A round trip around Sardinia: Northern Sardinia in 8, 10 or 12 days
A holiday in Alghero, Cala Gonone or near Olbia? This itinerary enables you to explore not one but all three cities. Discover some of north Sardinia’s most unique features, such as its hospitality, beaches and mountains, in a week’s time!Overnight stays during the 8-day tour:
• 2 nights in Sa Mandra in Alghero (Northwest Sardinia)
• 3 nights at Hotel Brancamaria in Cala Gonone (East Sardinia)
• 2 nights at Lu Pastruccialeddu in Arzachena (Northern Sardinia)
Overnight stays during the 10-day tour:
• 3 nights in Sa Mandra in Alghero (Northwest Sardinia)
• 3 nights at Hotel Brancamaria in Cala Gonone (East Sardinia)
• 3 nights at Lu Pastruccialeddu in Arzachena (Northern Sardinia)
Overnight stays during the 12-day tour:
• 4 nights in Sa Mandra in Alghero (Northwest Sardinia)
• 3 nights at Hotel Brancamaria in Cala Gonone (East Sardinia)
• 4 nights at Lu Pastruccialeddu in Arzachena (Northern Sardinia)
Included in the tour:
• Overnight stays in a Classic room
• Stay including breakfast
• Traditional dinner at Sa Mandra including wine, water, coffee and a liqueur
• Welcome drink at Hotel Brancamaria
• Self-guided walking tour with audio guide along the murales in Orgosolo
• A wine tasting near Olbia
• The best Sardinia tips and assistance during your trip
Distances:
• Olbia – Alghero: 140 km.
• Alghero - Cala Gonone: 187 km.
• Cala Gonone – Arzachena: 133 km.
• Arzachena - Olbia: 26 km.
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.
A perfect tour for those…
This tour through north Sardinia is perfectly suited for travellers wanting to discover various Sardinian highlights in a short amount of time by (rental) car.







