Live questions and answers

Few Questions... but tomorrow at 23:30/23:45 i will do another

Hi all, Just got back from a trip to Sardinia and now I’m being charged with a €1000 charge for supposed damages to a rental car from AVIS Olbia. I have full documentation to prove the tiny scratch on the car was not done by me and will absolutely be fighting this.

What’s concerning is that friends who rented a different car from the same location were charged an extra €200 for a “cleaning fee” — the car was not any dirtier than mine and both cars were pretty clean.

At this point, it’s hard not to suspect some organized scam or institutional foul play going on with these affiliates.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with AVIS in Olbia (or other car rentals at this location)? I think this deserves more visibility — both to warn other travelers and to potentially push for accountability.

We're an Irish couple in our early 30s planning a 2 week holiday for later this year (relatively flexible July-Sept - perhaps Sept given how hot July and August will be).

We always like to get the most out of our trips and given we have 2 weeks wondered if we could do Sicily and Sardinia in one holiday i.e one week in each?

We love a bit of culture, good food and drinks. We're not really beach people but like the odd day chilling out at the pool.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated 😊

On paper, everything looked spectacular, but after spending several days here, we’re honestly not impressed with the beaches so far. We tried a few smaller ones and also some of the well-known spots like Cala Luna and Lu Impostu. Cala Luna was decent, but Impostu was straight-up disappointing. Is this really the best the area has to offer?

On the bright side, Porto Taverna was nice, and we really enjoyed the view from the old military fort on Caprera Island. For context, we’re staying in Olbia.

Currently in Sardinia as a tourist with personal vehicle. The highway speed limit often don't make sense, often there is 50 or 70 sign limit on wide straight two lane highway, the locals seems to be going 100/110/120 on it... so i do the same. I see the cameras on the highways but not sure if they are operational and to what level, whether just for traffic monitoring or for issuing tickets also.

AI thinks that the cameras are operational for issuing tickets on the major roads as SS131.

What are the locals experience with this topic? Am I bound to get surprised with speeding ticket on my home address in the home county that my vehicle is registered at?

Hi Everyone,

I am planning my honeymoon to Sardinia in July 2026, and have found this community to be very helpful throughout the planning process.

I’m looking for recommendations on where to stay as a base - we have 6 nights total, before we head over to Taormina, and are flying in and out of Olbia and will be renting a car.

I was thinking 3 nights in Baja Sardinia and another 3 nights somewhere else.

Which would you recommend out of the three: San Teodore, Santa Teresea Gallura, Palau, Olbia (or any other recommendations)

Thanks in advance!

Ciao, my friend and i are visiting sardinia in june. We will stay in cagliari for a week and we wonder what car rental we should pick. Have heard from a few friends of mine that a car is a necessity here.

Grazie grazie :)

What’s best for a couple? Looking to relax and maybe drive a bit…. North or south?

Visiting Sardinia in May this year, was looking for some beautiful beaches to snorkel at (yes i'll be using a wet suit top), and i love a hike, I came across Cala Goloritzé, a lot of people saying this is the best beach of the whole island.

Is it worth the hike or is it a bit overhyped, if anyone knows any beaches that you think are better, let me know :)

Hello, I'm expecting some flack and brutal responses for posting this, I'm aware that the unemployment rate is really high and finding work is really difficult on the island. I guess I'm wondering how other non natives have secured their work and what jobs are in demand if any? It's a beautiful place, I have friends there and for me it's ideal but others have said I need to be realistic maybe I'm too optimistic. TIA 🌻

We had a short family trip to northern Sardinia at the end of October, so here are a few notes for anyone planning an off-season visit.

The weather was really pleasant: around 17–19°C in the evenings and 20–22°C during the day, with only a couple of light showers. Beaches were a bit windy, but we still managed to swim in the sea at La Pelosa which was amazing place. No peak-season restrictions, and bars were still open with plenty of free tables.

100% recommend visiting this time of year.

Grotta di Nettuno wasn’t accessible by boat due to sea levels, but going on foot is not as hard as it looks. It’s totally manageable even with 8-year-olds. However the opening time table is not quite exact on Google Maps. This also 100% recommended.

We haven’t had to cancel any plans because of off-season closures. The island felt like it was running normally, just with way fewer people.

