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10 Must-Do Activities in Sardinia

10 Must-Do Activities in Sardinia

With its paradise beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and crystal-clear waters, Sardinia’s reputation speaks for itself! Here, we are sharing the must-do activities to make the most of your trip.

Sardinia is an Italian island with many advantages. First, it’s easily accessible—just a few hours by plane from France, and all you need to enter is your ID card. But that's not all! Sardinia is an exceptional island with diverse landscapes! Of course, there are stunning beaches with turquoise waters, but Sardinia is also full of nature, rugged terrain, and lush greenery. An environment that will captivate many travelers, that's for sure!

Simon and I traveled there in October 2024. It was the end of the peak season so the weather could be a bit unpredictable... But since it’s an island, the weather changes quickly (to our delight, rainy and foggy days didn’t last long).

What made our trip truly exceptional was the range of activities we did, both free and paid. Now, we have to share them with you so your trip can be just as amazing and you can enjoy it to the fullest!

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1. Experience La Dolce Vita and Sardinia’s Stunning Beaches

Sardinia is all about beaches, sunshine, and relaxation! This island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, so it would be a shame to visit without enjoying them.

Of course, you’ll find beaches all along the coast, no matter where you stay, but here are our favorites ❤️:

And our top picks in the La Maddalena Archipelago:

However, we were a bit disappointed with these beaches:

  • Spiaggia La Pelosa : a very famous and beautiful beach, but it has become a victim of its own success and therefore is extremely crowded in peak season and requires an entrance fee, which takes away much of its charm…
  • Cala Coticcio : also known ad “Little Tahiti”, this is said to be $the most beautiful beach in Sardinia. BUT you can only access it with a guide, which costs €25 per person (must be booked in advance), plus an environmental tax of €3 per person. So we decided to skip it, since drones are not allowed on the beach. We found the restrictions quite inconvenient.
    You can find more information about the hike and the beach on the official website of La Maddalena National Park, as well as the official list of authorized environmental hiking guides you can contact (by email or phone) before your visit.

2. Take a Catamaran Excursion Around La Maddalena

Excursion en catamaran avec Zefiro Experience dans l'archipel de La Maddalena
Catamaran excursion with Zefiro Experience in La Maddalena archipelago - ©Foxtrotteurs

La Maddalena is not just an island in Sardinia—it’s also an archipelago. It consists of 7 main islands, including La Maddalena, which is the largest, as well as over 50 small natural islets.

Except for La Maddalena, there are no towns and villages on these islands and islets, which makes them beautifully preserved natural spots. The best way to explore them? A day at sea! This is how you’ll truly experience the stunning landscapes and incredible beaches of the archipelago.

We opted for a catamaran excursion with Zefiro Experience and we can't recommend it enough! It was an unforgettable day with an incredibly attentive crew! 😍

Beyond the crystal-clear waters, the secluded coves we stopped at, and the stunning views, we were treated to:

  • Breakfast
  • Aperitif and a traditional Sardinian lunch
  • Afternoon snack
  • Unlimited drinks

We even got to use their paddleboards, masks, and snorkels—they really thought of everything!

Between the sunshine, the snorkeling sessions and the amazing discoveries, it was a perfectly packed day—absolutely fantastic!

I book my day trip with Zefiro Experience

➡️ Excursions are limited to 12 people and depart from La Maddalena (on the archipelago) or Palau (on Sardinia’s main island).

Also read:

3. Rent a Boat Without a License to Explore the Gulf of Orosei

Bateau sans permis dans le Golfe d'Orosei
Boat without a license in the Gulf of Orosei - ©Foxtrotteurs

We are staying on the theme of boat excursions, but this time in a different location. Here, we’re talking about exploring the Gulf of Orosei and its stunning beaches along the east coast.

To do this, you have several options, ranging from the most affordable—a simple boat transfer—to chartering a yacht, and passing by booking an excursion or a cruise, or even renting a boat without a license.

➡️ You can find and book all these options directly on GetYourGuide:

Powered by GetYourGuide

For our trip, we chose to rent a boat without a license. This is probably the best option if you want to explore the Gulf of Orosei at your own pace and with complete independence—especially if there are two or more of you. It’s absolutely worth it (both for the experience and the cost).

Due to uncertain weather conditions, we booked our boat the day before, which meant there were very few options left among the rental companies… But we still managed to find one on the Freedome platform for €140 (plus an additional fuel cost of about €30 at the end of the day).

Rent a boat without a license to discover the Gulf of Orosei

4. Go on a Sea Kayaking Adventure

A more peaceful and quiet, yet more physically demanding, alternative to boat trips is kayaking along Sardinia’s stunning coastline.

You can find kayaking excursions all over Sardinia, including La Maddalena Archipelago and Gulf of Aranci (in the North), Gulf of Orosei (in the East), and around Cagliari (in the South):

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5. Go Snorkeling

Snorkeling à la Spiaggia di Mari Pintau
Snorkeling at Spiaggia di Mari Pintau - ©Foxtrotteurs

To wrap up our section on ocean activities, let’s talk about snorkeling.

In Sardinia, the water is so clear that snorkeling is a must! Putting on a mask and snorkel to explore this vast underwater world quickly became one of our favorite activities while visiting the island’s beaches.

Sure, it’s not quite the Great Barrier Reef, and you won’t be surrounded by thousands of colorful fish, but it’s still fascinating to watch schools of fish swim past!

To avoid having to rent equipment at every beach, we decided to buy masks and snorkels at Decathlon, right next to Olbia airport, as soon as we arrived. It was the best €20 investment of our trip!

