Where to stay in Sardinia, from seaside B&Bs to inland farm stays

Where to stay in Sardinia by area

Sardinia is a large island and the distances add up, so it makes sense to choose one area and not move every night. The places in this guide sit in five main areas, the north-west, the Oristano area and inland, south Cagliari, the east and the islands off the north coast.

Alghero, Bosa and the west coast

This is the coast of historic centres overlooking the sea, where you get around on foot and eat out in the evening. Here the character of the place matters more than the comforts.

• B&B Alghero Mare Chiaro, in Alghero. Private bathroom in the room, a short walk from the sea and the old town. I'd recommend it to couples and to anyone looking for a family welcome and a generous breakfast, less so to anyone wanting a reserved car park.
• B&B La Dea Hestia, in Bosa. Spacious rooms with a private bathroom, a well-kept garden and a sweet and savoury breakfast. Guests praise the hostess and the cleanliness. Good for couples, families and motorcyclists.
• La Vecchia Torre, in Bosa. In an old building in the historic centre, with rooms that differ from one another, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Perfect for getting around on foot, but the stairs are steep and the rooms aren't huge.
• S'Archittu Bed&Breakfast, in S'Archittu. Family-run, a few steps from the rocky beach, with a sea-view terrace and air-conditioned rooms. I'd suggest it to anyone looking for sunsets and simplicity, not new furnishings.

Oristano area and inland

Between Oristano, the Sinis and the mountains Sardinia is quieter, made up of countryside, archaeological sites and home cooking.

• Agriturismo Su Livariu di Teresa Casu, in Siamaggiore. Working farm run by Teresa and Franco, with spacious, quiet rooms and traditional fish and meat dinners. Ideal near Oristano and the Sinis, less so for nightlife.
• B&B Neverland, in Marrubiu. Small B&B in the Oristano area with air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms, Wi-Fi and an Italian breakfast at modest prices. A simple, clean and welcoming base for anyone touring the island by car.
• B&B I Menhir a Sorgono, in Sorgono. Country house with a garden, a terrace and a self-contained flat with a kitchen, near the menhir sites. For those who want quiet and nature, not hotel services.

South Cagliari and south-west

This is the most convenient area for those flying into Cagliari who want beaches, archaeological sites and inland villages without too much driving.

• Agriturismo Santa Lucia, in Uta. Country farm stay known for its Sardinian cooking, with dinners by reservation and ample outdoor space. Good for groups, families and celebrations, but the reviews talk almost only about the food.
• B&B Martina Senorbì, in Senorbì. Air-conditioned rooms, a private bathroom and a breakfast that guests almost always praise. Convenient for Cagliari, including for those travelling for work or a wedding.
• Hammam Rooms, in Senorbì. Rooms to let with a restaurant in a historic house near the centre, with private bathrooms and free parking. For sleeping and eating in the same place, including with the family.
• La Villa Incantata, in Poggio dei Pini. Villa with a pool, a garden and spacious rooms in a quiet neighbourhood. I'd suggest it to families and couples who have a car, although there are still few reviews.
• Bentos Bed & Breakfast, in Pula. Panoramic terrace, garden, private parking and air-conditioned rooms. Works for those who drive and want beaches and archaeological sites nearby, in a quiet area.
• B&B Su Matutzu, in Matzaccara. Bright rooms, a garden with a terrace and parking. Liked for its hospitality and breakfast, and good as a quiet base for the south-west.

Ogliastra and the east coast

On the east side the beaches are wilder and the villages more compact. You need a convenient base to explore from.

• Acquazzurra Rooms, in Arbatax. Rooms to let with simple, very clean rooms, self check-in and free parking, close to the Porto Frailis beach. A convenient base for the Ogliastra.
• B&B I Quattroventi, in Muravera. Small place on a quiet street, with clean rooms and breakfasts that guests remember for a long time. Convenient for the beaches of Costa Rei and Villasimius.

La Maddalena archipelago

• Il giardino di Tatiana, in La Maddalena. B&B with rooms opening onto a well-kept garden, near the port and the old town but in a quiet area. Works for couples, motorcyclists and anyone who wants to visit beaches and islands.

What kind of accommodation you'll find in Sardinia

In Sardinia family-run B&Bs predominate, often small and very well kept, with generous breakfasts. Then there are farm stays for those who want to dine in a farmhouse, a few villas and rooms to let with restaurants.

Large hotels are far from the spirit of this selection, and in the end the hostess and the location matter more than the stars. If you travel as a group or as a family, villas and farm stays with a pool or open spaces give you more room to breathe.

Which place to choose for your trip

The best choice starts with the area you want to see, because travelling from one end of the island to the other every day wears you out. Then consider your company: a couple, a family or a group.

When to go to Sardinia

For the sea it's best to aim for late spring and early autumn, when the water is already lovely and the crowds are thinner. Midsummer means strong sun, crowded beaches and bookings to make well in advance.

Out of season the island is quieter and suited to trekking, archaeological sites and food, although some coastal places cut back on services.

How to get around Sardinia

A car is almost essential, because public transport between villages and beaches is limited and the distances are long. Work out journey times carefully, especially on the inland roads.

For arrival you use the main airports and ports, and then it's best to stay in one area and make day trips. Always check parking, especially in the historic centres of Alghero and Bosa.