North Sardinia – 10 Beautiful Places To Go

An Insider’s Guide to North Sardinia

If you are searching for idyllic colourful towns, fabulous food, cultural experiences and magical beaches, then you should definitely consider North Sardinia for your next trip. With so many insanely indescribable places, it can feel overwhelming to plan. Nonetheless, this list of the 10 most beautiful places to go has you covered. Undoubtedly, Sardinians are very proud of their island and rightly so. It is a jewel in the middle of the Mediterranean with a turbulent history and you can feel the independence of the island from mainland Italy.

Of course, North Sardinia is the most expensive and popular part of the island, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t visit on a budget or without the crowds. Although, it is important to remember it is one of Europe’s favourite summer destinations due to its unbelievable water and coastlines. However, because it is such a large island, you can still feel like you’ve discovered something ‘hidden’. For example, in peak season we were able to enjoy private bays, to swim, laugh and take incredible pictures and you can too. There is something special about Sardinia generally and North Sardinia has so much to offer..

How to get to North Sardinia:

The two main airports in North Sardinia are Alghero (AHO) and Olbia (OLB). Direct flights are available from across Europe including London and Manchester in the UK, with flights taking just over two hours. 

From Alghero Fertilia airport into Alghero city centre you can take a bus operated by ARST. This runs from 5:20am until 11pm and you can buy cheap tickets from the automatic ticket machine. Alternatively, you can get a taxi but it is much more expensive. 

This is a similar experience from Olbia airport into Olbia city centre. The ARST bus is convenient and frequent, running every 15 minutes. Therefore, in both cities the bus is the cheapest and most uncomplicated option.

When to visit North Sardinia:

North Sardinia is blessed with a mild climate all year round. The hottest months are in the summer, from June to August. If you are able to visit in the ‘shoulder’ season then April, May or September, October would be ideal to enjoy the sun without the crowds that flock to the region in peak season.  The coastal towns will be dormant though, with restaurants closing early but be assured it will be worth it.

Important things to know for a trip in North Sardinia:

Language: Italian/Sardo

Currency: Euro

Best way to get around: By car

Tip: don’t plan too much. All of these places are unbelievably stunning and you will likely want to explore on the way. Keep your itinerary flexible, who knows maybe you’ll fall in love with one of these places and want to stay longer than expected.

The Top 10 places to visit in North Sardinia

Sassari

Sassari is Sardinia’s second largest city and is home to Sardinia’s oldest university. The city has a remarkable centre with a grand piazza, a perfect place to relax and admire the architecture. 

One thing you certainly should not miss is the Brigata Sassari Museum. The Sassari Brigade was established in 1915 and has a reputation for valour during extreme suffering and appalling conditions. The museum has a collection of uniforms, photos, documents that highlight the bravery of the Sardinian soldiers during WW1 who were sent to fight in northern Italy. 

If you can, time your visit with a festival. Cavalcata Sarda,  is on the 3^rd Sunday of May annually. You will be able to see people of all ages come together to parade the city in traditional costumes. It is definitely a unique experience. 

Cala Brandinchi

This beach boasts impressive views of Tavolara Island, a granite formation that rises 600m above sea level. Who needs the Caribbean when this beach has the well-deserved nickname ‘Tahiti’? The sand, the pine forest and the shallow water are just 3 reasons why  you should visit this beach. If possible to visit outside the summer months you should. Otherwise  you will be sharing it with a lot of other people. Tourists and locals alike.

Olbia

Known as “Happiness” or “The happy city” from the ancient Greeks, the historic centre is beautiful and is definitely worth a wander. The town overlooks Tavolara Island and the Gulf of Olbia. There is an international airport in the city, along with a ferry port and marina. This is the perfect place to explore little laneways and market stalls. The restaurants on the main street also offer lunchtime deals on food, so if you’re looking to try a traditional Sardinian dish but are on a budget, this is your city!

La Maddalena Archipelago

Do you dream of discovering a hidden beach or bay every day? Then the 7 major islands and 55 tiny islands that form the Maddalena Archipelago is the place for you.  It became a national park in 1994 and is located between Corsica and Sardinia and has the most incredible beaches in the whole of Italy.

