{"id":123,"date":"2026-03-10T13:58:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T13:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.campings.camp\/campeggi-in-italia\/campeggi-in-sardegna\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:44:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:44:27","slug":"campeggi-in-sardegna","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.campings.camp\/en\/campeggi-in-italia\/campeggi-in-sardegna\/","title":{"rendered":"Campsites in Sardinia"},"content":{"rendered":"

The island seen from its truest side<\/p>\n

Beaches \u00b7 Forests \u00b7 Mountains \u00b7 The authentic way to discover them<\/p>\n

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It is six in the morning. The walls of your tent cast golden shadows. You step outside and smell the Mediterranean scrubland \u2014 myrtle, cistus, wild rosemary \u2014 blended with the salty air rising from the beach fifty metres away. There is no traffic. There is no rush. There is only the sea at Cala Gonone changing colour as the sun climbs above the limestone cliffs of the Supramonte.<\/p>\n

This is camping in Sardinia. It is not a budget choice. It is a life choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Every year, over 20 million tourist overnight stays pour onto an island of 1.6 million inhabitants \u2014 with a growth rate of 4.3% compared to 2024, according to the Regional Strategic Tourism Plan 2023\u20132025<\/em> of the Sardinia Region. And yet a quiet, authentic Sardinia still exists. Do you know where it is? Inside the real campsites: those with pitches among the holm oaks, wooden boardwalks over the dunes, and park guides who explain why that little cove cannot be reached by car.<\/p>\n

The point is not “to go or not to go”. The point is how<\/strong>. This guide answers exactly that.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Sardinia for camping in 30 seconds<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd6 Coast and pine forests \u2014<\/strong> The most beautiful and the most fragile. Book early, respect the dunes, choose campsites with boardwalks.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc20 Marine protected areas \u2014<\/strong> Truly transparent water, pristine seabeds. Stricter rules, better experience.<\/p>\n

\u26f0 Mountain interior \u2014<\/strong> Fewer tourists, temperatures 8\u201312 \u00b0C lower, canyons, villages, starry skies. Requires more planning.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf32 Forests and parks \u2014<\/strong> Unspoilt nature with strict rules. Wild camping is forbidden; authorised peripheral facilities only.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. The Four Systems of Sardinia<\/h1>\n

Sardinia for camping can be understood through four distinct ecological and tourism systems<\/strong>. Each system has its dominant ecosystem, its tourist pressure level, the most suitable type of campsite and its main environmental risk. Understanding which system your campsite is in is the first smart move.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
System<\/th>\nEcosystem<\/th>\nTourist pressure<\/th>\nIdeal campsite<\/th>\nMain risk<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Coast and pine forests<\/strong><\/td>\nDunes, scrubland, back-dune<\/td>\nHigh (July\u2013August)<\/td>\nRegulated campsites with boardwalks<\/td>\nDune erosion, wildlife disturbance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marine Protected Areas<\/strong><\/td>\nPosidonia oceanica, seabeds<\/td>\nMedium (regulated)<\/td>\nBase for snorkelling and kayaking<\/td>\nBoat traffic, anchoring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mountain interior<\/strong><\/td>\nCanyons, pastures, holm oaks<\/td>\nLow (all year round)<\/td>\nBase for trekking and historic villages<\/td>\nDifficult access, rapid weather changes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Forests and parks<\/strong><\/td>\nHolm oak, wild fauna<\/td>\nLow (controlled)<\/td>\nAuthorised peripheral campsites<\/td>\nSummer fires, foraging prohibited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Why is this framework useful? Because it stops you from applying the same logic to different situations. Taking a 7-metre campervan into an inland area (system 3) is a system error, not bad luck. Snorkelling outside authorised zones in an MPA (system 2) is not freedom \u2014 it is the reason that MPA is losing its Posidonia<\/em>. Sardinia has 1,850 km of coastline, 7 marine protected areas, approximately 24,000 hectares of Asinara and Gennargentu National Parks combined, and over 150,000 hectares of regional parks. Every system counts in real numbers \u2014 and every behaviour leaves a real trace.<\/p>\n

