How we spent a magical week in Sardinia - The most amazing Italian island
If you have never heard of Sardinia, it is an island of the western coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for it’s slow pace, beautiful beaches and truly picturesque sunsets.
Why Sardinia Is Perfect for Families
If there's one place that we went this year that blew us away, it’s Sardinia. It’s the perfect spot for families—parents get a break, kids get fun. It’s like Italy but calmer, sunnier, and laid-back. The water is clear, and the food is amazing and it is truly a hidden gem.
Everything feels easy here. The beaches are calm and shallow, perfect for kids to play safely while parents relax. The sand is soft and the water changes from turquoise to clear blue—it’s truly beautiful. But it’s not just about the beach. Sardinia offers fun for the whole family: boat trips to hidden spots, snorkeling near shore, spotting wildlife, exploring cute seaside towns for gelato, and short hikes with views that wow everyone.
Let’s talk food. If you have picky eaters or are ever worried about food when traveling abroad - Sardinia has lots of fresh pasta, lots of pizza, simple tasty seafood, and gelato everywhere. The mood is relaxed, the pace slow, and no one minds if your toddler hides under the table at dinner. It’s Italy—kids are very welcome here!
Many Sardinian resorts are made for families, with kids’ clubs, playgrounds, baby pools, beachfront rooms, and staff who love little guests. The island is spread out, so it’s never crowded. Before we even left, we were already planning a time we could come back.
The resort we choose is located right on a private beach. It is super convenient with children to be able to go from the pool to the beach and back.
Why we picked Sardinia?
We were living in London for the summer and looking for an island to go to at the end of our trip. We wanted to be on a remote island and were leaning towards somewhere in Greece but after doing a lot of research, we landed on Sardinia because of all of the amazing things we have heard about it but also because we did not want to go somewhere super touristy and it was actually a lot more budget friendly.
Sardinia is truly a hidden gem! Most Americans do not know of Sardinia and have not been there. While we were visiting the island, we found it was a lot of Italians on vacation and some other Europeans. We encountered almost no Americans! With that being said, no everyone spoke English, but most of the hotel staff did and used a little google translate in between if needed and had no problems!
Where we stayed?
Hotel Cormoran - Located on directly on Campus Beach near the town of Villasimius.
2 pools - One for adults and bigger kids 5ft-12ft and other VERY kid friendly and is 1 foot and has kid friendly fountains.
Located right on a private beach
The kids club - mini and young club - for 4-7 year olds more info here & even offers babysitting at night for a fee
Multiple restaurants on site
Nightly kid club shows
Some of our food was included - small breakfast buffet and dinner (options changed each day)
Beach bar that served lunch/drinks/ice cream
You could walk 5 minutes to small local grocery store - we bought drinks, snacks and floats
The most beautiful sunsets are actually the most beautiful we have ever seen.
Top fun things we did:
Boat Tour - 3-4 hour tour with snorkeling/swimming/marine life
All the beach activities - paddle boards, kayaks, small paddle boat with slide
Visit the kids club: They hosted events including dance parties, slip n slide games and more. The first day I went with the kids and after that they went for just an hour or so.
Visit the town of Villasimius - walk the promenade. Day or night it is filled with shops, dining, gelato, etc.
- Try La Vela or Sa Tankitta restaurants
- Plaza Cafe - nighttime vibes with outdoor seating - 10 minute drive - you can call taxis or rent little bike taxis to drive you back and forth which are so fun and play music, etc.
Things we didn’t get to do but was recommended to us:
Porto Giunco -one of Sardinia’s most iconic beaches (15 minutes away). Walk up to the Torre di Porto Giunco viewpoint — easy trail + epic photos (we didn't end up doing this because it was too hot while we were there)
Cagliari Day Trip - If you want a break from beaches. Drive about 1 hour… Visit the Castello district, Bastione Saint Remy, and wander the charming medieval streets.
Spiaggia del Riso: Beach of the rocks - to climb, explore, and swim.
FAQ
Q: Do you need to rent a car?
A: No, a rental car is not needed but you would be useful to get around the island. We just used taxis to/from the airport and to get into town.
Q: Is the water safe for kids?
A: Yes! Sardinia is known for calm, shallow, clear water—especially south of the island. Perfect for kids of all ages.
Q: How do you get to Sardinia?
A: There are three airports: Cagliari (south), Olbia (northeast), and Alghero (northwest). Pick your airport based on where you’re staying—it makes life easier and more convenient when getting around but also could factor in prices.
Q: Do people speak English?
A: In hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas—absolutely. In small villages, not always. But Italians love families and somehow communication always works especially with google translate
Q: How long should we stay?
A: 5–7 days for a beach vacation.
10 days if you want to explore multiple areas.
Q: Are there mosquitos?
A: Yes—especially at dusk near greenery or marshy areas. Bring bug spray and you’re fine (we ended up buying it once we got there).
