Sardinia Itinerary for Motorhomes
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the landscapes and coastlines of Sardinia by motorhome, a journey that allows you to explore this Italian gem at your own pace.
Sardinia is known for its unspoilt beaches, towering cliffs and picturesque villages. It is the perfect destination for those looking for Caribbean beaches in the heart of the Mediterranean, away from the hustle and bustle of the typical tourist resorts and hotels.
On this route in the north of Sardinia, we have put together a selection of cosy agritourisms, hidden beaches, campsites and places of interest.
Here you can find out where to find the best restaurants and many other travel tips to enrich your holiday in Sardinia by motorhome.
The North Sardinia motorhome route lets you experience...
- ...the breathtaking views of the Costa Smeralda, where the turquoise-coloured sea meets the rock formations and white sandy beaches.
- ...picturesque coastal towns such as Porto Cervo, where luxury and the beauty of nature come together, and Cala Gonone, a hidden gem in the Gulf of Orosei.
- ...the exquisite Sardinian gastronomy, from fresh seafood in Olbia to traditional culurgiones in Cagliari.
Route type: Holiday route
Theme: Beach, nature, hiking
Start / Finish: Olbia or Porto Torres / Round trip
Length: 622 km
States/Provinces: Sassari, Nuoro, Alghero
Holiday destinations: Porto Torres, Stintino, Isola Rossa, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Capo Testa, Palau, La Maddalena, Cala Gonone, Nuoro, Orgosolo, Porto Conte, Porto Torres.
Ferries to Sardinia
What is the best way to get to Sardinia by ferry?
- The shortest ferry from Italy to Sardinia departs from Piombino in the direction of Olbia in the north-east of the island. The crossing takes 5.5 hours and takes place 4 times a week.
- Another option departs from Civitavecchi near Rome. The journey takes around 8 hours.
- The Livorno-Olbia ferry takes 8-9 hours.
- Another option is to take the ferry from Genoa to Olbia. Here the journey takes about 11-12 hours and you save 270 km by land compared to Piombino, or 425 km compared to Civitavecchi.
- Another ferry port is located in the north-west of the island in Porto Torres, which you can use if you are travelling via Marseille, Barcelona or Corsica from Ajaccio.
We recommend booking your ferry tickets for your holiday in Sardinia in advance, especially in the high season (spring and summer), in order to secure a place and benefit from the cheaper rates.
Travelling tips
- We recommend visiting the island in September, preferably in the middle of the month, to avoid the high summer temperatures, which can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, and to take advantage of the cheaper prices for campsites.
- Remember that the Italian speed limits for motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes apply in Sardinia: 50km/h in urban areas, 90km/h out of town and 110km/h on motorways (for an overview of the speed limits for heavier motorhomes, see the article Speed limits in Europe).
- Book early if you want to visit the most popular beaches, as these can get fully booked quickly, especially in high season.
- In high season, it is important to be strategic when parking. Leave early to secure a good spot, as the car parks often fill up quickly.
- Take advantage of the many agritourisms on the island, which offer an authentic experience and quiet overnight accommodation.
- If you are travelling in Sardinia with a very large motorhome, you should bear in mind that there are many narrow and winding roads. Sardinia is more suitable for smaller motorhomes or vans.
The highlights in the north of Sardinia
Costa Smeralda
We start our journey at the ferry harbour in Olbia. You can make a stopover in the island metropolis for a short sightseeing tour or, ideally, head straight to the first highlight of the trip, the Costa Smeralda.
The Costa Smeralda with its white beaches and turquoise waters is known as a very exclusive holiday region with many luxury accommodations. You should definitely bear this in mind when planning your visit. We recommend the Golfo di Arzachena campsite, where you can stay overnight from a lavish 41 euros.
One of the advantages of this campsite is its proximity to Palau, the starting point for excursion boats to the archipelago of La Maddalena, and to Porto Cervo, the heart of the Costa Smeralda. This town is famous for its luxury yachts, exclusive boutiques and vibrant nightlife. But you can also enjoy the atmosphere during the day, stroll along the harbour and admire the unique Mediterranean architecture.
What is there to see on the Costa Smeralda?
