How to Travel Sardinia on a Budget

One of the biggest misconceptions about visiting Sardinia is that it’s expensive. It seems like Sardinia has been painted as a destination only for the filthy rich and yacht owners. We won’t blame anyone for feeling intimidated or even put off by it at first mention. Well, guess what? Sardinia is 100% doable as a budget friendly trip option. From choosing a place to stay to where you go out to eat, being even a little budget conscious can go a long way. Explore Sardinia economically and save for even more adventures! Follow these tips for budget travel to ensure an affordable Sardinia vacation without breaking the bank.

Interested in seeing real expenses from our Sardinia trip? Head here to read more.

Quick Guide

Budget Travel Tips for Visiting Sardinia

Skip Costa Smeralda

Popular destinations are often popular for a reason and usually worth a visit. There is no denying that Costa Smeralda has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost. Luckily, Sardinia is a big island with many many other places to check out instead. Costa Smeralda is not the only area on Sardegna with stunning views, alluring beaches, coves or coastline.

Making Costa Smeralda the focal point of your entire trip means you will have an incredibly expensive vacation. The premium does not just pertain to costly hotels. You’ll find that restaurants, activities and even a simple coffee may cost 2-3x more than other parts of the island.

Ditch the Beach Clubs

It’s happened before – you plan a holiday with a must see beach location in mind, only to find out it’s not free to visit. This situation is most common when the beach you are interested in visiting is owned by a hotel or beach club. In an effort to cater to travellers looking for a full service experience at all times, beach clubs have continued to pop up in Sardinia. Another “trap” to be aware of is finding a free beach but then ending up having to pay for parking. By doing a quick Google Maps search, you can easily weed out the free beaches from the ones that will nickel-and-dime you.

Shop Local in Sardinian Villages

It’s common in Italian towns for local markets to pop up on a weekly basis. We’ve found this to be true anywhere in Italy and it’s something we really love about Italian culture. Not only does it help support a true local economy but you’re also purchasing items at much lower prices. A grocery store chain in Sardinia will typically sell items at higher prices due to the additional transportation costs (ie getting things to an island). These bigger stores will also usually be located in more populated areas where they’re able to get away with charging tourists more money. Shopping at these weekly markets in smaller towns and villages instead will help you save during your trip.

Watch What You Eat

The best way to discover the best restaurants in the area is to ask for recommendations from your host or hotel. If you let them know you’re looking for an inexpensive and delicious meal, they will always send you in the right direction. This will accomplish staying away from excessively priced restaurants aimed at tourists.

One (if not the main) pillar of Italian cuisine is using quality and fresh ingredients rather than the complexity of the recipe. Being in Sardegna gives you easy access to these incredible foods for you to whip up yourself! There’s no better place and opportunity to cook for yourself if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen.

Choose Mountains Over Beaches

Traveling to Sardinia during off season is the easiest budget travel tip. Although this means you’ll be able to score some killer deals on hotels, you won’t be able to enjoy the beaches as much. It’s a good thing that Sardinia has more to offer than just its beaches! Sardinia mountains and the remainder of the island’s landscape is hugely overlooked and worth exploring. Punta La Marmora is Sardinia’s highest peak at 1,834 m and offers a fantastic time for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. The perfect guide to Sardinia should include exploring inland. The weather begins to warm up in April with temperatures reaching highs of 21°C / 70°F – this is still slightly too cold for beach days but perfect for hiking.

Shop for the best Prices and Enjoy Free Activities

Many visitors may opt for a boat tour or boat rental around the island which is a great way to soak in the island’s beauty. These can be quite expensive though, especially if you’re looking to rent a boat all to yourself. In order to accomplish an affordable boat ride in Sardinia, we recommend price shopping in person at the piers with local boat operators. You’ll be surprised at the deals you can find just by asking multiple providers what their best price is.

If this just isn’t in the budget for you, check out the many free activities available on Sardinia. A simple alternative to any paid activity is to head out on a self guided walking tour. The bigger cities such as the Sardinia capital of Cagliari can be a remarkable way to spend an entire day exploring.

Try a Farm Stay

As many luxury hotels and all inclusive holiday packages there are on Sardinia, you’ll also find an abundance of rural stays. It’s easy to choose a hotel in a city where the options are limitless but alternatives in farmland areas are much more cost effective. We personally love a good farm stay because they’re great for when you’re traveling with kids. Farm stays tend to be less fussy, equipped with animal friends (and smells!) and inexpensive compared to traditional hotels. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time at beaches, a farm stay will allow you to escape to the countryside.

Book a Cheap Rental Car

Public transport is the top choice for a budget traveler and it is surprisingly practical on Sardinia. However, this may suit a solo visitor much better than a family. A rental car is the next best solution for when it comes to getting around Sardinia. Taxis or cars for hire will cost you a pretty penny and should be avoided if you’re on a budget. The most convenient scenario is to reserve a car for pickup at the airport which can easily be done with Discover Cars. The cost of a car rental per day can be as low as €30 per day if you opt for a small manual vehicle.

Discover Cars has the best variety of low priced options so you’re bound to find a good deal which suits you!

Travel Resources for Sardinia Budget Travel

TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

CAR RENTALS: Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars

FLIGHTS: CheapOair or Agoda

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Hostelworld or Trivago

ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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