Car ferries from Palau run every 30 minutes and the crossing takes 20 minutes. No booking needed; pay on board. Fares are modest for a car plus passengers.
2-Day Northeast Sardinia Road Trip: Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena & Gallura
Route Overview
A two-day loop from Olbia along Sardinia's most glamorous coast and into the wild granite interior of the Gallura region.
Coastal Escape
Natural Beauty
Perfect for Couples
Olbia to Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena: Sardinia's Emerald Northeast
Northeast Sardinia packs two different worlds into two days. The Costa Smeralda dazzles with coves of water so clear it glows emerald green, backed by the jet-set marinas of Porto Cervo and the harbour charm of Porto Rotondo. A short ferry from Palau carries you and your car to the La Maddalena archipelago, where military-free islands now guard some of the Mediterranean's most pristine beaches. Then the route turns inland to the Gallura, where granite villages like Aggius and Tempio Pausania sit among wind-sculpted boulders and cork-oak forests. Travellers on Reddit consistently say a car is essential for Sardinia's northeast, and that the best beaches are the ones only drivers can reach. An Abbycar rental from Olbia Airport puts you on the Costa Smeralda within twenty minutes.
View route on map
Starting Station: Olbia Airport
Trip Duration: 2 days
Mileage Distance: 180 km
Perfect For: Beach Lovers, Couples, Nature Lovers, Photography
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Reddit Reviews
· The Costa Smeralda's coves are described as having the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
· La Maddalena is called a must-visit, with the car ferry from Palau taking only 20 minutes.
· Having a car is rated essential for reaching the best beaches away from resort clusters.
· The Gallura interior surprises travellers with its wild granite landscapes and local food.
· Olbia Airport's proximity to the coast makes the first beach reachable within 20 minutes.
· Peak August brings crowds and high prices on the Costa Smeralda.
· Parking at popular beaches like Liscia Ruja fills by mid-morning in summer.
· Some coastal roads are narrow and winding.
· La Maddalena accommodation books out fast for summer weekends.
Sentiment is strongly positive with clear seasonal advice: May-June and September deliver the beauty without the August crowds and prices.
👍 86 % positive|👎 14 % negative
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Where To Stop
Recommended Stops in Northeast Sardinia
Five stops from glamorous coast to granite interior.
1
First stop
Porto Cervo & the Costa Smeralda
The Aga Khan's 1960s creation still sets the standard for Mediterranean glamour: a designer marina, emerald coves and hotels carved into the granite. Walk the Piazzetta, window-shop, and swim at Liscia Ruja or Principe beach.
2
Second stop
Palau & La Maddalena Ferry
Palau is the gateway to the archipelago. The car ferry runs every 30 minutes and takes 20 minutes. From Palau's harbour you also get the iconic view of Capo d'Orso, the bear-shaped granite rock.
3
Third stop
La Maddalena Island
Once an Italian navy base, the main town is now a lively harbour of painted houses and seafood restaurants. Drive or bike to the northern beaches. Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli is visible from boat tours but off limits on foot. Cala Coticcio on Caprera is reachable by a marked trail.
4
Fourth stop
Aggius & the Valle della Luna
This granite village in the Gallura hills is famous for its carpet-weaving tradition and the nearby Valle della Luna, a surreal landscape of wind-sculpted boulders. The ethnographic museum is small but excellent, and the local vermentino wine is superb.
Based on 91 reviews
(4.2/5)
5
Fifth stop
Tempio Pausania
The Gallura's highland capital sits among cork-oak forests at 600 metres, noticeably cooler than the coast. Its granite cathedral, thermal springs and the narrow-gauge Trenino Verde railway station give it an unhurried mountain-town character.
Based on 23 reviews
(4.3/5)
Practical answers for the Olbia coast and Gallura drive
Northeast Sardinia FAQs
Late May to early July and September offer warm seas, manageable crowds and reasonable prices. August is peak season with premium pricing.
Most Sardinian beaches are public with free access. Some have paid parking and sunbed rental, but you can always lay your towel on the free sand.
Travellers who venture inland are uniformly surprised and delighted. The granite landscapes, cork forests and local food offer a completely different Sardinia from the coast.
No. All the main roads and coastal approaches are paved. Some beach access roads are gravel but drivable in a standard car at low speed.
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