This stunning cycling tour on the island of Sardinia (Sardegna in Italian) spans the ages. You’ll pedal coastal landscapes, visit ancient archaeological sites such as Phoenician Tharros, bronze Age Su Nuraxi, and Byzantine Nora, and explore the rich traditions of coastal – and interior – island life. Follow the western coast south to Bosa – arguably one of the world’s best rides – and then continue inland, enjoying loop rides into scarcely populated Marmilla and Sulcis regions, one famous for its high mesas, the other for its industrial and mining history. Then head to the southwestern coast to spend a few nights on some of the fascinating islands of San Pietro and Sant’Antioco, two islands settled by fishermen from Genoa (Sardinians traditionally were not fishermen, but shepherds in the interior of the island). The tour finishes just outside of Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, in a small beach town.
If this sounds great but you don’t have time for the full 12 days, check out our Cycling Sardinia’s West Coast tour, which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.
Highlights
Catalan-influenced Alghero
Coastal riding
Nuraghi and Roman Archaeological sites
Quiet country roads
Spectacular mountain vistas
Sailing + lunch along the southwest coast of Sardinia
Includes
12 days, 11 nights
Guided visit to Su Nuraxi
Sailboat ride + lunch on Day 9
Meals as noted in itinerary
Ferry rides to and from San Pietro and Sant’Antioco
Entrance to Nora archaeological site and Porto Flavia Mining Site
Transfer from last hotel to Cagliari center and airport
There are plenty of ways to get to Alghero including international air connections or by boat from Genoa to Porto Torres. Alghero was a Catalan outpost and has a dialect that is still a mix of Catalan and Italian. We’ll fit bicycles this afternoon and recommend an easy test ride before our special welcome dinner tonight.
Highlights: Scenic coastal riding, the town of Bosa
We’ll follow the coast south toward Bosa this morning. Take your time and enjoy the roller coaster ride this morning as the reality of this mountainous island sinks in – you’re actually cycling suspended between the sea and mountains! Bosa is our first stop and we recommend you take time to explore this fascinating town before enjoying lunch here. A final climb through small coastal vineyards brings us to a plateau dotted with tiny traditional villages. Since Roman times, the Sardinians have never really lived by the sea as pirates and bad weather were more common at sea level.
Highlights: Two-night stay, traditional basket makers, small Sardinian villages
We remain inland today, visiting the towns of Flussìo (famous for its home-made baskets) and Tinnura (famous for its murals) on our way to Cuglieri, a village that still makes olive oil from trees planted by Spanish noble families in the 16th Century, we’ll enjoy a fun descent to a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim. A flat ride brings us to our hotel this afternoon.
Highlights: Optional ride to the Roman ruins of Tharros, explore hidden beaches and bays
Today is a day off the bikes for those who prefer to relax. Or we’ll offer an optional ride to the Phoenician and Roman ruins of Tharros on the coast, where you can enjoy a relaxing swim at the beach. Those with an urge for exploration can spend the entire day cycling to all the little bays and beaches along this wild coast. Your return ride will bring you by salt marshes inhabited by fish and pink flamingoes. Try some famous “bottarga” (fish roe) made in this area, either on pasta or on pizza!
Enjoy a relaxing ride to the thermal town of Sardara today. A short distance from Cabras you’ll ride by Oristano, the capital city of the Oristano province. The town boasts an impressive cathedral and several unique medieval towers. South of Oristano, you’ll encounter Arborea, formerly called “Mussolini Town,” which the government built in the 1920s after draining thousands of acres of marshland. The reclamation project fostered a growth in agriculture. Today, Arborea’s cow milk is known across the island. After arriving in Sardara, you may want to check out the local thermal waters, which are often compared to those of Vichy.
Highlights: Giara di Gesturi, basaltic plateau, wild horses, guided visit of Su Nuraxi bronze age nuragic village
We’ll head out on a loop ride to visit the impressive Bronze Age ruins at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Su Nuraxi, located on the outskirts of Barumini. Su Nuraxi dates back as far the the fifteenth century B.C. and is one of the most impressive bronze age cities found in Sardinia. We’ll cycle the basaltic plateau of Giara di Gesturi. Here the Gaira wild horses, known for their small stature, hardiness, and unique adaptation to the rugged terrain of the area, still roam freely. Back to the hotel we can indulge in the thermal pools.
