Sardinia, Unspoiled

Water so clear the boats seem to float on air. Soaring limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea. Granite coves you can walk to from your villa. Long lunches of fresh seafood and cold Vermentino, an aperitivo facing the cliffs of Tavolara Island, and a pool above the Mediterranean to come home to. Sardinia is home to the beach voted the best in the world, and from the East Coast it has never been easier to reach.

For years, the catch with Sardinia was getting there from the US: a connection in Rome or Milan and a lost day on either end. Not anymore. You can now fly from New York to Sardinia overnight, without changing planes, and be on the beach by lunchtime.

Direct flights from New York to Olbia

In May 2026 Delta launched the first-ever nonstop between the United States and Sardinia: New York JFK to Olbia, four times a week through the summer season, with Delta One lie-flat seats. You leave JFK in the evening and land in Olbia the next morning. No Rome or Milan connection, no second security line, no lost day.

More options are on the way. United has announced its own nonstop from Newark to Olbia, starting in late May 2027, three times a week. With two New York airports linked to the island, Sardinia has become one of the easiest Italian beach holidays to plan from the East Coast.

Olbia sits at the heart of the island’s most beautiful coastline. The beaches around Tavolara and San Teodoro are twenty to thirty minutes south of the airport, the Costa Smeralda about the same to the north. We’ll arrange a driver to meet you at arrivals.

Where to stay in Sardinia: the coast around Tavolara

Just south of Olbia, between Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro, the coast faces Tavolara, a dramatic limestone island that rises straight out of the sea. The waters here are part of the Tavolara–Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, which is why the sea is so astonishingly clear. It’s a wonderful base for a sea view villa: quieter and more relaxed than the Costa Smeralda, with a string of world-class beaches ten minutes away and small coves you can walk to.

Prefer a little more glamour? The Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo and the coves of Capriccioli) is under an hour north, and the artists’ village of San Pantaleo sits in the granite hills behind it.

The best beaches near Olbia

• Cala Brandinchi. Often called “little Tahiti”: shallow, turquoise water and fine white sand with Tavolara on the horizon. One of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia.
• Lu Impostu. Next door to Cala Brandinchi, a long crescent of white sand with sunbeds and umbrellas to hire.
• Porto Taverna. Crystal-clear water and a head-on view of Tavolara, with beach bars for lunch and an aperitivo at sunset.
• La Cinta, San Teodoro. Three kilometres of sand, perfect for long walks and for active families (see our family-friendly villas): windsurfing, kayaking and beach volleyball.
• The Punta Molara coves. Small, sheltered granite coves inside the marine park, ideal for a quiet swim and snorkelling.

Good to know: to protect them, Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu limit visitor numbers in high season, and entry must be booked in advance online (santeodorospiagge.it). We’ll remind you before you travel.

Things to do in Sardinia

• A boat day in the La Maddalena archipelago. A national park of pink-granite islands and hidden coves: snorkel, swim off the boat, lunch on board and drift home at sunset. If you do one thing, make it this.
• A day on the Gulf of Orosei. Limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and Cala Goloritzé and Cala Mariolu, both ranked among the world’s best beaches (see below).
• Around Tavolara by boat. From Porto San Paolo, boats circle Tavolara and the islet of Molara, with swimming stops in water so clear you can see the seabed metres below.
• Vermentino tastings. Vermentino di Gallura is Sardinia’s only DOCG wine: crisp, salty and made for seafood. Visit the vineyards and taste the best producers paired with local cheeses and cured meats. Our concierge can arrange this and other private experiences.
• Private yoga at your villa. Sessions for every level, arranged on request, on your own terrace or by the pool. For more ways to unwind, browse our wellness villas.
• San Pantaleo’s Thursday market. Local crafts, produce, cheeses and jewellery in a pretty granite village in the hills.
• The nuraghi and tombs of the giants. Bronze Age stone towers and burial sites near Arzachena, older than Rome and almost empty in the morning.
• Pescatourism. Head out with local fishermen on a working boat and watch the nets come in (see below), or buy the morning’s catch in the village and grill it by the pool.

A day on the Gulf of Orosei, home of the world’s best beach

About two hours south of Olbia, the east coast changes completely. Along the Gulf of Orosei, white limestone cliffs drop straight into water so clear it looks like glass, hiding coves you can only reach by boat. Boats leave from Cala Gonone and Santa Maria Navarrese for a day of swimming stops along the coast, past the Pedra Longa sea stack to Cala Goloritzé, a tiny white-pebble beach beneath a 143-metre limestone spire. It’s one of the most spectacular days out in the Mediterranean, and well worth the early start.

