The ULTIMATE 7-Day Sardinia Itinerary (North & East Sardinia)
If you’re looking for an awesome 7-day Sardinia Itinerary then you have come to the right place.
With its breathtaking blue seas and pristine white sands, Sardinia easily earns its nickname as the “Caribbean of Europe” in my book.
From its captivating coastlines to its wild landscapes, Sardinia is every adventurer’s dream destination.
Sardinia is also the place where Italians choose to take their vacations, so if that doesn’t speak volumes, I don’t know what does.
Imagine exploring awe-inspiring coves, mysterious caves, towering canyons, and even ancient sites.
Whether you’re diving, hiking, climbing, or simply soaking up history, there’s something for everyone.
After six trips to Sardinia, I’ve crafted the perfect 7-day plan that blends relaxation, adventure, and, of course, lots of beach time.
Picture starting your journey by unwinding in charming coastal towns, and enjoying fresh seafood and local wines.
Immerse yourself in the island’s rich history and enjoy leisurely strolls through quaint villages.
And, let’s not forget the beach – discover hidden coves with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling, or simply soaking up the Mediterranean sun on soft, sandy shores.
So what is included in this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary?
Read on below to find out!
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Prepare for your trip to Sardinia
?️Accommodation: When you’re hunting for great deals, make sure to check out different sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com! If you’re on a budget then make sure to check out Hostelworld.
✈️Flights: Check out the best flight deals with Skyscanner and Trip.com. I never search anywhere else!
?Transport: Need to book a bus or train whilst travelling? Check out your options on 12goasia.com, Bookaway.com and thetrainline.com.
?Rental Cars: Looking to rent a car for your adventures? Check out prices on Rentalcars.com and Discovercars.com.
?Activities: Check out Get Your Guide and Viator for 100’s of activities whilst travelling.
?Insurance: Make sure you’re covered against any incidents during your trip. Get affordable and flexible insurance with SafetyWing.
?Download an eSIM: Avoid roaming fees, and have peace of mind that you have internet access when WiFi isn’t available. Download sims from either Airalo or Holafly for your time abroad.
About this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary
This 7-day Sardinia itinerary was formed from the exact route I have taken on my own trips to Sardinia (and yes I have done this one-week Sardinia itinerary more than once).
I tried to curate an itinerary that gives a bit of relaxation and is filled with lots of adventure, plus ensuring you get to see some hot spots, as well as getting off the beaten track.
This 7-day Sardinia Itinerary focuses on the most beautiful spots in the North and East of the country and will look a little something like this:
Days 1-4 Northern Sardinia
- Day 1 – Arrive in Sardinia and Beach Day
- Day 2 – Boat Trip around the La Maddalena Archipelago
- Day 3 – Beach Day at Capo Testa
- Day 4 – Explore La Maddalena and Caprera Island
Day 5-7 – Eastern Sardinia
- Day 5 – Cala Gonone
- Day 6 – Explore the Gulf of Orosei
- Day 7 – Beach Day in Olbia and fly home.
Arriving in Sardinia
For this 7-day Sardinia itinerary you will need to book flights in and out of Olbia Airport (all of the major European airlines fly here).
If you want to follow this itinerary exactly then I would recommend having a morning flight into Olbia and an evening flight back home.
Getting around Sardinia
Unfortunately, Sardinia isn’t the best-connected island when it comes to public transport, and taxis are absolutely extortionate (even for European summer prices).
The best way to explore the island on this one-week Sardinia Itinerary is to rent a car.
You can pick up a hire car from Olbia airport and you can compare rental car prices here and here.
I normally rent with a company called Maggiore and I have always had great service!
Northern Sardinia Itinerary
For the first half of this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary, you will be exploring the Northern part of Sardinia, more specifically the Santa Teresa Di Gallura, Palau and the Maddalena Islands region also known as the Costa Smeralda.
