Are you planning a South Sardinia tour and looking for ideas to identify the most beautiful places to visit? You’ve found the right article. Today, we want to give you some tips to create a dream travel itinerary.
Let’s get started!
South Sardinia on the Road: What to See
For your trip, you’ll need a suitable means of transport. Choosing the right car might seem easy, but there are many factors to consider. Your car will accompany you throughout the holiday, so it must meet all your travel needs.
We’ve already shared some suggestions for a Sardinian weekend road trip. But if you have more time and want to focus only on the south of the island, here are our itinerary ideas that you won’t forget.
Cagliari
Exploring the south of the island naturally begins in the beautiful Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. You can take a guided tour to appreciate the highlights of the historic center, the ancient walls, the cathedral, and the many museums that characterize the city.
Don’t miss the Bastione di Saint Remy, the Castello district, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Finally, enjoy a stroll along the harbor, descending from the Marina district where many traditional restaurants are located.
From here, you can continue by car to explore other areas of the city: the Castello di San Michele, the Grotta della Vipera, the Roman Amphitheater, the Basilica of Bonaria, the Poetto Beach, and the Molentargius Lagoon.
Villasimius
Next, we move to what is considered among the most beautiful beaches on the island: Villasimius. Here, you can admire breathtaking landscapes and small coves with crystal-clear waters. The most recommended beaches include Sa Ruxi Harbor, Punta Molentis, Porto Giunco, and Campulongu.
In addition to enjoying this paradise from the coast, we suggest booking a boat tour to experience it from the sea. These tours typically include a full day exploring the coves, with opportunities to taste freshly caught seafood and local specialties.
You can reach Villasimius from Olbia in a short time, as well as from Cagliari. So, if you’re coming from the north of the island, don’t worry: a few hours by car will take you to one of the most beautiful coasts of Sardinia.
From here, you can continue by car to Costa Rei and explore the archaeological area of Cuili Piras, a site featuring around fifty menhirs very similar to those at Stonehenge.
Costa Rei
Costa Rei is a stunning tourist destination where the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean meet fine white sandy beaches, creating a breathtaking panorama.
The area is famous for its beaches, including Santa Giusta Beach, Monte Nai Beach, and Cala Sinzias Beach, all featuring clear waters and white sand. You can reach them along a scenic road crossing hills and stunning natural landscapes.
But Costa Rei is not just about the sea and beaches. You can enjoy various outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. The area also offers many opportunities to taste local cuisine and discover Sardinian culture.
Pula
On the opposite side of Villasimius and Costa Rei is Pula, known for the archaeological site of Nora, one of Sardinia’s most important historical areas. Here, you can also see several nuraghi, with the most famous being Sana Margherita, overlooking the sea.
Continuing your South Sardinia road trip, you’ll encounter Chia, featuring a wide beach popular with water sports enthusiasts. You can also admire the dunes of Su Giudeu Beach and Sa Colonia Beach.
Speaking of dunes, not far from here is Porto Pino, famous for its white sand dunes and, at certain times of the year, home to pink flamingos, offering a postcard-perfect landscape.
Archaeological Area of Nora
The Archaeological Area of Nora is one of Sardinia’s most important sites, located on the southwest coast. Here, you can admire the ruins of the ancient city of Nora, dating back to the Phoenician-Punic era and later Roman. Key remains include the theater, forum, baths, and religious complex. After the nuraghi, this type of archaeological site is among the most widespread and significant in Sardinia.
Visiting the Archaeological Area of Nora is a unique experience to discover the history and millennia-old culture of Sardinia.
Island of Sant’Antioco
Still in the southwest, we find the Island of Sant’Antioco, separated from the mainland by an isthmus and connected by a bridge. Here, pristine nature merges with history, creating a unique atmosphere. Key attractions include white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, archaeological sites such as the Tofet (a Punic sacred area), and the Basilica of Sant’Antioco, one of Sardinia’s oldest Christian monuments. The island is also famous for its authentic and traditional gastronomy.
Carloforte
The town of Carloforte, on San Pietro Island, was founded in the 18th century by Ligurian settlers from Tabarka, Tunisia, and has preserved its cultural and linguistic heritage. Carloforte is famous for its distinctive architecture, with pastel-colored houses and narrow streets winding through cobbled alleys. The town offers many attractions, including beautiful beaches and the San Pietro Island Nature Reserve, home to unique flora and fauna.
The local cuisine is renowned for fresh seafood and the famous Carloforte tuna, still caught using traditional methods. Carloforte is ideal for travelers seeking authenticity, beauty, and tradition on a less-known island.
Porto Flavia
Porto Flavia is a mining port on Sardinia’s southwest coast, named after the engineer’s daughter, Flavia. Built in the late 19th century, it was used to transport salt and coal extracted from nearby mines.
The port is located in a natural bay at the base of a cliff about 100 meters high. Its structure incorporates the cliff itself, creating a unique engineering work.
Today, Porto Flavia is an important tourist and cultural site, visited by thousands each year. Restored and preserved, it serves as a starting point for boat excursions along the coast, offering spectacular views of the cliffs and crystal-clear sea below.
Now that you know all the secrets of South Sardinia, all that’s left is to book your car for the trip and get ready for this amazing adventure. Safe travels!
