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Northern Sardinia completely surprised me. I expected beautiful beaches, but I didn’t expect this level of variety. One minute you’re on a wild, empty pebble beach, the next you’re standing in Caribbean-like water at La Pelosa, and then suddenly driving through dramatic mountain roads towards hidden coves you can only reach by boat.
Planning the perfect Northern Sardinia itinerary? This 8 day road trip takes you through the most beautiful beaches, hidden coves and charming towns in North Sardinia – from La Pelosa and La Maddalena to Cala Luna and Bosa. After doing this exact route ourselves, I’m sharing a complete day-by-day guide with tips on where to stay, where to eat and what’s actually worth it – so you can make the most of your trip.
Czech out my Sardinia beach guide here.
Northern Sardinia Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Alghero – La Pelosa – Castelsardo
- Day 2: Porto Istana – Olbia
- Day 3: La Maddalena boat trip
- Day 4: La Cinta & Berchida – Dorgali
- Day 5: Cala Luna & Gulf of Orosei
- Day 6: Tharros – S’Archittu – Bosa
- Day 7: Bosa – Alghero
- Day 8: Departure
Day 1 – Alghero Arrival, La Pelosa & Castelsardo Sunset
We landed at Alghero Airport, picked up our rental car and started the trip properly – straight to the beach.
First stop: Spiaggia La Frana
🚙 Drive duration: 39 minutes
Before heading to the famous beaches, we made a stop at La Frana and it was the perfect introduction to Sardinia.It’s a quiet, wild pebble beach with barely anyone around. No beach clubs, no crowds, just rugged coastline and crystal clear water. If you want that untouched Sardinia feel, don’t skip this. There is not much shade here, only in small caves under the cliff. You can park the car just above the beach and then make your way down, it is not easily accessible beach, but there are two routes, the one along the coast through the rocks is way easier than climbing up and down the cliff, trust me.
Next: La Pelosa Beach
🚙 Drive duration: 44 minutes
Then we drove to one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia – La Pelosa, the queen of the beaches. Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s organised. But the water here is unreal – shallow, calm and almost tropical in colour. It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, and it includes some spectacular ones in Africa, Caribbean and South East Asia.
Important things to know:
- Parking is around €20 for the day and fills up early, so if you arrive after 10am, you may need to park further down the road or wait for someone to leave
- Access to the main beach is limited during peak season – you’ll need to pre-book here
- Towels/mats are required to protect the sand
We actually chose to stay slightly further away from the main section and I’d recommend that, you don’t need any booking, neither to pay any fee. It was quieter, better for snorkelling and overall more relaxed. We then walked through the shallow water of La Pelosa to get to the main part of the beach.
La Pelosa is perfect for families as there are many facilities around and water is just shallow and perfect for some beach fun. You won’t find any shade here, so bring your parasol alternatively, you can pay for sunbeds and umbrellas on the main beach, but these goes very quickly, so I would recommend to book in advance and also count with higher cost depending on season ( €30+ ).
If you wanna stop for a drink or some snack on the way to Castelsardo, I recommend Silver Beach Bar in Platamona.
Evening in Castelsardo
🚙 Drive duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
We ended the day in Castelsardo, one of the most picturesque towns in Northern Sardinia. The colourful houses climbing up the hill towards the castle make it especially beautiful at sunset and getting lost in narrow streets of Old Town made it really special.
Where to eat & drink:
- Gelateria Dolce Borgo – for gelato
- Vento Lounge Bar – sunset aperitivo views
- Trattoria da Toti – relaxed local dinner
Where to stay:
- Janus Hotel – incredible views over the town and coastline
Day 2 – Porto Istana & Olbia
After breakfast, we drove towards Olbia, stopping at one of the most underrated beaches of the trip.
Porto Istana Beach
🚙 Drive duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
This beach has one of the best views in Sardinia, directly facing Tavolara Island. The water here is calm, shallow and perfect for swimming, with soft sand and enough space to avoid the crowds. There are three coves right next to each other, further you will go from the main parking lot, quieter it will get. There are few bars and shops here too.
Afternoon & Evening in Olbia
🚙 Drive duration: 20 minutes
Olbia itself is often overlooked, but the old town is actually really charming. We spent the evening just wandering, getting lost in narrow streets and stopping for food. There was an evening market with lot of nice stuff, just by the sea promenade.
