Your Guide to the Perfect Sardinia Honeymoon

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So you're interested in a Sardinia honeymoon? If you want to go on a Mediterranean adventure but you're not so intrigued by the hordes of honeymooners who seek out Capri, Mykonos and Santorini, this might just be the best honeymoon destination for you. The island of Sardinia (or Sardegna, if you want to practice your Italian ahead of time) is a terrifically romantic getaway for those seeking something a little out of the ordinary.

This Italian island (one of the Mediterranean's largest) is known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, a strong sense of tradition and its mouthwatering cuisine. To put it simply, if you've already done the Italian mainland or Greece, and you're looking for something similar, yet altogether unique, this Mediterranean destination delivers. And thus far, it's primarily a summer destination for Europeans—not Americans—so you could be among the first of your friends to visit.

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Here's more of what to expect when you honeymoon in Sardinia, Italy, which some describe as one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

Sardinia Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Sardinia
• Sardinia Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Sardinia Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Sardinia Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Sardinia Honeymoon

Photo: Diana Robinson Photography | Getty

Best Time to Honeymoon in Sardinia

Just about any time of year is enjoyable in Sardinia. The month you choose for travel will depend on what kind of Italian honeymoon you're hoping for.

Spring and early summer offer the best weather (up to the high 80s), but it's also peak tourist season in Sardinia. This implies increased airfare and hotel rates, as well as crowds. The winter months, on the flip side, have fewer crowds and better honeymoon prices. Even in the chilliest months, though, the weather is mild. December and January temperatures hover in the 50s.

Best weather: May to July.
Festival highlights: The Sagra del Pesce in May, celebrating local seafood; L'Ardia di San Costantino in July, a thrilling horse race with historical roots; and the Autumn in Barbagia from September to December, offering a deep dive into local customs, crafts, and cuisine.

Sardinia Honeymoon Planning Tips

Sardinia is an exclusive island destination. It's not as popular as some of its neighbors and that makes it a great fit for globetrotting couples already familiar with much of the European continent. However, despite its unique culture and overall "newness" for some, it still offers a lot of the same elements travelers love about this region of the world, including a spectacular food scene, ancient history and picturesque Mediterranean beaches and fishing towns.

Compared to other European honeymoon destinations, Sardinia will require extra travel time. While you can jet to London or Paris from New York in under seven hours, getting to Sardinia will take at least 15 hours and require one or two layovers in Europe. On the bright side, you could always extend your layovers and see more of Europe, if you wanted. Or couples can even choose to have a European destination wedding before flying to Sardinia. Additionally, if you're looking for a budget-friendly honeymoon, you might want to look elsewhere for your perfect vacation.

Here are a few more things to keep in mind before booking your flights.

Entry requirements: A US passport that is valid for at least three months. Starting in 2025, US citizens will need to have an ETIAS for Italy. It is valid for 3 years and can be obtained online.
Language: Italian, Sardu.
Location: Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily). It's located west of the Italian Peninsula and directly south of the French island of Corsica.
Currency: Euro (EUR).
Flight time to Destination: From New York City, flights are approximately 9-12 hours with at least one stopover.
Getting around: Renting a car is the most flexible and convenient way to explore Sardinia's diverse landscapes, from its pristine beaches to mountainous interiors. Public transportation exists but is less reliable for remote areas. Of course walking and cycling are great options for shorter distances as well.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. You can find a travel agent near you on The Knot Marketplace for Sardinia honeymoon expertise.

Best Sardinia Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From luxury resorts with honeymoon suites along the Costa Smeralda to charming agriturismos (farm stays) in the countryside, here are some of our top picks for accommodations in Sardinia.

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Hotel Cala di Volpe

This luxurious Marriott hotel in Porto Cervo is just about as posh as it gets. The entire neighborhood, in fact, is particularly posh, developed more than a half-century ago by a prince, with its VIP beaches and resorts. For the most luxurious experience possible (hey, it's your honeymoon—when else are you going to splurge like this?), book the hotel's penthouse, which comes with its own wine cellar and a swimming pool.

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Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa

You'll be in fine company at Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa in Alghero, built by Italian aristocracy in the 1800s before playing host to a variety of celebrities. Today, the five-star hotel offers sea views, but it's not on the beach. This means fewer beach crowds, but, of course, you're not actually on the beach, so take that into consideration when booking.

