Sardinia is one of the most beautiful places we have visited, and was the highlight of our Italy trip. This itinerary focuses on the North East side of the island since we wanted it to be more relaxing and didn’t want to drive too much, but the North side and South side also has incredible places to visit too.
Our itinerary
- Livorno to Olbia (overnight ferry) arrive in Olbia in the AM
- Day 1: pick up rental car, check into hotel and hit the beach
- Cala Suaraccia or La Cinta Beach
- Day 2: all day dinghy rental in Cala Gonone. This was our absolute favorite thing we did in Sardinia. More on this on another slide. Grab dinner and gelato afterwards in town.
- Day 3: beach day and exploring town
- Cala Brandinchi or Lu Impostu Beach
- Enjoy dinner and night life in San Teodoro
- Day 4: Fly out of Sardinia to London in the morning
Getting there
Sardinia is an island off the coast of Italy so you can fly or take a ferry in. We opted for an overnight ferry on Moby Lines from Livorno to Olbia. It was great and I loved not wasting a day traveling. I highly recommend it! When we got to Olbia we rented a car.
We opted to stay in San Teodoro. We found the cutest little flat at a resort that fit all of us. The resort had its own private beach which was beautiful. Here's the link to the booking. I will say, this place was definitely older and nothing fancy inside, but the price was incredible considering it was right on the water and close to the beaches we wanted to go do. So I’d definitely recommend to people! Just know you’re choosing it because of price, location, and view. Not the interior. But since we chose to splurge on other things and we weren’t going to be spending a lot of time in the room, we were fine with this.
Staying in North vs. South Sardinia: What Families Should Know
Northern Sardinia (near Olbia, Costa Smeralda, etc.)
The north of Sardinia is often what people picture when they imagine the island, bright turquoise water, dramatic coves, and those jaw-dropping, postcard-worthy beaches. It’s incredibly beautiful.
This area is also known for its upscale resorts, great restaurants, and overall comfort. If you’re looking for easy beach access, solid amenities, and good service, the north really delivers. It’s especially convenient if you’re flying into Olbia, since you can get settled quickly without a long drive on day one. There are also plenty of beaches that work well for kids, with calm water and nearby facilities.
That said, the north does come with a few trade-offs. Prices tend to be higher here — from accommodations to meals, especially in the Costa Smeralda area. During peak season, it can feel crowded, and some towns lean more toward a luxury, touristy vibe. While it’s stunning, it may feel a bit less “local” or rustic compared to other parts of the island.
Southern Sardinia (around Cagliari, Villasimius, etc.)
Southern Sardinia often feels more relaxed and approachable, especially for families traveling on a budget. Lodging and food are generally more affordable, and the towns tend to feel more lived-in and local.
One of the biggest highlights for families is the beaches. The south has long, wide stretches of soft sand with gentle water entry, ideal for kids who want to swim, wade, and play for hours. Depending on the time of year, you may also encounter fewer tourists, which can make the experience feel calmer and less rushed.
The main downside is logistics. If you’re flying into Olbia, reaching the south means committing to a longer drive or additional transit time. Some areas are also more spread out, with fewer high-end amenities, which can be a plus or a minus depending on your travel style. Roads in certain regions can be winding, so getting from place to place may take longer than expected.
Other things that are good to know and plan for:
- If you are going in summer months, make sure you reserve beaches you want to visit. Reservations can fill up fast, so make this a priority. You can reserve beaches here: www.heartofsardinia.com
- Flight prices majorly vary from Sardinia every day. Base your travel off affordable flights the day you leave. When we went, there was only one day each week that flew to London, so if you’re following this exact itinerary, make sure you time it out with flights.
- Pick up a few floaties from a local convenience store (or bring some in your suitcase, they’re so flat and easy to bring). The water is so shallow and calm here and it’s really nice to have those to play on and relax.
- When you’re at the beach for the day it might be easier to pack lunch. There’s also not a ton of places for breakfast in San Teodoro. We decided to save some money and only eat out for dinner. We grabbed groceries to keep in the fridge in the hotel for breakfast and to make lunches for the beach.
Where to eat:
There are so many fantastic places in San Teodoro. One thing you have to try while you’re in Sardinia is culurgiones. It’s a Sardinian stuffed pasta (like ravioli) often filled with potato, cheese, and herbs. Seafood is fantastic in Sardinia. Seadas are another must try for dessert. They’re fried semolina pastry filled with cheese and drizzled with honey.
A few restaurants that we liked were Agriturismo Li Mori (a multi-course Sardinian feast), Al Dente Pasta (super affordable and casual, homemade pasta).
If you want to see all our Italy recs, here's our map!
Top beach recommendations near San Teodoro:
- Cala Suaraccia (Good spot for tide pools, shallow water, rent a kayak and paddle here)
- La Cinta Beach (Long, shallow water perfect for all ages)
- Cala Brandinchi (“Little Tahiti”) (Calm, Caribbean-like shallows ideal for toddlers. Get here by 9am if you’re going in summer for easy parking and a good spot on the beach)
- Lu Impostu Beach (stunning beach with crystal water and white sand)
Dinghy rental in Cala Gonone (Our favorite thing we did!):
There’s lots of options to see the incredible water and beaches here and lots of tour companies available. You can go on large cruise style ships, or hire a guide to take you on a private tour, or drive a dinghy yourself. We opted to drive around on our own. Here's the company we used. I loved that it was just our family and everyone could relax. They give you a map so you can find the beaches (we also used Google Maps to see where we were on the water. Here's our full Italy map or recs). The beaches were easy to find, and we actually just preferred anchoring in the bays and jumping off the dinghy into the water. Mae sure you have reservations for any beaches you stop at. They’re very strict on that. You usually have to anchor off shore and swim in so be ready to get wet. Bring lunch and just enjoy the day on the water!
Top beaches to see on the dinghy:
- Cala Luna (can swim in the caves)
- Cala Marilou (incredible water)
- Cala Goloritze (iconic arch)
- Costa di baunei