Sardinia Luxury Holidays Guide

Understanding the Serenity of Sardinia

Sardinia is more than one of Italy’s prettiest places; it’s an island paradise. With more than a thousand miles of coastline, from sandy beaches to pretty coves and inlets, to white, undulating cliffs, there is so much here for lovers of sun, sand and sea.

You’ll be spoilt for choice for nice beaches but some of the best are Rena Bianca with its sparkling white sand and Piccolo Pevero in Porto Cervo; Poetto Beach, just south of Cagliari, with its beach flamingos in the lagoon nearby; Ira Beach and Blue Beach in Porto Rotondo; and – at the opposite end of the scale – the natural, wild and often-deserted beaches of the Costa Verde.

An underdog when it comes to beach clubs, spread across the island, you will find a host of exclusive beachfront spots to while away your days. Sophisticated chill-out spot turned lively hangout by sundown, Phi Beach Club is recommended by Michelin for Italian and Mediterranean dishes served with a side of sunset.

What to do in Sardinia

For a day away from your luxury villa in Sardinia, you’ll find the area teeming with history, both ancient and modern, to explore. Make a day trip to Arzachena, to explore the island’s fascinating Nuragic civilisation, its ‘Giants’ Tombs’ and the nuraghi themselves, the island’s mysterious stone dwellings found dotted all over the prehistoric villages.

Visit the pretty medieval city of Oristano and the nearby ancient ruins of Tharros. Olbia also has plenty to see, from the Pisan-style church of San Simplicio to its wonderful Museo Archeologico, where you can lose yourself for hours in the island’s fascinating past.

Inland, rugged landscapes make for great hiking and opportunities to immerse yourself in nature, while over on the Costa Smeralda, the coastal playground of the super-rich, you can happily sit and celeb-watch all afternoon over drinks.

When to Visit Sardinia

August tends to be the most popular month to visit Sardinia when the weather is warm and sunny, but there’s something to enjoy when on a luxury villa holiday at almost any time of year here.

December through to March can be a little chilly, but from April to October the weather is generally good, with warmer days in June and September.

What We Love About Sardinia

We love visiting the Parco Arcipelago di Maddelena, a marine national park where you can see hundreds of rare plants as well as watch dolphins play.

Getting to Sardinia

Sardinia’s main airport is at Cagliari. There are also two smaller airports at Alghero and Olbia.

The Best Places To Eat and Drink in Sardinia

Food fans will find plenty to indulge in here, from tender pork and other slow-cooked meats to crisp flatbreads, fresh seafood, fragrant herbs, wonderful cheeses and full-bodied wines.

There’s a good mix of restaurants from the high-end to the very reasonable and local but the lovely thing about Sardinia is that even an average trattoria is often a fabulous experience here, so you will find something for everyone on a luxury villa holiday here.

Try Gianni Pedrinelli on the chef’s night off at your catered luxury villa; it offers a wonderful meal in a beautiful indoor-outdoor setting. Or for something a little different, tuck into Brazilian cuisine at Aruana – both are in Porto Cervo.

Elegant but understated and great for seafood is Da Giovannino in Porto Rotondo. When lobster is in season, La Lepanto, which specialises in lobster done every way you can imagine, is well worth a visit.

If you’re in Cagliari, try Su Cumbidu in the old town hall, where the suckling pig is an experience you’ll never forget.

Finally, a trip to San Benedetto market is a must while you’re here to sample and buy fresh bread, seafood, fresh pasta and a hundred other local specialities in a bustling, convivial atmosphere.

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