4 Days in Sardinia: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit

By Cristian G. Guasch •  Updated: 08/17/22 •  7 min read

Sardinia is one of the twenty regions that make up the Italian Republic. Its capital and most populated city bears the name of Calgari, but it also has other valuable cities.

Sardinia has a population of 1,639,591 inhabitants and is known for being an ideal destination for beach, adventure and pecorino cheese lovers.

It is one of those Mediterranean spots that guarantee a great vacation. You can enjoy the Costa Smeralda, the fishing port of Alghero and the Gennargentu mountain range.

Day 1

Alghero Cathedral

One of the first towns to see in Sardinia in 4 days can be the town of Alghero. There, one of the religious temples to visit is the cathedral of Alghero, located in piazza duomo, in the historic center of the city. This church is recognized as an icon of the metropolis and every year receives thousands of tourists eager to discover its beauty.

It presents a combination of Gothic and Catalan Renaissance style, making it quite attractive to the eye. You can climb its bell tower and get splendid views of the city.

Towers and Wall

Another of the must-see monuments to see in Sardinia in 4 days in the town of Alghero are the towers and the wall surrounding the city. On your visit you can contemplate the spectacular views of the towers of Catalan-Aragonese style, which have an immeasurable architectural value. Also, it is worth walking around the wall that overflows with majesty.

Humberto Street

It is no secret that Alghero is full of beautiful streets, but Calle Humberto is undoubtedly the most special of them all. It is widely recognized because along it, there is a huge number of ancient buildings, considered true architectural gems.

Walking along it from one side to the other is simply rewarding. In addition, you can stop to observe monuments of great value such as the Renaissance-style Casa Doria, the Church of Misericordia and the Palazzo Curia, one of the most beautiful buildings in Sardinia.

Neptune’s Grotto

You can dedicate the rest of the day to know another of the unique places to see in Sardinia in 4 days as is the Neptune’s Grotto, an amazing natural cave located at Cape Caccia. It is full of stalactites and stalagmites. It is only 30 minutes from Alghero and is a must for all those who love nature.

Inside it there are many natural treasures, corridors at sea level and beautiful lakes. In fact, one of them is 120 meters long and is the second largest lake inside a cave on the continent.

Port of Alghero

At nightfall you can take a pleasant stroll along the port of Alghero, one of the favorite places for tourists because it enjoys an unparalleled nightlife. It is perfect to admire the beauty of the sea and see the ostentatious boats anchored to the docks. As if that were not enough, you can have a refreshing drink and listen to good music by street artists who stop there to show their talent.

Day 2

Palmavera Archaeological Site

The Palmavera archaeological site is another of the historical sites to see in Sardinia in 4 days and is located just 15 minutes from the city of Alghero. It is an ideal place to learn about the characteristics of Nuraghe archeology, especially because the remains of this site are in very good condition.

You can see several buildings built in that period and numerous elements that will allow you to delve a little deeper into the interesting history of this ancient settlement.

Porto Torres

Another unique village to see in Sardinia in 4 days is Porto Torres. It is a small town known for its exotic natural and architectural beauty. It is one of the most famous ports of the island because it connects with Marseille and Barcelona.

In this area you can visit the Roman baths, Balai Beach and the Cathedral of San Gavino. You cannot miss its Roman bridge that crosses the Mannu river and offers postcard-worthy panoramic views.

Castelsardo

It is a curious medieval city located on a colossal rock above the sea. Its unique location makes the views from there are wonderful.

Among its attractions are an elegant castle at the top of the city, the Cathedral of San Antonio Abate and the popular Elephant Rock, one of the symbols of the metropolis dating back to Neolithic times.

Olbia

It is one of the most emblematic cities to see in Sardinia in 4 days and is positioned in the middle of the Costa Smeralda. Tourists love to visit it because of its proximity to Alghero and its idyllic beaches.

Here you can visit the Town Hall and the Library, two grandiose architectural works from the 19th century. If you have enough time you can walk along Via Acquedotto and Via Nanni, Carthaginian remains of the city.

Corso Umberto I

It is defined as the nerve center of the community. It is one of the streets in Olbia that you must visit. Here you will come across countless ancient buildings that were of utmost relevance to the history of Sardinia, apart from many stores and bars where you can enjoy the fun atmosphere in the air.

Day 3

Roman aqueduct of Olbia

You can start this day by visiting the archaeological ruins of the Roman aqueduct of the metropolis. Most of these remains are located in the historic center and are not as well preserved as those found on the road to Abbas Cabu, or on the outskirts of Olbia. Throughout the tour you can take a close look at these ingenious structures used by the Romans in times gone by.

Brandinchi Cove

It is one of the most famous beaches of Olbia and one of the most beautiful beaches to see in Sardinia in 4 days. Its sand is a fantastic white color that contrasts beautifully with the turquoise blue of its waters. Although some areas are a little darker than others, the rocks that protrude from the sea shelter a vast marine life. It is the best place to practice water sports such as scuba diving or snorkeling.

Gonone Cove

It is a very different beach from the previous one. In it you can see a variety of landscapes of all kinds such as caves and mountains. Its wild and uncrowded environment is pleasing to the eye. It is a favorable environment for lovers of water sports and in it you can make horseback riding, hiking or cycling.

Neuralgic village of Serra Orrios

Not only is it one of the largest neuralgic villages in Italy, but it is also in an excellent state of preservation. It has about a hundred circular houses with different rooms connected to each other. The buildings date from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Bronze Age.

Nuoro

It is one of the cities more loaded with culture and history of Sardinia. Its greatest charm is its historic center, which preserves fundamental monuments such as the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie or the Museum of Archaeology.

Day 4

Old town of Calgari

The area is full of slopes and is also known by the name of the Castello district. Here you will come across many viewpoints from which you can admire the city in all its splendor. It is recommended to take a look at the most valuable monuments of the town such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the bastion of Saint Remy, and the Towers of San Pancrazio and the Elephant.

Marina Quarter

It is one of the most beautiful places in Calgari because it is located next to the port, where the imposing castle, the church of San Michele, the Roman Amphitheater, the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, the Market of San Benedetto and the Viceregio Palace are located.

Cristian G. Guasch

I have traveled the world visiting 18 countries, including Japan, most of Europe and North America. I love to learn about the culture and history, taste the different dishes and enjoy the beauty of this planet. I also work completely remotely, and this helps me discover new places all year around.

Keep Reading