Sardinia Travel Guide

Sardinia is a popular tourist destination, with interest in the island growing year by year. Before the pandemic, approximately 3.44 million visitors headed to the island every year.

After Sicily, Sardinia is the Mediterranean’s second-largest island - and perhaps one of the most beautiful! It's a quintessentially Italian island, with a traditional food scene, fine wine, and friendly locals, but where exactly is Sardinia? The stunning island is situated in the western part of the Mediterranean sea, to the south of Corsica, another island famous for its crystal clear waters.

Sardinia has a fascinating and complex history of languages. Today, the most commonly spoken language on the island is Italian, however, the traditional Sardinian language of Sardo is widely spoken by locals. The ancient tongue has been described as being the closest language to classical Latin, having been shaped over the years by the island’s settlers, from the Phoenicians to the Spaniards to the French. To many, the language resembles Spanish more than it does Italian.

Depending on which part of the island you are exploring, the locals might speak English as a second or even third language. You are more likely to find English speakers in the cities and popular tourist spots, but in the more rural communities, you might not have the same luck.

If you have got this far, you might have a fair idea of why Sardinia makes for an incredible holiday destination! Delicious local cuisine, beaches galore, and a fascinating, ancient past. But if there’s one reason to pay a visit to this stunning island, it’s the climate. Thanks to its idyllic location in the Mediterranean, Sardinia boasts lengthy summers with temperatures climbing to 28°C during the high season, so July and August. Outside of these months, the sea still remains relatively warm.

As the southern part of the island is close to Northern Africa, the winters can be mild. Even December is a moderate month, with temperatures clocking an average high of 15.4°C. So if you are looking for a reason to travel to Sardinia, one major one is to curb the seasonal blues and get some much-needed winter sun!

If you are curious about how to travel to Sardinia, you have several options depending on your preference and what you hope to get out of the holiday. The island is best reached by plane and has three primary airports, Cagliari Elmas, Olbia, and Alghero Fertilia. Cagliari, located in the island’s capital, is the most frequently used airport.

For those travellers doing a bit of island hopping, other Italian or French travel, or bringing a vehicle, there is the option to take a five-hour ferry ride from Rome. It is important to keep in mind that flying is the quickest and most affordable way to access the island.

There comes a time in life when the lure of a holiday wins out over the desire to lock in the right travel companion, so you have to go it on your own. And that’s where solo travel comes in. But is Sardinia safe to travel alone? And is Sardinia safe for solo female travellers? On the whole, it is safe to travel in Sardinia solo. The crime rates on the island are far lower than the Italian average, and unlike Sicily, the island is not affected by organised crime.

If you are concerned about natural disasters on an isolated island like Sardinia, fear not. Sardinia is the only part of the county that is not affected by seismic events like earthquakes, meaning it is the safest and most sheltered region of Italy.

The locals on the island tend to be warm and friendly, and being a multilingual population, you will be able to ask for help in English, or in the rural areas, be able to get by with any Italian phrases you have managed to pick up. It always pays to keep a translation app on your phone. Check out our solo travel guides for more helpful tips!

While backpacking around Europe and staying in busy coastal hostels might have been a delightful way to spend your twenties, if you’re over 50, chances are you want a slightly more comfortable way to spend your holidays! And you have come to the right place. With its range of authentic trattorias and fine dining, luxurious resorts and quality bed and breakfasts, and reliable Mediterranean climate, Sardinia is perfect for over 50s travel.

For an especially stress-free island holiday, consider our classic escorted tour to Sardinia. With Newmarket Holidays, you will be guided by a friendly and informative tour manager, travel in an air-conditioned coach - essential in the summer months! - and of course, enjoy comfortable and well-appointed four-star accommodation. You will even get two islands in one holiday, with a ferry crossing to the equally stunning neighbouring island of Corsica!