- Principe beach
- Capriccioli beach
- Liscia Ruja beach
- Capo d'Orso
- Maddalena Archipelago
The Maddalena Archipelago
Numerous boats depart from Palau for excursions around the Maddalena archipelago, and you can park here when you arrive. Many of these excursions include lunch on board, but you can also take a snack with you and save some money if you wish.
The Maddalena archipelago is a group of paradisiacal islands that are part of a protected national park. The beaches are exclusive, with yachts and private boats that will make you feel like you belong to the European elite.
The most famous islands are Santa Maria, Budelli, Spargi and Maddalena, where you can stroll along the harbour, enjoy the local atmosphere and visit the Nino Lamboglia Naval Museum, where underwater archaeological finds are on display. The island is also connected by a bridge to Caprera, famous for its wild nature and as the home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose museum is a must-see for history buffs.
Although camping is not permitted on the smaller islands of the archipelago, La Maddalena has the Il Sole campsite near the town.
Practical tips:
If you are travelling by motorhome, you should be aware that the roads are narrow and winding. It is therefore advisable to drive slowly, especially on Caprera, where the roads are bumpier.
Capo Testa
Next, we drive in the direction of Santa Teresa di Gallura. When you get there, you can park here. From Piazza Bruno Modesto, buses leave for Capo Testa with its bizarre granite formations. Enjoy the view to the north where you will discover Corsica. On the narrow land bridge is the marvellous Rena di Ponente beach.
We then drive from Santa Teresa di Gallura about 20 minutes further to the Oasi Gallura motorhome site, a clean, comfortable and quiet site in the immediate vicinity of the sea. The site is well organised and offers all the necessary services for campers. The beach of Torre Vignola Mare is very close by.
Isola Rossa
We continue our Sardinia holiday towards Isola Rossa, known for its spectacular white sandy beaches, such as Li Junchi di Badesi, where you can park comfortably by the sea. If you prefer something more intimate, you can continue exploring the coast between La Marinedda and Costa Paradiso, where you will discover small hidden coves.
Afterwards, you can visit the Cantina Ligios winery, which is characterised by its excellent location, its quality wines and the opportunity to stay overnight in a rural setting.
Just a 20-minute walk from the winery is the Agriturismo Crabileddu, an excellent opportunity to savour the local gastronomy and taste fresh local produce.
There are numerous agriturismas throughout Italy, including in Sardinia. This Italian concept, which combines local agriculture with rural tourism, has been very popular with Italians for over 30 years. In some of these places, known as agricampeggio, you can spend the night in a motorhome while staying in comfortable rooms in a traditional agriturismo and enjoying delicious meals made from fresh, local produce.
At the end of the day, we recommend an evening stroll in Castelsardo, where you can enjoy a pizza at Pizzeria Raimondo's.
Practical tips:
- Bring snorkelling or diving equipment to enjoy the crystal-clear water.
- If you are planning a trip to Li Cossi, we recommend that you set off early to secure a parking space and enjoy the day.
Porto Torres - Stintino
The coast of Stintino in north-west Sardinia is famous for its breathtaking turquoise-coloured water. The jewel of the area is La Pelosa, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Please note that a reservation is required 24-48 hours in advance, which you can easily do at this link.
15 minutes from La Pelosa you can stay at La Pineta campsite, which offers large shaded pitches and showers.
Outside La Pelosa, Le Saline is worth a visit with its white pebble beach and tranquil atmosphere. Another option is Le Tonnare beach, which is located near a former tuna processing factory.
One of the main attractions is the Torre della Pelosa, a 16th century watchtower on a nearby small island. For the more adventurous, book a boat trip to Asinara Island, a national park that used to be a prison and is now home to rare species such as the white ass.
Practical tips:
- Book your place on La Pelosa beach in advance.
- Don't forget to bring a mat for comfort.
- Bring sunscreen, plenty of water and something to eat.
