Camping in Sardinia

By Buck Tanner · May 2, 2025 · 6 min read
Empty deckchairs on a sandy beach at a seaside resort in Alghero, Sardinia.
Photo by Efrem Efre on pexels

Sardinia has a lot to offer, and camping in Sardinia can be a great way to discover its hidden gems and diverse landscapes. We've put together a list of some of our favorite campsites and stops to help you get an overview.

Sardina offers you the perfect camping destination if you are looking to experience the Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, endless blue sea, and mountain scenery. Nature lovers will love the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. You can learn everything you wanted to know about camping on the beautiful island.

How Can I Get to the Place and Move Around?

Planning your trip? Here's a quick look at how to reach your destination and navigate once you're there.

Sardinia Campervans: How to Reach it

Sardinia, as we've clarified, is an island. Before you can explore Sardinia, you must take your camper from one of the ports offering ferry connections to the Island. You can depart from Marseille, Naples or Genoa, as well. Check out the various ferry companies. The largest are Corsica Ferries Mobylines and Tirrenia. Not only will you find the best price, but the exact location of your arrival on Sardinia can also vary depending on which ferry company is used.

The ferry crossing takes 8-14 hours, depending on the route. You or someone else may start to feel seasick, and the typical symptoms like nausea or dizziness will set in. Here are some good tips on how to prevent and deal with seasickness.

Traffic Anomalies

You made it safely to the Mediterranean island after surviving the ferry trip? Wonderful! You can now explore the natural beauty and cities of Sardinia by driving. Sardinia follows the same traffic laws as the Italian mainland. You should be aware of a few traffic conditions and rules:

Where Can I Park My Camper?

The key to a relaxing trip is finding the best place to park your RV. Here's a guide on where you can park legally and safely, at campsites or rest areas.

Free-standing and Wild Camping

Wild camping and freestanding are generally prohibited in Italy, and the same is true in Sardinia. If you're in the middle of nature (e.g. in national parks, forests or beaches, standing is not permitted to protect nature. ADAC states that parking on parking lots and roads for a night or longer is only permitted with permission from the local authority. Camping on private property is allowed with permission from the owner.

Our blog post contains more detailed information on wild camping in Italy. You'll find here some tips for finding small, privately-rented pitches.

Campings

Wild camping is not an option. There are many campsites on Sardinia where you can enjoy the view and camp in nature without breaking any rules. We have compiled a selection of campsites based on where you plan to go.

Costa Rei & Co. – The Most Beautiful Campsites and Destinations in Sardinia

Sardinia is a very large island. Sardinia is a large island.

North

Costa Smeralda is a beautiful stretch of coastline on the northeastern coast. It features emerald waters and rugged cliffs. Porto Cervo is a luxurious, expensive tourist spot along this 20 km-long stretch of coast. However, you can enjoy a stroll by the harbour for free. In addition to being a beautiful church, the interior of Stella Maris also contains a painting attributed to El Greco. Costa Serena is where the Costa Smeralda merges with Costa Serena. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with dunes. The Percorso pedalonale is a hiking trail that allows you to explore the varied nature of the island. Porto Pollo has a wide range of water sports.

You can set up camp in the beautiful campsite surrounded by donkeys and trees. Camping Village Capo d'Orso and Camping Village Acapulco are also available for you to set up your camp. You can drop in at the last campground without making a reservation. Both campgrounds offer sunny pitches, and the sea is right outside your door.

East

You can see beautiful coastlines and other places along the East Coast. Costa Rei, in the southeast, is famous for its bays, beaches and rocky landscape. The Gulf of Orosei also has white sandy beaches with inviting waters. The foothills of the Supramonte mountain range provide an impressive landscape of rocky rocks along the coast. The numerous bays and small beaches that are only accessible by boat or on foot from the plateau make the gulf a popular destination for tourists. Cala Ginepro is located at the northern end. Here, cacti, palms and long sandy beaches are surrounded by a natural setting. The camping site Porto Sosalinos is known for its tranquil, natural location and its sports and wellness program.

Culture lovers will love the East Coast of Sardinia. Bari Sardo is a charming hilltown near the coast that's known for its Torre di Bari, which blends Spanish architecture with local handicrafts. You can enjoy scenic hikes and historic towers. The nearby Cea Beach is a great place to sunbathe and swim. Camping Marina offers a peaceful setting nestled in nature with a restaurant serving Sardinian cuisine and international food.

South

There's a lot more to see and do on the south coast of Sardinia. Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, is located here. Enjoy a vibrant city centre, relaxing on the Poetto beach, and stunning views of the old city from the castle perched on a hill. Cagliari is home to some interesting architecture, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Elephant Tower. But a stroll along the harbour or through the streets of the city will reveal the charm of this beautiful city. You will find beautiful beaches along the southern coastline, particularly if you take the panoramic road that connects Cagliari to Villasimius. It's less about the swimming and more about the views.

Castiadas is a good place to find bays with a low number of people. Do not miss the vineyards and olive groves in the hinterland. The campsite Capo Ferrato is located near the sea. If you are tired of the beach and want to get some exercise, Gennargentu National Park is for you. It's located in the middle, not the south. The Gola Gorropu is one of Europe's deepest gorges, and hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring it. There are many campsites near the national park, including the Mareblu, which is located in a pine wood directly by the ocean.

West

West Sardinia (still) remains a tourist secret. You can escape the crowds here even in the peak season. There's plenty to explore and enjoy along the west coast between Bosa - a charming town with colourful façades, which is considered one of Italy's most beautiful locations - and Alghero - a coastal town that has a fascinating history. The route connecting the two towns is proof that the fun lies in the journey. The route offers a dreamy view of the blue sea, green hills and mostly unspoiled surroundings. Costa di Tentizos is one of the beautiful bays located between the two cities. You can also find private pitches in this area. You can also visit Neptune's Grotto if you continue after Alghero.

You can find La Mariposa in the west of Sardinia, near Alghero. Camping La Mariposa, with its private beach and boat rental, offers not only the chance to enjoy sports and activities in and around water but also climbing and mountain biking tours.

Adventure Camping in Sardinia: Let's Go!

You can see that the Mediterranean island is full of attractions. We hope you enjoyed your vacation in Sardinia and that our suggestions helped you find a few suitable campsites or stopovers. Ciao!

About the author
BT
Buck Tanner
Veteran outdoors columnist · Bozeman, MT

Buck spent 38 years in green and grey before hanging up the radio. He writes the way he talked at the ranger desk — half answers, half stories about his Border collie Sadie. He once spent 17 nights in a row at the same Wyoming dispersed site and considers that a fine vacation. Buck is suspicious of glamping but will admit a four-season tent helped him after a 2019 incident he still won't fully explain.

38 years with the National Park Service (retired). Backcountry permit clerk turned trail-crew foreman at Glacier, Yellowstone, and the North Cascades.

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