Voted the best beach in the world. In 2025, Cala Goloritzé was named the world’s number one beach in The World’s 50 Best Beaches, ahead of beaches in the Seychelles, Thailand and French Polynesia, and it made the list again in 2026, joined by its neighbour Cala Mariolu, famous for its pink-and-white pebbles and startling blue water. Both are protected and uncrowded: Goloritzé is a natural monument where boats must stay offshore, so you swim in from the boat or hike down from the Golgo plateau. Sardinia’s La Pelosa, in the far northwest near Stintino, also made the 2025 top 50.

Pescatourism: go fishing with local fishermen

For something truly local, try pescatourism (pescaturismo in Italian): a morning at sea with Sardinian fishermen aboard their working boat. Sardinia is one of the best places in Italy to do it. You head out at dawn, watch the crew haul in the nets and sort the catch (red mullet, sea bream, scorpion fish), and hear stories of a way of life that has barely changed in generations. Many trips end with the catch cooked on board for lunch, and children love it.

Where to eat in Sardinia

• Il Portolano, Porto San Paolo. A charming restaurant with a balcony over the sea and a focus on seafood. Book ahead.
• La Tavernetta, Porto Taverna. Seafood and Italian classics right on the beach, and a lovely beach bar for tapas and lounge music in the evening.
• Mare Azzurro, Porto Taverna. A relaxed spot for an aperitivo facing Tavolara.
• Agriturismi in the hills. For true Sardinian cooking, head inland to a farm restaurant such as Agriturismo Muru Idda or L’Agliuledda near Ovilò. Set menus of many courses, almost everything grown or raised on the farm.
• Feet in the sand. Several beach restaurants serve grilled seafood, and even Brazilian churrasco, at tables on the sand.

On the menu, look for culurgiones (hand-pleated potato and pecorino dumplings), porceddu (slow-roasted suckling pig), pane carasau, bottarga, seadas with honey, and a glass of myrtle liqueur, mirto, to finish.

Tips for visiting Sardinia

• Rent a car. Sardinia is big (larger than Tuscany) and public transport outside the towns is limited, so a car is the key to the island. Pick it up at Olbia airport and book early for July and August. Roads along the coast and into the mountains are beautiful but winding, so allow extra time. Prefer a driver? We can arrange one for the days you would rather not be behind the wheel.
• Book the famous beaches. The most fragile beaches limit daily visitors and charge a small entry fee in summer, among them Cala Goloritzé on the Gulf of Orosei and La Pelosa near Stintino. Reserve online a few days ahead, arrive early for parking, and never take sand, pebbles or shells home: it is against the law and the fines are steep.
• Explore beyond the beaches. Some of Sardinia's best days are inland: the granite landscapes and cork forests of the Gallura, the painted murals of Orgosolo, the Gorropu gorge and the hidden nuraghe village of Tiscali in the Supramonte, Barumini's Su Nuraxi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the medieval hill towns of Castelsardo and Bosa. The mountain villages of the Ogliastra sit in one of the world's Blue Zones, where an unusual number of people live past 100.
• Shop for artisanal jewellery. Sardinia has a centuries-old goldsmithing tradition. Look for delicate filigrana, gold and silver filigree spun by hand; the fede sarda, the traditional Sardinian wedding ring; and su coccu, a dark stone set in silver filigree, worn as a charm for protection and given to newborns. On the northwest coast, Alghero is famous for its red coral. Buy from the workshops themselves or at San Pantaleo's Thursday market, where artisans sell their own pieces.
• Taste the island. Beyond the classics, try zuppa gallurese, a baked bread-and-cheese "soup" from right around Olbia; fregola, toasted semolina pearls cooked with clams; malloreddus, little saffron gnocchi with sausage ragù; sheep's-milk cheeses such as Fiore Sardo; pane guttiau, carasau bread with olive oil and salt; and miele amaro, a bittersweet honey from the strawberry tree. With dinner, order a Cannonau, the island's signature red.
• Slow down. Shops and many restaurants close in the early afternoon, dinner starts late, and inland villages keep their own rhythm. Book the best restaurants and boat days ahead in high season, and leave room for long, unplanned lunches.

When to go to Sardinia

June and September are the sweet spots: warm sea, long evenings, and room on the beaches, perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic villa escape. July is lovely but lively, and August is peak season, when Italians and yachts arrive from all over Europe, so book villas, boats and beach entries well ahead. May and October are quieter and softer, better for walking, wineries and the interior than for swimming every day. The Delta nonstop runs through the summer season, lining up neatly with the best weeks to be there.

In early September, keep an eye on the horizon: the maxi yachts of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup race off the Costa Smeralda, and you can watch them from the beach between swims.

