Hi all, Just got back from a trip to Sardinia and now I’m being charged with a €1000 charge for supposed damages to a rental car from AVIS Olbia. I have full documentation to prove the tiny scratch on the car was not done by me and will absolutely be fighting this.

What’s concerning is that friends who rented a different car from the same location were charged an extra €200 for a “cleaning fee” — the car was not any dirtier than mine and both cars were pretty clean.

At this point, it’s hard not to suspect some organized scam or institutional foul play going on with these affiliates.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with AVIS in Olbia (or other car rentals at this location)? I think this deserves more visibility — both to warn other travelers and to potentially push for accountability.

On paper, everything looked spectacular, but after spending several days here, we’re honestly not impressed with the beaches so far. We tried a few smaller ones and also some of the well-known spots like Cala Luna and Lu Impostu. Cala Luna was decent, but Impostu was straight-up disappointing. Is this really the best the area has to offer?

On the bright side, Porto Taverna was nice, and we really enjoyed the view from the old military fort on Caprera Island. For context, we’re staying in Olbia.

We rented a car from Hertz at Olbia Airport and are currently in Santa Teresa Gallura. Unfortunately, we scraped the tire pretty badly against a sidewalk, and now there’s a decent-sized gash on the sidewall.

Did a quick Google/ChatGPT search and it sounds like this kind of damage could be risky to drive on. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Should I try to find a local tire shop to get it replaced, or just drive it back to Hertz in Olbia and let them handle it?

Would really appreciate any advice!

In canada/usa it is not really

Also, it should not be in an area with nuclear experiments and waste.

I was disappointed and shocked when I heard this about nuclear experiments and waste in Sardinia, considering that it allegedly has good air quality.

What would you recommend and where can I find the best offers?

This question may have already been asked but...debating between a larger boat trip e.g this or a dinghy.

Anyone have any insight into what type is more enjoyable? Can see how the bigger boat would be more comfortable but maybe more busy, while the dinghys would be less comfortable out on the water. We're planning to board from Orosei, so the extra distance to the main sights has me leaning towards the larger boat

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!

My girlfriend and I got back from an incredible 9-day trip around Sardinia, and I wanted to share our experience — especially for those thinking about exploring the island without renting a car. We relied solely on public transport and, honestly, it worked out way better than we expected. Here’s a breakdown of our journey:

Our Route: We flew from Venice to Alghero and then back home from Cagliari. Tickets cost us just €40 each (including a bag). We traveled through Porto Torres,Alghero, Bosa, Cala Gonone, and Cagliari, all by bus/train and it was surprisingly smooth! Here’s how our trip went down:

Day 1:

We landed in Alghero and caught a bus to Porto Torres, where we spent the night. The next morning, we headed to La Pelosa Beach. It was a bit cloudy and windy, but still gorgeous. Tip: You need a ticket to access the beach (we didn’t know that), but we found a free entrance through the rocks. Not as luxurious, but still a great experience!

Day 2-4:

Next stop was Alghero, and wow, this city is something special. We stayed right in the heart of the city center, next to K2 Gelateria — hands down, the best gelato of our lives (seriously, don’t skip this place, try the melon).

Alghero has this amazing mix of Catalan and Sardinian culture, and we loved wandering through the old town. The nightlife is pretty chill but lively, and there are great restaurants. For anyone coming to Sardinia, this city is a must-visit.

Day 5: Bosa – The Colorful Hidden Gem

We took a day trip to Bosa, and this town is a total hidden gem! With its colorful houses lining the river and cozy streets, it feels like a fairy tale. We hiked up to the castle for some amazing views, and the town’s peaceful vibe was a nice contrast to Alghero’s liveliness.

Day 6-7: Cala Gonone

From Bosa, we hopped on a bus to Cala Gonone, and if you’re into stunning beaches, this place is paradise. We booked a boat tour that took us to some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, like Cala Luna and Cala Mariolu. The weather was perfect, the water crystal-clear, and it felt like we were living in a postcard. Highly recommend the boat tours!

Day 8-9: Cagliari

Our final stop was Cagliari, where we spent three days soaking up the history and beach life. The city center, especially the Castello district, is full of history, cool shops, and amazing views. For relaxation, we spent most of our time at Poetto Beach, one of the longest beaches I’ve ever seen.

Public Transportation in Sardinia:

This was probably the most pleasant surprise of our trip: Sardinian public transport was on point. Every bus we took was right on time, and we traveled between all these towns seamlessly. So if you’re worried about getting around without a car, don’t be! Just remember to validate your bus tickets, or you’ll end up like us with a €53 fine each (learn from our mistake).

Note: I should mention that the days may be a bit mixed up because we did so much and I can’t remember everything clearly.😅

Final Thoughts:

Sardinia completely blew us away with its diversity — from the historic streets of Alghero to the colorful charm of Bosa and the jaw-dropping beaches in Cala Gonone. If you’re planning a trip, public transport is a solid option, and you can explore a lot even without a car. We’ll definitely be coming back to Sardinia; there’s just so much more to see and experience!

Have any questions about the itinerary or need tips? Let me know, and I’d be happy to help out!

So I’m gonna be in sardinia for a while and I definitely need organs like beef heart and liver etc, anyone know if there is any options on the island? Raw milk would also be great

Recommendations on car rental companies?

I will have 4 days to explore so deciding between North (Olbia) or South (Cagliari)? Based on google search Cagliari seems to be more historical and less touristic. South is also more lagoons vs north is mountainous

I am big on architecture as well as beaches. Which part has those crystal clear waters with sandy beaches?

