Ferries and resorts fill up during summer when crowds reach Sardinia to make the most of its dreamy coastline. But turquoise waters are just part of the allure. Ancient traditions blend with diverse landscapes on Italy’s second island, where stretches of fine sand and soaring cliffs surround a mountainous interior covered in Mediterranean scrub.

Whether you are planning a road trip, a through-hike or a tour in search of the hidden coves that dot the rugged coast, keep these things in mind as you plan your Sardinian holiday.

1. Plan for at least a week to visit

Stretching for approximately 270km (167 miles) north to south, Sardinia may appear small on the map, but covering each province could take weeks if you want to see all the island has to offer. From exploring the ruins left behind by the ancient Nuragic civilization to diving into marine reserves dotting the coast and visiting wineries in the hilly interior, you’ll feel rushed if you plan to squeeze everything in just a few days.

Take at least a full week to travel beyond the highlights and organize each leg of your itinerary in advance if you are visiting in the high season, as many of the most popular destinations are likely to be fully booked months in advance.

2. Avoid crowds and high prices by traveling during the shoulder season

Traveling to Sardinia in July and August means facing the infamous Italian peak holiday season – this is not just the hottest time of the year, but also the period during which most Italians flock to the coast for their annual holidays. Expect crowds and peak pricing on everything from ferry tickets to hotels and car rentals.

Visiting before or after the summer will make your trip to Sardinia much more enjoyable. The island is sunny for much of the year, and the swimming season can start as early as April and runs until October. By avoiding peak summer months, you’ll also have access to affordable accommodation and the chance to move around spontaneously, without too much planning.

3. Don’t underestimate the heat

The heat is not to be taken lightly. Global warming is hitting Sardinia especially hard and record temperatures have been registered year after year – in late July of 2023, the eastern coast of the island surpassed 48°C (118°F), with a high risk of forest fires affecting much of the dry interior.

July and August are the warmest months. If you are visiting during this time of the year, it’s best to avoid hiking or cycling in the middle of the day. Needless to say, always carry plenty of water.

4. Fly or book a ferry to get to Sardinia

Sardinia is well-connected to mainland Italy and many European destinations, thanks to three airports – Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero – located on three corners of the island. Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, is the main entry point, but Alghero has long functioned as Ryanair’s main Sardinian airport, offering frequent low-cost flights year-round.

Flying is not the only way of getting to Sardinia. Ferries depart from the ports of Livorno and Piombino in Tuscany, from Civitavecchia (near Rome), from Naples and from Palermo, allowing you to take the slow trip across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia’s eastern coast. Main operators include Moby, Tirrenia, Grandi Navi Veloci and Grimaldi Lines. You may also continue onto Spain by taking the ferry connecting Porto Torres with Barcelona, or by heading north to Corsica.

5. Driving is the best way of getting around, but there is a shortage of rental cars

Sardinia has a decent rail network, and buses go where trains can’t. Yet, traveling by public transport is slow and doesn’t allow access to more remote areas, where you’ll find many of the island’s natural wonders.

Traveling to Sardinia by ferry means you can take your vehicle with you from mainland Italy. Still, it’s worth comparing the prices of sea transport with those of car rentals, especially if you are visiting in the high season when ships fill up and ticket prices increase significantly.

If you choose to rent a car on arrival during the high season, book in advance. In recent years, Sardinia has experienced a shortage of car rentals, due to a combination of the global ship shortages, the effects of the pandemic on the local economy and the island’s recent growing popularity.

6. Be ready to speak (or listen to) different languages

Sardinia is not just geographically diverse, it’s also linguistically rich. While Italian is spoken everywhere, the local language is Sardinian, a neo-Latin tongue that has been officially recognized as one of Italy’s minority languages and declared endangered by UNESCO. But Sardinian is not the only language spoken by the 1.6 million people living on the island – head northwest to the area of Alghero, and you’ll hear people speak a version of Catalan, a remnant of Spanish domination in the 16th and 17th centuries.