Also, this is home to the famous Garibaldi museum on Caprera Island. This is the place that hosted Giuseppe Garibaldi for the last 26 years of his life. Therefore, you can see his home and artefacts and learn about the importance of the Hero of Two Worlds. The entrance fee is €7 on the door and you can only pay in cash. Therefore, it’s a good idea to book your ticket in advance if you can, this means that you won’t be waiting outside.

Our favourite beaches on Caprera Island include Cala Coticcio, Cala Napoletana and Spiaggia Del Relitto. Whilst these are famous beaches and the first two requiring a 30-40 minute hike, we would still recommend them as long as you go early in the morning before the crowds.  Another way to visit them is by boat and you can book these trips in La Maddalena Port or online.

Santa Teresa Di Gallura

Santa Teresa is the town that is at the most northern part of the island. It is known to be the gateway to Corsica as it is only an hour away by ferry. However, it is so much more than that, the town is charming and has a beautiful city beach (Rena Bianca) with a backdrop of colourful houses.

Be sure to discover and check out the views from Torre di Longonsardo, which is a spanish tower dating back to the 16^th century. Nearby Capo Testa boasts photo opportunities like no other with numerous beaches. Get ready to surround yourself in spectacular Sardinian scenery, you cannot ask for more. 

Nearby is La Valle Della Luna and a hippie community. This is a unique experience and the rock formations are absolutely unreal. You do feel like you’re walking on a ‘moon’ landscape. 

Costa Paradiso

It is heaven on earth for a reason. This spectacular corner, spreading over 8km, is a natural playground of coastal paradise. A highlight of this area are the beaches and if you can only go to one, you must go to Li Cossi beach. The cove is surrounded by granite rocks and the emerald water sparkles in the sun. You can park for free nearby and walk 10 minutes across a path that’s been carved into the cliffside to the sheltered beach.

Castelsardo

Don’t miss exploring Doria Castle, which stands proudly on top of the old town. It is definitely worth exploring and feeling the rich history. The town’s impressive architecture is based on local granite. Whilst you are there, make sure you visit ‘Elephant Rock’ an interesting 10-metre rock formation, that (you guessed it) is in the shape of an elephant. Also, you can relax on Spiaggia di Lu Bangu which is an easy access beach with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.

Insider Tip: visit on Holy Monday to witness a torchlight procession ‘Procession of Lunissanti’ winding down the town’s streets. 

The Asinara National Park

Time stops on the northwestern tip of Sardinia. The Asinara National Park is one of the most popular Sardinian islands. Characterised by its unspoilt nature and white, small Asinara donkeys that are not found anywhere else in the world. Interestingly, the island has always supported the feeling of isolation. It was first a place to quarantine, and then during WW1 was a prisoner of war camp and then a maximum security prison. On the island you can go hiking, relax on the beaches, sail and even cycle.

The best way to reach the island is by ferry. The trip from Porto Torres takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and will cost €20  return with Delcomar. For times and more information about the island we found this Guide to Asinara extremely useful.

Stintino

Stintino is an old fishing village founded in 1885 that is highly populated in the summer months, but not the winter. This is because Stintino is home to La Pelosa, one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia and arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The white sand beach is surrounded by transparent and inviting water and an well-kept Spanish tower. Nearby the beaches of Saline, Ezzi Mannu and Tamarisk are also worth a visit. The local restaurants located in the lanes and the coast all serve locally caught and fresh seafood, including lobster soup and octopus in garlic sauce. A culinary delight.

Alghero

This is a picturesque medieval city that is extremely busy in July and August. The historic centre centro storico is well-maintained and you can feel the Catalan atmosphere – a reminder of the city’s past. Don’t leave without having a drink in the historic centre to feel the liberated spirit of the local people. 

Don’t miss a visit to the famous Neptune’s Grotto in Capo Caccia to fully enjoy a magnificent staircase overlooking the sea. It is also possible to visit by boat but then you will miss out on the experience of the 654-step staircase. Certainly a challenge on a hot summer’s day, but worth it to experience the Cathedral-like grotto and the stalagmites and stalactites. The god of the sea has been at work here. 

It’s crazy to think that places like North Sardinia really exist. Consequently, if you are looking to extend your trip across the island (and you should) read all about it in this comprehensive guide for the ‘Ultimate Road trip in Sardinia’. 

Have you visited North Sardinia? Where was your favourite place?

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