Are you wondering whether it is worth going to Sardinia? Don't hesitate! Go and read first how we traveled around this island in 3 weeks. At the beginning you will find the most frequently asked questions about the island tour, and in the second part a detailed description.

Around Sardinia in a camper. How long will it take to travel around the entire island?

It took us 21 days and it was quite an intense time because we changed campsites every 2-3 days. I think that it is worth going to Sardinia for at least 12-14 days . The main reason is that ferry tickets are quite expensive, and another reason is that the island has a lot to offer. If you are going for a shorter time, it is worth considering focusing on visiting only one part of the island rather than racing against time to drive around it.

Which part of the island should you choose if you don't have time to visit the whole island?

The southern and eastern parts of Sardinia are famous for their wonderful beaches, which are often inaccessible except on foot or by sea. Unfortunately, these beautiful beaches are not so beautiful during the season with crowds of people. On these coasts you will find many places to practice water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, as well as many atmospheric towns, also in the mountains, and many hiking trails.

The north and west are the rocky coast, probably less popular among tourists, so we liked it there more. There you will also find picturesque beaches, as well as beautiful cities such as Alghero and caves such as Neptune's Grotto.

How to choose the best route?

In Sardinia, basically everyone who lives in campsites tours the island to some extent. We met people at the campsites who had already finished their trip and we learned a lot of cool tips from them. I.e. where to go, which campsite to choose, what is worth seeing and what not. Our route changed dynamically . We had a certain time frame within which we had to stay within, because halfway through the trip we were picking up a friend from the airport in Cagliari, but basically we selected subsequent points of the route on an ongoing basis.

Do campsites in Sardinia have good facilities?

When going to Sardinia, you must be aware that you will not find 5-star campsites there. Yes, there are large campsites on the island, but most of them are smaller facilities where you will meet the owner of the campsite at the reception. Many campsites do not have swimming pools or toilet paper in the bathrooms, but all campsites are clean, close to the beach and have a unique atmosphere.

How much does the ferry to Sardinia cost?

The ferry to Sardinia and back cost us EUR 500 in June 2017. We travel in an Opel Vivaro with a small trailer. We sailed to Sardinia from Rome, and the journey was quite short because we sailed during the day. We sailed the other way to Livorno and decided to take an overnight, longer cruise and rent a cabin.

What is the best time to visit Sardinia?

We did the entire route in June, which turned out to be the warmest June in 150 years in Italy. The daytime temperature ranged from 38-40 degrees Celsius. At night it did not drop below 20 degrees Celsius. So we didn't go on trips to the mountains because it was impossible, especially with a two-year-old. If you want to go hiking in Sardinia, go there in spring or autumn.

What else can you do in Sardinia?

However, if the conditions were more favorable, we would definitely expand our trip to include trekking . In La Caletta , the Sardinia Slow Experience travel agency is run by a Polish woman - Beata, who has lived there for years and organizes alternative trips around Sardinia. Thanks to it, you can get to know the true tradition and flavors of this island.

Is it possible to sleep wild in Sardinia?

We didn't sleep in the wild because we prefer camping, but there are plenty of specially designated parking lots on the island where you can stay for a small fee.

Is it worth chartering a yacht or sailboat during your holiday in Sardinia?

This is the part of the holiday that you cannot skip. Especially if you are close to the Gulf of Orosei. Its beautiful beaches cannot be reached except from the sea. Don't be tempted to go on group trips to this place. Be sure to book your boat, but I write about it in the section devoted to the Gulf of Orosei.

The points where we slept

Below you will find a detailed description of the places where we slept and what we visited while there. I invite :)

1. Olbia

We leave the ferry and go straight to the campsite to set up on the pitch. We visit this city only on the day we leave the island.

2. Santa Teresa Gallura – Camping Baia Blu Tortuga

Camping Baia Blu Tortuga has a great location - right next to a beautiful beach. Almost the entire campsite is heavily wooded. There are also many plots in open areas without any shade, for sun lovers.
The entire area is very well lit and the paths are paved. The plots are not separated by hedges, but that didn't bother us at all.

The campsite has a well-equipped shop, a barbecue area (if you don't have your own), a huge playground and animations for children. There is a diving and windsurfing school on the campsite. All toilets are equipped with bidets and washbasins – this is a huge plus. The campsite also has new swimming pools and a water playground, a restaurant, an ATM and many other amenities.