7. Choose between wilderness or hyper-luxury

In the late 1950s, a development project backed by a group of large foreign investors began transforming the rural area of Gallura into one of Italy’s most luxurious holiday destinations. The Costa Smeralda, a 50km (31 mile) stretch of coastline in the northeastern part of the island, is now home to hotels where rooms cost thousands per night, exclusive nightclubs and restaurants, a yacht club, golf courses and dreamy villas hosting international VIPs.

The publicity received by this corner of Sardinia often overshadows its wilder heart, best experienced through long-distance hikes that cross the island’s majestic landscapes. Pack a tent and a sleeping bag to tackle multiday trails such as Selvaggio Blu, considered one of Sardinia’s most challenging treks, or the Grande Traversata del Supramonte, running along the Supramonte mountain range in the eastern part of the island.

8. Take it slow and experience Sardinia on two wheels

Bike tourists have long loved Sardinia for its low traffic and coastal roads. This has become even more noticeable in recent years as large investments have been put toward improving existing cycling paths and creating new routes for travelers who enjoy exploring on two wheels. Most cities now have bike rental services and the network of dedicated lanes is growing year after year, allowing both locals and visitors to travel safely and sustainably at a slow pace.

What’s the cheapest way to travel? If you go by social media memes, it’s by becoming a ‘lost luggage delivery guy.’ However, if you aren’t one of those ‘do-anything-to-travel’ wanderlusters, here are some simple tips from the popular travel aggregator Expedia to travel free.

According to the platform, these travel hacks, driven by data, offer the best days to book, the right days to travel, the month in which flights are the cheapest, the right booking windows, and a handful of myth busters.

Check them out:

1) February and March see the highest travel fares

2) August is the cheapest month to travel, and you can save up to 12 per cent on domestic and 7 per cent on international flights

3) Sundays are the ideal day to book flights. As per data, airfares are around 6 per cent low for domestic and 17 per cent for international flights when booked on Sundays, as compared to other days.

4) The day of your departure affects the cost. Foreign flights cost less if you depart on Thursdays, and Saturday fights are cheaper domestically.

5) Hate delayed flights? Pick mornings to fly as disruptions and cancellations are limited in this window.

6) Booking too much in advance doesn’t help much. The best time to book domestic flights is around three months in advance. You can save around 25 per cent if you do so. Surprisingly, the best time to book international flights is 18-29 days before your departure! Yes, it can be a gamble, but if saving money is your priority, you can try it.

Myth busters

1) Airfare doesn’t increase with every year. Interestingly, economy flights were 15 cheaper and international flights were 4 per cent cheaper in the past two years.

2) Premium tickets need not mean airfares are higher than economy tickets. In fact, the gap is increasingly shrinking.

Nutritionist Lovneet Batra shares a few tips we can follow to prevent and cure travel constipation.

Travel constipation refers to the difficulty or inability to have regular bowel movements while traveling. It can be caused by various factors such as changes in routine, dehydration, dietary changes, stress, and lack of mobility. To help prevent travel constipation, nutritionist Lovneet Batra shares a few tips.

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Here are some more simple tips to help avoid travel constipation:

1. Drink plenty of water throughout your journey to prevent dehydration, which can contribute to constipation.
2. Include high-fibre foods in your meals such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements.
3. Engage in physical activity during your trip, such as taking short walks, stretching, or doing simple exercises. Regular movement can help stimulate bowel function.
4. Bring along nutritious snacks like nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to avoid relying solely on convenience store or airport food options.
5. Taking probiotics, either through supplements or in naturally fermented foods, can promote healthy gut bacteria and improve digestion.

Remember, if you continue to have persistent constipation or experience severe discomfort, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further guidance.

