Where to Stay in Sardinia: Best Areas, Villages and Types of Stays

Cagliari suits travelers without a car, since its port, bus station and railway station sit a few dozen yards apart. Alghero fits a beach stay with an old town, and Stintino puts you beside the Asinara marine protected area. The trip from Cagliari to Porto Torres covers about 143 miles (230 km) and takes over 4 hours, so the area you pick shapes how much of your stay goes to getting around.

At a glance

• First visit, no car: Cagliari, where the port, bus station and FS railway station are a few dozen yards (meters) apart
• On the beach: Alghero, with Le Bombarde and Mugoni
• Marine protected areas: Villasimius and Stintino
• Ferry to La Maddalena from Palau: about 20 minutes
• Ferry to San Pietro: about 30 minutes
• Cagliari to Porto Torres: about 143 miles (230 km), over 4 hours, about 13 euros second class

The best areas to stay in Sardinia

Cagliari: for travelers without a car

The port, the bus station and the FS railway station are a few dozen yards (meters) apart. You can arrive by sea, rail or road and be at your lodging quickly. Public transport on the island is mainly buses and trains. ARST bus lines connect almost all the island’s centers, with 175 licensed lines.

Alghero: for a beach stay with an old town

Alghero has beaches such as Le Bombarde and Mugoni. The town itself is fortified, with Catalan charm, paved alleys, Gothic churches and medieval towers. That makes it a base where you can swim by day and walk the old streets in the evening. The Consorzio lists accommodation facilities, agriturismi, campsites and villages.

Stintino: for the Asinara marine area

The Asinara marine protected area is at Stintino. Asinara National Park lies on the northwestern tip of Sardinia and has been a national park since 1997. Stay here if the park is the reason for your trip.

Villasimius: for the marine protected area

Villasimius is listed among the island’s marine protected areas. It suits a trip built around the sea. Check the regional listings for rooms, agriturismi and campsites.

Palau: for the ferry to La Maddalena

Ferries from Palau to La Maddalena take about 20 minutes. Sleeping in Palau puts the crossing at your doorstep, whether you visit La Maddalena for a day or move on from there.

Capoterra: for a stay near Cagliari

Capoterra is in the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, and its neighboring municipalities include Cagliari, Assemini, Uta and Sarroch. The local tourist tax applies to non-residents in accommodation facilities, short-term rentals included.

Barumini: for a nuragic day

Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a nuragic complex that has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1997. Staying nearby lets you see both without a long drive.

Where to stay in Sardinia with kids, as a couple or on a budget

• Beach and old town: Alghero · accommodation, agriturismi or campsites · Le Bombarde and Mugoni beaches
• Farm stay: an agriturismo · rooms on the farm or in the farmer’s home · small by rule, at most 6 rooms and 10 beds on farms of 10 hectares or less, and 12 rooms and 20 beds on larger ones
• Camping: campsites or agricamping on a farm’s open spaces · check the regional list of agriturismo operators, which is public
• Islands: Palau for La Maddalena in about 20 minutes, or the ferry to San Pietro in about 30 minutes

What is the best area to stay in Sardinia?

Sleep in Palau if you have an early ferry to La Maddalena. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, so you can leave your room and be on the water almost at once.

Hotel prices and when to book in Sardinia

Many municipalities charge a tourist tax, and the amount depends on the type of lodging. In Teulada, 1- and 2-star hotels, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes, short-term rentals and campsites pay €1.00, and 5-star hotels pay €2.00, per person per night.

Agriturismo farms are small, with room caps of 6 or 12 rooms, so book early for those. The Consorzio’s tourist information office does not make bookings. Reserve directly with the lodging, using the Consorzio’s lists or the public regional list of agriturismo operators.