East Sardinia 10-Day Itinerary: Best Beaches, What to Eat and Budget Breakdown

In this travel guide, we’ll take you through our ten-day summer itinerary in East Sardinia, showing you our favorite beaches, must-try local food, a breakdown of our expenses, and other tips and useful information to make your trip incredible.

Sardinia is an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has some of the most amazing and beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. The beaches are clean and well taken care of, the food is delicious, and it was much cheaper than we expected (much more affordable than Mallorca or Ibiza in high season, for example).

The island is quite big, so if you don’t want to rush on your summer vacation, we advise you to choose a specific region to explore. Since we were landing at Olbia airport, we decided to explore the east coast.

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Table of Contents

Our Top 10 Beaches in East Sardinia

During our ten days in Sardinia, we visited many beaches and would like to share our favorites. Some of these are well-known from other travel guides and truly live up to the hype. Others were new to us, and we were quite surprised that they weren’t more famous.

These places are ordered from the northernmost beach to the southernmost.

1) Spiaggia delle Vacche

Spiaggia delle Vache is a beautiful small beach in a cala near San Teodoro. It has some beautiful rocks resembling the landscapes in the Seychelles. The water is super blue and calm, creating like a natural pool. The only downside of this place is that there is very limited space on the sand, so make sure you arrive early.

To get to Spiaggia delle Vacche, you need to park in Cala Girgolu and then walk around twenty-five minutes to the beach. On your way there, you’ll pass by other beautiful little calas and beaches, including Spiaggia Tortuga.

2) Cala Brandinchi

Cala Brandinchi is another very famous beach in Sardinia and no wonder why. It has a long stretch of white sand and crystal clear blue shallow water. It is a great place for kids because the water is shallow for several meters.

This beach becomes extremely crowded during the summer months. There is a daily limit on the number of visitors allowed, but it still gets quite busy. To secure entry, you must book in advance through the San Teodoro Spiaggia website. The entrance fee is €2 per person, and parking for the car costs €2.50 per hour, making it somewhat expensive.

If you’re on a budget, we highly recommend Spiaggia La Cinta for a similar, but free, experience.

3) Spiaggia di Lu Impostu

Spiaggia di Lu Impostu is located right next to Cala Brandinchi and offers a similar experience. They share the same parking lot, but you need a separate ticket for Spiaggia di Lu Impostu, which also requires advance reservation. We enjoyed this beach as well; it was slightly less crowded than Cala Brandinchi.

You can reserve your ticket to Spiaggia Lu Impostu at the San Teodoro Spiaggia website. At the time, it cost 2€ per person.

4) Spiaggia La Cinta

Spiaggia La Cinta was a delightful surprise. While it is quite similar to Spiaggia di Lu Impostu and Cala Brandinchi, it has the advantage of free entry. As a result, it tends to get very crowded (even more than the other two beaches).

Fortunately, we arrived around 7 PM, by which time most people were leaving. Otherwise, we might have struggled to find a spot on the beach or a place to park.

5) Cala Luna

Cala Luna is one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia that you cannot miss. It is only accessible via a hiking trail or by boat. We have a guide with all the details on how to get to Cala Luna:

Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Luna and What to Expect

It is famous because of its grottos carved into the limestone cliffs that resemble a moon-like landscape. These caves provide natural shade and create a dramatic contrast with the bright turquoise waters. The beach is quite large, so you’ll easily find a good spot with little people if walk away from the entrance.

We decided to take on the hiking trail, which is challenging and about 12 kilometers long. However, if you’re accustomed to walking and hiking, it should be manageable. It took us around two hours to reach Cala Luna and about an hour and a half to return. Alternatively, you can choose to hike to Cala Luna and then catch a boat back

You don’t need to bring an umbrella as you’ll easily find shade inside the caves. There is a bar next to the beach, so you can restock on water and snacks if needed.