Staying healthy starts before your flight, too

Flying is a convenient and efficient way to reach your destination quickly any time of the year, but the confined space and recycled air inside the plane can heighten your risk of getting sick during or just after your flight. Take it from me; catching a cold or the flu during a trip can dampen your plans and keep you from spending time enjoying your trip.

You can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling ill while flying with a few proactive measures. To help you out, I’ve come up with some travel tips that will help you avoid getting sick on a plane, allowing you to enjoy your journey without worrying about any airborne illnesses.

Pre-flight considerations

Preventing illness when you travel starts before you even board the plane. You are much more likely to get sick if you aren’t mentally and physically prepared for your journey.

Boost your immune system

Start preparing for your trip well in advance by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a great way to ensure your body gets the vitamins it needs to thrive. Supplements such as vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc are also great for boosting your immune system.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and dehydration can quickly weaken your immune system. Ensure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. It is also a good idea to avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, as they can contribute to dehydration.

Rest up

Lack of sleep can compromise your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Make sure you are prioritizing sleep for a few days before your flight. This is especially important if you have a long or late-night flight where sleeping may not be possible.

On the flight

Once you are on the plane, it is important to do everything you can to keep your space clean and prevent germs from entering your body. Although this is often easier said than done, you can take a few preventive measures to keep yourself in good health.

Choose the right seat

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that germs from sneezing, coughing, or breathing are unlikely to be directly transmitted beyond 1 meter (3.28 feet) from the infected passenger. Because of this, it’s likely (but not guaranteed) that the window seat is the “healthiest” seat. Sitting in a window seat reduces your likelihood of direct contact with fellow passengers walking down the aisle. Window seats also provide a barrier on one side, minimizing exposure to germs.

Sanitize your space

Bring antibacterial wipes in your carry-on and clean your seat, armrests, and tray table before sitting down. These surfaces often harbor germs from previous flights, so a quick wipe-down can help reduce your exposure risk.

Use air vents strategically

According to NBC News, airplane air is typically circulated through hospital-grade filters designed to remove 99.97% of all bacteria. Use this to your advantage and direct the air vent above your seat to create a personal airflow barrier.

Avoid touching your face

Refrain from touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. These are entry points for germs, and keeping your hands away from your face can reduce the risk of infection.

Stay active

If your flight is over two hours long, make it a point to take short walks and stretch periodically to improve circulation. Doing this can help prevent stiffness and boost your overall well-being.

Keep your belongings in the overhead bins

Place as many of your belongings as possible in the overhead bins and refrain from opening them during the flight. Keeping your purse, backpack, or other possessions on the floor exposes them to your shoes, a hotspot for germs. If you can, keep everything you need in the seatback pocket or in the seat with you.

Post-flight practices

Your work isn’t done once you exit the plane. It is essential to continue caring for yourself in the days following your flight.

Continue hydration

After the flight, continue to stay hydrated to counteract the dehydrating effects of air travel. Water will help to flush out toxins and support your body’s natural defenses against illness.

Rest and recover

If you can, give yourself some time to rest and recover after the flight. Jet lag and fatigue can weaken your immune system, so listen to your body and prioritize self-care.

Maintain good hygiene

A little bit of good hygiene goes a long way. Hop in the shower as soon as you can after leaving the airport, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when necessary.

What to do if you do get sick

If you carefully follow these tips, it will certainly increase your chances of staying healthy while traveling. However, as I know from experience, no matter how careful you are, you can still catch something on your flight or during your travels. If you get seriously sick after traveling, especially if you went outside the country, the CDC recommends calling your healthcare provider when you get home and have the following information available:

• Vaccination history
• The places where you went
• The reason for the trip (pleasure, business, or another reason)
• What you did while traveling (swimming, hiking, etc.)
• The dates of your trip
• Where you stayed
• What you ate and drank
• If you came in contact with any animals
• Did you have any injuries during the trip
• Any bug bites or scratches you got while traveling
• If you had to seek health care or medications during the trip