Sardinia is an ideal destination for active holidays. There are plenty of mountainous areas for interesting hiking routes and the coast offers excellent conditions for both diving and surfing. During our trip to Sardinia, we did some kitesurfing, dived, and visited the island’s most beautiful corners. Check how we spent our time in Sardinia and whether @iwanekkk managed to catch the wave!
Flights to Sardinia
Sardinia has three international airports (Cagliari, Alghero and Olbia) which are serviced by scheduled, low-cost and charter airlines. On the eSky website, head to the Deals tab where you will often find good direct airfares to this Italian island. With eSky taking care of our check-in all we had to do was pack up and arrive at the airport! On that note, when it comes to packing, we recommend travelling light – for a five-day trip to this warm destination, we were ok with just hand luggage, saving time at the airport.
Day One – First Steps In Kitesurfing
Upon arrival, we picked up our rental car and headed to our hotel in Sassari before heading down to the beach in La Cinta, where Iwan tried kitesurfing for the first time under the supervision of an instructor. So what were his impressions? “Like any sport, kitesurfing requires theoretical knowledge and the acquisition of technical skills. It starts with standing on the beach and learning how to use the kite without a board. Initially, you use a much smaller, twin tip training kite. Only when you master the control of the smaller equipment can youbegin to control the right size. Before training, I hadn’t realised that I would have to use my neck muscles so intensely, and hadn’t stretched properly. Remember to warm up well before each activity.” Fortunately, the weather was conducive to water sports, but if you happen to visit this beach on a windless day, you can just rent a deckchair with an umbrella and experience beachside dining.
Day Two – Diving And City Sightseeing
We started the second morning sightseeing in Sassari before heading to Cala Li Cossi Beach. This is a great place for diving, so if you need a break from kite or windsurfing but still want to stay active, then scuba diving in the clear waters of Sardinia is ideal. Iwan explains, “Sardinia is called the Caribbean of Europe for a reason. The beaches here are white and sandy with clear, turquoise waters. Cala Li Cossi Beach is perfect for diving and has very few tourists as there are lots of rocks under the water. This creates ideal conditions for sea animals and plants, so anyone who likes to admire colourful fish should spend time here.”
Rent a car and book attraction tickets before you go!
Later we visited the city monument of Castelsardo, situated at the foot of a hill with a castle and mediaeval buildings. The number of stairs that we climbed that day was the best training and, in the afternoon, we reached the viewpoint on Li Cossi beach. Search for directions under the name “Punto panoramico per la Spiaggia di Li Cossi”, then the navigation will lead you to your destination without any problems. It is really worth visiting this magical place, away from hotels and buildings, so you can fully enjoy nature.
Day Three – Alghero, Bosa And Natural Pools
We started the next day with a trip to Alghero, where we walked the Via Gioberti, a colourful street in the Old Town. Near the city, you will also find two popular beaches – Di Maria Pia and Di San Giovanni. We then visited the Grotto di Nettuno, half an hour away before arriving at the town of Bosa, with its castle perched on a hill and colourful houses lining the Temo River. Where is the best place to admire it? Iwan says, “If you want to capture the most picture-postcard views of this fishing village, be sure to walk to the bridge on Lungo Temo Alcide De Gasperi Promenade.”
From there, it is a short distance to Cane Malu, which are natural pools carved into rock by the sea. It is a real paradise for those who love active res, as Iwan describes, “The white cliffs and natural pools of Cane Malu are very close to the town of Bosa. It’s a really nice 45-minute walk to them, however this is not a route that is suitable for everyone. Half of the road can be travelled by car, but at the very end there is a rocky uphill road. The descent to the cliffs is also not the easiest but it’s worth persevering because the place is amazing. We had it practically to ourselves! Cane Malu must be walked on in shoes as the rocks are very uneven and have sharp edges. The view of such a harsh landscape shaped entirely by water isn’t something you see every day, so it is definitely worth going there at least once in your life. I liked the place so much that I stayed there until sunset.”
Day Four – Kitesurfing In La Cinta
On the fourth day, we went back to practise our kitesurfing. Sardinia is a great place to try a new sport, and the trip itself is a great opportunity to develop your passion. We went to Porto Pollo di Palau, a famous surf resort, however this has its drawbacks. The coastal zone is quite crowded, with many more tourists making the area more expensive. This is why we chose La Cinta Beach. So what did Iwan think of his second day kitesurfing? “The following lessons were much more challenging. Feeling the force and direction of the wind and catching it is not always easy. It is true that in order to be able to stand on the board, you need the right wind, which I did not manage to catch, but after such a six-hour introductory course, I feel that I have mastered the basics and it was a lot of fun.”
Renting A Car In Sardinia
Sardinia is, contrary to appearances, quite a large island, so if you want to visit as much of it as possible, consider renting a car. You can do this via the eSky website by simply selecting the date and car you would like to rent. You decide where and when you want to pick up or drop off your car. With car rental prices peaking in the high season, it is worth making a reservation well in advance. Without a car, we would not have been able to visit so many places during our four-day trip.
We have best flight and accommodation offers in Sardinia
Iwan also appreciated the car rental service: “It’s worth renting a car in Sardinia because it gives you a lot of freedom to move around the island. Then you can travel your way without needing to depend on buses, which few and far between on this island. The car also lets you reach places where no public transport reaches.”
Impressions From The Trip
Finally, let’s give the floor to Iwan, who describes his overall view of the trip, “Sardinia is a large island and a four-day trip lets you visit only part of it. The island is mountainous, so the roads are steep and winding and it takes a long time to drive between places. You would need a minimum of a week to tour the whole island, so for shorter trips you should, for example, travel later at night when traffic is less busy. It is also a place where there’s something for everyone – plenty of sports like kiteboarding, windsurfing, paddleboarding, diving and , but the beautiful beaches are also conducive to relaxation, and the charming old Italian towns invite you to get lost in their narrow streets.”
