Sardinia
A sea the colour of glass, an ancient interior and a culture older than memory set Sardinia apart.
Sardinia is an island apart, with a landscape and culture unlike anywhere else in Italy. Its coastline is famous — the Costa Smeralda's turquoise coves and the countless beaches of the north-east — but its interior, mountainous and ancient, is just as compelling.
The island is dotted with nuraghi, mysterious Bronze-Age stone towers found nowhere else. Alghero, in the north-west, carries a Catalan heritage in its language and old town. The food and wine — suckling pig, pane carasau, Vermentino and Cannonau — reflect a proud, independent tradition.
What to see and do
- Swim in the coves of the Costa Smeralda
- Reach hidden beaches by private boat
- Explore ancient nuraghi such as Su Nuraxi
- Wander the Catalan old town of Alghero
- Taste Vermentino, Cannonau and island cuisine
When to go
May, June, September and early October are ideal for the coast, with warm seas and fewer crowds than midsummer. The interior is rewarding in spring and autumn.