A round trip through Sardinia: the true Sardinian charm
Prepare to be surprised by Sardinia's appeal when choosing this 11-day round trip. This exceptionally beautiful tour will lead you via the spectacular coastlines and the rugged and traditional inland to 5 unique accommodations.• 2 nights bed & breakfast in Casale degli Ulivi in Alghero (north-west Sardinia)
• 2 nights bed & breakfast in Hotel Lucrezia in Riola Sardo (west Sardinia)
• 2 nights bed & breakfast in Villa Fanny in Cagliari (south Sardinia)
• 2 nights bed & breakfast in Orlando Resort in Villagrande Strisaili (central/east Sardinia)
• 2 nights bed & breakfast in Country Hotel Aldiola in S. Antonio di Gallura (north-east Sardinia)
This tour is intended to provide an illustrative example of a possible itinerary. The round trip can be customized on request, taking into account your flight details and travel period.
Distances:
• Alghero - Riola Sardo: 98 km
• Riola Sardo - Cagliari: 109 km
• Cagliari - Villagrande Strisaili: 215 km (or via the curved coastal road: 164 km)
• Villagrande Strisaili - S. Antonio di Gallura: 188 km
• S. Antonio di Gallura - Alghero: 132 km
A perfect tour for those...
This 11-day tour is perfectly suited for travellers wanting to enjoy a relaxing day the beach and explore Sardinia's pristine nature alternated with a journey of discovery along various authentic villages and highlights.
Alghero
The impressive Grotte di Nettuno (Neptunes' caves) and the beautiful sandy beach of Le Bombarde are definitely worth a visit.
You'll be staying at the charming Casale degli Ulivi, just outside of Alghero.
Riola Sardo
Tharros is one of Sardinia's absolute highlights. Having passed the city of Oristano and the fishing village Cabras, you'll arrive at the archaeological site of Tharros, one of the most important sites in the Mediterranean. The coastal town, founded in 730 BC, was inhabited first by Phoenicians, then by Punics, followed by Romans. Nowadays just a third of the site has been excavated. The southern section consists of the Phoenician and the Roman town, with several baths, houses and sanctuaries.
Arbus is a small village located 60 minutes south of Riola Sardo. When travelling towards the sea, it becomes clear why this area is called the Costa Verde (green coast). The now abandoned neo-Gothic mining village Ingurtosu, at a mere 20 minutes from Arbus, used to house the mining administration. Lead, silver and zinc were obtained here. The remains of the mining industry are still present. Another renowned former mining village is located 6 kilometres from Arbus: the "miniera di Montevecchio", the Montevecchio mine.
Cagliari
We highly recommend visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Nora, one of the most important archaeological sites in Sardinia, dating back to the 8th or 9th century B.C. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans have left imposing traces in this archaeological zone. In Roman Ages (ca. 238 AD) it used to be the capital of the “province” of Sardinia.
Sardinia's capital is just a 40 minute-drive from Pula. In Cagliari you can stroll through the narrow alleys and historic quarters, enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants and visit the numerous museums and sights. The oldest part of the town, the Castello, accessible via one of 2 gates (the San Pancrazio gate or the Porta dei Leoni) is located against a steep height, surrounded by the old city walls. The San Remy bastion offers a spectacular view across the marina, the beach and the surrounding villages. The “Cittadella dei Musei”, which used to be a repertory of arms, nowadays houses an archaeological museum, the museum of ethnology, a Pinacoteca and the National Museum.
We recommend exploring the peninsula Sant'Antioco and the island of San Pietro, both easily reached by car. Our tip: follow the scenic coastal route via Chia and Teulada. Sant'Antioco is connected to its “mother” Sardinia by both a modern 5-kilometre bridge and a narrow isthmus. The remnants of the old Roman bridge are still visible. Don't forget to visit the extraordinary natural pool of Is Praneddas! Ferries depart daily from Calasetta on Sant'Antioco to Carloforte on the neighbouring Isola San Pietro. Over the years the village has transformed into a cosy seaside resort, whose restaurants are renowned for their tuna dishes. We recommend visiting the Piazza Carlo Emanuele, from where all roads and stairways lead to the sea. San Pietro has a versatile coastline filled with beautiful creeks and bays. The beaches of La Caletta and Cala Fico are definitely worth a visit.
Villagrande Strisaili
The versatile Ogliastra contains vast natural reserves perfectly suited for cyclists, the rugged Gennargentu mountain range with exhilarating hiking trials, curved roads beloved by bikers and a unique coastline.
Arbatax is easily reached by car. Its name derives from the Arabic "arba'at'ashar", meaning “fourteenth tower”, referring to the light house located on the cast. The former fishing village has transformed into a fairly important harbour. The village itself is renowned for the red cliffs ("rocce rosse") disappearing into the blue waters. It’s also the terminal station of the narrow-gauge railroad of the Trenino Verde. In Arbatax you can book a boat (excursion) along the spectacular coast as well. Be prepared to be amazed by the many steep cliffs, high mountains, hidden bays and the stunning crystal-clear waters!
