While planning my trip, I was surprised to find fewer detailed resources than expected. Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I’m here to share all my tips and lessons for your first visit to Sardinia.

Whether you’ve just discovered this incredible destination or it’s been sitting on your travel wish list for years, this 4 Day Sardinia Itinerary (focused on the island’s northern coast) will help you with your planning. You’ll get real advice on where to stay, what to do, and most importantly, a ready-to-use 4-day plan for your unforgettable Sardinia adventure.

In this post you’ll find:

• A day-by-day itinerary for the Northern Sardinia region
• Recommendations on where to stay and eat while visiting Sardinia
• The best beaches, towns, and inland spots to visit
• What activities should you do on the island

Logistics of Visiting Sardinia

How many days are enough to explore Sardinia?

Sardinia is a pretty large island, so if you want to see all of it, you’ll need around 10 days. However, if you’re just focusing on one part, like North or South, up to 5 days is plenty. It really depends on how much of the island you’d like to see.

Since this blog is all about PTO friendly travel, I planned a 4-day Sardinia itinerary, and I found it more than enough to get the gist of the island.

What are the best airports to arrive in Sardinia?

For Airports: in the North, you have Olbia on the east side and Alghero on the west. In the south, you have Cagliari. There is no best airport to arrive, it just depends on where you are coming from and which side of the island you want to see. Note that you can drive from Olbia to Alghero but driving from the south to the north will be more challenging.

Ferries: Sardinia is connected to Italy, France, and Spain by multiple routes, with prices ranging from around €35 to €200 depending on the season and route. Crossings can take anywhere from 5 hours to 12+ hours. Ferries can be a great option if airfare is high during peak summer months, and they allow you to bring your own car for exploring the island.

What’s the best base location for a Sardinia trip: Olbia, Alghero or Cagliari?

Each area of the island offers something different, so the best base depends on what you want to do. The key tip, especially if you’re only staying for 4 days, is to pick one base. Trying to see the entire island in under a week will be exhausting and cut into your time actually enjoying it.

Other parts of the island include Cagliari – southern part and Alghero – north west part. While you won’t go wrong with choosing those for your bases, in my opinion, starting in the north east is your best bet as a first-time visitor.

For first-time visitors, I recommend the cities around Olbia (I personally wouldn’t stay in Olbia itself, the city was very underwhelming for me) and the surrounding region. It’s close to some of Sardinia’s most famous beaches, scenic drives, and the La Maddalena Archipelago, all within a reasonable distance for day trips.

Some city suggestions include:

• San Teodoro – my top pick
• Palau – more north, good base for Maddalena Islands
• Orosei – more south, good base for Costa Smeralda exploring

Here are some hotels in the area based on your budget:

Do I need a car for a Sardinia itinerary?

Yes, you absolutely need a car in Sardinia and don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Public transport is almost non-existent, and taxis/ride shares are super expensive.

Before my trip, I heard horror stories about local car rental companies, but I ended up having a fantastic experience with Italy Car Rent company, which I found on Do You Italy website. Seriously, not sponsored. Just an honest, amazing experience.

Driving isn’t so bad on the island. Some roads are narrower than others, and I even drove on a couple of dirt ones, but overall it wasn’t a negative experience.

When renting a car in Sardinia, make sure to take very detailed pictures and videos of the car at pick-up. They’re known for being picky and annoying about extra charges.

When is the best time of year to visit Sardinia?

The best time to visit Sardinia will be June – September.

People will tell you the best time is shoulder season because you’ll miss the crowds and avoid peak prices. I visited in the last week of May and while it was less crowded and cheaper, I don’t feel like I got to experience Sardinia fully. The water was cold, making it a challenge to enjoy the beaches. Places were also on more restrictive schedules, so planning everything was a little more challenging as well.

Is Sardinia expensive?

Yes, Sardinia can be pretty expensive. Between the hotel, flights, meals and drink, the four days were pretty pricey for two people.

• Good hotels can easily be cost $200-$300 per night
• Drinks – ~ 10-20 euros
• Dinners – ~ 30 euros per person
• Excursions – ~100-150 euros per person

Is Sardinia Worth Visiting?

Sardinia has gotten a lot of hype on social media lately. If you ask me, aside from the stunning beaches, I found Sardinia to be just ok. Having been to a ton of European islands, based on everything I have seen and read prior, I had much higher expectations for this so-called paradise.

So is Sardinia worth visiting? Yes, but taper your expectations.

4-Day Sardinia Itinerary

Day 1: Beaches & Dinner on the Costa Smeralda

Morning – Beach Time

For your first day, make sure to start with what Sardinia is truly known for: its stunning beaches. Leave as early as you can because these will fill up quickly. Expect to pay parking fees, and if you want to rent loungers, those prices can also run pretty steep. My advice is to pick one or two

• Spiaggia del Principe: famous for its crescent of white sand and crystal water
• Capriccioli: family-friendly with calm, shallow waters
• Liscia Ruja: one of the largest beaches, ideal if you prefer more space
• di Rena Bianca: another crystal clear water beach with white sand

Late Afternoon – Porto Cervo

If you’re not an all-day beach lounger, head over to Porto Cervo to wander around Sardinia’s luxury capital. Walk the marina, admire the yachts, and browse designer shops. It’s a beautiful little town worth a nice stroll.

