Things to Do in Sardinia: Beaches, Coves and Nuraghi, Area by Area (2026)

The best things to do in Sardinia start with its coast, but they do not end there. This guide sorts the island by area, explains which famous beaches now need a booking, and covers the Bronze Age towers, the old towns and the practical side of getting there and around.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Things to do in Sardinia at a glance

The north: La Maddalena and the Costa Smeralda

The La Maddalena archipelago is a national park of granite islands off the north-east tip. Boat trips leave from Palau and La Maddalena town and stop at coves you cannot reach by road. One of them, the famous pink beach of Budelli, the Spiaggia Rosa, has stayed closed to visitors for decades to protect its sand, so you see it only from the water.

The easiest way to see it is from the water. Our La Maddalena boat tour page compares a sailing day from Palau with lunch, rated 5.0 from 1,147 reviews, from about $115, with the classic island cruise, rated 4.7, from about $61 (checked September 2026).

On the mainland, the Costa Smeralda is the island’s upscale stretch, with resorts, marinas and beaches between Porto Cervo and the Gulf of Arzachena. Olbia, with its airport and ferry port, is the practical gateway.

The north-west: Alghero and La Pelosa

Alghero has the most atmospheric old town on the island, with sea walls you can walk at sunset and a Catalan heritage that still shows in its street names. From here, boats and a coastal road lead to Capo Caccia and the Neptune’s Grotto sea cave. For a day on the water, compare the Alghero boat tour options, from dolphin watching with marine biologists to a catamaran day, and our round-up of the best boat tours in Italy.

Near Stintino, La Pelosa is one of Sardinia’s most photographed beaches, and in season you need to book, because daily places are limited. When we checked in September 2026, the official booking site still showed the 2024 rules: €3.50 per person and 1,500 places a day. Check it again before your trip, because the site had not yet posted the 2026 conditions.

The east: the coves of the Gulf of Orosei

The Gulf of Orosei is the wildest part of the coast, with limestone cliffs dropping into clear water. You reach most coves by boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese, or on foot along demanding trails.

The best known, Cala Goloritzè, requires a booking. According to the Baunei tourism office, the trail is 3.5 km with a 500 m drop, and it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes down and 2 hours back up. Moreover, the trail opens at 7:30 am and closes at 2 pm, you can stay on the beach until 5 pm, and closed shoes with a good grip plus water are mandatory (checked September 2026).

The south: Cagliari, Nora and Su Nuraxi

Cagliari, the capital, climbs from the port to the Castello quarter, with views over the lagoon and the Poetto beach close to the center. South-west of the city, the ruins of Nora sit on a headland above the sea.

Inland, Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best place to understand the nuraghi, the stone towers built in the Bronze Age that stand all over the island. Visits run with a guide, so plan the stop around the tour times.

Getting to Sardinia and getting around

• By air: the island has three main airports, Cagliari in the south, Olbia Costa Smeralda in the north-east and Alghero-Fertilia in the north-west. Our guide to Italian airlines compares the carriers.
• By ferry: overnight and day ferries link mainland ports such as Civitavecchia, Livorno and Genoa with Olbia, Porto Torres and Cagliari. Schedules change by season, so check the operators when you book.
• On the island: distances are long and public transport is limited outside the main towns, so most visitors rent a car. Read our guide to car rental in Italy before you book one, and our driving rules for the road.

When to go

June and September give warm sea and fewer crowds than July and August, when ferries and hotels fill and capped beaches sell out early. For the rest of Italy, our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Italy shows how Sardinia fits into a longer trip, and our Italy travel tips cover the practical basics.

Starting in the south? Read our guide to things to do in Cagliari, from the Castello quarter to the Molentargius flamingos, and see our Cagliari tour comparison.

Ready to plan the route? Our Sardinia itinerary compares 7, 10 and 14-day routes in the north and south, with ferries, flights and car rental.

Ready to book? We compared two options each for an Asinara boat tour, a Gulf of Orosei boat tour, a Tavolara boat tour, a Barumini tour from Cagliari and a Cagliari beach tour, with prices and ratings read on Viator in September 2026.

In Orgosolo, a village in the interior, the walls themselves are the attraction: they are covered in political murals. See our guide to street art in Italy.

Things to do in Sardinia: frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Sardinia?

A boat day in the La Maddalena archipelago, the coves of the Gulf of Orosei such as Cala Goloritzè, the old town of Alghero, La Pelosa beach, Cagliari and the Bronze Age nuraghe of Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

Do you need to book beaches in Sardinia?

Some, yes. Cala Goloritzè requires a booking, and La Pelosa has capped, bookable access in season. Check the official sites before you go.

Can you visit the pink beach in Sardinia?

Not on foot. The Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli, in the La Maddalena archipelago, has stayed closed to visitors for decades, and you can see it only from a boat.

How do you get to Sardinia from mainland Italy?

By plane to Cagliari, Olbia or Alghero, or by ferry from ports such as Civitavecchia, Livorno and Genoa.

Do you need a car in Sardinia?

Outside the main towns, almost always. Distances are long and public transport is limited.