Alghero (Northwest Sardinia)
This accommodation with swimming pool is just 8 kilometres from the city centre of Alghero, a lively town also known as “Barceloneta” (little Barcelona), where the Catalan dialect is still widely spoken. The Sardinian province of Sassari contains various beautiful beaches, such as Maria Pia, Le Bombarde and Spiaggia del Lazzaretto. We recommend exploring the hiking trails in the natural reserve of Porto Conte as well.
The old town of Alghero consists of a maze of narrow cobbled alleys. The palazzos, city walls and defence towers are built in a Spanish style. In the city centre you can enjoy a stroll along the various piazzas or relax on the shaded terraces cooled by a fresh sea breeze. Since Alghero is located on the “Riviera del Corallo”, the Coral Coast, most boutiques have various coral ornaments for sale. At night, as the sun sets behind cape Capo Caccia, the city is bathed in a beautiful orange light. At this time of night we recommend taking a walk along the boulevard and the harbour to one of Alghero’s restaurants to enjoy the delicious seafood dishes. Don’t forget to try the local specialty, "Aragosta alla Catalana" (lobster)!
One of Sardinia’s highlights near Alghero is Neptune’s Grotto (“Grotte di Nettuno”), a stalactite cave on the tip of the peninsula of Capo Caccia whose entrance lies only around a metre above the sea level. The 204-metre-high cliffs and caves are therefore accessible via a boat trip of approximately 45 minutes from the port of Alghero. Alternatively, after a scenic route by car, you can descend the 654-step stairway cut into the cliff called “escala del cabirol” (goat’s steps) to visit the grotto.
Another symbol of Sardinia are the nuraghe, ancient megalithic edifices developed by the Nuragic civilisation which inhabited the island from about 1500 BC onwards. Their villages were built around round tower-fortresses which date back to the Bronze Age. The sturdy structures, consisting only of layers of basalt blocks, stand only by virtue of the weight of their stones. We recommend visiting the Nuraghe di Palmavera near Alghero, founded around the 14th century BC and renovated in 1963.
Furthermore, Stintino’s beautiful beaches, the Asinara National Park and the historic villages of Bosa and Castelsardo are all within easy reach of Alghero. If you’d like to explore Alghero’s versatile coastline by boat, we recommend booking our sailing excursion with the Andrea Jensen!
Cala Gonone (East Sardinia)
The nearby village of Cala Gonone has a lively city centre filled with restaurants and boutiques. The beach, that consists of both sand and shingles and calm waters, is very child-friendly. There are several beach bars and restaurants. Good to know: there’s plenty of parking space.
Via the boulevard you’ll reach Cala Gonone’s harbour, where boats depart daily to the hidden Bue Marino caves, which can only be reached by sea. They are named after the Mediterranean monk seals which used to inhabit them. A trip to the Bue Marino caves can easily be combined with a trip to the unique bay of Cala Luna. Our tip: since many of the stunning bays in the area can only be reached by boot, we recommend renting one and enjoy a journey of discovery along the beautiful coast yourself!
Alternatively, you can book a “mini cruise” along the bay of Orosei. This excursion will depart from Cala Gonone. An experienced captain will sail you to the impressive cliffs, caves and fjords on a 7 metre long rubber boat. You can take a refreshing dive with the kids in the crystal clear waters along the way. Don’t forget to bring your snorkel gear!
Looking for an exhilarating day trip? The area near Cala Gonone is perfectly suited for spectacular hiking trips. We highly recommend visiting Europe’s largest gorge, the Gola di Gorropu, near the Nuragic village of Tiscali.
Set in between the olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation, overlooking the picturesque bay of Cala Gonone, the Sea Aquarium is a fun way to let your kids discover the secrets of the Mediterranean Sea. Here they can learn all about Sardinia’s tropical fish, carefully touch stingrays and sea urchins and admire the Piranha fish in the tanks!
Your stay in Cala Gonone also includes a self-guided walking tour with audio guide along the murales in Orgosolo. The town is located in the heart of Sardinia, a 50-minute drive from Cala Gonone and is known for its many murals. The first "murales" were made around the 1960s as an expression of protest. The later paintings reflect the lifestyle of the Sardinians from the authentic mountain villages. All in all, the village has about 150 murals. Very nice to walk through the village with an audio guide. If you would rather visit Orgosolo on the road from Alghero to Cala Gonone, we can arrange this.
Arzachena (Northern Sardinia)
On your way there you will pass the lively seaside resorts Budoni and San Teodoro. We recommend taking a break to visit the Lu Impostu beach and the peninsula of Capo Coda Cavallo to enjoy the view across Tavolara, a small island off the north-east coast.
Towards the end of the afternoon, a stop can be made at the Olbios winery, ten minutes south of the city of Olbia. Here a wine tasting of three beautiful wines has been reserved (1 glass of Lupus in Fabula, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Docg - 1 glass of Cavè, Cannonau di Sardegna Doc - 1 glass of Cangrande.17, Colli del Limbara Rosso IGP) accompanied by a platter of cheeses and cold cuts, dried fruit, fresh seasonal fruit and typical bread. The tasting lasts approximately 1 hour. If you prefer to schedule the tasting on another day, this is of course also possible.
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”, 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. The 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!

