North Sardinia Road Trip: Beaches, Towns & Tips
There’s something timeless about a North Sardinia road trip. Winding roads hug wild coastlines, ancient villages cling to cliffs, and hidden beaches shimmer under the sun. Sardinia’s north is where rugged nature and simple pleasures invite you to slow down and stay present.
We planned this journey with plenty of open space to wander. Along the way, you’ll discover the best beaches, towns, and secret coves of North Sardinia. All by car and at your own gentle pace. So, please take a look at our recommended stops for your North Sardinia journey by car, and let the island lead you to hidden treasures and peaceful moments.
Where to Stay in North Sardinia: A Few Honest Tips
Santa Teresa Gallura
Staying in Santa Teresa Gallura turned out to be a lovely choice. This small seaside town is a calm base, close to some of North Sardinia’s best beaches, boat trips, and secret coves. We loved being within walking distance of cafés, a sandy bay, and the boat trips to La Maddalena.
We booked an apartment at Residence I Mirti Bianchi. The space itself was clean, comfortable, and well-located, with the bonus of two bathrooms – a small luxury for a week-long stay.
However, we want to share a few details to help you plan ahead. This time, we went for the cheapest option we found through Google’s Stay search. We checked the reviews on Booking.com, which seemed fine – but looking back, it wasn’t our best decision.
Hidden fees
While the €200 deposit was clearly mentioned, there was no word about the mandatory €70 cleaning fee or the €10 charge for each towel. During our seven-night stay, there was no cleaning included at all. We were told on arrival that if we didn’t pay these extra fees, we wouldn’t receive the keys. Guests are also asked to clean the kitchen themselves before checkout – if not, they keep €50 from the deposit.
The staff explained that these extra charges were because we booked through a third-party site instead of directly with them. It’s a good reminder that what’s shown online may not always match what you’ll find when you arrive. It really helps to double-check the details or ask extra questions if anything feels unclear.
They also told us that extra charges for things like towels and final cleaning are quite common for apartments in Sardinia. We can’t say if that’s true everywhere, but it’s worth being prepared so you’re not surprised.
While the apartment itself was fine and well-located, we’ve decided not to share a direct booking link in this case. The unexpected extra fees added unnecessary stress to what should have been a relaxing trip. It also felt unfair. For this reason, we can’t fully recommend the place based on our overall experience. We hope this honest note helps you choose a stay that feels smooth and carefree from the start. In the end, the apartment did the job, and the location made it easy to explore North Sardinia. But now you know what we wish we’d known – and that’s why we put together our simple guide on choosing the perfect accommodation, so you can learn from our small mistakes and enjoy your stay feeling calm, informed, and ready to hit the beach.
Start Your North Sardinia Road Trip in Olbia
After you find your accommodation online, your North Sardinia road trip begins in Olbia – a lively port city that’s more than just an arrival point. Here, we picked up our rental car right at the airport from Centauro Car Rental, which we can honestly recommend to everyone. Everything went smoothly – quick and easy at both pick-up and drop-off, allowing us to start our adventure stress-free. Olbia is a bustling port city often overlooked as just a gateway, but it’s worth a pause. Walk down Corso Umberto, where locals linger over coffee and pastries at sunrise. Stop by the simple, ancient Basilica di San Simplicio – built in the 11th century from granite stones that still hold echoes of Roman times.
Nearby, Pittulongu Beach is your first taste of Sardinia’s turquoise magic. Locals call it La Playa – a soft curve of sand where fishermen once dried their nets under the sun. Today, it’s where you might sit for an hour, toes in warm sand, watching the light dance on the water.
If you love mixing city breaks with seaside escapes, you might also enjoy our stories from Istanbul or planning a relaxing break in Antalya.
North Sardinia Road Trip Base: Santa Teresa Gallura
Next, your North Sardinia road trip winds up the coast to Santa Teresa Gallura – a small town where life still moves slowly, guided by sea breezes. We made this our base for good reason: Rena Bianca Beach. The sand here is almost pink in the early morning light, and the clear, shallow water is perfect for long swims.
There’s more here than the beach, though. Climb the Longonsardo Tower, built by the Spanish in the 16th century to guard this corner of Sardinia from pirates. On clear days, you can see Corsica’s mountains rising beyond the water – a reminder of how close cultures intertwine across the sea.
Evenings here are simple pleasures. First, a gelato. Then, a slow stroll through the main square. You might hear the soft notes of a guitar drifting from a nearby café. When you’re ready to sit down, head to our favourite spot – Enoteca La Bottega. It’s the perfect place to taste outstanding Sardinian wine and small plates of local delicacies. Here, you pause, sip slowly, and reflect on the day’s wanderings as the last light gently fades.
La Maddalena – A Peaceful Day at Sea
No North Sardinia road trip is truly complete without a day on the water. From Santa Teresa Gallura, we joined a full-day boat tour to the La Maddalena Archipelago – a national park of crystal lagoons, pink-sand shores, and quiet islands.
We stopped to swim at Spargi and Santa Maria, with the boat docking right at the beaches. The sea was warm and clear – perfect for a slow float under the sun. Along the way, we passed the legendary Pink Beach of Budelli, and paused in the pastel village of La Maddalena for a gentle stroll and a seaside gelato.
One special moment? Finding a tiny hidden beach just big enough for two. Sheltered by smooth rocks and turquoise shallows, it felt like our own private slice of Sardinia.
The tour was smooth and easy, with everything taken care of. Just remember to bring €5 in cash for the landing fee, and book together if you’re in a group.
