Camping Sardinia

The island of Sardinia, being the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily, greets its guests with a breathtakingly diverse and colourful landscape, mountainous scenery, and turquoise blue sea. Sardinia is packed full of peculiarities and unsolved mysteries. They can remain hidden from tourists unless you get into a conversation with the locals or explore the area yourself. The ancient cities, full of historical monuments, will captivate you, revealing layers of Italian and Sardinian history.

Find your perfect holiday home or just stroll around the island of charm. Discover here the best things to do in Sardinia, from its pristine beaches to its ancient festivals and traditions to its archaeological ruins.

Sardinia is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia and immediately south of the French island of Corsica. The capital of the region of Sardinia—and its largest city is Cagliari. Surrounded by breathtaking national parks full of diverse landscapes and stunning white-sand beaches, the island is washed by the blue waters of the sea. To the west of Sardinia is the Sea of Sardinia, a unit of the Mediterranean Sea; to Sardinia's east is the Tyrrhenian Sea, which is also an element of the Mediterranean Sea. The sea is a blessing: apart from being a great tourist resource, it’s also a source of life, food, and the bearer of mild weather conditions all year long.

To the north of Sardinia sits the slightly smaller island of Corsica. It is divided into four provinces and a metropolitan city: South Sardinia, Nuoro, Sassari, Oristano, and the Metropolitan City of Cagliari.

With Sardinia being at the centre of the Mediterranean, it always attracted the outcasts’ attention. The area was taken over by the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, and the Romans after 1000BC. Even though the territory was occupied by different invaders, they brought new methods of agriculture, established towns, and infrastructure to the island. A little later, Sardinia went into the Aragonese hands and became a part of united Italy in the 19th century. After WW II, the island was granted autonomy over regional infrastructure and continued to grow until this day, becoming a splendid holiday destination. 

The most obvious starting point for discovering Sardinia is Cagliari, the largest and capital city of the region. Its wonderful beaches and four historic districts (Castello, Villanova, Stampace, and Marina) will immerse you in the culture of its noble palaces, historical landmarks, local cafes, small family shops, and cosy wineries. Alghero is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in Sardinia. Do not miss its unique old town, full of colourful houses, narrow pebbled streets and secret courtyards. Take your family for a picnic in Porto Conte Regional Park and visit the outstanding Neptun Caves. 

Olbia is a modern city in continuous expansion. This is truly a gem of Costa Smeralda, one of the most exclusive holiday destinations in the world, offering the most scenic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Located right in the middle of the Gulf of Asinara, sits Castelsardo, a picturesque medieval village opening up to the most magnificent panoramic views. If you are looking for a relaxing walk in a beautiful town, go to Bosa, one of the Mediterranean Sea coastline towns, located right on the banks of the Temo River. It is located close to Alghero, so you can take a day trip and visit both of the cities at once.

Located in a perfect position, right next to the capital city, Pula is one of the most important tourist towns in Sardinia. It is small but definitely one of the most charming places on the island. Visit their historical old town with the beautiful Church of Sant’Efisio, the archaeological site of Nora and the fascinating beaches of Santa Margherita di Pula. When looking for beach experiences, Stintino must be one of the main locations to travel to. The most popular beach is La Pelosa. If you love white sand beaches and turquoise water, this will be your personal holiday oasis! However, if you are looking for a more tranquil place to splash in the sea, head to Le Saline or Ezzi Mannu. This is also a perfect place for watersports enthusiasts and dolphin watching. 

Orgosolo is famous for the many murals scattered around town, and that makes it look like an open-air museum. And finally, check out Calasetta, one of the most charming cities in Sardinia. The town is breathtaking – white buildings, colourful balconies, flowers, and narrow pebbled streets make it simply picture-perfect.

1. Costa Smeralda

From the port town of Olbia to the tip of Capo de Testa, some of the world's most beautiful beaches are located. The Emerald Coast beaches are hidden in small bays, stretching for kilometres and covered in white sand. They will take you on the most pleasantly unforgettable holiday. Visit small resort villages along the coast and discover their unique and varied nature. Get immersed in your own personal paradise here.

2. The Nuraghi Valley

Nuraghi are ancient megalithic edifices found in Sardinia, developed during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 B.C. The Nuraghi Valley is an area of Logudoro, in the southern part of the province of Sassari. As the name implies, there are many nuraghi and historical-archaeological sites here. You will definitely be able to spot a lot of those while exploring the island of Sardinia, but the valley is no less fascinating.

