Holidays in South Sardinia are perfect for travellers wanting a taste of authentic Italy; it’s where Italians themselves choose to holiday. Leaving glitz, glamour and opulence to the north of the island, South Sardinia has a rugged, laid back and untouched charm.
The tiny hamlets, fishing villages and bigger cities offer the best of all worlds. Sun seeking families longing for respite from a busy home life have miles of white, sandy coastline to choose from. Rest and relaxation are guaranteed as the beaches are generally less crowded than those in the north. There are also plenty of exciting offshore adventures to be had – sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing open up a whole new world of coastlines and coves only accessible by sea.
South Sardinia buys into a rustic style of romance. Couples will enjoy strolling down tree-lined promenades, discovering an eclectic fusion of ancient archaeology, military history, and artisan shops. Fertile plains and rocky hills mean vineyards thrive; budding wine buffs will happily have their thirst quenched by the island’s vibrant wine culture.
At Citalia we’ve remained the leading Italian holiday specialist for almost 90 years. Our experience and expertise means that we can help you create your ideal holiday in South Sardinia.
Roaming the island you’ll feel like you’ve had multiple adventures rolled into one. In each village you’re likely to find different delicacies, different customs, and even slightly different languages. Each boutique will greet you with its own handcrafted goods, each group of locals will invite you to their brand of festival, and encourage you to wear their particular dress. It’d be wise to live like the Sardinians, as the island is one of the places with the most people over 100 years old in the world. That means setting yourself up for a day of exploring with a glass of goat’s milk – or a goat’s milk ice cream from a local gelataio.
Then, it’s time for a walk. In the capital city of Cagliari, the Villanova district is where you’ll find narrow residential streets beautifully decorated with colourful flowers and peppered with little churches. Or, to experience more of the hustle and bustle, head to the commercial Stampace district. Late afternoon is the best time to wander the ancient remains of Nora; the atmosphere then is particularly special with the low, warm sun providing a golden hue. Finally, enjoy two glasses of island favourite Cannonau red wine in a sweet little restaurant courtyard or backstreet trattoria.
Discover the real South Sardinia while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels
The closest airport to the resorts in South Sardinia is Cagliari (CAG). Direct flights to Cagliari are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Southend and London Stansted and take approximately 2 hours.
Sardinia is a summer destination, with the season generally running from May to early October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August and this is when the towns and beaches are at their busiest. However, Sardinia also enjoys a mild climate in spring and autumn with temperatures rarely going beneath 20 degrees which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. May, June and September are ideal months to visit for those wanting to avoid the busiest crowds and still enjoy warm weather.
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.
My pick for a family holiday in Italy would be the south of Sardinia. I grew up in Sardinia, so can say with confidence that it’s a fantastic place to visit with children! I’d recommend visiting in May, when the prices are a little lower and the temperatures are warm but not too hot.