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SARDINIA: THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A CYCLING HOLIDAY

Discover here why—and how—to best plan your cycling vacation in Sardinia.

Sardinia is often described as a small continent waiting to be explored. Every kilometer brings new landscapes, culture, traditions… even the language changes. Its rich identity and countless secondary roads, with gentle curves and little traffic unfolding across breathtaking scenery, invite exploration and make it the perfect destination for lovers of on-the-road travel.

There are many ways to enjoy Sardinia on the road—by car, by motorcycle, or by renting a van. But there is another mode of travel that is more than just transportation. It’s an evergreen in every sense: sustainable, sporty, healthy. It’s also a personal challenge and, behind the effort, it reveals the true essence of travel. Have you guessed it yet?

In this article, we’ll talk about **bike travel**! We’ll look at what makes this island so special for cycling enthusiasts and share **five useful tips** to help you plan a smooth, pedal-filled holiday.

### **Why Sardinia is perfect for road cycling**

First of all, thanks to its size and low population density—except for a few specific areas—the island has virtually **no traffic congestion**. This alone makes it a small paradise for cyclists. Depending on the season and your chosen route, you can ride for kilometers without encountering a car or a town. And since traffic isn’t an issue, Sardinia has **no highways**. Instead, it has fast-flowing routes connecting major cities, while the rest are scenic secondary roads shaped by the natural landscape and surrounded by lush vegetation.

This vast territory, combined with low population density and the distance between villages, gives rise to another key feature that makes cycling travel fascinating in Sardinia: **moving slowly doesn’t mean experiencing less**. Customs, traditions, culture, gastronomy, craftsmanship, and even the local dialect change from one historic region to another and from one village to the next. Riding just a few kilometers can bring you to a place completely different from the one before—a place you might never have considered visiting if the journey itself hadn’t led you there. Discovering hidden villages and meeting locals soon becomes one of the best parts of the trip.

What begins as a physical challenge becomes, pedal by pedal, a growing sense of curiosity—eager to reach the next landscape or village, each one unique and unlike anything you’ve already seen.

### **5 tips to plan your cycling holiday: costs, rentals, routes, bike hotels, and who to rely on**

As mentioned, Sardinia is large—exactly **24,090 square kilometers**—far too big to explore in one trip, especially by bike unless you have a very long holiday. So the first tip is to **choose one specific area** to focus on and use it as the base for your itinerary.

Every area of Sardinia is worth visiting, each offering unique natural and cultural treasures. But depending on your style, interests, and budget, some areas may suit you better than others. Contrary to popular belief, Sardinia has options for every taste and budget.

For example, the **Olbia coast** on the east is stunning but also the most famous—and therefore the most expensive—due to the Costa Smeralda, a luxury tourism hotspot. It’s ideal for travelers with a medium-high budget who enjoy glamorous and popular destinations.

In the south, you’ll find **Cagliari and its metropolitan area**, the most populated part of Sardinia and home to the island’s only real city. It’s perfect for those who enjoy urban life and well-developed infrastructure.

The **north, west, and central areas** are characterized by low population density and have preserved their identity over time. These regions are ideal for cyclists seeking authentic experiences, unusual sites, small villages, important cultural landmarks, and quiet roads surrounded by nature and sea. If you love this type of setting, **Alghero** is an excellent base from which to start planning your itinerary.

### Plan your itinerary carefully

This may seem obvious, but it’s essential: **study your route thoroughly**. Gather as much information as possible about your chosen area, learn what to visit, check schedules and the best times of year, and—if needed—contact local tourism operators. No one will advise you better.

Once your plans are clear, **equip yourself with offline maps and resources**—digital or paper, as long as they don’t depend on internet access. Many beautiful places in Sardinia lack good phone coverage, Google Maps doesn’t always suggest the best routes, and local signage can be unclear.

### Need professional help?

If you’re not an experienced bike traveler—or if it’s your first time, or you simply want a stress-free cycling holiday discovering off-the-beaten-path places—then rely on local professionals.

A great option is **Biking Sardinia**, a bike rental and tour operator based in Alghero but active across the region. As confirmed by Tripadvisor and Google reviews, it is one of the most recommended agencies in Sardinia. They offer:

* high-quality bike rentals

* bike delivery and pickup at your hotel

* shuttle services across the island

* guided or self-guided tours using GPS tracks

* digital (also offline) info materials

* 24/7 assistance and bike recovery

* luggage transfers for cyclists on multi-stage trips

Their shop offers excellent brands—Merida, Haibike, Bianchi—and an in-house workshop where bikes are fitted and adjusted to each customer. You can choose from dozens of e-bikes and road bikes, renting for a single day or multiple days.

Prices for a high-quality road bike start at **€30/day** (up to €60), while **city bikes** cost around **€10/day**. More details here: bikingsardinia.com/bike-hire.

For more complex trips, you can contact them directly or visit their shop, but they also have an efficient and flexible **online booking system**, especially useful for customizing tours according to your needs and budget: [www.bikingsardinia.com](http://www.bikingsardinia.com).

Their tours cover the entire island, so you don’t need to limit yourself to Alghero or northern Sardinia. You can also request a fully tailor-made tour.

We hope this guide helps you plan your next cycling adventure.

Wherever you decide to go in Sardinia, one thing is certain: **your trip will be unforgettable**.