Sardinia Road Trip: from Olbia to beaches and seaside towns

Difficulty

205 miles/330 km

Distance

7+

Recom. Days

Culture, Adventure

Trip type

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Dejan Badnjarevic

Passionate traveller and long-term travel writer who enjoys translating his adventures into exciting content.

Sardinia Road Trip Itinerary: Olbia round-trip

Sardinia Road Trip map itinerary

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You can’t claim to be a serious Italophile without having been on a Sardinia road trip and having travelled the picturesque roads along its beautiful coast.

From the luxurious resorts at Costa Smeralda where the rich and famous come to spend their vacation days to Carthaginian and Roman archaeological sites and world-class museums, Sardinia has plenty to offer.

Start your campervan adventure in Olbia, a port town well known for its palm-lined waterfront and historic centre dotted with wine bars, cafes, and boutiques.

In between, explore grottos and beaches on the Gulf of Orosei, and visit some of North Sardinia’s most road-trip-worthy towns.

the Emerald Coast from Olbia
Pick-up in
Olbia Pick-up center
1

Exploring the Beaches of Gulf of Orosei

Located on the eastern coast of Sardinia, the Gulf of Orosei is one of the most beautiful areas on the island. The coastline here is simply amazing and features dozens of hidden bays, caves with natural grottos, and incredible beaches that you can explore on your Sardinia itinerary.

Visit the towns of Orosei or Cala Gonone to join boat tours that offer daily cruises along the coastline and stop at rocky caves and secluded bays which are only accessible by sea or via trekking paths.

The Gulf of Orosei, close to Olbia

History buffs will definitely want to check out archaeological sites like Serra Orrios and Tiscali, mysterious Narughi complexes of which no one is quite sure what they were used for. Su Gorroppu, one of the deepest canyons in Europe is also a must on your Sardinia road trip. 

Then there are the famous Blue Marino Caves, which are made of stalagmites that shine in the water. To enjoy some quality beach time, which you’ll definitely want on the Gulf of Orosei, include to your itinerary places like:

  • Cala Mariolu
  • Cala Sisine
  • Cala Goloritzè
  • Cala Biriola
  • Cala Fuili
  • Cala Luna

Visiting

Gulf of Orosei

2 - 4

Recom. Days

Main route

68 miles

from Olbia

1h25m

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Orosei

Historical town in the north of Sardinia

Bue Marino Caves

Colorful stalactites and stalagmites

Cala Luna

Secluded beach with turquoise water and caves

Cala Gonone

Suntan seaside town

Signal

Eat at

Ristorante Pizzeria da Mario

$$$

Seafood and pizza, busy for a reason

Ristorante Pizzeria La Veranda

$$

Nice views, reasonably priced pizza

Signal

Stay at

Cala Gonone Camping Sardinia

$

Shaded camping sites for campers

2

Ultimate Relaxation in Bosa

Situated on the beautiful coastline of West Sardinia, Bosa is a fabulous town with a romantic charm. From imposing palazzos with large balconies and pastel houses stacked on cobbled streets to green valleys and rocky hills, Bosa is a peaceful place where time stands still.

The historic district is home to medieval streets with cute facades, stone staircases, and the famous Church of the Immaculate Conception.

You'll find beautiful Bosa in West Sardinia on this road trip

Life here is slow-paced. Local fisherman can be seen next to the beautiful Temo River, while tourists are making their way to the stunning Malaspina castle and young families to the nearby Bosa Marina Beach. 

The small town of Bosa is also home to the historic Ponte Vecchio of Bosa Bridge, ranked as one of the most beautiful bridges in Italy. To make the most out your Sardinia road trip, visit the Capo Marrargiu Bio-marine Park and admire various species of birds.

Visiting

Bosa

2 - 4

Recom. Days

Main route

81 miles

from Orosei

1h50m

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Roman catholic cathedral, a real standout

Malaspina castle

Hilltop castle was built in the 12th century

Ponte Vecchio

Main bridge in Bosa

Signal

Eat at

Trattoria Sa Nassa

$$$

Set in an old cellar, home cooking

Cossu Giovanni

$$

Friendly service, nice pizza

RV icon

Parking

Parcheggio camper Bosa

$

Quiet (overnight) parking, no services

Signal

Stay at

Area Sosta Camper di S'Abba Druche

$

Reasonably priced, close to a beach

3

Sightseeing in Alghero

Located on the north-west coast of the island and easily reachable from the village of Bosa with a campervan, Alghero is one of the most stunning medieval towns on the island. It’s a must on any Sardinia road trip.

The main draw here is the Gothic-style historic centre where travellers come to admire the beauty of historical landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the 14th-century Church of San Francesco, and the Guillot Palace.

The third stop on your Sardinia road trip is Alghero

Expect to find many cafe-lined piazzas, as well as dozens of restaurants like Ristorante Mabrouk and Al Vecchio Mulino where you can try authentic local specialities.

Below the historic centre, the modern marina welcomes tourists on yacht charter vacations. Take the long seaside staircase or a boat from the harbour to the fabulous Neptune’s Grotto, a large saltwater lake with stalactites and stalagmites.

Visiting

Alghero

2

Recom. Days

Main route

31 miles

from Bosa

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Cathedral of Santa Maria

Roman Catholic cathedral

Church of San Francesco

14th-century church built to Catalan Gothic design

Guillot Palace

Completely restored in the 19th century

Neptune’s Grotto

One of the largest marine caves in Italy

Signal

Eat at

Al Vecchio Mulino

$$

Classic old-school trattoria

Ristorante La Lepanto

$$$$

Fresh seafood, friendly service

RV icon

Parking

Piazzale della Pace

$

Plenty of parking at the marina

Signal

Stay at

Camping Village Laguna Blu

$$

Camping ground near Fertilia

4

Uncover the Secrets of Sassari

Well known for its neo-Gothic Piazza d’Italia and the Baroque-fronted cathedral, Sassari is the second-largest city on the island of Sardinia. Wander down the charming Corso Vittorio Emanuele II street to admire some of the oldest houses on the island which date back to the 16th century. 

To discover impressive archaeological collections including Roman artefacts and Nuragic bronze, make your way to Museo Nazionale Sanna.

The area of Sassari is beautiful and the best ending to a Sardinia road trip

The nearby ghost town of Argentiera is just a short drive from Sassari, making it a great addition to your itinerary. This UNESCO-protected site is home to many abandoned mine buildings and a couple of secluded beaches can be found in the vicinity.

To end your Sardinia road trip with a blast, visit the picturesque town of Castelsardo.  Best known for its ancient castle, nice sandy beaches, and a couple of (really good) spa hotels, this place also houses one of the most incredible rock formations on the island called Roccia dell’ Elefante.

Visiting

Sassari

2

Recom. Days

Main route

25 miles

from Alghero

30 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Museo Nazionale Sanna

Most famous museum in Sardinia

Argentiera

Old mine town, close to beaches

Castelsardo

Picturesque historic town

Roccia dell’Elefante

Unique rock formation

Signal

Eat at

Il Giamaranto

$$$$

Best seafood in Sassari

Spaghettoria S'Artea

$$

Great pasta restaurant

RV icon

Parking

Piazza Monsignor Arcangelo

$

Central location, 50 spaces

Signal

Stay at

Casa della meridiana – Sardegna

$$$

Villa with pool, central location

Camping Golfo Dell'Asinara Sorso

$

5-min drive from Porto Torres

Drop-off in
Olbia Pick-up center

68 miles

from Sassari

1h30m

drive