8-Day Southern Sardinia Itinerary: Cagliari, Chia, and Carloforte
Complete 8-day southern Sardinia itinerary: Cagliari, Nora, Chia, Sant'Antioco, and Carloforte — with tips from a local born in Cagliari.
"Cagliari knows every corner, every building - and of course, every bar and restaurant. Let it show you its secrets."
Cagliari and West Highlights
Castello District
Hilltop medieval quarter with sweeping views over the gulf
Poetto Beach
Cagliari's beloved city beach, lined with lively baretti
Ancient Nora
One of Sardinia's most important archaeological sites, right on the coast
Carloforte
A Ligurian-flavoured island town with great tuna cuisine
- Cagliari Airport is compact and straightforward - car collection is quick
- If you arrive early afternoon, Poetto Beach is only 15 minutes from the airport
- The Marina district is a great first-night base for dinner - atmospheric and walkable
Collect at Cagliari Airport
Our car hire guide gets you started with everything you need to know to secure the best prices
- Castello district in early morning light is magical and the museums are generally quieter
- Start early to beat the heat and discover a history-packed city centre
- The baretti kiosks at Poetto serve good food and drinks with live music most evenings
Want our detailed PDF guide?
This itinerary gives you the basics. Our 13-page detailed PDF guide includes: exact hotel recommendations, restaurant bookings, beach access tips, and everything else you need to actually plan your trip.
- 3 accommodation options per night (budget to mid-range)
- Nightly cost breakdown (low/high season)
- What to book first, and how far ahead
- Restaurant picks with price range
No spam. One email with your PDF, then occasional Sardinia updates.
- Day 2 is packed, so don't feel you have to rush on to the east - taking Cagliari more slowly is a valid choice
- Visit the Molentargius-Saline Natural Park to see pink flamingos
- Explore the Capo Carbonara coastline for protected marine reserves
E-bike hire to Molentargius flamingo park
Explore the flamingo park by e-bike at your own pace. Easycletta offers full English support and e-bike options.
- Nora is genuinely impressive - allow 1.5 to 2 hours rather than rushing through
- Tuerredda is the most spectacular beach near Chia but gets busy; arrive early or late afternoon
- The coastal road between Nora and Chia is beautiful - take your time on it
- The Serbariu Coal Mine Museum is a genuinely fascinating detour - allow a couple of hours
- Sant'Antioco's catacombs beneath the Basilica are one of the most unusual sights on the island
- Arco dei Baci natural swimming pool needs rock shoes and a snorkel - worth every bit of the scramble
- Book your ferry ticket in advance during peak season, especially if taking the car
- The tuna dishes in Carloforte are genuinely special - one of the best places in Sardinia to eat it
- Capo Sandalo Lighthouse is worth the drive for the cliffs alone
Ferry to Carloforte (San Pietro Island)
30-minute ferry with frequent departures. Book in advance during peak season. Carloforte is famous for exceptional tuna cuisine.
- Porto Pino's white sand dunes are one of the most distinctive landscapes in southern Sardinia - allow time to walk them
- The Teulada coastal road is scenic but winding - enjoy it rather than rushing
- You'll be back in Cagliari for a final evening - book somewhere good for dinner
- Poetto is 15 minutes from the airport - perfectly placed for a last swim before check-in
- Factor in time for the car return process before heading to departures
Final Thoughts
A word of honest disclosure from Mariella: I know the north of Sardinia much better than the south and west. I grew up there. So I called on my dear friend Laura - born and bred in Cagliari - who flooded me with information, recommendations, and the kind of insider knowledge that only comes from actually living somewhere. This itinerary is as much hers as mine.
What strikes me most about this part of the island is how different it feels from the north - and how underappreciated that difference is. Cagliari is a genuine city with centuries of layered history, a confident local identity, and food and drink that punches well above its weight.
The beaches in the south are world-class. Chia and the Sulcis coastline genuinely rival anything in the north, with a fraction of the crowds and none of the price inflation. And Carloforte is one of those rare places that still surprises you - a Ligurian island town in the middle of the Mediterranean, with extraordinary tuna on every menu.
Take your time in Cagliari. Eat well. Let Laura's city show you what it's got. Then follow the coast west and see a side of Sardinia that most visitors never reach.
Keep exploring Sardinia
Everything you need to know about renting a car - essential for this itinerary.
Choose the perfect season for your trip based on weather, crowds, and activities.
Flights, ferries, and everything you need to plan your journey to the island.