Last Updated: June 29, 2021
Best Time To Visit Sardinia: About The Seasons
Thinking about visiting Sardinia? You really should – the island is absolutely beautiful no matter which town or resort you visit. But the quality of your visit will heavily depend on when you’re on the Italian island since one month can make a difference between a great and a terrible experience.
There is the best time to visit Sardinia and we’ll tell you when that is right here! Read on to learn when the ideal time to travel to Sardinia is, as well as what to expect from the different seasons on the island.
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Answer: Shoulder Seasons
The best time to visit Sardinia is during the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-October. The island is in bloom, the weather is nice but not too warm, and the crowds are much smaller than they are during the peak tourist season.
It’s worth noting that Sardinia has a six-month summer that starts in May and lasts until October. This period features many different events on the island, so there are lots of opportunities to explore Sardinia’s culture.
The period from April to June features average temperature highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 50s and 60s. The weather can be a bit unpredictable, and April and May still have a chance of occasional showers. June is one of the driest months on the island, making it perfect for lounging on the beach and swimming.
There are quite a few different events in Sardinia during this period, from the Citrus Festival of Muravera in April to the Girotonno Food Festival in June. These events are perfect for getting a glimpse of the locals’ lives and for getting to know Sardinia better.
What about the other shoulder season? September and October are still great months to travel to Sardinia. The sea is warmer than in June, the temperatures are high but not unbearable, and most of the peak season crowds are gone by September. The only thing is you don’t get to see the island in bloom like during the spring, but Sardinia in autumn is equally charming just in a different way.
The average highs during these two months are in the 70s and 80s, the accommodation prices are much lower than during peak season, and there are still various events that will let you get acquainted with the Sardinian culture.
Also, you’ll get a better deal on accommodation and tourist packages. Sardinia is most expensive during peak tourist season, and shoulder seasons usually offer some great discounts. This is also true for prices in restaurants and bars, and even ferry tickets.
High Season: July And August
July and August are considered the peak tourist season on the island, and it’s in your best interest to avoid a visit during this period. The crowds are huge and you pretty much can’t go to the grocery store without waiting in line for at least 15 minutes. It’s not just because of the international tourists – as soon as the summer break starts, Italian families start to migrate to the island.
The heat is unbearable, the UV index is dangerously high most days, and everything is much more expensive than it is in the off-season. This is especially true for accommodation rates, which can be almost twice as expensive in July as compared to April or October. Because of that, it is in your best interest to reserve accommodation several months in advance, if you want to visit Sardinia in the summer.
And not even because you’ll get a better rate, but because it’s almost impossible to find empty accommodation on the island in July and August. It’s the same thing with ferry tickets – they sell out fast during peak season, so you’ll want to book those a few weeks earlier too.
The average temperature highs in July and August are in the 80s and 90s, while the lows are in the 60s. And that’s just the average – the temperatures often rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and the ocean is your only escape from the heat. But, even the sea is a balmy 70-80 degrees during the hottest summer months, so it won’t exactly be a refreshing swim.
If you can only visit Sardinia in July or August, don’t be discouraged. These are the driest months on the island and they’re absolutely perfect for a relaxing vacation that includes a lot of cocktails on the beach. Just make sure to make all arrangements a few months earlier. Plus, you can even avoid the crowds if you head to a more remote part of the island, as opposed to the best resort town.
Sardinia is full of hidden beaches and secluded coves that are deserted even during peak season. Some are accessible by various hiking trails, while others can only be reached by boat. You don’t have to stay at an overcrowded public beach if you don’t want to – the options are endless, as long as you’re up for exploring the island.
Off-Season (November-March)
Sardinia is practically deserted from November to March. The lack of tourists makes the island feel empty, which is actually great if you want to avoid the crowds. Most of the main attractions are deserted and you can have some of Sardinia’s best beaches all to yourself!
The cool weather is perfect for exploring historic sights, the big cities, and hiking the many trails of Sardinia. But it’s too cold for lying on the beach and swimming, so this is not the best season if that’s what you were hoping to do in Sardinia.
The off-season stretches from late fall to early spring, and it features mostly the same weather throughout. Temperatures are mild, there are scattered showers, and the highest altitudes on the island will see some snow.
In the off-season, the average highs are in the 50s and 60s while the average lows are in the 40s. This is certainly colder than during spring or summer, but it’s much warmer than your average European winter.
On the other hand, the winds are much stronger from November to March. That same mistral that’s so welcome during the hottest days of the year is bone-chilling in the winter season. Although the temperatures are still pretty high for winter, the constant winds will not let you forget what month it is.
