Sardinia Tours
ITALY TOURS | SMALL GROUP TOUR
Sardinia is part of Italy - and it is not. Such a proud and ancient culture that have inhabited this island for millennia, it stands apart as a unique Mediterranean location that is distinctive and unusual.
From the Bronze Age Nuraghic structures - circular fortress-like buildings - to ancient Phoenician settlements, these are special places that you will see. We explore numerous cultural aspects, from the murals in the town of Orgosolo, to hearing 'canto a tenore' singing - unique to the central hills of Sardinia on our Sardinia tours.
Check out our Tripadvisor tour reviews.
Sardinia Tour Highlights:
- Visit key locations in Sardinia such as Cagliari, Alghero, Oristano, Bosa, Orgosolo, Cabras and Nora.
- See and understand how the mix of populations in Sardinia has produced a very specific influence on the island, from the early Phoenician dominance, right through to the more recent Catalan influences in the north west.
- Experience cultural aspects that are unique to Sardinia – distinctive ‘canto tenore’ singing that is so different to musical styles found on mainland Italy; the Orgosolo murals representing the 20th century protest movement; the vibrant San Benedetto markets.
- Our Sardinia tour has a culinary focus - during your week we’ll taste a wide range of fare, from the pasticcerias, the local breads, and meals that are specifically Sardinian, such as fregula (a couscous-like pasta) and pane frattau. You will notice a fusion of Spanish and Mediterranean influences in the cuisine.
- Visit ancient sites and discoveries, such as the Roman port town of Nora, the Iron Age statues “the giants of Mont’e Prama”, and the Bronze Age nuraghi stone fortresses at Su Nuraxu-Borromini.


Sardinia Tour:
- Our small group tour of Sardinia is a balance between being informative (historical details, examples of the culture and lifestyle), as well as having everything that makes for an enjoyable trip (long lunches in good restaurants, a relaxed pace, free time in places we visit)
- We stay for the week in good 4 star hotels in Cagliari, Oristano and Alghero
- Our Small Group Tour has a maximum of 14 people
- You have our tour manager with you throughout the week, available to provide support and assistance when you need it. Many people appreciate having someone to turn to who is familiar with the local area, whether it be for help getting something from a pharmacy / drugstore, or simply where to find the best gelato!
- This is the Sardinia Holiday that you’d design yourself. We are Italy... with pleasure
- This 7 day Sardinia tour starts in Cagliari and finishes in Alghero

What our customers say about Italy With Pleasure
“Everything was perfect! They packaged the hotel, all meals, daily tours to a variety of very special and interesting sites, and handled all of the myriad of details seamlessly. The agency is very customer-service focused and was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend this tour company. Italy With Pleasure gets 5 stars!”
“I am widely travelled and have never been on a tour before so went with some trepidation. It was the absolute highlight of my travels in Italy and definitely the best food I had the whole time. I cannot recommend Italy with Pleasure more highly don't even think about it just book with them you will not be disappointed I am sure.”
“Our time travelling with ‘Italy with Pleasure’ was our best experience. Believe all that they say in their brochure... family run, hands on and very professional. Their standards are high and they are very responsive to everyone’s needs. They source excellent restaurants... way beyond our experiences with other companies we travelled with. We highly recommend this company, have mentioned it to friends and fellow travellers”
“The itinerary was well organized and done at a comfortable pace: touring in the morning followed by mouth-watering lunch featuring the specialties of the area as well as fine wines of the area. All of the restaurants were excellent as was the food. It was a wonderful week and I will have many fond memories of my stay. This tour is a gem and I highly recommend it!”
“The tour group was quite small, 8 people all delightful. We were driven to some very interesting towns and other sites, where guides introduced us to the art and history... The tour was full but not too intense so we felt we had enough time to enjoyed the excellent food and wine which were highlights of the tour for us. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour.”
“The places that we visited were fascinating and very unique, and the food and wine was delectable. I didn't know what to expect of the trip, but it more than fulfilled any hopes that I had for a great week. Everything was well organised and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. I can thoroughly recommend the tour.”
See these and other reviews on Google Reviews, TripAdvisor and other review sites.



