Sports and leisure activities Sardinia

Budget & Tips

Sardinia offers many free activities to enhance your stay. Most visitors enjoy the beaches first. Don't forget your flippers, mask and snorkel to enjoy the sea and the fish. Hiking can be done anywhere on the island: along the coastline to find a deserted cove or in the mountains to enjoy magnificent views. If you come by car, don't forget to attach your mountain bike to the back of the car in order to ride through the maquis trails. The passeggiata, the little aperitif walk that is very popular with Sardinians, allows you to see people and to go window-shopping without dipping into your wallet.

What's very local

The votive festival has a singularity that escapes the uninitiated. It is essential to attend a patronal feast to see the Sardinians dressed in their traditional costume and engaged in processions, songs and dances full of magic and religion.

Your documents please

Car/motorcycle: you can drive in Sardinia with your French licence, whether it is your vehicle or a rental. You must have the vehicle registration document and insurance.

Boat: a licence is not necessary for a motor boat of less than 40 horsepower or for a sailing boat within 6 miles of a shelter. Beyond that, a pleasure boat licence obtained in the EU is required.

Diving: A diving certificate and a medical certificate less than one year old are essential for this leisure activity. The PADI certification is the most recognized.

To be booked

In high season, the most popular excursions (archipelago of La Maddalena, beaches and caves of Cala Gonone...) should be booked at least the day before.

Main events

Sardinia is an island where the Catholic religion is very important. Each village celebrates its patron saint with very colorful processions. Christmas and Holy Week are also occasions for great celebrations.

Tourist traps

When renting a vehicle, some companies require a debit card (such as American Express) for the security deposit. If you only have a credit card, a surcharge, sometimes very high, will be applied. This is not a real scam, but it can ruin your stay from the start, since most rental companies are careful not to specify this requirement at the time of reservation.