Agriturismo Sa Mandra, Alghero - Sardinia
A holiday on the estate of agriturismo Sa Mandra equals a never-to-be-forgotten stay in between olive groves and wheat fields, with a spectacular view across the flocks of sheep, horses, pigs, chickens and donkeys roaming the area, where tranquility and culinary pleasure are of the utmost importance.
About the accommodation
The Sa Mandra farm is run by Rita and Mario and their 3 children; Maria Grazia, Michele and Giuseppe. The family owns 40 hectares around Alghero. The farming business Sa Mandra, located on one part of the estate, produces olive oil and biological grains used for the preparation of fresh pastas and bread. The family produces its own savoury hams and sausages and the milk of the farm’s sheep is used to make extraordinary Sardinian cheeses. You’re invited to taste all their homemade products in the Sa Mandra restaurant.
Rooms
During a stay in one of 5 double bedrooms you can enjoy the quiet, pure country life. Each room is named after a plant species and has been decorated in rural Sardinian style with hand carved furniture. The rooms’ terraces overlook the garden. All the rooms have air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. It’s possible for a third bed for one kid up to twelve years to be placed on request. In addition to the rooms, Villa Gutirillai is also located on the estate, ideal for those who love privacy and tranquility. This house is suitable for four people, has two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen. There is also a washing machine and air conditioning.
Activities
Rita’s and Marco’s passion for Sardinian history and for the local craftsmen has transformed the company into a museum where the old traditions are still being honoured. The farm, decorated in Sardinian style, displays farm equipment, pottery and tapistries. The same style is applied to the rooms, that are provided with hand-carved furniture and accessories.
The agriturismo organises cooking courses. You can also take a look behind the scenes during a tour on the farm or tastings. Guests staying outside of Sa Mandra but willing to explore Sa Mandra are invited for a tour around the estate as well.

Hotel Brancamaria in Cala Gonone
A beautiful and renovated 4-star hotel with a large swimming pool, spacious rooms and a panoramic position above Cala Gonone.
About the accommodation
This family-run middle-class hotel is located at the entrance to Cala Gonone in a beautiful panoramic location. If the short walk into town (or the somewhat steep walk home up the hill to the hotel) is too steep for you, you can use the hotel's free shuttle service to the harbor promenade. Then you can leave your own car or motorbike in the hotel's own car park!
This four-star hotel not only offers an extensive breakfast buffet, but also dinner. You can do a few laps at the hotel's large swimming pool, and there is also a pool bar with piano music set up here during the season.
Rooms
Early risers can look forward to the sunrise in the grand deluxe rooms with sea view, bubble bath friends can really relax in the room's own whirlpool. But also the normal double rooms of the hotel offer large spaces and french balcony and mountain view (Classic) or pool view (Superior), almost all with the possibility of a third bed.
Activities
This hotel, which offers good value for money, is located just above one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on the east coast of Sardinia. The former fishing village of Cala Gonone has developed into a lively coastal town. There is a beach and you can rent a boat yourself from the marina or join an organized excursion to the numerous bays of the Gulf of Orosei. In the evenings, it's wonderful to stroll the seafront boulevard lined with shops and restaurants and sit in a comfortable patio and people-watch. This is vacation! Would you also like to visit the original and authentic interior of Sardinia? From Cala Gonone you can reach the almost untouched Supramonte massif in less than 20 minutes. climbing, mountain biking, Hike? No problem - Dorgali is Sardinia's fun sports and outdoor paradise!

B&B Lu Pastruccialeddu
B&B Lu Pastruccialeddu is located in a traditional country farm on the grand estate Pastruccialeddu. This accommodation with pool is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing holiday in a familiar ambiance, surrounded by the scenic beauty of its environment filled with granite formations.
About the accommodation
Lu Pastruccialeddu, located in northern Sardinia not too far from the stunning Costa Smeralda, is housed in an authentic country farm that dates back to the 1800s, called a “stazzo”. Surrounded by 50 hectares filled with olive groves and century old oak trees, Lu Pastruccialeddu is a quiet B&B where you cannot only relax by the pool but also enjoy the many sights and bays in the area. Its host Caterina loves to surprise you every morning with tables filled with homemade cakes, biscuits and marmalade for breakfast. Apart from English, she speaks English and French as well.
The rooms
The B&B has 7 guestrooms, all of which are decorated in a traditionally Sardinian style. All rooms feature a private bathroom, television and refrigerator. The rooms and junior suites are suited for 2 to 4 guests, the family suite accommodates up to 5 guests.
Arrival: daily
Starting point: Olbia or Alghero
Early booking discount 2025:
• Book your tour before January 31, 2024 with a discount!
The tour includes:
• Stay: 7 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
• Do you prefer half board in all accommodations? Please ask us about the possibilities
• We're happy to help you find the best flights and ferry crossings
• Travelling with kids? We're happy to send you a a travel plan adjusted to your specific travel party
• Tip: Extend your round trip with one of our unique excursions!

