Sardinia
Italy
- Coastline
- Emerald sea and rocky mountain
- Coast life
- Yachts and fishing boats
This Mediterranean island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and if you venture inland you’ll find breathtaking countryside.
It may be Italian now, but this isle's rich, varied history has seen visits from the Phoenicians, Romans, Pisans, Genoese and Spaniards, as reflected in its architecture, food and culture. If you have time and inclination, there’s a lot to see here, from the flamingoes and mediaeval traces in its cosmopolitan capital, Cagliari, to the Spanish influence on Alghero on the Coral Riviera. But you may find it difficult to prise yourself away from the magnificent white sands and crystal-clear waters...
Pictured: La Coluccia
Boutique hotels in Sardinia
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Sardinia
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Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Sardinia has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Sardinia. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…
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Smith Maps
Here is the map of Sardinia; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- Taxis are cheap. It’s not usually possible to hail them in the street, but your hotel can book cars for you, and there are cab ranks in the larger towns and villages.
- Tipping culture
- At restaurants, the service charge is included in the bill, although an additional small tip of a few euros is usually expected. It is common to tip hotel staff, porters, taxi drivers and tour guides.
- Packing tips
- Take good quality sunglasses if you plan to do any driving. And it's also de rigueur style-wise on this glamorous island.
- Recommended reads
- Sardinian author Grazia Deledda was the first woman to win the Nobel prize for literature; try her Woman and the Priest. Sea and Sardinia is DH Lawrence’s account of his trip to the island in 1921, and his love for the place.
- Cuisine
- As an island culture poised between Italy, Spain and Tunisia, Sardinia has the fresh, tasty food that you’d expect, from home-style simple produce to Michelin-starred cuisine. The north of the island is famous for its shellfish, in particular.
- Currency
- Euro.
- Dialing codes
- Country code for Italy: 39.
- Do go/don't go
- Sardinia is renowned for being very wet in the winter, and many hotels and restaurants are closed during these damper months. The ideal time to visit is in May, June and July, when the flowers are in full bloom and the evenings are still cool. Watch out for the Ferragosto holiday in mid-August, when many shops and restaurants close.
