Sardinia is a beautiful Mediterranean island where people regularly live to 100. What’s the secret? Let’s uncover it together on this week-long bike and food tour! We’ll be pedaling through the countryside (and some historic towns), learning new skills in cooking classes, and tasting the most delicious food and wine there is. Once we cycle up an appetite, renowned chefs will join us to prepare classic Sardinian dishes with fresh Mediterranean flavors. We’ll also go olive oil and wine tasting, enjoying terrific dinners every night. Treat yourself—and your taste buds—to a picture-perfect holiday in Sardinia.
The Italian island of Sardinia offers wonderful cycling opportunities—the roads are quiet and mostly without traffic, while the countryside is tranquil and spectacular. As if the spectacular views we’ll be seeing aren’t enough for a perfect holiday, we’ll also be rewarded with out-of-this-world food during our whole, week-long trip. We’ll have cooking classes and go wine and olive oil tasting. Nights will be spent in fabulous accommodation, a wonderful eclectic mix of hotels, villas, and farmhouse resorts, all of which provide peace and comfort. Our guide really thought of everything—almost all meals are included as well as necessary transfers—giving us a totally relaxed, worry-free holiday.
Welcome to Sardinia! Once you land, head to your beautiful lodging for the next two nights, the seafront Villa Mosca in the Gulf of Alghero. Make sure you’re all set, you’ll have a bike fitting and a bike test in the afternoon.
The Sardinian town of Alghero is a lively town, dominated by the Catalans, whose old town center is still surrounded by Catalan walls. The wall has many towers and cute shops, making it perfect for a stroll and a drink. In the afternoon, you will have your first cooking class at Agriturismo Agave and learn how to prepare typical slow food, an Alghero style dish.
Accommodation: Villa Mosca
Meals: Breakfast, dinner at Agriturismo Agave
Food activities: Cooking class
Starting in Alghero, you’ll traverse through enchanting landscapes featuring the evergreen Mediterranean maquis. This lush and fragrant vegetation is adorned with aromatic herbs, vibrant wildflowers, and hardy juniper trees. The aromas of rosemary, thyme, and myrtle fill the air, creating an absolute sensory feast.
The path to Capo Caccia offers a dramatic shift in scenery. As you approach this rugged headland, the Mediterranean scrub takes center stage. This unique ecosystem thrives on coastal cliffs, boasting resilient evergreen shrubs. Enjoy stunning coastal views and feel the pleasant sea breeze. There will be a special gourmet dinner tonight—you will taste local Catalan cuisine within the old city walls of Alghero.
Accommodation: Villa Mosca
Meals: Breakfast, dinner in town
Cycling distance: 37 miles / 60 km
Elevation gain: +1,936 ft / +590 m
Embark on today’s cycling adventure along the stunning Sardinian coastline towards Bosa. Along the way you will pass through coastal scrubs and feel its aromas and salty breeze in the air. Rugged cliffs stand tall against the azure sea, painting a dramatic backdrop to your journey. Arriving in the riverside town of Bosa, you’ll be welcomed by swaying palm trees, citrus groves, and vibrant flowers. This charming oasis is a stark contrast to the coastal landscapes you’ve passed through, it’s famous for its vivid facades and the Malaspina Castle.
Conclude today’s bike ride at Hotel Villa Asfodeli in Tresnuraghes, nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Sardinian countryside. Take a stroll through cork oaks, ancient olive groves, and lush vineyards. Then you’ll go to a cooking class at Villa Asfodeli, where you’ll dive into the art of Sardinian cuisine. Get ready to create delectable dishes infused with local flavors, ensuring a delightful and memorable experience!
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Asfodeli
Meals: Breakfast, dinner at the hotel restaurant
Food activities: Cooking class
Cycling distance: 37 miles / 60 km
Elevation gain: +4,067 ft / +1,240 m
Begin cycling in Tresnuraghes, a charming village nestled amidst the rolling hills of Sardinia’s western coast. Pedal through this serene countryside, where lush vineyards, fragrant citrus groves, and majestic cork oak forests paint the landscape.
Continuing towards Cuglieri, be prepared for awe-inspiring panoramic vistas of the coastline and the medieval allure of the town. S’Archittu, a coastal gem, welcomes you with its natural arch sculpted by the sea. Your day ride unfolds in the tranquil village of Riola Sardo, surrounded by serene farmlands where you will go for olive oil tasting. Step back in time at Tharros, an ancient Phoenician and Roman archaeological site, where well-preserved ruins grace the landscape. The adventure culminates in the historic Oristano.
