7 Days Northeast: Costa Smeralda & Maddalena
A compact week for anyone who doesn't want to drive across the whole island: beaches, island-hopping, and one of the best watersports spots in Europe, all within about an hour's drive.
This route works especially well for a first visit to Sardinia with limited time, or for anyone who'd rather stay in one place and take day trips from there instead of constantly changing hotels.
The route deliberately heads north first and only reaches the beaches south of Olbia on the way back – turning the week into a neat loop instead of constant back-and-forth.
The route
- Day 1 – Arrival: Arrive in Olbia, by ferry (see Moby Aki and Moby Orli) or flight.
- Day 2 – Costa Smeralda: Continue north to Porto Cervo, upscale coves, and dinner with a water view, for example near Cala di Volpe.
- Day 3 – La Maddalena: On to Palau, then a day trip or boat tour of the archipelago (see Sailing & Boat Tours); if you like, you can even camp right there (Camping on La Maddalena).
- Day 4 – Isola dei Gabbiani: Just a few minutes from Palau: watch kite- and windsurfers or try it yourself (Isola dei Gabbiani).
- Day 5 – Back toward San Teodoro: On the way back toward Olbia, stop at La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi, just minutes apart.
- Day 6 – Rest day & food: A relaxed beach day near San Teodoro, then dinner at a restaurant serving Sardinian food with a glass of Vermentino di Gallura.
- Day 7 – Departure: Short drive back to Olbia's port or airport, with one last quick beach stop depending on your departure time.
Who this route suits
Well suited for first-time visitors, couples, and anyone with a week who wants to combine beach, a touch of luxury flair, and one active day on the water. For a bigger round trip covering the whole island, see our 11-day round trip.