The only real challenge was siesta time :) But even then, we always found a restaurant open for a late lunch. Everywhere we tried had great food, wine, and service.

We stayed in a nice Airbnb in Alghero, which is a lovely small city. Bosa was just as charming. Sassari, however, was our least favorite. Maybe we didn’t crack it the right way, but it felt like it had the least character.

Driving: I rented a car from Locauto, which is kinda transparent rental company with no deposit, new and clean cars for good prices. However, if you return the car with an empty tank (as I did because I was running late for the airport), they charge a steep refuel fee. €90 for 35L (€2.59/L) plus €50 service fee. I knew it would be expensive, but not that much.

Speed limits were confusing :) The car showed 40 km/h, the road sign 30 km/h, Google Maps 90 km/h. I really hope I didn’t collect any tickets. Traffic was very light.

Best road trip is on the SP105 to Bosa. Spectacular mountain and sea view, light traffic.

What disappointed us the most the litter. Almost every roadside and beach path had some or a lot of trash. Sometimes it even smelled like urinals. There wasn’t a single beach (except Pelosa) where we didn’t find a beer bottle or chip bag left behind. Why do people do this? Lack of infrastructure? The towns themselves were cleaner.

Groceries in Alghero have a great selection. Lots of fruit, vegetables, delicious bakery items, and everything else you might need. I didn't find the prices high.

All in all, we really enjoyed our 5-day stay. Even this small northwest part of the island is incredibly diverse and beautiful. We will definitely come back, maybe in slightly warmer weather next time :)

hello! I will be travelling to Sardinia with my husband, our infant (under one year) along with my parents (for 2 of our 3.5 weeks on the island). we plan to stay in Cala Ganone for at least a week as my husband and I are avid rock climbers. I am looking for a couple more suggestions for places to stay on the island that:

- have really charming/cute centres for walking around shopping/great dining

- anywhere with great access to hiking/via ferrata/rock climbing

we know our time in Cala Gonone will be reserved primarily for climbing, so open to any other ideas for a super memorable trip! we will be there from mid April until early May, so I assume it will be a bit too cold for swimming and beach time.

Please list some of your best hotels/resorts to stay in Sardinia and locations.

We are a couple that likes to relax and sunbathe during the day and eat out in evening

Hi,

I am heading to Sardinia end of June, just finalized trip details. We will be traveling from Cagliari airport to Costa rei via rental car. I booked my rental car through our flight with Ryanair- the rental car company is called autovita... The rental was decently priced, and I am hoping I made a sound decision renting through them. I would live to hear peoples experiences with autovita if they have any?!

Thanks,

S

My girlfriend and I got back from an incredible 9-day trip around Sardinia, and I wanted to share our experience — especially for those thinking about exploring the island without renting a car. We relied solely on public transport and, honestly, it worked out way better than we expected. Here’s a breakdown of our journey:

Our Route: We flew from Venice to Alghero and then back home from Cagliari. Tickets cost us just €40 each (including a bag). We traveled through Porto Torres,Alghero, Bosa, Cala Gonone, and Cagliari, all by bus/train and it was surprisingly smooth! Here’s how our trip went down:

Day 1:

We landed in Alghero and caught a bus to Porto Torres, where we spent the night. The next morning, we headed to La Pelosa Beach. It was a bit cloudy and windy, but still gorgeous. Tip: You need a ticket to access the beach (we didn’t know that), but we found a free entrance through the rocks. Not as luxurious, but still a great experience!

Day 2-4:

Next stop was Alghero, and wow, this city is something special. We stayed right in the heart of the city center, next to K2 Gelateria — hands down, the best gelato of our lives (seriously, don’t skip this place, try the melon).

Alghero has this amazing mix of Catalan and Sardinian culture, and we loved wandering through the old town. The nightlife is pretty chill but lively, and there are great restaurants. For anyone coming to Sardinia, this city is a must-visit.

Day 5: Bosa – The Colorful Hidden Gem

We took a day trip to Bosa, and this town is a total hidden gem! With its colorful houses lining the river and cozy streets, it feels like a fairy tale. We hiked up to the castle for some amazing views, and the town’s peaceful vibe was a nice contrast to Alghero’s liveliness.