Most people decide to visit this beach on a tour. These tours are very popular and usually visit multiple stunning places along the Baunei coast. This is also a great option, but you’ll have limited time to stay on each place. Check out the options available on GetYourGuide.

6) Cala Goloritzé

Cala Goloritzé is another stunning and unique beach along the Baunei coast. Although it is often featured in boat tours of the area, boats are not allowed to dock there. The only way to reach Cala Goloritzé is via a hiking trail, which is about 3.5 kilometers long each way. We took around an hour and a half to get there and about an hour and twenty minutes to return. We have a guide with all the information you need to hike to Cala Goloritzé.

The beach is covered in small, beautiful white pebbles that contrast with the crystal-clear turquoise water.

Access to the beach is limited, so you must purchase a ticket in advance to secure your entry. To buy your ticket, you must install the Heart of Sardinia app and then buy the ticket there.

The beach is quite small, and despite the limit on the number of visitors, it can become very crowded, leaving little space for your towel. Be sure to bring an umbrella because there isn’t much shade and the sun can become quite intense.

7) Spiaggia di Cea

Spiaggia di Cea is a beautiful white sandy beach with a long stretch of sand near Arbatax. This was a very nice place without being too crowded. It was one of the less crowded beaches we went to. It stands out for its beautiful landscape with orange rocks.

There is a little restaurant and beach bar at this place.

8) Spiaggia di Santa Giusta

Spiaggia di Santa Giusta and the surrounding coast offer a stunning landscape, with a series of small bays stretching along the shore. In some spots, the rocks create something similar to natural pools.

We greatly enjoyed the scenery here, though it was very windy during our visit. This area is generally much windier than the beaches on the northeast coast.

9) Spiaggia di Porto Giunco

I’m adding Spiaggia di Porto Giunco to our list of favorite beaches, even though we didn’t manage to visit it. The reason it’s on our top 10 list is because of its lake, Stagno di Noterri, where you can see beautiful species of birds, including flamingos. I had never seen flamingos before, so this was quite special for us.

This beach is located at the southeasternmost point of the island (Capo Carbonara) and is one of the most famous beaches in the area. When we tried to visit, the beach was super crowded, and we couldn’t even find a spot to park our car. Additionally, it was quite windy, so staying at the beach would have been uncomfortable.

10) Spiaggia Cala Caterina

Spiaggia Cala Caterina was probably my favorite beach in Sardinia, standing out among my top favorites. Located at the southeasternmost point of the island, this beach is quite small, and the path to reach it is not very clear. This is probably why there was so very little people in this piece of paradise.

The beach is nestled in a cala with calm, crystal-clear water and features several rocks, making it a great place for snorkeling (we saw lots of fish, but they were jut “regular” fish). The shapes of the rocks might remind you of the picturesque landscapes of the Seychelles. While this part of the island is typically windy, Spiaggia Cala Caterina is quite sheltered.

There are no facilities at this beach, so make sure to bring your own umbrella and food.

When to Visit East Sardinia?

Sardinia is a great year-round destination, offering not only beautiful beaches but also stunning mountain landscapes. However, if you, like us, prefer summer beach vacations, the best time to visit is from June to the end of September for the best weather. Avoid August because of the crowds and extremely hot temperatures.

We visited at the beginning of July, and it was a great decision both weather-wise and budget-wise. The weather was perfect, not too hot, and the water temperature was very comfortable for swimming. Additionally, accommodation prices were still very reasonable (in the last two weeks of July, accommodation prices almost doubled). The last two weeks of September are also an excellent time to visit if you want good weather and to avoid crowds.

In June, the water temperature is usually still low. August is the peak month for crowds, and accommodation prices will skyrocket.

How to Get to Sardinia?

Sardinia is an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, you can get there by plane or ferry boat.

Sardinia has three airports: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, Alghero Airport, and Cagliari Elmas Airport. You can easily find cheap flights from mainland Italy or other European cities.

