Holidays package

Fully Flexible Sardinia Self-Drive: Emerald Coasts, Rugged Cliffs & Mediterranean Soul

10 days, Olbia, North Sardinia

Destinations: Olbia, North Sardinia, Italy · Cannigione, Sardinia, Italy · Arzachena, North Sardinia, Italy · Costa Paradiso, Italy · Valledoria, Italy · Stintino, Sardinia, Italy · Oristano (Province), Italy · Samassi, Italy · South Sardinia, Italy · Nuoro, Italy · Olbia, North Sardinia, Italy

  • Beach
  • Rent a Car
  • City & Beach

About this trip

Experience the untamed beauty of Sardinia on a fully flexible self-drive journey that circles the entire island. Starting and ending in the vibrant hub of Olbia, this route invites you to traverse from the world-famous turquoise bays of the Costa Smeralda and the charming coastal villages of the north through the dramatic limestone cliffs of the northwest down to the rich cultural landscapes of Oristano and the wild, unspoiled frontiers of the deep south. Designed for total independence, this tailor-made itinerary offers complete freedom over your travel dates, route pace, and accommodation style—allowing you to create a personalized Italian escape that perfectly matches your unique travel rhythm. Whether you are seeking world-class beaches like Stintino, historic mountain villages, or hidden seaside sanctuaries, you hold the keys to the ultimate Mediterranean road trip.

Your detailed trip plan

A suggested sequence — every flight, hotel and day can be changed.

  • 11Destinations
  • 2Transport
  • 5Accommodation
  1. 13 Apr

    Flight WAW → OLB

    Flight
    Lufthansa 1 stop 0PC
    06:00 WAW 5h 15m 11:15 OLB
  2. 13 Apr

    Olbia, North Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    Olbia, the main gateway to North Sardinia, is far more than just an airport town. Framed by turquoise waters and low, granite hills, it offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with easy access to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and the exclusive Costa Smeralda. In the compact historic center, café-lined squares, elegant boutiques, and old stone churches make it ideal for slow strolls and people-watching at any time of day. Start your exploration along Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street, leading towards the waterfront and the small but charming old town. Don’t miss the Romanesque Basilica of San Simplicio, built between the 11th and 12th centuries from local granite, and the Church of San Paolo with its colorful tiled dome. The Archaeological Museum by the port offers an engaging look at Olbia’s past, including shipwrecks and relics from the Phoenician, Greek, and Roman eras that once shaped this strategic harbor. Olbia is also a perfect base for beach lovers. Within a short drive you’ll find a chain of stunning coves and long sandy stretches such as Pittulongu, Porto Istana, Cala Brandinchi, and Lu Impostu, all washed by crystal-clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. From the nearby port of Palau or the marina in Olbia, you can arrange boat trips to the La Maddalena Archipelago, a national park famous for its wild, unspoiled islands and postcard-perfect bays. Food and wine are central to the Olbia experience. Traditional Sardinian dishes like porceddu (roast suckling pig), fresh seafood, and culurgiones (stuffed pasta) are widely available in trattorie and agriturismi in the countryside. Pair your meal with a chilled glass of Vermentino di Gallura, the local white wine that perfectly complements the sea breeze and coastal views. Whether you stay a night or a week, Olbia offers a blend of authentic Sardinian life, seaside relaxation, and easy connections to the rest of the island.
  3. 13 Apr

    Cannigione, Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    Cannigione is one of the most attractive summer areas of the Costa Esmeralda, and specifically the Gulf of Arzachena. Its strategic location seduces tourists who come to its extraordinary beaches spread along the coast line that goes from Olbia to Palau, to the north. Some of these coastal towns are known by all as a luxury tourist pole, Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. To walk, the path that runs through the port to the beaches of Balca Brusciata, L'Ulticeddu and Mannena speaks for itself only because Cannigione is so famous. In the village of Cannigione you can visit the church of San Giovanni Battista and the archaeological site on the outskirts of the town. At night the restaurants are animated and you can taste some of the excellence of the Sardinian cuisine, such as the "MareTerra" style that unites the best of the cuisine of seafood and the culinary tradition of the pastoral world. Cannigione is also highly recommended to dive on its beaches with turquoise water, and fine white sand.
  4. 13 Apr

    Arzachena, North Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    • 2 nights
    Arzachena is Italian Municipality and its capital, more than twelve thousand inhabitants in the province of Olbia-Tempio. It is after Olbia and Tempio Pausania most populous center of Gallura, historic region of northeastern Sardinia, and is the administrative center of the entire Costa Smeralda. It is a destination among the most sought after and famous. No shortage of services and facilities of all kinds between luxury hotels, villas, apartments, campsites and all services connected to them: boat trips and horseback riding, water sports, diving and golf
  5. 13 Apr