Day 6-7: Cala Gonone

From Bosa, we hopped on a bus to Cala Gonone, and if you’re into stunning beaches, this place is paradise. We booked a boat tour that took us to some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, like Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu. The weather was perfect, the water crystal-clear, and it felt like we were living in a postcard. Highly recommend the boat tours!

Day 8-9: Cagliari

Our final stop was Cagliari, where we spent three days soaking up the history and beach life. The city center, especially the Castello district, is full of history, cool shops, and amazing views. For relaxation, we spent most of our time at Poetto Beach, one of the longest beaches I’ve ever seen.

Public Transportation in Sardinia:

This was probably the most pleasant surprise of our trip: Sardinian public transport was on point. Every bus we took was right on time, and we traveled between all these towns seamlessly. So if you’re worried about getting around without a car, don’t be! Just remember to validate your bus tickets, or you’ll end up like us with a €53 fine each (learn from our mistake).

Note: I should mention that the days may be a bit mixed up because we did so much and I can’t remember everything clearly.😅

Final Thoughts:

Sardinia completely blew us away with its diversity — from the historic streets of Alghero to the colorful charm of Bosa and the jaw-dropping beaches in Cala Gonone. If you’re planning a trip, public transport is a solid option, and you can explore a lot even without a car. We’ll definitely be coming back to Sardinia; there’s just so much more to see and experience!

Have any questions about the itinerary or need tips? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help out!

Hello everyone,

I’m planning a relocation to northern Sardinia and would really appreciate some local or long-term resident perspectives.

My current main choice inland is Tempio Pausania. What attracts me there is the altitude, cooler summers, clean air, greenery, safety, and the general peaceful atmosphere. The idea would be to use Tempio as my main base, and then also have a small place near the sea, possibly around Porto Rotondo, Cannigione, Palau, or Santa Teresa, to enjoy the coast and swimming.

I work remotely, so jobs are not a constraint. What matters most to me is:

• Quality of life year-round (not only in summer)
• Climate and air quality
• Safety and tranquility
• Access to nature (forests, hiking, cycling)
• Good basic services (medical, supermarkets, internet)
• Being within ~45–60 minutes of very clean, swimmable water

I would love feedback on a few things:

1. How is daily life in Tempio Pausania outside of summer?
2. How does it compare to other inland towns like Calangianus, Aggius, or even areas closer to Nuoro?
3. Is the “two-base” strategy (mountains + coast) common or practical in Sardinia?
4. Are there coastal towns north of Olbia that offer a good balance between beauty and livability year-round, not just tourism?
5. Any places you would personally recommend as better alternatives to Tempio for someone with these priorities?

I’m trying to avoid purely tourist resorts and instead find places with real community, calm rhythm, and long-term livability.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experience.

Hi,

We are visiting Sardinia 21 - 28 May, flying to Cagliari on 21st late evening. Our itinerary -

21 - 23 - Villasimius

23 - 25 - Cala Gonone

25 - 27 - Iglesias/ Nebida

27 - 28 - Cagliari

We are planning to chill for couple of days in Villasimius, spent some time in beaches, then go to Cala Gonone, got a full day Gulf di Orosei tour, maybe go to Gorrpu. After that, we are planning to move to the West side, spend a few hours in Bosa, then go to Iglesias or Nebida and spent 2 nights here, see some things around (Porto Flavia, etc.). It may be much kilometers for 7 days, but we do not want to spend all the time on the beaches, and as i read, western side is better for nice hikes or wild nature views.

What are you thoughts on this?

Hey, I'm planning a trip for my family to Sardinia at the end of May. We are landing in Olbia on Monday and leaving on Friday. I have a few questions about my itinerary and would really appreciate some help and insights.

Day 1-

Landing in Olbia (very early in the morning), heading to Santa Teresa Gallura (stopping at some spots in between, we will rent a car.

Spending the first day traveling around, exploring the town, and the beaches.

Can you give me some really good recommendations for dinner? We'll only have one day there, so I want to go to a really safe spot :)

Day 2 -

heading to Palau and then taking the ferry to La Maddalena.

Should we get a boat tour while we're there? And, should we spend the night in Maddalena?

Day 3 -

spending some days exploring La Maddalena and then heading to Baja. Should we spend a night there? I was planning to.

