Around Sardinia in 14 days — the wild island that doesn't feel like Italy (because it isn't, really)

Days 1–3: Cagliari and the south

Castello, Museo Archeologico, flamingos, Poetto beach. Day 2: Nora + Chia beach. Day 3: Su Nuraxi (UNESCO) + Costa del Sud.

Days 4–5: West coast

Tharros ruins (€5): Phoenician-Roman peninsula. Oristano. Drive to Bosa: candy-colored town, Malvasia di Bosa wine (€15/bottle).

Days 6–8: Alghero and northwest

Alghero: "Little Barcelona" — Catalan Gothic. Neptune's Grotto (boat €16 or 654 steps, €1). Day 8: Stintino, La Pelosa beach — most famous in Sardinia. Go by 9am.

Days 9–11: Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena

Porto Cervo (window-shop yachts). Free beaches: Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli. Day 10: La Maddalena ferry (€6 walk-on), boat tour of archipelago. Day 11: Gallura hinterland — Aggius, one of Italy's most beautiful villages.

Days 12–14: Interior and back

Orgosolo murals (200+). Mamoiada Mamuthones masks. Nuoro Ethnographic Museum (€7). Day 13: Gorropu gorge (Grand Canyon of Europe), Cala Luna (boat from Cala Gonone, €18). Day 14: SS125 Orientale Sarda to Cagliari (3–4h) — one of Italy's most scenic drives.

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