Sardinia in a week allows exploring three distinct zones: the north (Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena Archipelago, Alghero), the centre (Barbagia, nuraghi, Orgosolo) and the east (Gulf of Orosei, Nuoro). A car is essential — distances are great and the finest places are not reachable by bus. The airports of Olbia (OLB, for the north), Cagliari (CAG, for the south) and Alghero (AHO, for the north-west) cover the entire island.
North: Costa Smeralda, Maddalena and Alghero
Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo, Arzachena): best free public beaches (Capriccioli, Liscia Ruja, Romazzino) — avoid paid lido beaches when the adjacent free beach is identical. La Maddalena Archipelago (ferry from Palau, €5.50 return, 15 min): boat excursions to minor island beaches (Spargi, Budelli with the Pink Beach — limited access, view from outside only). Alghero (north-west coast): the Catalan historic centre, Neptune's Grotto (boat from Alghero €15 or 654 steps from Capo Caccia €14), Bosa (the medieval village on the River Temo, 40km from Alghero — western Sardinia's most beautiful). Wine: Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (northern white) and Cannonau di Sardegna DOC (indigenous red).
East and Centre: Gulf of Orosei and Barbagia
The Gulf of Orosei (Cala Gonone, Dorgali) is the wildest area — the beaches of Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè are only accessible by boat (from Cala Gonone, €15-25 return) or on foot. Cala Goloritzè (UNESCO natural heritage) has the 143m limestone monolith descending directly to the sea. Nuraghe Su Nuraxi di Barumini (UNESCO, €15 with guide, 50km from Cagliari): the island's most imposing nuraghe — 1500 BC, nuragic village of 200 huts. The Barbagia (Orgosolo with 1970s political murals, Oliena, Mamoiada with carnival costumes): the most authentic hinterland. Cagliari (regional capital): the medieval Castello on the hill, the National Archaeological Museum (€5, the world's most important nuragic collection), the Poetto beaches (10km, reachable by bus from the centre).
Practical tips
The Pink Beach of Budelli (Maddalena) cannot be walked on — it is seen from the boat, you do not disembark
Cala Goloritzè (only by boat or on foot) is Sardinia's most spectacular beach — worth the effort
Costa Smeralda in June or September costs half as much as August — same quality, fewer people
Plan your Sardinia week
Costa Smeralda, Gulf of Orosei and nuraghi — tailored itinerary in 5 minutes.
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