We got a flight from Porto, Portugal to Olbia Airport with a layover in Barcelona. There are also direct flights from Portugal, but at the time they were super expensive.

It’s also possible to get to Sardinia via ferry boat. For example, there are several options from mainland Italy (for example, Rome) or other countries like Spain or France. You can check the directferries website to check all possible options.

Related article: Rome Travel Guide: 3-Day Detailed Itinerary for First-Timers

Where to Stay in East Sardinia?

East Sardinia offers a wide range of accommodation options depending on your budget, travel style, and what you want to prioritize: whether it’s proximity to beaches, luxury resorts, boat excursions, or explore more quiet beaches.

We split our trip into two parts: the first half in Posada, and the second in Tortolì near Arbatax. This let us explore more of the east coast without long drives each day. We’ll explain why we choose those locations.

1) Porto Cervo & Costa Smeralda (Northeast tip)

This is the luxury hub of Sardinia, famous for yachts, designer shops, and expensive resorts and villas. Great if you’re looking for a more upscale resort experience. Close to Olbia airport.

Hotel suggestions:

• Hotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda (luxury): An iconic hotel designed by Jacques Couëlle, renowned for its unique architecture and featured in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Offers a private beach, saltwater pool, Shiseido spa, golf course, and multiple dining options including Matsuhisa and Beefbar.
• Cervo Hotel,Costa Smeralda Resort (mid-luxury): elegant hotel in the heart of Porto Cervo. Private beach (via shuttle), pool, fitness center, and several restaurants.
• 7Pines Resort Sardinia – A Destination By Hyatt (mid-luxury): upscale beachfront resort in Baja Sardinia. Direct beach access, spa, multiple pools, and restaurants. Ideal for couples or luxury stays
• Hotel Maria (budget/mid-range): simple, well-rated hotel in Golgo Aranci. Walking distance to the beach. Great for exploring the area on a budget.
• La Smeralda – Boutique Rooms and Breakfast (budget/mid-range): charming B&B near Porto Cervo. Not beachfront, but several beaches are a short drive away.

2) San Teodoro Area (Northeast Coast)

Some of the best beaches on the northeast coast are near San Teodoro, so staying there or in a nearby area is ideal. You’ll be close to some of the most beautiful and popular beaches like Cala Brandinchi, Spiaggia di Lu Impostu, and Spiaggia La Cinta.

Hotel suggestions:

• Baglioni Resort Sardinia – The Leading Hotels of the World (luxury): elegant 5-star resort set in the protected Tavolara Marine Park. Direct beach access, outdoor pool, spa, fine dining, and top-notch service. Perfect for a high-end seaside retreat.
• Hotel Don Diego (mid-luxury): overlooking a beautiful bay near Porto San Paolo. Private beach, outdoor pool, fitness center, and restaurant with sea views. A quiet and peceaful, upscale stay surrounded by nature.
• InCentro – San Teodoro (budget/mid-rage): modern, apartment-style stay in the town center. Walking distance to beaches and restaurants.
• B&BCoccole (budget): cozy, family-run B&B with a warm atmosphere. A short drive from La Cinta beach. No pool or spa, but great value for money.
• Da Tea (budget): simple, affordable rooms in a quiet area. Close to the town and a short drive from the beach. No luxury, but clean rooms. A great budget option.

Even though this is a great area, it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive places to stay—especially in the summer. The best places with good quality/price ratio get sold out quickly. Many beaches have paid access and parking can be tricky in high season.

3) Posada (Budget-Friendly Alternative Nearby)

However, accommodation in that region (San Teodoro) tends to be pricier and the best options get sold out quickly. We chose to stay a bit farther away in Posada, about 25 minutes by car, which allowed us to save on accommodation. This area offers a more authentic, more affordable, and less touristy vibe.

In Posada, there was not much going on at night. So, if you like party or something more active at night, I advise you to choose a different place. In our case, we were so tired at the end of the day that it didn’t make much difference.

