Sardinia Villas & Luxury Vacation Rentals

Italy is part of the Schengen area, so if you’re traveling within the area, you don’t need to show your passport. If you’re coming from outside the area, including from the US, Canada, or the UK, then you’ll have to show your passport upon entering the area.

If you’re flying in, Sardinia’s two main airports are Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG), which primarily services the southern part of the island, and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AFG), which services the northern part. Both are connected to international airlines, as well as to budget airlines within Europe.

Sardinia is also reachable by ferry, including from Genoa, Civitavecchia (near Rome), and Livorno and Piombo (both in Tuscany). These ferry rides can take several hours but are a scenic and relaxing way to reach Sardinia, especially as you approach the coast. If you’re travelling from Tuscany, you can expect a 2-5 hour ferry ride, depending on the route. From Genoa, it’s about 4-6 hours; from Rome, it’s about 5-8 hours.

Once you’re in Sardinia, you can get around by bus, taxi, private driver, or car rental. Trains are limited but they are available to get around the coastal part of the island. Renting a car is a popular option and driving around the island is relatively easy (and beautiful!). Taxis and private drivers can be more expensive than on the mainland but are a great way to get around as well.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can assist with airport transfers, car rentals, and private drivers.

If you want to maximize your time in the sun and in the water, then you’ll want to travel in the summer, from June to August. This is peak season in Sardinia, and also when prices and crowds are at their highest.

For many, shoulder season will be the best time to travel, especially from May-June and September-October. The water is usually still hot enough to swim in, the crowds are smaller, and you can find a great deal on a Sardinia villa rental.

Winter is low season across Sardinia, and any tourist-centred services, including some bars and restaurants, will shut down. Still, this is when you can find the absolute best deals across the island.

Sail the Coast: Thanks to its gorgeous coastline, great climate, and lush vegetation, Sardinia is one of Europe’s top sailing destinations, especially on its northeastern coast. Take advantage and charter a boat tour to discover this beautiful coastline for yourself while enjoying some of the beautiful beaches and great snorkelling that Sardinia is known for.

Visit Nuraghe Archeological Site: Dating back to the Bronze Age, the Nuraghe towers offer visitors a chance to experience Sardinia’s most ancient history. Not only are these some of the most impressive megaliths of that era, but they offer fascinating insight into Sardinia’s unique Nuragic civilization. Plus, they’re only about 50-100 km from Costa Smeralda, and the drive itself is very scenic.

Go Golfing: Sardinia is home to some beautiful golf courses, especially on the northeastern coast near Costa Smeralda. This includes the world-famous Pevero Golf Club and Is Molas Golf Club, both designed by Robert Trench Jones and known for their ocean-side locations and high-end facilities.

Sardinian cuisine benefits from both Mediterranean and North African influences, with a big focus on fresh, local ingredients.

Given its seaside location, it should come as no surprise that fresh seafood is a big deal here. You’ll also see a lot of pecorino cheese, made with sheep’s milk; porchetta, or slow-roasted pig; and culurigones, a type of stuffed pasta typically filled with meat, cheese, potatoes, and mint.

To drink, enjoy some mirto, a liqueur made from myrtle plant berries and served as a digestif.

And for dessert, try the seadas – a type of fried pastry filled with pecorino cheese and honey. Sardinian honey is especially well-regarded across Europe, so expect plenty of other desserts to use local honey as well.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can also arrange private chef service and villa pre-stocking on any Sardinian villa rental.

Sardinia benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm, clear summers and mild, rainy winters.

Summertime sees average temperatures vary between 25°C-30°C (77°F-86°F). Summer is also the driest season, especially on the northeastern coast, which only sees about 5-10 millimetres (0.2-0.4 inches) of rain per month. Sea temperatures at this time vary between 22°C-25°C (72°F-77°F), which is ideal for swimming.

By autumn, temperatures drop to between 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F). Rainfall increases significantly as autumn progresses, with overall rainfall varying between 30-60 millimetres (1.2-2.4 inches) per month. Sea temperatures at this time vary between 20°C-22°C (68°F-72°F), meaning it’s still comfortable enough to swim, especially in early autumn.

In the spring, average temperatures also vary between 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F). Showers are more frequent at this time but are typically short-lived. Expect about 20-60 millimetres (0.8-2.4 inches) of rain per month, usually falling in short showers. Water temperatures during the spring, meanwhile, vary between 15°C-18°C (59°F-64.4°F), meaning they are still good for boating and become more suitable for swimming in late spring.

Winter, lastly, sees average temperatures between 10°C-15°C (50°F-59°F). Winter is also the wettest month, with average rainfall between 70-75 millimetres (2.8-3.0 inches) per month. That said, quite a few days can still be mild and warm, even at the height of winter.