ACCOMMODATION
We use good quality 4 star rated hotels located in Cagliari, Oristano and Alghero.
In Cagliari we stay in the historic central area in the Hotel Regina Margherita. The hotel is a modern, well presented establishment with a good restaurant and cocktail bar.
In Oristano we stay in a boutique hotel, the Hotel Duomo. This has many interesting features and you’ll love the lounge areas where you can relax and chat in the evenings.
Near Alghero we stay in either the Hotel Catalunya or the Hotel Punta Negra looking out over the coast – a fine way to end your week in Sardinia.
Some reviews of our tours:
“I only really wanted to feedback how much my sister and I had enjoyed being part of the Italy with Pleasure October 2022 small group tour in Sardinia. It was the first time either of us had visited the island and the tour certainly gave us a good introduction to its history and culture, in addition to seeing a lot of the countryside whilst being driven on the tour minibus. We much appreciated the informative Sardinia Tour 2022 booklet given to us at the introductory meeting with Marco, our guide for the week, as well as the other printed handouts given out during our visits. We were fortunate in having a beautiful warm sunny week for our visit - ideal sightseeing weather - and also fortunate that the summer crowds had mostly disappeared so that we often had the archaeological sites to ourselves. We enjoyed all of the visits and also having some free time most evenings to explore our new surroundings; Marco, our guide, was always on hand to give suggestions of things to do or places to eat and to make sure that no member of the group was ever excluded. Whilst it was my first time in Sardinia, I hope it will not be my last, and I have no hesitation in recommending a trip with Italy with Pleasure.”
“The tour was absolutely fabulous. I was able to see and experience things that created once in a lifetime memories. Riccardo was phenomenal. He made sure that our trip was perfect. Any question or request we had, he worked hard to answer/meet. He was so upbeat and fun while dealing with all of our varied personalities! Thanks again for a trip of a life!”
“Everything was perfect! They packaged the hotel, all meals, daily tours to a variety of very special and interesting sites, and handled all of the myriad of details seamlessly. The agency is very customer-service focused and was a pleasure to work with.”
“The tour was terrific as was the hotel accommodation, and Andy was the best! It was well organized and we didn’t skip a beat. That last night at the farmhouse was memorable and the perfect send-off. The tour guides in each of the cities we visited were well informed and did a great job explaining what we were seeing. I highly recommended Italy With Pleasure to people I know that might be interested in travel to Italy. The small group size, and in our tour, Andy, is what makes it happen.”
See these and other reviews on Google Reviews, TripAdvisor and other review sites.
Day 1: Buongiorno Sardinia - exploring Cagliari
Welcome to Sardinia, over this week you’ll start to uncover what makes this island special – fiercely independent, wonderful natural environments, unique historical sites, and a cuisine that is specifically ‘sarda’.
We start the tour in our centrally located hotel, right in the historic area of Cagliari.
Together we look through the Castello area, the oldest part of the city, located within the 14th century fortified walls and hemmed in by cliffs on either side. The history of invaders here, through the millennia, makes it understandable that people would live in this tightly packed district up on the hill.
We take a break back in the hotel, then meet and walk together to the Marina area. Here we share our first meal. The Sardinian cuisine is distinctly different from the Italian food that most of us know, the result of diverse influences.
The land where they raise their sheep and their fantastic pecorino cheese. The sea that has brought invaders and settlers to these shores, and the culinary traditions that have been absorbed and made their own. The breads such as carasau – wheat has been grown here since ancient Roman times, a local greeting is “saludi e trigu” (“good health and wheat”). Pasta that you don’t find in the rest of Italy, such as fregula (similar to couscous) and culurgionis (a type of ravioli). Through this week we will try all these foods and many more. We have an enjoyable start tonight.
Meals included:
Dinner (3 courses including wine)
Accommodation:
Hotel Regina Margherita (4 star), Cagliari.