    Hotel Citti

    2 nights

    ★★★ 8.0 Booking.com · 1,018 reviews

    • NSR-1, Arzachena, North Sardinia
    • Double Room,1 Double Bed
    • WITH BREAKFAST
  6. 15 Apr

    Costa Paradiso

    Stay from
    • Italy
    Costa Paradiso is a private location near Badegi. Rules of low building are imposed and it is hidden by vegetation, uniform colors and rocks. Its high coast is rocky, and there is only one beach, called Li Cossi, 1 km away.
  7. 15 Apr

    Valledoria

    Stay from
    • Italy
    • 2 nights
    Valledoria (Gallurese: Codaruìna, Sardinian: Codaruìna, Sassarese: Codaruìna) is a town and comune in the province of Sassari situated on the Gulf of Asinara, near the mouth of the Coghinas river.
  8. 15 Apr

    Il giardino degli ulivi

    2 nights

    ★★★ 9.8 Booking.com · 45 reviews

    • SAMC-1, Santa Maria Coghinas
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom (1 extra-large double bed) - Free WiFi
    • WITH BREAKFAST
  9. 17 Apr

    Stintino, Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    Stintino (Sassarese: Isthintini, Sardinian: Istintìnu) is a coastal comune (municipality) in the Province of Sassari in the Italian region Sardinia, located about 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Cagliari and about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of Sassari. Stintino is located on the peninsula of the same name, running from Nurra plain to the Asinara Island, part of the Asinara National Park, for which Stintino is the nearer embarkment place. The municipality borders with Sassari and its northernmost point, a cape in which is located the town, is in front of the Asinara
  10. 17 Apr

    Oristano (Province)

    Stay from
    • Italy
    • 1 nights
    The province of Oristano is the smallest province in Sardinia and was formed from sections of the provinces of Cagliari and Nuoro. It occupies roughly the same area as the Giudicato of Arborea of the High Middle Ages. It borders Nuoro, Cagliari and the Sea of Sardinia. A large area of the province's coastline is part of the gulf of Oristano, and the land in the province is mainly flat and there is some marshland. The province contains Santa Giusta (commune) and Tharros (former city), which both date from the Carthaginian Republic's rule of the area
  11. 17 Apr

    Hotel Le Torri

    1 nights

    ★★★★ 8.8 Booking.com · 616 reviews

    • ORIP-1, Oristano (Province)
    • Twin Room,2 Twin Beds
    • WITH BREAKFAST
  12. 18 Apr

    Samassi

    Stay from
    • Italy
    Tucked away in the fertile plains of southern Sardinia, Samassi is a quiet agricultural village that offers a genuine slice of island life far from the crowds. Known historically for its wheat, artichokes, and olive groves, the town sits about 40 km from Cagliari, making it an easy day trip for travelers based in the regional capital. Here, daily life still moves to the rhythm of the fields and the seasons, giving visitors a chance to experience a slower, more authentic Sardinian pace. The historic center is compact and easily explored on foot. Wander through narrow streets lined with stone houses and small family-run shops, and look for the parish church of San Geminiano, whose modest exterior hides charming details and a sense of centuries-old devotion. As you stroll, you’ll encounter small squares where locals gather to chat, play cards, or sip coffee in the shade, especially in the late afternoon when the heat of the day begins to soften. Samassi is particularly worth visiting during its local festivals and food events. In spring, agricultural fairs celebrate the town’s produce with stalls selling olives, cheeses, cured meats, and traditional sweets, while in autumn the surrounding countryside turns into a patchwork of harvested fields and golden light. Many farms in the area welcome visitors for tastings of extra-virgin olive oil, wine, and homemade specialties, often at prices far lower than in Sardinia’s better-known tourist centers. Because of its strategic location on the main railway and road links, Samassi also works well as a base for exploring southern Sardinia. From here, you can reach the beaches of the Costa del Sud, the archaeological sites around Barumini and the Marmilla region, or the lively streets of Cagliari within an hour or less. Returning to Samassi in the evening, you’ll find a peaceful village atmosphere, local trattorias serving simple, hearty Sardinian dishes, and the feeling that you’ve discovered a corner of the island most visitors never see.
  13. 18 Apr

