White sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and lush green trees swaying in the breeze. This may sound like a description of the Maldives, but actually this is what I experienced on a recent trip to Italy.
The second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia is sometimes referred to as the “Maldives of Europe” due to the beauty of its beaches. Two of them are featured on the 2024 list of the World’s 50 Best Beaches, selected by over 1,000 travelers. expert.
Like the Maldives, some parts of Sardinia are known for being expensive. Those with more money can head to the Costa Smeralda (or Emerald Coast), known for its yachting-loving jet set, luxury golf resorts, and designer stores.
Porto Cervo, part of the Costa Smeralda region of Sardinia. The area was founded by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the 1960s and now attracts the jet set. It is currently owned by Qatar Investment Authority.
Emanuele Perrone | Getty Images
Luxury hotel company Belmond opened the renovated Romazzino in Porto Cervo in August with colleagues. LVMH The brand Cheval Blanc plans to open the hotel in 2026. Rocco Forte Group and Mandarin Oriental hotels are also scheduled to open in the same year.
But as I discovered on a recent vacation, it’s possible to experience Sardinia’s beautiful coastline without spending a fortune. Airfare obviously affects travel costs, but I spent $1,500 for a week on the island, including flights from London.
First of all, I’m glad I was able to travel in the fall, when prices are lower. School in England starts in early September, so I thought the weather would still be fine.
Also, since we were happy with mid-priced accommodations, we wanted to stay in a place that included meals to make it easier to budget. I was also interested in having local restaurants nearby since they are often cheaper than those in tourist areas.
Guests can take a kayak or paddleboard “safari” to the adjacent beach.
Source: Neilson
A search online revealed that the vacation company Neilson has a resort on Sardinia’s northeast coast. Far from Costa Smeralda. I had been to a Neilson-run hotel in Greece a few years ago and was impressed by the service, food, and activities such as kayaking and yoga.
Neilson’s Bahia dei Mori Beach Club is located next to the dunes on a beautiful beach, a 40-minute drive from Olbia’s airport. We found a deal for 849 British pounds (approximately $1,102) per person per week for two people traveling in a room at the end of September.
Prices include return flights from London Stansted Airport, transfers, daily breakfast and lunch, plus four dinners, and on-site activities including tennis coaching, guided cycling, yoga classes, and windsurfing. The hotel’s website listed rooms in a one-story building surrounded by a pale sandy beach lined with pine trees and a simple garden.
I was sold so I booked to go with my friend Sinead.
Lucy Hundley’s trip to Sardinia included a guided bike trip.
Source: Neilson
On my first morning, I headed to a yoga class held on a wooden fitness deck near the beach. I then soaked up the sun for a few hours and took an aquabics class at the hotel pool.
In the afternoon, Sinead and I went on a guided mountain bike ride, choosing the beginner-level “Green” and walking a 9km (5.6 mile) loop. Keen cyclists can also venture out on intermediate or advanced routes along winding roads in the foothills. We ate lemon granita at Shardana Restaurant, nestled among the trees overlooking the white sands of Bahia Sant’Anna Beach.
Our days continued to be a combination of activity and relaxation, often starting with yoga, followed by a weightlifting class or a bike ride in the afternoon.
Author Lucy Hundley and her pre-cycling travel companion Sinead.
Source: Lucy Handley
The highlight was a stand-up paddleboard ‘safari’ where we paddled around the peninsula with other guests to the 4km white sand Budoni Bay beach. From there you can enjoy stunning views of the mountainous island of Tavolara. The resort also offers sailing classes for all levels and races on weekends.
On nights when meals were not included, we walked to the village of Tanaunella for dinner. At L’Hotel Pedra Niedda, I enjoyed the Maloreddus alla Campidanese, a Sardinian pasta with sausage sauce, for 12 euros (about $13). Meanwhile, family-run Pizzeria da Paolo offered a wide selection of pizzas for less than 10 euros. At Ristorante La Volpe, I had a tuna steak with anchovy mayonnaise for 25 euros.
The rest of the budget was spent on alcoholic drinks and coffee at local bars, and one day we rented a car (about 120 euros including delivery, collection and petrol) and headed south to the Gulf of Orosei and Jennalgen. We headed to Tu National Park. A white sand beach connected to a cliff.
Cala Juiri, a white pebble cove on Sardinia’s east coast, is popular with mountaineers.
Enrico Spanu | Leda & Co | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
The coastal town of Cala Gonone has a boat launch to the Grotte del Bue Marino cave, which I think is very popular in the summer. Instead, we drove along the coast to the cove of Cala Huiri. There is a small white pebble beach flanked by cliffs that is popular with climbers. So we went down a steep flight of stairs and found a spot among the sunbathers.
Like many destinations, Sardinia is keen to reduce overtourism and has introduced limits on the number of people who can visit certain beaches during high season. La Pelosa Beach, along the northeast coast, requires a mat under your towel to prevent sand from sticking to the beach and sand being removed.
My hotel was a low-rise resort set back from the coast, and the dunes were well-marked to prevent damage, so the beach never felt crowded.
It was the perfect off-season escape.
