On the Ellepi blog, we often talk about the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia and how to plan a perfect holiday on the island. Today we want to guide you through a coast-to-coast route that will surprise you at every kilometer.

Sardinia Coast to Coast: Where to Start?

For your road trip in Sardinia, you need the right means of transportation. You can rent a car at Olbia Airport and start your journey discovering the island from there.

If you love two-wheeled vehicles, you can travel by scooter, or you can opt for a four-wheeled vehicle, which is certainly more comfortable if you plan to carry more luggage with you.

Sardinia has 1,897 kilometers of coastline, hundreds of beaches, and countless breathtaking sunsets. You can plan a 7-day tour, selecting certain stretches of coast, or allow yourself more time to explore the territory in depth.

From Olbia to Oristano

From Olbia to Oristano, you will encounter completely different beaches. These two coasts can be seen as opposites: on one side, the destinations loved by VIPs, yachts, and luxury boutiques; on the other, pristine nature.

  1. Santa Teresa di Gallura, in the heart of the northeast coast, once the departure point for ships chasing smugglers, today a charming village with artisan shops and local cuisine.
  2. Isola Rossa, with its tourist harbor, from where you can explore small coves and enjoy sunsets with indescribable hues.
  3. Castelsardo, with its castle overlooking the colorful little town.
  4. Stintino, one of the most popular and crowded beaches, characterized by crystal-clear water and white sand.
  5. Alghero, with a coastline running along the Coral Riviera, transparent seabeds, and a favorite destination for water sports enthusiasts.
  6. Bosa, considered one of Sardinia’s most picturesque towns, with the Temo River offering beautiful views to visitors.
  7. S’Archittu, featuring its natural arch shaped by centuries of wind and sea, and three mushroom-shaped islets that make this place truly scenic.

From Oristano to Cagliari

The coast-to-coast journey continues toward Cagliari, the island’s most important city. The stops we suggest on this route are:

  1. Cabras and the beautiful Tharros, one of the oldest testimonies of Phoenician civilization.
  2. Is Arutas and Mari Ermi, with intense blue waters and white quartz beaches.
  3. Piscinas, home to Europe’s tallest sand dunes, with a strong mining past still visible today.
  4. Porto Pino, featuring pure white sand, dunes, and the spectacle of pink flamingos moving to the nearby lagoon at certain times of the day.
  5. Baia Chia and the Archaeological Area of Nora, continuing to Pula before leaving these wonders behind and reaching the city of cities: Cagliari.

From Villasimius to Olbia

From Cagliari, we move toward Villasimius. From here, you can explore some of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast, the Ogliastra beaches, and then head back to Olbia to discover what this city has to offer.

  1. Porto Giunco and the pink flamingo lagoon; if you love snorkeling, this is the perfect place to explore stunning seabeds.
  2. Costa Rei, with Zio Peppino rock, crystal-clear waters, and sandy seabeds.
  3. Muravera, full of unforgettable scents and colors.
  4. Arbatax, with red rocks revealing their volcanic origin, offering a very characteristic landscape.
  5. Nuraghe Mannu, the Grotta del Bue Marino, and Cala Gonone, a charming town from which you can take numerous excursions by land and sea.
  6. San Teodoro and Cala Brandinchi, a true paradise of soft sand and calm waters.

Finally, Olbia, a city that can offer pleasant surprises with its attractions. We have covered it in a dedicated blog article!