In Posada we stayed in Borgo Albador. This was a quiet hotel, clean, with good staff and tranquil vibe. We really recommend this place. You need to have a car for getting around.

Other Hotel Suggestions:

• Villa Caterina Posada (budget): charming B&B surrounded by greenery. A few minutes’ drive from Posada beach.
• Seaside Home (mid-range): modern holiday home with a great location near the beach. Fully equipped for longer stays. With shared pool, ideal for families.
• Hotel Made (budget): simple hotel near the town center and a short drive to the beach. Clean rooms, affordable rates, and a friendly atmosphere.
• Sas Tilibbas-Ammentos Posada (budget): rustic-style stay surrounded by nature, a bit outside the town. Short drive to the beach.

3) Tortolì / Arbatax (Central East Coast, Great for Excursions)

In the second leg of our trip to East Sardinia, we stayed in Tortolí, near Arbatax. This area was our base for exploring the stunning Gulf of Orosei, known for its dramatic cliffs, caves, and incredible beaches like Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna, and more.

Additionally, Arbatax is the main port for boat excursions heading into the gulf.

Because this is located a bit more south than Orosei, it’s also a great option if you also want to explore the South.

In Tortolí, there were more restaurant options, stores, and souvenir shops open a night. It was much more lively than Posada for example—but not that lively if you compare with most places in Mallorca, for example.

In Tortolí we stayed in Tabernabé. This was a simple place to stay, but super clean, beautifully decorated and for a great price. Parking the car was a bit tricky sometimes. But, for a great stay for an affordable price, this is a great option.

Other hotel suggestions:

• La Tortorella Room & Apartment (budget): simple, clean rooms in a convenient location near the town center. Short drive to the beach. Great value for a short stay.
• Incantos charme B&B (budget): stylish and cozy B&B with beautiful details. A few minutes by car to the beach.
• Acquazzurra Affittacamere (budget): modern guesthouse close to Tortolì town and a short drive to Lido di Orrì. Comfortable rooms, no spa or pool, but great location for beach hopping.
• Hotel Orri (mid-range): well-equipped hotel with a pool, breakfast, and easy access to both town and beaches.
• Hotel La Bitta – Bovis Hotels (luxury): elegant beachfront hotel in Arbatax. Offers private beach, spa, seafront pool, and fine dining. Great for couples or anyone looking for a relaxing stay.

4) Orosei (For Exploring North Gulf Beaches)

If you prefer staying closer to the northern part of the Gulf of Orosei (Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna, and boat excursions to beautiful beaches), Orosei is a good base. It’s also close to Cala Gonone (where you can also stay), from where many boat tours depart.

Hotel suggestions:

• Hotel Anticos Palathos (budget/mid-range): charming hotel in a restored historic building in Orosei’s old town. Close to restaurants and a short drive to the beach.
• Parco Blu (budget): family-friendly hotel in Cala Gonone with pool, and walking distance to the beach. Great value for families.
• La Favorita Hotel (budget/mid-range): modern, comfortable hotel near Orosei town. Short drive to beaches.
• Club Esse Palmasera (budget): large resort-style property in Cala Gonone with pool, entertainment, and close to the beach. Great for families and groups on a budget.

5) Villasimius (Southeast Sardinia, Quieter and Great for Families)

If you want a more laid-back vibe, Villasimius is a fantastic area further south. It’s known for calm, family-friendly beaches that are mostly visited by locals. The beaches here were just as beautiful as those in the north, and much less crowded (even though a bit more windier—at least when we visited).

Hotel suggestions:

• Hotel Cala Caterina (luxury): elegant beachfront hotel with private beach, outdoor pool, and spa. Peaceful location ideal for couples and relaxation.
• Green Village Resort (mid-range): resort with pool, garden, and self-catering apartments. Walking distance to the beach, great for families and longer stays.
• Hotel Belvir (budget/mid-range): modern hotel in the town center. Short drive to beaches, no pool or spa, but clean, convenient, and great for budget travelers.
• Aras Hotel Boutique (budget): stylish, small hotel in a quiet area. A few minutes’ drive to the beach.

