Two worlds in one week: Sardinia’s radiant Costa Smeralda where granite headlands meet turquoise coves, and Cairo’s electric sprawl crowned by the Pyramids of Giza. This 7-day itinerary is designed around your dates—arriving in Olbia on 8 September 2026, then flying to Cairo on 13 September—to maximize sea time, soft-sand beaches, and ancient history.

Sardinia’s northeast coast lures travelers with translucent water, pink-granite islands, and coastal villages like Porto Cervo and San Pantaleo. Founded by the Romans, Olbia still orbits around its Romanesque Basilica di San Simplicio and a lively Corso Umberto I. Expect seafood-laden lunches, Gallura wines, and boat days among the Maddalena islands.

Cairo adds a thrilling contrast: pharaohs and minarets, Nile sunsets, and a culinary scene that swings from koshary joints to refined salons. You’ll see headline sights, taste beloved Egyptian staples, and get practical guidance on transport, safety, and timing between cities.

Olbia, Sardinia

Olbia is your gateway to the Costa Smeralda: a salt-licked port city with easy access to Golfo Aranci, Cannigione, Porto Cervo, and the Maddalena Archipelago. Wander the old center, then slip away to islands with waters so clear they look backlit.

• Top highlights: Basilica di San Simplicio, Corso Umberto I, Golfo Aranci, San Pantaleo artisan market (Thursdays), Porto Cervo’s piazzetta and marinas, Tavolara Marine Protected Area.
• Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Olbia or hotels on Hotels.com Olbia (look near the historic center for car-free evenings or choose Cannigione/Golfo Aranci for beach proximity).
• Getting there: From Amsterdam to Olbia, check Omio flights. Nonstop seasonal flights are ~2h30; with a Rome or Milan connection expect 4–6 hours. Typical September fares run ~$90–$220.
• Getting around: A rental car makes exploring coves and hill towns easy; otherwise use regional buses and organized tours. For European trains and ferries, see Omio trains and Omio ferries.

Day 1 (Tue, 8 Sept) — Arrive in Olbia

Morning: Fly Amsterdam to Olbia; aim for a mid-day or early afternoon arrival. Use Omio flights to compare nonstops vs. one-stop via Rome/Milan.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along Corso Umberto I. Step into the 11th–12th century Basilica di San Simplicio to see Sardinia’s granite Romanesque up close.

Evening: Coastal dinner in nearby Golfo Aranci at La Spigola (classic seafood; book a terrace table for sunset). Stroll the waterfront—keep an eye out for dolphins near the harbor lights.

Day 2 — Old Town Olbia, then Dolphins at Dusk

Morning: Explore the historic center by tuk-tuk—an efficient, fun way to get oriented.

Olbia: Complete City Tour in Tuk-Tuk
Thanks to this exclusive experience, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Olbia. The tour, which lasts 1 hour, will take you through the small streets of the historic district, where you can admire med...

Afternoon: Beach time at Pittulongu (easy access from town). Snack on pane carasau with pecorino and tomatoes from a local deli en route.

Evening: Head to Golfo Aranci for a small-boat dolphin cruise at golden hour—bottlenose dolphins often patrol near Figarolo island.

Dolphin Watching Tour - from Golfo Aranci
For over 10 years a pack of dolphins of the bottlenose species has been settled in the waters between Capo Figari and Golfo Aranci...

Post-cruise dinner: stay in Golfo Aranci for a late seafood pasta or head to Cannigione’s Agriturismo La Colti (rustic Sardinian set menus—reserve ahead).

Day 3 — Full-Day Island-Hopping in the Maddalena Archipelago

One of the Mediterranean’s great day trips: turquoise channels, wind-sculpted granite, and silky shallows around Spargi and Budelli. A minibus pickup to Cannigione keeps logistics easy.

Olbia: Boat Tour to Maddalena Archipelago with Minibus Transfer
The Maddalena tour is one of the most popular among tourists in Sardinia. It begins with a minibus transfer to the port of Cannigione...

Dinner suggestion: Porto Cervo’s Quattro Passi al Pescatore for elevated seafood by the water, then a passeggiata around the Piazzetta to admire yacht-spotting and Costa Smeralda’s 1960s resort architecture.

Day 4 — San Pantaleo Village, Costa Smeralda Views, and a Winery

Morning: Drive to San Pantaleo (20–30 minutes). On Thursdays, its artisan market fills the square. For breakfast, Caffè Nina is a beloved stop for espresso and pastries.

Afternoon: Vineyard visit and tasting—Vermentino di Gallura is the local white, crisp and saline, perfect with seafood.

Exclusive Wine Tour: Visit to a Local Sardinian Winery
Visit a renowned local winery and discover the winemaking process... Enjoy an elegant wine tasting experience, savoring three fine wines...

Evening: Dinner at Giagoni in Piazza (San Pantaleo) for modern Sardinian dishes under twinkling lights. If you’re chasing sunset, swing by Phi Beach in Baja Sardinia for a cocktail on the rocks above the sea.

