Best Time to Visit Sardinia

If you primarily want to enjoy sightseeing while visiting Sardinia, spring may be the best time to explore the island. It’s ideal not only for taking in the sights but many outdoor activities that would be miserable if done during the summer when temperatures can spike to well over 100 degrees. In April, it’s typically around the mid-60s Fahrenheit while May sees average temperatures in the low 70s. While the sea is still too cool for swimming, the beaches will be much less crowded than they will during the summer and can be ideal for long walks and picnics. This is the perfect time to explore cities like Cagliari and their historical attractions without being drenched in sweat or having to battle through the crowds. The archaeological sites will be more enjoyable to visit and the pleasant warmth of the season means many festivities, including celebrations of the cities’ patron saints, will be taking place too.

Sardinia experiences strong winds that blow an average of 15 days a month, with waves peaking at just over 16 feet. The island attracts surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboards from across Europe, and with the idyllic emerald waters and deserted golden beaches, it’s the ultimate surfers’ paradise. If the main reason you want to visit Sardinia is to surf, you’ll want to plan your trip between November and January. The water will be cold, requiring a 4/3mm wetsuit along with gloves and booties, but this is when the waves will be at their most impressive. There are some decent, consistent swells with waves that aren’t as big in the winter during September, October, March, and April too, but November through January is optimal. This is also the perfect time to avoid the crowds, other than the many surfers who arrive, and you’re likely to enjoy a much more affordable trip too with discounts on accommodation often significant.

Many of Sardinia’s festivals have been taking place for centuries. They often have a religious theme, such as cities that celebrate their patron saints, but there are many other fun annual events as well, focused on everything from local foods to music. Some of the most popular are hosted between April and September. Easter and Holy Week in April (and sometimes March) feature parades and other events in towns and villages across the island. On the second to the last Sunday in May, Sassari hosts a festival of beauty, Cavalcata Sarda, a procession that includes people donning traditional attire, some on horseback. In late June, San Giovanni Battista honors St. John the Baptist throughout the island, with processions, horse races, songs, poetry competitions, and fireworks. There are multiple food festivals with fireworks and August, while the last weekend of September celebrates Alghero’s patron saint at Festa Santa Miguel with parades and fireworks.

A visit to Sardinia in January won’t be a balmy one with high temperatures hovering around the upper 50s, but it may feel quite warm to those coming from a more northern climate. Rain is a possibility but on average there’s only about seven days of precipitation and less than an inch overall. It can be a great time to experience the island at a time most visitors don’t even think about going, with the opportunity to enjoy the sights with few others around. After the New Year’s and Epiphany holidays, you’ll enjoy more budget-friendly accommodation and usually cheaper airfare too. You will need to plan your itinerary to allow for shorter days with sunset at 5:10 p.m. on January 1 st and 5:42 by month’s end. When it comes to packing, you’ll want to bring clothing that can be layered, such as short- and long-sleeve tops, a fleece sweatshirt or sweater, and a coat.

Spring will soon be here and it’s one of the best seasons to visit Sardinia, but keep in mind that March is also very unpredictable. There can be quite a few sunny days along with gray, rainy ones, with an average of 14 wet days this month. The better news is that the total rainfall only averages about an inch over the course of the month, so the showers are typically short-lived. You’ll want to bring a portable umbrella for protection from unexpected rainfall along with a mix of clothing from warmer and cool days with the temperature averaging around 62 degrees. Toward the end of the month, wildflowers will be bursting across the island’s landscapes providing colorful scenes that make hiking especially enjoyable. As it’s still an “off” season month, March is also a good time to come for those who want to avoid big crowds and potentially enjoy more affordable accommodation rates.

The weather warms even more in May, with the average high temperature now 75 degrees. While the crowds won’t be as intense as they will in July and August, it is the official tourist season now so you can expect to see plenty of others around, especially in popular areas like the Costa Smeralda. This is an ideal time to come for hiking and biking, and diving is outstanding too with exceptional visibility although the water will feel too chilly for most to enjoy a swim, typically hovering in the mid-60s. A wet suit will make activities like snorkeling and diving more enjoyable. Visiting historical sites like the Roman ruins at Nora and the Nuraghe di Barumini is a great thing to do now too. Keep in mind that it can be a bit chilly during early mornings and evenings, so you’ll still want a light jacket or sweater, along with summery attire.

The dog days of summer have arrived with July one of the hottest and busiest months, although the days are wonderfully long with sunset not until almost 9 p.m., providing plenty of time for sightseeing with the milder evenings making it more enjoyable. The average high temperature varies depending on where you are on the island, with Cagliari generally the warmest at 88 degrees and Alghero just a bit cooler. The reality is, with temperatures increasing across the globe, you’re likely to experience many days in the 90s and it can occasionally rise to over 100 degrees. The sea will be perfect for swimming, so be sure to bring a bathing suit or two along with high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Comfortable sandals for walking are best along with loose, lightweight clothing, including flowy dresses and skirts, tank tops, and shorts. Air-conditioned

September is one of the best months to visit Sardinia, especially if you arrive after the first week when the high temperatures of July and August start to dip, now averaging in the low 80s. Evenings are much more enjoyable now too without the need to run the a/c constantly while the sea is still quite warm for comfortable swimming at around 76 degrees. There is very little rainfall on the island in September, with the overall average at just over an inch. If it does rain while you’re here, it’s likely to be quite light. Italians who enjoyed their vacations last month have returned to work and families with children head home for back-to-school events so the crowds will be thinner too. During the latter half of the month, the cooler temperatures make it ideal for activities like hiking and biking as well as sightseeing and exploring the archaeological sites.

November can still bring some sunny days with surprisingly pleasant temperatures. The average high is 62 degrees, but the mercury sometimes rises to 70 or even a bit above. Nights are cool with the daily low temperature at just 47 degrees. It’s not the best time to come for swimming and sunbathing, but sightseeing and activities like hiking or biking can be quite enjoyable and there are unlikely to be many other tourists around. With some luck, you’ll be able to enjoy strolls on some beaches all to yourself. As November marks the beginning of the off- season, it’s also possible to find great deals on accommodation and even airfare. The one big negative is that sunset is just after 4:30 p.m. on November 30th and a little after 5 p.m. earlier in the month, so you won’t have as much daylight for your outdoor activities. With shorter lines, however, you can squeeze in more attractions.