Sardinia villa rentals, coming soon

Our team has just returned from Sardinia, where we visited villas we’re preparing to welcome to the Doorways collection: houses with pools and sea views, a short walk from the coves of the marine park. Until they’re online, our sea view and beach villas on the Amalfi Coast, in Puglia and in Sicily offer the same mix of sea, sun and privacy. As always, we only offer villas our team has seen in person.

Sardinia also pairs beautifully with a city stay: short domestic flights connect Olbia with Rome and other Italian cities, so it’s easy to add a few days in Rome or Florence before or after the beach.

Dreaming of Sardinia for next summer? You don’t need to wait for the listings. Get in touch, tell us who’s coming and when, and we’ll share the villas that fit your trip before they go online. We’ll arrange the flights, the driver, the boat for your first day on the water, and a table at the restaurants above.

Frequently asked questions

Are there direct flights from the US to Sardinia?

Yes. Since May 2026, Delta has flown nonstop from New York JFK to Olbia, Sardinia, four times a week during the summer season, the first-ever direct flight between the United States and Sardinia. Delta flies from JFK on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 6:10 pm, landing in Olbia at 9:00 am. United will add a nonstop from Newark to Olbia from May 27, 2027, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:25 pm, landing at noon, so summer 2027 will have a nonstop from the New York area every day of the week.

What is the best beach in Sardinia?

Cala Goloritzé, on the Gulf of Orosei on Sardinia's east coast, was named the number one beach in the world in The World's 50 Best Beaches 2025 and appeared on the list again in 2026, alongside nearby Cala Mariolu. Near Olbia, Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu, Porto Taverna and La Cinta are among the island's most beautiful beaches.

Where is the best place to stay in Sardinia?

For a villa holiday, the northeast coast near Olbia is ideal: the coast around Tavolara Island, between Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro, is relaxed, close to world-class beaches and 20 to 30 minutes from Olbia airport. The Costa Smeralda, to the north, is the island's most glamorous area.

When is the best time to visit Sardinia?

June and September are the best months to visit Sardinia, with warm sea, long days and fewer crowds. July is lively and August is peak season, so book villas, boats and beach entries well ahead. May and October are ideal for walking, wineries and the interior.

Do you need a car in Sardinia?

A car is useful in Sardinia, because beaches, villages and restaurants are spread along the coast and public transport is limited. Doorways can arrange a driver to meet you at Olbia airport and private transfers or boat days during your stay.

What is pescatourism?

Pescatourism (pescaturismo in Italian) is a fishing trip with local fishermen aboard their working boat. Guests watch the crew haul in the nets and sort the catch, and many trips cook the fish on board for lunch. Sardinia is one of the best places in Italy to try it.

How long is the flight from New York to Sardinia?

About eight and a half to nine hours nonstop. Both flights leave New York in the evening and arrive in Olbia the next morning or midday, so you land ready for the beach.

Which airport should I fly into for Sardinia?

Olbia, on the northeast coast, is the only Sardinian airport with nonstop flights from the United States, and it is closest to the Costa Smeralda, Tavolara and San Teodoro. The Gulf of Orosei is about an hour and a half south by car. Cagliari serves the south of the island and Alghero the northwest, both with connections through Rome or Milan.

How many days do you need in Sardinia?

At least a week. Our villas rent Saturday to Saturday, which gives you time for beaches, a boat day and a trip inland. With ten days to two weeks you can add the Gulf of Orosei, the mountain villages of the interior or a second base on another coast.

Do you need to book beaches in Sardinia?

A few of the most protected beaches, including Cala Goloritzé and La Pelosa, limit daily visitors in summer and charge a small entry fee, so reserve online a few days ahead. Most other beaches are free, but arrive early in July and August for parking. Taking sand, pebbles or shells is illegal and heavily fined.

What food is Sardinia known for?

Culurgiones (potato and pecorino dumplings), porceddu (slow-roasted suckling pig), pane carasau flatbread, fregola with clams, bottarga, pecorino and Fiore Sardo cheeses, zuppa gallurese and seadas with honey. To drink: Vermentino di Gallura, Cannonau and a glass of mirto to finish.

What should I buy in Sardinia?

Handmade gold and silver filigree jewellery, including the fede sarda wedding ring and the su coccu protective charm, red coral from Alghero, cork from the Gallura, woven baskets, mirto liqueur and bottarga to take home.

Is Sardinia good for families?

Very. Many beaches around Olbia and San Teodoro, such as La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi, have shallow, calm water that is perfect for children, and a villa with a pool, a boat day and a pizza night make easy days for every age.

Can you combine Sardinia with the rest of Italy?

Yes. Rome and Milan are about an hour's flight from Olbia, and overnight ferries link Olbia with Civitavecchia near Rome and Livorno in Tuscany. A week in a Tuscan villa followed by a week by the sea in Sardinia is a wonderful combination.