Where to stay in Northern Sardinia
For this Itinerary, I highly recommend staying in the towns of either Santa Teresa Di Gallura or Palau or any of the small villages in between the two.
Every time I have been to Sardinia I have always stayed in the small village of Porto Pozzo.
I stay in this apartment in Porto Pozzo everytime I travel to Sardinia (full disclosure this is my family holiday home, but it’s a very beautiful little spot with a sea view).
This town is equidistant between both Santa Teresa Di Gallura and Palau and is just a 15-minute drive from both so it’s a great middle point.
Day 1 – Arrive in Sardinia and enjoy a Beach Day
On Day 1 of this 7-day Sardinia itinerary we are keeping things nice and relaxed as you would have just landed on the island.
Once you have arrived at the airport you will need to make your way to the North.
The drive to Santa Teresa/Palau is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Once you have checked in and are ready to go it’s time to head to the beach.
There are lots of stunning beaches in this area to choose from and I recommend you pick one of the below:
Day 2 – Boat Trip around the La Maddalena Archipelago
Day 2 on this 7-day Sardinia itinerary has to be one of my favourite days.
Today you will take a boat trip around the La Maddalena Archipelago and begin to understand why I like to call Sardinia the “Caribbean of Europe”.
There is only one boat company I recommend booking with and that is Palau Excursions.
You will get taken out on a stunning boat, get to snorkel around some of the most beautiful islands and eat the most delicious Italian spread for lunch.
And Gabrielle the captain is a great host!
Day 3 – Beach Day at Capo Testa
Day 3 of this one-week Sardinia itinerary includes another beach day because you are on holiday after all.
Head to Capo Testa beach in Santa Teresa, this is often rated one of the best beaches in Sardinia.
It’s also quite unique as the road running through town splits the beach into two parts so you have two sides of the beach to choose from.
Also, if you do get bored of relaxing then there is a local nature reserve nearby where you can hike and get some stunning views of the beach.
If you get hungry or thirsty then I highly recommend visiting either Cala Spinosa Sea Lounge or Martini Bar for some food.
They are both super close to the beach and have some incredible views, especially from Cala Spinosa Sea Lounge.
Day 4 – Explore La Maddalena and Caprera Island
Day 4 on this 7-day Sardinia itinerary involves exploring La Maddalena and Caprera Islands.
To get to La Maddalena Island you will have to head to Palau where you can catch the ferry.
The ferry takes only 30 minutes and leaves every hour.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Passengers
- Adult € 8.70
- Child 4-11 years € 7.30
Cars
- up to 4 m € 10.20
- over 4 m € 24.30
Motorcycles & Scooters
- up to 250 CC € 11.40
- over 250 CC € 15.00
Bicycles
- Bicycles € 4.40
Source- Yepsea
Once you have disembarked the ferry onto La Maddalena I recommend driving over to Caprera Island which is just a 10-15 minute drive.
One of the best things to do on Caprera Island is to visit Cala Napoletana.
Getting to this beach requires a fairly easy 30 to 40-minute hike, but it’s definitely worth it.
You can park on the road close to the entrance point of the hike.
Also, make sure to pack a picnic with you before you go as there are no stalls or shops around.
After some hours on Caprera, I recommend heading back to La Maddalena and exploring the local town and maybe grabbing a cheeky Aperol or coffee from one of the local bars before catching the ferry back to Palau.
Eastern Sardinia Itinerary
For the second half of this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary, you will be exploring the Eastern part of Sardinia and the Gulf of Orosei.
Where to stay in Eastern Sardinia
For this part of your trip, I highly recommend staying in the town of Cala Gonone.
However, there are some stunning properties located in the mountains just outside of the main town.
If you fancied something a little more quiet this is a good option.
I can recommend Hotel Su Gologone and Hotel Villa Cedrino.
Looking for more European itineraries? Check out my other guides here.
Day 5 – Arrive in Cala Gonone
On day 5 of this one-week Sardinia itinerary, you will need to head out early and drive to the town of Cala Gonone.