The reception staff speaks excellent English and is very helpful.

Unfortunately, the downside was paid internet (and a lot of it! - EUR 5 per day) with no possibility of switching it to other devices, e.g. telephone or computer. Another thing to improve is the lack of toilet paper and soap in the bathrooms and although they were always incredibly clean, we missed it.

At the campsite, we also missed a Baby Room for children or even a family shower where you can comfortably bathe a small child.

Located near Capo Testa , which is a point worth visiting in the northern part of the island. You can read more about this region in our article Secrets of Sardinia .

3. Alghero – Camping Laguna Blu

Camping Laguna Blu is located in a great place between the city of Alghero and the Porto Conte Natural Park with the Capo Caccia headland and Neptune's Grotto . Even if you don't want to enter the cave, we recommend taking a scenic route in that direction. There are many bays along the way where you can take photos.

The campsite is only separated from the sea by a road, and a bicycle path leads to Alghero , according to... us the most beautiful city on the island.

There are many different types of pitches at the campsite. There are both shaded and shadeless places, clean toilets, a great restaurant with very good food and friendly service. The advantage is a large, nice playground right next to the restaurant.

There is no soap or toilet paper in the toilets, which we note is standard in Sardinia.

Communication at the campsite was a huge drawback. The restaurant, playground and toilets are located in the central part of the campsite, but you have to travel a lot to get to them. This must be especially troublesome during the season, when the plots are occupied and shortcuts are impossible. An additional disadvantage is the lack of lighting on the paths. But this campground was renovated in 2018, so maybe that has changed. In addition, a swimming pool was also built here.

You can read more about this region in our articleCappuccino in Sardinia .

4. Oristano – Camping Spinnaker

Camping Spinnaker is distinguished by a great beach with free sun loungers, accessed by a wooden footbridge.

A nice solution is cashless service at the campsite. You simply get a special key ring with a loan on it, and when you leave - at the reception - you pay all expenses related to your stay and any additional expenses spent in a bar or shop. Very nice staff, but not everyone spoke English.

We really liked the swimming pool , which was located in the shade of trees , which is practically unheard of at campsites.

The bay of Oristano has beautiful wild beaches to offer, and the town of Oristano itself is also worth visiting.

The lack of paper and soap in the toilets doesn't even surprise us anymore ;)

The lots are quite tight and the access to them is narrow, which may cause some problems with maneuvering larger vehicles.

Some plots had sewage drains from stationary tents. There would be nothing strange about this, if it were not for the fact that the sewage system was not tight, and every time someone uses the water in the tent, the smell in the given plot is very unpleasant. However, it is possible to choose plots without sewage manholes.

There is a playground for children, but it's as if it wasn't there. A destroyed swing and carousel, as well as scattered plastic parts of houses and slides. The area for the playground is huge, so is the potential. Maybe something will change...

We visit Tharros , or rather the beach next to it. It's worth it because it's beautiful!

South of Sardinia - the best campsites

5. Sant'Antioco – Camping Tonnara

Camping Tonnara charmed us at first sight and we stayed there longer than planned. It is located on terraces and from almost every place there is a wonderful view of a small bay with amazing sunsets . The campsite has its own pebbly beach. It is small, but only sufficient for camping purposes. Suitable for those who like diving .

The campsite has a swimming pool where, unfortunately, wearing a swimming cap is mandatory, two playgrounds and large toilets (although a bit outdated), as well as tennis, football and volleyball courts.

The entire area is kept clean and exceptionally tidy. It offers various types of accommodation: holiday cottages, tents and separate plots.

There is a great restaurant at the campsite. We couldn't eat so well at such a good price anywhere else on the island. The staff speaks good English. It is worth ordering the antipasti mix. Attention: the quantity is almost impossible to eat for two people.

Unfortunately, there is no soap and toilet paper in the toilets.

The downside is the complete lack of trees at the campsite, but all pitches are equipped with artificial shade, which was absolutely enough to hide during the hottest days. Additionally, you can feel the pleasant sea breeze at the campsite all the time.

Be sure to go to the town of Sant'Antioco for the best ice cream in the oldest ice cream shop on this tiny island. Ask anyone on the street and they will show you the way :)

6. Cagliari – just passing through

From Cagliari we picked up a friend who later traveled around the rest of the island with us, so we were only there for one afternoon. The city itself is very pleasant, it has narrow, atmospheric streets, a lot of pubs, but be careful, it's uphill everywhere ;) It's definitely worth visiting this city, even if you're just passing through.

