Sardinia · Italy

Where to Stay in Sardinia 2026 | Best Areas + Hotel Map

Sardinia's accommodation ranges from billionaire-level Costa Smeralda resorts to rustic agriturismi where a night costs less than a Costa Smeralda cocktail. The island is large (24,090 km²) so choosing the right base matters more than in a city destination. Most first-time visitors split between two areas—typically Cagliari/south for 2–3 nights and the northeast for the rest.

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Editor's Pick for First-Timers

Cagliari + Northeast split

Start in Cagliari (2–3 nights) for culture, southern beaches, and Su Nuraxi day trip. Then drive north to the Cala Gonone or Costa Smeralda area for beaches and boat trips. Covers the island's diversity without constant driving.

First-Timers & Culture

Cagliari

Luxury Beach

Costa Smeralda

Nature & Adventure

Cala Gonone

Charm & History

Alghero

Quick Guide: Best Areas

Cagliari: Capital city, hilltop old town, museums, seafood, urban beach, nightlife

Costa Smeralda / Olbia: Luxury beach clubs, emerald waters, celebrity scene, superyachts

Cala Gonone / Gulf of Orosei: Pristine cove beaches, boat trips, hiking, Supramonte mountains

Alghero: Catalan old town, sea walls, coral jewelry, Neptune's Grotto, wine country

Things to Know

• Booking Costa Smeralda in August without advance planning—prices triple and availability vanishes
• Staying in one place for a full week means missing most of the island—move at least once
• Some very remote agriturismi have no mobile signal—check if this matters to you
• Many coastal hotels and Costa Smeralda resorts are seasonal (closed roughly Nov–Mar/Apr)—verify opening dates before booking for shoulder season

Understanding Sardinia Geography

Sardinia is the Mediterranean's second-largest island. The south centers on the capital Cagliari with its airport (CAG). The glamorous northeast (Costa Smeralda) is served by Olbia airport (OLB). The northwest has Alghero airport (AHO). The wild east coast (Gulf of Orosei) sits between them with no nearby airport. The mountainous interior (Barbagia) is sparsely populated.

Main Districts South: Cagliari (capital), Chia/Villasimius (beaches). Northeast: Costa Smeralda/Porto Cervo (luxury), Olbia (gateway). East: Cala Gonone/Dorgali (coves/hiking). Northwest: Alghero (Catalan charm), Stintino (beaches). Interior: Barbagia/Nuoro (culture, nuraghi, wine).

Neighborhood Overview

Explore different areas by price range. Click a neighborhood to learn more.

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Accommodation Map

Check availability and prices across Booking.com, Vrbo, and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Sardinia

Cagliari

Best for: Capital city, hilltop old town, museums, seafood, urban beach, nightlife

$59+ $118+ $294+

Mid-range

First-timers Culture Foodies Nightlife

"Elegant Mediterranean capital with hilltop charm"

Base for southern Sardinia

Nearest Stations

Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG)

Attractions

Castello quarter Museo Archeologico Poetto Beach Mercato San Benedetto

7.5

Transit

Moderate noise

Very safe city. Normal urban awareness applies.

Pros

Best restaurants on the island
Airport proximity
Cultural attractions

Cons

City rather than beach vibe
Far from northeast beaches
Traffic in summer

Costa Smeralda / Olbia

Best for: Luxury beach clubs, emerald waters, celebrity scene, superyachts

$94+ $212+ $706+

Luxury

Luxury Beach Couples Nightlife

"Exclusive and glamorous with emerald waters"

Car essential, 30 min to Olbia airport

Nearest Stations

Olbia Airport (OLB)

Attractions

Porto Cervo Spiaggia del Principe La Maddalena ferry San Pantaleo village

Transit

Low noise

Extremely safe. Affluent resort area.

Pros

Most beautiful beaches
Luxury hotels
Ferry to La Maddalena

Cons

Very expensive in July–August
Crowded peak season
Little cultural depth

Cala Gonone / Gulf of Orosei

Best for: Pristine cove beaches, boat trips, hiking, Supramonte mountains

$53+ $106+ $235+

Mid-range

Nature Adventure Hiking Couples

"Dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and outdoor adventure"

2hr drive to Olbia, 2.5hr to Cagliari

Nearest Stations

Olbia Airport (OLB, 2hr drive)

Attractions

Cala Goloritzé Cala Luna Gorropu Canyon Tiscali Nuragic village

Transit

Low noise

Very safe. Main risks are hiking conditions and sea currents—check local advice.

