Sardinia is a wonderful destination for a dream holiday. Unspoiled beaches, breathtaking views, delicious food and countless places worth discovering. If you’ve chosen Sardinia for your next trip and you’re starting to plan your holiday, you’ve found the right article.
Today we want to give you some advice on how to get around the island and reach its tourist spots and the must-see destinations of your road trip.
Exploring Sardinia: how to get around?
The first thing to know is that moving around the island without renting a car at the airport or at the port simply isn’t realistic. A car — or a scooter — is the only way to travel freely across Sardinia without restrictions or having to wait for buses and trains. It’s important to know that local buses do not efficiently connect all areas, and many of the most beautiful places to visit have no bus stops or train stations nearby. This means renting your own vehicle is essential to organise your tour properly.
Discovering the Sardinian inland, diving into crystal-clear waters and tasting traditional dishes… everything becomes easier with a rental vehicle. Think, for example, of Sardinia’s stunning scenic coastal and mountain routes — it would be impossible to enjoy them with the same excitement on a bus, not to mention that many of them are not served by public transport at all.
A great alternative to a car is a scooter. Getting around on a scooter is perfect if you’re travelling as a couple or with friends: wind in your hair, full freedom, and the chance to stop along the road to capture the perfect photo.
Reaching Sardinia’s tourist destinations
On one hand, the lack of efficient public transport connections can be limiting. On the other hand, Sardinia’s road network offers one major advantage: compared to other regions in Italy, traffic is almost non-existent for most of the year. Roads are generally clear and it’s very rare to get stuck in traffic. The only exception is the summer months — especially August — when popular beaches attract both tourists and locals, significantly increasing traffic near the coast.
If you can choose when to visit, we recommend planning your holiday outside of July and August. But if these months are your only option, with a bit of patience you will still be able to enjoy the island’s most stunning beaches. 🙂
And what about parking? In most cases, Sardinian beaches offer large free or paid parking areas, especially near the most popular spots. In other cases, proper parking areas may be limited or very small. Our advice is to check the available facilities before leaving, so you can plan your beach day without surprises. The same applies to the inland areas you might want to explore: generally, finding free parking is much easier, without the stress of searching for a spot at the last minute. Still, it’s always best to check before heading out!