Sardinia Grand Loop Road Trip
Fly into Cagliari and out of Olbia, journeying from the Nuragic ruins to La Maddalena and the Gulf of Orosei.
A one-way journey traversing the entire island, covering four major areas: the southern coast, Barumini, Bosa, Alghero, the La Maddalena Archipelago, and the Gulf of Orosei. This route avoids backtracking and involves four accommodation changes. Perfect for first-time road trippers with ample time; the southwestern mining district and the southeastern coast are omitted to manage driving distances.
July and August are crowded and hot. Access to Pelosa Beach requires advance reservations from mid-May to mid-October.
Day by day
Day 1 · Cagliari's Castello District
Cagliari（Marina District & Via Roma、Bastione di Saint Remy、Castello District、Cagliari Cathedral）
Take the airport train or bus to the city center (approx. 15 minutes). Explore the old town on foot; public elevators are available to reach the Castello district.
Stay: Marina District
Day 2 · Nora and the Chia Coast
Cagliari（Nora Archaeological Site、Chia Beaches、Tuerredda Beach）
Pick up your car and drive south to Nora (approx. 45 minutes), then continue to Chia (approx. 30 minutes). Return to Cagliari in the evening (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Marina District
Day 3 · Barumini to Alghero
Cagliari（Su Nuraxi di Barumini） → Alghero（Bosa）
Drive to Barumini (approx. 1 hour), continue to Bosa (approx. 2 hours), and take the scenic coastal road to Alghero (approx. 1 hour).
The archaeological site must be visited with a guide; arrive early to beat the heat.
Stay: Alghero Old Town
Day 4 · Sea Walls and Neptune's Grotto
Alghero（Alghero Old Town、Alghero Sea Walls (Bastioni)、Capo Caccia、Neptune's Grotto）
Explore the old town on foot in the morning. In the afternoon, drive to Capo Caccia (approx. 40 minutes) and descend the cliffside steps to the cave entrance.
The cave closes during rough seas; the descent involves about 654 steps and requires a reservation.
Stay: Alghero Old Town
Day 5 · La Pelosa to Palau
Alghero（La Pelosa Beach、Castelsardo）
Drive to Stintino (approx. 1 hour), continue to Castelsardo (approx. 1.25 hours), and then head to Palau (approx. 1.5 hours).
Beach entry tickets must be reserved on the official website; parking is charged separately.
Stay: Palau
Day 6 · La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Trip
Costa Smeralda & Olbia（La Maddalena Town、Spargi Island、Caprera & Garibaldi Compendium）
Join a full-day boat tour of the archipelago from Palau, or take a 20-minute ferry with your car to explore La Maddalena and Caprera.
Boat itineraries may be adjusted in the event of strong mistral winds.
Stay: Palau
Day 7 · A Day on the Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda & Olbia（Porto Cervo、Spiaggia del Principe、San Pantaleo）
Drive along the coast to Porto Cervo (approx. 40 minutes), then continue via San Pantaleo to Olbia (approx. 1 hour).
Coastal roads get congested and beach parking is limited in August.
Stay: Olbia
Day 8 · Little Tahiti to Cala Gonone
Costa Smeralda & Olbia（Cala Brandinchi） → Gulf of Orosei & Cala Gonone（Cala Gonone Village & Harbour）
Drive to Brandinchi Cove (approx. 40 minutes), then follow the eastern coastal highway to Cala Gonone (approx. 1.25 hours).
Stay: Cala Gonone
Day 9 · Gulf of Orosei Boat Trip
Gulf of Orosei & Cala Gonone（Grotta del Bue Marino、Cala Luna、Cala Mariolu）
Rent a small dinghy (gommoni) or join a boat tour from Cala Gonone harbor to hop along the spectacular coves for the day.
Visitor numbers on the beaches are restricted; book your boat trip a week in advance during peak season.
Stay: Cala Gonone
Day 10 · Gorropu Gorge Hike
Gulf of Orosei & Cala Gonone（Gola di Gorropu）
Drive to the trailhead (approx. 40 minutes). The round-trip hike takes about 4–5 hours, with no facilities along the route.
In summer, start early in the morning. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip.
Stay: Cala Gonone
Day 11 · Su Gologone to Olbia
Gulf of Orosei & Cala Gonone（Su Gologone Spring）
Drive to the Su Gologone spring (approx. 30 minutes), then take the eastern highway to Olbia Airport (approx. 1.25 hours).