Being a major beach destination, the warm season is when most travelers head to Sardinia. Among the main concerns most travelers have are what to wear and what they should bring from home vs what they can find on the island. This easy guide will recommend the items and essentials you should pack for summer in Sardinia.
Please note that Sardinia is a big island and there are plenty of shops, stores, and pharmacies even in small towns. So, if you forget something or prefer to pack light, don’t worry, you will find pretty much everything available in Sardinia itself.
Travel essentials to pack for Sardinia
- Beach bag. In summer in Sardinia, there is a chance you will hit the beach, so a beach bag is always something handy and necessary to pack.
- Wet wipes. A small pack to carry in your bag when you are out on the beach, hiking, or even just exploring a new place and shops and pharmacies are not immediately available.
- Packing cubes. I’ve been using them for a while and find them quite handy when packing small stuff. They make my suitcase tidier and my days easier when I’m looking for something.
- Mosquito repellant. In summer, you might find mosquitoes here and there in Sardinia so carrying a good repellant is a must. If you don’t want to overpack, you can buy one in Sardinia.
- Sunscreen. Whether you go to the beach or not, it’s essential to pack sunscreen for Sardinia in summer. You can find plenty of sunscreen types in local shops but just in case you don’t want to look for one as soon as you land, you can carry one from home to be ready.
- Sunglasses.
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Travel documents
- Your passport/ID. If you are an EU citizen, your national ID will be enough to travel to Italy. If you are a non-EU national, you will be asked for your passport and the residence permit of the European country you are living in. If you are from outside the EU, your passport is required.
- Your visa. Unless you are a citizen of the European Union, you will need a visa to enter Italy. Some countries have an agreement with the Schengen Area that gives their citizens a visa on arrival, but if you have to apply in your home country before traveling, make sure you pack it along with your main documents.
- Driving licence. You need to carry and show your regular driving license and an international one issued by your home country.
Money and valuables
- Credit/debit card. In Italy, most bank cards are accepted, with Visa and Mastercard being the most common circuits. You can use them to pay in shops, restaurants, and hotels, as well as withdraw money from the ATMs. Actually, I suggest using the local ATMs to get cash rather than exchanging your foreign currency at the exchange agencies because their commission can be very high.
- Cash. Even though I suggest withdrawing your money from the ATMs, carrying some cash with you can be handy on some occasions or if your card is not working. If you have a trusted bank or agency in your home country, exchange your currency into euros there to avoid having to do it around tourist places in Italy.
Remedies and medicines
- Stomach flu remedies. In case needed, you have them ready.
- Travel sickness tablets. Sardinia is an island, so you are going to arrive either by plane or by ferry.
- Your usual medicines. If you are following therapy, make sure you pack your medicines as local pharmacies might not be allowed to give them to you if a prescription is required.
Clothes to pack for summer in Sardinia
For women
- Bikini. One of the most important items when deciding what to pack for Sardinia in summer!
- Summer dresses. Right after your favorite swimwear, summer dresses are essential as it’s pretty much what you will wear in summer in Sardinia.
- T-shirts. Casual or fancy, T-shirts are a must in summer in Sardinia and all over Italy.
- Shorts. Along with dresses, shorts and T-shirts are also very common and very handy.
- Cotton/linen trousers. In summer in Sardinia, I also love wearing long trousers made of very light material. Especially in mosquito areas, they help a great deal! These are also recommended when entering worship places.
- Beachwear. I suggest wearing something different than your usual clothes as on the beach they might get dusty, wet, or ruined.
- Beach footwear. A pair of flip-flops or sandals will do.
- Sandals. I suggest packing a pair of causal sandals comfortable enough for long walks and a fancier pair in case you want to go out for dinner or to a party.
- Summer sneakers. I never forget to pack a comfortable and cute pair of sneakers, no matter where I travel! Depending on where you are going in Sardinia, you might pack a pair for city walking and a pair of hiking/trekking shoes.
