Where To Stay In South Sardinia

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The Best Places to Stay in South Sardinia

If you’re planning a trip to Sardinia, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is ignoring the South. All sides of the island are worth visiting, but if we had to recommend one area (particularly for first timers), it would be the South Coast.

Why visit Southern Sardinia?

Many describe it as the beating heart of the island, with more local flavour than the North, as well as being home to some of Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches, ancient Nuragic sites, stunning hikes and a world-class selection of luxury stays. It may not have quite the same reputation as the glitzy north (yes, Costa Smeralda), but that’s exactly its charm. With most tourists heading North during July and August, the South feels calmer, more affordable and less crowded.

Don’t forget: Sardinia is not a small island you cross in an hour. Even the South takes hours to travel coast to coast. With so many towns and resorts, it’s hard to know which to choose. At Pocket Sardinia, we’ve spent over a decade exploring this coast, and in this guide, we’ll break down each area with honest reviews to help you plan your trip.

Map of Best Areas to Stay in South Sardinia

1. Where to Stay in Costa Rei (Southeast Coast)

Overview: One of the South’s best areas for beaches (the second being Villasimius). This coastal paradise is easy to reach, just over an hour’s drive from Cagliari airport. Costa Rei is a quaint, low-rise, pastel-coloured, sleepy town with a population that bursts into tourist activity in summer. The town itself has a good selection of laid-back restaurants to enjoy a bowl of local pasta, or a delicious taste of Sardinian maialetto (roasted piglet). There are also supermarkets, small shops and gelaterias nearby for all your beach holiday needs.

Why stay here:  You won’t find the VIP yacht crowd here, but you will enjoy a laid-back holiday with stunning beaches on your doorstep. The main Costa Rei beach is 12km of fine white sand and clear waters, with Cala Pira, Cala Sinzias and Monte Turno also close by.

Stay in Costa Rei if you want a relaxed, no fuss holiday with fantastic beaches, sprinkled with a handful of local restaurants, bars, water sports and beach clubs. Swim out to the Scoglio di Pepino rock at sunset to take in the views, hike Monte Ferru or Capo Ferrato, eat clams vongole at Chaplins Spaghetteria and unwind. It’s the perfect place for couples or families who want everything close and convenient.

Where to stay:

For couples: La Villa del Rei is, without a doubt, one of our favourite hotels in Costa Rei. Expect a spacious, open-air 5-star adults-only (18+) hotel with its own private beach, rentable sun loungers, and Bali-style beds – plus an infinity pool. The staff are super friendly; the vibe is ‘fancy’ but still laid-back, and you can even WhatsApp to have drinks delivered to your beachside if you’re feeling lazy… There are two restaurants on site, including Bella Vista restaurant with beachside views, serving Sardinian pasta, fresh fish and grilled meat. Costa Rei town is about 2km away.

For families: A top family pick is Hotel Club Santagiusta, due to the incredible beachfront location right on the sand opposite the Scoglio di Peppino (a huge rock formation reachable from the beach). You’ll be pleased to hear that Hotel Santagiusta has kids entertainment, with activities for all ages up to 17. There’s a Mini Club for younger kids, a teen space with video games, cinema and music, plus a nursery, junior clubs, children’s pool and play area. This means kids stay busy all day, and you get a chance to relax.

2. Where to Stay in Villasimius (Southeast Tip)

Overview: A small but lively tourist town with excellent beaches nearby, its population triples in summer. Beach worship is real here, with more than 20 local stunners to choose from. Alongside Costa Rei (above), Villasimius goes head-to-head for the region’s most beautiful coastline. For me, Villasimius just edges it for diversity, with a wider mix of coves and types of beaches, while Costa Rei has a huge (and stunning) 12km main beach. But really, the two are neighbours, so you don’t need to pick sides. Chances are you’ll have a hire car so that you can spend one day at Scoglio di Peppino in Costa Rei and the next at Punta Molentis or Porto Giunco in Villasimius.