→ Book your La Maddalena boat tour here
Costa Smeralda & Porto Cervo: Sardinia’s Emerald Coast
On your North Sardinia road trip, steer south along the winding roads of the Costa Smeralda. This “Emerald Coast” is a place of contrasts – luxury yachts float in Porto Cervo’s marina, while hidden coves and untouched beaches lie just minutes away.
Porto Cervo itself was dreamed up by the Aga Khan in the 1960s – a tiny harbor transformed into a playground for the world’s rich and famous. But don’t worry, you don’t need to own a yacht to feel at home. Order an espresso in the sun, watch the quiet show of life here, then escape to nature.
Spiaggia del Principe is the real jewel – its name means Prince’s Beach, after the Aga Khan’s favorite. The walk down is lined with wild herbs that scent the air. Wade into the shallows, where the sea turns every shade of blue.
Costa Paradiso: A Hidden Wild Coast
Next, your North Sardinia road trip curves back into raw nature at Costa Paradiso. This stretch of rugged coastline gets its name for good reason: hidden coves, pink granite cliffs, and clear water that feels almost unreal.
There’s no big resort here – just a handful of houses tucked into the rocks. Park and hike to Li Cossi Beach, where a small river meets the sea in a protected cove. If you’re lucky, you might spot wild goats picking their way along the cliffs.
For quiet corners like this, you might also love our stories from Dubrovnik or Tallinn – cities where hidden lanes lead to unexpected treasures.
Alghero – A Taste of Catalonia in Sardinia
Once ruled by the Spanish Crown of Aragon, this vibrant town still retains a Catalan heart – street signs are in both Italian and Catalan, and locals speak an ancient dialect called Alguerès.
Walk the old walls at sunset as the sky turns gold over the sea. Duck into cobbled lanes where lanterns flicker and small seafood trattorias spill out onto tiny squares. If you have time, you can book a boat trip to Neptune’s Grotto – a sea cave filled with stalactites and stories.
A Stop at Neptune’s Grotto
While you’re near Alghero, don’t miss a visit to Neptune’s Grotto. This famous sea cave is carved into dramatic cliffs that drop straight into the turquoise water. To reach it, you’ll walk down (and later back up) the Escala del Cabirol – a steep staircase with over 600 sharp steps cut into the cliffside.
If you have a fear of heights, take a moment to think it through before you go. The views are stunning, but the stairs cling to the cliff, and they can feel quite exposed.
Yet, if you feel ready, this could be the perfect place to face that fear – slowly, step by step. Pause often. Breathe in the sea air. Watch the waves below and remind yourself you’re safe.
Inside, the grotto itself is worth it: vast limestone chambers, hidden pools, and ancient stalactites that sparkle when the light hits just right. So, if you feel brave, take it as a chance to try something new – and carry that courage with you for the rest of your journey.
Castelsardo – Where Time Slows – North Sardinia road trip
Driving toward Castelsardo, the scenery begins to shift. Just before reaching the town, one of northern Sardinia’s most distinctive landmarks appears by the roadside – the Elephant Rock (Roccia dell’Elefante). Shaped unmistakably like an elephant, this weathered volcanic rock has stood here for centuries. Inside, small prehistoric tombs called domus de janas remind us that even this natural wonder holds layers of ancient life.
Soon after, the town of Castelsardo rises before you. Its stone houses stacked against the cliff, crowned by a 12th-century fortress. Built by the Doria family of Genoa, the Castello dei Doria now shelters a museum of Mediterranean weaving traditions.
Wander the quiet lanes, and you’ll see women still crafting baskets in doorways – a tradition passed down for generations. From the castle walls, the view stretches across the Gulf of Asinara, a wide, gentle arc of sea and sky.
It’s a place that blends deep history with simple pleasures – and perhaps, a perfect spot for a slow lunch with a sea breeze.
Bosa: Sardinia’s Quiet River Town
Tucked along the only navigable river in Sardinia – the Temo – Bosa is a peaceful gem of the island’s west coast. Its pastel houses spill down the hillside from Castello Malaspina. The 12th-century fortress offers sweeping views over terracotta roofs and quiet waters.
Wander the narrow streets of the Sa Costa district, where every corner holds a story. Along the riverfront, Sas Conzas, the old tanneries, now house small museums and cafes – a glimpse into Bosa’s industrious past.
Don’t miss a taste of Malvasia di Bosa, the town’s famed sweet wine, often sipped slowly with local biscuits. And if you’re here in August, the Festa di Santa Maria del Mare floats down the Temo in a luminous boat procession.
Just outside town, hidden beaches like Cala Cumpoltitu offer a peaceful break by the sea.
A Moment Above the Sea: Monte Altura Fortress
Just outside Palau, Fortezza di Monte Altura rises quietly from the granite hills. Built in the late 1800s to protect the coast and nearby La Maddalena, this military fortress was once called the “most beautiful in Europe.” Its thick stone walls blend into the wild Gallura landscape, almost as if they’ve always belonged there.
Today, guided tours take you through storied halls – officers’ quarters, old armories, and silent corridors once alive with military life. From the top, sweeping views open over the sea to Corsica and the Maddalena islands.
It’s a peaceful stop – one that invites you to slow down, breathe in the history, and take in the silence between the stones.
North Sardinia Road Trip Tips
- When to go: May, June, or September, or the first half of October, bring warm days, clear water, and quieter beaches.
- Getting around: A rental car is quite essential – the joy is in the freedom to stop wherever you like.
- Where to stay: We loved making Santa Teresa Gallura our base – with day trips to Alghero, La Maddalena, and the Costa Smeralda.
- Mindful travel: Slow down. Sardinia rewards those who don’t rush – swim longer, eat local, linger at sunset.
If you loved this North Sardinia road trip, here are more calm journeys and coastal escapes you might enjoy:
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