Are you planning a holiday in Sardinia? Find out which towns and cities are the best, cheapest and most convenient places to stay in Sardinia.

Where to stay in Sardinia

The best way to summarise accommodation options and their pros and cons is to categorise them by location. As is the case throughout Europe, booking.com offers the widest range of available accommodation.

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You can also find recommendations for specific hotels, budget guesthouses or resorts in the location details in the ‘What to see in Sardinia’ section.

As Sardinia is a relatively large island with three international airports, we’ll categorise hotels and accommodation according to which airport they’re closest to.

Accommodation near Cagliari Airport

If you can find cheap flights to Cagliari Airport, you should focus your search on these locations in southern Sardinia.

Cagliari

In Sardinia’s capital and largest city, it’s ideal to stay for one night after arrival or before departure, or for a longer period if you’re planning to explore the island from a single base.

There are also lovely city beaches here and a vast selection of accommodation of all kinds, particularly guesthouses and private B&Bs. This is one of the reasons why Cagliari is one ofthe cheapest destinations in Sardinia.

The 10 cheapest hotels in Cagliari

Villasimius

Considered by many to be the most beautiful resort in southern Sardinia, with its famous beaches of Porto Giunco and Punta Molentis, it will delight sunbathers with its beautiful, photogenic natural surroundings and rugged coastline. Villasimius boasts the largest number of resorts and large hotels in southern Sardinia, although beachfront accommodation is the most expensive.

In the centre of Villasimius or the surrounding villages, you’ll also find cheaper flats or guesthouses.

Best beachfront hotels – Villasimius

Chia

South-west of Cagliari, you can enjoy long sandy beaches set in flat countryside that gradually gives way to a more rugged coastline.

The resorts of Chia and Pula are ideal for a peaceful holiday in smaller apartments, and offer the widest range of accommodation options.

Best hotels with sea views – Chia

Piscinas Beach

One of Sardinia’s most famous beaches lies about 75 km from Cagliari and is a favourite with those who love swimming in natural waters, solitude and tranquillity.

There are no major towns to be found far and wide, just the countryside and small villages. Look for accommodation in the town of Arbus, which is nearby.

Hotels and accommodation in Arbus

Arbatax

The port town of Arbatax, close to Tortoli and the resort of Santa Maria Navarrese, forms a single large holiday destination, serving as one of the starting points for boat trips along Sardinia’s most beautiful coastline in the Gulf of Orosei.

There is plenty of accommodation available here, particularly in the form of flats or small hotels.

Hotels and accommodation in Arbatax

The Sinis Peninsula

Among the most popular Sardinian beaches, with few tourists and set in beautiful natural surroundings, are Is Arutas, Is Arens and Putzu Idu on the Sinis Peninsula. You’ll find the widest range of accommodation options in the resort of S’Archittu or in the nearby town of Oristano.

Beach hotels in S’Archittu

Costa Rei

Less crowded resorts can be found along the long white beaches on the east coast of southern Sardinia; among the most notable is the Costa Rei coastline, where accommodation is mainly available in flats, holiday homes and villas.

The best hotels with sea views in Costa Rei

The Gennargentu Mountains

Sardinia’s highest mountain range, reaching heights of over 1,800 metres above sea level, lies about 140 km north of Cagliari, near the resort of Arbatax. The main centres for accommodation are the towns of Lanusei and Ulassa. However, you can find accommodation throughout the entire mountain range; it is important, though, to have a car if you’re staying outside the towns.

Find hotels in the Gennargentu Mountains

Accommodation near Alghero Airport

If you manage to find cheap flights to Alghero Airport, you should focus your search on these locations in the north or west of the island.

Alghero

Alghero is one of Sardinia’s most important tourist centres.

The town boasts many historical sites, a vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches, caves and a picturesque coastline. You can easily spend a full week’s holiday in Alghero and the surrounding area alone.

The 10 cheapest hotels in Alghero

Bosa

The picturesque little town of Bosa, with its narrow, colourful houses, castle and lovely beaches, is the ideal place for a stopover of a few days whilst travelling around Sardinia, but it’s also a great base if you’re looking to save money.

Accommodation in Bosa is among the cheapest in the whole of Sardinia, and even in peak season you can find a place to stay for under 75 eur per night for two people.

Top 10 cheapest hotels – Bosa

Porto Torres and Stintino

The port town of Porto Torres, north of Alghero, is, along with Bosa, one of the cheapest holiday resorts in Sardinia. Here too, you can find basic apartments for under 75 eur per night for two, even in the peak summer season.