Coast and pine forests: Mediterranean beauty, fragile ecosystem<\/h2>\n

Sardinia’s beaches \u2014 from Villasimius to La Pelosa, from Cala Luna to Santa Giulia \u2014 are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The dunes host endemic plants such as the sea lily (Pancratium maritimum<\/em>), bird nesting sites, and serve as a natural filter for coastal waters. Quality coastal campsites can be recognised by mandatory boardwalks, pitches set back from dune vegetation, and rules on night-time lighting to protect Caretta caretta<\/em> sea turtles.<\/p>\n

And there is a structural advantage often overlooked: a well-managed campsite reduces unregulated tourism by concentrating visitors in areas where waste, water and visitor flows can be controlled. This is why some coves near organised campsites are in better ecological condition than the “free” coves where everyone fends for themselves.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udccd Where to go on the coast:<\/span>Villasimius (south-east, sheltered from the mistral), Cala Gonone\/Dorgali (east coast), San Teodoro (north-east), Alghero (north-west). All within a 10-minute walk from crystal-clear water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Marine protected areas: the privilege of truly clean water<\/h2>\n

Sardinia has 7 marine protected areas<\/strong> totalling approximately 78,000 hectares of protected sea<\/strong>. The main ones: Capo Carbonara MPA (7,569 ha, near Villasimius), Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA (15,357 ha, near Olbia), and the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park (20,000 ha of sea and islands). In Zone A \u2014 the most protected \u2014 the presence of boats is prohibited or strictly regulated.<\/p>\n

The practical result for the camper: seabeds with Posidonia oceanica<\/em> meadows still intact, fish that do not flee, and water that \u2014 in certain stretches \u2014 has transparency of up to 40 metres. If you choose a campsite near an MPA, check that it has agreements with local guides for authorised kayak or boat excursions: this is the most reliable sign of quality and environmental respect.<\/p>\n

Mountain interior: the Sardinia nobody expects<\/h2>\n

The Supramonte of Oliena, the Gorropu Gorge (200 metres deep, the deepest canyon in southern Europe), the Gennargentu with its Punta La Marmora summit at 1,834 metres, the villages of Orgosolo with their murals and Fonni at 1,000 metres above sea level \u2014 all of this is reachable from strategic base campsites in the interior.<\/p>\n

The concrete data: summer night-time temperatures are 8\u201312 \u00b0C lower than on the coast; the Gennargentu receives an average of 900 mm of rain per year (compared to 500 mm on the coast); mobile coverage is absent on approximately 40% of the main trails. This is not a problem \u2014 it is the condition that makes the experience authentic. But it requires real preparation.<\/p>\n

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\u26a0\ufe0f Watch out with campervans in the interior:<\/span>With a vehicle over 6 metres, many provincial roads in the hinterland (SP 58, SP 38, SP 46 in the Nuoro area) become impassable. Check on Google Maps Satellite before setting off \u2014 do not rely on the standard sat-nav.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Forests and parks: strict rules, unspoilt nature<\/h2>\n

The Asinara National Park \u2014 5,120 hectares of island, a former penal colony \u2014 has regulations governing every aspect of behaviour: access by boat only, guided excursions, no foraging and no overnight presence. This is not bureaucracy: it is the reason why albino wild donkeys and griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus<\/em>) still live on the island. The Montes Forest in the Supramonte (approximately 7,000 hectares of primordial holm oak, one of the largest in Europe) operates on the same principle.<\/p>\n

Golden rule:<\/strong> in a park, the regulations are not an obstacle. They are the promise that what you see today will still be there tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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2. When to go: climate, wind and real data<\/h1>\n