Day 5 — Tavolara Coast or Beach-and-Explore Day

Morning: Easy coastal walk and swim at Cala Brandinchi or Lu Impostu (often called “little Tahiti” for their clarity). Bring snorkel gear if you have it.

Afternoon: Return to Olbia for a relaxed lunch—try a simple plate of fregola with clams and a glass of Vermentino. Pop into artisan shops along Corso Umberto I for cork goods and ceramics.

Evening: Fancy a splurge? Book ahead at Porto Cervo’s classic Pedrinelli for Sardinian staples (malloreddus, grilled meats) in an elegant villa setting.

Cairo

Cairo surges with energy: a city of 20+ million where pharaonic relics meet Mamluk minarets and the Nile glows at dusk. From the Pyramids of Giza to Khan el-Khalili bazaar, it’s a living museum and a feast for the senses.

• Top highlights: Giza Plateau (Pyramids and Sphinx), Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (royal mummies), Islamic Cairo (al-Muizz Street, Al-Azhar), Nile Corniche.
• Stay: Check VRBO Cairo for Nile-view apartments or browse hotels via Hotels.com Cairo (Zamalek for leafy calm, Downtown for museum access, Giza for pyramid sunrise views).
• Getting there from Olbia: Use Omio flights. Expect 5.5–7.5 hours with a connection (often Rome or Milan). Fares generally range ~$180–$320 in September.
• On the ground: Uber/Careem work well; carry small bills for tips. Dress modestly for mosques; summer heat favors early starts.

Day 6 (Sun, 13 Sept) — Fly Olbia to Cairo, Museums and the Nile

Morning: Depart Olbia for Cairo (assume a morning flight; connect via Rome/Milan). Compare options on Omio flights.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square for Tutankhamun-era treasures and an overview before Giza. Coffee break at 30 North (Zamalek) for specialty roasts and air-con respite.

Evening: Dinner at Abou El Sid (Zamalek): molokhia, stuffed pigeon (hamam mahshi), or tajines in a richly decorated salon. Post-dinner, stroll the Nile Corniche or board a classic riverboat for tea and skyline views.

Day 7 — The Giza Plateau and Old Cairo, then Departure

Morning: Early start for the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Hire a licensed guide on-site or via your hotel concierge; consider a quick camel photo-op near the panoramic viewpoint west of the pyramids.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Koshary Abou Tarek (Downtown)—layers of pasta, lentils, and fried onions with tangy sauce; it’s Cairo’s cult classic. If time allows, dip into Khan el-Khalili for brass lamps and spices and pause at the Naguib Mahfouz Cafe for mint tea before transferring to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Evening: If you’re extending your Cairo stay beyond this 7-day plan (as your return is set for 3 Oct), add days for the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church), and a sunset felucca ride.

Flight Notes and Booking Tips

• Amsterdam → Olbia (8 Sept): ~2h30 nonstop in season; 4–6h with a connection. Search via Omio flights. Typical fares ~$90–$220.
• Olbia → Cairo (13 Sept): 5.5–7.5h with one connection. Expect ~$180–$320. Check Omio flights.
• Cairo → Amsterdam (for your 3 Oct return): ~4.5–5h nonstop or 6–7h with a connection; ~$220–$420. Compare on Omio flights.

Extra Food and Drink Shortlist

• Porto Cervo: Quattro Passi al Pescatore (refined seafood on the water), Pedrinelli (Sardinian classics in a villa garden).
• San Pantaleo: Caffè Nina (breakfast/espresso), Giagoni in Piazza (modern Sardinian dinner under the trees).
• Baja Sardinia: Phi Beach (sunset cocktails carved into the rocks above the sea).
• Golfo Aranci: La Spigola (sea-view seafood, ideal pre/post-dolphin tour).
• Cairo: Abou El Sid (heritage Egyptian cuisine), Zooba (lively street-food hits like taameya and koshary), Koshary Abou Tarek (Downtown staple), Naguib Mahfouz Cafe (mint tea and sweets in the bazaar), Le Pacha 1901 (multiple restaurants aboard a moored Nile boat).

Optional Swap-ins (Sardinia)

• Costa Smeralda Scenic Circuit: If you prefer land over sea, consider a small-group sightseeing loop through Porto Cervo and San Pantaleo: Small Group Costa Smeralda P. Cervo San Pantaleo Sardinia ITALY.

  

Where to stay (quick picks): In Olbia, the historic center works well without a car; for beaches, Cannigione or Golfo Aranci put you near marinas. In Cairo, Zamalek balances calm, cafes, and easy Uber access; Giza offers pyramid views if that’s your priority. Book via VRBO Olbia, Hotels.com Olbia, VRBO Cairo, or Hotels.com Cairo.

Good to know: In Sardinia, reserve dinners during September’s late-summer rush, and bring reef-safe sunscreen for boat days. In Cairo, start early to beat heat and crowds, keep small tips (baksheesh) handy, and dress modestly for religious sites.

Summary: This one-week arc pairs Sardinia’s clear-water idyll—dolphins, islands, and hill-town evenings—with Cairo’s age-old drama along the Nile. With smart flights, four curated tours, and pinpoint dining, you’ll cover a remarkable sweep of the Mediterranean in just seven days.