What to Eat in Sardinia?

The food in Sardinia is delicious. Besides the “default” food you find in most Italian restaurants, there are some Sardinian specialties you cannot miss.

Pane Carasau: almost all restaurants will bring this to the table for free. This is a traditional Sardinian dry and crispy flat bread. It’s so addictive.

Malloreddus: this is similar to gnocchi, but in a smaller size. It is served with tomato and sausage sauce. It’s delicious.

Culurgiones: these are similar to ravioli. They are filled with a mixture of potatoes, pecorino cheese, and mint. They can be served with tomato sauce or simply with butter and sage. Once I tried this dish, it instantly became one of my favorites.

Pasta alle vongole: although not specific for Sardinia, almost all restaurants served this dish. It is usually linguini or spaghetti served with clams. Many places in Sardinia also serve this dish with bottarga.

Seafood Pasta: almost all restaurants serve seafood pasta. I especially recommend the restaurant “Marco & Catherine” in Posada.

Tagliata di manzo: Many places also serve tagliata di manzo, a dish of sliced grilled beef from Sardinian cows. It is typically accompanied by arugula and Parmesan cheese.

Pizza: there is no shortage of places selling pizza in Sardinia. One of the pizzas we saw more often was pizza with mortazza, pistachio and burrata, and pizza with french fries (a weird combination, but seemed very popular among the youth.)

Seadas (or Sebadas): seadas are deep-fried pastries filled with fresh pecorino cheese and topped with honey. It’s delicious.

Fregola: even though we have not tried it, this seemed to be a favorite among locals. This is a Sardinian pasta made from semolina, formed into small balls and toasted. We saw it served often with a type of seafood soup.

How to Get Around Sardinia?

You definitely need to rent a car to explore Sardinia properly. We rented with Goldcar via Rentalcars. You’ll also find good deals on DiscoverCars.

We recommend you rent a small car as it will be useful to park in the small parking spaces on the beach. Driving in Sardinia is easy and the roads are generally in good condition.

Tip: when you book a rental car through an aggregator, you have the option to purchase insurance through them rather than the rental company. This insurance is typically less expensive. If you damage the car, you may have to pay the rental company’s deposit upfront. Once the claim is processed, the aggregator insurance will reimburse you for that amount. Just remember to check the terms of coverage to ensure it meets your needs.

It is also possible to visit some beaches using public transportation. For example, in San Teodoro, there are beach buses to take you to the beach and back. However, you’ll be restricted to the bus schedules and routes. Nonetheless, it’s a good option if you can’t drive.

Is Sardinia Safe?

We always felt safe, but don’t leave anything valuable in the car when going to the beach. Car break-ins are frequent, as we were told by the car rental company.

Watch out for your stuff while you’re in the water. We always left our stuff in the towel, but we never carried anything valuable with us besides our smartphones—we never had any problems.

Car break-ins and pickpockets are frequent in bigger cities. We wanted to visit Olbia, but all parking spot reviews had warnings about break-ins—we decided to not visit Olbia because of that.

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10 Days in East Sardinia – Our Itinerary

Here’s a summary of our 10-day itinerary in east Sardinia.

Day 1 in Sardinia

We arrived at Olbia airport around 4PM, picked up our car and drove to our hotel in Posada.

We stayed in Borgo Albador.

Then, we went to check out the beach, but the weather was not good.

For dinner, we had pizza at Pizzeria Da Daniele. The pizzas are super authentic with good ingredients and great prices. We really recommend.

Day 2 in Sardinia

We parked at Cala Girgolu and walked to Spiggia delle Vacche. This is a beautiful beach in a cala and one of our favorites in Sardinia. Make sure you arrive early because the beach is super small.