Any recommendations would be great.

I’ll be going to Sardinia for 10 days this weekend, and we’ll arrive in Olbia, drive straight to Cagliari to stay, then Tortoli, then Olbia again. During the days we’ll drive to nearby beaches and sites. What’s the best car to rent for this kind of plan with lots of driving? Is it better to go big or small or in between? There seems to be a lot of Fiats on the rental sites, would it be safe to drive these long distances in one?

Any advice would help hugely appreciated! 🙏

Hi guys we are now in Cala Gonone and we want to hike to Cala Goloritze but all the tickets for the beach are always sold out. Do you have any tips how can we get the tickets? Thanks.

Hi! I would love to move to an italian island like Sardinia and set a completely new life. At the moment me and my partner already have some money asside, lets say enough to buy and renovate a house in a remote area. But of course, thinking of a source of income there is the dream killer. So I wanna know, if there are people here who benefitted from 1 € house programme, or bought a cheap house anyway and started all over again.. What did you do? Did you continue to work remotely corporate jobs? ..Did you open a little business, and if yes, can you tell here your stories?.. I am eager to know all of it. At the moment I am a software engineer, so I’m sure I can’t find there a job related to what I am doing, and also..I am not sure anymore I want to continue to do that. I want to mention that we also speak italian.

I am planning on booking a boat for a day-trip. Came across few with Viator, getmyguide, tripadvisor, etc. but most were booked for the days for Sept 1-3,2025. Came across one called 'maxi rib excursions' Palau

After contacting them, the owner asked for passport information through whatsapp for creating a rental contract for the boat trip. This would be private trip. In the past i have only submitted passport info through airbnb site and never through whatsapp due to safety/cyber issue.

Any thoughts on this and/or recommendations for boat excursions for a day trip around La Maddalena islands during Sep 1-3

Advice appreciated

Hello fellow travellers. My husband and I are going to be traveling through Sardinia, and to save on beach clubs, we're thinking about either purchasing previous travellers' beach chairs & umbrella OR buying them ourselves and selling them at the end of our trip.

Would love to get in touch if...
1. You have 2 beach chairs & umbrella that we can buy for a total of €50 (as I can get brand new on Amazon for €100) on Aug 29 in Alghero; OR,
2. If you're interested in buying 2 beach chairs & umbrella for €50 (as I can get brand new on Amazon for €100) on Sep 2 or 3rd in Cagliari.

Hi everyone

If we rented a 150hp 7m rib in Porto Rotondo would you say it's to far to go to the La Meddalana islands?

I am hoping someone can help me decide on where to stay in late September 2025. We would like to be somewhere that has many little shops and restaurants and can walk the streets yet be kinda close to the beach. We like the Taormina, Ravello and Minori vibe. We normally do southern Sicily every 2years. We would probably do an AirBnB in the area.

I'm pulling my hair out planning this trip. Any help would be appreciated! My partner and I (mid-30s) are visiting Sardinia for 14 days in mid August,flying into Olbia out of Cagliari and have a rental car. We love beaches and historic towns, but don’t drink or party. I’m thinking: 4 nights San Teodoro (though I’ve read it’s a party town, which concerns me), 2 nights Alghero/Bosa, 2 near Cala Gonone (for a boat trip), and 4 in Villasimius. Any guidance would be truly appreciated!!

Hey everyone, me and a friend will be around Olbia mid-September (arriving Saturday morning) and we’re wondering where the best places to party nearby are — doesn’t matter which direction, like San Teodoro for example. We’re mainly looking for real nightclubs and fun parties, not just boring bars.

I’ve already read a lot of posts in this group and I know that most of the big nightclubs in San Teodoro have their closing parties at the end of August.

Also, if you have any tips on the best spots to stay in the region during that time, especially if you want to go out and party, that would be awesome.

Thanks a lot in advance for your recommendations!

Hello! I am making my way to Sardinia tomorrow for a week (can’t wait!) I just need to sort an E-Sim out.

Sardinia doesn’t seem to be an option on the apps I’ve tried. i choose Italy, does anyone know if that’ll work for Sardinia?

Many thanks if you get the time to reply!

Hello guys, we will be staying in Cala Gonone for 12 days this month. We will be renting a car and we have plan to explore the island an to enjoy beautiful beaches. Could you please give us your suggestions from your experience on this island because it's our first time there. Thank you very much in advance.

I am planning to propose to my girlfriend in Sardinia and am looking for suggestions please.

We are staying in Santa Teresa Gallura from 7-11 June and then Orosei from 11-15. I am hoping to find somewhere during the first half of the trip that would be a nice quiet nature spot like a cliff with a good view or a quiet beach. We are also day tripping to Bonifacio and was thinking that could be nice.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions! If you also have any suggestions for nice romantic dinner spots that would be much appreciated. Thanks very much!

Hi all, I was wondering if you would recommend living in Olbia due to the summer. What I am referring to is when the temperature goes past 30c I sometimes struggle, and would like to enjoy the summer and the city.

Would you recommend still thinking of moving to Olbia or look somewhere else maybe Sicily? I’m fed up of the cold winters in the UK.

I will be in Cala Gonone area in the next couple of weeks. My partner wants to rent a dinghy with no skipper and drive it around ourselves. I think this sounds fun, but neither of us have ever driven a boat before and I’ve read stories that it can get scary depending on wind. I also think it might be challenging having to anchor so far from the beaches.

Side note - I get sea sick VERY easily, but I don’t want to miss out on seeing the coast. I’m hoping I can handle it.

What should we do? Any insight is appreciated. I’d love to hear others experiences.