Today’s ride is one of the most challenging and scenic rides of the trip. As we leave Sardara, we’ll pedal into the Iglesiente-Sulcis region, where mining lead, zinc and coal has been an integral part of life for centuries. In Arbus, we’ll take a break and learn about artisinal knife-making traditions at the Sardinia knife museum. After the first hill, Fluminimaggiore offers a cute spot for a rest before the stunning climb to Genna Bogai Pass. We end the day in Iglesias, a town that is famous for its mining activities and ancient origins and traditions.
Highlights: Nebida and Masua mining towns, Beaches of Fontanamare, ferry to San Pietro Island
The morning begins with a gentle ride to Nebida and Masua, two important mining sites where the extraction activity of coal, zinc, lead and other minerals reached its peak. Here the lanscape is dotted with mines that were carved directly into the cliffs along the coast – a bold engineering feat that once made it possible to load minerals directly onto ships. We will regroup for a guided visit to learn about how this activity influenced the economy and the culture of the area. After, we pedal the coast to reach the cozy beach of Fontanamare. In Portoscuso we will catch our 40-minute ferry to San Pietro Island, our home for the next two days. Dinner is together tonight in Carloforte.
Highlights: Rest day, sailing tour and extra loop on San Pietro Island
Today’s highlight is a breathtaking sailing trip. Our journey circumnavigates the entire San Pietro Island, from the intense rocky cliffs of the west coast to the relaxing beaches to the east. The colors of the water are astounding here, from glistening emerald greens to cool cobalt blues, we’re in for a beautiful and panoramic sail including lunch and the chance for a refreshing dip in the sea along the way. Once we return, anyone wanting more time on the bike can explore island’s interior on an optional ride.
Highlights: Ferry to Sant’Antioco Island, coastal ride, Porto Pino lagoons
We start the day with a 30-minute ferry to Sardinia’s largest satellite island – Sant’Antioco. We’ll pedal along the coast and across the island, stopping in the town of Sant’Antioco to visit and learn about Bisso, an extremely fine and rare “sea silk.” A cyclepath on a narrow sand bar will take us back to the main island to continue to the old village of Tratalias. Continue South through Vermentino and Carignano vineyards as we cycle to Porto Pino, nestled between the rocky coast and the Brebeis lagoons.
Today’s ride is along the coast of the enchanting Teulada Cape. Take a little extra time to enjoy the views and visit the ruins of the fascinating Nora archeological site. Dating back to the 8th century BC, Nora later flourished under the Romans. We’ll celebrate our journey with an exceptional dinner together tonight.
Surcharge: $300 for 6 to 8 day tours; $375 for 9 to 15-day tours
Frame : Alloy with carbon fork
Type : E-Road
Arrival & departure
Meeting time 2 p.m. – on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.
Note: As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are – in rare cases – subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
Airport: We recommend flying into the Alghero-Fertilia airport (AHO).
Getting from the Alghero airport to the Day 1 hotel:
Taxi from the Alghero airport to the Day 1 hotel (15 min/EUR 30). Taxis will be available outside of the arrivals terminal. If taxis are not waiting, call Consorzio Taxi Alghero taxi company (+39 079 97 39 795).
The tour ends on the final day with a complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle drop-off at either location and time specified below.
Airport: The closest airport to the tour end is Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG).
Hotel Regina Margherita in Cagliari; arrival at around 10:15 a.m. (45 min transfer). If you wish to make reservations at this hotel, we recommend you book your preferred arrangement directly on the hotel website.
Cagliari Airport; arrival at around 10:30-10:45 a.m. (1 to 1 hour 15 min total time for the transfer). Book your homebound flight after 12:30 p.m.
Your spot on the shuttle is automatically saved for you. The same shuttle coming from the ending location will drop off in town, and then continue on to the airport. If you cannot make this shuttle, you will be responsible for your own transportation (taxi about EUR 80-100 from the tour ending location to the airport).
If you plan on spending some time in Cagliari after the tour ends, the airport is a quick direct train or taxi ride away.
