North Sardinia: the 10 best things to see in 2025

La Maddalena è an archipelago located in the north of Sardinia, consisting of 7 main islands, including La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi and Budelli.

To arrive at La Maddalena all you need to do is take a ferry from the port of Palau or choose a'boat excursion that will allow you to explore the archipelago and its coves that can only be reached by sea.

Once on the island you can enjoy the paradisiacal white sand beaches, such as Cala Coticcio and the Knight's Beach, or take a walk in the historic center or, again, take a horseback ride.

The Smeralda Coast is located in the northeast of Sardinia and is famous for its crystal clear waters that attract many tourists from all over the world every year.

If you are attracted to luxurious life and nightlife, you are in the right place as there is no shortage of yachts and nightclubs here, especially inPorto Cervo and Porto Rotondo.

But in this area you can also appreciate the land thanks to the magnificent beaches, such as the Prince Beach and the Capriccioli Beach. 

Furthermore, to enjoy the sea, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, we recommend taking a boat trip or renting an inflatable boat to spend a relaxing day.

The island of Tavolara is located near the Golfo degli Aranci, off the northeastern coast of Sardinia and can be reached from Porto San Paolo or Olbia via a short trip by ferry.

This island, with an area of only 6km², has no inhabited areas and for this reason the main attractions are trekking, which also includes an exciting via ferrata and snorkeling. 

To enjoy the sea around the island, we recommend a boat trip perfect for sunny days with friends or family.

In the Olbia area, we recommend you visit several attractions, including the Archaeological Museum and the Punic Walls surrounding the historic center.

Also, nearby, you can spend a relaxing day at Cala Brandinchi, accessible only on booking, or in the small cove ofCala Girgolu.

Alternatively, you can opt for the beach at Lu Impostu, a very wide beach with free access. Parking, for a fee, è adjacent to the beach.

Arzachena, located in the heart of the Emerald Coast, è a destination renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, which includes the Tomb of the Giants and the Nuraghe of Albucciu.

The townà è easily accessible thanks to the local public transport network, despite the absence of a train station. From Porto Cervo, for example, è it can be reached with a ticket from 2.50€.

Archaeological sites can be visited with a single ticket starting at 4&euros; or with a cumulative ticket, which at a cost of 23&euros; per person allows access to 8 sites over the course of a week.

Santa Teresa di Gallura, which è the northernmost municipality on the island, è is the perfect destination to combine culture and leisure. In fact, you can visit the archaeological site Lu Brandali, which includes a nuragic village and a tomb of the giants.

If, on the other hand, you are a lover of trekking, in Capo Testa you can choose from several scenic trails that lead to the Lighthouse of Capo Testa, or you can take a'sunset hike to the Valle della Luna.

Finally, we recommend you discover Sardinian culture by trying local specialties: the culurgiones, ravioli stuffed with potatoes, cheese and mint, and the malloreddus, small semolina gnocchi served with sausage sauce.

Castelsardo, a small village in northern Sardinia, is worth a visit not only for its colorful houses.

In fact, you can visit the Castello dei Doria, dating back to 1102 AD. This castle dominates the village and houses the Museum of Mediterranean Interweaving. The cost of admission starts from 5€ per person.

In addition, we recommend you try typical dishes, such as Cozzuleddas, traditional sweets made with a pastry and a filling of walnuts, almonds, ginger, cinnamon, and orange peel.

You can visit the Asinara Park exclusively through guided tours. Boat services depart from the ports of Porto Torres and Stintino.

You will explore the Marine Protected Area of Asinara, La Pelosa and bays, such as Cala d'Oliva, Cala Reale and Fornelli. You will, in addition, have the opportunity to spot the iconic whiteasins of the island, symbols of the unique wildlife of this nature reserve.

The cost of the experiences range from 40€ per person, with the possibility of enjoying a lunch on board or a aperitif at sunset.

The beach of La Pelosa è one of the most renowned resorts on the island. It has been awarded the title of “Maldive d’Italia” thanks to its white sand and crystal clear sea.

From June 1° to October 31, access to the beach è allowed only by reservation through the dedicated portal with payment of a ticket of 3.50€. Children, however, do not require reservations.

At Stintino, on the other hand, we recommend visiting the tuna fishery museum, taking a walk through the old town and tasting typical dishes such as Tumbarella.

Alghero è a city in the northwest of Sardinia and is referred to as "angle of Catalonia" because of the Catalan influence both linguistically and gastronomically.

To enjoy the historic center, we recommend strolling along the city streets and along the waterfront, which is still surrounded by ancient bastions.

In the area, you can take a quad bike ride to admire the coast, or visit the Archaeological Museum of Alghero, which preserves artifacts from the Neolithic period.