Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Cagliari, Sardinia to Cagliari, Sardinia in Sardinia, Italy.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to June and September to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Coastal, Beach, Scenic, Classic road trip, Culture.

Sardinia Grand Loop: Cagliari, Alghero and the Gulf of Orosei

Q: How long is the Sardinia Grand Loop: Cagliari, Alghero and the Gulf of Orosei route?

This route takes 12 days taking in 8 stops.

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The route · 8 stops

6 overnight bases · 2 stops on the way

Cagliari

2 nights

Sardinia's capital and the island's main gateway. Two nights are enough to walk the Castello ramparts, see the Roman amphitheatre and eat well in the Marina district, with a bus ride out to the city beach at Poetto. Pick the hire car up on the way out rather than parking it in town.Sardinia's capital and the island's main gateway. Two nights are enough to walk the Castello ramparts, see the Roman amphitheatre and eat well in the Marina district, with a bus ride out to the city beach at Poetto. Pick the hire car up on the way out rather than parking it in town.

Recommendations

On to Oristano and the Sinis Peninsula

Oristano and the Sinis Peninsula

2 nights

The west-coast base, an hour and a half north on the SS131. Use it for the Sinis peninsula: the Phoenician and Roman port of Tharros on its headland, quartz-grain beaches at Is Arutas and Mari Ermi, and the lagoons behind Cabras. Two nights leave a full day for the coast and a half day for the archaeology.The west-coast base, an hour and a half north on the SS131. Use it for the Sinis peninsula: the Phoenician and Roman port of Tharros on its headland, quartz-grain beaches at Is Arutas and Mari Ermi, and the lagoons behind Cabras. Two nights leave a full day for the coast and a half day for the archaeology.

Recommendations

On the way

Bosa
A drive-by stop rather than an overnight, and the reason to take the coast road north. Bosa stacks pastel houses along the Temo, Sardinia's only navigable river, under the Malaspina castle. Stop for lunch and the castle view, then pick up the SP105 for the cliff road to Alghero.A drive-by stop rather than an overnight, and the reason to take the coast road north. Bosa stacks pastel houses along the Temo, Sardinia's only navigable river, under the Malaspina castle. Stop for lunch and the castle view, then pick up the SP105 for the cliff road to Alghero.
Recommendations

On to Alghero

Alghero

2 nights

The Catalan corner of Sardinia, walled and sea-facing, where street signs still read in Algherese and the old town fills at dusk. Two nights cover the ramparts and harbour, a trip to the Grotta di Nettuno under Capo Caccia, and the beaches running north towards Fertilia.The Catalan corner of Sardinia, walled and sea-facing, where street signs still read in Algherese and the old town fills at dusk. Two nights cover the ramparts and harbour, a trip to the Grotta di Nettuno under Capo Caccia, and the beaches running north towards Fertilia.

Recommendations

On to Santa Teresa Gallura

Santa Teresa Gallura

2 nights

The northern tip, looking across the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica. The town is small and walkable with Rena Bianca beach below it, and the granite headland of Capo Testa is ten minutes west. Two nights allow a full day at sea in the La Maddalena archipelago and a slow evening on the cliffs.The northern tip, looking across the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica. The town is small and walkable with Rena Bianca beach below it, and the granite headland of Capo Testa is ten minutes west. Two nights allow a full day at sea in the La Maddalena archipelago and a slow evening on the cliffs.

Recommendations

On to Cala Gonone

Cala Gonone

2 nights

The base for the Gulf of Orosei, reached down a switchback road through a tunnel in the ridge above Dorgali. It is a working harbour with a seafront strip and no road to the famous coves, which is rather the point: they are reached by boat, on foot, or not at all. Two nights is the minimum here.The base for the Gulf of Orosei, reached down a switchback road through a tunnel in the ridge above Dorgali. It is a working harbour with a seafront strip and no road to the famous coves, which is rather the point: they are reached by boat, on foot, or not at all. Two nights is the minimum here.

Recommendations

On to Villasimius

Villasimius

1 night

The southeast corner and the last night before the airport. Beaches wrap the Capo Carbonara headland, protected as a marine area, with clear shallow water and granite outcrops between them. One night is enough to swim, eat by the marina and drive back into Cagliari the next morning.The southeast corner and the last night before the airport. Beaches wrap the Capo Carbonara headland, protected as a marine area, with clear shallow water and granite outcrops between them. One night is enough to swim, eat by the marina and drive back into Cagliari the next morning.

Recommendations

On the way

Cagliari
The loop closes where it started, about 45 minutes west along the coast road. Most Cagliari flights leave late morning or afternoon, so there is usually time for the Bastione terrace or a last plate at the covered market at San Benedetto before the car goes back.The loop closes where it started, about 45 minutes west along the coast road. Most Cagliari flights leave late morning or afternoon, so there is usually time for the Bastione terrace or a last plate at the covered market at San Benedetto before the car goes back.
Recommendations

Route highlights

Scenic Drive
The Alghero to Bosa coast road
Around 49 kilometres of cliff road along the west coast, running high on the headlands then dropping into sheltered bays. Allow three to four hours with stops rather than treating it as a transfer.
Culture
Nuraghi, Sardinia's Bronze Age towers
The island holds thousands of nuraghi, drystone towers built between roughly 1800 and 1100 BC. Nuraghe Losa, just off the SS131 near Oristano, is the easiest to fold into this route.
Practical tip
Book beach parking and boat trips ahead
Several Sardinian beaches cap daily car numbers in summer and sell parking online. Boat excursions from Cala Gonone and Santa Teresa fill just as fast. Book both a week ahead in July and August.
Beach
The coves of the Gulf of Orosei
Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, Cala Sisine and Cala Goloritzé sit beneath limestone cliffs with no road access. Boats from Cala Gonone reach them from roughly June to October.
Food & drink
Bottarga, culurgiones and Vermentino
Cured mullet roe from Cabras, stuffed potato and mint pasta from the interior, and crisp white Vermentino from Gallura. The food changes noticeably as you work round the loop.
Culture
The Giants of Mont'e Prama
Bronze Age stone warriors, boxers and archers dating from around the 8th century BC, excavated near Cabras and displayed in the town's archaeological museum.
Where to stay
Where to base yourself in Cagliari
Marina and Stampace sit between the port and the old town, walkable to the restaurants and the Castello lift. Poetto suits a beach-first stay but leaves you a bus ride from dinner.
Activity
La Maddalena archipelago by boat
A full day among granite islands off the north coast, calling at Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria. The islands can only be reached by sea, which keeps them quiet even in August.
Where to stay
Where to base yourself in Villasimius
The town centre is the practical choice for a single night and for eating out. The resorts along Simius and Timi Ama put you on the sand but are quiet in the evenings.

Sardinia Grand Loop: Cagliari, Alghero and the Gulf of Orosei