❤️ Here are our favorite snorkeling spots:

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6. Visit Neptune’s Cave

Sardinia has several impressive caves, and we had planned to visit Neptune Caves, in the northwest of the island, near Alghero. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, the cave was closed during our visit… A little disappointing, but also a good excuse to return to Sardinia in the future!

Another fascinating cave is Grotta del Bue Marino (which translates to the "Sea Ox Cave"), in the Gulf of Orosei—it looks like it’s well worth a visit.

➡️ Here are some excursions idea just below:

Powered by GetYourGuide

Otherwise, for Neptune’s Cave, can find all the booking details on the official website: grottadinettuno.it
However, we have to admit that the booking process is a bit confusing, so we’re also linking the website to book your tickets: algheroexperience.it

⚠️ Make sure to read everything carefully! You’ll need to book:

  • 1 ticket to access to the cave.
    • If you arrive by car, this ticket is free (but still mandatory) and is called a "reservation."
    • If you arrive by boat, you’ll need to book your ferry ride from Alghero. More details here.
  • 1 “ticket” to visit the cave itself.
    This ticket is €14 per adult and €10 per child (under 14 years old).

Good luck with the booking, and most importantly—enjoy your visit! 😉

7. Explore the Impressive Rock Formations of Capo Testa

Capo Testa
Capo Testa - ©Foxtrotteurs

Sardinia is full of stunning rock formations! Many beaches resemble the Seychelles (or Corsica) with their huge granit rocks, creating a landscape unlike anything you’d find in France.

Some of the best beaches with unique rock formations include:

However, the ultimate rock destination is Capo Testa. , located in Valle della Luna.

Capo Testa is a paradise for rock lovers. This peninsula offers a natural playground for all ages, making it the perfect place to hike, climb, and admire the breathtaking landscapes sculpted by time, wind, and water erosion.

We highly recommend spending a few hours exploring Capo Testa, getting lost among the giant boulders, and soaking in the otherworldly scenery.

Also read:

8. Swim in Natural Pools

Piscine naturelle di S’Ogliu Ermanu
Natural pool of S'Ogliu Ermanu - ©Foxtrotteurs

Sardinia is famous for its stunning beaches, but the island also has some beautiful natural pools hidden in the forest. A bit remote and only accessible by car and then on foot, these pools are not not always easy to find—but at least, that means you can enjoy them without the crowds!

During our stay, we discovered two of them:

Keep in mind that the water in these natural pools remain cold, even in summer, and rarely exceeds 15°C. At least it's refreshing!

9. Go Rock Climbing

Sardinia is a great destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. The island’s landscapes are perfect for climbing, with many scenic and unique climbing spots offering spectacular views.

You can find a list of all the best climbing locations here: climbingaway.fr
Also, check out the Instagram stories in highlights of our friends at Explore à Perte de Vue, who climbed here in April 2024.

➡️ And if you’re not bringing your own climbing gear but still want to try rock climbing, we recommend these guided climbing experiences:

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10. Hike Down One of Europe’s Largest Canyons

Gola di Gorropu
Gola di Gorropu - ©Foxtrotteurs

The final activity on our list is descending into one of Europe’s largest canyons.
This canyon, called Gola di Gorropu, features cliffs over 500 meters high.

Located in the Supramonte mountain range, west of the Gulf of Orosei, these massive limestone cliffs can be explored via a challenging but rewarding hike.

There are two main trails leading to the canyon:

  • A relatively easy and flat one, 12km round-trip with 200m elevating gain which runs along the Flumineddu stream.
    It takes about 4 hours round-trip, excluding the time spent in the canyon.
    Parking and starting point of the hike: Parcheggio Tiscali - S'Abba Arva
  • A more difficult one, but more scenic, with 8km round-trip and 650m elevation gain.
    With Simon, we chose this option and took 1h15 for the descent and 2h20 to hike back up, to the car park.
    Parking and starting point of the hike: Bar Silana

Once down the canyon, you’ll need to pay a €6 entrance fee per person (cash only). The canyon is open from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (so if you arrive before or after, you can enter for free). We recommand to plan at least an hour exploring the site.

The trail inside the canyon is divided into two sections:

  • First section, of about 1km, accessible to all, and itself divided into 2:
    • At the beginning, there is a green path, rather easy and suitable for everyone,
    • Then the path turns yellow, you have to climb on the rocks to move forward and that requires a bit of dexterity.
  • Second section (red path), which is only accessible with a guide (therefore we weren't able to do this one).

As you can see, you can explore the canyon independently or with a guide.
If you don’t want to hike or prefer an easier option, you can book a Jeep transfer (one way or round-trip) to reduce the effort required.

For the more adventurous, rock climbing and even canyoning are possible inside the canyon and in the surrounding gorges!

➡️ Here are some links to book these activities:

Powered by GetYourGuide

Here you go, a complete list of must-do activities in Sardinia! It would be a shame to miss out on these incredible experiences! We hope this article helps you plan your trip and that it turns out to be truly unforgettable!

If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, you can do so here:

Find the cheapest flight to Sardinia

And of course, feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments to help fellow travelers! 😉

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Our tips

1️⃣ Renting a car upon arrival at the airport is the most practical way to get around the island, as Sardinia is quite large. You can find the best prices on DiscoverCars.

The website compares hundreds of rental companies to propose the best rental, with no hidden fees and the best guarantees.

2️⃣ A road trip in a campervan or motorhome is also a great option! It’s a fun and flexible way to explore, especially if you find beautiful spots near the beaches. Be sure to download Park4Night to help you find the best locations.

3️⃣ For Bau Mela’s natural pool, we recommend going late morning or in the afternoon to catch the sunlight. We went around 10 AM, and the canyon was completely in the shade, which didn’t really motivate us to go for a swim!

Crédit photo : Foxtrotteurs et Unsplash

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