r/Sardinia • u/LSDwarf • Aug 04 '25
Cunversatzione Did I choose the wrong location to stay? (Southern Sardinia)
Hey redditors,
I am going to Sardinia for a week at the end of Sep. Mainly looking for endless empty (low-season) beaches with white sand.
Will land in Cagliari and rent a car (already booked one). Of all the places on AirBnb I've chosen the one with great reviews located in San Giovanni Suergiu. The plan was to drive to Is Arenas Biancas beach and Tuerredda beach every day (I'm ok with this distances - like ~30 min drive).
At night time I planned to hang out at bars and walk around the town. And here is where the problem (?) arises. I look at Google maps and seems like San Giovanni Suergiu is absolutely dull - no nice "typical" Italian houses, no bars. I don't expect any crazy nightlife, but looks like the town is just so not interesting... :(((
There were a couple of variants to stay in Sant'Antioco, and I still can book them - shall it be a better choice? This will add another 10km to the route to the beaches I mentioned, but it's ok if I will have a more decent evening time in Antioco and if the town itself is nicer than San Giovanni Suergiu. (doesn't seem like that though 🤔)
Or maybe there are other, better towns to stay at? I mean those 2 beaches are nice, but I am afraid I will be fed up with loneliness on day 3, so possibly there are "lagoon/cave" kinda beaches not far from the town(s) which you recommend as an alternative?
The only thing I want to avoid are long hikes after parking. I mean 10-15 min walk to the beach is fine, but definitely not an hour walk.
So pissed. I've always planned great locations, but with this one I seem to have f*cked up and will appreciate your help.
Thank you!
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u/americanu_ill-archi Aug 04 '25
With the exception of Cagliari, Alghero, and Sassari (and a handful of small towns like Bosa and Castelsardo), you will find that most of Sardinia’s towns are not picturesque and have very little going on in the way of nightlife. People come to Sardinia thinking they’ll get Tuscany on an island, but that’s just not the case.
It is a rural and sparsely populated island that for most of its history has been poor and largely ignored by the Italian state (and rulers before that). It is geographically stunning, has good food, is full of nice people, and its beaches are the best in the Mediterranean. Its towns are mostly nondescript (or ugly) and don’t offer much.
All that said, I get what you’re asking and you may find Teulada a better base. It also has very little going on, but has a few restaurants and a bar or two. Carbonia is also near to San Giovanni and will have much more going on, though it still won’t be a happening place and it’s 1 hour to Tuerredda…
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u/LSDwarf Aug 04 '25
Thank you for a bit of insight into the overall "situation" with Sardinia. Yeah, I propably rose the bar too high being much impressed by Naples where I was a month ago. Anyway, thank you for the tip regarding alternative locations - will definitely read more about them!
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u/idonotget Aug 06 '25
Visit Alghero and Bosa, and get out to see the Nuhrage. All very very worth it. I think Alghero is one of the most charming beautiful places I have ever been to.
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u/DonGiulio2 Aug 05 '25
That's quite excessive, to say "very little going on" firstly it's a very subjective statement. Secondly it's not true for many cities and towns given that you get there at the right time.
For example: Olbia and the whole East coast during summertime (June till October) is always fervent with stuff to do at any time day and night.
Olbia had three weeks ago the rds summer festival, and next week the red valley festival, both of national relevance.
During this period even little inland villages all get their share of festivals, sagre, and whatever. They are all passionately organised by locals.
Every year, August until Christmas every weekend there's autunno in Barbagia, very appreciated and drawing people from all over the place.
Of course it's a fare of island and not densely populated. If you are looking for bustling and noisy 24/7, the capital of a big country might be better for you.
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u/americanu_ill-archi Aug 05 '25
Nothing I said is excessive and I don't think it's subjective - Sardinian towns are sleepy. Ex: Oristano is a provincial capital and on a weekend night you'll maybe have a couple of bars with any action. Even Cagliari has barely a handful of actual nightclubs. I think Sardinia is wonderful, but it is not a "happening" place in that regard.
