Sicily vs Sardinia: Which Is Right for Your Trip?

Sicily suits a trip built around Greek theaters, temples and archaeological sites, while Sardinia suits a trip built around named beaches like Li Cossi and Cala Drappo.

At a glance

• Beaches in Sicily: Cefalù’s long beach, the Zingaro coves, Plemmirio entrance 23
• Beaches in Sardinia: Li Cossi, Cala Drappo, is Solinas, Asinara
• Ancient sites: Syracuse, Ortigia and Taormina, all in Sicily
• Small islands from Sicily: Aeolian, Egadi, Ustica, Pantelleria, Pelagie
• Ports in Sardinia: Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Porto Torres, Arbatax, Cagliari
• Palermo in August: high 89°F (32°C)

Should you choose Sicily or Sardinia?

Sicily suits travelers who like to walk through history. Syracuse has the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Grotticelle Necropolis, and Ortigia has the temple of Apollo. Taormina has its Greek-Roman theatre. The island also has marine parks and coves for swimming, such as Plemmirio and the Zingaro reserve.

Sardinia suits travelers who plan the trip around the sea. Li Cossi has fine golden sand among pink rocks, Cala Drappo is a half circle of pale stones and pebbles, and is Solinas is a stretch of white sand scented by juniper and Aleppo pines. Asinara adds soft-sand beaches and clear water.

The two islands also work as a pair, with Sicily for the sites and Sardinia for the beaches.

Which has better beaches, Sicily or Sardinia?

Is Solinas is white sand under juniper and pine scent. On Asinara, Cala dei Ponzesi, Cala Sabina and Cala Sant’Andrea have soft sand and clear water. Cagliari’s Park of the Rings adds green beaches as an alternative to sandy ones.

Sicily offers a different kind of beach day. Cefalù is a seaside town known for its long beach. The Zingaro coves, among them Cala Tonnarella, Cala dell’Uzzo and Cala Capreria, can be reached only on foot or by boat. At Plemmirio, entrance 23 has a free beach, and entrance 34 is at Punta Della Mola.

Which is busier, Sicily or Sardinia?

For a lively stay, look at the festivals. In Olbia, Sardinia, a festival brings shows and entertainment open to the public on the weekend, and its atmosphere involves the whole city for the entire week.

For a quiet stay, travel out of season. Visiting parks and reserves then reduces the impact on the local area. Green itineraries also lead to places often overlooked during the high season.

What is there to see in Sicily and Sardinia?

Sicily is rich in named sights. On Ortigia stand the temple of Apollo and the remains of the Temple of Athena. Taormina has the Teatro Greco Romano. Lipari has the Bernabo’ Brea archaeological museum. Further sites include Himera, Eraclea Minoa and Halaesa. The Plemmirio Marine Park stretches 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) around the Maddalena Peninsula, and its Zone B includes the Grotta delle Stalattiti.

Sardinia’s sights lean toward the coast. On Asinara, a shipwreck lies opposite the pier of Cala Reale. In Cagliari, the port opens straight onto the city center, with train and bus stations nearby.

Can you visit both Sicily and Sardinia on one trip?

On Sardinia, several ports take ships. Olbia’s Isola Bianca quay is a 5-minute walk from the seafront. Golfo Aranci is only 20 minutes from Olbia. At Porto Torres, ships can dock at the industrial quay (ASI quay), about 1 mile (1.5 km) west of the port. Arbatax is a typical fishing village port. From Cagliari port, you reach the city center directly.

On Sicily, ferries and hydrofoils leave Palermo for the Aeolian Islands and Ustica, and Trapani for Pantelleria and the Egadi Islands. Check the crossing times and the season for the route between the two islands before you book, and plan a few nights on each.

When is the best time to visit Sicily or Sardinia?

January highs reach 59°F (15°C), April 66°F (19°C) and May 73°F (23°C). Spring suits sightseeing at the theaters and archaeological areas without the summer heat.

July brings a high of 87°F (31°C) and August 89°F (32°C). Visiting parks and reserves out of season is kinder to the places themselves.