With sandy beaches, a stunning coastline and a beautiful rugged landscape in the interior of the island, Sardinia holidays have been attracting visitors for years. Sardinia has its own distinctive identity, with its dialect, cuisine and culture, but you’ll soon notice Catalan, as well as other influences in some parts of the island.

Exploring this island is a real treat, as it offers cliffs, grottos and canyons, as well as its impressive oak forests. That’s not to mention the fascinating town of Alghero or the ancient port of Olbia.

Of course, another highlight of a holiday to Sardinia, is the constant sunshine. Between July nad August temperatures soar at 30℃, then still tend to remain around 15℃ on it’s coolest days in January. This makes winter getaways to Sardinia particularly popular too, because you can enjoy a warm break from the UK winter, plus, there’s less crowds. What’s more, this means there’s some seriously great cheap Sardinia holidays on offer  at this time too!

Wonderful long beaches

If your idea of holiday bliss is to stretch out on the sand and take in the rays then you’ve come to the right place. The Italians call Sardinia’s plentiful beaches ‘bellissima’ – and they certainly are most beautiful.

The tempting sands of Sardinia’s northwest coast are picture postcard beautiful. A trip to Spiaggio Bombarde, close to Alghero, is popular for the quality of its sand, and its amenities. It has sunbeds and parasols, as well as a couple of restaurants close to the beach – everything you could need for a relaxed day out.

Just a 10 minute drive away from Alghero is the fantastic natural playground of La Speranza. The shallow waters surrounding this cove are wonderful for paddling in, making it perfect for families, and there’s also a restaurant near the beach when the rumbling tummies call.

Check out Mugoni Beach, another one close to Alghero. It’s known as one of Europe’s top beaches, hidden from the world behind a grove of pine trees, so your days here are completely free from both spending and worries. A more active beach day can be had in Cala Banana in Olbia. Here, inexpensive raft and canoe rentals give you the chance to take on the waves for yourself,

If you’d like to feel like royalty, head to Beach del Principe, in Olbia – it literally translates as Beach of the Prince. The clear, warm waters here are a popular spot for those on holiday in Sardinia, particularly those who love to snorkel. It’s the perfect spot to pack up a picnic for the day and just relax. We all know beach days can be the best days for low spending, so on your cheap Sardinia holiday, is there really anything better to do?

Fiery, tasty food

The food in Sardinia is renowned for its robust flavours and distinctive recipes. This is the time to experiment, and not simply stick with what you know. If you’re staying in Olbia, known by the Greeks as ‘the Happy City’, try the local zuppa gallurese, a hearty dish made from bread, cheese and beef broth.

Seafood is very popular in Sardinia, and the spaghetti con bottarga, made with grey mullet roe, is delicious. Expect to see local lamb on many of the restaurant’s menus, as rearing sheep was the main economy on the island before the arrival of tourism.

Whether you’re staying All Inclusive or sticking to a budget for what’s supposed to be a cheap Sardinia holiday, be sure to explore a restaurant or two just to try something new, and soak up the tranquil, friendly vibes here.

The Nuragic culture and more

As well as all the sheep, another standout feature of Sardinia are the unusual stone standing towers and other examples of the ancient Nuragic civilisation. This civilisation might not have left any written records about itself, but remnants of their villages, graves and monuments can still be seen if you take a drive to Sardinia’s interior – in fact, over 30 sites, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage titled.

Carthaginian and Roman ruins also jostle for attention across the island. And, you can even party in the ruined castle in Costa Smeralda!

Charming historic towns

Whichever part of Sardinia you visit, you might literally fall over some of its fascinating history. Olbia has an ancient centre away from the flash and the cash of Costa Smerelda, and Alghero is one of the jewels in Sardinia’s historic crown. With its Medieval heritage visible in the ‘centro storico’, you’re in for a treat when wandering here.

Stroll the little streets of Olbia with your gelato in hand to snap some photos of the enchanting surroundings, or head to the island’s capital, Cagliari, to see the sleepy style of classic Italian architecture. Across Sardinia, tales of folklore and witchcraft abound, so don’t be shy in speaking to the locals on the legends that make their island unlike any other.

Further afield, an hour’s drive away from Alghero, is another intriguing medieval town, Bosa. Spending time wandering around Bosa’s ancient alleyways, or hanging out in the town’s marina in an alluring restaurant is a fantastic way to make the most of your time.

Exploring the water

As you’d expect from an island, Sardinia is a magnet for watersports and activities. Whether you enjoy a simple boat trip exploring the coast or you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, you’ll soon find that each resort is close to something that’ll suit.

Diving is very popular here, and there are many great centres all along the Sardinian coastline. Additionally, Porto Pollo is rated as one of the best kite surfing centres on the island – it’s just a 50-minute drive away from Olbia.

You’ll find lots of boat trips and excursions can be booked online before you even land in Sardinia, so it can be a great way to keep the spending down while you’re out there. Plus, those seeking out cheap holidays to Sardinia, you may find online discounts and deals to get the most out of your money.