Boat trip with the Andrea Jensen
Alghero - Sardinia
Comments:
• This excursion is perfectly suited for children as well
• Duration: daily from 10.00 - 17.30h
• Water, soft drinks, wine, beer and lunch are included
• There's snorkeling equipment on board

Discover Alghero by bike
Alghero - Sardinia
Archaeological tour
This tour introduces you to Sardinia's history, leading you from Alghero's city centre to nearby old fishing houses, bastions, churches and broad sandy beaches. You will take a break at the Calik lagune in the Porto Conto park, followed by a visit to the nuraghe of Palmavera. Having explored the archaeological site you can enjoy a refreshing aperitif in the Bike Garden after which you will return to Alghero.
Enogastronomy tour
Alghero is renowned for its vast vineyards, high-quality wines and numerous wineries which are definitely worth a visit when staying on the Riviera del Corallo. This tour will lead you to one of the oldest and largest wineries in the area and includes a fascinating tour as well as a wine tasting.

Jeeptour and hike: Su Gorropu
Dorgali - Sardinia
Starting in Dorgali, a Jeep will drive you through the beautiful valley of Oddoene until you reach the s'Abba Arvabridge. From here, you will continue on foot along a stretch of the Flumineddu river. The tour of ca. 6 km will lead you along rugged Mediterranean vegetation and the extraordinary "strawberry trees" (Arbutus).
Having reached the entrance of the gorge you will descend in ca. 30 minutes to an empty river bed. The hike intensifies once you've reached the final part of the gorge, where the walls are the highest. A fascinating environment! After the thrilling hike of ca. 3,5 hours you can enjoy a tasty lunch made of local products.
Comments:
• Minimum number of participants, subject to availability
• Start: 9.00h – Return: ca. 16.00h
• Good quality hiking shoes are of the utmost importance
• Backpack and 1,5L water necessary, lunch included
• Included in the excursion: jeep transport, guide, lunch, entrance to Su Gorropu

Mini cruise Orosei Bay
Cala Gonone - Sardinia
Starting in Cala Gonone at 10.00 am you leave for a never-to-be-forgotten trip along the Gulf of Orosei up to the beach of Cala Goloritzè. You can dive in the crystal clear waters and tan on 3 beautiful beaches along the way.
Comments:
• Excursion on request, subject to availability
• Duration: 09.10 am - 17.00 pm
• Starting point: the harbour of Cala Gonone
• Transport: a 7-metre-long rubber boat
• Maximum number of participants per tour: 12
• Lunch and drinks not included

Catamaran sailing: Maddalena islands
La Maddalena - Sardinia
Sailing, lunch and enjoy
The catamaran can accommodate up to 12 people and leaves the port of La Conia in the morning. The route consists of several stages. On the way, you can visit the beaches of the islands of Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, but the exact route is determined by the wind. The sailing trip is therefore always different. If you feel like sailing for a day, take a dip in the beautiful waters, discover unique beaches and bays, then this catamaran trip is really something for you!
Good to know:
• Number of participants: minimum 6 - maximum 10
• Languages spoken: Italian and English
• Duration: 09.45 - 17.45
• Suitable for: all travelers
• Included in the excursion: (pasta) lunch on board incl. water, soft drinks and fruit
• Bring your own: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, head protection, extra drink

