Bastione di Saint Remy is a historic landmark in the heart of Cagliari, with beautiful views of the city and sea. Parco della Musica is a large park with a playground, bike paths, and a pond. For lunch, try the delicious pizzas at Mastro Pizza. End the day with a visit to the Museo del Carbone, a museum detailing the coal mining history of the island.
Drive northeast to the famous resort town of Costa Smeralda. Take a boat tour of the beautiful La Maddalena archipelago, a protected area with crystal-clear waters and stunning granite islands. For lunch, try fresh seafood at Ristorante Bar Nautic. Spend the afternoon at the Phi Beach Club, a family-friendly beach club with a pool, music, and beautiful views. Stay overnight in one of the many hotels in the area.
Drive northwest to the beautiful coastal town of Alghero. Start the day with a visit to the Neptune's Grotto, a beautiful cave with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. For lunch, try traditional Sardinian dishes at Trattoria Lo Romani. Spend the afternoon at the Bombarde Beach, a beautiful sandy beach with clear waters. End the day with a walk along the Alghero Old Town Walls with beautiful sunset views.
Drive northeast to Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a nuragic complex that dates back to the 16th century BC. For lunch, try traditional Sardinian cheese and wine at Il Nuraghe. In the afternoon, take a leisurely drive back to Cagliari and spend the evening exploring the city.
End the trip with a visit to the beautiful town of Villasimius, known for its stunning beaches. Spend the day at the Spiaggia del Riso or the Punta Molentis Beach, both beautiful family-friendly beaches with clear waters. For lunch, try traditional seafood dishes at Ristorante Saraceno. Return to Cagliari for the last evening and try traditional Sardinian pastries at Pasticceria Pirinu.
It is recommended to rent a car with a child safety seat for a family-friendly trip through Sardinia. Gas prices are around €1.60 per liter. Taxis are widely available in the cities. Buses are also available but are not as regular as in big cities. Travel times may be longer than expected due to winding roads in the countryside.
Estimated costs: Car rental €€€-€€€€ for 5 days, Gas €€€-€€€€, Taxi €€-€€€ (depending on distance), Bus €€-€€€ (depending on distance)
If you have more time, consider visiting the historic town of Bosa, the stunning Cala Mariolu beach, or the unique town of Orgosolo with its murals. If you have less time, skip Costa Smeralda and just visit the beautiful beaches near Cagliari or Alghero. Try to avoid visiting during the peak summer months of July and August, as the beaches and hotels can be crowded.
Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) is the main airport in Sardinia, located 7 miles from Cagliari city center. The airport is served by various airlines, including EasyJet, Ryanair, and Alitalia.