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Family Holidays: Sardinia family holidays and breaks
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Why
This is an island holiday with a difference; situated halfway between Italy and the African coast, it's an exotic, beautiful place, with some of the cleanest, most spectacular beaches in the Med. It's a little further to go, but this means its less crowded and more welcoming. There are very few large cities in Sardinia and the coastline is still relatively unbuilt-up.
Its a holiday for slightly more adventurous families, ones who enjoy exploring or are interested in sports. Sardinia bears the traces of all the civilisations that have passed through; from Carthaginian to Spanish and the extraordianary Nuraghic civilisation, whose ancient monuments lie scattered throughout the interior. Take the kids sailing and snorkelling through crystal-clear waters and come home to some superb food, or hire a car and explore the beautiful interior. All in all its a memorable, magical family holiday destination.
- Top left: Neptune's Grotto, (Grotta di Nettuno). A sea - level warren of natural caves.
- Top middle: Traditional dress with bread basket
- Top right: Capo D'Orso. The Cape of the Bear.
- Bottom left: View at Arbatax
- Bottom right: View from Costa Smeralda beach
When
Visit Sardinia anytime from late Spring right through early November. Note that it can get hot and busy in August. If you want to coincide with the festivals, take a look at our favourites.
MayAugust
How
Fly in just a couple of hours from numerous airports in the UK to Alghero or Olbia in the North, or Cagliari in the South. Options range from British Airways, through charter to low cost airlines. Excel Airways is our preferred airline and flys from Gatwick, plus you will receive an exclusive £5 off both flights and accommodation.
Ferries are also an option from mainland France, Corsica or the Italian mainland. You do of course need to get there first and it will end up being a long journey, especially with kids in tow. Take a look at our ferries page to find the best deal.
Stay
Sardinia offers a wide range of villa, hotel, B&B and even farm-stay accommodation, a truly Sardinian experience. Mark Warner's Hotel Abamar and Forte Village (with Kids in the Med), are real family favourites, but your choice really depends on budget and your desire to have someone else keep the kids occupied. The Romazzino, in Porto Cervo is perfectly placed to explore Costa Smerelda's 35 miles stretch of white-blonde sandy beaches and coves, plus to do a bit of celeb spotting, or mingle with the jet-set sipping cappuccinos in the piazza. Self catering is also a great option for families, and can make the most of any holiday budget. For an ideal base to explore the real Sardinia, consider the fabulous Su Gologone Hotel, from Simply Travel, in Oliena, with superb restaurant with specialities such as suckling pig spit-roasted over the huge open fireplace and ricotta and honey ice-cream, and over 100 years of rave reviews. Partners James Villas have many 2 and 3 bedroom villas to choose, from unpretentious comfortable and relaxing villas in the south, many with spectacular elevated views over white sandy bays and stunning turquoise seas, or at Stintino, in the north where you can enjoy one of the best beaches in Italy, La Pelosa.
Do
Although Sardinia has some lovely towns and fascinating monuments, it's more of an adventure holiday destination than a cultural one. That said, it's definitely worth choosing holiday dates to coincide with one of the many local festivals, often bizarre, always interesting.
Sardinian attractions are mainly based around its beach-life and kids will love the many watersports and other activities that the main resorts and most popular beaches have to offer. All children seem to love caves and a highlight of your trip could be a visit to Neptune's Grotto, (Grotta di Nettuno), where near the town of Alghero. This sea-level cave warren uses dramatic lighting to enhance a multitude of stunning stalactites and stalagmites. These marine caves are located to the west of the town and can be reached by two different methods, car and 656 step descent, with steps carved into the cliffside known as Escala del Cabirol or 'goat steps' or by boat, (departing hourly over the summer months.).
Visit Anghelu Ruju Necropolis, Alghero. Dating back to around 3000 BC, the Anghelu Ruju Necropolis is a conglomeration of ancient tombs excavated from sandstone, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Sardinia.
If you want to hang out with the beautiful people, then you'll struggle to find a holiday haven on the island more chic than the Costa Smeralda. The natural ancient harbour of Porto Cervo is the hub of the Costa Smeralda and the centre of its social life. You'll find designer boutiques, chic bars and renowned restaurants including The Grill, Il Pescatore and Il Pomodoro, plus even a handful of nightclubs. Note that most bars also sell ice cream and patisseries. This is one of the best-equipped marinas in the Med, it attracts many world famous yachting events and tournaments. Hang out at the Piazzetta San Marco, in the heart of town, a square which has been the centre for hundreds of years. It's also a terrific place to spot celebs. Try to retain some cool if you do see Roman Abramovich or Kate Moss tucking into bowls of mussels at the next table.
Trenino Verde (Little Green Train) runs twice daily between Arbatax and Mandas from June to September, and surely must rank as one of the world's great small railways; A roller-coaster ride through mountains and meadows. The big tourist attraction is in the form of a massive bronze-age stone edifice at Barumini, and like our very own Stone Henge it's purpose is unknown. Beyond, however, is something even more intriguing. Rising from a broad plain is a volcanic plateau called Giara di Gesturi, a nature reserve of ancient cork forests and shrubs, and is home to the cavallini della Giara, Europe's last wild horses, of which there are believed to be around 500, as well as wild boars and even wildcats!
Take a trip to the rocky north of the island, to Capo D'Orso, the Cape of the Bear, so named because of a gynormous wind-carved rock in the shape of a great crouching bear, looking out to sea.
Click here for an up-to-date family- friendly events guide to Sardinia.
Eat
Sardinian cuisine is most heavily influenced by Italian cookery, although of course, it has its own very distinctive specialities. Traditional dishes are mostly ones based on locally produced meat, including boar and goat, hard noodles, fabulous cheeses and a number of wonderful breads, which figure more largely than pasta here. Recently there has been more of a concentration on fresh fish, which is cooked simply with local herbs. There are very few fast food restaurants and your children will need to learn to be content with delicious, simple food and two hour lunches.
Cost
Sardinia is well worth considering for both budget sun or a luxury family holiday destination. It is still possible to find reasonably priced rooms and a plate of great food for about a fiver. And even in the best holiday areas you can find recommendable hotels with double rooms that cost less than £85 a night. Family holidays can cost from under two hundred pounds to well over a thousand pounds per person.
Travel reading
Sardinia - Eyewitness Travel Guides
by Fabrizio Ardito
Buy from Amazon.co.uk - Save 34%
'The key to this book is accessibility, allowing a quick and enticing overview of the island.'
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Ready to go
Forte Village, Sardinia
from £2,850*
The perfect family holiday village
* per family of 2 adults and 2 children (2-12yrs) for 7 nts incl EasyJet flights and private transfer
Hotel Abamar, Sardinia
from £575*
Smaller Mark Warner resort- beautifully located. Children over 6 only.
* Price per person sharing twin room includes, flights and transfers, breakfast, lunch and evening dining (with complimentary wine), kids clubs, sailing and windsurfing.
Romazzino Hotel, Sardinia
from £2,145*
Stylish and sophisticated the Romazzino, is a family-oriented haven of pampering and luxury
* prices per person on a half board basis, including flights and transfers.
Le Méridien Chia Laguna, Sardinia
from £771*
Splendid position for indulgent relaxation, with childcare & great facilities
* from £771 per adult, for 7 nights, including transfer from airport
Serenity Holidays
Casa delle Palme, Sardinia
from £778*
Hillside villa sleeping up to 5, with pool, and sunshine all day!
* from £778 in May, June & September per week for villa hire