Restaurant tip:
- Anticas Licanzias Bistro – one of our favourite meals of the trip
Where to stay:
- Jazz Hotel – modern, comfortable and perfectly located near the airport
Day 3 – La Maddalena Catamaran Tour from Palau
🚙 Drive duration: 45 minutes
This was one of the best days of the entire trip. Even though tours may be more on pricier side in Sardinia, especially in summer months, I would really recommend not skipping them, cause they are absolutely worth the money, especially this one.
We drove to Palau and booked a catamaran tour around the La Maddalena Archipelago and it was unforgettable.
What to expect:
- Multiple swimming and snorkelling stops
- Turquoise water that looks photoshopped
- Access to hidden coves
We also passed Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) – you can’t step on it anymore to protect the ecosystem, but even from a distance it’s stunning. And yes… I somehow ended up driving the catamaran, still not over it.
Tip: Book a smaller group boat if you can – it makes the experience so much more personal. This is the exact one we did and the crew was great, it felt like spending a day with friends.
After the tour
We drove back to Olbia for another night.
Where to eat in Palau:
- Il Ghiottone
- Gelato from Fiore di Maggio
Day 4 – Beach Hopping & Dorgali Stay
This was our beach-hopping day and a great contrast between busy and quiet Sardinia.
La Cinta Beach
🚙 Drive duration: 30 minutes
Long, white sandy beach with a nature reserve feel, you’ve got a natural pond, with flamingos if you are lucky, on one side and stunning blue hues of sea on the other.
It’s beautiful, but:
- It gets very busy and it is quiet narrow beach
- Expect a lively atmosphere
- No shade here, bring your own or rent an umbrella. We bought ours in the supermarket for €10 and gave it to people, who just arrived on our last day.
Berchida Beach
🚙 Drive duration: 55 minutes
Completely different vibe. Much quieter, more relaxed and ideal if you want space. This ended up being one of my favourite beaches of the trip. There is one shop and cafe just by the beach.
Drive to Dorgali
🚙 Drive duration: 1 hour
In the afternoon, we drove inland to Dorgali – a charming mountain town and perfect base for the next day.
Where to stay:
- Hotel Villa Cedrino – peaceful, scenic and great views
Dinner with a view:
- Chiosco Monte Longu – really tasty food but the setting overlooking Cala Gonone is incredible
Day 5 – Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu & Cala Goloritzé
🚙 Drive duration: 14 minutes
If there’s one day you absolutely cannot skip, it’s this one. From Cala Gonone, we took a dinghy cruise along the Gulf of Orosei, visiting some of the most famous beaches in Sardinia. This is very popular tour, everyone comes to Cala Gonone for this as you may see some of the most beautiful beaches of the whole world here, so make sure to book in advance, especially if you wanna do this on a particular day.
Beaches we visited:
- Cala Luna
- Cala Biriala
- Cala Mariolu
- Cala dei Gabbiani
- Cala Goloritzé
These beaches are only accessible by boat or very long hikes, which is why they feel so untouched. The snorkelling is amazing here, think dramatic cliffs, bright turquoise water, white pebbles and caves. At one point, I even spotted an octopus while snorkelling, easily one of the highlights.
Tip:
Again – choose a smaller boat if possible for a better, small group experience. This is the exact tour we did.
Afternoon drive to Oristano
🚙 Drive duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
After the boat trip, we drove to Oristano. It’s not as touristy as other towns, which made it feel more local and authentic.
Where to eat:
- Granma Pasta Garage – genuinely one of the best pasta dishes we had
Where to stay:
- Residenza d’Epoca Regina d’Arborea – beautiful and central
Day 6 – Capo San Marco, Tharros & Bosa Sunset
This day felt very different again – more history, fewer crowds and the most charming town I have ever seen.
San Giovanni di Sinis & Capo San Marco
🚙 Drive duration: 30 minutes
We explored the coastline and visited the archaeological site of Tharros. You’ve got ancient ruins right by the sea and a scenic tower viewpoint, plus many quiet beaches nearby to choose from. It can get very hot and windy here, so I would suggest to wear some head covering, especially during summer months.
We stopped at Kyma Beach Club after for a drink along the way, perfect little break.
Stop at S’Archittu
🚙 Drive duration: 44 minutes
Famous for its natural rock arch and if you’re lucky, you’ll see people jumping from it into the sea. And if you are brave, you can try to jump yourself.
Arrival in Bosa
🚙 Drive duration: 40 minutes
Bosa might be one of the most charming towns in Sardinia and the whole world. It is definetely the most charming place I have ever seen. Colourful houses, a river running through it and a castle overlooking everything. We timed it perfectly for sunset and watched it from Castello di Serravalle – easily one of the best views of the entire trip.