The way to get there is very nice with other smaller beaches along the way and beautiful landscapes with rocks. Don’t forget to check the Tortuga Beach on the way there.

When the beach started to get crowded we went back to Cala Girgolu where we had lunch under the shade of a tree.

In the afternoon, we went to Spiaggia di Porto Istana. The beach was nice, but there it was very crowded and there wasn’t much space because most of it was filled with umbrellas and sunbeds to rent.

We had dinner in one of our favorite restaurants we tried in Sardinia: Marco & Caterina trattoria locanda—the seafood linguini is to die for.

Day 3 in Sardinia

We spent our third day in Sardinia visiting the most famous beaches in San Teodoro: Cala Brandinchi and Spiaggia Lu Impostu.

Both beaches are stunning but can get very crowded. We found that Spiaggia Lu Impostu was slightly less crowded than Cala Brandinchi.

Each beach requires a separate ticket, which must be purchased in advance (check the San Teodoro Spiaggia website). Additionally, parking is quite expensive, costing €2.50 per hour.

We had dinner at the Ristorante Pizzeria CARPE DIEM: the pizza was good, but my pasta was just average.

Day 4 in Sardinia

We drove all the way to Porto Cervo to see the most expensive region in Sardinia. On our way to get there, we passed by beautiful viewpoints.

There isn’t much to do in Porto Cervo besides checking out some of the beautiful houses super well blended into the nature.

We then went to Spiaggia Cala Granu, but it didn’t stand out. We also tried Spiaggia di Ira, but it was nothing special when compared with other beaches we saw in Sardinia.

Finally, we ended up in Spiaggia La Cinta on our way back. This beach is like paradise. White sand with crystal clear blue shallow water. It’s a real paradise. This is similar to Cala Brandinchi and Spiggia Lu Impostu, but it is free.

The beach is big but it gets quite crowded, we were lucky to arrive at the end of the day and having lots of space at that time: around 7 PM.

We had dinner in our favorite restaurant again: Marco & Caterina trattoria locanda, we went for the seafood pasta and spaghetti alle vongole.

Day 5 in Sardinia

We did the hike to Cala Luna. The hike starts next to the parking lot for the Spiaggia di Cala Fuili. The hike is not easy, but if you’re used to walking and hiking, it’s not that difficult. But, bear in mind that it takes around two hours to get there. The rocks are slippery, so make sure you wear proper shoes.

When you get there, there is a bar and restaurant if you need to stock up on water and snacks. To get back, you can catch a boat or hike all the way back. We hiked all our way back and it took a bit less than two hours.

The beach at Cala Luna is amazing and you can find shade in the grottos. The water is some of the most blue we’ve ever seen. Make sure you walk away from the “entrance” of the beach, and you’ll find a much quieter area.

We had dinner at Eteria food and drink in Posada. The pizza and the ravioli were great.

Day 6 in Sardinia

Time to change to our hotel in Tortolí to explore the most southern part of Sardinia. We stayed in Tarbernabé. This boutique hotel is very nice, has great decoration, and is very reasonably priced—we recommend it a lot.

We stayed in Tabernabé Boutique Hotel.

We spent our day in Spiaggia di Cea—this is a great beach and we absolutely recommend. This also has a small beach bar where we spent some time working.

We had dinner at Geppo’s. The pizzas were great. We liked this restaurant so much, that we went there twice.

Day 7 in Sardinia

We went further south and started by exploring Spiaggia di Santa Giusta. The views are amazing, but this area is a bit windy. We weren’t prepared for the wind, so we didn’t spend here much time, but we recommend it for the views, and if it isn’t windy, I think it’s worth it.

We then, tried to find another beach with less wind and we found Cala Pira. We spent a great time in this beach and it wasn’t crowded at all—add it to your list.

We had dinner at S’Apposenteddu, where I tried cullorgiones for the first time—I really liked it, it went to the list of my favorite Italian dishes.