    South Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    • 2 nights
    South Sardinia, the sun‑kissed tip of Italy’s second‑largest island, offers a blend of wild nature, ancient history, and laid‑back Mediterranean charm. Here, long ribbons of white sand meet a crystal‑clear sea that shifts from turquoise to deep cobalt, framed by dunes, juniper bushes, and rugged cliffs. From buzzing coastal towns to secluded bays accessible only by dirt roads and hiking paths, this is a destination where you can choose between comfort and adventure every day. Most trips begin in Cagliari, the lively regional capital. Its historic Castello district, perched on a hill, is a maze of narrow lanes, stone bastions, and panoramic terraces overlooking the Gulf of Cagliari. By day you can tour Roman ruins, museums, and churches; by night, the marina and the old quarter fill with café terraces, wine bars, and restaurants serving fresh seafood, bottarga, and traditional Sardinian dishes. Just outside the city, Poetto Beach stretches for kilometers, popular with locals for morning swims, sunset walks, and aperitivo by the sea. Venture west or east along the coast and you’ll find some of the island’s most spectacular beaches. Chia and Teulada are famed for their Caribbean‑like coves and dunes, where flamingos often feed in the nearby lagoons. On the opposite side, Villasimius and Costa Rei boast long, gently shelving beaches ideal for families, snorkeling, and sailing. Inland, the landscape turns to rolling hills and cork oak forests dotted with nuraghi—mysterious Bronze Age stone towers—along with small villages where time seems to move more slowly. South Sardinia is best explored with a car, giving you the freedom to combine beach‑hopping with visits to archaeological sites like Nora, wineries producing robust Cannonau and Carignano del Sulcis wines, and agriturismi where you can sample local cuisine in the countryside. The region enjoys a long season from late spring to early autumn, with warm seas and abundant sunshine, making it an appealing escape for travelers seeking both relaxation and a taste of authentic island life.
  14. 18 Apr

    B&B Il Girasole

    2 nights

    ★★★ 9.4 Booking.com · 197 reviews

    • ELM-0, Elmas
    • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
    • WITH BREAKFAST
  15. 20 Apr

    Nuoro

    Stay from
    • Italy
    At the foothills of the mountains there is a coastline of marvelous beauty, which includes the coastal areas of Dorgali, Orosei and Siniscola. Behind the coastal strip, most of the territory constitutes a hilly area with oak and cork oak forests, dominated by the Mediterranean maquis. In this landscape we find numerous archaeological sites. The most important rivers are the Cedrino, the Posada and the Tirso, and near the municipality of Gavoi there is the artificial lake of Worm, with no less than 60 million cubic meters of water.
  16. 20 Apr

    Olbia, North Sardinia

    Stay from
    • Italy
    • 2 nights
    Olbia, the main gateway to North Sardinia, is far more than just an airport town. Framed by turquoise waters and low, granite hills, it offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with easy access to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and the exclusive Costa Smeralda. In the compact historic center, café-lined squares, elegant boutiques, and old stone churches make it ideal for slow strolls and people-watching at any time of day. Start your exploration along Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street, leading towards the waterfront and the small but charming old town. Don’t miss the Romanesque Basilica of San Simplicio, built between the 11th and 12th centuries from local granite, and the Church of San Paolo with its colorful tiled dome. The Archaeological Museum by the port offers an engaging look at Olbia’s past, including shipwrecks and relics from the Phoenician, Greek, and Roman eras that once shaped this strategic harbor. Olbia is also a perfect base for beach lovers. Within a short drive you’ll find a chain of stunning coves and long sandy stretches such as Pittulongu, Porto Istana, Cala Brandinchi, and Lu Impostu, all washed by crystal-clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. From the nearby port of Palau or the marina in Olbia, you can arrange boat trips to the La Maddalena Archipelago, a national park famous for its wild, unspoiled islands and postcard-perfect bays. Food and wine are central to the Olbia experience. Traditional Sardinian dishes like porceddu (roast suckling pig), fresh seafood, and culurgiones (stuffed pasta) are widely available in trattorie and agriturismi in the countryside. Pair your meal with a chilled glass of Vermentino di Gallura, the local white wine that perfectly complements the sea breeze and coastal views. Whether you stay a night or a week, Olbia offers a blend of authentic Sardinian life, seaside relaxation, and easy connections to the rest of the island.
  17. 20 Apr

    Hotel Glamping Borgo di Campagna

    2 nights

    ★★★ 8.6 Booking.com · 585 reviews

    • LPSP-1, Loiri Porto San Paolo
    • Double Room
    • WITH BREAKFAST
  18. 22 Apr

    Flight OLB → WAW

    Flight
    Lufthansa 1 stop 0PC
    12:00 OLB 4h 20m 16:20 WAW

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