7. Costa Rei

The campsite is large and has many pitches, but all of them are very spacious. It also offers holiday cottages. It is located directly next to a beautiful wide sandy beach. Access to the beach is via a wooden pier.

On the beach there is a volleyball court and sun loungers with a bar. Animations and sports activities are organized on the beach all day long. There is a field near the beach where flamingos come in the afternoons. Beautiful, wide beaches are definitely an advantage of this place, but on Costa Rei apart from beautiful beaches there is nothing else...  

Two small pools, one deep and the other shallow, for children. Unfortunately the swimming pool is closed during siesta. Nice playground for children and animations.

The campsite is largely wooded and also has artificially roofed pitches , but you need to check whether a trailer or camper will fit under the roof. All pitches are spacious and located closer to the beach entrance than the holiday cottages.

The sanitary facilities are a bit neglected and outdated, especially the dishwashing areas and laundry rooms should be renovated. There is a place to change and bathe small children.

No soap and toilet paper in the toilets. I guess I'm repeating myself.

8. Arbatax – Camping Orri

Camping Orri captivated us from the very entrance with an incredible amount of vegetation and flowers . The entire campsite is simply immersed in them (literally - we had a hard time finding the reception desk in the thicket of vegetation ;) ), and the staff takes care of their beautiful appearance all day long. The campsite is located directly next to the sandy beach.

In the heart of the campsite there are two swimming pools, one deep and the other shallow, for children, next to it there is a playground, a games room and a café with a restaurant. The service both here and at the reception is nice and helpful.

The campsite offers holiday cottages with a nice kitchen solution on the terrace. There is plenty of space for campers, trailers and tents without separate plots.

The sanitary facilities are small and cramped, with small and cramped shower cabins and small and cramped toilet cabins. The sinks are outdoors. Sanitary facilities, although clean, require renovation. No room to wash children, not even low sinks. There is no soap and toilet paper in the bathrooms, of course, but there are also no toilet seats! This really surprised us.

Car traffic is strictly prohibited within the campsite. Parking for cars is located at the entrance to the campsite.

The downside is the lack of a shop at the campsite.

In Arbatax you will also see the famous red rock . You can often see young people jumping into the water from a great height. A blood-curdling spectacle.

We also rented a motorboat in Arbatax and visited the most beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Orosei . Thanks to the fact that our 2-year-old was traveling with us and we got up at dawn, we also rented the boat very early and managed to avoid crowds on the beaches. But if I were to rent a yacht or motorboat in Sardinia again, I would do it through Click&Boat without having to go to the port the day before and arrange the details. We rented a motorboat for less than EUR 120 including fuel for the whole day. Definitely worth it!

From Camping Orri we also went to visit the city of Orgosolo, famous for its murals.

9. La Caletta – Camping Selema

Camping Selema is located right next to the sandy beach, close to a small town , an old fishing village, which now basically exists only for tourists, but there are several restaurants and ice cream parlors with good prices. There is also a windsurfing and kitesurfing school nearby.

The campsite itself offers holiday cottages, including brick ones, and plots, but not separated ones. It has two small playgrounds, including one directly next to the restaurant, and two small swimming pools, one deep and the other shallow, for children. You can hide in the shade of the trees by the pool. This is a big plus!

The restaurant is great. Delicious food and nice service.

The sanitary facilities don't look great from the outside, but inside they are completely renovated, spacious and, note: they have soap and toilet paper! We finally got there :) There is also a bathtub for bathing babies and low washbasins for children, and we can also easily wash our children in the shower cabins.

The service was very nice and hassle-free. While looking for a place at the campsite, the owner himself drove us in the Melex. Everyone speaks excellent English.

10. Olbia – we sail to Livorno

We spend only one day in Olbia before leaving the port. Maks and I walk and play in the park. The town is quite nice.

Where to stay in Italy

If you're looking for inspiration on where else to stay in Italy, check out our recommended campsites in Italy in our campsite finder. Campsites have their own profiles there, where you will find information such as contact details, address details, price list, photo gallery and a detailed description. The owner or manager of the campsite takes care of all these elements, and CampRest ensures the correctness and quality of these elements.