Sardinia Travel Guide: Exploring the Luxury, History, and Wild Beauty of Sardinia’s Northeast
- Jody Holman
- Oct 30
- 6 min read
Summary: A luxury travel guide to northeast Sardinia’s coastal gems, historic interior, boutique hotels and authentic food and wine trails in the Costa Smeralda and Gallura regions
We arrived by ferry from Bonifacio, crossing the strait between Corsica and Sardinia. The ride was extraordinarily beautiful, watching the shift in landscape between one island and another. Sardinia’s northeast coast is mountainous and dramatic, with granite formations that rise abruptly from the sea. The island is larger than most expect—second only to Sicily in size—and its interior is rugged, sparsely populated, and deeply rooted in tradition. We had five days to explore – not enough for the whole island, but enough to explore the northeast corner – to hike in the mountains and dip our toes in the sea, to explore its coastal gems, archaeological sites, and mountain villages.
Food, Wine, and the Rhythm of the Island
Sardinia is one of the world’s five Blue Zones—regions where people live longer than average—and many attribute this to the island’s diet, lifestyle, and sense of community. Sardinian cuisine is rooted in pastoral life. Meat, cheese, bread, and wine form the backbone of most meals. Wine is central to Sardinian life (the beer is good, too!). Vermentino, grown mostly in the north, is crisp and mineral. Cannonau, a local clone of Grenache, is earthy and robust. For aficionados of luxury travel Sardinia, savoring local wines and rustic cuisine is as essential as visiting the aqua sea.
Northeast Sardinia Travel Guide Highlights
The beaches are white sand, surrounded by stunning geological features and turquoise waters. Cala Li Cossi was one of our favorite beaches. Located near Costa Paradiso, it is tucked between red granite cliffs and reached by a short, scenic walk. The water is clear and greenish-blue, and even in September, the beach was full… Summer crowds are real, especially in July and August, and even shoulder season brings plenty of visitors.
Castelsardo is another gem perched on a promontory above the sea; it is one of the region’s most photogenic towns. Founded in the 12th century by the Doria family of Genoa, its charm is its medieval layout, with narrow streets, stone buildings, and a fortress that still watches over the coast. The town is known for its basket weaving and religious festivals, and while it can be crowded, it is worth a stop for the views alone. Note: the area is known for its filigree jewellery, a technique that involves twisting and soldering extremely thin metal wires—usually gold or silver—into detailed, lace-like patterns. In Sardinia, this art form has been practiced for generations, with each piece crafted entirely by hand using tools and methods passed down through families.
Sardinia’s interior is a different world. The land is dry and wild, dotted with cork oaks, olive trees, and roaming animals. Horses graze freely, sheep and goats wander across roads, wild boars appear without warning. The pace is slow, the air clear, and the sense of history strong.
Orgosolo, a small, hillside town once known for banditry, is now famous for its murals. The town’s walls are covered in political and social commentary—painted scenes that reflect Sardinia’s (and the world’s) struggles, pride, and identity. The tradition began in the 1960s and continues today, with new murals added regularly. The town is quiet; the art is loud—it is worth a stop.
En route, we visited Santu Antine, one of the island’s best-preserved nuraghe. These megalithic stone towers, like the dolmens and menhirs from Scotland to Basque country, flourished in Sardinia during and before the Copper Age. Santu Antine dates to the 16th century BCE and features a central tower surrounded by smaller structures. The site is, like many across the island, open to visitors, and walking through its chambers gives a sense of the island’s deep past.
San Pantaleo, near Relais & Châteaux’s Petra Segreta, was our final stop. A village with black-and-white portraits of past residents mounted on the vine covered buildings, watching over the piazza. The town hosts a weekly market that draws locals and visitors alike, and its galleries and cafés make it a good place to linger.
Sardinia is not a place that reveals itself all at once- it is a place for exploring, beyond the glitz of the coastal resort areas. Bring a car. Bring good shoes. Bring your curiosity. And maybe a corkscrew.
