Highlights of Southern Sardinia

Sardinia is located south of Corsica. It is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and after Sicily, the second-largest island of Italy. The island is primarily known for its dream beaches. However, you shouldn't reduce Sardinia to just that, as it has much more to offer.

For a week in June - before the tourist rush in July and August - I was convinced by the beauty and diversity of Sardinia. I mainly traveled along the south coast of Sardinia around Villasimius, Castiadas, and Costa Rei.

It didn't take much to get me excited about a trip to Sardinia in advance. I love Italian cuisine, seafood, warm to high temperatures, and turquoise waters.

Sardinia has many 'genuine' villages. However, you will only find these if you leave the coastal tourist settlements and venture into the hinterland. Especially during the off-peak season in April to June and September to October, there are few tourists around. In July and August, Sardinia is packed with Italian tourists coming to the dream island, whose capital Cagliari is closer to Tunis than to Rome.

Tourists mainly favor the northeastern part around Costa Smeralda.

-> Read more: Tips for your trip to Sardinia

So here are my tips for Villasimius and Costa Rei that you hopefully won't find in the guidebook:

Most travel tips may no longer be insider tips, especially for return visitors to Sardinia. It may also be challenging to find some of my tips if you are not fluent in Italian.

Therefore, Thomas offers customers who book accommodation or a vacation rental in Sardinia through him the opportunity to also book and organize excursions, tours, or meals. His employees are locals who know all about opening hours and tips.

If you arrive like I did at Cagliari Airport, the first highlight awaits you: the approximately 30 km long old coastal road from Cagliari to Villasimius. One of the most beautiful panoramic roads on the island captivated me immediately. It offers views of natural, secluded bays.

I would have loved to stop right in the middle of the road to enjoy the view of these turquoise glowing bays on steep slopes and winding curves. Unfortunately, this is only possible in very few places. But when there are coves and opportunities, I advise you: Park the car and descend to the sea. A beautiful cove is definitely waiting for you!

Attention: Motorcyclists love this winding route as well. Therefore, caution is advised when navigating the tight curves.

Due to its close proximity to the capital Cagliari, a small tourist center has developed in the small fishing village. Thanks to the protected location of the harbor, more and more yachts and sailboats are drawn there. Just like Cagliari residents and tourists from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Fortunately, the hustle and bustle is far removed from that of Costa Smeralda, where Flavio Briatore once established his 'Billionaire Club' in Porto Credo.

The small town of Villasimius has a small center located 2 km from the sea. The quaint old town with an ice cream parlor, fish market, restaurants, and cafes is manageable. It especially comes to life in the evening. Or in the morning at Café La Perla, when everyone orders a cornetto and cappuccino. We did too.

The beaches and shores spread out like an octopus around the center. You must always return from one bay to reach the next. Therefore, it is challenging to get an overview.

Thanks to Thomas, who drove me around to all the bays and viewpoints on the very first day, I eventually understood where I was.

Here are my tips for Villasimius:

In Villasimius, as already mentioned, there are plenty of great bays for swimming and relaxing. Except perhaps in July and August, everyone can find their own bay where there are no other people. Promise!

Here are my personal beach highlights in Villasimius:

The beach gently slopes into the sea and is neat and not overcrowded. It lies behind the lagoon lake Notteri, where flamingos can sometimes be seen. For a great view, you can hike up the Saracen Tower (Torre di Porto Giunco) to enjoy the view of Simius Bay.

The small bathing cove is the southeasternmost bay of Sardinia. The coast here is rugged and rocky, suitable for anyone who wants to discover wild Sardinia.

A small charming bay that consists of several beaches protected by rocks. To the right lies the residential area, where beautifully located villas own a private beach. The parking lot is often crowded, but you often can find a spot at the beach or on the rocks.

One of the most beautiful bays (besides the secluded dream bay where I stayed) in and around Villasimius. To the left is a beach for families, and to the right are large flat rocks where you can relax. Further back are private beaches belonging to houses. You can also rent houses in this beautiful area on sardinienhaus.com. Next trip then.

The water here is crystal clear, the bay is sheltered, making the sea very calm. Also, the beach gradually slopes, and you can walk far into the water.

Between Porto Sa Ruxi and Campu Longu lies Spiaggia di Campus. Coming from Porto Sa Ruxi, there is a fantastic viewpoint on the road down to the bay.

