Camping in Sardinia: sunny island, blue Mediterranean & white beaches

Camping in Sardinia – A balmy summer wind blows around your nose and the heat shimmers over the white granite rocks while the almost crystal-clear waves roll against the beach.
You can experience all of this while camping in Sardinia.
The island is located off the east coast of Italy and can be reached by ferry from Liguria, for example.
You can find a campsite for a vacation with a roof tent all over the island.
The campsites on the picturesque coastal strip of Costa Rei and near the port city of Olbia are particularly beautiful.
You can find great travel tips for these two places, as well as other well-known towns such as Alghero and Cagliari, here.
There are also tips for swimming, hiking and diving on the beaches of the Costa Smeralda, in the Neptune Grotto near Alghero and the coastal region of Capo Caccia.
Plus two insider tips.
You’ll also find out about the weather, the ferry and the beautiful Mediterranean island.

Sardinia: tips for a full island experience

Sardinia – or Sardegna in the local language – is an island in the west of mainland Italy.
It is criss-crossed by mountains and offers many sandy beaches and picturesque coastlines right by the sea.
This makes the island a popular destination for nature lovers and sea enthusiasts, even with the whole family.
After arriving and setting up your camping chairs, the first thing you usually do is head to the beach.
The island is particularly famous for its beaches.
It offers several kilometers of almost white sandy beaches.
These are used for relaxing, swimming and water sports.
Diving is particularly popular on the coast and the island groups outside the main island, such as the Maddalena archipelago.
Tips on two particularly beautiful coastal regions, the Costa Smeralda and Costa Rei, can be found here.

More than just the beach: art, hiking & caves

After spending the first few days on the beach, you can enjoy the island’s cultural life in one of the charming towns.
As Sardinia is characterized by many cultures, you will find unusual architecture, unique souvenirs such as coral jewelry and culinary diversity in Olbia, Cagliari, Alghero and the like.
Head to one of the cities to try Sardinian cuisine!
There is even more to experience outside the towns and beaches.
There are many hiking trails through the countryside.
These are mainly characterized by mountainous terrain.
The white granite rocks and the evergreen bushes typical of the Mediterranean are particularly striking.
The coasts are also ideal for hiking and exploring, for example the caves of the Neptune Grotto.

Where is Sardinia and how do you get there?

The sunny island lies in the middle of the Mediterranean, just off the west coast of Italy.
To the north is the French island of Corsica.
To the west is the Spanish coast with other fantastic vacation destinations such as Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza.
To the south is the north coast of Africa with Tunisia.
This location ensures that Sardinia is culturally very diverse.
From the mainland in France, ferries depart from Nice and Marseille, with which you can reach Sardinia.
There is also a ferry from Barcelona in Spain.
You can take a look at the location here: This is what the island looks like up close:

Sardinia from above: Between coast and sea

Sardinia is so beautiful: in this video you can see the island from above with a drone.
This gives you a first glimpse of the white limestone coasts, fine sandy beaches and clear waves.
These are bordered by wooded cliffs and grassy dunes.
Outside of nature, the small towns and twinkling lights at night will inspire you to dream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTzTAp-uXgI And here you will find one of the island’s many beaches!
You can see it from all sides with a 360° view.
The water looks so clear that it practically invites you to dive in. This beach is located directly on the Costa Smeralda, a coastal region in the west of Sardinia.
You can find out more about the Costa Smeralda below.

Excursion destinations: 7 vacation tips + insider tips

Now that you know a bit about Sardinia, here are eight tips for great vacation memories on the island.
These include tips for beaches, a nearby archipelago and towns for getting there, shopping and restaurants.
Places in and around Sardinia where you can experience a lot:

• Olbia – port city & ferry port
• Costa Corallina – beach paradise
• Costa Smeralda – Coastal section
• Maddalena archipelago – group of islands
• Alghero – city with arts and crafts
• Neptune Grotto – stalactite caves
• Capo Caccia – cliffs in the south
• Cagliari – city with beach promenade
• Costa Rei – picturesque white beaches

Olbia: Here we go after arrival!

