Sardinia is Italy with a different heartbeat—older than Rome, ringed by impossibly clear water, and flavored by a cuisine shaped by shepherds and sailors. Bronze Age stone towers (nuraghi) still guard the hills; Catalan echoes ring through Alghero; and in Cagliari, swallows skim over bastions at sunset. This 7-day itinerary splits your time between the south (Cagliari) and the northwest (Alghero) for a satisfying mix of culture, coastline, and slow Italian evenings.

Expect a rhythm of beach mornings, village lunches, and golden-hour strolls atop city walls. You’ll taste malloreddus pasta, sheep’s milk pecorino, and the island’s robust Cannonau wine; watch flamingos in city wetlands; and sail over seagrass meadows to secret coves. We’ve added realistic transport times and costs so you can plan with confidence.

Practical notes: Sardinia is best explored with a car, but trains and buses are reliable between major hubs. Summer brings crowds and higher prices; late May–June and September are blissful. Reserve popular restaurants and sailing trips in advance, and bring reef-safe sunscreen—this sea is as protected as it is dazzling.

Cagliari

Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, drapes over seven hills like a sunlit amphitheater. Its medieval Castello quarter, Roman amphitheater, and stately Bastione Saint-Remy tell millennia of stories, while long Poetto Beach and the flamingo-rich Molentargius wetlands put nature within tram distance.

Spend your time weaving through narrow lanes perfumed with myrtle and coffee, popping into the National Archaeological Museum for Nuragic treasures, and sampling seafood in the Marina district. Don’t miss sunset aperitivo on the bastions—locals swear the city glows a different shade of pink each evening.

• Stay: Search well-located apartments and hotels near Castello, Marina, or Villanova: VRBO Cagliari | Hotels.com Cagliari
• Get in: Fly into Cagliari Elmas (CAG) from major European hubs (compare on Omio flights). From mainland Italy, overnight ferries run to Sardinia (search Omio ferries).

Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari + Bastions at Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Shake off travel with an espresso and almond pastries at historic Antico Caffè (since 1855) on Piazza Yenne, then walk up to Bastione Saint-Remy for sweeping views of roofs and sea. Duck into the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the limestone lanes of Castello.

Evening: Start your Sardinian food journey with seafood spaghetti and bottarga at Antica Cagliari (Marina) or try porcetto (roast suckling pig) and malloreddus at Sa Domu Sarda (homey, regional). For a nightcap, locals love the terrace at Libarium Nostrum on Bastione Santa Croce—order a spritz and watch the city glow.

Day 2: Roman Cagliari, Flamingos, and a Sardinian Food Tour

Morning: Coffee at Caffè dell’Arte Specialty Coffee, then visit the Roman Amphitheatre and the National Archaeological Museum—don’t miss the gigantic stone statues from Mont’e Prama and bronzetti figurines that define the Nuragic civilization.

Afternoon: Tram to Poetto Beach (CTM bus PF/PN) for a seaside stroll. Slip into Molentargius–Saline Park along the bike path to spot colonies of pink flamingos feeding in the shallow salt pans—binoculars handy!

Evening: Join a guided tasting walk to understand Sardinia’s flavors in context: Cagliari: A Full Meal Sardinian Food Tour with Do Eat Better. Expect first courses, street bites, and sweets in beloved spots while hearing how pastoral life shaped the island’s cuisine.

Prefer a sit-down dinner after? Book chef Luigi Pomata for tuna crudo and culurgiones done right, or try Trattoria Lillicu for old-school, platter-laden seafood.

Day 3: Barumini UNESCO Nuraghe + Wild Horses on the Giara

Full-day excursion into Sardinia’s Bronze Age heart: Barumini Unesco Site and Giara of Gesturi Tour from Cagliari. Explore Su Nuraxi, the island’s most iconic nuraghe, then cross the Marmilla to spot wild Giara horses grazing among cork oaks. It’s archaeology plus landscapes, with insightful commentary and time for a rural lunch stop.

Day 4: Sella del Diavolo Hike + Beach Day

Morning: Grab a pane e cioccolato at Durke (traditional sweets and breads), then hike the Sella del Diavolo promontory above Calamosca. Easy coastal trails lead to WWII batteries, limestone cliffs, and turquoise coves—bring water and swimwear.

Afternoon: Reward yourself with a lazy afternoon on Poetto. Try a light lunch of fritto misto and chilled Vermentino at Chiosco Il Nilo or FronteMare right on the sand, then rent loungers for a siesta under a parasol.

Evening: Aperitivo in Villanova’s leafy squares, then dinner at Dal Corsaro (refined Sardinian tasting menus) or I Sarti del Gusto (creative, seasonal plates). Stroll Via Roma’s arcades for gelato before turning in.

Alghero

Alghero blends Sardinian soul with a Catalan lilt—street signs appear in two languages, and paella pops up alongside fregola with clams. Honey-stone ramparts and bastions wrap a harbor bobbing with fishing boats; beyond, beaches curve from pine-fringed Maria Pia to the emerald waters by Capo Caccia.

