Overview
With its scenic roads, ancient history and authentic local culture, Sardinia is a true hidden gem for cycling holidays. When you first get here, in the region of Sulcis-Iglesiente you immediately feel why it is also known as Costa Verde – The Green Coast: this place is remote, wild and has an industrial-mines past that forged the landscape and the people. This past of mineral extraction (started 8,000 years ago) creates a unique combination of abandoned mine sites with the natural beauty of the area. This itinerary offers a mix of secondary roads with great options for en-route beach breaks, comfortable accommodations where you will be able to experience the local hospitality, and numerous historical sites.
- Breath-taking views on the crystal clear Sardinian sea
- The Roman ruins near Pula
- Vast unspoilt beaches
- Sardinian food and wine: from the Carignano del Sulcis to pecorino sardo cheese
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cagliari
Your trip starts in Cagliari, well known for the Castello, a fortified medieval hillside district located above the rest of the city. Architectural attractions include Cagliari’s 13th c. Cathedral. Housed in a former arsenal, Cagliari’s National Archaeological Museum exhibits bronze objects, Roman ceramics, and artefacts from the Nuragic age through the Byzantine era. If you are lucky, you can spot flamingos relaxing in the surrounding ponds.
- Accommodation: Hotel Due Colonne or similar in Cagliari
Day 2: Nebida to Sant’Antioco | 37km
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you and your bikes to Nebida, from where you will start your coastal daily cycle about 25km to the port of Portovesme, where you take the ferry to the Island of San Pietro. When you dock at Carloforte harbour, you will soon start noticing the different accent the locals have (they have Genoese roots and speak a different dialect from the rest of Sardinians). After a walk/ride in Carloforte, you take another ferry, this time to Calasetta, on Sant’Antioco Island, home of some excellent wines (Carignano del Sulcis).
- Cycling for the day: 37km, ↑304m ↓150m
- Accommodation: B&B Il Sentiero B&Bio or similar in Sant’Antioco
Day 3: Sant’Antioco Loop | 42km
Today is full of options: it’s possible to ride your bike all around the island, stop by various inlets for picnic breaks, go on a fishing boat excursion, have a horseback ride, or just relax at the beach.
- Cycling for the day: 42km, ↑480m ↓460m
- Accommodation: B&B Il Sentiero B&Bio or similar in Sant’Antioco
Day 4: Sant’Antioco to Porto Pino | 35km
This morning your first stop is the village of Tratalias, with its Romanic church dedicated to S. Maria di Montserrat. The ‘ghost’ village with just a few renovated stone houses will take you back to the enchanted atmosphere of the ancient Tratalia, once enclosed by three ‘Baroque’ arches (two are still intact), which may have been entrances to the citadel. You then descend towards Porto Pino along beautiful countryside and vineyards.
- Cycling for the day: 35km, ↑220m ↓225m
- Accommodation: Hotel Cala dei Pini or similar in Porto Pino
Day 5: Porto Pino Loop | 24km
Today is full of options: it’s possible to ride your bike inland, stopping by various villages for a picnic, for example, Sant’Anna Arresi, a lovely little town that features Nuraghe, called Arresi, right in the centre of the town between the two churches, the old and the new, dedicated to Sant’Anna – the town is named after the saint. After the ride, you can just relax on the famous Porto Pino dunes beach, little coves with pink sand and crystalline waters.
- Cycling for the day: 24km, ↑26 m ↓260m
- Accommodation: Hotel Cala dei Pini or similar in Porto Pino
Day 6: Porto Pino to Teulada | 35km
This morning your first stop is the village of Masinas; after a stop at the village of Santadi (home of a famous winery), you pass by the stunning caves Is Zuddas (definitely worth a visit). A nice ride along a quiet road leads you to Teulada, your last stop of the day, famous for terracotta pipes and highly refined embroidery.
