Travel Route Sardinia: 1 Week Itinerary
Sardinia, located just south of Corsica (France), was an unmissable destination during our road trip. The opportunity to take a ferry to this beautiful Italian island was too good to pass up. Below, we share our travel route through Sardinia, where we explored breathtaking beaches, enjoyed scenic hikes, and experienced the joy of driving on Italy’s picturesque roads. You can also find this itinerary on our custom Google Maps travel guide Italy!
Day 1: Crossing from Corsica to Sardinia
Activities: Ferry crossing, Rena di Ponente Beach
Distance: 50 km
Our Sardinian adventure began with a ferry ride from Corsica, which takes just one hour. Before boarding, we made time to visit Bonifacio. This charming town, perched atop white chalk cliffs, offers stunning views of the harbor and rugged coastline. A walk through its narrow, lively streets is well worth the effort. Even from the ferry, the view of Bonifacio as you sail away is spectacular.
Day 2: Santa Teresa di Gallura to Palau
Activities: Spiaggia la Liccia, Palau
Distance: 50 km
Make time to unwind during your Sardinian road trip by enjoying the island’s stunning beaches. Spiaggia la Liccia is one of our top picks, though it gets quite crowded by midday. We spent the night at a campground in Palau and quickly discovered that camping in Sardinia is quite different from France: expect to pay nearly double!
Day 3: Exploring the Maddalena Archipelago
Activities: Day trip to the Maddalena Archipelago
Distance: 50 km
No Sardinian itinerary is complete without a visit to the Maddalena Archipelago. While it can be busy in August, the natural beauty of the islands makes it well worth the trip. We dedicated a full day to exploring and even wrote a detailed guide with tips for visiting the Maddalena Archipelago.
Day 4: Palau to Urzulei
Activities: Spiaggia la Cinta
Distance: 150 km
We were prepared for Sardinia to be busy in the summer, but Spiaggia la Cinta was a whole new level of crowded! After a lengthy walk to find a spot, we enjoyed the stunning beach, which is undeniably worth a visit.
The drive to Urzulei later in the day proved to be an adventure in itself, with winding roads climbing to an elevation of 1,000 meters. We stayed at a comfortable hotel near the entrance to Gola di Gorropu, a canyon we planned to hike the next day.
Day 5: Urzulei to Santa Maria
Activities: Hiking Gola di Gorropu
Distance: 150 km
Near our hotel, we set out to hike Gola di Gorropu, one of Europe’s deepest canyons. The trail is well-maintained at the start but becomes steeper as you descend. It’s a bit unusual to begin a hike going downhill, only to climb back up later! Entrance tickets to the canyon cost €5 per person and can be purchased onsite. For us, a must-see visit during your travel route Sardinia! Read all about this hike in our article about the Gola di Gorropu.
After the hike, we drove to Santa Maria, but if you prefer a slower pace, staying another night in Urzulei is a great option.
Day 6: Santa Maria to Aritzo
Activities: Visiting Gairo, relaxing in Aritzo
Distance: 100 km
The drive to Aritzo included a stop at the abandoned village of Gairo. Once abandoned due to landslides, it now offers a fascinating, eerie glimpse into the past.
In Aritzo, there isn’t much to do, but the campsite is a gem. We spent a relaxing afternoon soaking up the sun by the pool, enjoying a peaceful break from the busier parts of the island.
Day 7: Aritzo to Buggeru
Activities: Dido Beach
Distance: 150 km
Heading to Sardinia’s west coast, we drove through more stunning landscapes before arriving in Buggeru. The beach here is beautiful, with rougher seas compared to the east coast. Since the area is at a lower elevation, the nights in our tent were noticeably warmer and more humid.
Day 8: Buggeru to Cagliari
Activities: Exploring Cagliari
Distance: 100 km
Our Sardinian road trip concluded in Cagliari, where we spent our final day exploring the island’s capital. The charming streets, vibrant markets, and historical sites were a perfect ending to our journey.
In the evening, we boarded a ferry to mainland Italy. Unfortunately, we booked too late and missed out on a cabin. We weren’t the only ones: passengers were inflating air mattresses to sleep on the floor!
