasant way to drive.

In the main, we found that drivers in Sardinia were some of the most aggressive we’ve encountered anywhere in Europe, comparable with Romania and Serbia – and that’s saying something. The best way to counter this is to either completely ignore them, or pull over regularly, to let them overtake 🙂

Road conditions in Sardinia

In the main, roads are pretty decent in Sardinia, most are well maintained, in particular main roads. More remote countryside roads can be more tricky due to loose gravel, but in the main are ok.

Lay-bys in Sardinia

Unfortunately lay-bys in Sardinia tend to be rather depressing places full of litter 🙁 We love Sardinia, but this really is one of the worst things about the island.

Do you require an international driving permit in Sardinia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Sardinia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Sardinia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

What are the speed limits in Sardinia?

The speed limits for cars in Sardinia are:

• 30 mph (50 km/h) for urban driving
• 45 mph (70 km/h) outside of built up areas
• 55 mph (90 km/h) on dual carriageways
• 70 mph (110 km/h) on motorways

What currency do they use in Sardinia?

In Sardinia they use the Euro. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread. Travellers cheques are accepted. There are lots of ATMs.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Sardinia?

They speak Italian and Sardinian in Sardinia. English is spoken widely in tourist areas, but not in rural areas.

What time zone is Sardinia in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Sardinia?

Remember, Sardinia is part of Italy. We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

Is wild camping legal in Italy?

Wild camping is generally tolerated for single nights in Sardinia, although you should avoid national parks and natural reserves.

What plug / socket type do they use in Sardinia?

In Andorra they use plug / socket types F and L.

Health issues in Sardinia

Is it safe to drink water in Sardinia?

It is not safe to drink tap water in Sardinia. Bottled water is readily available across the country. 

What vaccinations are required for Sardinia?

This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in Sardinia.

Phones in Sardinia

What is the country calling code for Sardinia?

The country calling code for Sardinia is +39

What are the emergency phone numbers in Sardinia?

• The emergency number for police in Sardinia is: 112
• In Sardinia, the emergency number for ambulance is: 112
• The emergency number for fire in Sardinia is: 112

If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!