Here you will find the restaurant Il Miraggio, which, although not known for the best food, has one of the most beautiful atmospheres in the evening when you can dine by candlelight while sitting in the sand. I liked it, and it tasted good too.

The beach at Punta Molentis in Villasimius is among the most beautiful white beaches in Sardinia. The sea shines like in a swimming pool, and you can see all the way to the bottom. Climb over the rocks to reach a nearly untouched section where only boats often stop.

Around Capo Carbonara, the water is particularly clear. Thanks to its diverse underwater world, there is a large marine protected area here.

At the southern end of Costa Rei lies Castiadas. This small community also offers you many coves and beaches for swimming. It is much quieter here than in Costa Rei or Villasimius.

Especially the hinterland with its vineyards, olive groves, and fruit orchards is worth a visit.

Drive to this small village to either visit the museo del territorio or enjoy a delicious pizza next door!

Here are my recommendations for dining in Castiadas:

Along the coastal road, you will find numerous viewpoints where you can stop and enjoy the view of the sea for hours. I couldn't get enough of it while driving my little Fiat Panda along the tight turns of the coastal road. Definitely a highlight of the island in the south.

Costa Rei is located on the southern eastern coast of Sardinia, which is particularly known for its beautiful beaches. Only an hour's drive from Cagliari lies the 'King's Coast', which translates to Costa Rei.

Especially the 10 km long white sandy beach between Scoglio di Peppino to the south and Capo Ferrato to the north of the bay is not only popular but indeed beautiful.

This section of the beach is also favored by families with children because the beach slopes gently, and Costa Rei itself has several restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors. However, it lacks a larger supermarket. You have to drive to Villasimius for that. Although I would prefer the market anyway when buying fruits, vegetables, and fish.

In Costa Rei itself, you can choose between a seaside vacation home or a hillside vacation home with a wide panoramic view of the coast. I was lucky enough to visit a vacation house on the hillside with friends. Therefore, I would prefer the panoramic view, even if I have to drive (you can also walk to the center, but it was hot, and we had 34-36 degrees). You really can't do without a vehicle in Sardinia.

Very authentic and Sardinian is the place Nando in I Tarocchi. Just 2 km from the main beach in Costa Rei, a sign points to the driveway to the parking lot of the bar. After an extensive lunch and house wine, you can relax on loungers right on the beach (for a fee) and then enjoy a sundowner at sunset. Nando is always here. The chef has a penchant for quirky (and too short) T-shirts, shorts, and shirts! Just great!

The coves at Capo Ferrato can only be reached via a rough unpaved road with deep ruts. Not everyone wants to subject their rental car to this, but the road is manageable if you drive slowly. The reward is two beautiful bays that remain quiet and less crowded than other beaches even in the peak season.

To reach the two bays and fine beaches, you also have to walk a few minutes. Not everyone wants to do that. Be sure to bring a beach umbrella; shade spots are scarce!

Around the peaks of Sette Fratelli (Seven Brothers), you can beautifully escape the hustle and bustle in Parco Monte Sette Fratelli and go for a hike. The paths are marked, and there are shaded picnic areas.

At the forestry center at the park entrance, you can get information about difficulty levels and routes that lead to the hiking trails. With our small Fiat Panda, we could not reach some hiking trails because we couldn't manage the unpaved, sometimes steep roads.

More info: montesettefratelli.com (unfortunately only in Italian)

... Sardinia is closer to an African major city than to an Italian one? Tunis (Tunisia) is closer than Naples or Rome. D.H. Lawrence described the capital Cagliari with the words 'Lost between Africa and Europe.' This is especially noticeable climatically when winds from the south blow at the southern coast, bringing nothing but hot air with them. This is why it is warmer in the south than in the north, and the menus offer a colorful mix of Italian and Arabic cuisine.

My favorite magazines for preparing for my trip to Sardinia were not just classic travel guides, but also magazines.

I truly love the travel books from the DuMont publisher. This travel guide for Sardinia also had some secret tips that I wouldn't have found without a guide. My recommendation. See the travel guide here.

I really like this series. Here I found not only great tips for the south but also for Cagliari and the rest of the island. So on my next visit, I know exactly which places I absolutely want to see! Definitely: a must-buy for your Sardinia vacation!

You can see the picture atlas Sardinia here.

Here you will find more Sardinia tips:

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have any ideas or questions, we would love to hear from you in the comments here on the travel blog. On the next trip, we'll also head to the northern part of the island with a camper.

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