Day 2: Nora Archaeological
In the morning we first drive a short distance to a viewpoint over the city, where you get another perspective on aspects of Cagliari.
We see the different wetlands that surround Cagliari, used for many centuries as salt pans.
We then leave the city and travel along the southern coastline to a place called Nora. This has a long history, from starting as a Phoenician settlement in the 8th century BC, then becoming a Roman town and port. It is the Roman town that we see today - the remains of what were elegant villas by the sea complete with detailed mosaic floors and ancient Roman roads.
Lunch is in the town of Pula.
In the afternoon we visit a place called Tuvixeddu. This is a necropolis, or burial area, used first by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC.
This is the largest Punic burial site, comprised of 1000 "well tombs" and reveals this cultures' belief in the afterlife.
We arrive back in Cagliari in the late afternoon.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch (3 courses including wine)
Accommodation:
Hotel Regina Margherita (4 star), Cagliari.

Day 3 - Nuraghic Bronze Age Sites - Su Nuraxi
We first visit the San Benedetto markets. This is the key point for the trade of all types of fresh food for the city – some of which you’ll be tempted by, some that is a bit more challenging. In these markets you see how the locals shop, what they buy, what is fresh, and what is caught in this part of the Mediterranean sea.
Next we go further back in time, yesterday’s ancient Roman town being just an introduction. Our focus today is on the Nuraghic civilisation, a Bronze Age population that lived on Sardinia. They have left some impressive markers of their presence here. Firstly we see a nuraghi, a fortified structure with almost a beehive shape, built of basalt blocks. The nuraghi that we visit in Barumini is called Su Nuraxu and is the largest of these ancient fortresses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The original settlement dates from 1500 BC, with constant habitation for over 2000 years. This is a physical timeline of Sardinia.
After lunch in a charming agriturismo nearby we continue on to another Bronze Age site. This is known as the ‘tomb of the giants’, or locally as ‘Sa Domu and S’Orcu’. This is like nothing else that you see in Italy - the size of the stone blocks, the fascinating shape, and also just the simplicity and scale of the structure situated up on a hilltop as a monument to a forgotten time. The tomb, as well as its burial function, may have been dedicated to the god Taurus.
We continue on to our hotel in the town of Oristano, arriving in the early evening.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch (3 courses including wine)
Accommodation:
Hotel Duomo (4 star), Oristano.

Day 4 - Giants of Mont’e Prama – Santa Cristina
From our base in Oristano we have a wealth of things to see and do in close proximity on the Sinis Peninsula. Firstly we visit the village of San Salvatore. The village itself is unlike any other town in Sardinia, with its narrow lanes lined with rows of tiny houses - in fact it has been used many times as a film set for these reasons.
We then view the ancient site of Tharros. Situated on a peninsula, this has been a prized location since Phoenician times.
Moving on to the archaeological museum in the town of Cabras, we see the statues known as the ‘giants of Mont’e Prama’. These recently found monolithic artifacts, carved in the Iron Age (900 BC), are unlike anything that you normally associate with Italian history. They were found in this area. Also in this museum we see many of the Punic and Roman items found in the nearby archaeological area of Tharros.
After a seaside lunch, we travel to the village of Santa Cristina. Here we find a sacred well, over 3000 years old and incredible for the precision of its construction. The feeling of this being a sacred place is pervasive, and we marvel at how the structure is aligned with celestial bodies.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch (3 courses including wine)
Accommodation:
Hotel Duomo (4 star), Oristano.

Day 5: Orgosolo Murals – Canto Tenore Singing
As a contrast to yesterday’s coastal jaunt, today we head inland, into the mountainous interior. First we visit the town of Orgosolo. This is the key mural town of Sardinia, with numerous building painted with local scenes, slogans, and an incredible variety of weird and wonderful things. We look around the town centre with a local guide. Learning about Orgosolo and the history of these murals reveals much about the more recent history of Sardinia, and the challenges and aspirations of the people who live here.
For lunch we visit one of the large forest parks that cover much of this central area, the Supramonte. We dine on the traditional foods cooked on an open grill, enjoyed outdoors in a casual setting.
After lunch we have a very special performance of ‘canto tenore‘ - most visitors to Sardinia do not get to experience this local polyphonic singing method. Canto tenore consists of three men singing together with different tones, creating a curious effect, while a fourth sings or chants a poem. This type of singing is specific to this Barbagia region of Sardinia and is recognised by UNESCO with its inclusion on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
During the afternoon we reach our final destination, Alghero.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch (picnic style)
Accommodation:
Hotel Punta Negra or Hotel Catalunya (both 4 star), Alghero.

