Plan · U.S. Edition
Where to Stay in Sardinia
The island is bigger than you think. Pick the right home base and everything else falls into place.
The short answer
Stay in the north, in or around Palau. Here's the deal: Sardinia looks small on a map, but it's nearly the size of New Hampshire, and there are no fast trains. Where you sleep decides what you actually see. The northeast puts the La Maddalena archipelago, the Costa Smeralda and a dozen bucket-list beaches within 30 minutes — and thanks to the seasonal nonstop flight from New York to Olbia, you can land in the morning and be on the water by lunch. That's a game-changer.
The main areas, honestly rated
Palau & the Maddalena Archipelago (our pick)
The sweet spot. A real harbor town, not a resort strip: morning espresso at the marina, ferries to La Maddalena every 30 minutes, boat tours through the national park, and the Costa Smeralda a short drive away. This is the home base that lets you see everything without packing and unpacking.
Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo & around)
Gorgeous, glamorous, and priced accordingly. Come for a day trip, a beach club and people-watching — but sleeping here costs two to three times more than Palau, ten minutes away.
Alghero (northwest)
A charming Catalan old town with great restaurants. Worth two nights if you add a week — but it's 2.5 hours from Olbia airport and far from the archipelago.
Cagliari & the south
A lively city and long beaches like Chia. The catch for Americans: no nonstop from the U.S., and the best northern highlights become day-trip impossible.
The interior
Agriturismi, cannonau wine country and nuraghi ruins — a fantastic two-night add-on, not a beach-week base.
Hotel or apartment?
For anything longer than two or three nights, an apartment gives you the most bang for your buck in Sardinia: a kitchen for slow mornings, a terrace for sunset Vermentino, a washing machine mid-trip, and room to actually unpack. Our five apartments in Palau each have a private outdoor space, fast Wi-Fi and air conditioning — a 10-minute walk from the beach and the ferry to La Maddalena.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay in Sardinia for beaches?
The northeast corner around Palau. You get the La Maddalena archipelago national park by ferry or boat tour, Costa Smeralda beaches within a 30-minute drive, and more white-sand coves than you can see in a week.
Is North or South Sardinia better for a first trip?
North, for most Americans: the nonstop JFK–Olbia flight lands you 40 minutes from Palau, distances are short, and the scenery is the postcard version of Sardinia. The south (Cagliari side) is beautiful but means a second flight or a 3-hour drive.
Hotel or apartment in Sardinia?
For a week or more, an apartment is a no-brainer: kitchen for slow breakfasts, a terrace for sunset wine, and far more space per dollar. Hotels make sense for two-night stops.
Do I need a car in Sardinia?
Strongly recommended. Beaches, nuraghi ruins and villages are spread out, and public transit is limited. Driving is easy: good roads, light traffic outside August, free parking in most towns.
When should I book for summer?
June and September can often be booked 2–3 months out. For late July and August, book 4–6 months ahead — the good-value apartments go first.