What to Eat in Sardinia
· Pane carasau – crisp flatbread, often layered with olive oil and herbs
· Culurgiones – pasta pockets filled with potato, mint, and pecorino
· Porceddu – slow-roasted suckling pig, often served at festivals
· Seadas – fried pastry with cheese and honey
· Local cheeses – pecorino sardo, casu marzu (for the brave), ricotta salata
These dishes anchor the gourmet side of Sardinia luxury travel, where authentic flavor meets heritage.
Cultural Highlights
· Nuraghe Santu Antine – Bronze Age stone tower with labyrinthine chambers
· Orgosolo Murals – political and poetic street art, ongoing since the 1960s
· San Pantaleo – portraits of past residents mounted on village walls
· Castelsardo – medieval town with fortress, basket weaving, and cliffside views
Getting Around Sardinia
Sardinia’s infrastructure is improving, but public transport is limited, and a rental car is essential. Roads are narrow and winding, especially in the interior, and distances can be misleading. What looks like a short drive on the map may take twice as long due to terrain and switchbacks. For your northeast Sardinia travel guide, plan slower than you think.
Boutique Luxury Hotels
A small, family-run property overlooking vineyards and cork forest, Borgo Lu Puleu, was the highlight of our trip. It offers a rare blend of agricultural authenticity and boutique charm. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with terracotta floors, wood furnishings and handmade soaps. The on-site restaurant serves traditional Sardinian dishes made with ingredients grown or raised on the property—vegetables, cheeses, lamb, and house wine. Meals are served on a covered terrace with views of the valley. We sat on the terrace for hours, watching the light change. It felt like a secret we had been lucky enough to stumble upon.
Su Gologone, near Oliena, is a boutique hotel, unlike any other—it could double as a cultural centre. The property is a celebration of Sardinian art and craftsmanship, with hand-painted tiles, woven textiles, and sculptures tucked into alcoves. It is not a resort, but a place built with intention, shaped by one woman’s vision and sustained by a team that understands the value of quiet beauty. The hotel is well positioned for exploring the surrounding region, with hiking trails, horseback excursions, and bike rides available nearby—a dream-like hide-away for kids and adults alike.
Petra Segreta is a five-star Relais & Châteaux property that blends traditional Gallurese architecture with contemporary design. The hotel sits on a 5-hectare estate of granite outcrops and Mediterranean scrub, with panoramic views stretching toward the Costa Smeralda. Rooms are housed in stone cottages with private terraces, and interiors feature exposed beams, neutral tones, and natural materials. The wellness centre includes a small spa, steam room, and heated pool. The restaurant, Il Fuoco Sacro, is known for its seasonal tasting menus and use of local ingredients—wild herbs, seafood, and Sardinian lamb.
FAQ: Planning a Luxury Trip to Sardinia’s Northeast
Q: What is the best time to visit Sardinia?A: The ideal period is May through early October. July and August are peak season with vibrant crowds, while September offers gentler light, fewer people and a slightly slower pace.
Q: Is Sardinia suitable for families or teens?A: Absolutely. The mix of luxury travel Sardinia, beach days, hiking and village exploration make it ideal for active families and older kids.
Q: What makes northeast Sardinia different?A: This region combines wild landscape, historic villages and authentic Sardinian food and wine traditions with boutique hotels and refined comfort.
Q: Do I need a car?A: Yes—a rental car is essential for exploring hidden coves and villages off the main roads.
Q: What should I eat and drink?A: Sample local specialties like pane carasau, culurgiones, porceddu and seadas. Pair with Vermentino, Vernaccia or Cannonau wine to complete the experience.
Viewfinder Travel is a boutique travel agency that designs unique, life-enhancing experiences. Whether you are in search of cultural sustenance, a relaxing island unwind, a gourmet escape, a picturesque countryside, or the invigoration of a city, Viewfinder Travel will find your recipe for travel magic. We are reliable, detail-oriented, and have a flair for finding the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path “boutique” experiences—so you can focus on the fun, not the logistics.
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About the Author Jody Holman is a boutique travel advisor, luxury travel writer, and photographer specializing in customized journeys through France, Hawai‘i, and Europe. She curates immersive group experiences, teaches wine classes, and shares sensory-rich stories through Viewfinder Travel. Her work blends editorial insights with a love of cultural rituals, and off-the-path discovery.