Even though most tourists flock to the island in summer to enjoy its sandy beaches, I don’t necessarily think it’s the only and best time to visit Sardinia. This is why, when travelers inquire about my custom itineraries and ask me when they should travel to Sardinia, I always ask them what kind of holiday they are expecting and wish to have.
If you are not planning to lie on the beach to sunbathe the whole day, I’m guessing summer is not the best option for you. In spring, for example, you will have the chance to visit also the inland without sweating, and February is a great time if you are interested in the traditional Carnival celebrations.
I know that most people see Sardinia only as a summer destination, but its beautiful beaches are only a small part of why the island offers wonderful holiday opportunities.
This is why, before crafting an itinerary, I always ask my clients what their travel style is and what kind of experiences they are looking for.
- You don’t want to hit the beach but would still like to do a boat tour? I can book you with some of the best AND most reliable boat tour companies from April through October!
- You want to enjoy some beach time but also some archaeological sites without having to drive too much? I can suggest a few fantastic areas and beaches!
- You wish to explore the inland and have a more authentic experience rather than tourist-oriented offers? I will show you the real soul of Sardinia!
Check out my custom Sardinia itineraries to book one and let me build a perfect trip for you!
Best time to visit Sardinia – Comparing month by month
January in Sardinia for crowd-free holidays
January is a winter month in Italy and in Sardinia, the climate is overall mild even in the coldest season. There will be colder areas such as the mountains in Nuoro province and towns like Mamoiada, Orgosolo, and Fonni.
In January, in many towns in Sardinia, you can attend the festival in honor of Sant’Antonio Abate that takes place with bonfires lit up across the streets. It’s not celebrated all over Sardinia, so if you want to experience it, you need to go to towns like Sedilo or Mamoiada, where the traditional masquerades of the Mamuthones make their first annual appearance.
February in Sardinia for the traditional Carnival
February is the month of Carnival in Italy, and in Sardinia, you will find very traditional festivals. Some of the most famous Carnival celebrations in Sardinia include the horse races of the Sartiglia in Oristano and the rhythmic dance of the Mamuthones masks in Mamoiada near Nuoro.
Check out my guide to spending February in Sardinia
March in Sardinia for a traditional Easter
March offers a bit of unstable weather across Italy, including Sardinia, but the coldest months are over and the rain never really lasts too long.
April in Sardinia
Visiting Sardinia in spring is a gratifying experience if your goal is sightseeing. Without the oppressive summer heat, it’s possible to walk around towns and cities without sweating and panting.
While March weather is unpredictable, April starts to be more stable and launching the hiking and trekking season.
This year, Easter is on April 5th, and if you are spending Easter in Italy and would like to see some very traditional ceremonies, make it a point to head to Sardinia and you won’t be disappointed.
There are many places where they organize traditional celebrations for Easter in Sardinia. These include cities like the capital, Cagliari, and Iglesias but also smaller towns like Tadasuni.
Apart from the ceremonies, Easter in Sardinia is celebrated with delicious seasonal bread and cakes.
May in Sardinia for hiking and traditions
May is perfect for some spectacular hiking in Sardinia, especially at the beginning of the month, because towards the end, the temperatures usually start rising and long hikes become harder. Some great places to hike in May in Sardinia include Su Gorropu Canyon in the Ogliastra region and Sella del Diavolo in Cagliari.
If you wish to spend a day out hiking or trekking, I strongly advise you AGAINST going on your own. Even though most hiking routes are marked, they are in hostile terrains and it’s easy to get confused and lost.
It’s highly recommended to hire a local, knowledgeable and certified guide for your hiking tour.
📍 Book a consultation with me for more information or hire me to make a full vacation package where I book all the guided experiences, tours, hotels, and restaurants for you.
In May, Cagliari is a fantastic destination to visit in Sardinia this month because, between the 1st and the 4th, they celebrate Sant’Efisio with a long parade of traditional costumes and ox carts.
June in Sardinia for crowd-less beaches
It’s no secret that Sardinia is a famous beach destination. Most beach tourists flock in July and August, making June one of the best months to enjoy Sardinia’s coastline without the crowds.
Apart from the quiet and silence, June is a beautiful month for its early-summer light, perfect for photography, and also because the extreme heat hasn’t started yet. Mornings and evenings are pleasant so when you want a break from the beach, you can go out and visit one of the quaint towns in Sardinia even if they are far from the coast.
