Set out on a self-guided 8-day Sardinia bike trip through stunning landscapes and charming Italian towns. Cycle through picturesque villages, vineyards, ancient ruins, and along stunning coastlines. Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, knowing that accommodation, luggage transfers, and airport transportation are arranged. Navigate with ease using the app, which provides detailed route guidance and information. Enjoy local fish, pasta and pastries and immerse yourself in island flavors while all the logistics are taken care of.
Ciao amici! Upon arriving at Cagliari Airport, the guides will take you on a 45-minute drive to your accommodation in the village of Mandas. The rest of the day will be spent organizing the bikes and going through your route notes ahead of your week of cycling to come. Go out and enjoy a delicious evening meal in town.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: B&B in Mandas
You’ll start the day with a gentle descent to the lower plains of the Marmilla, a hilly region which has been the center of cereal, olive, and grape cultivation! Cycling inland, you’ll head towards the Giara, a high volcanic plateau, occupied by hundreds of wild horses. Nestled just below it are the Barumini archeological site and a museum. This Nuragic site was built in the Bronze Age, and it features remnants of the remarkable fortress and the village.
Riding on, you can make a short stop to marvel at the charming granite Church of St Maria, before cycling past the remains of the 12th century Castello di Marmilla, perched on a hill beside the hamlet of Las Plassas. From there you’ll be cycling towards the Collinas village, then descend to Sardara. This town and its well have been a sacred area since ancient times—Nuragic people believed it has healing properties due to its closeness to hot springs. Your accommodation is set near the Roman remains of old thermal baths! Unwind in spa facilities before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Cycling: 31 miles / 50 km
Ascent: 480 m / 1,575 ft
Accommodation: B&B, hotel or agriturismo in Sardara
Leaving behind Sardara, continue pedaling across an agricultural area, venture across the Campidano Plain, the biggest of the island, and pass through Pabillonis with fields of growing artichokes, wheat, and saffron—offering a tapestry of colors and perfumes. If possible, stop at a local cafè and patisserie to sample some of the local traditional cakes filled with saffron-scented paste.
Heading west, Gonnosfanadiga sits below the rocky spurs of the Iglesiente region, and is known for its olive oil. Get back into the hills just below Mt. Linas before reaching your accommodation for the night—a delightful agriturismo offering superb homemade pasta, home-cured meats, cheeses, olive oil, and wine. A perfect end to Day 3.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Cycling: 25 miles / 40 km
Ascent: 600 m / 1,970 ft
Accommodation: Agriturismo in Arbus
Superb 8 kilometers (5 miles) of gentle downhill riding with mountains surrounding you take you to the coast. Cycle along the long sandy beach of Portixeddu, where you’ll have time to stop for a swim. Reach the hamlet of Buggerru, a once-thriving mining coastal town, which now survives on fishing and travelers. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch and enjoy some fresh, local delicacies.
There, you’ll also have the chance to visit one of the mines, Galleria Henry. If interested, let us know at the beginning of the trip so a visiting time can be arranged. Continue along the remote coastal route towards the towering limestone pinnacles and cliffs of Masua, a free climber’s heaven. Your accommodation and dinner will be in either Nebida or Gonnesa.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Cycling: 28 or 36 miles / 45 or 58 km
Ascent: 750 m / 2,460 ft
Accommodation: B&B, hotel or agriturismo in Nebida or Gonnesa
Ride south down the coast, and soon you’ll have the chance to rest your legs while on a ferry enroute to the island of San Pietro. The town of Carloforte on the island was founded by coral fishers, who moved there from Tunisia, making their influence strong and present in architecture of the island and cuisine. With its pastel-colored houses and narrow cobbled streets, Carloforte is perfect for a stroll.
You’re free to spend some time on your own, so maybe choose tuna for lunch, as the island is well known for its fishing community. Another short ferry ride takes you across to the island of St Antioco, where a short ride takes you to town and your accommodation for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 31 miles / 50 km
Ascent: 350 m / 1,150 ft
Accommodation: B&B, hotel or agriturismo on St Antioco Island
Start your day by visiting some of the hidden archeological sites of the island. Worth a visit are the Punic Necropolis and Tophet, as well as the Church of Sant’Antioco and the Catacombs below it. Leave the island by the causeway across the Bay of Palmas, and continue towards the Sulcis mountains. Ride through rolling hills around Trattalias and Santadi, cycle past vineyard after vineyard, and soon you’ll realize that you’re entering the wine region of Santadi.
Here is where you’ll have the chance to try some local wines at the Cantine di Santadi winery. Located only 5 kms/3 miles south of Santadi, the carsic caves of Is Zuddas are one of the island’s many spectacular natural sculpture museums. From there, the undulating road winds its way for 13 km (8 miles) to Teulada, offering views of remote hamlets and the south coast.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 40 miles / 65 km
Ascent: 510 m / 1,675 ft
Accommodation: B&B, hotel or agriturismo in Teulada
On your final day in the saddle, cycle along a rollercoaster road towards Pula. The Costa del Sud is a 20-kilometer (12-mile) stretch of twisting road above rugged cliffs that plunge deep into the blue sea, with many outlooks and sandy coves along the way. Cala Tuerredda is one of the most incredible white sand beaches with emerald colors of the sea. From here, the road climbs away from the coast, dropping back toward the long sandy beach of Chia.