Seasonality in Sardinia is more complex than most guides communicate. Here are the real climate data for precise planning.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Month<\/th>\nAir temp.<\/th>\nSea temp.<\/th>\nPrevailing wind<\/th>\nDaylight hours<\/th>\nIdeal for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
May<\/strong><\/td>\n22\u201326 \u00b0C<\/td>\n20\u201321 \u00b0C<\/td>\nModerate breezes<\/td>\n14 h<\/td>\nTrekking, cycling, families<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
June<\/strong><\/td>\n26\u201330 \u00b0C<\/td>\n22\u201323 \u00b0C<\/td>\nLight wind<\/td>\n15 h<\/td>\nSea, snorkelling, climbing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July<\/strong><\/td>\n30\u201334 \u00b0C<\/td>\n25\u201326 \u00b0C<\/td>\nOccasional mistral (north)<\/td>\n15 h<\/td>\nDiving, local festivals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
August<\/strong><\/td>\n30\u201335 \u00b0C<\/td>\n26\u201327 \u00b0C<\/td>\nFrequent NW mistral<\/td>\n14 h<\/td>\nSea \u2014 beware of wind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September<\/strong><\/td>\n26\u201330 \u00b0C<\/td>\n24\u201325 \u00b0C<\/td>\nCalm, excellent<\/td>\n13 h<\/td>\nBest season overall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October<\/strong><\/td>\n20\u201324 \u00b0C<\/td>\n22\u201323 \u00b0C<\/td>\nVariable<\/td>\n11 h<\/td>\nTrekking, gastronomy, mushrooms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The secret of experienced campers:<\/strong> September. Sea at 24\u201325 \u00b0C, empty beaches, prices 20\u201330% lower than August, local restaurants open for regulars, and morning air scented with what in August \u2014 between sunscreen and crowds \u2014 you cannot even notice.<\/p>\n

The August risk nobody writes about:<\/strong> the mistral (north-westerly wind) can reach 60\u201370 km\/h for 3\u20135 consecutive days along the northern and north-western coasts. On the Costa Smeralda and at Stintino, August can become unusable for days. South-eastern campsites \u2014 geographically sheltered by the Sarrabus mountain range \u2014 remain enjoyable even in strong wind.<\/p>\n

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3. Eight real campsites: where to go and why<\/h1>\n

Here are eight representative facilities from different areas of the island \u2014 a concrete overview to start planning.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Campsite<\/th>\nArea<\/th>\nMain experience<\/th>\nKey strength<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Camping Spiaggia del Riso<\/strong><\/td>\nVillasimius (south-east)<\/td>\nCrystal-clear sea, Capo Carbonara MPA<\/td>\nClose to the richest marine protected area in the south<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Cala Gonone<\/strong><\/td>\nDorgali (east coast)<\/td>\nCaves, coves, Supramonte<\/td>\nDirect boat access to Cala Luna<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Tavolara<\/strong><\/td>\nSan Teodoro (north-east)<\/td>\nTavolara MPA, San Teodoro lagoon<\/td>\nView of the rock-island of Tavolara<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Torre del Porticciolo<\/strong><\/td>\nAlghero (north-west)<\/td>\nCoral coast, Neptune’s Grotto<\/td>\nNatural shade and clean sea near Alghero<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Is Arutas<\/strong><\/td>\nOristano (west coast)<\/td>\nWhite quartz beach, flamingo lagoons<\/td>\nLagoons with flamingos just a few km away<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Baia Blu La Tortuga<\/strong><\/td>\nAglientu (north)<\/td>\nNorthern emerald coast<\/td>\nCoves accessible on foot from the campsite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Supramonte<\/strong><\/td>\nOliena (interior)<\/td>\nGorropu trekking, Supramonte, Su Gologone<\/td>\nIdeal base for the deepest canyon in southern Europe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Camping Tascus\u00ec<\/strong><\/td>\nAritzo (Gennargentu)<\/td>\nHigh mountains, chestnut woods<\/td>\nThe only campsite base on the Gennargentu, cool even in August<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Note: the Sardinian campsite landscape is continuously evolving. Before booking, always check availability and opening periods on Park4Night or iOverlander, where you will find up-to-date reviews from recent visitors.<\/em><\/p>\n

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4. How to get there: gateways and distances<\/h1>\n