The Porto Conte Regional Nature Park
Our next stop on the motorhome route is the Porto Conte Regional Nature Park on the north-west coast of Sardinia, a natural jewel that combines breathtaking landscapes, biodiversity and historical sites. This destination is ideal for motorhome travellers who want to explore Sardinian nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
The park covers more than 5,000 hectares of forests, cliffs and unspoilt coastline. A highlight is Cape Caccia with its impressive cliffs that drop steeply into the sea. Here you can visit the Neptune Grotto, a spectacular cave full of stalactites and stalagmites, which can be reached by boat or via a long staircase carved into the rock.
The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go hiking, mountain biking and bird watching here, as the area is home to protected species such as the griffon vulture. The crystal-clear water is ideal for snorkelling and diving, especially in Cala Dragunara, which is easily accessible from the coast.
Near the park, in the village of Fertilia, you can visit Il Paguro, famous for its pizzas.
Practical tips:
- You can park here near Mugoni beach and take the 9321 bus, which will take you to Porto Conte and the Neptune Grotto.
- If you want to combine the experience with a horseback ride, you can stay for free at the Maneggio Baratz farm, a quiet place surrounded by nature. We recommend that you check availability before your stay to secure your reservation.
- An early arrival in Capo Caccia is important to avoid traffic and find a parking space, especially in high season as it is a very popular place.
Nuoro und Orgosolo
On the next stage of our motorhome holiday in Sardinia, we turn away from the coast and drive to the villages of Nuoro and Orgosolo in the heart of the island. Both places offer a deep immersion in Sardinian culture, tradition and history.
In Nuoro, you can park here and visit the Museum of the Art of Sardinian Life, where the history, customs and traditional costumes of the region are on display. The Grazia Deledda Museum, dedicated to the only Sardinian Nobel Prize winner for literature who was born in this city, is also well worth a visit.
A stroll through the old town of Nuoro allows you to explore the charming streets, churches and squares, which are characterised by the authentic atmosphere of the island. The nearby Monte Ortobene offers spectacular views.
Just half an hour from Nuoro is Orgosolo, famous for its murals. The walls of this small town are covered with colourful paintings depicting local history as well as social and political themes from around the world.
You can park here and stroll through the streets, which are like an open-air art gallery full of symbolism and creativity.
As far as gastronomy is concerned, in Nuoro we recommend the restaurant Il Rifugio, where you can try typical Sardinian dishes such as snails a la nuorese or Sardinian mutton. In Orgosolo, you should visit the Trattoria Su Guruttu, where you will find many traditional dishes at affordable prices.
Practical tips:
- The mountain roads between Nuoro and Orgosolo are narrow and winding, so it is advisable to avoid this stage if you are travelling with a large motorhome.
Gulf of Orosei
Our round trip through the north of Sardinia continues to the Gulf of Orosei on the east coast, a true paradise for lovers of long, kilometre-long sandy beaches. We recommend a stay at Agriturismo VistaMare Orosei, which combines all the amenities of a campsite with the rustic charm of an agriturismo and also offers spectacular views.
In Cala Gonone, the Cala Gonone Aquarium is a must for getting to know the local marine fauna. From here, you can take boat trips to the most famous coves in the Gulf of Orosei, such as Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzé. These beaches, which can only be reached by boat or on foot, are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing in the midst of unspoilt nature.
In addition to boat trips, Cala Gonone is also an excellent starting point for hiking enthusiasts. The hike to Cala Luna is challenging, but the effort is rewarded with breathtaking scenery and a spectacular beach as a destination. We also recommend a visit to the Bue Marino caves, sea caves with fascinating rock formations and ancient cave paintings.
For the more adventurous, the Gulf of Orosei offers exciting opportunities for climbing on towering cliffs and snorkelling in crystal-clear water.
In Cala Gonone you will find a varied gastronomic offer with authentic Sardinian cuisine. The Osteria Sa Cuchina stands out for its homemade pasta and local specialities such as culurgiones, which are perfect for enjoying the traditional flavours of the island.
San Teodoro - La Cinta
Before we finish our Sardinia holiday by motorhome through the north in Olbia, you shouldn't miss the endless white beach of La Cinta near San Teodoro. Here you can enjoy the marvellous view and relax. The further north you go, the less crowded the beach is. Camping San Teodoro la Cinta is located in the immediate vicinity of the beach access.
Route guidance with parking space information
You can also find more information about the sights in our Explorer Map.