You’ll take a short detour to Chia tower, from where you’ll enjoy panoramic views. Continue cycling along a quiet coast road, finally reaching the little town of Pula. There’s an excellent gelateria in the main town square, serving home-made gelato, a perfect treat after your long Sardinia bike trip. Evening is free to wander around town, trying out one of the many quality restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 34 miles / 55 km
Ascent: 550 m / 1,805 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Pula
Arrivederci, Sardinia! The guides will meet you at the hotel and you’ll go for a 40-minute drive to the airport. You’re encouraged to stay longer, though! Sardinia is a beautiful place, also offering some great trekking and kayaking opportunities—just ask your local guides for some recommendations and they can help arrange some guided or self-guided day trips.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
Also note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
*Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
For this self-guided 8-day Sardinia bike trip, you need to be able to cycle between 20 and 45 miles (32-72 km) per day. This tour is ideal for a leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness. Though the trail is relatively flat, there will still be some steeper climbs as well as sections of varying terrain.
This Sardinia bike trip is great for you if you keep relatively fit and perhaps enjoy an afternoon out on your bike on the weekend. Though your preference is for flatter terrain, you don’t mind tackling some hills and an occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace—there will be some ups and downs on this trip, as well as some varying terrain such as forest tracks and gravel paths. It’s generally expected that you have a decent level of physical fitness and that you’re comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.
You can expect a terrific blend of both serene countryside and spectacular coastal views on this self-guided Sardinia bike trip! You’ll be riding primarily on well-paved roads, though there will be a few shorter sections of gravel/dirt roads that lead to your accommodation.
You’ll be pedaling through a region which combines rolling hills and long flat stretches, passing olive groves and vineyards. When you get to the coast, the riding gets a bit more undulating, with a few challenging, but well-rewarded coastal sections. These roads will overlook long stretches of sandy beaches and remote coves. The climbs are never too steep or long, and the roads generally have little traffic. Days 3 and 4 will pose the biggest challenge with the most climbing and descending.
Hybrid bikes are recommended, but the route is suitable for a gravel or road bike if preferred. If you do bring along a road bike, please bear in mind that there’s a short section on day 2 and often some sections leading to the hotels that will see you riding on some rougher terrain/dirt/gravel tracks.
An e-bike is also suitable for this Sardinia bike trip, especially for navigating those challenging inclines on days 3, 4, and 7 as well as helping with the distance on day 6, the longest day, allowing you to take a longer stop at the Caves. Moreover, during the hotter months of June and September, an e-bike can be a game-changer in managing the heat better. However, e-bikes are typically heavier than hybrid bikes, which is worth keeping in mind if you need to lift the bike up and down steps or over cobbles in some of the towns.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Indeed you can! If you don’t own a suitable bike for this Sardinia bike trip or would prefer to avoid bringing your own, your guides have bikes available to rent.
Rental bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 pannier bag, a phone mount, a water bottle holder, a puncture repair kit (with a spare inner tube), a bike lock and bike pump. Helmet can be provided locally on request, please let us know if you’d like to rent one when you make your booking.
If you choose to bring your own bike, please contact us beforehand to determine if the bike is suitable for the tour.
You’ll be enjoying a diverse range of accommodation throughout your Sardinia bike trip, including cozy 3-star hotels, charming agriturismi (small rural guesthouses) and friendly B&Bs known for their hospitality.
For those seeking a touch of luxury, you have the option to upgrade your stay for two nights: the first night to a slightly higher standard B&B and the last night to a 4-star hotel. If you want to select the hotel upgrade supplement for an additional fee, let us know upon booking.
Rest assured, the carefully selected hosts will ensure you are greeted with a warm welcome at the end of a day’s ride. At the very beginning and end of the season tourism tends to be quiet and, although that means some of the facilities aren’t at full capacity, you will have the routes largely to yourself and can experience the island away from any crowds.
A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator, such as maps, guidebooks, audio guides, or digital apps. Your guide will also take care of other parts of your Sardinia bike trip, such as 24/7 support, accommodation and transportation.
If you’d prefer to explore Sardinia with the help of a guide, check out this guided Sardinia cycling tour.
Group sizes and pricing
Self-guided Sardinia bike trip can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to your Sardinia bike trip, you should fly into Cagliari Airport (CAG) on Sardinia. Your guides will pick you up at the airport for the start of the tour and drop you off at the airport on the last day of the tour. This is included in the price, but if you’d like to arrive earlier than Day 1 and leave later than Day 7, you’ll have to arrange transportation by yourself.
Please aim to arrive between 9 am and 4 pm and depart between 10.45 am and 7 pm. Please keep in mind that if you make travel arrangements that fall outside of these time windows there may be an additional charge for your transfers.
Medical and travel protection are mandatory on this adventure. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!