Why stay here: Stay in Villasimius if you’re looking for a slightly more upmarket base in the southeast, with a wide choice of beaches, more restaurants, beach clubs, and luxury stays than Costa Rei. It’s a little pricier, but as with all of Sardinia, you get what you pay for.

Adventure seekers can take boat trips to Isola di Cavoli and Serpentara, hike wild promontories, or dive in the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area. You can also spot the famous pink flamingos at Notteri Pond.

After a day at the beach, you’ve got a proper town to return to, with summer markets, lively bars, and restaurants serving fresh seafood pasta or classic agriturismo feasts. It’s a great fit for couples who want atmosphere and a touch of sophistication, or families who want convenience, comfort, and plenty to do nearby.

Where to stay:

For luxury couples – We voted this our best hotel in Villasimius 2025 – Pullman Timi Ama has been one of the leading resorts in Villasimius for over 20 years. Set beside the Stagno di Notteri lagoon, it’s just a short walk to Porto Giunco, one of Sardinia’s most famous beaches, and about ten minutes by car to the town centre.

This five-star resort combines heritage and luxury with three pools, a spa, gym and fine dining. It’s a prestigious address in southern Sardinia, and one of the most memorable places to stay.

For families – Set in its own private bay, Falkensteiner Capo Boi delivers the kind of family escape you rarely find in Sardinia. The five-star resort has been designed around parents and children, with supervised kids’ clubs, family suites, pools, and a sandy beach lined with loungers and umbrellas. It’s also just a short drive from Porto Sa Ruxi (one of our favourite quieter beaches in the Southeast). The only trade-off is that you’re a little removed from the town centre, but maybe the seclusion is part of the charm?

For beach-front romance – Hotel Cala Caterina is a romantic four-star hideaway set above a private beach. Each room faces out to the sea, with terraces or patios opening onto gardens and pine trees. It’s perfect for couples seeking peace, sea views, and a private setting, but still close to Villasimius town.

3. Where to Stay in Chia & Domus de Maria (South-West)

Overview: Chia blends natural beauty with sophistication. Apart from a scattering of well-known luxury resorts such as Forte Village and Conrad, most of the area is natural, quiet, peaceful and undeveloped. Here you can enjoy some of the South’s most beautiful beaches (Su Giudei, Cala Cipolla and Tueredda) and thankfully, you won’t be sunbathing with towering skyscrapers or rows of hotels over you. The resort and hotels are upmarket and luxurious – all just a 45-minute drive from the main airport of Cagliari.

Where to stay:

For couples – We highly recommend Hotel Aquadulci in Chia. A 4-star boutique that stands out as one of the only Sardinian-owned independent hotels in the area, understated and elegant, quietly charming with a warmth that puts you at ease. With just 41 rooms arranged around a garden and curving pool, it has a calm, natural atmosphere and feels like a genuine eco-retreat with solar panels on the roof. It’s as close as you can possibly get to Su Giudeu beach, with just a 5-minute walk along a wooden path where flamingos gather. You can read why we loved it so much in our Hotel Acquadulci review.

Alternatively, the wonderful Eliantos Hotel & Spa is a small boutique hotel in Santa Margherita di Pula. It’s intimate and cosy, with only 17 rooms, calming Mediterranean gardens and an atmosphere that feels personal (and is more affordable) compared to the big resorts in the area.

It’s 400m to the nearby Santa Margherita di Pula beach and a short drive to Chia, with an outdoor pool, spa with sauna, Turkish bath and treatments, and modern rooms with balconies. Service is warm and staff speak multiple languages, and there are also private villas with their own pools for families or groups. For more info: read our in-depth Hotel Eliantos review.

For families – One of the most well-known resorts in the area (and on the whole island), is Forte Village, a giant luxury resort complex located just up the coast (Santa Margherita di Pula, approximately 15 minutes from Chia). This giant beachfront space is like a self-contained paradise, featuring 9 hotels within the village, as well as sea-view suites and villas. Forte Village is a fantastic option for families (there are endless activities and a children’s wonderland area) as well as couples looking for a luxury holiday.