Pasta cooking class near Olbia
Olbia - Sardinia
Deze kookworkshop is een fantastische ervaring in een klein en typisch dorp in de Gallura, heel dicht bij Olbia, waardoor je terug in de tijd reist. Langs een pad dat rond de hoekstenen van het Sardijnse leven slingert, ontdek je de geheimen van de lange levensduur van de Sardijnen: de levensstijl, wijn en eten. Je leert de oude pasta van het eiland te bereiden met behulp van traditionele ambachtelijke gereedschappen. En natuurlijk maak je een heerlijke proeverij mee met de gerechten van honderdjarigen vergezeld door mooie een wijn.
Dit alles in een magisch en eeuwenoud decor waar de tijd stil lijkt te hebben gestaan. Maar één vraag blijft: misschien is een van de geheimen van de Sardijnse levensduur het bereiden van je eigen koolhydraten? Want de productie van Sardijnse pasta kost niet alleen tijd, maar ook veel spierkracht in de kneedwerk!
Het programma in detail:
•Ontbijt of welkomstdrankje
• Kookles: Aanvang van de "reis" door meer te leren over de Sardijnse levensstijl en huishoudelijke taken. Water en griesmeel worden gemengd om vorm te geven aan de traditionele pasta tussen verhalen van oude anekdotes en onthulde geheimen door.
• Wijnbeleving: Ontdek de wijn van de "eeuwige jeugd". Je verhuist naar het dorp om in de kleine wijnkelder Sardijnse wijn en de bereiding ervan volgens oude methoden te leren kennen: je ruikt de geuren, proeft de smaak en bewondert de kleuren.
• Bezoek aan het museum: tentoonstelling van de Sardijnse gastronomische tradities inclusief bezichtiging van de gereedschappen. Dompel jezelf onder in het verleden en het leven van de oude Sardijnen
• Lunch of diner: een maaltijd met meerdere gangen. Proef gerechten uit de Sardijnse traditie uit de Gallura streek met voorgerechten, pastagerechten tot desserts, met een selectie van zelfgebakken brood en wijn van de wijnmakerij. Tot slot kun je een een selectie van typische streekgebonden digestieven
Handig om te weten:
• Minimum aantal deelnemers: 2, maximaal 17
• Gesproken talen: Italiaans, Engels
• Duur: 3,5 uur (van maandag tot zaterdag om 10.30 uur, op zondag om 10.30 uur m.u.v. de maanden juni t/m aug, gedurende de hele week om 19.30 uur)
• Geschikt voor: iedereen
• Inbegrepen in de excursie: rondleiding door het dorp, kookles met uitrusting, welkomstdrankje, lunch of diner afhankelijk van het tijdstip van de dag, bezoek aan de wijnmaker en het museum voor lokale geschiedenis
Perfect uitgestippelde route en goede accommodaties
Eine gute Zusammenstellung der Unterkünfte
Prachtige plekjes bezocht. Van rust en cultuur tot levendig en toeristisch.
Een fantastische rondreis gemaakt vanuit heerlijke en gastvrije agriturismo's
Reis was zo geregeld, inclusief aanpassingen
Natuur is prachtig, hotels prima.
Mooie kilometers langs kust en stranden, hoogte- en kilometers in het binnenland
Echt een aanrader. Zoveel gezien in 8 dagen zonder te haasten. Sardinië is zo mooi. We raden het iedereen aan.
Wij hebben de rondreis uit laten breiden naar 15 dagen
Beautiful tour of the north of Sardinia
Perfect holiday. Good trip, good tips. I'm in love with that island!
Beautiful country, great food and lots to see.
Very good. Nice people and beautiful island with lots of possibilities
Very nice hotels on beautiful locations
A great trip!
Fantastic Island, beautiful nature, the coasts, the flowers in the mountains, nice and quiet in this period. Everything perfectly arranged!
In one word: GREAT!
A beautiful island with beautiful nature and friendly people.
A tour is the perfect way to explore the island.
Fantastic journey
Excellent, thanks for the quick service
Very beautiful. Definitely worth repeating.
Good offer and good range of hotels