Sardinia has three main airports and several ferry ports. Here are the most useful connections for campers.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Arrival point<\/th>\nCampsite \/ Area<\/th>\nDistance<\/th>\nEstimated time<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cagliari Airport<\/td>\nVillasimius \/ Spiaggia del Riso<\/td>\n~50 km<\/td>\n~45 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cagliari Airport<\/td>\nCamping Supramonte (Oliena)<\/td>\n~200 km<\/td>\n~2h 20min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Olbia Airport<\/td>\nCamping Tavolara (San Teodoro)<\/td>\n~25 km<\/td>\n~20 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Olbia Airport<\/td>\nCamping Cala Gonone (Dorgali)<\/td>\n~110 km<\/td>\n~1h 30min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alghero Airport<\/td>\nCamping Torre del Porticciolo<\/td>\n~12 km<\/td>\n~15 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Olbia Port<\/td>\nCamping Tavolara \/ San Teodoro<\/td>\n~25 km<\/td>\n~20 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cagliari Port<\/td>\nVillasimius \/ south-east coast<\/td>\n~50 km<\/td>\n~45 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Civitavecchia Port<\/td>\nArrival in Cagliari (Tirrenia ferry)<\/td>\nFerry ~14h<\/td>\nNight at sea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Overnight ferries (Civitavecchia\u2013Cagliari, Genoa\u2013Olbia, Livorno\u2013Olbia, Naples\u2013Cagliari) are the best choice for campervan travellers: you save 10\u201314 hours of driving, arrive rested, and the cost is often less than motorway tolls plus petrol. Booking 2\u20133 months ahead in July\u2013August is essential.<\/p>\n

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5. Real accessibility: the chain nobody tells you about<\/h1>\n

Accessibility is not just about a bigger bathroom. It is a chain: if even one link breaks, the entire experience breaks. This applies to those with reduced mobility, families with children in pushchairs, and elderly visitors.<\/p>\n

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  • Pitch surface type:<\/strong> the difference between sand and compacted gravel for a wheelchair is the difference between independence and dependence.<\/li>\n
  • Distance to facilities:<\/strong> in a large campsite, the budget pitch is the one furthest from the bathrooms. At night, 200 metres on uneven ground is not trivial.<\/li>\n
  • Lit pathways:<\/strong> warm-white LED lights (\u2264 3,000 K) at ground level ensure safety without disturbing nocturnal wildlife.<\/li>\n
  • Beach access:<\/strong> a 90 cm-wide treated-wood boardwalk is the difference between a beach that is theoretically yours and one that is practically unreachable.<\/li>\n
  • Water points:<\/strong> a distance rarely communicated, yet essential for families with small children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    \ud83d\udca1 The three-question phone test:<\/span>Before booking, call and ask: (1) What type of surface does the pitch have? (2) How many metres to the bathrooms? (3) Is there a boardwalk to the beach? A precise answer = a facility that communicates well. A vague answer = expect surprises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    6. The campsite environmental quality index<\/h1>\n

    A campsite’s star rating measures its services. But who measures its environmental impact? We propose a simple 5-indicator index you can check before booking \u2014 or use to compare different facilities.<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Indicator<\/th>\nQuality threshold<\/th>\nWhy it matters<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    % of naturally shaded pitches<\/td>\n\u2265 60% with natural shade<\/td>\nThermal comfort without energy consumption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Average distance from dunes<\/td>\n\u2265 50 metres from dune vegetation<\/td>\nProtects pioneer plants from erosion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Night lighting colour temperature<\/td>\n\u2264 3,000 K (warm-white)<\/td>\nDoes not disturb sea turtles and nocturnal wildlife<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Effective waste separation<\/td>\nMin. 4 separate waste streams<\/td>\nIndicator of serious operational management<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Agreements with certified local guides<\/td>\nAt least 1 partner operator<\/td>\nConnection with the territory and safety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    How to use it:<\/strong> a campsite meeting 4 out of 5 indicators has high environmental quality. With 3, it is acceptable. With fewer than 3, its “sustainability” promises are probably marketing, not real practice.<\/p>\n

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    A question to take home: if a coastal campsite measured every year how much sand it saves from the dunes thanks to its boardwalks and orderly access points, would that not be a far more serious quality indicator than any star awarded by an agency?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    7. Environmental impact: the invisible damage<\/h1>\n