Day 6: Alghero
In the morning we walk together through the historic centre of Alghero, looking at the aspects that make this such a fascinating city.
Alghero has a culture that is distinctly different from the rest of Sardinia. The key influences here are Spanish, following the conquering of the city by the Aragonese in the 14th century. The local dialect is closely related to Catalan. The old town has a superb seaside location, and much to discover. We leave you some free time to wander the lanes of the town or to enjoy the waterfront cafes.
The cuisine here is also heavily influenced by the Spanish, with paella being the signature dish.
The old town has a superb seaside location, and much to discover. There are numerous cafes along the walls and bastions of the old town, where we can enjoy a coffee looking out to sea.
Next we travel to a Bombarde beach. Sardinia is famed for its turquoise clear waters and great beaches, and we give you some time to relax on the beach, have a swim or just take it easy in the cafe nearby. Those that prefer not to have beach time will be dropped back to the hotel.
In the evening we cap off the week with ‘the last supper’, our final Sardinian meal together.
Meals included:
Breakfast, Dinner (3 courses including wine)
Accommodation:
Hotel Punta Negra or Hotel Catalunya (both 4 star), Alghero.
Day 7 - Arrivederci
As we have now reached the end of our tour, we drop off at Alghero’s airport nearby and bid you “buon viaggio”.
Meals included:
Breakfast

Sardinia Tour Dates 2024:
5 - 11 May
26 May - 1 June
8 - 14 September
22 - 28 September
29 September - 5 October
13 - 19 October
Tour Price: €2500
* Price listed is based on twin share
* Single supplements of €300 for solo travellers
Tour Price Includes:
- All accommodation is included. Accommodation is in 4 star hotels in Cagliari, Oristano and Alghero
- All costs/entry fees for activities listed in the itinerary are included
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: breakfast every morning, plus a main meal each day of 3-4 courses including wine
- All costs/entry fees for activities listed in the itinerary are included
- All transport during the tour is included. Travel is in our van/minibus with a professional driver
- 'Italy With Pleasure' provides a tour manager for the duration of the trip on hand to provide any support that you need
Some reviews of our tours:
“Believe all that they say in their brochure... family run, hands on and very professional. Their standards are high and they are very responsive to everyone’s needs.”
“We had an amazing trip with Riccardo (our tour guide). Ended up taking this tour for our honeymoon, and would do it over 1000x. Everything was planned to perfection. We are excited to do another one with Malcolm and his team soon!”
“I can't say enough about this tour and our guide Richie! The group was small; only 6 people; that made the tour so special and personal. everything was handled beautifully, our accommodations were very comfortable, typically Italian and very charming; the meals were fantastic; you could tell the restaurants were chosen by Italy With Pleasure with great care. a shout out also needs to go to our driver, Franco. I would definitely go on another tour with Italy with Pleasure!”
“Malcolm and Antonella are excellent tour guides, and all the dining and wine tasting they arranged on this trip were fantastic. They are very knowledgeable about the local area and had great advice on some side trips. The hotels chosen were well located and locally run. I had a wonderful time!”
“We had a fantastic time on this trip. Ricardo was wonderful and we all really enjoyed his company and knowledge of the area. Another fantastic Italy with Pleasure trip. I love this company for providing a small, private tour atmosphere, with attention to detail on food, logistics and educational site visits. You guys are amazing. Until next time.... thanks so much.”
“We had a most wonderful time and a most wonderful tour guide, Mark. He was personable, knowledgeable and accommodating. We would love him as our guide on another tour. Each town we visited had another guide specific to the that history and culture. Everything was beautifully planned out and well executed. Our room was beautiful, our view was breathtaking, we could not have asked for a more memorable trip!!”
See these and other reviews on Google Reviews, TripAdvisor and other review sites.