Pros

Best cove beaches in Europe
Excellent hiking
Less touristy than northeast

Cons

Remote—long drives
Limited nightlife
Boat trips weather-dependent

Alghero

Best for: Catalan old town, sea walls, coral jewelry, Neptune's Grotto, wine country

$53+ $112+ $259+

Mid-range

Culture Couples History Wine

"Medieval Catalan charm on the sea"

2.5hr drive to Olbia, 3hr to Cagliari

Nearest Stations

Alghero Airport (AHO)

Attractions

Old town sea walls Neptune's Grotto Nuraghe Palmavera Sella & Mosca winery

Transit

Low noise

Very safe small town. No concerns.

Pros

Most atmospheric town
Own airport
Great food and wine

Cons

Far from east coast beaches
Small town—limited activities after 2–3 days
Wind can be strong

Accommodation Budget in Sardinia

Budget

$35 /night

Typical Range: $29 – $41

Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities

Mid-Range

$80 /night

Typical Range: $71 – $94

3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations

Luxury

$235 /night

Typical Range: $200 – $271

5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities

💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.

Our Top Hotel Picks

$ Best Budget Hotels

📷 Tripadvisor

Hostel Marina

Cagliari

★ 4.1

Clean, central hostel in Cagliari's Marina quarter with dorms and private rooms. Walking distance to the old town, port, and restaurants.

Solo travelersBudget travelersCity exploration

Check Availability

$$ Best Mid-Range Hotels

📷 Tripadvisor

Hotel El Faro

Alghero

★ 4.5

Clifftop hotel perched above the sea at Capo Caccia with infinity pool, private beach access, and panoramic sunset views. Near Neptune's Grotto.

CouplesSunset viewsQuiet retreat

Check Availability

📷 Tripadvisor

Hotel Costa dei Fiori

Southern Sardinia (Santa Margherita di Pula)

★ 4.5

Boutique hotel surrounded by gardens near the southern beaches of Chia and Nora archaeological site. Pool, restaurant with local cuisine, and peaceful atmosphere.

FamiliesSouthern beachesRelaxation

Check Availability

$$$ Best Luxury Hotels

📷 Tripadvisor

Cala di Volpe (Luxury Collection)

Costa Smeralda

★ 4.5

The iconic Costa Smeralda property designed to resemble a Sardinian fishing village. Private beach, marina, and the kind of luxury that defines this coastline.

Luxury seekersSpecial occasionsBeach resort

Check Availability

✦ Unique & Boutique Stays

📷 Tripadvisor

Hotel Su Gologone

Oliena (Interior)

★ 4.5

Legendary agriturismo and art hotel in the Supramonte mountains. Known for Sardinia's finest porceddu feast and a curated collection of Sardinian art. Pool with mountain views.

FoodiesNature loversUnique experiences

Check Availability

Smart Booking Tips for Sardinia

1 Book July–August accommodation 3–6 months ahead—Sardinia is hugely popular with Europeans
2 May–June and September–October prices drop 30–50% with excellent weather
3 Agriturismi (farm stays) in the interior offer the best value and most authentic Sardinian experience
4 Consider flying into one airport and out of another to avoid backtracking (e.g., CAG in, OLB out)

Why you can trust this guide

Jan Křenek

35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data

Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.

Methodology:

All neighborhoods verified by walking them
Curated locations based on walkability & safety
Real-time availability via live partner maps
Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages

Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Sardinia.

Updated: February 12, 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Sardinia?

Cagliari + Northeast split. Start in Cagliari (2–3 nights) for culture, southern beaches, and Su Nuraxi day trip. Then drive north to the Cala Gonone or Costa Smeralda area for beaches and boat trips. Covers the island's diversity without constant driving.

How much does a hotel cost in Sardinia?

Hotels in Sardinia range from $35 / €30 per night for budget accommodation to $80 / €68 for mid-range and $235 / €200 for luxury hotels. Prices vary by season and neighborhood.

What are the main neighborhoods to stay in Sardinia?

Cagliari (Capital city, hilltop old town, museums, seafood, urban beach, nightlife); Costa Smeralda / Olbia (Luxury beach clubs, emerald waters, celebrity scene, superyachts); Cala Gonone / Gulf of Orosei (Pristine cove beaches, boat trips, hiking, Supramonte mountains); Alghero (Catalan old town, sea walls, coral jewelry, Neptune's Grotto, wine country)

Are there areas to avoid in Sardinia?

Booking Costa Smeralda in August without advance planning—prices triple and availability vanishes Staying in one place for a full week means missing most of the island—move at least once

When should I book a hotel in Sardinia?

Book July–August accommodation 3–6 months ahead—Sardinia is hugely popular with Europeans

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