    The main damage to Sardinian territory is not the bottle left on the ground \u2014 that gets picked up. It is the sum of small effects that nobody notices individually but that together transform an ecosystem into a theme park. The five behaviours to avoid:<\/p>\n

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    1. Shortcuts across the dunes:<\/strong> every detour kills the roots of pioneer plants. In five years, a dune becomes a bare mound beaten by the wind.<\/li>\n
    2. Bright lights at night near the sea:<\/strong> they disorient Caretta caretta<\/em> sea turtles that nest on southern shores. Use torches with a red or amber filter.<\/li>\n
    3. Non-biodegradable detergents:<\/strong> many campsites discharge grey water into the aquifer. The water you wash with today is the water you swim in tomorrow.<\/li>\n
    4. Night noise in the scrubland:<\/strong> wild boar, foxes, kestrels and raptors need silence to hunt. A loudspeaker after 10 pm does not only disturb the neighbours.<\/li>\n
    5. Unauthorised fires:<\/strong> in August, a fire in a non-authorised zone can trigger blazes that burn hundreds of hectares. Use only the campsite’s designated barbecue areas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The Sardinia Region has adopted a Regional Strategy for Sustainable Development that links biodiversity, ecosystem services and tourism within a unified framework. The campsites that align with this strategy are the ones that will still be here in twenty years.<\/p>\n

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      8. Rules and classification: what is changing<\/h1>\n

      The regulatory framework for Sardinian campsites is evolving towards greater transparency and verifiable minimum standards.<\/p>\n

      The regulatory framework<\/h3>\n

      Regional Law no. 16 of 2017<\/strong> updated the definitions and requirements for accommodation facilities including campsites. Regional Law no. 17 of 2022<\/strong> introduced new classification criteria for open-air facilities \u2014 defining maximum mobile home quotas, criteria for the star system, and regulations for open-air accommodation. A star classification system is now being progressively rolled out: every facility will need to demonstrate verifiable standards on safety, services and, in some cases, environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n

      What to look for when comparing campsites<\/h3>\n

      Look for facilities that already communicate transparently: pitch surface type, internal distances to services, real accessibility, documented internal environmental rules. The key idea is simple: clearer rules improve both environmental protection and guest confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      9. Sardinia and European standards<\/h1>\n

      Where does Sardinia stand compared to the best European models of sustainable camping? The comparison is useful not to criticise, but to understand where there are real opportunities for improvement.<\/p>\n

      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Country \/ Region<\/th>\nStandard adopted<\/th>\nApplication in Sardinia<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
      Catalonia (Spain)<\/strong><\/td>\nMandatory wooden boardwalks on all coastal dunes, numbered and limited access points<\/td>\nAdopted at some pioneer campsites in Villasimius and San Teodoro, but not yet legally mandatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Denmark<\/strong><\/td>\nGreen Key certification: 13 criteria on water, energy, waste, biodiversity, guest communication<\/td>\nNo Sardinian campsite has Green Key certification yet; the regional star system (RL 2022) is the preceding step<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Croatia (Adriatic coast)<\/strong><\/td>\nMandatory permeable gravel pitches within 100 m of the sea; absolute ban on concrete in coastal zones<\/td>\nConcrete is still present at some Sardinian coastal facilities; regional law does not explicitly prohibit it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Slovenia (Triglav NP)<\/strong><\/td>\nSatellite campsites at park borders with internal shuttle buses; zero private vehicles inside the park<\/td>\nModel applicable to Asinara and Gennargentu; some shuttles exist but are not systematic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

      Sardinia has natural conditions \u2014 climate, landscape, biodiversity \u2014 comparable or superior to all the destinations listed. What is missing is not the raw material: it is the systematisation of standards. The international Green Key certification for campsites could be the next step, making Sardinia competitive in a European ecotourism market worth 24 billion euros per year.<\/p>\n

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      10. Sustainable design: the campsite of the future<\/h1>\n

      Tomorrow’s smart campsite does not defend itself from visitors with signs and fences. It designs the flow so that damage is structurally impossible \u2014 not prohibited, but rendered pointless by the design itself. Solutions already operational at pioneering European campsites:<\/p>\n