Accommodation is the cheapest during the off-season, so it’s a great time to visit if you’re on a tighter budget. There are still quite a few different events in Sardinia during the off-season, so you’ll have plenty of things to do while you’re there. That’s the beauty of this island – no matter when you visit, there’s always something fun to do.
But you’re not in for a treat if you enjoy going out and meeting new people. Sardinia is a seasonal destination and as soon as the crowds disperse, most restaurants, bars, shops, and tourist services close for the season. You can still explore the magnificent nature of the Italian island with its countless historic monuments, but you won’t have as many options when it comes to just going out for dinner.
Inland Vs. Coastal Sardinia
Sardinia is a big island and the temperature can vary drastically, depending on where exactly you are. Coastal towns will always have nicer weather, while inland Sardinia tends to be colder. There are quite a few tall mountains in inland Sardinia and it’s not uncommon to see those tall peaks covered with a white blanket.
Most visitors stay in the coastal towns, so they don’t really have to think about the weather in inland Sardinia. But, if you’d rather spend your time hiking than lying on the beach, it’s important to note that temperatures in inland Sardinia tend to be lower than the average. It’s chilly in the mountains and the higher you climb, the colder it gets. Even though the average temperatures are still pretty high in the winter season, you will need proper cold-weather hiking equipment to be thoroughly prepared.
Also, the weather is more unpredictable in inland Sardinia, especially at higher altitudes. There’s a higher chance of rain even during the dry season, and the winds are almost constant. That’s something you don’t really need to worry about when you’re staying on the coast – the cliffs shield you from the strong winds, and the occasional breeze is more than welcome.
Where To Stay In Sardinia
Sardinia is a big island with lots of amazing places worth exploring. I’ll tell you a little about some of the best places on the island, but by all means, feel free to explore as much of this Italian paradise as you can.
Porto Cervo is a seaside resort on the northern coast of the island, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Sardinia if you’re into partying. It’s the center of Costa Smeralda, which is renowned for its fantastic resorts and extraordinary beaches. Who knows, you might even run into some celebs here!
Cala Gonone is a small town on the east coast of Sardinia, and it’s the best place for couples. It’s known for sandy beaches, spectacular views, and wonderful lagoons that are a welcome escape from the busier parts of the island. When it comes to resorts and hotels, you’re spoiled for choice in Cala Gonone.
Nuoro is close to Cala Gonone and it’s the best city on Sardinia for hikers and adventurers. This part of the island is most abundant with hiking trails that will take you both to a secluded beach on the coast and to the island’s tallest peaks.
Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and it’s the largest city on the island. It boasts everything from massive shopping malls to a magnificent 13th-century Cathedral. Cagliari is a great place to stay if you want to explore the southern part of the island with its historic Nuraghe, spectacular beaches, and some of the oldest buildings on the island. This city is also nestled between mountains, and many exciting hiking trails are just a short drive away from the center.
Alghero is a great place to spend a few days in Sardinia. I wouldn’t recommend you stay here for your entire trip, but a few days are certainly a great idea. The city is full of historic monuments, buildings, and it’s close to the Nuragic Village of Palmavera and Neptune’s Caves. If you want to explore the more traditional and historic side of Sardinia, Alghero is certainly a great option for you.
Top Things To Do In Sardinia
Sardinia is most popular with vacationers. People flock there in the summer to lounge on the island’s spectacular beaches, swim in the crystal clear sea, and have fun exploring the different parts of the island. But there is so much more to Sardinia than sandy beaches and remote coves!
Explore Cagliari, go island-hopping, hike the best trails, and don’t leave the island before you’ve seen at least one Nuraghe. These ancient megalithic edifices are a symbol of Sardinia, and there are around 7,000 of them scattered all over the island. They were often constructed close to alluvial plains, which is why most of them are situated in western Sardinia.
Avid hikers will enjoy eastern Sardinia the most since it has some of the best trails on the island. The province of Nuoro is particularly abundant with amazing hiking trails and it’s home to three out of the four tallest mountains in Sardinia. The northern province of Sassari also has great hiking trails, but not that many challenging ascents.
If you like camping you’re in for a treat – camping in Sardinia is very popular, with campsites in spectacular locations all over the island. Most are scattered around the coast with easy beach access, but there are also a few campsites in the more remote locations of the island. If you’re not that into beaches and swimming, camping in the Sardinian hills close to some of the best historic sites on the island might be exactly what you need.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
