Getting There

Getting to Sardinia is easy and convenient. The island attracts visitors from other parts of Italy as well as international travellers every single year. You can travel to Sardinia by flying or by ferry.

Airports in Sardinia

There are three international airports on the island of Sardinia; Alghero-Fertilia Airport in the north, Costa Smeralda Airport in the city of Olbia, and Cagliari-Elmas Airport near the island’s capital of Cagliari. The three major airports are connected with destinations across Europe including Spain, Germany and the UK.

Arriving by Ferry

Ports on the island include Cagliari, Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Porto Torres, Palau and Arbatax. The ferry links service all regions of Italy and a few recommended ferry companies are Tirrenia (Italy’s main ferry company), Grandi Navi Veloci (Italy’s luxury ferry company), Moby Lines, Sardinia Ferries and Saremar.

Weather

Like the rest of Italy, Sardinia boasts pleasantly hot summers and mild winters. If you’re a sun worshipper, you will have the opportunity to enjoy great weather throughout the long summer season. Famed for its ‘six month summers’, Sardinia is the ultimate hot weather destination, with July and August seeing temperatures of 30°C or more. If you prefer a more comfortable climate, spring is the optimum time to visit.

Autumn begins in October and waters remain warm enough to swim in until November time. The highest levels of rainfall are in the winter months of December and January, with very slim chances of thunderstorms during the hotter months.

Regional Food & Wine

Some people may characterise Sardinia’s regional food by its most extreme dishes – Casu Marzu and Sardinian blood soup – but there’s so much more to the island than just maggot-ridden cheeses and gory broths. Sardinian cuisine can often be hard to define as the dishes vary across the provinces of the island but one thing remains the same throughout; the unmistakeable Sardinian style of cooking which hasn’t strayed far from ancient times.

Sardinian cooking takes influences from its ancient roots of agro-pastoral ingredients and later developments with fishing and coastal flavours. Delicious dishes include the Maialetto roasted piglet which is famous worldwide, Spaghittus cun Cancioffa e Bottariga which is served with dried salted fish eggs, the classic Sa Fregola con Vongole soup made with clams to give a real flavour of the island, or the surprisingly tasty Sa Cordula made from lamb’s intestines.

Sardinia Wine Region

To Italy’s frequent travellers, Sardinia is perhaps the lesser known region. Which makes wine tasting in Sardinia all the more exciting. With its warm climate, volcanic soil and hilly landscapes, Sardinia is the perfect breeding ground for delicious grapes and today, the island is one of the most innovative areas for wine production.

Cannonau di Sardegna is a signature red which can’t be found outside of Sardinia – so this is a truly unique wine tasting experience. Other great reds include the rich and spicy Cantina Santadi ‘Terre Brune’, Cantine Argiolas (Turriga), or the full bodied Alberto Loi Riserva. Lovely whites to try are Capichera, the light and refreshing Canayli Vermentino, or Ramandolo.

Annual Events

Much like the locals telling you that the only way to truly discover the Sardinian coast is by hiking, the only way to fully understand Sardinian culture is to do as the locals do. And what better way to live like a local than to attend a festival? Here are some fantastic annual events that could really enhance your holiday experience in Sardinia.

Sardinia Day in Cagliari (28th April)

The annual celebration of Sardinia takes place every April when the long summer season starts to run its course. This folk festival brings together Sardinian locals to celebrate the release of Sardinia from Piedmont control in 1794.

Sant Efisio in Cagliari (May)

Shortly after Sardinia Day, Sant Efisio will depend upon the capital. This is one of the most important traditional festivals of the island. This four day food festival celebrates being rescued from the 1652 plague by a saint, and each year sees a lively procession in the streets of Cagliari.

Cavalcata Sarda in Sassari (May)

Watch as a procession of over 3,000 horses dressed in traditional costumes take to the streets in Sassari. There will also be a number of horse-riding events across the area for locals and visitors who want to get involved in the island’s celebrations.

Cherries Festival in Belvi (June)

In the province of Nuoro is the small village of Belvi. In this quaint part of the island, the Cherries Festival takes place every June when the weather is approaching the height of summer. Promoting cherries from the Gennargentu area, this festival celebrates with the production of delicious fruit pastries and other sweet treats. A superb festival for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Sardinia Reggae Festival in Cargeghe (August)

For music lovers, the Sardinia Reggae Festival is a must. Taking place every year in August, this energetic festival in Cargeghe (Sassari) aims to showcase some of the country’s best reggae acts. Reggae artists from Sardinia and beyond perform during the 4 day event and crowds of all ages can enjoy all-day and all-night dancing on the beach.