The long, flat beaches will delight less demanding travellers and families with children alike. Porto Torres, together with the nearby town of Stintino, also serve as starting points for trips to the Asinara Islands.

The best beachfront hotels

Castelsardo and Badesi

These two resorts, situated close to one another, attract visitors with their beautiful, long sandy beaches and peaceful surroundings, complete with all the necessary facilities.

You can choose from small family-run guesthouses to more upmarket beach resorts, which are mainly found along the beaches in Badesi.

Hotels and accommodation in Castelsardo

Sassari

Sardinia’s largest inland city is the ideal place for a day’s stopover whilst travelling around Sardinia or, for example, before flying home from Alghero Airport, which is just a short bus ride away from Sassari.

Accommodation in Sassari is available in traditional hotels as well as private apartments and guesthouses.

The best hotels in the centre of Sassari

Accommodation near Olbia Airport

If you can find cheap flights to Alghero Airport, you should particularly consider these locations in the north or west of the island.

Olbia

The town of Olbia itself, where Olbia Airport is situated, offers the widest range of accommodation. From here, you can travel in all directions by public transport, and it can serve as a strategic base for trips to the surrounding area.

The beaches in the immediate vicinity of Olbia are ideal for a quick afternoon dip, but a 30-minute bus ride will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe…

Book your hotel in Olbia in advance

Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast)

The resorts and beaches along the world-famous Emerald Coast are amongst the most beautiful in Europe. They are also popular with international celebrities, which means accommodation prices are high – amongst the most expensive in the whole of Italy.

However, if you want to enjoy a stay on beaches reminiscent of the Caribbean or the Seychelles, you certainly won’t regret spending the money. The main centres on the Costa Smeralda are the resorts of Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo and Cannigione.

The most luxurious accommodation on the Costa Smeralda

La Maddalena and Palau

The La Maddalena archipelago, together with the resort of Palau in Sardinia, is one of the most popular destinations.

Beautiful little beaches in picturesque bays, lively little towns with typical Italian streets, and a selection of superb hotels, resorts and apartments make this area a first-class holiday destination.

Top accommodation on the La Maddalena islands

San Teodoro

Another premium location with top-class beaches is the town of San Teodoro, south of Olbia. The local beaches, Cala Brandinchi and La Cinta, are among the most beautiful in Europe and, with their turquoise waters and surrounding scenery, are reminiscent of beaches in South-East Asia.

Accommodation right by the beach is expensive, and a night for two here won’t cost you less than 130 eur.

Hotels and accommodation in San Teodoro

Cala Gonone (Golfo di Orosei)

Most of the preview photos in travel agencies’ Sardinia brochures come from the Gulf of Orosei, where steep limestone cliffs conceal secluded beaches that rank amongst the most famous in the world (Cala Mariolu, Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé).

Whilst this area is accessible from the south via Arbatax, it can be reached from the north via the resort of Cala Gonone – which serves as a hub for excursions along the coast and into the nearby mountains – from Olbia or Alghero.

Hotels with the best views of the Golfo Orosei

La Caletta

The lesser-known resort of La Caletta boasts two symmetrical beaches with fine sand, stretching from the town centre to the north and south.

La Caletta is a pleasant resort that is nowhere near as crowded as the well-known spots closer to Olbia and the Emerald Coast.

Hotels and accommodation in La Caletta

Nuoro and Dorgali

Are you tempted by trips to the mountains, small mountain towns, karst caves or the historic sites of the Lannaittu Valley?

If you don’t need to stay right by the sea, then head to Nuoro, the largest town in central Sardinia, where you can choose from the widest range of accommodation. Another good starting point for trips into the inland mountains is the small village of Dorgali.

The 10 cheapest hotels in Nuoro

Accommodation prices in Sardinia

Sardinia really isn’t one of the cheapest places to spend a holiday. Fortunately, this paradise for the wealthy, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, can also cater for travellers on a tighter budget – though it’s true that you’ll have to look a bit harder. Of course, the simple rule applies here too: the closer you are to the sea or the town centre, the deeper you’ll have to dig into your pocket.

You can find a bed in a hostel from 30 eur. A room in a lower-category hotel can be found from 80 eur.

Expect significant price differences between the peak and off-peak seasons; and, above all,during August – when Italians flock off on holiday – finding decent accommodation at a reasonable price is a real challenge.

Prices at resorts and better hotels by the beach rise during the summer season to an average of120 eur to 250 eur per night.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Sardinia right by the sea, book as far in advance as possible, ideally 5–7 months before your trip.