Trip Overview
This eight-day guided journey offers an authentic introduction to the many faces of southern Sardinia. Here, the island reveals itself slowly. The pace is set by the rhythm of the coast, the kitchen, and the people who have shaped this landscape for thousands of years.
Your journey begins in Cagliari, where Phoenician, Roman, Pisan, and Aragonese layers are visible in the streets of the Castello district and in the lively markets. A private guide leads you through the medieval heart of the city before you travel south toward the coast, watching as the landscape shifts from urban elegance to Mediterranean scrub, juniper, and golden sand.
The middle of your adventure belongs to the sea. A private catamaran carries you along the southern coast, past beaches and coves that are inaccessible by road, with time to swim and lunch on board. Moving west, you'll discover the ancient site of Nora on the peninsular with its Roman streets and mosaics running down to the water's edge.
From there, the itinerary turns toward the wilder coast of Chia. A guided hike follows cliffs above turquoise water, and a private boat explores hidden coves around Capo Malfatano that can only be reached from the sea. This is the stretch of Sardinia where the Mediterranean feels most untamed, where the scent of myrtle and juniper mixes with the salt air, and where the beaches are backed by dunes.
Your week closes with a grounded encounter: a visit to a local shepherd who produces pecorino and ricotta using techniques passed down through generations. Throughout the trip, you'll stay in hand-selected five-star hotels, from an elegant property in Cagliari's historic center to beachfront boutique hotels on the southern coast.
Highlights
- Experience an eight-day private journey through southern Sardinia from Cagliari to the wild coastlines of Chia combining cultural discovery, outdoor adventure, relaxation, and culinary experiences
- Explore Cagliari's medieval Castello district with a private English-speaking guide
- Sail the southern coast aboard a private catamaran, swimming in secluded coves with lunch on board
- Discover the Phoenician and Roman ruins of Nora on a peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean
- Hike the wild Chia coastline and explore hidden coves by private boat around Capo Malfatano
- Learn traditional Sardinian recipes in a hands-on cooking class with local experts
- Meet a local shepherd and discover the traditions behind Sardinia's pecorino and fresh ricotta
- Relax in hand-selected five-star hotels from elegant Cagliari to beachfront properties on the southern coast
Day By Day
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.
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Day 1
5-star Hotel in Chia
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Day 2
5-star Hotel in Chia (B)
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Day 3
5-star Hotel in Chia (B,L)
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Day 4
Agriturismo (B,D,L)
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Day 5
4-Star Boutique Hotel in Oliena (B,D)
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Day 6
4-Star Boutique Hotel in Oliena (B,D,L)
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Day 7
Area Map
Accommodation
Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.
Exceptional accommodations are an integral part of the Sardinian experience. We carefully curate a selection of properties that truly reflect the island’s distinctive landscapes. Our collection includes intimate, family-run Charme Hotels nestled in historic villages; serene luxury beach resorts where fragrant juniper meets the sea; and exclusive villas offering private pools and terraces bathed in the soft glow of evening light. By working directly with owners, we ensure you receive a warm welcome, thoughtful local insights, and personalized service that respects your pace. In Sardinia, the culinary experience is as vital as the setting, so we also provide you with access to authentic regional cuisine, from crisp pane carasau to the freshest seafood.
To explore more about Sardinia, we invite you to visit our blog, featuring articles such as “What to Drink in Sardinia,” “Sardinian Cuisine – What to Eat!,” and “Exploring the Wilds of Sardinia.”
About Dolomite Mountains Trips in Sardinia
From sandy shorelines eroded by the intense blue waters of the Mediterranean to peaks and colorful landscapes in its interior, Sardinia is perfect for active and leisure vacations alike! The largest of the Italian islands and the second largest of the Mediterranean, Sardinia offers hikers coastal trails and mountain tracks alike! The unique combination of beautiful coastline, pleasant climate, rich history, and diverse culture makes Sardinia ripe for adventure. Its coasts are lined with white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs in fantastic shades of purple, gray, and black, and caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, surrounded by the blue-green waters of the Sardinian sea.
Away from the shore is a harshly beautiful, wild landscape, characterized by mountain chains, forests, plateaus, and rivers. And everywhere on Sardinia there are traces of human settlements, ancient and rich in history and legends, dating as far back as the Neolithic Age. And did we mention the food? Not surprisingly, seafood figures prominently in Sardinian cuisine, as do wild boar, stews, and unusual pastas waiting to be discovered. Exploring the island never ceases to be extraordinary. What are you waiting for?
From sandy shorelines eroded by the intense blue waters of the Mediterranean to peaks and colorful landscapes in its interior, Sardinia is perfect for active and leisure vacations alike! The largest of the Italian islands and the second largest of the Mediterranean, Sardinia offers hikers coastal trails and mountain tracks alike! The unique combination of beautiful coastline, pleasant climate, rich history, and diverse culture makes Sardinia ripe for adventure. Its coasts are lined with white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs in fantastic shades of purple, gray, and black, and caves full of stalactites and stalagmites, surrounded by the blue-green waters of the Sardinian sea.
Away from the shore is a harshly beautiful, wild landscape, characterized by mountain chains, forests, plateaus, and rivers. And everywhere on Sardinia there are traces of human settlements, ancient and rich in history and legends, dating as far back as the Neolithic Age. And did we mention the food? Not surprisingly, seafood figures prominently in Sardinian cuisine, as do wild boar, stews, and unusual pastas waiting to be discovered. Exploring the island never ceases to be extraordinary. What are you waiting for?
Cost
All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.
Guided Trip:
From €4.380 per person (minimum 4 participants)
The cost is based on the specified hotel category (please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.
We will do our best to place you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price.
Important to note:
From €4.380 per person (minimum 4 participants)
The cost is based on the specified hotel category (please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.
We will do our best to place you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price.
Important to note:
- Prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any changes.
Cost Includes:
- Airport transfers from/to Cagliari International Airport
- Trip briefing
- Logistics
- 3 nights' accommodation in 5-star hotel in Chia
- 1 night accommodation in luxury Agriturismo
- 2 nights' accommodation in 4-star boutique hotel in the Oliena region
- All breakfasts
- Lunches as per itinerary
- Dinners as per itinerary
- English-speaking Hiking Guide for 3 days
- Activities as per itinerary
- Private ground and boat transfers as per itinerary
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- An €18 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral
- Italian VAT tax
Itinerary in Pictures
South Sardinia Discovery: Discover the real southern Sardinia on an eight-day guided journey from Cagliari to the wild coastlines of Chia. Cook with local experts, sail aboard a private catamaran, hike untamed trails above turquoise waters, and experience the island through its culture and cuisine.
Area Map
