There are times when you want to travel and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sardinia is one of the tourist destinations that offers unspoiled beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters. You will also have a lot of places to explore as it is the second-largest island on the Mediterranean Sea.
Sardinia is an island with a lot of beaches and you might expect it to be tranquil and quiet. While the island can have its moments of stillness and can be calm and quiet, you won’t find it during the peak season. Sardinia’s cities and beaches can be very lively and crowded, especially during the summer holidays.
While Sardinia is lively and crowded during peak season, you can definitely visit the island any time of the year. In this article, we will talk about some of the best places to stay in Sardinia and the best time to visit if you want to avoid the summer crowds.
Is Sardinia Quiet?
Sardinia is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in the Mediterranean among mainland Italians and tourists alike. As with any other tourist destination, Sardinia has peak seasons with more crowds than usual.
You will find that Sardinia gets busy during June, July, August, and the first half of September as this is the island’s peak season. Major tourist attractions and cities on the island will definitely be more crowded. If you are looking for a nice and quiet time on the island, you might want to avoid visiting during the peak season.
Popular beaches in Sardinia are also more lively and packed with people wanting to escape the heat and swim in the sparkling blue sea of the island. If you love the beach life but want to experience a more quiet and peaceful Sardinia, you can visit during the months when there are a low number of tourists.
The months of January to May are great as the summer crowds have not occupied the island. On the other hand, most of the tourists are already gone from October to December.
Where To Stay In Sardinia
Whether you visit Sardinia during the peak season or not, you will find some of Italy’s famous beaches on the island. Aside from white sand beaches, Sardinia also has historical cities where you can immerse yourself in the island’s history and culture. Here are some of the best areas to stay in Sardinia.
Alghero
The city of Alghero is located in northern Sardinia and is a popular city on the island. Alghero is the 5th largest island of Sardinia. Although it is a large city, it is a charming town and has a small-town atmosphere which is great if you are looking for a more tranquil city.
This medieval town of Alghero has a Calatan influence and is also sometimes referred to as Barceloneta (little Barcelona) because of the city’s architecture, cuisine, and language. Aside from having a lively historic center, Alghero also has beaches that you can go to. Some of these beaches are Spiaggia di Maria Pia, Spiaggia Mugoni, and Cala Dragunara.
Olbia
If you want a less touristy place, staying in Olbia is for you. Olbia, located in northeast Sardinia, is often overlooked by visitors as Costa Smeralda, which is near the city, attracts tourists more. If you like to spend a day away from crowded beaches, you can roam around Olbia’s city center. You can do some shopping or enjoy a drink at some of the bars in the city.
However, if you would still like to go to the beach but would like to stay in Olbia, you can go to Cala Suaraccia. This is one of the nearby beaches in Olbia that is not too crowded. Olbia is also close to some of Sardinia’s best beaches such as Liscia Ruja and Spiaggia del Principe.
Cagliari
Cagliari is the capital city and largest city in Sardinia. It is located in Southern Sardinia and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Do note that Cagliari is a major tourist spot as it is the island’s capital city so you may find the city and the beaches a little crowded, especially during the peak season. If you plan on staying in Cagliari, booking a room at a luxurious hotel can offer you amazing services after a long day in the city.
If you don’t mind crowded and lively beaches, then staying in Cagliari is for you. Some of the best beaches in Cagliari have powdery white sand and all beaches have crystal-clear waters. Some of these beaches are Poetto Beach, Sant’Elia Beach, Cala Fighera, and Calamosca.
Aside from stunning beaches, Cagliari also has a place for history lovers. The National Archaeological Museum which houses collections from the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic eras is located in Cagliari.
Wrap Up
Sardinia can be a quiet island, especially once the summer crowds have not yet gone to the island or have already left. Since Sardinia is one of the most popular tourist destinations, you can expect major cities and beaches like the ones in Santa Teresa di Gallura to be crowded and lively. There are several luxury resorts and hotels where you can stay in Sardinia and some are even within walking distance to restaurants and even the sea.
If you want to have a quiet time on the island, it might be best to visit during the off-season when there are fewer tourists on the island. We have included the best time to visit Sardinia in this article if you prefer a less crowded adventure. Whether you visit the west coast of Sardinia or stay in the northern part of the island, you will have a wonderful time. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website!
