Sardinia: Where to Stay, Best Areas, Hotels, Rentals and More in 2026

Going to stay in Sardinia? Let me help you plan

Rugged countryside, beautiful beaches, historic towns and the bluest waters in Italy – there are many reasons Sardinia is such a popular destination for visitors from across the world. There are also multiple options when it comes to choosing where to base yourself during a stay in Sardinia.

Being a large island, Sardinia features several distinct provinces and areas – to make things easier to follow, I’ll start in the south of the island at Cagliari (metaphorically six on a clock), moving clockwise around to cover each area, as well as detailing the centre of the island.

Use the following links to jump to the section you’re interested in if you already know where you’d like to stay:

• My top tips for staying in Sardinia
• Southern Sardinia, including Cagliari and nearby
• Western Coast of Sardinia – Oristano, Bosa & Alghero (my favourite place in Sardinia)
• North Sardinia, including Sassari and the Costa Smeralda
• Eastern coast of Sardinia, including Olbia
• Stay in central Sardinia

When planning a trip to Sardinia there are some essentials you should consider:

1. Sardinia is more remote and sparsely populated than much of Italy, meaning public transport options are limited. As such, if you plan to explore different places on the island you should hire a car or be prepared to arrange private transport.
2. Sardinia’s remoteness also means that the average cost per night anywhere on the island is higher than the Italian mainland or Sicily. Accommodation quality is high across the board, and when coupled with the stunning natural beauty of the island, I believe the premium is worth paying.
3. In the summer Sardinia can get extremely hot; temperatures routinely exceed 40°C (104°F), and therefore taking precautions to stay cool is highly advisable. One of my favourite ways to beat the heat is to get up early and do any sightseeing at the start of the day. While still hot in the summer, the early hours are not as hot as the afternoon, and sites are generally quieter, which makes for a more pleasant experience all-round.

The city of Cagliari (Casteddu in Sardinian) on Sardinia’s southern coast is the island’s administrative capital, and one of the main connection points to the Italian mainland and beyond. While small compared to other southern Italian cities such as Naples or Palermo, Cagliari is no less culturally significant, and worth staying in for at least a few days to explore.

The city’s main attractions are clustered around the port area and centro storico, and are all within easy walking distance if you stay centrally. If you wander the old city’s cobbled streets or take a guided tour, you’ll find impressive defensive and religious structures which provide insight into Cagliari’s turbulent past and dedicated mindset.

If you’re coming to Sardinia to relax you can also use the city’s transport network to reach the nearby famous Poetto beach.

Or, if history or nature is your thing, by venturing just an hour from Cagliari it’s possible to visit some of the most fascinating historical sites on the island (the Nuragic ruins of Barumini), and some of the most beautiful natural spots in Italy (the Giara plateau). If this sounds like something you might be interested in, check out our go-to tour provider in Cagliari, Nadir Tours, who offer excursions from the city to all major points of interest in this corner of Sardinia.

Cagliari features a range of all accommodation types; from large hotels to traditional B&Bs, as well as rental options from simple apartments to luxury stays such as Palazzo Doglio. Staying in Cagliari is affordable compared to other parts of the island (such as Olbia or the Costa Smeralda), with prices generally being in line with the Italian average per night.

On previous trips to Cagliari we have opted to stay outside the city centre to give us easy access to the surrounding area – our hotel of choice is UNA HOTELS T Hotel Cagliari which, while more ‘business’ than ‘traditional’, is a great base to visit Cagliari and the southern coast of Sardinia. We especially like the bright rooms, delicious food served in their restaurant, and the luxurious spa that you can access as a guest – the latter two being very welcome after a long day of sightseeing!

Being the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari is well-connected, with the airport hosting routes to and from mainland Italy, the EU, and the UK. At Cagliari’s port, daily ferries bring passengers and vehicles to and from Civitavecchia near Rome, Livorno in Tuscany, and other destinations.

In the areas outside of Cagliari you’ll find a mix of smaller hotels, regular B&Bs and agriturismi (working Italian farms that offer tourist accommodation). Transit options can be limited, so it is advisable to hire a car if you plan to stay outside of the city. Review all of your accommodation options, here.

This is my favourite part of Sardinia to visit and to stay in. I love the scenery, history and distinct culture of this corner of the island – and particularly the city of Alghero. In my opinion it’s the best place to stay in Sardinia, but before sharing why, let’s look at the other locations in this area:

This small town, set slightly inland from the coast, is a good base for those seeking an affordable, slower-paced stay in Sardinia. Oristano is known for its storied past, having once vied for control of the entire island before ultimately falling under Aragonese and then Spanish rule, along with the rest of Sardinia.

This legacy has left the town with beautiful examples of medieval architecture, and being only an hour from the famous Su Nuraxi di Barumini, it’s a particularly good choice for history-lovers.

Accommodation options range from small bed and breakfasts to self-catering stays. And because Oristano is in a less accessible part of the island (a car is recommended), prices are typically below the Sardinian average per night.

Bosa is a favourite holiday spot for many Italians I know, who come here to enjoy the town’s seaside location, wide open beaches, and peaceful atmosphere – all a good distance from Sardinia’s major cities.

You’ll find a range of hotels and rental options, but bear in mind that Bosa can get quite busy during the warmer months, when Sardinians and mainland Italians arrive for their summer holidays.

Staying in Bosa is a great choice for families and couples looking to spend time at the beach, or for anyone wanting to experience a quieter, more rural side of Sardinia.

This historic town is my favourite place in Sardinia, where its unique history, distinct cuisine, and unspoiled nature come together to create something special.

Alghero (L’Alguer in Catalan) was controlled for a long time through the Middle Ages by the Aragonese, and then the Spanish crowns from the Iberian peninsula. For hundreds of years this influence made Alghero more Catalan than Italian, and while this legacy has been fading since Italy unified in 1871, it lives on in the town’s architecture and cuisine, and even in a local dialect that’s a mix of Catalan, Italian, and Sardinian languages.

The town of Alghero is full of great restaurants and cultural sites, and the local area is home to some of my favourite beaches. Staying here also means you’re well placed to explore the surrounding area, embarking on boat trips from Alghero’s marina, Stintino, kayaking excursions from Fertilia, or wine tasting at the iconic Sella e Mosca vineyard. You can also get to some of Europe’s most picturesque beaches from Alghero, such as La Pelosa Beach, which is roughly an hour’s drive away.

Throughout the city centre and surrounding area there is no shortage of places to stay. You’ll find hotels, boutique B&Bs, agriturismi and rental options. The first time I visited Alghero in 2018 I stayed at Agriturismo Casale Degli Ulivi Alghero in the countryside outside of town, which I would recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing time – the home cooking served nightly in their restaurant was incredible, and the pool very inviting on the hot summer days!

Alghero Centre

More recently, Sara and I have chosen to stay in the centre of Alghero so we can take advantage of the food and drink scene here, and easily reach the best beaches and top historical sites in and near the old town. On our most recent stay we spent a few days at I Fiori and loved it for the fact it is a spacious apartment with a private terrace, perfect for enjoying the Sardinian sun and aperitivo drinks.

If you’re not already sold, there’s also the fact that getting to Alghero couldn’t be easier. Alghero Fertilia Airport (AHO) offers flights to mainland Italy as well as numerous locations in Europe. If you’re driving to Alghero, the excellent road connections make getting to and from the rest of the island easy – just bear in mind that parking in Alghero can be a challenge if your accommodation doesn’t include a space.

I could go on about all the reasons why I like this lovely town so much, and in fact I did in this dedicated guide to Alghero – read now here if you’re interested in knowing more about my favourite place in Sardinia.

The most northern end of Sardinia is one of the most popular holiday spots in Italy. People are drawn here by the unspoiled nature of the coastline and laid back atmosphere throughout the area – let’s take a look at the two main areas you can stay in:

Sassari is the second-largest city on the island after Cagliari, and offers a wide range of accommodation options – from hotels and B&Bs to apartments and self-catering rentals.

The city features a distinctive mix of Sardinian, Iberian, and Italian architecture, reflecting its layered history and making it a compelling place to stay for those interested in understanding Sardinia’s past.

A small railway line connects Sassari with Alghero, Olbia, and other towns in the north, making the train a convenient way to explore northern Sardinia.

In north-east Sardinia you’ll find one of the most exclusive and desired areas in Italy; the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast).

This part of the island has been popular with the wealthy for decades, who are drawn to the area’s outstanding natural beauty, pristine beaches and an ingrained culture of privacy and peace.

Sardinia’s Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda) along the north-western coast of Sardinia, is home to some of Italy’s best hotels and luxury resorts such as Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel. Staying in this part of Sardinia doesn’t come cheap, with the average cost per night being well above the Italian average regardless of the accommodation type. But, you get what you pay for; high-quality accommodation, impeccable service and immediate access to some of the best beaches in Europe.

This is a destination that you come to if you want to indulge and live the real Dolce Vita. The beautiful beaches, luxury hotels (some even with their own private beach access), top-quality restaurants and relaxed atmosphere make it the ultimate place to stay if high-end travel is your thing.

Nature lovers shouldn’t miss the beautiful Maddalena archipelago national park, at the head of the Costa Smeralda. This group of seven main islands is a paradise of crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and is the perfect place to unwind and relax.

The best way to visit Maddalena is on an excursion, leaving from either Sassari or Olbia (more about Olbia below) – take a look at my recommended tour options here:

Like the east coast of Sardinia, the interior of the island is sparsely populated and as such features limited hotel and rental options.

That said, if you are looking for somewhere truly off-grid, you’ll find that here – it’s important to consider though that public transport connections are not the best in this part of the island, so having a car is advisable.

If you are drawn to the centre of the island for its remoteness and untamed nature, consider staying in another, more connected part of the island and venturing inland on day trips via tours and excursions.

Sardinia offers something for everyone; from fascinating history to delicious food and drink, from wild nature to busy cities. Finding the right place to stay will depend on your interests and priorities, as well as your budget.

I hope this guide has helped you identify some potential options for your visit, or at the very least, highlighted areas that are of interest. If you have any follow-up questions about staying in Sardinia, get in touch here.