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Sardinia’s cinematic Emerald Coast is renowned for its turquoise waters and powdery-soft sands, set against aromatic Mediterranean shrub-clad cliffs.
Discover a rugged interior of granite peaks, cork-oak forests, and charming stone villages that reveal the island’s rural soul.
Key places to visit include Golfo di Marinella, Porto Cervo, Olbia, and Castelsardo.
Explore the best of Sardinia’s Emerald Coast on Just You’s Sardinia tours.
Sardinia is Italy’s second-largest Mediterranean island. Rising from the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is a land of striking contrasts, from the marinas of the north to the rugged, silent interior where ancient traditions remain.
While its emerald-hued waters and powdery white sands are legendary, the island’s true soul lies in its granite mountains and prehistoric stone fortresses. Whether you are seeking the glamour of the coast or the rustic simplicity of a mountain vineyard, Sardinia offers a timeless escape where the sea and the sun dictate the rhythm of life.
On Just You’s Sun-kissed Sardinia tour, you’ll stay in the heart of the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). This is the perfect base for exploring the island’s most scenic parts. Below are the best things to do in Sardinia as they appear on this itinerary (including the tour’s optional excursions).
Here are ten compelling reasons the northwest corner should top your list of things to do in Sardinia, Italy.
Few coastlines live up to their reputation like the Costa Smeralda. Discover the Emerald Coast, known for its white-sand beaches, remote bays and luxurious resorts.
It’s the classic Sardinia scene: turquoise water, smooth granite, and that wild, scrubby Mediterranean landscape (the macchia) perfuming the air. This is the Sardinia many travellers imagine.
Set inland against Sardinia’s dramatic granite landscape,San Pantaleo offers a different perspective of the island: one that is more local, more rural, and wonderfully photogenic.
This charming village is ideal for a gentle wander with the chance to pause in the piazza and browse the little shops. Then head back to the coast feeling like you’ve experienced another side of Sardinia.
Porto Cervo is one of Sardinia’s most famous and glamorous resort towns. Here, one of the simplest pleasures is a slow stroll by the marina, admiring the yachts, window-shopping designer boutiques and watching the world go by.
Food is one of the quickest routes into a place, and lunch in a traditional locanda is a wonderful opportunity to taste Sardinia as well as photograph it.
You may find dishes such as local pasta, cured meats and regional cheeses on the menu, offering a simple introduction to Sardinian flavours. Take the time to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and recharge over a bite to eat.
If you want your Sardinia experience to include island-hopping, consider taking a boat to the Island of La Maddalena. You could swim in crystal-clear water and enjoy a light lunch here – altogether, a very Sardinian way to spend a day.
This scenic trip is an optional excursion on Just You’s Sun-Kissed Sardinia tour, introducing you to pretty bays and glorious beaches, with time to explore the island’s charming fishing village and the narrow streets leading up to the port of Cala Gavetta.
While in Porto Cervo, you could take a short walk to the small whitewashed Stella Maris Church. It’s a quiet contrast to the sparkle of the marina below, and it rewards you with a bird’s-eye view over this polished corner of the Costa Smeralda.
It’s a small stop, but it adds that sense of place that makes coastal towns feel more than just a pretty waterfront.
Castelsardo is a historic town in the northwest of the island. On a drive, getting there is part of the experience. You’ll enjoy panoramic views through the scenic Gallura countryside, passing granite stone formations and cork oak forests.
Visitors love Castelsardo’s enchanting old town with its ancient architecture. You could visit on an optional excursion while on our Sardinia tours. The trip includes stops such as Elephant Rock and it’s a great choice if you want a stronger sense of Sardinia beyond the resort coastline.
If you’re looking to broaden your experience of Sardinia beyond the north-east coast, consider a trip to Alghero, a historic coastal city with a characterful old town.
It’s a rewarding way to combine sightseeing with a taste of local wine, as the surrounding region is known for its vineyards and production of red and white wines.
You could enjoy some delicious local wines on an optional excursion on Just You’s Sardinia tours.
Olbia is a wonderful city to explore on foot, where a wander through its squares and streets offers a feel for its history and waterfront setting.
In the heart of the city, Piazza Margherita is a shaded spot to relax, while granite-paved Corso Umberto is lined with shops and cafés as it stretches towards the port.
With its sandy beach and clear water, Golfo di Marinella is a lovely spot for time by the sea.
If you have some time to spend here, why not take an easy stroll along the bay, or a relaxed break over an espresso or light lunch in a local cafe? In some parts of the bay, you may also spot water sports taking place on the waves.
Just You’s Sun-Kissed Sardinia escorted tour offers a balance of island time and opportunities to enjoy local culture and history.
Discover more Just You singles holidays and solo tours to Italy.
Enjoy a relaxing week in one of Sardinia’s loveliest coastal resorts, and get out and about to discover the island’s local traditions.
