Sardinia
in Italy

The island’s wild heart – and one of the world’s rare Blue Zones – Central Sardinia trades beaches for something deeper. This is a landscape ancient nuraghi, rugged mountains with deer and mouflon, and villages where traditions still hold strong, echoing in the ancestral songs of the Tenores di Bitti.

On the island's eastern edge, limestone cliffs dive straight into the turquoise waters of the Golfo di Orosei, while hidden coves – often reachable only by boat – reward those willing to venture off-script. Further south, Ogliastra slows the pace even more, with untamed stretches of coastline and a raw, sun-bleached beauty that feels worlds away from the island’s polished corners.

Amid the glitz and glamour of the Costa Smeralda, Northern Sardinia has long been a favourite of the jet set – but there’s far more to it. Emerald waters dotted with archipelagos give way to Catalan-flavoured cities like Alghero, alongside fortified castles and a deeply rooted food culture.

Often overlooked in favour of the Costa Smeralda, this is where things feel a little more local – and a lot more laid-back. Sardinia’s southern coast shows a softer, authentic side of the island, with its flamingo-dotted lagoons, empty stretches of sand and the heady scent of myrtle shrubs.

From the dune-swept shores of the Costa Verde to the Ligurian charm of Carloforte, this is a coastline that resists polish. Up on the Penisola del Sinis, quiet beaches, flamingo-filled lagoons and ancient ruins complete a landscape that feels raw, elemental and refreshingly untouched.