Sardinia: Why off-season is my favorite time to visit

4 insider tips to experience this Italian island: Best months to visit, hidden beaches and scenic hiking trails.

Imagine turquoise waters and white sandy beaches: With its 1,800 km (1,140 mi) long coasts, the island of Sardinia in Italy is a popular Summer destination, considered by some “The Maldives of the Mediterranean Sea”.

Now add blossoming nature, mild weather and no crowds, and you’ll get Sardinia off-season.

In fact, did you know that this island has so much more to offer than just beaches and luxury hotels?

I’ve been to Sardinia dozens of times and during all times of the year, spending time with locals and exploring different areas.

Here are my top 4 reasons why I love visiting Sardinia during Spring and Autumn.

#1 - Hiking (and biking) between nature, mountains and sea

If you are a nature lover, you’ll be impressed by the amount and variety of hikes in Sardinia to choose from! Here are my favorites:

• Sinis Peninsula - A beautiful, easy hike on a peninsula stretching into the blue of the sea, surrounded by nature and white beaches. On the way you’ll encounter the archaeological site of Tharros, old Saracen watchtowers and a lighthouse.

• Capo Caccia & Parco di Porto Conte - For breathtaking views above white cliffs and blue sea walk down the 654 steps of Scalinata del Cabirol to Neptune’s caves. If you are looking for more challenging hikes, check out this trail starting from Le Prigionette or this trail on Capo Caccia for stunning 360 degrees views.

• Golfo di Orosei - This area is a real hiker’s paradise, offering trails between mountains and sea with varying difficulty levels, from easy to expert. The hikes to Cala Goloritzè (moderate difficulty) and to Cala Mariolu (advanced) are both spectacular and end at some of Sardinia’s most stunning (and remote) beaches!

Another great way to explore Sardinia in Autumn and Spring is by bike. While still not very popular, here’s an itinerary going all around the island.

The view from Grotta delle Brocche Rotte near Capo Caccia, Alghero

#2 - Exploring historic towns and sites

While in summer some places in Sardinia can get hot and crowded, the low season is the perfect time to discover historic towns and archaeological sites.

These are two of my favorite towns in Sardinia to explore in low season:

• Alghero - A charming medieval town surrounded by ramparts with stunning views on the Mediterranean sea. The alleyways of the city center are full of small restaurants, cafés and boutiques selling local products including textiles and corals (I will cover Alghero in a separate article).

• Bosa - With its colorful buildings overlooked by a castle, Bosa is another fascinating town in Sardinia and off-the-beaten-path destination that can be visited in one day. If you travel by car, take the panoramic road to/from Alghero.

• There are many more towns, villages and archaeological sites waiting to be discovered, like Nuraghe (ancient buildings built between 1900-700 BC) and other historical landmarks.

The towns of Alghero and Bosa in April

#3 - Enjoying the freshest food

Many restaurants in the less touristy areas are closed in low season. But don’t despair just yet: In fact, those restaurants that are open, usually serve fresh food and seasonal products…at fair prices!

For example, many Agriturismo have a restaurant open to the public (not just guests) serving local specialties at a fixed price between 30-40 EUR. One of my favorites is Agriturismo Barbagia for its authentic atmosphere and quiet location in the countryside near Alghero.

If you are more into seafood, try Ristorante Mabrouk in Alghero for an amazing selection of Antipasti, Primi and Main courses at a fixed price of 50 EUR including wine. Or Entu e Sole in San Vero Milis (one of the few places we found open for dinner in the area!).

Ravioli di ricotta with fresh seafood - yum!

#4 - Having an entire beach for yourself

Visiting in low season is the only way to take those Instagram-style pictures.

These are some of my favorite beaches in Sardinia in low season:

• Spiaggia La Pelosa, Stintino - Possibly one of the most spectacular beaches in Sardinia due to its white sand and location. Access is restricted to a maximum number of people between June-October, but everyone can enter outside these dates.

• Cala Liberotto, Orosei - A small, beautiful and easy to access beach surrounded by a pineta.

• Spiaggia L’Argentiera - Located in a gorge where there used to be silver mines, this beach is less accessible but its crystal-clear waters on a sunny day are totally worth the trip.

The beach of Cala Golotizé in Sardinia can be only accessed after a 3.5 km (2.1 mi) hike -or by boat

Visiting Sardinia off-season: Things to know

• Unfortunately, there are few direct flights to Sardinia in low season (especially to Alghero).
  TIP: Look for flight options with one stopover, or combine different airports (e.g. arrive in Olbia and depart from Alghero, or vice versa). If you still can't find any flight, try my Google Flights hack.

• Be mindful about opening times of some national parks. Always check their website or contact the local tourist office before visiting.

• Some restaurants might be closed, even if they show as open on Google maps. It’s always a good idea to call before going!

Best months to visit Sardinia

For hikers, nature lovers and travelers looking for an off-the beaten-track experience, the best months to visit Sardinia are April, May and beginning of June when there are less tourists, temperatures are mild and nature is beautiful.
TIP: During Italian Bank Holidays (Easter weekend, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June), you’ll find many more shops and restaurants open.

Beach lovers will find ideal conditions in September and October, when the sea is still warm and tourists are starting to leave the island. By the way, here are my Top 3 hidden beach spots in Sardinia.

Visiting between July-August is still an option if you’re looking for more action, but you should definitely avoid the weeks around 15 August (Ferragosto), as these are possibly the busiest days in the entire year!

This was the only “traffic jam” I saw in Sardinia during low season!

Sardinia is far from being an overrun destination. Yet in months like July and August, some tourist areas can get busy and beaches crowded.
During off-season, on the contrary, I have experienced the most authentic side of the island.

How to move around in Sardinia

The best way to explore Sardinia is by car, with stops of 2-3 nights along the way. The main roads and highways are in good conditions, but you’ll need a Jeep/SUV to reach some beaches and trail heads. Check out all the places in this article on my map on Google Maps.

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About me:

In my career as a marketer I’ve driven brand collaborations, scaled up communities and websites and helped tourism companies reach international travelers.

Today as a consultant, I provide strategic advice to hospitality and travel companies on how to unlock value and grow international customers, helping them adopt a traveler-centric and cross-functional approach

Beating Jetlag is where my authentic experiences as a traveler and genuine curiosity as an industry insider come together for behind-the-scenes travel content and resources.

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