A road trip across the Italian island Sardinia
Spending a holiday on the Italian island Sardinia is certainly no hardship. Besides Sicily, it is the largest island in the Mediterranean and home to many beautiful sights. Sardinia is 270 km long and 150 km wide, making it an ideal destination to explore quickly and easily with a rental car.
Start your journey in Alghero
Your road trip begins at Alghero Airport, which you can reach from the Netherlands in around two hours. Your rental car will be waiting for you, ready for the start of your journey. From Alghero, drive about 46 km to the colourful town of Bosa. This charming and authentic town can already be seen from afar thanks to its brightly coloured houses. Be sure to visit the impressive Castello Malaspina. It takes some effort to reach the hilltop, but the view is more than worth it.
The west coast route to Oristano
From Bosa, drive 62 km south to the city of Oristano. This beautiful route runs along the island’s west coast and offers stunning views along the way. Oristano is known as an agricultural region where large amounts of grain and rice are grown. The city attracts many visitors thanks to its beautiful architecture. The stunning beaches of Torre Grande are located nearby and are perfect for a day trip by car. Discover the underwater world while snorkelling or diving.
Capital city Cagliari
Leave Oristano behind and head towards the capital city, Cagliari, located 94 km away. Like Rome, this city is built on seven hills. Within the city you will find original city walls, characteristic buildings and steep streets. The centre is the place to go for shops and lively nightlife. Climb the steep streets and explore the beautiful historic centre of Cagliari. There are plenty of sights to discover.
Arbatax
From the capital, continue your journey by car to the town of Arbatax, located 143 km further north. Arbatax offers something for everyone, including families with children, beach lovers, nature enthusiasts and active travellers. The surrounding nature is impressive, with several waterfalls, caves and a large reservoir. Nearby you will find the town of Tortolì, known for its good restaurants and charming shops. It is an ideal place to visit with your rental car from Arbatax.
The gorges of Cala Gonone
Leave Arbatax and travel to the picturesque town of Cala Gonone. This place is famous for its beautiful beach with crystal-clear turquoise water. Besides the beach, nature lovers and hikers will also feel right at home here. Gola di Gorropu features the deepest gorges in Europe and is a spectacular place to visit. In some places the cliffs reach heights of up to 300 metres. It is quite a hike, but the impressive scenery and enormous boulders make it a worthwhile stop during your Sardinia road trip.
Historic city of Olbia
After visiting the stunning gorges near Cala Gonone, drive another 70 km north to the lively city of Olbia. This historic city is well worth a visit thanks to its monumental churches and archaeological treasures. Plan a day trip to the National Park Arcipelago di La Maddalena. This nature park consists of seven main islands and more than 50 uninhabited islets — a true paradise that should not be missed during your Sardinia holiday. Drive to the town of Palau and take the ferry from there to reach the island and explore the park.
One-way rental options
You can choose to return your rental car in a different location than Alghero, known as a one-way rental. The advantage is that you do not have to drive back to the starting point of your road trip. The drop-off fee for returning your car to another location in Sardinia is €60. Choose from rental locations in Alghero, Olbia or Cagliari and enjoy the freedom that renting a car offers.
Still not had enough of Italy? Before or after your visit to Sardinia, you can easily fly on to nearby cities such as Rome or Naples for an enjoyable city trip.