In June, the busiest period for boat tours start so if you are interested in booking one, make sure you contact me well in advance so I can book a catamaran or a motor boat and boat tours with some of the best companies in the most stunning locations around Sardinia’s coastline.
July in Sardinia
It might be my age but I’m always more intolerant of the summer heat. July is one of the hottest months in Sardinia and what you can do is pretty much limited to swimming and sunbathing.
In the evening, you can enjoy a night out in the city or some afternoon festivals like the horse race of Sedilo’s Ardia on July 6th.
Of course, when it’s too hot, going on a boat tour is always a great way to enjoy the coast, but July and August are very busy and if you try to book a boat last-minute, you won’t find any.
August in Sardinia
August is also a very hot month in Sardinia but often in the second half, the weather begins to change. The 15th of August is known as Ferragosto in Italy and even though it’s a religious holiday, it’s mainly celebrated with everyone hitting the beach. On this day and for the whole week around it, the beaches of Sardinia will be crammed, including small ones like S’Archittu.
If you are interested in knowing more about the culture of Sardinia, the last Sunday of August is one of its most important festivals celebrated in Nuoro and its Ortobene Mount, the Sagra del Redentore. You will see traditional shows and parades as well as religious ceremonies.
September in Sardinia
September is a perfect month to enjoy the beach in Sardinia, and even though quieter than August, the beaches won’t be empty. The weather will still be hot and the ideal clothes are pretty much the same as those you would wear in August.
The last month of summer might give some fresher days as a well-deserved break from the August heat.
October in Sardinia
October is a fantastic month to visit Italy in general and if large cities such as Rome and Florence are still crowded, Sardinia starts to be calmer than during the summer rush.
The weather is perfect for sightseeing all around the island and learning more about the local life, its culture, traditional cuisine, and historical sights. Some days in October in Sardinia are also quite warm and some still go for a quick swim. If you do that, I suggest going during the hottest hours of the day.
By booking one of my custom Sardinia itineraries, I can also suggest some great boat tours in October (weather permitting!).
November in Sardinia
In November, the weather starts to be spoiled and temperatures begin to drop. Even though you might find some rain and cloudy skies, I like November in Sardinia as this is when you can have a truly authentic experience, similar to Easter.
November starts with Toussaint and the Day of the Dead. On Toussaint, schools and offices will be closed, and also most shops in smaller towns. On the Day of the Dead, everything reopens but you will see locals heading to the cemeteries to bring flowers to their loved ones deceased. This is the time of the year when the traditional “pabassini” cakes are due, even though you will find them all year in many pastry shops.
The rest of the month is quiet and perfect for visiting archaeological sites scattered across Sardinia, strolling around towns and cities. On nice days (that are quite a few!), you can even go to some beach town for a meal with a view.
Read our full guide to visiting Sardinia in November
December in Sardinia
December marks the end of fall and the beginning of winter and in Sardinia the weather is still quite mild, even though slightly colder than November. Please note that apart from some mountainous areas, winter in Sardinia is never too cold to bear.
Cities and towns will be adorned with the typical Christmas lights and every church will host a nativity scene. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, smaller towns are likely to be very quiet and shops will be closed.
Read our full guide to visiting Sardinia in December
The best time to visit Sardinia for the beaches
The biggest beach season in Sardinia is summer, particularly the months of July and August, when the coast is literally packed with tourists, shades, and lounges. Due to the huge crowds, I’m not a big fan of August in Sardinia. Too hot to visit inland towns, quite expensive, and too crowded to go to the beach, I think the best time to go to Sardinia to enjoy its coastline is June and September.
The best time to go to Sardinia for sightseeing
If you are planning your trip to Sardinia to go sightseeing, then all the seasons except summer are a great time. Summer is very hot and it’s very difficult to visit any place other than the beach so if you are interested in exploring towns and cities like Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari, Nuoro, Olbia, or towns like Fordongianus and San Sperate home to Pino Sciola sounding stones museum, the best seasons to visit Sardinia are the low and shoulder seasons such as spring and fall.
The best time to travel to Sardinia for its traditions
To experience traditional Sardinia, I would suggest aiming at the occasions of local festivals such as Carnival in February, S’Ardia of Sedilo in July, Sant’Antonio Abate in January, or food fairs that are all year long across the island.
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