If you are visiting Sardinia, Olbia is well worth a visit.
The city is connected to the Italian mainland by ferry and even has one of the three airports in Sardinia.
This means you can reach it easily and use it as a starting point for your adventures in Sardinia.
The city offers many small winding alleyways, squares with romantic cafés and shopping streets with various stores.
You are sure to find a nice place to try the local cuisine here.
This is what Olbia offers you:

• Port city for the ferry & airport
• winding alleyways for shopping
• romantic cafés & restaurants

Here you can take a 360° look at Olbia: If you have spent the first few hours in Olbia, you will find a top beach near Olbia here:

Costa Corallina Beach: insider tip for the beach

Located right next to Olbia, the beach is easy to reach by car.
While many beaches are often very crowded, this one is quieter.
As a result, there is not much in the way of extensive relaxation and time with the family.
Whether diving into the turquoise blue water or hiking through the enchanting bays, families get their money’s worth here.
Older members of the family can relax at the beach bar.
The insider tip, Costa Corallina Beach, at a glance:

• Proximity to Olbia (approx. 25 min by car)
• Quieter beach & fewer tourists
• Turquoise waters & picturesque bays
• Cool drink at the beach bar

This is what Costa Corallina Beach looks like: If you want more choice and an all-inclusive feeling, we recommend a visit to the Costa Smeralda:

Costa Smeralda: coast with top beaches

A little further north is the Costa Smeralda.
This stretch of coast offers beautiful sandy beaches and blue sea.
Impressive white granite rocks rise out of the clear water.
Due to the beautiful bays and beaches along the coast, it is an absolute hotspot and popular with many holidaymakers.
In addition to the beach paradise, a large number of restaurants, bars and trendy clubs have also developed here.
Here you can take a quick look at the advantages of the Costa Esmeralda:

• Coastline with many beaches
• Coastal mountains with granite rocks
• Popular hotspot for vacationers
• Restaurants, bars and trendy clubs

This is what the beaches and bays of the Costa Smeralda look like: Once you’ve got the first few days on the beach behind you, it’s time for an excursion.
Just north of Olbia lies the Maddalena archipelago:

Maddalena Archipelago: archipelago & underwater world

If you want to enjoy Sardinia’s nature to the full, you should visit the Maddalena archipelago.
This archipelago is popular for diving, swimming and hiking.
The unusual rock formations in the clear water are particularly appealing for diving.
Experienced divers praise the unique underwater world.
You can reach most of the archipelago by car, bike or on foot.
The Maddalena archipelago summarized:

• Archipelago in the north
• Popular for swimming
• Hiking between granite rocks
• Unique underwater world
• Access: car, bike & on foot

This video shows the surroundings of the Maddalena archipelago and the underwater world during dives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdDwX2cX5kY After you have visited Olbia and the surrounding area, it is a good idea to explore the rest of the island.
Alghero is particularly beautiful.
You can find out more about the town in the east here:

Alghero: ferry, sea & jewelry crafts

Alghero is a town on the east coast that is particularly notable for its charming alleyways.
It also has a ferry port and an airport.
Here you can experience an exciting day, enjoy delicious meals and enjoy a fantastic view of the sea.
The coastal town is particularly well-known for its coral jewelry crafts.
The souvenirs are popular here.
You also get an extraordinary cultural mix, as the city used to be Catalan.
Here you can see at a glance what awaits you in Alghero:

• Port for ferry & airport
• Restaurants: Dining with a sea view
• Jewelry crafts made from coral
• Cultural mix with Catalan culture

In this 360° view you can take a look at one of the beaches in Alghero. Are you tired of the city center and the beach and want to get out into nature?
A particularly popular hotspot near Alghero is the Neptune Grotto:

Neptune Grotto near Alghero: adventurous caves

The Neptune Grotto in Alghero is a cave complex that can be reached via a staircase with 650 steps or by boat from the sea.
In the grotto, you will find fantastic rock formations over an area of almost four kilometers.
Inside you will find unusual stalactites and natural colonnades.
The special highlight is an underground lake in the caves.
The grotto is located directly on the steep slopes of the Capo Caccia coast.
This is what awaits you at the underground experience of the Neptune Grotto:

• Cave complex near Alghero
• Accessible: From land & sea
• Unusual stalactites
• Natural colonnades
• Highlight: underground lake

After a refreshment stop in Alghero, you can also visit Capo Caccia.
It is located very close to the Neptune Grotto.

Capo Caccia: cliffs of white limestone

The limestone mountain range of Capo Caccia is located directly by the sea.
Here, the white limestone slopes of the cliffs drop directly into the turquoise blue sea.
This offers a breathtaking view that you will remember for years to come.
Rare birds such as griffon vultures and an unusual ecosystem can still be found here.
This makes it a wonderful natural spectacle for the whole family and your four-legged companion, inviting you to hike and explore.
The Capo Caccia cliffs in brief:

• Limestone mountains with cliffs
• Rare birds & nature experience
• Possibility for hikes

This is what it looks like at Capo Caccia: The first few days in Sardinia should have passed by now.
Nevertheless, the island still has a lot to offer.
Including the city of Cagliari:

Cagliari: beach promenade, culture & more

The city of Cagliari is located in the south of the island.
As the capital, it has another airport, but also a romantic cityscape with stores, historic buildings and direct access to the sea.
The largest Sardinian city boasts magnificent buildings and a lively beach promenade.
Here you get a special impression of the culture and people of Sardinia, so a day trip after the beach is definitely worthwhile.
The city at a glance:

• Capital of Sardinia
• Direct access to the sea
• Lively beach promenade
• Impression of culture & people

The beach promenade in Cagliari: A little further west, you can round off your visit to the island with the beautiful beaches of Costa Rei:

Costa Rei: beach paradise between relaxation & action

For more exercise, a detour to the Costa Rei is ideal.
The Costa Rei coastline is located just west of Cagliari and offers beautiful beaches.
There you can go for walks on the beach, swim or relax on the beach.
They are particularly famous for their light-colored sand and their length.
In addition to quieter spots, water sports such as diving, surfing and motor boating are also offered here, as well as horse riding courses and trampolining.
This is what you can experience on the Costa Rei:

• Coastal strip with long sandy beaches
• Popular for water sports & riding courses
• Trampoline jumping right on the beach
• Wide range of options for relaxation

Here you can see one of the impressive cliffs of the Costa Rei:

Insider tip: Excursion for the family – Dino Park

You’ve been in Sardinia for a few days and the kids are already whining because they don’t want to go to the beach or hiking.
Then take them to Parco Sardegna in Miniatura – Parco dei Dinosauri.
This is a dinosaur theme park where you can take the children on a boat trip and a train ride through the park.
Here you can see what awaits you and your children at the dinosaur park: https://youtu.be/c7dzYycCPII

Day trip from Olbia to the Costa Caccia

You could start a day trip from Olbia to Costa Corallina Beach.
If you spend the morning on the beach, you can make your way to Alghero, an hour and a half’s drive away.
After a delicious lunch in the town, it’s worth visiting the Neptune Grotto.
After one of the guided tours offered in the cave, it is also much more pleasant to climb the many steps in the evening sun.
You can then end the day with a relaxing hike on the Costa Caccia.
Of course, this tour can also be completed with an excursion to the south.
The tour at a glance:

• Start: Sightseeing tour of the port city of Olbia
• Afterwards: Sunbathing on Costa Corallina Beach
• 1 1⁄2 h drive away: lunch in Alghero
• Tour through the caves of the Neptune Grotto
• Hike over the rocks of Capo Caccia

Here you can see the route from Olbia to Capo Caccia: After a successful day, it’s time to find a comfortable place to sleep.

