Car hire Sardinia

Situated off the west coast of Italy’s ‘boot’, Sardinia is home to a wealth of amazing natural wonders and historic attractions. However, this Mediterranean beauty is better suited for hiking and beachcombing than late night partying. There are some great beaches and resort towns perfect for a beach holiday in Sardinia and there are also some impressive national parks and ancient ruins.

Car hire

Car hire is definitely the way to go in Sardinia. The local transport is slow and somewhat limited; many of the top attractions are off the beaten path. Both international car rental chains like Budget, Avis and Dollar, as well as local firms such as Maggiore offer plenty of options to compare car hire in Sardinia. Every major town has at least a couple of rental firm choices, but one should always book ahead online to find the lowest rates.

Discovering Sardinia

With the exception of the Costa Smeralda area favoured by European jet-setters, Sardinia is a destination for nature lovers. The northern end of the island boasts the best beaches, many of which have nice resorts. Much of the interior of Sardinia is mountainous and offers visitors plenty of hiking trails. Among the island’s many historic sites, the UNESCO-certified Barumini site and Tharros ruins are excellent. Cagliari is the main city, though for richer stylings check out medieval Alghero.

Daytripping by car

The entire island of Sardinia is ideal for driving. Although many roads are winding and a bit narrow, competent drivers can reach some truly special spots like Neptune’s Grotto, one of the coolest coastal cave systems in Europe. Small fishing villages like Stintino and the pristine beaches of the Costa Verde can feasibly only be reached by car rental.

When to go

If you can take the heat, summer is the best time to visit Sardinia. Spring and autumn have pleasant temperatures though see lots of rain, which for some can dampen a beach holiday. Winters are on the cool side and see steady precipitation. Sardinia is subject to strong winds most of the year, particularly between September and April.
Check Sardinia Weather Forecast

Driving rentals in Italy

The driving conditions in Sardinia are much calmer than mainland Italy, though be aware that roads can be narrow and winding in the mountains and livestock often wander onto the rural roads. Speed limits are the same as everywhere in Italy: 50kph in towns and 90kph on rural roads. Speed traps are common in Sardinian towns, so be sure to drive slowly.