Turquoise waters fading into deep blue, hidden coves among rocks, golden dunes, the scent of myrtle, and salty wind on your skin. The coasts of Sardinia need no introduction: they are among the most beautiful and wild in the Mediterranean. But this beauty is fragile.
In recent decades, mass tourism and overtourism have left a heavy mark: crowded beaches, abandoned waste, eroded trails, and a coastal ecosystem under severe stress. Today more than ever, it is necessary to change course!
Exploring Sardinia sustainably means choosing your trip consciously. It means slowing down, respecting places, connecting with nature and people. And above all, leaving the coast just as you found it: pure, authentic, alive.
Here are 5 concrete and inspiring ways to discover the coasts of Sardinia sustainably, without leaving a trace.
Getting around the coast sustainably
The real adventure begins when you leave the car behind.
- By bicycle, you can ride fascinating coastal bike paths, such as the one between Bosa and Alghero, or embark on a bike-packing experience along the east coast.
- By kayak or SUP, explore marine caves and coves reachable only by sea. The stretch from Cala Gonone to Cala Luna is unforgettable, immersed in silence and the scents of the Mediterranean scrub.
- On foot, experience the thrill of walking along ancient trails, like the Santa Barbara Mining Path, or the breathtaking routes of the Tepilora Natural Park, with views of Monte Nurres, Cuccuru ‘e Luna and the Gorropu gorges.
- During summer, prefer public transport or eco-shuttles to beaches: many places, like Villasimius or Chia, offer electric buses to reduce traffic and pollution.
How to get to Sardinia in a green way?
If you truly want to start your trip sustainably, choose ferries over planes, using online booking platforms. Ferries produce on average less CO₂ emissions per passenger than flights, especially on short routes like those to Sardinia. Moreover, they allow you to bring your bicycle, electric car, or outdoor sports equipment, thus reducing the need for rentals and polluting transfers on the island.
Sleep green: choose eco-friendly accommodations
Choosing the right place to sleep can really make a difference. Along the Sardinian coast, more and more properties embrace ecological practices, from energy saving to using local and organic products.
Here are some of the most beautiful green accommodations in Sardinia:
Rifugio di Mare, near Alghero, is born from the restoration of an ancient military post, a refuge suspended on the cliff between nature and sea. It offers bicycles to explore the trails of the Porto Conte Park and genuine zero-km cuisine, ideal for those seeking an authentic green immersion.
To the southwest, the Eco-Hotel Aquadulci is an eco-friendly oasis overlooking one of Sardinia’s most pristine beaches. With bright rooms and natural materials, it offers relaxation by the pool, terrace, and the sound of the sea, away from mass tourism.
In the heart of Cabras, Limòlo House is an innovative bio-architecture coliving space, combining sustainable design and community spirit. Here, you experience eco-hospitality filled with sharing, art, and low-impact practices, just steps from the coast of the Sinis peninsula, famous for its beaches and crystal-clear sea.
Finally, in Carloforte, on San Pietro Island, B&B Trilli is a quiet corner surrounded by the turquoise sea of Sulcis. Run by a Sardinian-German family, it offers zero-km breakfasts and cozy spaces, where tradition and sustainability meet for a five-star welcome.
Eat local and seasonal
Tasting the typical flavors of Sardinia is an unforgettable experience, but also an important gesture to support the local economy.
Look for restaurants, kiosks, and bars that offer zero-km cuisine, use seasonal products, and value local traditions. Visit farmers’ markets or buy directly from farms and nearby organic agritourisms close to the coast.
Depending on the season, flavors change: try these seasonal delights:
- Spring: broad beans and pecorino cheese, raw artichoke salad, ricotta and mint ravioli.
- Summer: camona tomatoes, cold fregula soup, Mediterranean fruits.
- Autumn: baked pumpkin, pane carasau with grilled vegetables, legume soups.
- Winter: wild cabbages, barley and vegetable soups.
Bring a reusable water bottle, avoid plastic, and choose sustainable containers, whether for street food, a zero-waste picnic, or lunch on the beach.
Respect nature and marine biodiversity
The coasts of Sardinia are real treasure chests of biodiversity, so it’s essential to explore them sustainably.
Protected beaches like the Pink Beach of Budelli Island or Cala Goloritzé must remain untouched: follow marked paths, do not collect sand or shells, and never leave trash behind.
Visit Marine Protected Areas like Tavolara, Capo Carbonara, or Sinis consciously, choosing guided tours by biologists or operators promoting responsible tourism.
Take part in environmental volunteering experiences, such as beach clean-up days or guided snorkeling for monitoring marine life.
When to go? Off-season tourism
The shoulder seasons, especially spring and autumn, are the perfect time to experience the most authentic Sardinia, the one revealed away from crowds and the hectic summer pace. During these times, the coasts reclaim their silence, trails can be walked slowly, and the sea retains all its magic, often deserted and framed by golden light.
If you decide to travel off-season, you will find:
- Solitary beaches and unspoiled landscapes, where you can breathe in beauty without distractions.
- More affordable prices and a warmer welcome from local communities.
- The chance to join traditional festivals in coastal villages, with rituals related to fishing, folk songs, and sea flavors.
Traveling off-season also helps support distributed tourism throughout the year, aiding the local economy and easing environmental pressure.
Explore the coasts of Sardinia without leaving a trace
Every sustainable choice you make during your vacation — whether taking a ferry instead of flying, staying in a sea-view Ecobnb, or choosing a local dish cooked with love — will be a small act contributing to preserving the extraordinary beauty of the coasts of Sardinia.
Explore slowly. Let yourself be