3. La Maddalena Archipelago

The Maddalena Island Ensemble is actually one of the biggest national parks on the island. Discover the most untouched parts of Sardinia and explore the seven major islands: La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, and Razzoli. Usually, the best way to get around is by car, as the islands do not have public transport and are too big to travel around by bike. Cala Francese will fascinate you with its pink granite rocks, and Spiaggia del Cardellino will be appreciated by those seeking tranquillity.

4. Barbagia

It is a cultural and natural region contained, for the most part, in the province of Nuoro and located alongside the Gennargentu massif. The area is one of the least populated in Europe, full of hard hills and mountains, and offers an unspoilt, breathtaking setting. This is where you will feel the real touch of Mediterranean nature and its beautiful ancient villages.

5. Grotta di Nettuno

Neptune’s Cave is one of the largest marine caves in Italy and one of the most captivating gems of nature in the Mediterranean. The cave was formed about two million years ago. Inside, you will see rooms with astounding karst formations, a white sandy beach and a huge underground lake.

1. Explore the Roman city of Tharros

Tharros was a city founded by Phoenicians in the VIII century BC with a Punic-Phoenician sanctuary with no ceiling where people's ashes were buried. You can still see the Tophet and the civic museum of "Giovanni Marongiu di Cabras" nearby. Come and discover the inherent part of Sardinia right on the northern coastline of the island.

2. Sail around the island

With Sardinia being surrounded by turquoise Mediterranean waters, one of the main attractions here is sailing along the island’s coast. Rent a boat or join an excursion and discover the little bays, scenic capes, hidden beaches, and small neighbouring islands all around Sardinia.

3. Practice all the water sports

When staying in Sardinia, you will be able to enjoy all the possible water sports activities. The island is home to some of the best surfing spots in Europe. It is also a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Some of the companies offer SUP expeditions. And diving should be a part of your list too, as places such as Capo Carbonara and Carloforte are more than perfect for exploring the ocean.

4. Explore the castles

The island of Sardinia unfolds layers of ancient history and introduces all of its visitors to a number of different castles located on the cliffs, small villages and the largest cities. Bosa and Castelsardo are the main ones attracting tourists, but Acquafredda castle, in Siliqua, is worth a visit as it opens up a panoramic view all the way to Caligari. And do not miss the Castello di San Michele in Cagliari, a former defensive structure of the capital city.

5. Discover the countryside's churches

Many of the ancient castles are scattered all around the island. Rent a car and drive around the small, charming villages, spotting the tiny churches. Santa Maria di Sibiola is a Romanic church dating back to the 11th century in Serdiana, around a 20-minute drive from Cagliari.

Sardinian gastronomy is quite distant from the rest of Italian cuisine. It varies in different regions of the island and involves seafood, vegetables, meat, exclusive spices, and fresh tastes. In the mountainous and inland areas, meals usually involve meats and cheeses, while along the coasts and on the smaller islands, Sardinians cook their best seafood dishes.

Pardulas are small pies filled with ricotta, saffron, and lemon. Although it was originally an Easter dessert, it is perfect for breakfast and can be found in almost any bakery. Look for an equally tasty variation called "casadinas" made with young pecorino Sardo instead of ricotta. 

Fregola is a unique Sardinian pasta that’s similar to couscous and the preparation is similar to risotto. It is most often served with Sardinian clams and a sprinkle of the bottarga. Pair it with a glass of fine Italian wine.

Sardinian people have been preparing snails for a really long time. It is usually cooked in a spicy tomato sauce or sauteed with oil, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs. 

Bottarga is popular not only in Sardinia but also in the whole Mediterranean. Made of dried mullet fish roe, it’s grated over anything from pasta to asparagus to raw artichokes, or served on its own, sliced into big fat chunks and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. 

Pani Cifraxiu is a bread baked in a wood oven, and it’s the perfect kind of bread to prepare bruschetta, slices of bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil, often topped with tomatoes and herbs, and usually served as an appetizer.

Probably one of the most popular excursions in Sardinia is a boat tour of the Maddalena Archipelago. Flow around the dozens of smaller and larger islands, white sand beaches, small bays, and capes. You will be fascinated by the unspoiled nature of the area and the most popular tourist destinations are surrounded by turquoise-blue waters, introducing you to the lush greenery of the island. And do not miss the Saline Regional Park, an ample urban wetland with fresh and saltwater ponds, diverse bird species, paths, and bike rentals.