For men
- Swimwear. One of the first things to pack if you plan your trip to Sardinia in the summer!
- Beach footwear. Flip-flops or any beach sandals will work.
- T-shirts. Cotton or linen, T-shirts are the best thing men can wear in summer in Sardinia.
- Cotton/linen shorts. Bermuda shorts are one of the most common clothing items you will see men wearing in Sardinia in summer.
- Cotton/linen pants. For the evening or if you are entering a church, a pair of light summer trousers is also common.
- Summer sneakers. For either walking or hiking.
- Summer camper-style shoes. These are still comfy but fancier than regular sneakers in case you are planning some dinners out.
For kids
- Swimwear.
- T-shirts. For both boys and girls!
- Shorts. Same as above, shorts are common for both girls and boys.
- Cotton trousers. For the evening if it’s a bit fresh or in case you are entering a church older kids and teenagers might be required to wear trousers (or skirts for girls) below the knee.
- Summer dresses. This is what girls will use most of the time so make sure to pack a few.
- Hat. Whether it’s a baseball hat for boys or a capeline-style hat for girls, this is often necessary for Sardinia in summer because it can get very hot, especially in the hours around midday.
Toiletries to pack for Sardinia in summer
For women
- Face cleansing products. Hotels will provide standard body soaps but not specifically face cleaning products so you might pack your own if you are used to specific products and have sensitive skin.
- Moisturizers for day and night. The heat makes your skin go pretty dry so a good moisturizer to apply both morning and evening is highly recommended!
- Toothbrush/toothpaste. Luxury hotels might provide a travel-size toothpaste and probably a disposable toothbrush, but not all the hotels.
- Make-up.
- Deodorant.
- After-sun cream. This helps in case of burning. Especially
- Hair comb/brush. You might find it in the beauty kit of the hotel.
For men
- Shaving and after-shaving kit. Unless you are staying at very luxurious resorts, hotels don’t usually provide these.
- Deodorant.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste. Luxury hotels might provide a travel-size toothpaste and probably a disposable toothbrush, but not all the hotels.
For babies
- Bath/shower soap. You will find it in every shop in Sardinia but hotels don’t really provide it so you can pack at least a small container for the first day.
- Diapers. You will find diapers in every shop in Sardinia, but I suggest packing a few for the first day when you arrive and might not have the time to go shopping right away.
- Rash cream/oil. Same as before, you might need it right away.
- After-sun lotion. I suggest a calming cream after having been exposed to the sun all day on the beach even if wearing sunscreen!
For kids
- After-sun cream. Even if wearing sunscreen, an aftersun lotion helps calm the skin and protects it from rashes.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste.
Nightwear to pack for Sardinia in summer
- Pajamas. Even though all good hotels will have air conditioning, Sardinia in summer is very hot so pack a light pajama.
- Slippers. Hotels might have some disposable options but not all the accommodations provide these and usually I don’t find them very comfortable. If you have some room in your suitcase, you might want to opt for your own slippers!
Electronics for summer in Sardinia
- Smartphone. This is always more mandatory since there are plenty of things you can do with the smartphone, from paying in local shops and restaurants to booking your hotels to checking Google Maps!
- E-Sim. Together with your smartphone, an e-sim is becoming increasingly necessary when traveling in case you need an internet connection also outside of your hotel. I heard the Airhub App is a handy one but I’ve never tried it myself.
- Travel adaptor. In Italy, there are three plug types, types C, F and L. Plug type C has two round pins, plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type with three round pins. Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I suggest packing a universal adaptor that you can use wherever you are.
- Your camera + lenses. If you use a DSLR, you can pack two lenses, one versatile wide-angle and one 50mm for when it’s dark. If you are using a compact, there is no lens problem and also the camera will be less heavy and bulky.
- Power bank. You will likely need one if you are staying out all day and use your phone to take pictures and videos.
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