Sardinia’s beaches are spectacular: the sand is soft, and the water is a shade of aqua usually reserved for the tropics. But there’s a lot to be said for Sardinia’s wild interior as well, lush forests open out onto limestone bays, vineyards and olive groves, or prehistoric ruins. It’s a bit like a tiny country, so when we set about selecting the best places to stay on Sardinia, the lists of accommodation recommendations seem as varied as a country’s. There's the glamorous hotels of the Costa Smeralda, converted estates in the hills, family-friendly resort villages, traditional Sardinian seaside hotels, and a number of really excellent B&Bs.

If you’re looking forward to sampling Sardinia’s beaches we have recommendations right the way around the island, but we also think that Sardinia is a great destination for foodies, families, walkers, divers, horse riders — anyone looking for a destination that’s small, sunny and culturally rich! Sardinia’s eventful history has born independent traditions of art, craft and architecture, along with unique flavours in the food and wine. It also has a number of fascinating archaeological sites, and some excellent history museums.

Some of the best places to stay on Sardinia are found in the island’s main centres: from Olbia, ferry port and gateway to the Costa Smerelda; to lively Iglesias with its Catalan charms; elegant Oristano with its boutiques and fine restaurants; and Caligari and Bosa with their incredible Medieval architecture. And if you’re looking for something quite unique, consider staying on Sant'Antioco and San Pietro, these are islands just off Sardinia’s south west coast, and are probably the best destinations if you’re looking for an ‘authentic’ Sardinian experience.

The Best Places to Stay on Sardinia

For a Special Occasion

• Luxurious and intimate, the Hotel Pitrizza’s collection of rooms, suites and private villas is many people’s idea of the perfect honeymoon hotel. Not too big, but not too small, its expansive terraces, with incredible sea views, offer a myriad of opportunities for dreamy moments, and if you opt to stay in a villa you can have your own private pool and terrace too. The larger villas, those with two and three bedrooms, are ideal for families and groups too. There are three restaurants (an Italian restaurant, a barbecue restaurant, and a fine dining option), plus a number of bars, and a really beautiful stretch of private, golden beach.

For Romantics

• La Villa del Re is a five star pick right on the ocean on Sardinia’s spectacular south coast between Costa Dei and Sant’ Elmo. This is a charmingly traditional looking property, constructed from the local stone, with exposed beams and stone floors, but decorated with creamy colours and a subtle nautical theme. It’s very much as if you’re a guest in a very lucky family friend’s summer home, complete with welcoming communal areas, a beautiful pool with a sea view, and fragrant gardens. Adults only.
• L'Agnata di de Andre is a country retreat built by Italian musician, Fabrizio De Andre. Now charmingly vine covered, the villa is romantically laid out, with ten very private feeling rooms, decorated in traditional style and a restaurant serving four course set menu dinners. There’s also a huge lagoon pool, fragrant gardens, and hammocks and sun loungers arranged invitingly around the grounds. Perfect for switching off.

For the Views

• The Hotel Relais Villa del Golfo & Spa perches on the edge of the stunning Bay of Cannigione, close to La Maddalena Archipelago National Park and its pristine coastline, so its views are incredible. And if you want the view all to yourself there are plenty of rooms and suites among the hotel’s 59 with their own private terraces. Or you could book up the hotel’s private yacht… Spacious and verdant, the grounds include a huge pool — there’s another inside — plus a spa, with sauna and hot tubs.
• The Hotel Villa Las Tronas is breathtakingly positioned on the rocky tip of a sandy cove, with almost 360 degree sea views. It looks like a small Italian castle, boxy, with large windows, and its 18 rooms and suites all have incredible views too. All the rooms are grand, some of them more traditional than others, but all share the excellent seafood restaurant, a spa and wellness centre, and a swimming pool overlooking the water. Romantic, but still family friendly.

For Luxury

• La Coluccia is a chicly designed hotel on the north coast, with sea views, a private beach, and 45 rooms, suites and private villas. The hotel offers a great blend of traditional Sardinian style and contemporary design and comfort, with a focus on quality and simplicity. There’s a spa and gym, a pool with a view, and it’s a short walk to the hotel’s private beach, where you can snorkel, as well as swim, and relax. There are plenty of watersports facilities on offer nearby, plus horse riding and golf too.
• The Hotel Le Ginestre offers fun, affordable luxury in Porto Cervo. Its 80 rooms and suites are all individually decorated, and all come with private terraces and a Mediterranean feel. There’s an excellent contemporary Sardinian restaurant plus a pool and gym on site, and you’re close to a golf course, some of Sardinia’s most stunning beaches, and a number of walking trails. Great for families too.

For a Beach Break

• Forte Village is a collection of luxurious hotels and villas, along a near-perfect stretch of sandy beach, and bright turquoise ocean. The wonderful thing about staying in the village is the huge range of choice in accommodation, from single rooms, to huge private villas surrounded by their own gardens. The village has 21 dining options, and a raft of activities on offer, from football coaching, to diving and snorkelling, to cooking classes.
• The Hotel Sporting is idyllically located beside its own stretch of white sandy beach, bookended with rocky coves, but it’s also just moments from Porto Rondo. Its 47 rooms, suites and villas start from a very affordable price point. All are simple, light and airy, and the best are also spacious, with their own private balconies and incredible sea views. This is a great hotel if you’re looking for amenities; there are tennis courts, a gym and spa, and easy access to a golf club, and all sorts of watersports facilities.

