How to explore Sardinia like a local: the complete guide to a dream holiday

Sardinia is a wonderful island in Italy, full of charm and diversity. Here you can discover spectacular landscapes, dream beaches, historic cities, authentic culture and delicious gastronomy. If you want to have an unforgettable holiday in Sardinia, it’s best to explore it like a local. To familiarize with the place, we have prepared a guide with recommendations and useful information.

villas for holiday rental in Sardinia
Holiday in Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia beaches
Holiday in Sardinia
Holiday in Sardinia, Italy
Holiday in Sardinia

 

Climate

Sardinia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average annual temperature is 17°C, but it can vary depending on the area of the island. In general, the coast is warmer and drier than the interior, where the mountains and hills are located. The best time to visit Sardinia is spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant and it is not too crowded.

Attractions

Sardinia has many attractions to offer, for all tastes and interests. If you’re passionate about history and archaeology, you shouldn’t miss the Nuragi, megalithic constructions unique in the world, which date back to the Bronze Age. The most famous are Nuraghe Su Nuraxi, declared UNESCO world heritage, and Nuraghe Losa. You can also visit the Roman ruins of Nora or Tharros, or the museums of Cagliari or Sassari.

If you prefer nature and adventure, you can explore Sardinia’s natural parks, such as Gennargentu National Park or Porto Conte Regional Park. Here you can admire the varied flora and fauna, including endemic species such as the mouflon or the Sardinian cormorant. You can go hiking, biking, kayaking or horseback riding, or you can take part in guided tours.

If you want to relax and enjoy the sun and sea, you have hundreds of gorgeous beaches with fine sand and crystal clear water. Some of the most beautiful are La Pelosa, Cala Goloritze, Cala Luna or Spiaggia Rosa. You can swim, snorkel, dive or windsurf, or rent a boat to explore the surrounding bays and islets.

Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo is one of the most famous and luxurious resorts in Sardinia. Here is the world center of nautical and yachting, Marina di Porto Cervo, which annually hosts prestigious events such as the Rolex Swan Cup or the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Porto Cervo is also home to sumptuous villas, luxury shops, fine restaurants and exclusive clubs.

villas in Porto Cervo, Sardinia holiday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia holiday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

The resort was created in the 1960s by Prince Karim Aga Khan, who was impressed by the natural beauty of the area and wanted to turn it into an elite destination for tourists from around the world. Porto Cervo is today the symbol of the Costa Smeralda, a region famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

 

Porto Cervo is the ideal place to relax and feel like a VIP!

 

Take a look at our selection of villas in Sardinia available for holiday rental

Villa Susanna – Sardinia

See more villas in Sardinia available for holiday rental

 

Natural and cultural beauties

Sardinia is an island that surprises you with its natural and cultural beauties. Here you can admire impressive landscapes, such as the granite cliffs carved by wind and sea in Arzachena or Capo Testa, or the canyons and waterfalls of Barbagia. You can discover picturesque villages such as Bosa or Castelsardo, where local traditions and crafts are still alive. You can enjoy typical products such as pecorino cheese or cannonau wine, or you can witness popular festivals and events such as the Carnival of Oristano or the Sartiglia of Oristano.

villas for rent in Porto Cervo, Sardinia accommodation in Sardinia

 

Night life

Sardinia has a lively and diverse nightlife, for all preferences and budgets. If you want to have fun until morning in exclusive and trendy clubs, you can go to Porto Cervo or Porto Rotondo, where the most famous bars of the Costa Smeralda are located. You will have the opportunity to meet international stars and you can dance to the rhythms of famous DJs.

If you want to enjoy the authentic atmosphere of Sardinia, you can choose the cities of Cagliari, Alghero or Olbia, where you can find bars, pubs and cafes for all tastes. Here you can drink a cocktail, a beer or a mirto, the traditional Sardinian liquor, and you can listen to live music or go to karaoke.

If you want to enrich yourself culturally and get to know Sardinian customs and traditions better, you can participate in folklore evenings, where you can admire the local costumes and dances, such as ballu tundu or ballu sardu.

 

Gastronomy

Sardinia has a rich and varied gastronomy that reflects the cultural and geographical influences of the island. Sardinian cuisine is based on local and seasonal products such as pork, lamb or goat meat, fish and seafood, vegetables and fruit, cheese and bread. Among the most representative specialties are:

Porceddu: young pig roasted on the stove, with aromatic herbs and salt.

Malloreddus: short pasta made from durum wheat flour and water, served with tomato sauce and beef or pork.

Fregola: round pasta made from durum wheat flour and water, baked in the oven and served with tomato and seafood sauce.

Culurgiones: pasta stuffed with sheep’s cheese, potatoes and mint, served with tomato sauce or melted butter.

Pane carasau: thin and crispy bread made from durum wheat flour, water, yeast and salt.

Seadas: cakes filled with sheep’s or cow’s cheese, covered with honey or sugar.

Casu marzu: cheese fermented with live fly larvae, considered a delicacy for the brave.

 

Did you know?

Sardinia is an island full of curiosities and mysteries that fascinate visitors. Here are some of them:

Sardinia is one of the five areas of the world where people live more than 100 years. This phenomenon is called Sardinian longevity and is attributed to genetic factors, healthy diet, active lifestyle and balanced social life.

Sardinia has its own language, called Sardinian or Sardu, which is one of the oldest Romance languages. The Sardinian language has several dialects and varieties, which can be very different from each other. However, the official language is Italian, introduced in 1760.

Sardinia has its own flag, called the Sardinian flag or quattro mori (four Moors). The flag has a white background with a red cross in the center and four black heads in the corners. The heads represent Moorish prisoners captured during medieval wars.

 

Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy, after Sicily, and has a population of approximately 1.6 million.

 

Sardinia is a dream destination for those who want a holiday full of beauty, culture and adventure. To enjoy all that this wonderful island has to offer, it’s best to explore it like a local by following the recommendations above. You will discover amazing places, taste delicious food and meet welcoming people. Don’t wait any longer and get ready to live an unforgettable experience in Sardinia!

 

Things to do in Sardinia

Take a look at our selection of villas in Sardinia available for holiday rental

Villa Abbondanza – Sardinia

See more villas in Sardinia available for holiday rental

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *