Travel information and resort guides to Sardinia, includes travel information from the UK. Unspoilt beaches, captivating towns and friendly locals: cheap flights are quickly turning the Mediterranean island of Sardinia into one of Europe’s best beach locations for those on a budget. But hurry - word is out - we highlight some of the island’s hidden gems.

If you are travelling to Sardinia from the UK by budget airline then you will either fly into the North or South of the island. Ryanair fly into Alghero, in the North, from London Standsted, while easyJet and British Airways fly into the capital, Cagliari, in the South, from Luton and Heathrow respectively. But wherever you are on Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean, there is plenty to offer stressed out Brits in need of a little rest and relaxation, with a good meal, great beaches and warm welcome never far away.

Travel Guide: Northern Sardinia

Alghero Travel Information

Served by Ryanair, Alghero is often overlooked by travellers eager to head East to the resorts and beaches of the more glamorous Costa Smeralda, but for those who opt to stop, Alghero rarely disappoints and is undoubtedly a great base for anyone on a short getaway. The old centre of the town is filled with bars and shops, and has a bustling feel in the peak summer season, but enough local authenticity to be an interesting place to all year-round. The harbour retains much of its original character and is flanked by the old fortifications of the town, originally built to defend Alghero from Moorish invaders in the thirteenth century and modified by the Aragonese who conquered the town in 1353, and are largely responsible for the town’s Spanish influence. The town is easy to navigate on foot, with good restaurants, café bars and shops, and, for those looking to top-up the tan on a whistle-stop break, there are also some good beaches a short walk from the town centre. Alghero is the ideal destination if you do not want to hire a car or have a limited amount of time to explore the island.

Bosa Travel Information

Twenty-five miles south of Alghero, along the Western coast, is the beautiful medieval town of Bosa. Although regularly picked out as one of Sardinia’s gems, Bosa, situated along the banks of the river Temo, Sardinia’s only navigable river and surrounded by steep hills, overlooked by an imposing castle, is not the tourist trap it could be if it were on the Italian mainland. The multi-coloured buildings and picturesque piazzas, fantastic restaurants, many of which are tucked away down winding, unpretentious alleyways, and laidback café bars are reminiscent of many towns along the Italian Lakes. While tourism is undoubtedly a mainstay of the town’s economy, Bosa has a friendly, local, atmosphere. Bosa castle, erected by the wealthy Genoese Malaspina family in 1122, is a worthy visit, as much for the great views of the town and the coast, as for the history, while Bosa Marina, about two kilometres away and easily within walking distance from the town centre, has a fantastic beach in a crescent-shaped harbour. The rear of the beach is lined with a few bars and shops, but the entire Marina, although popular in the height of summer, is refreshingly non touristy.

Southern Sardinia Travel Guide

Depending on what you are looking to get out of a short break – a city or beach break – Southern Sardinia can offer you one or the other, with tremendous beaches, beautiful scenery and a lively capital city where shopping, eating out and nightlife are unrivalled on the island.

View a Sardinia Photo slide show of images from the beaches of Villasimius and the Sardinian capital, Cagliari, Click Here

Cagliari City Guide

The capital and by far the largest city in Sardinia, anyone with any preconceptions of what they think Cagliari will be like should be prepared to have their minds severely changed on arrival. The old town centre referred to as the Castello, sits atop a hill and has numerous medieval churches, including the impressive Cagliari Cathedral and look-out towers, which offer breathtaking views of the Gulf of Cagliari. Beneath the Castello there is a large pedestrian street of clothes shops, many high street names among them, as well as more specialist boutique stores. And when it comes to nightlife, not only does Cagliari have some of the best restaurants on the island, with sea-food a speciality, but it also has some great uber-cool nighspots, playing energetic house music for a laidback clientele. Check out the open-air bar on the square in the Castello area, which has hammocks, cheap cocktails and excellent views of the city below. But beach lovers are well catered for in Cagliari, too. Poeto beach, just outside the city, is over thirteen kilometres long; giving you plenty of room to top up the tan should it be required. Cagliari is the ideal city break destination for those looking for some sun too, and don’t want the hassle of hiring a car.

Villasimius Travel Information

Forty kilometres East of Cagliari, close to the Costa Rei, is the beautiful and lively resort town of Villasimius. With as many brilliant beaches as you can count on two hands, all within a short distance from the resort centre, the main draw to the area is undoubtedly the outstanding beaches. Pristine white sand, clear blue seas and not a burnt Brit in sight are the order of the day on whatever beach you choose to encamp. Villasimius lagoon, flanked by a long stretch of white beach is also home to migrating pink flamingos, which add something more to the phrase ‘checking out the birds on the beach,’ while the town of Villasimius itself has a number of laidback bars, pizzerias, hotels and restaurants, catering to all tastes and budgets.