Sardinia is a picturesque island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of the Apennine Peninsula and evenly removed from the coasts of Africa and Europe. Sardinia is part of Italy, but only as an autonomous region consisting of 8 separate provinces. This place attracts tourists with its medieval architecture, modern beaches and thermal spas.
General information
Sardinia is considered the second largest island in Italy. In the waters of the Mediterranean Sea there is a lot of sardine fish, after which it got its name. The local population is 1.6 million people.
Archaeological finds confirm the fact that people have lived on the island since ancient times. Some monuments date back to the 4th-2nd millennium BC. Unique antiquities testify to the fact that the inhabitants of Sardinia were in close contact with other peoples of the Mediterranean.
The capital of Sardinia is Cagliari is located on the young coast of the island, which is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Thanks to the peculiarities of the administrative hierarchy of Italy, the island managed to become an autonomy with a special status that guarantees a certain independence to local administrative bodies. This allowed the islanders to preserve their language and other cultural values for many years.
In the bowels of the island of Sardinia there are deposits of coal, as well as various precious metals. The unique climate has a positive effect on the health of the local population, among which there are many centenarians.
There are many nature reserves, national parks, and natural attractions on the island. Incredible natural sculptures were formed as a result of the erosion of rocks and caves. Sardinia's sandy beaches are said to be the best kept in Italy. There are a lot of secluded places suitable for a beach holiday, which can only be reached by water. To see all the interesting places on the island, you can rent a car.
What to see in Sardinia?
The sights of Sardinia annually attract a huge number of tourists from different countries. To make it easier to navigate the island and not to miss the most interesting, travelers plan a route in advance.
Neptune's Grotto
By visiting this amazing place, you can see the beauty of the underworld with your own eyes. Neptune's Grotto is rightly called Sardinia's natural gem. Tourists are waiting for mysterious intricate caves, which are located at a depth of 110 meters.
Bizarre stalactites and stalagmites in the form of stone sculptures allow you to appreciate the beauty of this incredible sights created by nature itself. In these unique interiors, the film "Island of the Monsters" was filmed.
The grotto is located 25 km from the city of Alghero, in a bay called Cala Dragunara. You can get to it by boat. To get into the caves, you can enter the grotto from the sea or walk up a very steep staircase.
National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari
This place is a must-see for lovers stories. The National Archaeological Museum is located in the ancient quarter of the capital of Cagliari. Here is the largest unique collection of exhibits on the island, which covers the period from the Neolithic to the fall of Byzantium. The most significant exhibit of the museum is the collection of bronzetti. These figurines are the legacy of the Nuragic civilization.
Cathedral
In Cagliari, there is a unique ancient repository of Christian relics - Cathedral. This majestic monument looks very impressive. A masterpiece of medieval Italian architecture rises above all other elements of the architectural ensemble on the Royal Square of the Cathedral of St. Mary. The interior decoration of the cathedral is made in the medieval Romanesque style.
Pilgrims from all over the world are attracted by the most important relic - the thorns from the crown of thorns of the Savior Jesus Christ. Important objects of a tour of the cathedral are the numerous halls, decorated with columns, frescoes, arches and chapels.
Where to go nearby (for 1-2 days)
In the immediate vicinity of Sardinia, there are many interesting places where you can go for 1-2 days if you are traveling time left.
This is one of the most visited tourist sites, which is located in an archipelago off the northern coast of Sardinia. It consists of 62 extraordinarily beautiful islands, each of which is of particular value for history.
The most memorable islands of the La Maddalena National Park are considered:
Caperra. Giuseppe Garibaldi spent more than 25 years on this island. This place will be of interest to travelers who prefer to study historical facts and sights.
Santo Stefano. Once on this island, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the prehistoric life of ancient settlements.
Isola Maddalena. On this island you can see outcroppings with the most bizarre coloration, which is very rare.
Tavolara Island This giant rocky island rises above the sea surface, resembling a huge sea monster. It looks very impressive and attracts the attention of individual travelers and tourist groups. Here you can relax on the beautiful white sand beach and splash in the clear water. To see mainland Sardinia from above, you can climb the rocky mountains of Tavolara. On this island there is a small cemetery where the tomb of King Tavolara is located. This title was coined in 1848 by the king of Sardinia, whose name was Carlo Alberto. He came to the island to hunt goats, which ended very well.
Gulf of Capo Carbonara
Excursions around the suburbs are very popular among travelers Villasimius. Capo Carbonara Marine Park is a 15-minute drive from the city. This place is often called magical because it is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a real paradise for divers who can enjoy the picturesque scenery of the depths here.
There are also secluded bays with beaches of quartz white sand. They are surrounded by majestic cliffs covered with wildflowers and Mediterranean shrubs.
Food: the best restaurants in Sardinia
Sardinia has a lot of fish restaurants serving a variety of seafood dishes. There are also many establishments where you can taste delicious Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. In many cities of the island, chefs cook according to old recipes, which combine sausages, cheeses, seafood and meat baked on fire in an original way.
According to the rating compiled from the reviews of tourists who have visited Sardinia, the best restaurants on the island are considered:
Ristorante di Montagna & Griglieria Li Mulini. Tel: +39 327 543 6080 >.
Where to park in Sardinia
In order to quickly move around the cities of Sardinia, many tourists prefer to rent a car in companies that offer a fairly wide range of car rentals. When driving around the island, you need to be aware that special parking rules apply here.
In Sardinia, paid and free parking spaces are indicated by stripes of different colors (blue, white and yellow). Paying attention to the horizontal signs, one should not lose sight of the vertical ones, which indicate at which hours you will have to pay for parking, and at which you can leave the car for free.
Line colors indicate the following features of parking spaces:
White - free.
Blue - paid.
Yellow - for the disabled, public transport, and for loading and unloading.
There are many paid parking lots in the cities of Sardinia, here are a few of them:
Autonoleggio Cara (Cagliari ) - Piazza Attilio Deffenu, 13
Saba (Sassari) - Via Enrico Costa, 62.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Hertz
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
34 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
Estimated cost for 7 days rental
January
€83
February
€93
March
€98
April
€136
May
€149
June
€226
July
€240
August
€142
September
€98
October
€85
November
€79
December
€150
* The average cost of renting a car in Sardinia for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Sardinia rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Sardinia is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €24, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Sardinien there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A5 Cabrio will cost you €187.
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Sardinia you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
The cost of renting a car in Sardinia depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of VW Polo or another budget car in the spring will cost about €24 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €15. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Toyota Camry, Renault Megane Estate, BMW X1 will be on average €33-€34. In Sardinia convertible rental price starts from €64. Luxury cars can be rented for €187, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
In recent years in Sardinia the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Renault Zoe in Sardinia by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Everything you need to know about car hire in Sardinia
Download Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Early Booking Discount
Sardinia is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Toyota Aygo or VW Polo. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Renault Megane Estate in Sardinia will cost €35 per day.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Sardinia may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Sardinien for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Sardinia, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Sardinia are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Sardinia
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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