2 Weeks in Sardinia: Ultimate 2-Week Northern Sardinia Itinerary

Camille L.

2 weeks in Northern Sardinia: what to do and see?

Do you want to visit Sardinia in two weeks? Perfect, you are in the right place!

To help you plan your itinerary, we have put together a 2-week Sardinia itinerary to avoid any of the places of interest and the most beautiful beaches to see on this beautiful island.

Follow our program from day to day to discover the Alghero and much more!

For each step, you will also find our advice to do a lot of things during these 2 weeks of car tour in North Sardinia as well as our selection of the best accommodations.

So what to do and see in Northern Sardinia in two weeks?

Day 1-2: Costa Smeralda / Porto Cervo

For this 2-week itinerary in Sardinia, the most convenient is to land at Olbia airport, in the north-east of the island.

To visit Sardinia in 15 days, there is not really the choice if you want to see the most things, you will have to rent a car. 

After picking up your car, your two-week Sardinia itinerary begins with one of the most famous places, the Costa Smeralda. The Emerald Coast (in French) stretches for about 50 km, from the Gulf of Cugnana to the Gulf of Arzachena, to the seaside resort of Cannigione.

This side is known to be the most upscale of Northern Sardinia and you will understand better why it is full of luxury hotels and high-end shops. In July-August, the place welcomes all the international jet setcoming on vacation aboard their yacht and their sailboat. If you are there at this time, open your eyes and play the paparazzi! The best place to see them is around the marina of Porto Cervo.

For this first day in Sardinia, I suggest you go along the coast  and reach the surroundings of the capital of Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo. As the city is only 40 minutes from Olbia, you can make a few stops on the road to enjoy beautiful beaches. Optional: Beach Liscia Ruja to Caprioccioli, Romazzino or beach del Principe. 

Join your accommodation in Porto Cervo at the end of the day.

Porto Cervo, a jet set town in Sardinia

The next day, make a little tour to visit Porto Cervo, its marina and its shopping streets.

You can then take your car to go to the surroundings of Arzachena (still on the Costa Smeralda but more inland). The area is famous for sheltering several vestiges of the nuragic civilization, including the famous Sardinian nuraghes and tombs of giants. 25 minutes from Porto Cervo, the Nuraghe Prisgiona is the best known.

To see also the charming village of San Pantaleo and its panorama on the surrounding mountains.

To end the day in relaxation mode , enjoy one of the beaches of Porto Cervo or have a drink and do some shopping in one of the seaside resorts of the Costa Smeralda: Poltu Quatu, Canniogione, Baia Sardinia, yours to choose.

For more information on the Costa Smeralda, check out our article: What to do and see on the Costa Smeralda. 

Spend a second night on the Costa Smeralda.

Accommodation on the Costa Smeralda

Principe Beach, on the Costa Smeralda

Day 3-5: The archipelago of Maddalena

For this second leg of this 2-week Northern Sardinia itinerary, I suggest you spend 3 days on the archipelago of Maddalena. Composed of 7 islands, all conditions are there to enjoy the beaches, do some hiking and even a boat trip.

To reach the islands, you have to take the ferry to Palau, a 40-minute drive from Costa Smeralda. Several companies offer the journey for a cost of about 40 € return for 2 people and a car. Departure every half hour for a crossing of 20 minutes. You will land on the main island of the archipelago: La Maddalena, in the city of the same name (At least it’s easy to remember!).

Visit the Maddalena by car is very good on a day by taking the scenic road from the sea which offers splendid views and allows you to stop swimming whenever you want. The most famous beaches are Bassa Trinita, Monte di Rena and Spalmatore.

But my preference goes without question to the beach of Capoccia du Purpu, beautiful with its turquoise water and huge rocks.

Spend the night in one of the hotels I selected for you.

To continue this 2-week tour in Northern Sardinia, today go to visit the island of Caprera, near the Maddalena and connected by a bridge that you can borrow by car. La Caprera has a more wild and authentic side than the Maddalena. Most beaches are only accessible by a short hike.

I recommend Cala Serena, Caprarese, Coticcio and Brigantina.

After swimming, do not forget to visit the viewpoint of Teialone Tower or Poggio Rasu fortification. The 2 places allow to admire a 360 ° panorama on the archipelago.

Cala Serena, one of the beaches of the island of Caprera

Spend a second night on the Maddalena.

On the third and last day on the archipelago, I recommend you to make a boat trip, to discover the other islands of Maddalena. The latter being only accessible by boat, this is the only way to go see them.

