Best time to go to Sardinia for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Sardinia?
To have the best weather conditions, the best time to go to Sardinia extends from April to November. However, the rest of the year is not to be excluded, especially if you enjoy tranquility.
If you have chosen to go there in the summer, be prepared for a crowd of vacationers rushing to the beaches and other water activities, especially in August when Italians are on vacation and come to enjoy the island. At this time, remember to make your reservations in advance, as it is difficult to find affordable accommodation at the last minute. Most hotels are fully booked. If your holidays must coincide with school vacations, the ideal time to go to Sardinia is the first half of July.
Between June and late September, it is the perfect time for diving or snorkeling in Sardinia. The water temperature is around 24°C (76°F) and visibility is at its best. Get your masks and snorkels ready!
When is the best time to go to Sardinia to recharge your batteries, away from the hustle and bustle of big cities and partygoers? It is best to plan a trip in early spring, in April or ideally in May. You will have the opportunity to admire the blooming countryside and the nature coming back to life. The only downside to this season is the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea: between 16 and 19°C (67°F) . Still a bit chilly for swimming!
Another option is to go to Sardinia in autumn, between September and November. With summer lingering, the sun and warmth are still present, and beach pleasures are entirely possible. Like spring, it is also the perfect season for hiking on the many trails on the island, as well as for surfing.
In winter, between early December and late March, the atmosphere is cooler, but precipitation is rare. It is entirely possible to consider a trip during this period, especially since the attendance is low and the prices very attractive.
Annual weather in Sardinia
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Sardinia for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F to 58°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| February | 41°F to 59°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| March | 43°F to 63°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| April | 52°F to 67°F | good weather | |||
| May | 59°F to 74°F | perfect weather* | |||
| June | 68°F to 83°F | perfect weather | |||
| July | 72°F to 90°F | perfect weather | |||
| August | 72°F to 90°F | perfect weather | |||
| September | 63°F to 83°F | perfect weather | |||
| October | 56°F to 76°F | perfect weather* | |||
| November | 50°F to 67°F | good weather | |||
| December | 45°F to 61°F | tolerable weather* |
Best time to travel to Sardinia by cities
Climate and Weather in Sardinia
Italian island located in the heart of the Great Blue, just below Corsica, the climate of Sardinia is of the Mediterranean type with hot summers over most of the territory and particularly around Cagliari or Alghero, but also with milder temperatures on the Olbia side, in the north.
In general, the weather in Sardinia is characterized by dry weather, even very dry in the south. Indeed, the island has a particularly high rate of sunshine, with 300 days of sun per year. Rainfall is quite rare, especially along the coast, and temperatures remain mild.
The climate of Sardinia therefore has four distinct seasons:
Sardinia in Summer
Unsurprisingly, summer, between June and September, is the hottest season in Sardinia. Temperatures are very high, reaching up to 35°C (95°F) , or even higher, in July and August. There are few rainy episodes during this time of the year, with precipitation being almost non-existent. Thus, the climate of Sardinia in summer is similar to that of southern Italy, such as in Palermo or Puglia.
With temperatures particularly high in the middle of the day, it is best to do as the locals do and go out early in the morning or late in the afternoon, especially if you plan on hiking or sightseeing. To enjoy the beaches, make sure to protect yourself from the sun, which can be relentless at this time of the year.
In the evening, the atmosphere is cooled by sea breezes, making it the perfect time to stroll through the cities or enjoy an excellent restaurant on a terrace in a Dolce Vita ambiance.
Sardinia in Autumn
Between late September and late October, the weather in Sardinia is ideal. Temperatures are warm without being scorching, with highs ranging from 24 to 28°C (83°F) and still very rare rainfall. The sea water is very pleasant, around 23°C (74°F) , allowing for swims late into the season.
In November, temperatures gradually drop, and it is the rainiest month of the year, although showers are short-lived and the sun is present most of the time.
It is an excellent season to visit Sardinia, alternating between hiking, cultural visits, and refreshing breaks at the beach.
Sardinia in Winter
Even in winter, between December and March, the weather in Sardinia remains pleasant, especially for those coming from northern Europe. During the day, temperatures reach an average of 15°C (59°F) , but nights are still quite chilly.
In the central mountains, the season is quite harsh: it is cold, and snow can be present on the mountain peaks. If you plan to visit Sardinia during this period, it is best to stay on the coasts where it is both warmer and drier.
Sardinia in Spring
Spring, in April and May, is one of the most pleasant times to discover Sardinia. The climate is mild, and temperatures, while pleasant, are not as hot as in summer.
The beginning of the season is often windy, which helps to clear the clouds. As the air warms up, one can enjoy the first sunbaths and even attempt a swim for the most courageous. Rain may be present in April, but becomes rare from the beginning of May.
This is when nature is at its most beautiful: meadows are covered with multicolored flowers, and the countryside is lush green. Perfect for stretching your legs and going on bucolic walks!
Temperatures and rainfall in Sardinia
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Sardinia and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Cagliari, Alghero, Olbia, Castelsardo and Cala Luna, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Sardinia
Find out when Sardinia has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Sardinia
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, November and December. The number of visitors to Sardinia is high in: May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in Sardinia: January, February and November.
- Low season in Sardinia: March, April and December.
- High season in Sardinia: May, June, July, September and October.
- Peak season in Sardinia: August.
Figure: Visitor index for Sardinia month by month
Average price for flights to Sardinia
A return flight between London and Olbia is generally cheaper if you go in october ($ 125 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 85 more for your airline ticket to Olbia if you go in december.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Sardinia
Where to go in Sardinia?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Cagliari | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Alghero | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Olbia | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Castelsardo | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Cala Luna | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 83°F | 90°F | 90°F | 81°F | 72°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Capo San Marco | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Ingurtosu | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Isola Tavolara | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| La Maddalena | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Porto Cervo | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| San Teodoro | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Sorgono | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 88°F | 88°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Stintino | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Su Nuraxi (Barumini) | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Sulcis | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 83°F | 76°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Arbatax | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 88°F | 88°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Arzachena | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 81°F | 74°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Bosa | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Carbonia | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 83°F | 76°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Carloforte | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 90°F | 83°F | 76°F | 67°F | 61°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Sardinia
What can I do in Sardinia?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Sardinia reliable?
Climate data for Sardinia has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Sardinia allows us to determine the average for each month in Cagliari, Alghero, Olbia, Castelsardo, Cala Luna, Capo San Marco, Ingurtosu, Isola Tavolara, and 27 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.