From Baunei, an idyllic mountain village near Arbatax located at an altitude of 1000 metres, you have a spectacular view across the area. A trip to the beautiful Cala Goloritzé, only accessible on foot or by boat, is a must! To get there, you have to drive to the high plateau Altopiano di Golgo, a beautiful natural area housing numerous animal and bird species (a beautiful area for a hike or exhilarating mountain bike tour!). From here you can walk to the so-called Pearl of Baunei in approximately 1,5 hours. If you prefer joining a tour, an electric train can bring you from the city centre of Baunei to the high plateau as well.
Sant'Antonio di Gallura
En route from Ogliastra to the famous northern province of Olbia-Tempio you'll pass the lively seaside resorts of Budoni and San Teodoro. We recommend stopping over at the beach of Lu Impostu and the peninsula of Capo Coda Cavallo. There are 7 beaches here, the most famous of which is Brandinchi, also called "Tahiti". A must see!
From Olbia it’s less than half an hour to Arzachena, renowned for the archaeological sites. The area of this municipality stretches for over 228 square metres and has a beautiful coastline with many bays and beaches and spectacular rocks. The wind has sculpted the rocks into beautiful shapes, the most famous of which is the “Roccia dell’Orso” in Palau, which with a bit of fantasy resembles a bear.
The strategic position of the hotel enables you to visit many nearby villages, such as the worldly Porto Cervo, the heart of the Costa Smeralda. Created by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the 60s and 70s, this Sardinian seaside resort is popular among both the national and the international jet set. In summer the elite resides in one of the luxurious resorts, villas or hotels or visits the boutiques near the central square.
One of the highlights in north Sardinia is La Maddalena. This archipelago consists of more than 60 islands, of which La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli are the biggest. Only the main island La Maddalena is inhabited. Many tourists visit the archipelago by boat to enjoy the beautiful rock formations, nature, sea, bays and beaches. A ferry can bring you from Palau to La Maddalena in a mere 20 minutes and with a bit of luck you can spot dolphins on the way. Should you like to visit the other islands of the archipelago, we recommend booking our boat excursion with the Lady Luna!
Casale degli Ulivi
Dit fraaie landhuis is mooi gelegen op het platteland nabij Alghero, in het noordwesten van Sardinië. De recent gerenoveerde agriturismo met zwembad heeft slechts elf kamers. Het uitzicht over het schilderachtige landschap met olijfbomen is spectaculair. Een heerlijk plekje om tot rust te komen!
Hotel Lucrezia
The intimate hotel Lucrezia is housed in a former monastery in a small Sardinian village, close to beautiful beaches. This wonderful accommodation is the perfect base if you want to explore the western coast and participate in the many courses and activities this hotel has to offer.
Hotel Villa Fanny
A splendid villa with garden houses boutique hotel Villa Fanny, a small accommodation near the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari. A unique hotel in Sardinia's capital with 18 beautifully furnished rooms.
Hotel Orlando Resort
Orlando Resort is located in the beautiful Ogliastra area, in the woods of Santa Barbara near the village of Villagrande Strisaili. This accommodation is a lovely tranquil destination in the middle of nature near Sardinia's spectacular east coast.
Aldiola Country Hotel
Aldiola is a charming, intimate hotel in north Sardinia. Space, tranquillity and a warm ambiance form the pillars of this 4-star country hotel. Close to Olbia, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the Liscia lake, the Aldiola Resort will make sure you’ll enjoy a relaxing stay!
Arrival: daily
Starting point: Olbia, Cagliari or Olbia
The tour includes:
• Stay: 10 nights
• Type of room: Standard room
• Board: bed & breakfast
Touring with an all-inclusive rental car
We're happy to book you a rental car. The Sunny Car's all-in formula includes all insurances and an unlimited mileage. During the online booking process you can easily add a GPS package as well. The shown prices are an indication of the rental price for the entire tour. Should the current price differ, we will inform you before confirming the booking of your rental car.
We offer various car categories:
• Small: 3-door Fiat Panda or similar, manual transmission with air-conditioning
• Comfort: 5-door VW Polo or similar, manual transmission with air-conditioning
• Station: 5-door Opel Astra STW or similar, manual transmission with air-conditioning
We're happy to tailor the tour to your preferences!
• You can easily extend or change the tour's itinerary
• Do you prefer a more luxurious stay? It's possible to upgrade to a superior room
• We're happy to help you find the best flights and ferry crossings
• Travelling with kids? We're happy to send you a travel plan adjusted to your specific travel party
• Tip: extend your round trip with one of our unique excursions!