Where to eat:
Where to stay:
Day 7 – Bosa Morning & Alghero Old Town
We spent a slow morning in Bosa just wandering the streets, taking photos and enjoying the atmosphere. Then we drove back to Alghero.
Exploring Alghero
🚙 Drive duration: 55 minutes
Alghero has a completely different feel – a mix of Italian and Catalan influences. The old town is beautiful, full of cobbled streets and sea views from the city walls. The vibe is very relaxed here.
Where to eat:
Drinks:
Where to stay:
Day 8 – Beach or Departure
If you have time before your flight, squeeze in one last beach stop near Alghero. Otherwise… time to head home (and immediately start planning your return).
Here is the complete map for this itinerary, you can either start your journey in Alghero or from Olbia:
Where to Stay in Northern Sardinia
- Castelsardo: Janus Hotel
- Olbia: Jazz Hotel
- Dorgali: Hotel Villa Cedrino
- Oristano: Residenza d’Epoca Regina d’Arborea
- Bosa: Bosa Queen House
- Alghero: Hotel Domomea
Best Time to Visit Northern Sardinia
- May-June: best balance
- July-August: busy + expensive
- September: ideal
- October: quieter but still warm
Tips for Planning Your Northern Sardinia Road Trip
- Rent a car – absolutely essential
- Book popular beaches (like La Pelosa) in advance
- Mix famous spots with quieter beaches
- Choose smaller boat tours where possible
- Don’t underestimate driving times – roads can be slow and winding
How Much Does a Northern Sardinia Trip Cost?
Sardinia can be as budget or as boujee as you make it, but overall, Northern Sardinia sits somewhere in the mid-to-high range compared to other European destinations, especially in summer. We visited in the beginning of July, in the peak season.
Here’s what we realistically spent (and what you can expect):
🚗 Car Rental
You’ll 100% need a car for this itinerary.
- £30–£70 per day (depending on season and car type, we spend £39 per day for Fiat Panda)
- Fuel for 8 days: €80-€120
💡 Tip: Book early if travelling in peak season – prices rise quickly and availability drops and always book with free cancellation, but also keep checking closer to your travel dates, sometimes you may find some better deal.
🏖️ Beaches & Parking
Most beaches are free, but parking adds up.
- La Pelosa parking: ~€20 per day
- Other beaches: €5-€10 per day
- Some beaches require pre-booking (like La Pelosa main section)
💡 Tip: Arrive early to avoid both crowds and higher parking stress.
⛵ Boat Tours (Biggest Expense – but worth it)
Boat days were the highlight of the trip.
- La Maddalena catamaran: €80-€150 per person
- Gulf of Orosei boat tour (Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu): €50-€120 per person
💡 Tip: Smaller group tours cost more but are so worth it for the experience.
🏨 Accommodation
We stayed in a mix of mid-range hotels and boutique stays.
- Budget: £60-£100 per night
- Mid-range: £100-£180 per night
- Luxury: £200+ per night
💡 Prices increase significantly in July and August.
🍝 Food & Drinks
One of the best parts of Sardinia.
- Coffee: €1.50-€3
- Casual lunch: €10-€20
- Dinner: €20-€40 per person
- Aperitivo: €8-€15
💡 Tip: Smaller towns (like Bosa or Dorgali) are noticeably cheaper than coastal hotspots.
💰 Total Estimated Cost (Per Person for 8 Days)
- Budget trip: £700-£1,000
- Mid-range trip: £1,000-£1,600
- Luxury trip: £2,000+
Is Sardinia Worth the Cost?
Honestly – yes.
Between the beaches, boat trips and variety of landscapes, Northern Sardinia feels like multiple destinations in one. And while it’s not the cheapest European trip, it delivers serious value if you plan it right.
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Sardinia
Is 8 days enough for Northern Sardinia?
Yes, 8 days is enough to see the highlights of Northern Sardinia, including La Pelosa, La Maddalena, Cala Luna and Bosa, especially if you rent a car.
Is it better to fly to Alghero or Olbia?
Both work well. This itinerary starts in Alghero, but you can easily reverse it if flying into Olbia.
Do you need a car in Sardinia?
Yes, renting a car is essential to explore Northern Sardinia, especially for beaches and smaller towns.
What is the best time to visit Northern Sardinia?
May, June, September and early October are ideal for fewer crowds and great weather.
Sardinia is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype and I cannot wait to come back and explore the rest of the island. It’s not just about the beaches, it’s the contrast between them, the drives, the towns, the food, and those unexpected moments (like spotting an octopus or steering a catamaran). This itinerary gives you a bit of everything – without feeling rushed.
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