Cala Gonone is approximately just a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Santa Teresa/Palau.
Once you arrive in Cala Gonone I recommend heading to incredible Cala Fuili Beach (there is a beach in the main town however it definitely isn’t as beautiful as Cala Fuili).
Day 6 – Explore the Gulf of Orosei
On Day 6 of this itinerary, there are 3 activity options that I recommend choosing from which I have listed below.
Option 1 – Speed boat cruise along the Gulf of Orosei
Cruising along the Gulf of Orosei by speedboat is a great way to explore Sardinia’s stunning beaches, enjoy snorkelling stops, and indulge in some refreshing beer and snacks along the way.
You’ll get to spend time on famous beaches such as Cala Luna and take a ride past the very impressive Cala Goloritze.
I can highly recommend booking a tour with Escursioni Cala Gonone.
Option 2 – Hike to Cala Luna
For a unique experience that combines exploring the Gulf of Orosei with a bit of exercise, consider hiking to the renowned Cala Luna.
To start the hike you will need to park at Cala Fuili parking.
Make sure to get here early because spots fill up fast, and parking here is strict so you want to avoid getting a ticket (speaking from experience).
From Cala Fuili you can then begin the 1 hour 30 minute hike to Cala Luna (the route is signposted).
The hike is medium difficulty and I would recommend wearing trainers and carrying your belongings in a backpack (again please take this advice from the woman who wore flip-flops and carried a tote bag).
Once you reach Cala Luna, you can soak in the beauty, check out the unique caves, and grab a bite to eat at “Su Neulagi” if you’re hungry.
When it’s time to head back, you can either hike back or catch a boat taxi.
Option 3 – Hike to Gorropu Canyon
If on the off chance you’ve had more than enough beach time on this trip then hiking Gorropu Canyon is a great option.
Gorropu Canyon is Sardinia’s awe-inspiring gorge that is surrounded by limestone walls that reach heights of 500,
The trail begins from the car park opposite Hotel Goroppu at the Genna’e Silana pass on the SS125 at Km 183.
The trail is 8km and takes roughly 2 hours (give or take) each way.
Ultimately whatever you decide to choose from you can’t go wrong. You are guaranteed stunning views and a great day out no matter what.
Day 7 – Beach Day in Olbia
Day 7 of this itinerary is your last full day in Sardinia.
I recommend heading back towards Olbia so that you are close to the airport for your flight home.
The journey from Cala Gonone to Olbia is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
I recommend spending your last day on the beautiful Cala Brandinchi.
This is honestly one of the best and most unique beaches I have been to in Sardinia so you really have to visit!
If you have the time and want to add one last adventure to the itinerary then I recommend booking this Tavalora Island boat trip.
Sardinia Itinerary FAQ’s
How many days in Sardinia is enough?
To truly experience the best of Sardinia you will need at least 7 days here.
Can you spend a week in Sardinia?
Yes, as you will have read from this Sardinia Itinerary there is so much that you can see on this beautiful island in just a week.
What is the most beautiful part of Sardinia?
No matter where you go in Sardinia you are guaranteed beautiful views.
However, the Costa Smeralda and the Gulf of Orosei (which are both covered in this itinerary) are said to be two of the most beautiful spots on the island.
Is Sardinia very expensive?
Sardinia is in line with the standard European summer prices, however, there are some areas that are more expensive than others.
If for example you travel through Porto Cervo (which is known as a billionaire’s playground) you can expect to pay a lot more for food and drink in comparison to other places on the island.
If you want to keep things cheap you should go to small local bars and restaurants where you can still find €2 coffees and €4 beers.
What is the best time to go to Sardinia?
The best time to visit is during the months of May-October where temperatures can reach over 30 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, many tour operators suspend their services between October and May, making the spring and summer months ideal for experiencing the best of what the island has to offer.
Happy Exploring!
I hope this 7-day Sardinia Itinerary has helped you plan the perfect Sardina holiday.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
