Are you planning to Visit Sardinia soon but are thinking about your budget? Sardinia definitely has a reputation of being an expensive island but you can still visit without making too much of a dent in your bank account. That is not to say that you will only be spending a couple of euros a day.
Sardinia can be less expensive than other European destinations but it will depend on your travel style. Visiting Sardinia will be expensive if you stay in expensive places like Costa Smeralda or eat out at high-end restaurants.
In this article, we will talk about several factors that can make your Sardinia trip expensive. If you don’t want to spend a lot, we will also talk about how you can make your trip to Sardinia more affordable. If you are ready to explore Sardinia on a budget, read until the end!
Is Sardinia Expensive To Visit?
When traveling, one of the most important things to think about is your budget. Sardinia has a reputation for being an expensive island because of Costa Smeralda. You can also find A-list celebrities and VIPs chilling on yachts and sipping expensive wine on the island.
Sardinia can be an expensive island to visit compared to mainland Italy but it does not have to be so. Your expenses will still depend on the kind of experiences you will have, your accommodation type, and even the food you will eat. Visiting Sardinia is possible even if you don’t splurge thousands of dollars a day. However, don’t also expect Sardinia to be cheap. Planning your trip accordingly can help you save money while still enjoying the beautiful island of Sardinia.
What Things Cost In Sardinia?
As we said earlier, your expenses in Sardinia will depend on several factors. If you go during the summer season, expect the prices to rise so be prepared to spend more.
Sardinia is a large island and has a wide range of accommodations that you can choose from. Of course, staying at luxury hotels can put a big dent in your budget. A beach-front luxury hotel will also be more expensive than a 5-star hotel a few steps away from the beach. Some hotels in Sardinia cost anywhere between 150 to 300€ per night but there are also budget-friendly hotels and B&Bs that can cost less. For dining, high-end restaurants can cost anywhere between 70 to 150€ while eating at local trattorias can cost anywhere between 20 to 50€ or even less. If you plan on watching a movie during your visit, a cinema ticket costs anything between 4 to 10€.
There are also other factors that can make your trip to Sardinia more expensive and prices vary depending on the season. Beach clubs, guided tours, and transportation will definitely add up to your expenses.
Is It Expensive To Live In Sardinia?
Thinking of living in Sardinia? While visiting the island can be expensive, the cost of living in Sardinia is more affordable than most regions in Italy. However, it will still depend on the area where you want to move in. The northeastern part of Sardinia is probably the most expensive part of the island as well as Cagliari in the south. Moving into smaller towns in Sardinia will definitely be a lot cheaper.
Ways To Make Sardinia More Affordable
Sardinia can be an expensive island to visit but you can make your trip affordable by planning ahead. Here are some of the ways you can do to make your trip to Sardinia more affordable.
Travel During Off-Season
Traveling off-season is the best way to cut expenses in Sardinia. As we said earlier, peak season is when the prices hike up because there is an increase in demand and the island is busiest during these times. You can find flight and accommodation options that are much lower than if you would travel during the summer months.
If you want to spend even less during the off-season, staying in smaller local towns can be a great idea, especially if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture. Just make sure to stay in towns that are easily accessible. The downside to traveling to Sardinia during the off-season is that most coastal shops and restaurants may be closed and will only re-open during peak season.
Avoid Costa Smeralda
If you are keen on traveling to Sardinia during the summer but still want to spend less, avoiding Costa Smeralda will save your wallet. Costa Smeralda is where most of the beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and high-end restaurants are. Staying here will come at a high price.
Beach club entrance fees alone can cost anywhere between 50 to 150€ or more depending on the beach club. Restaurants and accommodation in Costa Smeralda are also more expensive, especially those with access to a private beach or beach-front facing properties. Staying overnight in Costa Smeralda will most likely cost you more than staying in nearby areas. Aside from Costa Smeralda, there are other beautiful beaches in Sardinia that won’t put a dent in your wallet.
Enjoy The Free Activities
Visiting Sardinia does not have to mean paying for experiences left and right. While there are activities and experiences in Sardinia that are worth paying for, there are also some that you can do for free. The beaches in Sardinia are free but some have beach clubs where you can opt to rent sunbeds, loungers, and umbrellas for the day. However, this is nowhere near as expensive as the beach clubs in Costa Smeralda. If you want to save money, you can bring your own beach towel, especially if you are going to a sandy beach.
Aside from beaches, other free experiences you can do in Sardinia are hiking, taking a stroll in some of Sardinia’s historical towns, or visiting archaeological sites. Some of the hiking trails may have entrance fees but it will only cost you 5€ or less.
Enjoy Local Beers And Wines
Most restaurants in Sardinia, especially high-end ones, typically serve imported wines and these can be very expensive. Sardinia is not only known for its sandy beaches but also known for producing wines with a distinct “un-Italian” flavor. If you want to experience true Sardinian wine, drinking local beers and wines is the best move. Beers and wines produced in Sardinia are also less expensive than imported wines. Some of the Sardinian wines you need to try are Cannonau di Sardegna, Vermentino, and Carignano. For Sardinian beer, you need to try the most popular beer on the island, Birra Ichnusa.
Choose Where To Eat
Experiencing other cultures’ food is definitely one of the highlights when traveling and eating out at restaurants can be expensive. If you want to try Sardinian cuisine while staying within your budget, eating where the locals eat will give you the best experience. It does not mean that you don’t have to try eating at high-end restaurants once in a while but if you are cutting costs, a local restaurant is your best option.
Local pizzerias are also available in every town in Sardinia. A pizza in Sardinia can cost anything between 5 to 10€ which is less expensive than a three-course meal at a high-end restaurant. Buying food at local markets can also save you more money, which can be a great option if you book accommodation with a kitchen. Local supermarkets typically sell fresh bread, fruit, and produce at a lower price.
Conclusion
Sardinia can be expensive, especially if you stay in Costa Smeralda, eat at fine dining restaurants, and spend time on yachts. If you want to experience Sardinia while not splurging, staying in smaller towns and eating like a local will cut down your expenses. Visiting free beaches and not going to beach clubs can also cut down your costs.
In this article, we talked about why Sardinia can be expensive and how you can make your trip more affordable. If you have any questions, let us know via the contact form on our website.