For a Rural Escape

• Peaceful and rustic, the Petra Segreta is a truly elegant escape, with a fabulous spa in caves carved into the hillside, a gourmet restaurant, a lovely pool and spectacular views of the Gulf of Arzachena and Sardinia’s islands. Accommodation is spread between a number of rustic buildings perched on a hillside, and within are 22 rooms and two suites — the suites have private pools, and many of the rooms have private terraces. The decor is warm and earthy, peaceful, even. Yet you’re only a few kilometres from glamorous Porto Cervo.
• The Spartivento Hotel is a small eco-friendly resort in the hills behind Chia’s beaches, where you have panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The hotel has 27 rooms and suites, decorated with simple, Sardinian style, and the restaurant has a very Sardinian menu. If the weather is favourable, and it very often is, you can eat on the terrace overlooking the sea. There’s a lovely pool, with a children’s area, and there are plenty of rooms that sleep three and four.
• The Albero Capovolto is a relaxed B&B in Olbia’s picturesque rural hinterland. It has just five guest rooms, plus some lovely indoor and outdoor communal areas. There’s also a very nice pool. We love the traditional feeling decor: exposed stone, exposed beams and tiled floors. Dinner is on request (it’s a car journey to other local restaurants), and it's about 20 minutes to a number of beautiful beaches. Great for romantics, and groups who can take over the whole property.

For Foodies

• The Hotel Su Gologone is an elegant, very Sardinian hotel, built on the grounds of a working olive estate and vineyard. Olive groves, vineyards, and bougainvillea surround the hotel’s numerous terraces, and the restaurant’s menu is largely sourced from the grounds and kitchen gardens. The 15 rooms and 54 suites are traditional in style, and decorated with original artworks and luxurious fabrics. As you can imagine, the wine cellars and restaurant are excellent. The hotel offers an exciting range of classes based not only on local cuisine, but on local handicrafts too.

For Families

• Ollastu is an expansive resort complex in a beautiful, rural setting, just to the south of Olbia, with its own private beach and wonderful ocean views. The 54 rooms, suites and apartments are designed to be reminiscent of Sardinian shepherds’ huts, set amongst idyllic natural surrounds and landscaped gardens. It'g a great option both for families, and couples: there’s plenty of family-centric activity on offer, but the way the hotel is spaced out, and the two restaurants, means it’s easy to avoid any noise or activity. Plus there’s a private beach, and access to horse riding, golf and sailing facilities.
• For family friendly facilities on the Costa Smeralda, try the Hotel Cala di Volpe: architecturally memorable, with traditional elements and all the mod cons, this hotel has a real wealth of activities on offer, and is positioned just behind a beautiful white, sandy beach. The kids club hosts those between three and 12, or you can try a new watersport as a family, go sailing, play tennis, play in the pool, or relax on the beach. There’s also a gym and spa, and a choice of restaurants that includes a barbecue restaurant that non-residents travel for.

For Great Value

• The Hotel Panorama is right in the centre of Olbia, with wonderful views of the sea and plenty of ferry port action, from the roof top bar and lounge deck. Its 80 rooms and suites are simply and traditionally decorated. The family suites sleep four, and can be divided up into two private spaces, or left open plan. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast, and there are some lovely places to eat and drink within a pleasant walking distance.
• The Nascar Hotel is a good option if you're travelling with your family or a group and you want to stay somewhere comfy by the beach — in this case in the centre of a small village, just 200 meters from the beach. There are only ten rooms, but they’re all a generous size, with simple decor. The family rooms comfortably sleep four, and some of the larger rooms have private terraces. The restaurant serves an excellent local menu, and the location is right at the foot of the spectacular "Wild Blue" walking trail, so this is also a great choice for hikers.

For a Private apartment or villa

• If you’re looking for a self-catering option browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Sardinia has three airports: Cagliari Airport, which is seven kilometres from Cagliari, Sardinia’s largest city; Alghero Airport, which is ten kilometres northwest of Alghero; and Olbia Airport, which is about four kilometres from the centre of Olbia on the Costa Smeralda. But you might find it easier to arrive by ferry, and Sardinia has a number of ferry ports too: Cagliari’s port is right in front of the old town; Olbia also has a ship and ferry terminal just a short bus or taxi ride from the centre of town; and if you’re cruising or sailing in to Alghero you’ll dock at Porto Torres, an industrial centre about 22 kilometres north of town.
• If you want to hire a car — which we advise if you plan to explore the island — we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Sardinia’s Mediterranean climate means long, warm summers and short, mild winters, with most of the rain sandwiched between. It is known for being windy too, and in some regions humid; in fact, for a small island, Sardinia has a number of microclimates. But generally speaking most of Sardinia is a pleasant destination almost year round. From the start of spring it starts to get pretty sunny, though of course summer is the most popular time to visit, when the water is warm, and temperatures are in the mid-twenties. The temperature averages 18°C in October, so if you prefer a quieter holiday then early autumn is a good time to visit.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could refine your search to just the dazzling beauty of the Costa Smerelda which runs from easily accessed Olbia to the Golf di Arzachena?
• Or focus on the best places to stay in glamorous Porto Cervo?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice. 

Weather

Monthly Weather in Sardinia