Road trip
Southern Sardinia road trip: a ready-made 10-day itinerary for two
People go to Sardinia for the beaches, so this trip is all about them: a couple of days in Cagliari, then the most beautiful white-sand beaches of the south coast. No long drives, no rush. You can book every step right here, day by day.
The trip at a glance
- Who it’s for: couples or two friends who want white sand, turquoise water and peace
- When: June or September. In July and August the beaches are packed and prices peak
- The route: two nights in Cagliari, three in Villasimius and four on the Chia coast. In and out of Cagliari airport
- Getting around: a rental car. The longest drive is about 1½ hours
The trip takes place in the marked area. Each base has its own map with beaches and day trips.
Flights and the car
There are no nonstop flights from the US or Canada to Sardinia, so fly to Cagliari with one connection, and back the same way. Pick up the rental car at Cagliari airport and return it there on your last day.
🚗 Why not Arbatax? We once drove from Olbia to Arbatax. The road drops from a high mountain to sea level, bend after bend like a slalom course, with someone glued to your rear bumper the whole way. Been there, done that, but it’s not relaxing on vacation, so this trip stays on the coast.
Day 1: Cagliari
From the airport to the center in about 15 minutes. Spend the evening on the viewpoint terraces of the old Castello district. The city has steep hills and narrow streets, so leave the car at your hotel.
Stay: Cagliari, 2 nights.
Day 2: A Fiat 500 and the flamingos
We took a ride in a restored Fiat 500, maybe from the 1960s, and some hills were so steep that the little car nearly ran out of power. In the afternoon, head to the Poetto lagoons to see the flamingos. Poetto beach itself has no room in summer, you barely fit your own towel, so save the beach days for the coming days. If you like wine, the Argiolas winery is about half an hour away for a tasting.
Day 3: To Villasimius
About an hour east to Villasimius, in the southeast corner of the island. Straight to the beach when you arrive.
Stay: Villasimius, 3 nights. We haven’t stayed here ourselves, so choose by reviews.
Days 4 and 5: The beaches of Villasimius
Porto Giunco, with a lagoon behind it and often flamingos, and Punta Molentis on a narrow point, with white sand and turquoise water on both sides. On the second day, take a boat trip along the coast and around the island of Cavoli. We haven’t been to these beaches ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Day 6: To the Chia coast
About 1½ hours west to Chia and the Costa del Sud, past Cagliari. Afternoon already on the beach.
Stay: around Chia, 4 nights. We haven’t stayed here ourselves, so choose by reviews.
Days 7 to 9: The beaches of Chia and the Costa del Sud
Su Giudeu and the dune beaches of Chia, and Tuerredda, considered one of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches. A panoramic road runs along the coast from cove to cove. Beaches, swimming and long lunches, nothing else. We haven’t been to these beaches ourselves, so this is based on other travelers’ reports.
Day 10: Home
From Chia to Cagliari airport is about an hour. Return the car and fly home.
What it costs
A rough estimate for two in June or September, flying from the East Coast. From Toronto or Montreal, flights usually cost a little more:
- Flights: about $1,700 to $2,400 for two, round trip with one connection. More from the West Coast
- Rental car: about $385 to $600 for ten days
- Stays: about $1,100 to $1,650 for nine nights
- Food: about $90 to $130 a day for two
All in, roughly $4,100 to $6,000 for two (about C$5,700 to C$8,300). Prices change a lot with the season and how early you book, so treat these as a ballpark.
Cook Sardinia at home with our Sardinian recipes.
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