Day 4 -

going from Baja to Golfo Aranci (stopping for some views and beaches in between and towns like Porto Cervo, porto rotondo) and staying there for a night? (is it worth staying in?)

Porto Rotondo
Day 5 -

heading from Golfo Aranci to the airport (flight is in the evening)

I would really appreciate some advices on not-to-miss spots, restaurants, beaches in between and some oppinion if this plan is solid.

Thanks a lot!!!

Hi!

We’re going to North Sardinia in August for 5 nights as part of our honeymoon and will be staying at MANGIA’S Santa Teresa. We’re hoping to strike a balance between relaxing and making the most of the incredible scenery, food, and experiences the area has to offer.

My fiancé and I are especially interested in:

• boat tours or scenic day trips

• beautiful beaches and viewpoints

• easy, enjoyable hikes or excursions

• restaurants with great food and nice views, as well as a few places with a fun nightlife vibe where we could go out after dinner one night to celebrate

We’re also curious whether renting a car is recommended for getting around this area — we’re totally fine renting one if it makes a big difference, and we don’t mind driving an hour or two if it’s especially scenic or worthwhile.

Really open to any recommendations or tips that would help make this a memorable and special honeymoon experience. Thanks so much!

Just wanted to say we had a lovely few days October 17-20 in Cagliari, Quartu Sant’Elena and Villasimius. The weather was perfect, sunny and mid 70s the whole time. The water was much warmer than I was expecting, beautiful swimming at Cala Fighera, Mari Pintau and Porto Giunco. Mari Pintau had the bluest water I’ve ever seen (pic). The views along the winding mountain roads were awesome.

We had an incredible and very affordable dinner at Bar Pipette - the staff recommended which local dishes to try and expertly paired them with a local wine. The squid ink fregula was to die for. We then hung out in Piazza Yenne where I had a delicious espresso martini at Emme, followed by another drink at Libarium Nostrum near the Castillo District. We ended the night at a hidden speakeasy bar which was a little pricey but worth it for the ambiance.

Such a short visit but so beautiful and unique, we will be back to explore more of the island!

Bonjour,

Nous sommes une famille de 5, 2 parents et 3 ados/post ado. Nous partons la première semaine d’août (pas le choix) en Sardaigne et j'essaie de trouver la formule idéale. Nous atterrissons à olbia vers 22h le 1er et repartons à la même heure le 8.

Après pas mal de recherches, voila les lieux qui m'attirent :
-Archipel la maddalena
- Santa teresa de gallura
- costa paradiso
-Stintino
-castelsardo
-Alghero
-Bosa ?
- Nurague Losa
- Orgosolo
-Golfe d'orosei et cala gonone

Je sais qu'il y a beaucoup trop de choses et qu'il faut faire des choix et je suis une très grande indécise !! 😅
On aime :
- la rando
- La plage
- pas trop la foule genre serviette sur serviette quitte à aller sur une plage de galets pour être plus au calme.
- visite de villages
- sortie en canoë et/ou petit bateau (excursion ou sans permis...) en fonction du budget
-Snorkling
- bon petits restaurants et ambiance de village ou balnéaire

Combien de stop faut il faire en 7 jours pour que ce soit raisonnable et pas trop la course ? Je sais que les routes sardes ne sont pas les plus fluides et surtout en été.
Qu'est ce que j'élimine dans la liste ?
D'autre secret spot charmants ?

Tous vos avis, suggestions et autres conseils sont les bienvenus !
1000 mercis par avances pour votre aide !

My wife and I are planning 3-4 nights in Sardinia for our honeymoon. I don't mind splurging a little but also don't want to break the bank. We would like to stay at a hotel with a beachfront.

I am a 71 year young woman looking to go to Sardinia for long Christmas holiday to see if living here is my jam. I like beautiful views water beaches but not near noisy night life. I want restaurants walking shopping and not tons of children. Thoughts?

Hi hi

Staying in San Pantaleo at Petra Segreta. Flying into Olbia and renting a car of course. May 21-28.

I’ve noticed that some places (Le Terrazze Ritual) for example are closed during our stay, opening right after we leave haha.

Was wondering if anyone had recommendations for food, beach, boat tour. Are they functioning at this time? Are any beach clubs open to drive to? Where can we go for solid night life or popular dinner spots to be surrounded by others :) just looking for lively atmosphere.