Wild Camping in Sardinia: Is It Legal?
The short answer: no. Wild camping is banned in Sardinia, as it is across Italy – and the island is one of the regions where this ban is enforced especially consistently.
The legal situation
Spending the night in a tent, motorhome, or in the open on public land – beaches, forests, national parks, or roadsides – is generally prohibited. Violations can be fined.
Why Sardinia is especially strict
In summer, the coast guard and local police patrol beaches and coastal roads specifically, and many municipalities impose additional local bans on overnight stays in a camper or tent near the coast.
Good to know: inland, for example in the Barbagia or the Gennargentu mountains, enforcement is noticeably lighter, especially in the shoulder season (May, June, September, October) – a discreet overnight stop tends to be tolerated more there than on the coast.
The coast is patrolled, the interior is more tolerated – Sardinia is by no means uniform on this.
Legal alternatives
- Regular campsites: around 65 to 70 registered sites cover the main coastal regions and some inland locations.
- Aree di sosta: official motorhome stopover sites, often simpler and cheaper than classic campsites, but without room for a tent.
- Staying on private land: generally possible with the explicit permission of the owner.