The fact that Olbia and the Costa Smeralda is busy with a few events and vacationers in the summer does not change the fact that the vast majority of Sardinian towns are not very pretty, historic, or interesting from a visual standpoint and also not busy with bars, nightlife, events, etc. This is true all across the island.
And yes, Autunno in Barbagia is a nice festival, but most towns host a single event on 1-2 days each year - that leaves 363-364 other days when there is basically nothing going on.
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u/Kind-Instance-7447 Aug 04 '25
Ellis Dwarf… If you are open to go to the southern end ish area but on the eastern side… I really dug Santa Maria Navarese. My wife and I were there a few years ago after we went to the cala gonome and wanted a more mellow scene. There was a great band playing in the restaurant square and we met some super cool locals. Ended up being a hell of a good party. Great beaches. Solid food and bar scene but not too crowded.. Hotels were reasonable and boat rentals were easy and not expensive. Might be something to look into? Cheers!
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u/jjpopski Aug 04 '25
Well, from San Giovanni Suergiu It takes almost 1 hour tò get to Tuerredda beach. Have you tried Teulada or Sant' Anna Arresi? Anyway, I'd prefer Sant' Antioco tò go tò the beaches around.
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u/LSDwarf Aug 04 '25
I thought of that, and these were exactly beaches that turned me away from Antioco. Just wasn't impressed by any (as opposed to those 2 I mentioned).
1h drive is ok. But I'd say it's the max reasonable distance one way.
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u/jjpopski Aug 05 '25
The two beaches you mentioned are the most astonishing beaches in Sothern Sardinia. The only warning Is that Is Arenas blanca are accessibile from a military area which is open tò tourists from June to September. I haven''t found out the exact opening dates.It'd be better ask the tourist office of Teulada. Also, from San Giovanni Suergiu you can get also easily to Sant' Antioco, if you want tò try other beaches.
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u/LSDwarf Aug 05 '25
Thanks for confirmation of the beach choice - nice to know I made the right choice in that (at least). :) And for the heads-up on the Arenas Bianca opening "season" - will double check that!
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u/malalalaika Aug 04 '25
Sardegna is not Tuscany, with picturesque towns everywhere. We stayed in San Giovanni a few years ago and enjoyed it. There are bike lanes everywhere and you can go to the salt flats or Sant Antioco by bike. Horse back riding is also possible.
It's true that the best beaches are on Sant Antioco and you might like to stay there. We enjoyed San Giovanni as a very laid back place.
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u/LSDwarf Aug 04 '25
Thank you, what about bars/restaurants in San Giovanni - is there some choice, smth you can recommend maybe?
Re: best beaches in Sant Antioco - not arguing, but from what I see on the photos, those 2 I mentioned seem to be way nicer. But this is just an impression based on photos of course.
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u/malalalaika Aug 05 '25
The beaches you mentioned are very crowded, even in September. Great if you want the Lido experience.
We liked Is Solinas and Porto Pino to the South and La Salina and Maladroxia on Sant Antioco. They are all a bit more rugged. Cala Sapone on the west side is great for sunset.
Ristorante da Silvana on the road to Sant Antioco has a fixed menu and is very popular with the locals.
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u/LSDwarf Aug 05 '25
Thanks for the extra info! Surprised though that these "my" 2 beaches are very crowded - my research shows that it is the other way round, especially in low season. Not arguing, but just surprised to hear the absolutely opposite opinion. :-o
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u/Acceptable_Sun_8989 Aug 04 '25
sant antioco has access to the south west and a bunch of lovely beaches if you choose it (see cala domestica, portixeddu, piscinas, and more...)
Look at Buggerru or Portixeddu for possible places to stay.
This being said...Also check out Fluminimaggiore...it is a dull, boring, nothing town..I lived there for 3 years, it will always have a special memories for me, the local cafe, the pizzeria(s), the access to the local beaches,, what I'm saying is perhaps your original booking will be fantastic!!. Please dont be too distracted by the instagram crowd, this sub mentions 10 or so places in Sardinia regularly, but the whole island is special and you can have a real adventure if you choose to jump in at the deep end!!
I hope you have a great trip x