Campsite recommendation: Sleeping by the sea

A good night’s sleep is important!
Sardinia has many beautiful places, but nice accommodation can also make the camping experience much better.
That’s why you’ll find the addresses of two very popular campsites in Sardinia here.

Camping Village Tavolara: Close to the beach

• Rating: 4.2/ 5.0 (620 ratings)
• Address: Strada Statale 125a, 07020 Loiri Porto San Paolo (SS)
• Phone: +39 0789 40166
• Website: Camping Tavola

Camping Village Capo Ferrato: Sea view

• Rating: 4.6/ 5.0 (813 ratings)
• Address: Via delle Ginestre 12, 09043 Muravera
• Telephone (summer): +39 070 991012
• Telephone (winter): +39 070 885653
• Website: Camping Village Capo Ferrato

When is the best time to travel to Sardinia?

Sardinia has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers.
The average maximum temperature here is almost 30 °C and the island is one of the warmest areas in Italy.
The island boasts almost 300 days of sunshine per year.
July is the sunniest month on the island with 10.8 hours of sunshine.
The water temperature in the summer months from July to August is between 20 °C and 24 °C.
This is also the peak season when the island is most popular.
However, the water is usually warm enough for swimming even into October.
The coasts – especially the south-west coast – are particularly warm, while the mountains inland are often somewhat colder.
Here are the Sardinian weather conditions at a glance:

• Mediterranean climate with warm summers
• Summer temperature: almost 30 °C
• Water temperature: 20 °C to 24 °C

Whether it’s sunshine or rain, you can see the current weather conditions in Sardinia here:

To-do on the island: diving, hiking & swimming

Diving and swimming are among the most popular activities in the clear Mediterranean Sea around Sardinia.
But the interior of the country also offers plenty of scope for exploration.
Hiking, for example.
Tips for beginners and more can be found here:

• Vacation activities Sardinia

Questions and answers about Sardinia

Here are five frequently asked questions about camping in Sardinia.

What is Sardinia known for?

The Mediterranean island is particularly known for its long sandy beaches along the coast and breathtaking nature.
In addition to nature, there are beautiful towns to discover and explore.
These things attract many vacationers every year.

Is it expensive in Sardinia?

Of course, there are also popular hotspots in Sardinia.
Things can get a little more expensive there, but in everyday life, the island is not very expensive.

Where is the best place to stay in Sardinia?

The more luxurious area can be found around the Costa Smeralda north of Olbia.
However, you can usually find a nice campsite anywhere on the island.

When is the high season in Sardinia?

The island is mainly visited from July to August.
However, it is also particularly hot and dry during this time.
The thermometer often climbs to over 40° C during the day. This is when you can enjoy a real summer vacation.

How much does the ferry to Sardinia cost?

Some cheaper ferries from Livorno (Italian mainland) to Olbia (Sardinia) are available from just under 40 euros.
However, prices vary depending on the provider and duration of the journey and can rise in the high season.
Tip: You can find out more about the individual ferry connections above.

Camping in Italy and more destinations

In addition to Sardinia, the country of Italy offers you many other beautiful travel destinations.
Here you can find travel tips for Italy and the coastal region of Liguria.

Camping in Liguria: By ferry to the coast

You can reach the Liguria region on the east coast of Italy by ferry from Sardinia.
Or you can set off for Sardinia from Genoa, for example.
Liguria is also worth a visit, as it offers more beach options and famous hiking trails.
Find out more about the map, beaches and hiking trails in Liguria here:

• Camping in Liguria

Camping in Italy: Dolce Vita & beautiful vacation

The ferry takes you to the Italian mainland, where you can explore other beautiful places.
If you have plenty of time, you can visit some places in Italy by ferry from Sardinia or you can find a nice idea for a stopover on the Italian mainland on the way there.

• Camping in Italy