Sardinia Holiday Guide

Low cost airline EasyJet flies into Olbia in the north east and Cagliari  in the south, while Ryanair offers services to Alghero  in the north west. British Airways offers scheduled flights to Cagliari .

The best way to get around is by hiring a car, or moped. Jeep safaris, bike tours and boating excursions are also a great way of exploring the island and its surroundings.

Named after its dazzling emerald-coloured seas, the Costa Smeralda is the country's most celebrated stretch of coastline. Stretching for 55km, it boasts more than 80 bays, coves and beaches on the island's north-east coast. A cluster of hotels means this region is the most developed on the island.

Tourists also flock to bustling Alghero on the north west coast, which has a five kilometre long white sandy beach, port and a marina. Chia in the south is renowned for its white sand dunes while Costa Rei on the south east coast is considered to be among Italy's finest beaches.

For those looking to soak up a bit of history on holiday in Sardinia, Cagliari is the island's capital and gateway to the south coast. Sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, the city is distinguished by its medieval walled town called Castello, which offers museums, an impressive cathedral, city hall and Belgrano Palace.

Nora in the south features well-preserved Roman ruins including a bath house and amphitheatre.

Picturesque Alghero has many Catalan influences. Wander along its ancient ramparts, lookout towers and nearby vineyards. Below the old town's fortifications, modern yachts, pleasure crafts and traditional fishing vessels jostle for position in the harbour.

La Cinta beach, one of the wildest and most unspoilt on the island, lies close to Stagno di San Teodoro, a marshland area which is also a wildlife habitat.

From Alghero, visit Neptune's Grotto featuring stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake. They can be seen on a boat or on foot from Capo Caccia but this involves a 654 step descent. History lovers will discover several Nuraghic sites in the area. These stone conical towers date back to the Bronze Age.

Enjoy a boat trip from Palau to the La Maddalena archipelago where you may be lucky to spot frolicking dolphins en route. Once there, you can go horse-riding, play golf or indulge in water sports. Day trips are also possible to the French island of Corsica.

Enjoy a bumpy jeep safari from the dramatic cliffs at Villasimius to Costa Rei for stunning sea views. Or visit the Timi Aama salt water lake where you may spot pink flamingos.

Dining options range from cheap and cheerful pizzerias to sophisticated restaurants. Specialities include fish and seafood such as sea urchins and shell fish, as well as wild game. Tuck into local dishes such as sausages, ham, cheese, spit-roasted suckling pig, pancakes drizzled with honey and wash it down with local wine. Wine and limoncello spirit are popular.
In Alghero, due to the Catalan influence, Spanish tapas features heavily on many menus. Sardinian pastries are mouth-watering - try seadas, which is a hot fritter filled with fresh cheese and grated lemon and dusted with sugar or honey. Another speciality is a nutty nougat mixed with local honey.
Cagliari's Castello and Via Sardinia districts teem with restaurants and trattorias.

The jet set flock to the Costa Smeralda's chilled out piano bars in Port Cervo, or the Billionaire Club. Bards and discos are also in plentiful supply in resorts like Baia Sardinia, Poltu Quattu and Porto Rotundo.
Alghero is a lively resort, with numerous watering holes around the old town and by the scenic marina. The action is more laid back on the Costa Rei.

For designer ware, head to Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda which offers brands such as Armani, Gucci, Prada and Versace, to Porto Redondo's quayside. Traditional villages across the island are known for their cheeses, wines and handicrafts.
Alghero's old town has elegant boutiques and a night time seafront crafts market during the summer. If you're staying on the south coast, visit Pula, a pretty town which has a number of shops.
Shop in Cagliari's old town or along Via Roma and Via Manu.

Cala Gonone on the dramatic east coast is great for boat trips to nearby coves, grottos, rock pools and isolated beaches. Inland  you’ll find mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
There's a natural marine shelter and sea turtle rescue centre at Nora Lagoon.
Enjoy a ride on the Green Train which billows through breathtaking scenery including forests and lakes, past coastlines and historical attractions. Three scenic routes are available - from Palau to Tempio in the north, Bosa to Macomer in the centre and Arbatax to Mandas in the east.
The untouched Marmilla table-top mountain, which is home to wild horses, offers easy walking routes for families and children.