Sardinia in September: where to go and what to do

September is one of the most balanced months for a trip to Sardinia. The sea remains a major part of the holiday, but the days are also well suited to excursions, villages and cultural visits at a more relaxed pace than in August. The first half of the month still feels fully summery; later in September, the interior and autumn events become increasingly appealing.

September makes it easy to build a mixed holiday. Beaches remain central, but it feels more natural to dedicate a day to a village, an archaeological site or a hike. Temperatures and visitor numbers change over the course of the month, so a trip in early September can feel very different from one at the end.

Do not assume September is automatically quiet, however: the most famous destinations can still be busy, especially at weekends and during periods of good weather.

San Teodoro, Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu and Capo Coda Cavallo continue to offer excellent beach days. Further north, Arzachena, Palau and La Maddalena let you alternate beaches, sailing and archaeology. It is a good area for travellers who want to keep a strongly summery feel in September.

With seven days, choose either the Olbia/San Teodoro area or northern Gallura as your main base, or split the stay between two bases without trying to add the North West as well.

Alghero is especially complete in September because you can move from the bastions to the beaches without changing area. Capo Caccia, Bosa and Stintino add very different kinds of days. The mistral can change sea conditions, so it is useful to always have a cultural alternative.

The South is one of the safest choices for travellers who want to combine the sea with a city. Cagliari works as a base for Poetto and for itineraries towards Villasimius or Pula and Chia. Tuerredda remains one of the signature images of the south-west coast, while Nora and Iglesias offer cultural alternatives.

Ogliastra and the Gulf of Orosei become especially interesting in September. Cala Mariolu, Cala Goloritzè and the other coves of the Baunei Coast can be combined with Baunei, Ulassai, Gairo Vecchio and inland trails. Boat excursions always depend on sea and weather conditions.

During the second half of the month, inland Sardinia becomes more attractive. Nuoro, Orgosolo, Oliena and the towns of Barbagia provide an early taste of the season of events and traditions. It is an effective way to turn a beach holiday into a more complete journey.

• Day 1: Cagliari.
• Day 2: Villasimius.
• Day 3: Pula, Nora and Chia.
• Day 4: Tuerredda and Teulada.
• Day 5: Iglesias and Porto Flavia.
• Day 6: Sant’Antioco.
• Day 7: return to Cagliari or a free day.

This is only one example: for the North or the east coast, it is better to build a completely different itinerary rather than crossing the island.

Alongside beachwear, bring a light layer for the evening, shoes suitable for walking and protection from the wind. If you plan to hike, do not improvise with beach footwear: Sardinian trails can be rocky and technical.

Is the sea still warm? September is generally still very suitable for swimming, although conditions vary between areas and from year to year.

Is early or late September better? Early September feels more like full summer; later in the month is better for travellers who want to combine the sea, villages and excursions.

Where should I go for a first visit? Southern Sardinia, the North East and Alghero are complete choices because they offer good alternatives even when sea conditions are not ideal.

During the first half of September, planning still looks very much like a summer holiday: beaches, boat trips and coastal resorts remain at the centre of the journey. During the second half, hiking, cities and inland events become more appealing. This makes September suitable both for travellers who want to extend summer and for those looking for a more varied trip.

For a one-week trip, choose a single broad area. In the North East, stay between San Teodoro, Olbia, Arzachena and La Maddalena; in the North West, between Alghero, Bosa, Castelsardo and Stintino; in the South, between Cagliari, Villasimius, Chia and the Iglesiente; on the east coast, between Ogliastra, Baunei and Dorgali. Only with ten days or more does it make sense to connect two distant areas.

For couples, it is an ideal month for combining the sea, restaurants and villages without building the whole holiday around nightlife. For families, it can be very convenient when travelling outside the school calendar, although it is still important to check which seasonal services remain active in smaller resorts.