10-Day Insider Route: Sardinia Beyond the Classics
For repeat visitors, or anyone who wants to dig deeper from the start: this route links our "wild but true" stories into its own clockwise loop around the island.
Instead of the best-known beaches, unusual places take centre stage here – a good complement to a more classic route like our 11-day round trip, or a standalone trip for anyone who's already seen the island the "normal" way.
The route
- Day 1 – Arrival in Olbia: Arrive by ferry or flight, first night in the northeast.
- Day 2 – Gallura: On the way to the north coast, a stop at the museum on Sa Femina Accabadora in Arzachena.
- Day 3 – Northwest: On to Stintino, then a day trip to the former prison island of Asinara.
- Day 4 – Sinis Peninsula: Continue down the west coast to Cabras, with the Giants of Mont'e Prama and the ancient reed boats Is Fassonis.
- Day 5 – On toward Cagliari: A detour along the way to one of the well-known Domus de Janas necropolises in the southwest.
- Day 6 – Cagliari: The Castello district, which gave the Kingdom of Sardinia its name, plus a performance of the traditional Launeddas if possible, played mainly in the island's south.
- Day 7 – Ogliastra: On to the east coast to the ghost village of Gairo Vecchio, flooded four times.
- Day 8 – Barbagia: The murals of Orgosolo, the longevity region Blue Zone Barbagia, and, for the brave, a taste of the notorious Casu Marzu.
- Day 9 – Nuoro & Supramonte: Try Su Filindeu in nearby Lula if a feast day happens to fall right, plus the hike to the hidden mountain village of Tiscali.
- Day 10 – Back toward Olbia & departure: Return to the northeast to the ferry port or airport.
Twelve insider stories, one round trip: this route shows that Sardinia is far from told out, even for repeat visitors.
Who this route suits
Best suited for travelers who've already visited Sardinia, or who deliberately want to explore away from the main attractions. All the background stories are gathered in the Insider section on the homepage.
Practical tip: for Asinara and some of the more remote stops, it's worth researching opening hours and tour operators in advance – unlike the major beaches, there's no continuous tourist infrastructure here.