Accommodation: Hotel Lido Beach
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner at a gourmet pizzeria Civico 35 in Oristano
Food activities: Olive oil tasting
Cycling distance: 40.6 miles / 65 km
Elevation gain: +1,599 ft / +487 m
Head to Villaurbana, a tranquil village surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, and lush farmlands. Cycling onwards, you’ll reach Genoni, a charming town nestled in the hills of central Sardinia, known for its traditional architecture, with stone houses and narrow alleyways. It’s a perfect place to experience the island’s rural heritage. Nuragus, with its picturesque vineyards and agricultural scenery, provides a unique backdrop.
You’ll have the opportunity to sample some of Sardinia’s finest wines and immerse yourself in local traditions. Continue toward Lago Is Barrocus and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful lake. The area is a bird-watcher’s paradise and offers a serene escape into the heart of the island. Finally, your cycling concludes at Is Perdas Agriturismo in Gergei, where you’ll experience true Sardinian hospitality. The agriturismo is nestled amid rolling landscapes, offering relaxation, traditional cuisine, and a glimpse into the island’s rural way of life.
Accommodation: Is Perdas Farmhouse Resort
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner at the farmhouse resort
Cycling distance: 43.3 miles / 70 km
Elevation gain: +3,785 ft / +1,153 m
The route to Barumini leads through rolling hills and fertile landscapes, providing a serene atmosphere. In Barumini, a true highlight awaits: a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nuraghe Su Nuraxi. This ancient stone fortress is a testament to Sardinia’s rich history, dating back over three thousand years. Explore the intricately constructed nuraghe, meander through the village, and step back in time to the island’s prehistoric past.
Continuing your journey, you’ll pass through Tuili, a charming village that offers glimpses of traditional Sardinian life. Pass through Siddi, Gonnostramatza, and Baressa, all welcoming you with their unique landscapes. Here, you’ll pedal through pristine olive groves, vineyards, and cork oak forests, with a chance to savor local flavors along the way. As you return to Barumini, you can revisit the Nuraghe Su Nuraxi or explore the town’s historic streets and vibrant local culture. This bike ride is a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, offering a deep dive into Sardinia’s timeless heritage and the diverse landscapes of its heartland.
Accommodation: Is Perdas Farmhouse Resort
Meals: Breakfast, dinner at Olianas Winery
Food activities: Wine tasting in Olianas Winery
Cycling distance: 39.6 miles / 64 km
Elevation gain: +3,030 ft / +925 m
After a farewell breakfast with your team, the tour ends. You will be taken to Cagliari Airport, but if you’d like to stay longer and explore the area, just ask your guides for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast
These guys were fantastic. Great bikes, incredibly informative and so helpful. Hotels were amazing and restaurant recommendations superb.
We had a wonderful experience. Mauro and Nik were helpful and everything was organized beautifully. The hotels we were booked were unique and we enjoyed them. Thank you!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to join the Sardinia bike & food tour, you have to be in great physical condition. You will be cycling for 6 days in a row, anywhere between 37 and 43 miles (60-69 km) with 1,600-4,070 ft (490-1,240 m) of elevation gain. Total distance of the trip is 198 miles (318 km). You can check out day-by-day distances in the itinerary. The terrain is very varied—you can expect anything from flat and rolling hills to downhills and hilly areas.
Non-riders can also join in and enjoy the tour in the van during the transfer. They can enjoy the hotels during the loops (or stay in the van) and participate in the activities.
If you’d like to check out Corsica as well, consider this luxury, week-long Sardinia and Corsica bike tour.
This is a list of clothing & footwear we recommend you bring:
Miscellaneous
First aid kit
Yes, your guides offer bike rentals! Instead of bringing your bikes to Italy, your guides offer high-quality rentals for the week. The following prices are per week per person:
Your guides can also provide you with a front bag, rear bag, water bottle, and helmets. Safety kit (frame pump, CO2 cartridge with adapter, tire levers, spare tube, lock, rear red light and multitool) is always included with the bike rental.
If you need a touring tandem, a race tandem, a kids trailer, or a child seat, please let us know. These can be arranged as well.
Group sizes and pricing
Sardinia bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
This adventure has to be booked at least 3 weeks in advance of the start date of your trip.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Sardinia bike tour is the Alghero Airport (AHO). Your guides will meet you there and transfer you to your fabulous lodging on the seafront.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Mauro and his excellent crew provided us a most memorable bicycle tour from Alghero to Gergei. He is truly a veteran and arranged excellent hotels, restaurants, food and wine tastings, cooking classes and a week cycling through back roads of gorgeous land and seascapes through this charming island. Delectable antipasti, the most succulent roast pig you’ll ever eat, seafood, lamb and lots of Vermentino were a gourmand’s dream. The level of professionalism could not have been greater. Beyond this, all three of these men were just exceptional people, sensitive to our needs as a group of 15 and very caring when small problems would occur. I cannot recommend this company more highly. Furthermore, Mauro is more than willing to arrange varios trips including self-guided brief or longer tours through much of Italy and nearby islands. The prices are very fair and the experience unforgettable! E un viaggio favoloso!