Where to Stay in Sardinia

The capital and largest city of Sardinia, Cagliari lies in the southern part of the island offering rich culture, history, and spectacular natural beauty. It’s a cosmopolitan city pulsating with life, offering everything from gastronomic adventures to museums, galleries, and plenty of entertainment after dark. The historical center is the best place to stay here as you’ll be just steps from the main monuments and architectural wonders along with the museums, shops, bars, and restaurants. Plus, there’s a bus that will take you directly to the famous Poetto beach in just 15 minutes. Many of the sights, including the Roman Amphitheater, are concentrated within the old city walls of II Castello, a popular area with little shops, bars, and cafes. From Bastione di Saint Remy, you can enjoy 360-degree views over the city from the terrace. When it comes to accommodation, there’s just about everything here, including an affordable hostel, mid-range B&Bs and guesthouses, and luxury hotels.

Porto Servo was mentioned as one of the best spots for a beach getaway, but it’s also where you’ll want to go if you’re looking for the most luxurious stay with the opportunity for celebrity spotting. Located along the glamorous Costa Smeralda which stretches over 12 miles with white sandy beaches, golf clubs, and exclusive hotels, Porto Servo is the center of it all as a playground for the rich and famous, complete with a very upscale marina area and high-end designer shops. With a stay here you’ll enjoy convenient access to the breathtaking beaches edged by turquoise water, with both remote stretches like Romazzino and Principe as well as livelier beaches like Cala di Volpe and Liscia Ruja. While the beaches are the star of the show, there are also historical attractions and plenty of buzzing nightlife venues. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly accommodation, however, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Villasimius is one of the most popular towns for divers, providing access to the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara in the southeast part of the island. It’s considered a not-to-be-missed dive with guided experiences available that will bring you to admire the rich marine life that includes giant groupers and hundreds of barracuda. Diving enthusiasts who visit the depths of Isola dei Cavoli will see a large statue that represents the Madonna del Castaway, or Virgin of the Sea, celebrated over the third weekend of July every year. In the town itself, you can learn more about the area and its history at the archaeological museum which covers all civilizations and periods connected with it. One of the most notable exhibits includes the Hall of the Shipwreck (Sala del Relitto) which displays items from a 15th-century Spanish shipwreck. There is a good selection of shops, bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues as well.

Alghero is a spectacular medieval city on Sardinia’s northwest coast. One of the most appealing on the island, it’s beloved by many, from history enthusiasts to surfers, who flock in droves to take advantage of the waves. As it’s a relatively small area, just about everything can be reached within a few minutes, from San Giovanni Beach to the historic center, promenade, and marina. The historical center is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets with gothic palaces and Renaissance churches, restaurants, and bars with terraces ideal for unwinding with a drink and a view. It has a distinct Spanish vibe that comes from its time as a Catalan colony along with 16th-century sea walls with crenulated towers and bastions topped by a walkway with bars for strolling and stopping for a drink with a breathtaking view of the Capo Caccio cliffs. The best places to stay jut into the sea, showcasing spectacular vistas.

If you’re a diver who plans on taking advantage of the exceptional clarity of the water, Villasimius is one of the best places to stay, although anyone who wants to explore south Sardinia will do well to stay here. Located in the southeastern region of the island at the edge of the Gulf of Cagliari, it provides access to the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara, a top dive site home to the large “Virgin of the Sea” statue along with abundant marine life, including hundreds of barracuda and giant groupers. Learn more about its history, including shipwrecks, at the archaeological museum which includes the Hall of the Shipwreck (Sala del Relitto) with items uncovered from a 15 th -century Spanish shipwreck. The small town also offers plenty of shops, bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues, while the surrounding area offers numerous archaeological sites, from the many nuraghi, to Phoenician and Roman ruins, including thermal baths.

Porto Servo is renowned for offering a very upscale beach getaway, located on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, known as the Costa Smeralda with its surreal blue-green waters. Exclusive and fashionable, but not particularly Sardinian, it’s the best place for a luxurious stay with many high-end beach resorts as well as being a hot spot for celebrities, ideal for people watching. The town has a mix of architectural styles that include everything from Italian and Spanish to Greek and even North African. There are plenty of excellent family-friendly hotels and resorts with kids’ clubs and a wealth of activities, with beaches to suit everyone from families to honeymooners. That includes well-organized, lively stretches like Liscia Ruja and Cala Volpe along with more remote, secluded beaches such as Principe and Romazzino. While the main reason to stay here is the sun and the sand, there are historical sites and plenty of thriving nightlife to enjoy as well.