COMPLETE GUIDE · NORTH SARDINIA 2027

Where to stay in northern Sardinia — the honest answer

Northern Sardinia has 30+ destinations — and picking the wrong one means a week of regrets. Stintino or Alghero? Palau or Santa Teresa? East Coast or North Coast? This guide answers with simple logic: we don't tell you where it's most beautiful, we tell you which destination is right for you.

We've been managing holiday rentals across northern Sardinia since 2011. What you read here is what we tell our guests before they book — not from a map, but from being on the ground.

Choose the wrong area in Sardinia and you ruin your holiday. It happens more often than you'd think.
Stintino with limited access and no booking. Alghero in August with every parking space gone by 8am. San Teodoro with a nightclub right under your window. 10 minutes of reading is all it takes to avoid every one of these.
📍 Coverage30+ destinations
🏠 Properties300+ homes managed
📅 Since2011
💰 Savingsup to 15% when you book direct
OUR STRONGEST AREA

North-west Sardinia

The historic heart of AffittaSardegna — the area with the greatest variety: Italy's most famous sea, a unique medieval town, an international port and beaches that are still wild.

🏖️ Stintino La Pelosa and the most photographed sea in the Mediterranean

For those who want the very best of the Sardinian sea. Attention: La Pelosa has limited access and booking is required. · Budget: High · Families ✅ · Couples ✅

🏛️ Alghero Medieval Catalan town with the airport 10 km away

For anyone who wants town + sea + easy logistics. Lively even out of season. · Budget: Medium to high · Nightlife ✅

⚓ Porto Torres A strategic base, a UNESCO site and lower prices

For anyone who wants Stintino, Alghero and Castelsardo within easy driving distance, at lower prices. Ferry port in town. · Budget: Low to medium · Base for exploring ✅✅

🏰 Castelsardo A romantic village with sweeping views

For couples looking for authenticity and spectacular sunsets. Lu Bagnu for families. · Budget: Medium · Couples ✅✅

🪁 Badesi 8 km of beach and kitesurfing

For families who want space and for kitesurfing fans. Li Junchi: a long, free public beach, frequent mistral. · Budget: Low to medium · Sport ✅✅

🌊 Valledoria Foce del Coghinas and a family base

For families looking for peace and quiet between Castelsardo and Badesi. A unique lagoon. · Budget: Low · Nature ✅✅

Found your area in the North-West? See available homes →
STRAIT OF BONIFACIO AND WIND

North Gallura

The northern tip of Sardinia — pink granite, Corsica on the horizon, frequent mistral. A more international soul.

🐦 Palau Gateway to the La Maddalena Archipelago

Ferries to La Maddalena all day long, a 15–20 minute crossing. Pink granite beaches. · Budget: Medium to high · Excursions ✅✅

🌬️ Santa Teresa di Gallura Corsica 50 minutes away by ferry

Ferries to Bonifacio several times a day. Lively nightlife. · Budget: Medium · Young people ✅✅

🔴 Isola Rossa Red porphyry and turquoise sea

A one-of-a-kind contrast between red porphyry and turquoise sea. · Budget: Medium · Photography ✅✅

LUXURY, ALTERNATIVES AND SECRETS

Costa Smeralda

It's not all about Porto Cervo. Book direct and you get the same turquoise water without the booking portals' commissions.

⛵ Porto Cervo The very top

Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli. Book direct: up to 15% less. · Budget: High · Exclusivity ✅✅

🏆 Baja Sardinia The Costa Smeralda at lower prices

A few km from Porto Cervo, same sea. · Budget: Medium to high · Couples ✅✅

🐟 Cannigione The authentic village

Fishing harbour, La Maddalena in 30 min. · Budget: Medium · Authenticity ✅✅

LIVELY, CONVENIENT, STRATEGIC

East Gallura

The arrival gateway from mainland Italy — Olbia airport, Golfo Aranci ferry port, the first big beach resorts.

🌟 San Teodoro La Cinta and its pink flamingos

The most complete destination in East Gallura. Nightlife, Olbia 25 km away. · Budget: Medium to high · Young people ✅✅

✈️ Pittulongu 10 minutes from Olbia airport

Zero transfer — you land and you're on the beach. · Budget: Medium · Logistics ✅✅✅

⛴️ Golfo Aranci Ferry port on your doorstep

Step off the ferry and you're already there. · Budget: Medium · Logistics ✅✅

Sold on East Gallura? Check availability →
SARDINIA AT ITS WILDEST

East Coast

Less known, less touristy, more authentic. From the Gulf of Orosei, among the most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean, to beaches lined with thousand-year-old junipers.

🌊 Cala Gonone Gateway to the Gulf of Orosei

Cala Luna, Grotte del Bue Marino, Selvaggio Blu. By boat, from Cala Gonone harbour. · Budget: Medium · Adventure ✅✅✅

⛵ Orosei Long beaches on the Gulf of Orosei

More amenities than Cala Gonone, a medieval old town. · Budget: Medium · Families ✅✅

🌲 Siniscola Berchida and the wild beaches

Berchida, reached by a dirt road through the junipers — unspoilt. · Budget: Low · Nature ✅✅✅

STRAIGHT ANSWER

Which area for which traveller?

Families with young children Porto Istana · Valledoria
Romantic couples Castelsardo · Porto Rafael
The most beautiful sea of all Stintino · Palau
Arriving by plane Alghero · Pittulongu
Arriving by ferry Porto Torres · Golfo Aranci
Adventure and wild sea Cala Gonone · Siniscola
Saving without missing out Porto Torres · Budoni
Kitesurfing Porto Pollo · Badesi
Luxury at direct-booking prices Porto Cervo · Baja Sardinia
AVOID THESE MISTAKES

3 mistakes that ruin a holiday in Sardinia

❌ Choosing Stintino without knowing about the limited access

La Pelosa has limited access and booking is required: in high season places run out fast, so book as soon as you have your dates. How to book →

❌ Underestimating distances

Porto Torres to Cala Gonone takes more than 2½ hours by car. The wrong area means half your holiday spent in the car.

❌ Booking on portals without checking the direct price

Book direct and you save up to 15%: that's the commission the booking portals add to your bill. Search homes →

CHOSEN YOUR AREA?

Book direct and save up to 15%

300+ homes in more than 30 places across northern Sardinia. Local support since 2011. No booking-portal commission.

Search available homes →