For all traveller types – Chia Laguna, similar to Forte Village, is not just one hotel but a collection of 3 hotels all within nearby reach of Chia’s most famous beaches. The benefit of this is that there’s something for everyone: Pick Conrad Chia Laguna for quiet five-star luxury, a serious spa and reserved beach serenity; choose Baia di Chia (Curio Collection by Hilton) for a child-free, panoramic escape with a sporty vibe; go Hotel Village for a seamless family base in the resort’s heart with kids’ clubs, easy dining and pools. We stayed here recently, read our review of Chia Laguna Hotel Village here.

4. Where to Stay in Cagliari (Capital)

Overview: Cagliari is the vibrant capital city of Sardinia and offers a completely different experience from the beach resort areas – this is a city full of history, culture, and city life by the sea. Often called the “City of Sun,” Cagliari is Sardinia’s capital, a city I once skipped in favour of beaches but have since realised is a destination itself. Around 600,000 tourists landed here in 2024, and with good reason: it’s compact, safe, and full of character.

Why stay here: Cagliari is packed with old-world landmarks and local life. Wander the Castello district, climb the Bastione di Saint Remy, or step inside the Roman Amphitheatre and National Archaeological Museum. Poetto Beach is just 5km from the centre, perfect for a swim or aperitivo, while the Marina buzzes with trattorias and wine bars. Add in traditional festivals like Sant’Efisio and day trips to Nora or Villasimius beaches, and it’s clear Cagliari is worth more than a quick stop.

Where to stay:

For stylish city breaks – Hotel Palazzo Tirso is Cagliari’s new five-star luxury hotel, set in a restored 1920s palazzo just steps from the harbour and Marina district. Inside you’ll find sleek contemporary rooms, a rooftop pool with sweeping views over the port, and a spa that makes downtime easy after a day exploring Castello’s cobbled streets. The central location is a real advantage here: you’re walking distance to Cagliari’s best restaurants and bars, and only 15 minutes by car from the airport.

For beachfront fun – Hotel Nautilus sits right on Poetto Beach, giving you doorstep access to Cagliari’s famously huge city beach. Rooms are bright and modern, with balconies that open directly onto the sea. One big plus is the free bike hire, perfect for cycling along Poetto’s eight-kilometre stretch of sand, dotted with beach bars and cafés.

Best Places to Stay in South Sardinia Compared

Area	Best For	Highlights	Watch Outs
Costa Rei	Laidback fun for couples & families	12km white-sand beach, Scoglio di Peppino, informal trattorias	Quiet nightlife, shuts down in winter
Villasimius	Couples & families	20+ beaches nearby, lively summer town, stylish resorts, diving & hiking	More expensive, busier in peak season
Chia	Sophisticated travellers & nature lovers	Su Giudeu & Tuerredda beaches, luxury resorts, unspoiled dunes	Some areas have limited restaurants
Cagliari	City lovers & weekend breaks	Castello old town, Roman sites, Marina dining, Poetto Beach	Less resort feel, more urban pace

Southern Sardinia FAQS

Do I need a car in South Sardinia?

Yes, we highly recommend renting a car from Cagliari airport for your trip to South Sardinia. Public transport is notoriously unreliable (and can be very slow) in Sardinia. To explore the region fully, including all of the fantastic beaches, a car is needed.

Is South Sardinia worth visiting?

Yes! South Sardinia is worth visiting. It is often considered to be the more “authentic” side of the island and has something for everyone.

Where to avoid in South Sardinia?

Tourists should avoid Sarroch, an industrial area outside Cagliari on the south coast, as it is known for pollution.

Is South Sardinia hotter than the North?

Yes, generally South Sardinia is hotter than the North. The south, especially around Cagliari and the surrounding coast, has a drier, sunnier climate with higher summer temperatures and milder winters.

Is South Sardinia windy?

South Sardinia can be windy, as the maestrale winds from the northwest and the scirocco winds from Africa often hit the island. The West and Southwest in particular can be breezy (which is why they are popular for surfing), while the southeast (Villasimius, Costa Rei) is more sheltered. Compared to the North, the South usually has more settled, sunny weather but still sees bursts of wind, especially in spring and autumn.