South Sardinia

main gateway to the south, with year round flights and a railway station linking it to Cagliari

A coast of dunes, juniper and lagoons with some of the finest beaches in Sardinia. Villas are spread discreetly through the low hills.

A friendly town with a lively piazza near the ruins of Nora, backed by pine woods along the shore. Well placed for both Cagliari and Chia.

A resort town at the south east tip, surrounded by the protected waters of the Capo Carbonara marine reserve. Busy in August, serene in June and September.

A hilltop old town of bastions and baroque churches above a busy port, with the long Poetto beach on the city's edge.

A remote stretch of the south west with towering dunes, old mining villages and wide horizons. Ideal for those seeking solitude.

Two islands off the south west: Sant'Antioco joined by causeway, Carloforte reached by ferry, both with strong fishing traditions.

Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.

Founded by the Phoenicians and later a Roman town, Nora sits on a peninsula near Pula with mosaics, baths and a small theatre facing the sea. A summer festival brings performances to the ancient stage.

The walled upper town offers the cathedral, the Bastione di Saint Remy and views over the gulf and lagoons. The Archaeological Museum holds a fine collection of nuragic bronzes.

Sardinia's most important nuragic complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, centres on a tower dating to the second millennium BC. Guided visits lead through the surrounding village of stone huts.

The waters around Villasimius are protected, with clear seas, granite islets and rich marine life. Snorkelling and boat trips reveal the reserve at its best.

Behind the beaches of Chia, a coastal lagoon often hosts pink flamingos, and the Torre di Chia offers views along the whole bay.

Among the highest dunes in Europe, shaped by the mistral and backed by old mining buildings. The beach is vast and unspoilt.

A 1920s mining port carved into the cliff opposite the Pan di Zucchero sea stack, visited on guided tours. An extraordinary piece of industrial engineering.

Salt pans and lagoons on the city's edge where flamingos gather in large numbers. Cycle or walk the flat paths at dusk.

Explore the clear waters of the marine reserve off Villasimius from a private boat, stopping at Isola dei Cavoli and Serpentara.

Watch theatre or music in the Roman theatre of Nora during this July festival, with the sea as a backdrop.

Play a well established course in the hills behind Pula, a short drive from the beaches.

Taste bottarga, cheeses and fresh seafood at the San Benedetto market, among the largest covered markets in Italy.

Take the ferry to San Pietro to taste red tuna prepared in the island's Ligurian influenced style.

Follow the panoramic road above Tuerredda and Capo Malfatano, stopping at viewpoints over turquoise coves.

Shallow water and fine sand facing a small islet you can almost wade to.

A white crescent with tropical colours, set between two headlands near Teulada.

A long beach between the sea and the Notteri lagoon, below a Spanish watchtower.

A narrow isthmus near Villasimius with coves on both sides and very clear water.

Golden sands and huge dunes on the wild Costa Verde.

Cagliari's long city beach, lively with kiosks and seafront restaurants.

What to eat

What to drink

Explore the Castello quarter, the bastions and the Archaeological Museum, then dine in the Marina district.

Visit Sardinia's most celebrated nuragic site on the edge of the Giara plateau.

A pastel harbour town of Genoese origin on the island of San Pietro.

Dramatic cliffs, mining heritage and the Pan di Zucchero sea stack on the Iglesiente coast.

April and May bring green landscapes, flowering maquis and the spectacle of Sant'Efisio. The sea is cool but warming, and sightseeing is comfortable.

June to August is hot and dry, with warm water and every service open along the coast. August is busiest, so book boats and beach restaurants ahead.

September and early October are ideal, with warm sea and quieter beaches. The south's mild climate often keeps swimming pleasant well into October.

Cagliari remains lively all year with its markets and museums, while beach resorts largely close. Winters are mild and sunny, good for culture and walking.