Sardinia is a popular destination for its beauty, its uniquely non-Italian Italian culture, its ruins and historic sites, and its rich and highly specific food culture. However, for many, its biggest singular draw is that it offers a long list of incredible outdoor pursuits that can be enjoyed while surrounded by the lovely settings of this impossibly scenic part of the world. If you love to get outdoors, sweat a little, have adventures, and explore, then you’ll definitely be interested in browsing our vacation rentals in Sardinia and planning a holiday on this remarkable island!
But what exactly is there to do in Sardinia? Well, as we said, lots and lots but for the outdoorsy types these are some of the best activities that you can enjoy...
1. Surfing (as well as wind-surfing and kite-surfing)
Sardinia makes for an excellent surfing destination as it boasts small to medium waves 300 days out of the year, pretty much guaranteeing that you will have good surfing conditions for at least some of your time on the island. The island also has a nice selection of different beaches that are more suitable to beginners and others that are more in line with the needs of those who have been surfing for some time. In addition to regular surfing, the excellent conditions on offer in Sardinia mean that it is a great place to also try out wind-surfing and kite-surfing, making it a key destination for those interested in adventurous water sports! Capo Mannu, on the west coast, is considered one of the best places to surf in the entire Mediterranean and has waves of up to four meters in height. The lovely sandy beach of Porto Ferro, meanwhile, has a consistent swell but is shallow for a good stretch, which is ideal for beginners and is also home to a surf camp for lessons or board rentals for those who may have surfed on a couple of occasions and may want to work on developing their skills alone. The surfing here is best during the winter (though you will have to brave relatively cold waters) and consistent enough in spring and autumn but is not recommended by experienced surfers during the summer. So, if you were thinking about a winter break or a an off-season getaway outside of the busier summer tourism season and you want to surf then a villa in Sardinia really is a perfect fit!
2. Hiking
The truly gorgeous beaches of Sardinia are well worth exploring and afford all sorts of opportunities for outdoor pursuits and sports of different kinds but they are not the only thing to recommend Sardinia. In fact, the landscape inland of Sardinia is incredibly beautiful, lush, and interesting with all sorts of peaks and an absence of the more intense tourist crowds that accumulate along the coastline, especially during the summer. Both the coastal areas and the bucolic inland region of Sardinia boast a range of incredible hiking trails and routes, however, and Sardinia is generally quite an excellent spot for those who like to hike. The route from the capital of Cagliari to Sella del Diavolo Hike, for example, is actually one of the easiest hiking trails to tackle on the island but is really rewarding. A short hike and easily accessible, it takes around two and a half hours, and offers walkers some absolutely stunning views over the coast. Then an option like Is Cannoneris is a more challenging trail located in the southwest of the island, which brings you through the lush surroundings of one of the oldest oak forests in all of Europe. There are also canyon trails, historic routes once favoured by bandits, paths through protected Natural Parks, and much more besides. Offering pretty much every kind of trail and hike you could be interested in, as well as plenty of options when it comes to length and difficulty, a vacation in Sardinia really is a hiker’s dream!
3. Snorkelling, diving, and swimming
In addition to the fun on offer atop the waves while on holiday in Sardinia, the island is also a brilliant place for those who want to dive into the water and try all sorts of other marine pursuits. Those crystal clear waters and magical surroundings mean that Sardinia is particularly attractive to those who love snorkelling and diving but also just make going for a swim while you’re enjoying a day at the beach a rather special experience.
4. Kayaking (with dolphins!)
Then, of course, there are plenty of beaches and companies that will rent out kayaks and canoes. Some companies also offer packages where they will guide you to certain areas where dolphins are common so that you can make the whole experience even more magical by allowing you to enjoy the activity of kayaking and the incredible beauty of your stunning surroundings while also potentially meeting some particularly cute locals. So, if you’re a proper water baby and you have always wanted to see some dolphins for yourself, then a vacation rental in Sardinia really is the thing for you.
5. Wandering underground worlds
Similarly, while hiking above ground is all well and good, there is also a wonderful subterranean option for those who want to explore the alien landscapes and breathtaking rock formations hidden beneath the earth. Sardinia’s incredible cave system known as Neptune’s Grotto, located near the town of Alghero in the Porto Conte Park was accidentally uncovered in the 18th century and is now known as one of the largest and most famous marine caves in all of Italy. Accessed by boat or the 656 steps of the Escala del Cabirol (Steps of the Roe Deer) that cling to a cliff side, the system is home to a 1km long subterranean white sandy beach, a salt lake, and several, “rooms,” that can be explored. Open from Monday to Friday, it is one of the most extraordinary experiences on the island and a must for explorers who find a villa in Sardinia.
Sardinia is a beautiful world unto itself and a whole range of adventures await there, so if that sounds like your cup of tea then check out our incredible holiday rentals in Sardinia today and come discover this gorgeous part of Italy!