Say ciao to Sardinia: This summer’s hottest destination for a Med island holiday

The beaches are unspoiled and sensational

With 1,849km (1,149 miles) of coastline, you’d expect Sardinia to have more than a few beautiful beaches. It more than delivers.

A carpet of sparkling quartz pebbles on the west coast, Is Arutas is the island’s beach trophy, while La Pelosa’s pristine stretch of chalk-white sand is the stuff of postcards. On the island’s east, you can hop between the cliff-backed coves that hug the Gulf of Orosei, or follow your wild side to Valle della Luna, where giant granite boulders stand guard over golden sand.

Even the city beaches live up to the hype. In Cagliari, Poetto is soft, spacious and comes with flamingos.

The turquoise sea calls like a siren, too. Whether you simply wallow in warm shallows, try your hand at windsurfing or take a dive to the Med’s largest underwater cave, Nereo, Sardinia’s waters are the gift that keeps on giving.

The cuisine is slow food at its finest

Like anywhere in Italy, Sardinia promises to feed you well. But it’s more than just ingredients that go into the dishes here. Love for local produce and traditional cooking methods are part of the recipe too – the basis of the slow food movement that Sardinia has embraced since the 1980s.

It’s a practice that is evident in the breads made from durum wheat, in the cheeses produced from sheep’s milk and in the pasta handmade with semolina flour. Staples such as fregola (a couscous-like pasta), culurgiones (pasta filled with potato and mint) and seadas (fried pecorino-filled pastries with a lemony zing) are made with passion.

For the full farm-to-fork experience, book a stay at an agriturismo. Feast on porceddu (roast suckling pig wrapped in myrtle leaves), alongside vegetables and potatoes fresh from the soil. It’s Sardinia at its most authentic – and most delicious.

The cities are culture-filled and charming

Sure, Sicily’s cities are worth raving about, but Sardinia can match them pound for pound.

Capital Cagliari is the island’s urban heart. At its crown sits Il Castello, a 13th-century citadel offering unbeatable sunset views. Within its stone walls are the grand Saint Mary Cathedral and the city’s last remaining Pisan tower, the Torre dell’Elefante. Below you’ll find a warren of alleyways filled with cafés, museums and pastry shops.

Further north, Alghero is slower-paced and sprinkled with Spanish flair. Conquered by Spain in the 14th century, the city’s Catalan heritage lives on in its architecture and language. Combine the Spanish custom of vivir en la calle (living on the streets) with the Italian love of an aperitivo in Piazza Civica.

The island's interior is ripe for adventure

Wild and wonderful, Sardinia’s countryside is a collage of rugged mountains, valleys and vineyards.

Get straight into the thick of it at Giara di Gesturi, a basalt plateau 600m (1,968ft) above sea level that’s cloaked in garrigue, myrtle and cork trees. Come spring, white buttercups dust the plateau, grazed on by native Giara horses.

You can climb to greater heights at Gennargentu National Park, home to Sardinia’s highest peak, Punta la Marmora. The promise of panoramic vistas make mountain hiking hugely popular here. The trails are challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with oak forests, fresh springs and the chance to spot golden eagles.

Sardinia’s scenery reaches its pinnacle at Gola su Gorropu. Called the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’, this 500m-deep (1,640ft) gorge has striking limestone cliffs that plummet to a rocky riverbed. You can either hike to it or book a jeep ride.

The ancient history is fascinating

With a deep history that dates back millennia, it’s no surprise that Sardinia is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders. Its more than 7,000 stone nuraghi towers are chief among them. They are thought to have served many purposes, from dwellings of clan leaders to religious sites.

Visit Nora Archaeological Park, near Pula, to wander through an open-air history book. Once a Phoenician city of the same name, excavations here have been ongoing since the 19th century, steadily unveiling villas, mosaics, thermal baths and an amphitheatre.

The Tomba dei Giganti is another significant archaeological site. The ‘Giant’s Grave’ burial tombs are incredible examples of prehistoric craftsmanship, with the greatest reaching 30m (98ft) in length. Find them an hour north of Olbia.

How to get to Sardinia

There are direct flights to Sardinia from Stansted, Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester, but some routes are seasonal. The flight time from London is approximately two and a half hours. Sardinia also has multiple ferry connections with mainland Italy, as well as Sicily, Corsica, Barcelona and Marseille.

When to visit Sardinia

Sardinia’s blissful Mediterranean climate means sunny, warm temperatures most of the year. Summer sees temperatures in the high 20s, making it a good time to go for a beach holiday. You’ll also have more choice of flights. July and August are the busiest months, so consider June or September to avoid the school holiday crowds.

The shoulder seasons are also an excellent time to visit Sardinia. Spring is a riot of floral colour, while autumn hangs on to the summer heat well into October. Package deals are usually cheaper, too.