The excursions depart from the port of Maddalena and last all day during which you will see the islands of Budelli, Santa Maria, Spargi and Razzoli. For 40 € per person, lunch is included and you can swim in coves. These excursions are very popular, I recommend you to book early just here. 

Third and last night on the Maddalena.

Find our complete guide to visit the Maddalena: Things to do absolutely on the archipelago of Maddalena. 

Accommodation in the island of Maddalena

Maddalena Island

Day 6: Capo Testa / Santa Teresa di Gallura

Today leave the islands of La Maddalena and continue your 2 week stay in Sardinia by car to the northernmost point of the island.

Take the ferry in the opposite direction and from Palau, go towards Santa Teresa du Gallura and especially Capo Testa. It is a 35-minute drive.

A former granite quarry, the place is known to be very photogenic with all its huge rocks with improbable shapes right on the sea. The place is ideal for a walk and even a hike to discover some of the most beautiful coves of the island.

You can for example, on the left of the lighthouse of Capo Testa, reach the Cala Francese and further south, the Cala di Ea. 

In the afternoon, I recommend you to enjoy the nearby beaches including the Spiaggia Zia Culumba with its shallow and translucent water. You can also walk nearby to explore the small coves and of course swim!

Capo Testa and its surroundings are some of the must-see places on a 2-week Northern Sardinia itinerary.

Spend the night in the city of Santa Teresa di Gallura, very charming with its square and its many cafes and restaurants.

Accommodation around Capo Testa / Santa Teresa di Gallura

Capo Testa, Sardinia

Day 7: Castelsardo

For the fourth leg of this 15-day itinerary in Northern Sardinia, take your car and descend a little to the south, towards Costa Paradiso, a 45-minute drive away.

Costa Paradiso is known for the beach of Li Cossi, many consider it one of the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia. Once parked your car, a path of ten minutes on foot allows access. The walk to the beach is really nice and has been well appointed. You can of course enjoy swimming.

Then take the road to go to Castelsardo. From Costa Paradiso, you will take about 50 minutes.

Before arriving at Casltelsardo, you will come across one of Sardinia’s most famous sights, the Elephant Rock. As its name suggests this big rock in the shape of an elephant with the trunk. Photo stop compulsory!

You can then visit Castelsardo, a charming medieval village   where it is good to walk. There are several places of interest to see including the cathedral and the campanile, the chiesa di Santa Maria and the castle. The latter houses a museum dedicated to basketry, an art very practiced in the region. Many grannies demonstrate in the streets of Castelsardo and sell small baskets and woven objects.

Castelsardo is a classic stop on a 2-week Sardinia itinerary, so it’s quite touristy and has a lot of souvenir shops and cafes.

Stay overnight in Castelsardo.

Accommodation in Castelsardo

Castelsardo, Sardinia

Day 8-9: Stintino

The next day, for this other stage of this 2 weeks Sardinia itinerary, I propose a day of total relaxation to the beach. And not just any, but the beach of Sardinia that many guides refer to as being the most beautiful on the island.

So, a little idea of ​​where I bring you?

I want to talk about the beach of Pelosa. You have already seen it on the internet and even on many postcards, it is a must for holidays in Sardinia.

Good by cons I prefer to warn you right away, you will not be alone. The beach is very busy even out of season. To park, you will find parking spaces all along, they are all paid and do not forget to put the parking meter because police officers are ubiquitous and draw quickly fines.

To settle on the sand, do not forget to plan a mat to put between the sand and the towel, it is obligatory and for that too, you will be supervised and reprimanded by the rangers if you do not do it. If you do not have one, a street vendor will be happy to provide you with one.

You can also remedy the problem by renting deckchairs and benefit from the privatized part of the beach.

Now it’s time to enjoy turquoise water and fine sand, in this little corner of paradise in Sardinia.

I recommend you spend the night in the vicinity of Stintino, the most convenient for the program of the next day.

The next day, I suggest you visit the island of Asinara, a protected nature reserve because of the fauna and flora that lives there and in particular the famous albino donkeys of Sardinia. This is one of the essential things to do during a two-week stay in Northern Sardinia.

Access to the island is regulated. Only 4 * 4 tour operators are allowed as a car. You will need to take the boat that goes there without your car. The departure is from the port of Stintino. There is only one departure per day around 9am, so I recommend booking your place the day before arriving at Pelosa beach for example.

To visit the island, only 3 solutions:

Whatever you choose, you will necessarily go through the old prison of the island (opened since the 1st World War and closed in 1998 to the creation of the protected area), will make a picnic by the sea and will be able to observe the fauna and Flora. You will not be able to swim because the beaches are also protected.