Dinner

There are a ton of restaurants on the island, some examples include:

• Punta Baja (Baia Sardinia): Chic dinner spot right on the beach, with sunset views.
• La Rocca Beach Restaurant (Arzachena): Fine dining with a coastal view.
• Bacchus Ristorante (Olbia): sardinian dining in town
• Mamabeach (Olbia): Beachfront restaurant, a little chain-y vibe but I enjoyed the meal there a lot

Day 2: La Maddalena Islands Tour

Morning – La Maddalena

La Maddalena is a small island town and the gateway to the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, a collection of granite islands and turquoise lagoons off Sardinia’s northeast coast. They are famous for their Caribbean-like waters, hidden coves, and pink-sand beaches.

The main island of La Maddalena itself has a charming historic town with pastel-colored houses, cobblestone lanes, and waterfront cafés. A scenic Panoramica Drive loops the island, offering stunning viewpoints over the sea and smaller islets. Together, the archipelago is one of the most breathtaking highlights of Northern Sardinia.

You have a couple of options to see it:

• You can drive to Palau (~50 min from Olbia) and take the ferry to La Maddalena. There you can explore the island or book a tour that leaves from there.
• If you don’t want to explore the island itself, instead, book a full-day boat tour covering the main highlights: Spargi, Budelli’s pink beach, and Cala Coticcio. These tours are standard boat tours with lunch included and multiple swimming spots.

I personally did option two and loved just spending the day on the water, eating fresh pasta and drinking Aperol Spritzs 🙂

Afternoon/Evening – Explore Palau

If you have time after your boat tour, consider exploring the small yet charming town of Palau. There are multiple restaurants, gelato spots, and boutiques for you to stroll around and enjoy.

Dinner Options in Palau:

• Elegant & Seafood-Focused: La Gritta – a refined dining experience with scenic coastal views and expert culinary execution.
• Authentic and Local: Da Robertino – home-style Sardinian cooking with genuine flavor in a down-to-earth setting.
• Casual & Crowd-Pleasing: Il Ghiottone – well-loved by locals for its traditional dishes and welcoming vibes.
• Chill and Scenic: Rupi’s Chilling Out – beach vibes, sunset views, and relaxed plates make this a great spot after a day on the water.

Day 3: San Teodoro Boat Tour

Morning & Afternoon – San Teodoro & Boat Excursion

This was by fr my favorite activity on the entire island visit. San Teodoro is about 20-30 min south from Olbia. It’s a small beach town with stunning views and a lively atmosphere.

The best part of that area are the boat tours you can take. We opted for this amazing half-day dinghy tour that I found on Airbnb experiences. We had a small group, making it very personal and special, so if you can, book a private tour for the best experience. We got bubbly, drone footage and enjoyed a crisp dip in the ocean.

There are many more options on Viator if you prefer a bigger tour too.

Afternoon Beach Time Near san teodoro

If you have some time after your boat excursion, head over to Cala Brandinichi. It’s a long beach with tons of parking and little amenities like chairs and snack booths. It’s a long crescent-shaped beach with lots of people, but it’s perfect for an afternoon dip.

Dinner Time in town

San Teodoro has such a fun mix of beachy, casual spots and cute places, so you’re guaranteed to find something you like.

• Ristorante Da Nardino – One of the most well-known spots in town for seafood, pasta, and a classic Sardinia dinner vibe
• Bal Harbour – Trendy, spot with a poolside setting that’s great for dinner + drinks (especially in summer).
• Il Mangiatutto – Casual and super popular for pizza + seafood in a lively, laid-back atmosphere.
• Ristorante Da Silvio – A solid choice if you want a more traditional sit-down dinner with a menu that covers everything from pasta to seafood.
• Ambra Day – Fun, lively option that feels like dinner and a night out (perfect if you want energy + cocktails).

Day 4: winery and agriturismo Dinner

Morning – Winery Experience in Sardinia

If you want a slower, more elevated final day in Sardinia, a winery visit is the perfect choice. Northern Sardinia is known for Vermentino di Gallura, and many wineries near Olbia offer tastings with beautiful countryside views, local pairings, and that relaxed vacation energy. This is also a great option if you want something scenic without committing to another beach day.

Some options for your visit include:

1. Vigne Surrau (Arzachena)
2. Tenute Olbios (Olbia)
3. Cantina del Vermentino di Monti (Monti)

Afternoon/Early Evening – Best Dinner of Your Life

In Sardinia, you need to do an agriturismo-style dinner at least once in Sardinia. These dinners are usually multi-course and super traditional, where you get to try many local dishes. It’s one of the best ways to experience Sardinia beyond the beach, and it makes the perfect “final night” moment.

I visited Agriturismo Cabu Abbas (near Olbia) and loved everything about it. While driving there was a little scary (up a hill on a dirt road), I would drive up there 10 more times to experience that dinner.

Top Multi-Course Dinner Spots Near Olbia

1. Agriturismo Stazzu Li Paladini (Olbia)
2. Ristorante Lu Stazzu (Arzachena)
3. Stazzo Cuncosu (Arzachena area)
4. Agriturismo La Cerra (Tempio Pausania)
5. Agriturismo Li Mori (San Teodoro area)

Final Thoughts on Sardinia

Sardinia is a beautiful island with a ton to offer. If I had to do it again, I would choose a different base compared to where I stayed and visited later in the season, rather than being there in May. While the island gets a reputation for being the perfect party island for the rich and famous, I believe a “normal” traveler can experience it as well.

Know what to expect, do some basic research and enjoy your perfect Italian summer with a spritz in your hand 🙂