A First-Timer's Guide to Sardinia, Italy

25.09.2024 - 14:44 / matadornetwork.com

For Italians, Sardinia is synonymous with “Costa Smeralda” (Emerald Coast), the summer playground of the rich and famous. But the natural and cultural attractions of the second-largest island in the Mediterranean are available to many travelers, not just the glitterati who gather on their mega-yachts at Porto Cervo every August.

The lifestyle of Sardinia alone is an attraction, since people here live longer, healthier, and better lives than almost anywhere else. Some villages boast almost 10 times as many centenarians (people more than 100 years old) per capita than the US. It could be that the food has something to do with it, but the stunning ocean vistas, strong family ties, and cohesion of the unique community likely all contribute, too.

Here are the best places to go and sights to see in Sardinia, Italy, plus advice on when to go, where to stay, and regional specialties you definitely don’t want to miss.

The best way to get around Sardinia is by car, either driving yourself or by hiring a private driver. The distances are not huge, and it takes less than four hours to drive from Cagliari in the south to Santa Teresa Gallura in the north. Going from Oristano in the west to Tortoli in the east takes less than two hours. But the entire perimeter of the island is 1,149 miles, and it’s not a place to rush. You’ll want to allow enough time to linger on breathtaking seascapes, or stop for scrumptious meals.

The unique Carnevale celebrations of Barbagia start in January each year. Photo: Tore65/Shutterstock

The best time to go depends on what you want to do. Summer is ideal for beaches and water sports, but it’s also the most crowded and costly. Spring and fall are perfect for hiking, outdoor sports, and sightseeing. If folkloric traditions are your thing, aim for Christmas (December), Carnevale (February), and Easter (March or April) for special ceremonies and markets, religious and not.

Of particular note is the Carnevale celebration in Barbagia, in the heart of Sardinia. It begins its Carnevale celebrations each year on January 16 with the bonfires of Sant’Antonio Abate. “Su Karrasecare“(Carnevale in the Sardinian dialect) is closely tied to the area’s agro-pastoral traditions, with pagan roots different from anywhere else in Italy.

Throughout the year, every town has its ownsagra, or local food fair; you can find the schedule for most of them online. The wettest and rainiest month is November, and the coldest is January, with an average daily high and low of 58 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. But that also makes them the least crowded and most affordable.

Photo: Roman Babakin/Shutterstock

Cagliari is the largest city of Sardinia and the island’s major airport hub, but it feels uncongested, with