Sardinia, Italy - Travel Guide

Sardinia is Italy's wild heart - a rugged Mediterranean island with some of Europe's most stunning beaches, mysterious Bronze Age nuraghi towers, and a fiercely independent culture distinct from mainland Italy. From the glamorous Costa Smeralda to untouched coves, ancient traditions to wild horses, Sardinia offers adventure and relaxation in equal measure.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay10 days

Budget$80/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$400/day

Known For

sardiniasardegnaitalymediterraneancosta_smeraldacagliarialgheronuraghiemerald_coastbeachesla_maddalenaogliastrabarbagiastintinocala_gononebosacastelsardowild_horses

🇮🇹 Country Information: Italy

CapitalRome

CurrencyEuro (€)

LanguageItalian , German, French, Slovene, Ladin, Albanian, Greek, Sardinian, Catalan

Phone Code+39

Electricity230V (Type C, F, L)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated for good service; 5
10% in restaurants for good service; rounding up taxi fares; 1
2 euros per bag for porters; 1
2 euros per night for hotel housekeepers

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in cities
Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas and larger establishments; cash is still common for smaller purchases and local markets
It is advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller towns and certain local vendors
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites
"Fare la bella figura" (making a good impression) is important, so dress neatly
Meals are social events and can be lengthy; wait to be seated in restaurants
Italians often greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks among friends and family

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Italy recognizes civil unions for same-sex couples, but not marriage. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited in employment.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, even for small amounts; penalties include heavy fines and imprisonment

Special Laws

It is mandatory to carry identification at all times
Driving in ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) without a permit can result in fines
Be aware of pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas

Common Phrases

NoNo (noh) No

YesSì (see) Sì

HelloCiao (chah-oh) Ciao

PleasePer favore (pehr fah-voh-reh) Per favore

Excuse meMi scusi (mee skoo-zee) Mi scusi

Thank youGrazie (grah-tsee-eh) Grazie

Climate

Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Interior mountainous and cooler. Mistral wind from the north can be strong. Sea warm June-October. Spring wildflowers spectacular.

Best Time to Visit

Peak Summer: July
August (crowded, expensive)
Best Beach Weather: May
June, September
Spring Flowers: March
May
Autumn Festivals: September
November
Off Season: November
February

Getting There

Three main airports: Cagliari (CAG) in the south, Olbia (OLB) for Costa Smeralda, and Alghero (AHO) in northwest
Frequent flights from Italian cities and European hubs
Ferries from mainland Italy (Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia) take 5
12 hours
Corsica accessible by ferry from Santa Teresa Gallura

Getting Around

Car rental essential for exploring
island is large with limited public transport
Buses connect main towns but infrequent
Trains link Cagliari to Sassari and Olbia
Coastal roads stunning but winding
Book car well in advance for summer
4WD useful for remote beaches

Health & Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required
EU health card valid
Routine vaccinations recommended
Sun protection essential
Good medical facilities in cities
Remote areas have limited services

Staying Connected

Italian mobile networks excellent
TIM, Vodafone, WindTre
4G/5G coverage good
eSIM works well
EU roaming applies
WiFi widely available

Local Cuisine

Porceddu must_try

Sardinian spit-roasted suckling pig, slow-cooked over aromatic myrtle wood until the skin is crackling and meat melts off the bone. The island's most

Culurgiones must_try

Unique Sardinian pasta pockets hand-pinched into wheat-ear shapes, filled with potato, pecorino, and mint. Each village has its own filling variation.

Bottarga must_try

Salted, cured fish roe (usually grey mullet) from Cabras. 'Sardinian caviar' - grated over pasta or sliced thin. Rich, briny, unique.

Pane Carasau must_try

Paper-thin crisp flatbread called 'music paper' for the sound it makes. Centuries-old shepherd's bread. Base for Pane Frattau (with tomato, egg, pecor

Pecorino Sardo must_try

PDO sheep's cheese in dolce (mild) or maturo (aged) versions. Central to Sardinian cooking. Some aged with sea urchin (Fiore Sardo).

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Car Rental Transport

Book 1-6 months in advance

Essential for exploring Sardinia. Limited supply in summer, prices soar. Book months ahead for July-August.

Ferries (Summer) Transport

Book 1-4 months in advance

Overnight ferries from mainland Italy book up. Cabins go first.

Costa Smeralda Hotels Accommodation

Book 2-6 months in advance

Limited luxury options, extreme demand July-August. Prices 3-5x off-season.

Fun Facts

1. Sardinia is home to over 7,000 nuraghi - mysterious Bronze Age stone towers found nowhere else on Earth.
2. The island has its own language, Sardo, which is considered the closest living language to Latin.
3. Sardinia is one of the world's Blue Zones, with one of the highest concentrations of centenarians per capita.
4. The Costa Smeralda was developed by the Aga Khan in the 1960s and remains one of the world's most exclusive resort areas.

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