Day 8 in Sardinia

We did the hike to Cala Goloritzé. This hike is considered more difficult than the one to Cala Luna, but I don’t think that. This one is shorter and the difficulty is almost the same. To do this hike, you need to get a ticket and there are limited entrances. You can read our guide with everything you need to know about getting to Cala Goloritzé on the link below:

Related article: Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Goloritzé and What to Expect

Access to the beach is limited, so you must purchase a ticket in advance to secure your entry. To buy your ticket, you must install the Heart of Sardinia app and then buy the ticket there.

Cala Goloritzé is stunning, some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen, but it is extremely small and gets quite crowded even though there is a limit on the number of people.

Take an umbrella with you because there isn’t much shade. Make sure you use proper shoes, the rocks can be slippery.

There are some nice donkeys at the entrance to the parking lot at the start of the hike. Make sure to notice them—they are so cute.

After spending almost all afternoon in Cala Goloritzé and on the hike to get there and back, we drove to Pedra Longa—don’t miss this beautiful viewpoint.

We had dinner at Geppo’s again. I had tagliatta di manzo accompanied with argula and parmesan cheese—it is to die for (I’m a big fan of all these three ingredients).

Day 9

We spent our morning in Spiaggia Sa Marina where you can get great views of Torre di Bari. The beach was nice, but it didn’t stand out much.

On this day, we decided to have lunch at a restaurant. This was a bad idea because it was extremely hot on this day and with all bellies full we got very sleepy. We spent part of the afternoon resting at the hotel (this was the hottest day we had in Sardinia with temperatures around 40ºC).

We had dinner at Pizzeria da Scattu. An american-style restaurant that serves delicious pizzas and burgers.

Day 10

We went south on this day to see the flamingos on the lake next to Spiaggia du Porto Giunco. There are lots of flamingos there and other beautiful birds.

This beach is super popular and we couldn’t find a place to park our car. So, we decided to explore other beaches nearby.

We ended up at Cala Caterina, which instantly became one of our favorite beaches. It’s a peaceful spot with very few people, lots of rocks in the water—perfect for snorkeling—and stunning rock formations that will remind you of the pictures you see of the Seychelles.

It was the perfect spot for our last day in Sardinia. Our only regret was not bringing enough food to stay longer; we only had one banana for the entire day.

We had dinner at Viaggi e Sapori—I had a plate of delicious cullorgiones with tomato sauce, and my boyfriend had pizza (as usual).

10 Days in Sardinia Budget Breakdown

Spending an unforgettable summer vacation in Sardinia doesn’t have to be extremely expensive. It was much cheaper than we expected when compared with Spanish islands like Mallorca, Menorca, or Ibiza.

In the table below you can find a summary of our expenses during our 10-day stay in Sardinia.

Flights: We booked the cheapest flights possible with layover in Barcelona—we went with Vuelling and Volotea. We traveled with just one personal item. Otherwise, the price for luggage would be more than the price of the flight. We booked seats on all flights. We usually search for the best prices and flight routes on the kiwi.com website.

Car rental: We rented the cheapest car with the maximum insurance using rentalcars. We booked at Goldcar and bought the insurance from rentalcars.

Food: When it comes to food, at lunch we almost always had something from the supermarket and at night we went to restaurants. Pizza prices can range from 6 to 12€. Pasta dishes usually start around 13€. At restaurants, you always have to pay for coperto, which can be 1,50€ per person or more depending on the place.

Entrance to beaches: Most beaches were free with the exception of Cala Brandinchi and Spiaggia Lu Impostu and the hike to Cala Goloritzé.

Parking the car: Most parking spots near the beach required a fee, but they were generally affordable, except for the parking lots at Cala Brandinchi and Spiaggia Lu Impostu, which were more expensive.

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Other Sardinia Guides

• Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Goloritzé and What to Expect
• Sardinia: How to Get to Cala Luna and What to Expect

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