The second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, the island of Sardinia benefits from a great climate, stunning landscapes, a distinct culture, and a fascinating history. Luxury villa rentals in Sardinia let you experience all this so you can enjoy the best of this beautiful, autonomous part of Italy in style, luxury, and privacy. Whether you're planning a luxury holiday or a long-awaited family getaway, there are villas to match every vision.
Sardinia is one of the oldest inhabited islands in Europe, with habitation dating back to the Paleolithic era. Alongside its archaeological sites and ancient ruins, it offers modern comforts too. And while its prehistoric Nuragic megaliths rightfully attract a lot of attention, it was really in the Roman era when the tradition of building large, luxury villas in Sardinia began.
During the Middle Ages, power in Sardinia alternated between a number of forces, including the Pisans, Genoans, and the Aragonians, creating an even richer architectural heritage. Villas at this time grew even more elaborate and included defensive structures. Today, Sardinia villas for rent come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from country estates to luxury villas that rival the world's best.
As such, the first step to choosing a holiday villa or rental in Sardinia is to decide on your approximate travel dates and party size. From there, your Rental Escapes villa specialist will be happy to present you with the best luxury villas for rent for your group.
Home to some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, Sardinia has become one of the top yachting and jet-setting destinations in the world. Luxury villas in Sardinia cater to these discriminating tastes by maintaining the highest standards in amenities, comfort, and service.
Most of our luxury villas to rent in Sardinia are located on or near Costa Smeralda, known as Sardinia's Emerald Coast. Thanks to its natural beauty, this coastline is the most expensive location in Europe per square metre. Neighbouring towns like Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are especially sought-after for their high-end ambiance.
As such, many private villas in Sardinia focus on letting you enjoy your surroundings in comfort and privacy. They often feature villas with private pools, expansive outdoor living areas, and stunning interiors overlooking the sea. Some even include private beach access, which is a true luxury with the coast of Sardinia as breathtaking as it is.
While Sardinia certainly has a fascinating culture and history, for many, the beautiful sandy beach is the top reason to visit, especially in the summertime. Seaside Sardinia beach villas offer a front-row seat to the warm Mediterranean water, stunning beaches, and life-affirming views. They include:
With its warm Mediterranean climate and beautiful coastline, you'll want to spend a lot of time outside. Villas in Sardinia with pools let you do just that in style and privacy, usually surrounded by gorgeous, unobstructed ocean views. Top choices include:
Italy is part of the Schengen area, so if you're travelling within the area, you don't need to show your passport. If you're coming from outside the area, including from the US, Canada, or the UK, then you'll have to show your passport upon entering the area.
If you're flying in, Sardinia's two main airports are Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG), which primarily serves the southern part of the island, and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AFG), which serves the northern part. Both are connected to international airlines, as well as to budget airlines within Europe.
Sardinia is also reachable by ferry, including from Cagliari, Olbia, Genoa, Civitavecchia (near Rome), and Livorno and Piombino (both in Tuscany). These ferry rides can take several hours but are a scenic and relaxing way to reach Sardinia, especially as you approach the coast.
Once you're in Sardinia, you can get around by bus, taxi, private driver, or car rental. Trains are limited, but they are available to get around the coastal part of the island.
Renting a car is a popular option, and driving around the island is relatively easy (and beautiful!). Taxis and private drivers can be more expensive than on the mainland, but are a great way to get around as well.
Your Rental Escapes concierge can assist with airport transfers, car rentals, and private drivers.
If you want to maximize your time in the sun and in the water with sports opportunities or get mesmerized by numerous vibrant traditional festivals, then you'll want to travel in the summer, from June to August. This is peak season in Sardinia, and also when prices and crowds are at their highest.
For many, shoulder season will be the best time to travel, especially from May-June and September-October. The water is usually still hot enough to swim in, the crowds are smaller, and you can find a great deal on booking villas in Sardinia.
Winter is the low season across Sardinia, and any tourist-centred services, including some bars and restaurants, will shut down. Still, this is when you can find the absolute best deals across the island.
Sail the Coast: Thanks to its gorgeous coastline, great climate, and lush vegetation, Sardinia is one of Europe's top sailing destinations, especially on its northeastern coast. Take advantage and charter a boat tour around Porto Rafael and Cala di Volpe to discover this beautiful coastline for yourself while enjoying some of the beautiful beaches and great snorkelling that Sardinia is known for.
Visit Nuraghe Archeological Site: Dating back to the Bronze Age, the Nuraghe towers offer visitors a chance to experience Sardinia's most ancient history. Not only are these some of the most impressive megaliths of that era, but they also offer fascinating insight into Sardinia's unique Nuragic civilization. Plus, they're only about 50-100 km from Costa Smeralda, and the drive itself is very scenic.
Go Golfing: Sardinia is home to some beautiful natural parks and golf courses, especially on the northeastern coast near Costa Smeralda. This includes the world-famous Pevero Golf Club and Is Molas Golf Club, both designed by Robert Trench Jones and known for their ocean-side locations and high-end facilities.
Sardinia's delicious cuisine benefits from both Mediterranean and North African influences, with a big focus on fresh, local ingredients. Given its seaside location, it should come as no surprise that fresh seafood is a big deal here. You'll also see a lot of pecorino cheese, made with sheep's milk; porchetta, or slow-roasted pig; and culurigones, a type of stuffed pasta typically filled with meat, cheese, potatoes, and mint.
To drink, enjoy some mirto, a liqueur made in world-class wineries from myrtle plant berries and served as a digestif, or Cannonau --- a Sardinian red wine known for its richness and health benefits.
And for dessert, try the seadas -- a type of fried pastry filled with pecorino cheese and honey. Sardinian honey is especially well-regarded across Europe, so expect plenty of other desserts to use local honey as well.
Your Rental Escapes concierge can also arrange private chef service and villa pre-stocking on any Sardinian villa rental.
Sardinia benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm, clear summers and mild, rainy winters.
Summertime sees average temperatures vary between 25°C-30°C (77°F-86°F). Summer is also the driest season, especially on the northeastern coast, which only sees about 5-10 millimetres (0.2-0.4 inches) of rain per month. Sea temperatures at this time vary between 22°C-25°C (72°F-77°F), which is ideal for swimming.
Autumn sees temperatures drop to between 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F). Rainfall increases significantly as autumn progresses, with overall rainfall varying between 30-60 millimetres (1.2-2.4 inches) per month. Sea temperatures at this time vary between 20°C-22°C (68°F-72°F), meaning it's still comfortable enough to swim, especially in early autumn.
Spring sees average temperatures also vary between 15°C-20°C (59°F-68°F). Showers are more frequent at this time but are typically short-lived. Expect about 20-60 millimetres (0.8-2.4 inches) of rain per month, usually falling in short showers. Water temperatures during the spring vary between 15°C-18°C (59°F-64.4°F).
Winter sees average temperatures between 10°C-15°C (50°F-59°F). Winter is also the wettest month, with average rainfall between 70-75 millimetres (2.8-3.0 inches) per month. That said, quite a few days can still be mild and warm, even at the height of winter.
If you're visiting this beautiful part of Italy, Rental Escapes can elevate your Sardinia villa rental into a true luxury experience.
Our portfolio includes the finest luxury Sardinia villa rentals, including villas with private swimming pools, seafront and luxury beachfront villas, family holiday rentals, and more.
Your Rental Escapes reservation expert can find the best villa for your group, and your concierge personalizes your trip to create the ultimate holiday in Sardinia.
Contact us today to book your next dream holiday!
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Luxury Villa Rentals for 2+ people