Take the boat back and spend a second night in Stintino.

Accommodation in Stintino

The beach of Pelosa

Day 10-12: Alghero

We continue this two weeks Sardinia itinerary, joining Alghero, 1 hour drive.

In the morning program, visit the historic center of this pretty medieval village by the sea. No precise road map, just walk random alleys to discover the cathedral of Santa Maria with its bell tower, the church Saint Michel or that of Sainte-Barbe.

During your walk, you will not miss to see (especially you ladies!) The many shops selling red coral jewelry.This is one of the specialties of the region and if you are interested, you can visit the Coral Museum of Alghero.

Then continue the walk along the lungomare to the beach of Lido San Giovanni where you can swim.

At the end of the day, join the ramparts and fortifications of Alghero to watch the sunset before taking an aperitif and dinner.

Sleep in one of the lodgings that I propose to you soon after.

For the second day in Alghero, opt for the discovery of the Neptune Caves, one of the most popular tours. And yes, to visit Sardinia in two weeks is also to take a tour in the bowels of the earth.

If you do not feel like taking the car back, boat trips make it possible to reach the caves whose entrance is at sea level. They leave daily from the port of Alghero. For 15 €, we will take you, we will wait for you and we will take you back to Alghero. You must pay in addition to the entrance of the caves.

If you go by car, allow 35 minutes to reach the top of the caves and parking. You will then have to descend the 654 steps dug on the cliffs to reach the entrance. Pretty impressive even if you do not have dizziness in general. The caves can be visited only every hour with a guide, plan your schedule so you do not have to wait half an hour before your next visit!

Entrance to the Neptune Caves

After the visit, go up the stairs (yes I know it’s hard) and enjoy your afternoon to survey Capo Caccia and the regional park of Porto Conte (the caves are part of it). There are several marked trails for hiking.

And after all these efforts, the comfort by a swim on the beach of Porto Ferro! She has a wild side that I liked a lot.

Go back to sleep in Alghero.

The next day, go visit Bosa, south of Alghero.

In the same genre as Castelsardo, this city is emblematic of Sardinia. With its colorful riverside houses and castle perched on the hill, the place is really pretty.

To see in Bosa:

On the return to Alghero, you can swim on the beaches of Compultittu or S’Abba Drucche. 

Have a last night in Alghero.

For more details on the region of Alghero, see our dedicated article: What to do and see in Alghero and its surroundings. 

Accommodation in Alghero

Alghero, Sardinia

Day 13-14: Gulf of Orosei

For this penultimate stage of your 2-week Sardinian route by car, I suggest you to explore the mountains of Sardinia.

From Alghero, cross the island from West to East to reach Orgosolo, the most famous mountain village in Sardinia. If the name does not tell you anything, you must have seen photos of the village and more specifically of its murals, paintings made directly on the walls of houses.

The specificity is that there are hundreds distributed mainly along Corso Repubblica and in the adjacent streets.

They are intended to convey political messages or recount important international events such as the World Trade Center attacks. As there is no explanatory panel, if you want to discover the history of murals, I advise you to rent an audioguide with a map to locate you.

Then join the surroundings of Cala Gonone. For this, take the SP 22 road, connecting Orgosolo to Oliena. It offers nice points of view. Good by cons it is a mountain road so it turns a lot! From Orgosolo to Cala Gonone, plan an hour’s drive.

Spend the night around Cala Gonone.

The next day, I suggest you spend a day at sea to discover the coves of the Gulf of Orosei, all known for their exceptional beauty.

3 options are possible to visit the Gulf of Orosei (in any case, the departure takes place from the port of Cala Gonone)

In the Gulf of Orosei, do not miss it:

If there is only one boat trip on your 15-day Northern Sardinia itinerary, this is it! I loved it.

Stay overnight in Cala Gonone.

Accommodation near the Gulf of Orosei

Zodiac excursion in the Gulf of Orosei

Day 15: Return to Olbia

And here you are, you are almost at the end of your two weeks Northern Sardinia itinerary.

It will be necessary to think of returning to Olbia for your flight of return. From Cala Gonone, the shortest route takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the airport, but if you take off at the end of the day, you can take the road to Olbia. So you can swim one last time before the end of the holidays.

And if your plane takes off the next morning early, I have put some suggestions of accommodation to know where to sleep in Olbia.

If you have “only” 14 days in Sardinia and not 2 weeks, I recommend you to delete a day on the archipelago of Maddalena or the day of visit to Bosa from Alghero.

Accommodation in Olbia

And you, what did you plan to see during your 2-week Northern Sardinia itinerary?

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