Northern Sardinia Road Trip: Coastal Drives, Hill Towns and the Long Way Round

There’s Sardinia you see on postcards – all turquoise water and white sand – and then there’s Sardinia on the road.

Slow mountain switchbacks. Wide valleys scattered with cork trees. Hill towns where the shutters stay closed in the heat of the day.

This trip focuses on the north of the island, where the coast and countryside sit closer together, and where it’s easy to slip between clifftop walks, local wine tastings, and sea swims – often within the same hour.

This is a road trip for people who like a mix of coast and inland, who don’t mind trading a few beach days for time in slower places, and who like their views earned through a bendy bit of road.

Start: Bosa – colour, charm and a slower pace

Start in beautiful Bosa, a riverside town of pastel houses and old stone bridges, watched over by the ruins of Malaspina Castle.

What to do:

• Walk the Riverside Promenade.
• Climb to the castle ruins for panoramic views.
• Try Malvasia di Bosa – the region’s signature dessert wine.

📍 Why it works: Feels lived-in, not touristy. Slow mornings here are particularly good.

Stop 1: Alghero – Catalan roots and a golden-hour seafront

Head north up the coast on a stunning, winding drive to Alghero. It’s a west coast town with Spanish energy, coral shops, and one of the best sunset walks in Sardinia.

It’s lively without feeling touristy and makes a great base for your first night (or two, if you’re building in buffer time).

What to do:

• Stroll the old town walls at golden hour – they face west for a reason.
• Grab seafood at Osteria Macchiavello or local bites at Bar Focacceria Milese.
• Visit Spiaggia di Maria Pia if you want an easy beach close to town.

📍 Good to know: Alghero’s small enough to explore on foot – park just outside the centre.

Stop 2: Capo Caccia – cliffs, caves and steep stairs

Just a short drive from Alghero, Capo Caccia is a jagged limestone headland with sharp cliffs, sea caves and dramatic views. 

It feels like the opposite of beach culture – wild, vertical and just a little moody.

Must-do:

• Walk the 600+ steps of the Escala del Cabirol down to Neptune’s Grotto.
• Bring water – the climb back up is no joke.
• Or just stay above and take in the panoramic view from the Belvedere.

🧭 Pro tip: Arrive early or late; parking is limited and the light is better.

Optional detour: Stintino

If you want more time on the coast before heading inland, add a detour northwest to Stintino and La Pelosa Beach – often touted as one of the best in Italy.

Just know it comes with the crowds to match.

Stop 3: Castelsardo – clifftop colour and medieval streets

Continue on to Castelsardo, a cliff-perched town that’s more dramatic in real life than any photo suggests.

The castle at the top is worth the climb, but the real charm is in the narrow streets and everyday rhythm.

What to do:

• Visit the castle and weaving museum.
• Explore the lanes at dusk, when it all cools down and comes to life.
• Eat at Rocca ‘Ja or Trattoria da Maria Giuseppa for no-fuss local cooking.

📍 Why stay here: If you’re splitting the trip over several nights, this is a strong contender – views and atmosphere in equal measure.

Stop 4: Monte Limbara – high ground and quiet views

Drive on to Monte Limbara, Sardinia’s fourth-highest peak, and a spot that offers a totally different view of the island – forested slopes, eagle’s-nest roads, and air that smells like pine and rock.

What to do:

• Drive as far as the Punta Balistreri lookout.
• Short walks or just scenic pull-offs; it doesn’t need to be a full hike.
• On a clear day, you can see all the way to Corsica.

📍 Tip: Great picnic spot – no cafés up here, so bring supplies.

Stop 5: Tempio Pausania – stone towns and mountain air

A short drive takes you to Tempio Pausania, a granite-built hill town in the heart of the Gallura region.

It’s a quieter stop, but a really good contrast to the coast – and a nice way to catch your breath mid-route.

What to see:

• Wander the stone streets and piazzas – especially at siesta time when it’s silent.
• Visit Nuraghe Majori, a well-preserved Bronze Age site nearby.
• Sip a glass of Vermentino from a local winery.

📍 Good to know: Don’t expect nightlife here – it’s all about the pace.

Stop 6: Aggius – traditional life and local textiles

If you’re heading through the hills, make time for Aggius – a small inland village known for its craft heritage and dry-stone architecture.

Why go:

• Visit the Ethnographic Museum for insight into Sardinia’s rural traditions.
• Check out local textile workshops and pick up a handmade souvenir.
• Walk the Valle della Luna (Valley of the Moon) nearby – a surreal granite-strewn landscape.

Optional detour: Costa Paradiso

After Aggius, you can detour to the Costa Paradiso – more rugged and less polished, with red rocks and teal water.

Not essential, but worth it if you’re chasing swims in quieter places.

Stop 7: La Maddalena – a stunning archipelago

Take a short ferry ride to La Maddalena, part of a stunning archipelago off the northeast coast.

It’s everything Sardinia’s beaches are known for – but with fewer people, more rock pools, and a local pace that sticks with you.

What to do:

• Take the ferry from Palau to La Maddalena town.
• Drive the Scenic Loop Road around the island (Strada Panoramica).
• Take a boat tour to nearby Spargi or Budelli for those famous pink-sand coves.

📍 Good to know: You can bring your car over, or rent a scooter once you’re on the island.

Final stop: Olbia – not just a transit town

Olbia is mostly known as a ferry hub or airport stop, but if you’ve got a few hours, it’s worth a short explore.

Quick ideas:

• Walk the Corso Umberto I for cafés and shops.
• Visit the Basilica di San Simplicio.
• Eat seafood at Trattoria Il Gambero or grab a quick pizza before heading north.

Road trip tips for Northern Sardinia

• Book accommodation ahead in July – August – or aim for shoulder season (May/Sept).
• Rent a small car. Some roads inland are narrow and bendy.
• Use offline maps. Signal can be patchy in the hills.
• Don’t rush the inland sections – they’re half the charm.
• Ferries to La Maddalena run frequently from Palau – ticket booths on site.

Final thoughts

A road trip of Northern Sardinia is one that builds slowly: a stretch of cliff here, a quiet piazza there, and a run of coastline that always seems to have one more bay you weren’t expecting. 

You could stick to the beaches, sure. But taking the long way round – through the hills, the small towns, the odd inland view – is what makes it all feel a bit more complete.