- Cycling for the day: 35km, ↑210m ↓310m
- Accommodation: Hotel Jasmine or similar in Teulada
Day 7: Teulada to Pula | 50km
The last day is pure joy for keen cyclists. The Costa del Sud is an incessant repetition of ups and downs with breathtaking views of the coast and the sea, watchtowers and beautiful inlets. There are some great places to stop and swim in the crystal-clear water before arriving at the last stop, Pula. Just a couple of kilometres out of town, you can visit Nora’s archaeological site, an important Fenician port where you can admire some very well-preserved Roman mosaics.
- Cycling for the day: 50km, ↑625m ↓675m
- Accommodation: Hotel Marin or similar in Pula
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast on your own or extra nights in Pula.
What to expect
Accommodation
Standard accommodation for this trip is in selected 3-star hotels and B&Bs, all in twin/double en-suite rooms. Some accommodations have a swimming pool. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Due Colonne (Cagliari)
- B&B Il Sentiero B&Bio (Sant’Antioco)
- Hotel Cala dei Pini (Porto Pino)
- Hotel Jasmine (Teulada)
- Hotel Marin (Pula)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
**What is an agriturismo? A combination of the words for “agriculture” and “tourism” in Italian — It is a farm-stay, but it’s also much, much more. Typically, an agriturismo is an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially for accommodation purposes, in a way similar to English or American bed and breakfasts. One of the best parts of staying in a traditional agriturismo? The food. An Italian agriturismo will usually serve guests food that was prepared from raw materials – vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, and often wine and olive oil – produced on the farm or from other local merchants.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. When no restaurant is available on the route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can either dine at the restaurant in your accommodation or the places in the town where you stay overnight.
Difficulty and terrain
The daily rides are mostly undulating, due to the hilly landscape. Some climbs are short and steep, others long and gradual, so the tip is suitable for cyclists in good physical shape. Most of the rides are on secondary roads with very little traffic, with an average daily distance of 45km and elevation gain ranging between 400m and 1,200m (read more about difficulty grades). Once you arrive at your first hotel, you will receive a detailed information package, including a destination manual, route notes, and maps. Prior to the start date, you will also be sent GPS tracks, which you can load on any Garmin device or smartphone application that you are used to working with.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of April until the end of October except for end of July – August. Late spring, the early summer and the entire autumn are beautiful in Sardinia. It can be scorching in August.
Day 2 of your cycling tour must be on a Sunday, therefore the arrival day (day 1) should be a Saturday. Extra nights can also be added before your tour, should you wish to arrive on a different day.
Without a doubt, the best time to see Sardinia is from April to June, when the spring flowers are in bloom, the weather is just warm enough, and the temperature of the Mediterranean allows for the first dips of the season. The months of September and October are also an excellent time to visit the region, while the temperatures are still mild.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Cagliari.
By train or bus
Arrival in Cagliari: From Cagliari Airport, you can take a train to Cagliari train station (7 minutes – approx.1,50 Euros) or a taxi.
Departure from Pula: The closest airport is Cagliari Airport. From Pula, you can take a bus to Cagliari, and then a train to the Airport Train Station (7min)
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in selected B&Bs and hotels in private rooms with ensuite facilities
- 7 breakfasts
- Transfer to Nebida on day 2
- Luggage transfer on all cycling days (1 piece up to 20kg per person)
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, navigation app credentials, GPS tracks and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure – printed documents can be provided on-site at an additional fee.
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfer on departure
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘Included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
- Bike rental
- Airport transfers
- Printed tour materials at first accommodation
Bike Rental
In case you would like to rent a bike from us, we can offer you a standard trekking bike, road-bike or e-bike. All our bikes are equipped with a front bag with a map holder and odometer. Additional panniers are bookable upon request. Our standard offerings are:
Hybrid Bikes – Model: Nature Pro
Shimano Deore SL-M6000, disc brakes, with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and a rear rack
Included: 1 rear bag + 1 phone holder + 1 repair kit every 2 bikes + 1 combination lock every 2 bikes
E-bikes – Model: Touring Hybrid Pro 500
Shimano Deore SL-M5100, disc brakes, with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and 500wh battery
Included: 1 rear bag + 1 phone holder + 1 combination lock + 1 repair kit every 2 bikes
Gallery
