Travel Advice for Sardinia

Sardinia is open to a fantastic touristic traffic due to low-cost flight services, reason why the popularity of Sardinia among tourists increased every year. However, Sardinia isn't an all year round tourist destination, but mainly a seasonal holiday destination. The touristic high season lasts from June until September, except the region around Alghero, where the season starts in May ending in October. There are many holiday resorts in Sardinia, like Porto Cervo or Costa Smeralda where everything closes down during offseason.

Tourists should bear in mind that most of the tourist trains, busses or ferries do not function outside holiday season or have restricted schedules. Many hotels, rural pensions and restaurants in the holiday resorts can be shut down during offseason. We advise you to get informed about the availability of transportation on the island during the offseason months, before booking your flight to Sardinia. There are good news too; most of the car rental companies are open all year round.

In order you to have an unique experience of the real life in Sardinia, we advise you to travel on the island during offseason months; Sardinia has local cultural events organized all year round, every region of the island has its own local celebrations, exhibitions, concerts, etc. In the Spring, nature in Sardinia is dominated by millions of multi- colorful flowers, Summer being green and during Autumn the green color of the nature is exchanged by golden colors of the vegetation. Winter can be quite rainy, but generally much warmer then northern Europe or United Kingdom.

Documents

In order to travel to Sardinia, you need a valid passport. However, citizens of any European Union State can only show at the customs office their national ID. If you happen to be a citizen of an NON-EU country, make sure if you need an entry visa to Italy - contact your embassy in Italy or your Ministery of Foreign Affairs.

Language

Since Sardinia developed as a main summer holiday destination in the past 20 years, there are few locals who speak proper English on the Island. If you address some Italian words, most people will smile to you and will do anything to help you with any information you might need. It's a general characteristic of local Italian people who do not speak English or any other foreign language, and that's why you will find it helpful having a small Italian language guide with you.

Money and Currency

Like most of the other European Union states, Italy uses the Unique European Currency, Euro.

In every airport, train station or bank, you will find ATMs where you can cash money without any problem, that's why it isn't necessary for you to carry large amount of money. Generally, the credit cards are accepted in most of the hotels and shops, but you might have to pay in cash in some small restaurants or small shops. Sardinia doesn't have to be an expensive holiday destination. Small shops offer fresh fruits and vegetables and it is said that in Sardinia you can eat the freshest sea food in the World. There are plenty of pizzeria and traditional trattoria where you can taste the best Italian or Sardinian food.

Tourist Attractions

In order to visit most of the tourist attractions on the island you can use the public transportation - however, to to large distances between cities and villages (Sardinia is the second largest island in Mediterranean Sea) we advise you to rent a car.

Internet and Public Phones

Most of the hotels in Sardinia have their own WI-FI Internet connection. The Internet speed however isn't the best in Italy, but quite satisfactory. Many cafes or bars have WI-FI Internet connection available. The Mobile Telephone coverage is very good, except some remote mountainous regions. In order to you the Public Telephones, you must buy pre-paid card for 5, 10 or 20 euro; these are available for making international calls, in any newspapers or tobacco kiosk.

Need to know

Smoking is strictly prohibited in public area across all Italy, from 2005. You are allowed to smoke only in smoking areas, available in restaurant, hotels or bars.

Drinking water. As most of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia lacks large freshwater rivers or springs. That's why try to save as much as you can when you need to use fresh water. We advise you to drink only bottled water in Sardinia.

Air conditioning - Electricity is very expensive in Sardinia, and many villas or rural pensions operators might ask you to pay extra for electricity and air conditioning; find out detailed contractual conditions before booking an accommodation place.

Nature and the Environment - when you are on holiday, Sardinia's local people continue their daily life; rural pensions might have access to nearby farms of rural villages. Animals and insects might be heard and seen. You will most likely hear the dogs barking or the cock thrill in the morning - these aspects make up the local charm of Sardinia.

Sardinia