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Hotel La Rocca Resort & Spa

For a luxury hotel with all the amenities, book a getaway at Hotel La Roca Resort & Spa. Reserve the resort's villa for your own private pool and park, as well as expansive space. Elsewhere, the resort boasts a private beach, a large spa with amenities such as a Turkish bath and Finnish sauna, and multiple restaurants. It's all on the Emerald Coast, giving you great access to the region's multiple VIP beaches.

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Hotel Capo d'Orso Thalasso & Spa Resort, Palau

The Hotel Capo d'Orso Thalasso sits between Cala Capra and Cala Selvaggia, two beautiful beaches, and right near the bay. The exclusive setting also puts you just a 20-minute drive from Porto Cervo. But beyond the spectacular location, the property also offers golfing, planned excursions, free Wi-Fi and multiple dining options.

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Pro tip: If you're looking for Sardinia honeymoon accommodations that may provide more privacy or lower prices, consider booking a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

Sardinia Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Sardinia is a haven for couples, with plenty of romantic things to do together. From exploring historic ruins to enjoying a full-blown foodie honeymoon with delicious Sardinian cuisine, here are some things to add to your honeymoon itinerary.

Photo: Stefano Oppo | Getty

Explore the historic ruins and storied architecture

Sardinia offers gorgeous natural scenery in every direction, from mountains to beaches to clear-blue waters, but the historic scenery—ruins, cathedrals, citadels and plazas—are just as beautiful. In the largest city of Cagliari, couples will want to visit the hilltop citadel, Il Castello, dating back to the 1300s.

In Sardinia, honeymooners will also want to schedule a visit to Nora and explore the ruins as they walk in the footsteps of the Phoenicians, Romans and Carthaginians. In the medieval Castelsardo Old Town, castles and churches dot the coast. There's just something romantic about exploring all this Old World and ancient history, hand-in-hand, with your beloved.

The most prominent of Sardinia's historic sites, though, are the world famous nuraghes, prehistoric stone structures that date as far back to 1900 BCE. There are more than 7,000 nuraghes scattered around Sardinia, and you can book a nuraghe tour to see them for yourself.

Enjoy the natural Mediterranean landscape

Beyond the historic and cultural appeal, Sardinia offers plenty of nature and melodious sounds to explore across the island. Gola Su Gorropu, or the "Grand Canyon of Europe," is ideal for a day trip, especially as it's draped in folklore. For a bit of island-hopping, visit Maddalena Archipelago National Park, near Palau, made up of seven nearly-uninhabited islands and accessible via a boat tour (we're talking turquoise waters, people).

Of course, you can't visit Sardinia and not go to the beach. The most picturesque picks include Tuerredda Beach, where you can swim out to a small island offshore; Spiaggia Rosa, a pink sandy beach within the Maddalena Islands; and the gorgeous beaches along the Emerald Coast (or Costa Smeralda), which are a little more exclusive and accessible typically only by boat or resort.

For couples honeymooning during the winter months, you'll be surprised to find skiing available on Monte Bruncu Spina, the island's second-highest peak.

Taste the local cuisine

But what's a honeymoon without savory and romantic dinners? Sardinia offers al fresco dining and delicious fare—most overlooking the water and perched on cliff sides, cozied away in medieval architecture. Seriously, good food and wine is basically synonymous with honeymooning in Sardinia. The dreamy settings are near endless, too. Wherever you decide to dine, though, try some of Sardinia's most popular eats, such as pani carasau, a thin, crispy bread; the Sardinian pecorino cheese; culurgionis, a stuffed pasta similar to pierogis or ravioli; porceddu, roast pig; and, of course, the Sardinian wine. For an expert-led dining experience, book a food tour.

Pro tip: Add Sardinia honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so your loved ones can give you one of these memorable couples activities. Be sure to post honeymoon snaps to your wedding website for your guests to see!

What to Pack for a Sardinia Honeymoon

Photo: gianniarmano | Getty

Your honeymoon luggage should consist of season-appropriate attire. Several swimsuits, cover-ups and resort wear are a must for summer visits (as is sunscreen). During the winter, you'll want to add layers to your packing checklist to account for the fluctuating temperatures. Consider bringing along a few dressier outfits, too, for evening dinners.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.