Welcome to Northern Sardinia!
I'll tell you all about my beautiful discoveries.
Extremely easy to get to Olbia with Easyjet or Volotea from Lyon (and other French cities, of course). Landing and immediately picking up a rental car is essential for visiting.
WARNING about the rental companies you choose because there are so many of them. Everywhere in front, you will see SIXT (which clearly has a huge contract with Olbia airport) and then on the right, you will find the others located in small construction site bungalows.
For my part, I chose FILORENT (via BSP AUTO) and it was great: a new generation FIAT PANDA mini-SUV style, very pleasant, automatic with all the options.
IMPORTANT POINT for driving: all the small roads are limited to 50 km/h; then, on faster roads, it varies between 90 and 110 km/h. You will notice that this is not always indicated and the locals drive very fast, so be vigilant.
Heading to PALAU for 2 nights
Palau is a tiny seaside resort opposite the Maddalena archipelago, very famous for its natural pools and turquoise lagoons (truly it is very, very beautiful, you wonder how it is possible to have this so close to home!). We stayed in a small 4* residence: Palau Green Village. Very clean, functional and within walking distance of the village.
A quick sleep and the next day, dynamic direction Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo, get your wallet ready because these are quite chic seaside resorts, like Saint-Tropez. It is very pretty and full of charm.
I recommend the pizzeria in Porto Rotondo which is authentic, family-run, facing the port and with excellent value for money: Il Pomodoro.
Then we visited the small inland village of Arzachena, with its small church and charming little square. Sardinia is overall very authentic, I find, and still preserved in certain places.
La Maddalena Archipelago by boat
Day 2, off we go on a sailing boat to discover the different islands of La Maddalena, it is a day trip: 10am-5pm. I highly recommend certain providers (ask me) and also to do the outing in a small group to avoid being 40 people, which would be totally unbearable in high season. Spargi, Budelli, we are truly on the Tahiti of the Mediterranean.
In the evening, absolutely eat at the restaurant in the center of Palau: Aglio e Mare.
Heading to Santa Teresa Di Gallura
30 min drive to discover the little gem at the tip of Sardinia. Founded in 1808 by King Vittorio Emanuele I and named after his wife Maria Teresa of Austria, Santa Teresa is one of the most famous seaside spots in Northern Sardinia. The small town's tourist port is one of the most important in Gallura and connects the island with neighboring Corsica thanks to the Santa Teresa - Bonifacio ferry line.
The small narrow streets are very pretty, I invite you to take the time to stroll around and enjoy a good Italian coffee.
Capo Testa
Stop at CAPO TESTA, the peninsula just west of Santa Teresa. This is a must-see during a stay in Santa Teresa. The site features exceptional rock formations, sculpted by the wind over time. With the clear water, the place is superb!
The North-West Coast
We then hit the road, heading south and west of Sardinia. We are going to stop for the magnificent sunset at the beach club: Paradise Beach Club.
A little further down there is an exceptional vineyard that is a must-do: Tenute Vignola.
GOOD to know in Sardinia: very few locals speak English, that's just how it is, they didn't necessarily learn it at school, the second language until recently was French. So, everything is fine, we manage to communicate using a mix of French and Italian words.
Castelsardo, Sassari and Alghero
We slept near Castelsardo in an agriturismo run by a local (which is often the case with this type of accommodation). PAY ATTENTION here it is very typical: Sa Tanca Noa.
Castelsardo is a superb village that rises in a maze of medieval streets on a rocky promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its Doria Castle, perched at the very top, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Gulf of Asinara. I invite you to walk around and stop to eat here: Le Cisterne.
Sassari is the second city of Sardinia and its northern cultural capital. Less touristy than Cagliari, it won us over with its authenticity: a resolutely local atmosphere. The San Nicola Cathedral, with its finely carved Spanish-Gothic facade, is its jewel. We ate excellent pasta here: L'antica Hostaria.
Alghero was founded by the Catalans in the 14th century, it has retained a Mediterranean soul tinged with Spain: Algherese, a Catalan dialect, is still spoken there, and the architecture of its golden ramparts along the sea reminds you of this at every step. The historic center, compact and pedestrian, is a pleasure to explore.
We slept in a tiny perched village with an incredible view: Osilo on the way back up to Olbia, I'll give you the link to our superb accommodation: Tuffudesu Guesthouse
OLBIA, the prosperous
Favorite in Olbia: I was told it wasn't great and think again, it is very pretty! I loved it!
Olbia deserves we linger there before heading to the beaches. Its historical center hides a beautiful early Christian basilica, San Simplicio, one of the oldest in the island, and its shopping streets have a quiet charm far from the seaside bustle.
To finish the stay, we ate here SA ERRAZZA