When travelling around Sardinia, you will inevitably spot some of the strange ancient constructions called nuraghi, which are ancient megalithic edifices. Take a tour and discover the diversity of the timeworn structures and uncover the mysteries of the island. There are multiple different archaeological areas to discover, such as the Ancient City of Nora, the Nuragic Village of Tiscali, and the Roman Amphitheater in Cagliari. City tours in Cagliari, Sassari, Olbia, and others.

If you are done with sightseeing and exploring the island of Sardinia, get ready for some adrenaline-filled experiences in the amusement parks. The biggest waterparks are Aquafantasy in Isola Rossa, Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola and Water Paradise in Eden Beach. A day at Sardegna in Miniatura Park is a great option to spend a day with your little ones, as the park is full of various attractions and theme parks of great interest.

Markets in Sardinia are diverse and colourful, offering loads of regional specialities, local arts and culture, as well as varied gastronomy and souvenirs. Locals sell their baskets made out of rush, willow, and dwarf pine leaves. Ceramics are part of the history of Sardinia and are often painted in blue on white, giving them a Greek flavour. 

One of the main markets is the San Benedetto market in Cagliari, often noisy, busy, colourful, and lots of fun, offering fresh vegetables and fruits, cheese, seafood, and the tastiest olives. And do not miss the Mercato Civico di Sant’Elia, open only on Sundays but inviting you to the oasis of local goods located in Via Raimondo Carta Raspi. The market is famous for its ridiculous number of different types of cheeses, including caglio di capretto, salted ricotta affumicata, smoked hard cheeses, and dozens of others that can be paired with white wines or local mountain honey.

1. The Festival of Sant’Efisio

The festival takes place in the capital city of Cagliari on the first of May and lasts for four days. It celebrates the saint who saved Cagliari’s people during a tremendously devastating plague in the 17th century. The first of May also marks the Sardinian day of Thanksgiving.

2. Sa Sartiglia

The festival takes place each year in the central-western city of Oristano and invites you to a feast of medieval flavour and theatrical spirit. The streets of Oristano are blooming with a variety of colours, traditional masks and costumes. The most fun part of Sa Sartiglia is the horse race to catch the star hanging in the middle of the street with a spear!

3. Girotonno Food Festival

At the very end of May each year, during the transition from May to June, there is a four-day food festival called the Girotonno, definitely one of the best food feasts in Sardinia. It takes place on a tiny island called San Pietro, and the program of the festival involves a tuna cuisine competition. You will be fascinated by the live cooking shows, music, and meet and greet events. And if you are a seafood lover, this festival is just right for you.

The variety of campsites in Sardinia is infinite and they offer all kinds of accommodation, from cosy tipis to well-furnished mobile homes, from modern apartments to spacious lodges. Even those travelling with RVs will be able to settle on a pitch opening up to Mediterranean waters. Most of the rental units are equipped with comfortable beds, terraces with outdoor furniture, and more exclusive accommodations have kitchenettes, dining areas, and private bathrooms with toilets and hot showers. Most of the camping villages have their own qualified animation team, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds, and an on-site restaurant or snack bar. You will easily find a place to settle with your four-legged friend, too!

As Italy and the neighbouring islands of Sardinia and Corsica are one of the main tourist destinations in the world, the accommodation facilities are developed quite well. You will find a place to stretch your legs after a long day in an RV with no difficulty. Most of the camper places offer slots with electricity, grey water points, water supplies, or even an SAT-TV connection. Some of the spots have private sanitary facilities, but usually, there are clean and modern shared bathrooms with toilets and hot showers. You will have no problem travelling with small children as they have baby areas. Everything you need for a well-deserved rest on the Mediterranean coast.

If you are keen on more exclusive rest in the most beautiful places on the island, there are many glamping possibilities. The venues offer modern and spacious holiday rentals, as well as restaurants with the most delicious foods and the best Italian wines.

Holiday parks in Sardinia are big and convenient, offering many different options for accommodation and leisure activities. Most of them have enormous pool complexes with water parks and playgrounds for small children. You can rest in their spas, beauty centres, and wellness areas, play tennis, golf, football, beach volleyball, and many more. Holiday villages have a broad day and evening entertainment program with cabarets, live shows, karaoke, and concerts. Some of the parks have dog areas with trainers, off-leash areas, and games.