It’s a superb base for sailing days, bikeable beach-hopping, winery visits (Sella & Mosca is nearby), and a boat trip beneath the cliffs to Neptune’s Grotto. Evenings mean passeggiata along the ramparts, focaccia sandwiches from a beloved institution, and a sunset drink high above the old town.

• Stay: Choose Old Town for atmosphere or Lido/Marina for easy beach access: VRBO Alghero | Hotels.com Alghero
• Getting there from Cagliari (Day 5): Morning departure recommended. By public transport, take train Cagliari→Sassari and a connecting regional to Alghero or bus Sassari→Alghero (about 3.5–4.5 hours total; from roughly €20–€35; compare on Omio trains and Omio buses). Driving is the most flexible (about 2.5–3 hours via SS131).

Day 5: Travel North + Alghero Old Town and Bastions

Morning: Depart Cagliari by train/bus or rental car. Snack for the road: grab a filled focaccia from a bakery near your stay before you go.

Afternoon: Check in, then explore Alghero’s honeyed lanes—Cathedral of Santa Maria, Palazzo d’Albis, and coral artisan boutiques. For a quick bite, Bar Focacceria Milese is a local legend (try the tuna, tomato, and olive-stuffed focaccia).

Evening: Aperitivo on the Bastioni Marco Polo watching the sun sink behind Capo Caccia. Dinner picks: Al Tuguri (historic, Catalan-Sardinian tasting menus), Trattoria Mabrouk (set seafood feast; reservations essential), or Il Pesce d’Oro (classic local seafood). Cap the night with a panoramic drink at Blau Skybar (Hotel Catalunya rooftop).

Day 6: Tall-Ship Sailing Day from Alghero

Spend a full day under canvas on a historic wooden ketch with swimming, snorkel stops, and a leisurely onboard lunch: Sailing day trip on Tall Ship Andrea Jensen with Lunch and Wine. It’s a relaxed way to reach coves you can’t access by car and to learn about local winds and coastlines from a friendly crew.

Post-cruise, enjoy a simple dinner by the marina—grilled catch of the day and a glass of Vermentino—then stroll the ramparts for gelato as the lamps flicker on.

Day 7: E-Bike Beaches, Light Lunch, and Departure

Morning: Pedal an easy, scenic loop to pocket beaches with a guide who knows the calmest coves and best viewpoints: Alghero - Small Beaches Tour by E-bike + aperitif. Expect stops around Maria Pia, Le Bombarde, and Lazzaretto with time for dips and photos, plus a convivial aperitif.

Afternoon: Quick lunch of Catalan-style lobster (seasonal) or a stuffed focaccia to-go, then transfer to Alghero–Fertilia Airport (AHO) or continue your Italy journey. Compare options on Omio flights and Omio trains.

Evening: If you have a late departure, toast your week with a glass of Cannonau and a plate of seadas (fried pastry with pecorino and honey) before you head for home.

Optional Swap or Add-On

Weather iffy for sailing? Replace Day 6 with Neptune’s Grotto by boat (half-day) and a tasting at Sella & Mosca winery, then push the sailing to Day 7 morning. If you crave more urban energy, add a night in Sassari en route.

Handy Dining and Coffee Shortlist

• Cagliari (coffee): Antico Caffè (historic), Caffè dell’Arte (specialty), Durke (traditional sweets).
• Cagliari (lunch/dinner): Antica Cagliari (seafood), Sa Domu Sarda (regional classics), Trattoria Lillicu (old-school fish), Luigi Pomata (tuna-forward), Dal Corsaro (refined tasting menus), I Sarti del Gusto (seasonal).
• Alghero (coffee/snacks): Bar Focacceria Milese (iconic focaccia), cafes along Bastioni Marco Polo.
• Alghero (lunch/dinner): Al Tuguri (historic fine dining), Trattoria Mabrouk (set seafood feast), Il Pesce d’Oro (traditional seafood), casual beach kiosks at Maria Pia for daytime bites.

Logistics at a Glance

• Local transit: Cagliari’s CTM buses reach Poetto; Alghero is walkable with seasonal beach buses.
• Car hire: Most flexible for beaches and countryside; parking inside historical centers can be limited.
• Approximate costs: Intercity train/bus Cagliari↔Alghero €20–€35; sailing day trips often €90–€130; museum entries €5–€12; sunbed/umbrella daily hire €20–€35 in high season.

One More Northern Sea Day (If You Extend)

If you add a day on the northwest coast, consider a second boat experience among limestone cliffs and transparent shallows. From Alghero you can keep it easy—or on a future trip, base in Palau to sail the La Maddalena Archipelago: La Maddalena Archipelago Sailing Tour with Lunch from Palau.

With ancient stones, wild coasts, and a cuisine that lingers in memory, Sardinia rewards unhurried travelers. This 7-day Cagliari-and-Alghero itinerary balances culture, sea, and flavors so you leave already plotting a return—perhaps to the Maddalena islands or the island’s rugged interior next time.