With a minicamper in Sardinia: Not like sardines in a can!
In the spring, how about a week away with a minicamper? What do you think of Sardinia? On this island, you'll drive past white beaches with stunning turquoise waters, colorful villages, beautiful mountain peaks with breathtaking views, and sheep, lots of sheep. Unlike other islands in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is very green and truly a hiker's paradise. A paradise that overflows with tourists in the summer, but in the spring, it's a peaceful getaway. Get inspired by the journey of Mieke, Ronald, and Fleur with their minicamper.
CAMPER ON THE FERRY AND OFF WE GO!
We drove in one day to Toulon, in the south of France. Taking a night ferry is a delightful way to start a trip. We booked with Corsica Ferries both a spot for our van and a comfortable cabin. It’s wonderful to enjoy the sunset while setting sail! We had a tasty pasta onboard and then played some games in our cabin. At 6 a.m., we made a brief stop in Corsica, arriving fully rested in Porto Torres, in the northwest of Sardinia, around 10 a.m.
STINTINO, LA PELOSA BEACH
Since Sardinia is mostly known for its beautiful beaches with the clearest turquoise waters, we decided to head straight to one of the most famous beaches nearby: La Pelosa in Stintino, with the whitest sand and the clearest water. In the summer, you need to book a ticket in advance to access the beach, but in spring, it’s wonderfully peaceful.
WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL ART ROAD
By lunchtime, we headed south to Alghero, a town that feels a bit like a small Barcelona with many Catalan influences. We parked near the harbor and walked toward the historic city center with its charming streets and squares. After enjoying an ice cream, we jumped back into our van to drive one of the island’s most beautiful routes: the SP 105. This 50-kilometer coastal road connects bay after bay for an hour – absolutely worth it! Eventually, we reached Bosa, a small, cozy town famous for its many brightly colored houses. A stunning sight when approaching from afar, but also a fantastic place to wander through its streets.
REBELLIOUS MOUNTAIN VILLAGE FULL OF GRAFFITI
From Bosa, we drove deep into the interior towards the eastern side of this beautiful, green island! Before continuing to the Gulf of Orosei, we stopped in Orgosolo, a rebellious place where the locals express their discontent with poverty, injustice, and war through stunning "murals," graffiti paintings, and quotes on the buildings. And new artworks are still being added.
MINI CRUISE ALONG THE GULF OF OROSEI
Cala Gonone is a typical seaside town with plenty of restaurants and a small beach. It’s the perfect base for a boat trip through the Gulf of Orosei, which is why we’re here. We were out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. cruising along a fantastic coastline, with three stops of 2 hours each at the three most beautiful beaches in the Gulf of Orosei. These beaches are only accessible by boat, not by car! According to our daughter, this was the highlight of the trip, and she made a whole series of TikTok videos. We can’t blame her. We also sailed past the Piscine di Venere, but in spring, the water was still too cold to swim there. Or at least that’s what my husband thought, because the girls jumped into the refreshing water without hesitation!
ARTISTIC STAIRCASE
The next stop was Arzachena, with the La Scalinata di Santa Lucia, a beautifully painted staircase leading to a snow-white church. Every year, a local artist paints the stairs anew. One year it was a rainbow staircase, and this year it’s an artistic tree with various fruits. Absolutely stunning! But there’s more: around Arzachena, there are numerous archaeological sites, and this is also the start of Gallura, the beautiful inland area of Northern Sardinia. Hills, mountains, and plenty of green await us!
THE CASTLE OF THE SARDINIANS – CASTELSARDO
On the way back, we were overwhelmed by the sight of Castelsardo! A hilltop village with a castle, set in a beautiful bay, picturesque streets, grandmothers weaving baskets from their doorways, and lovely souvenir shops. Definitely worth the detour and a stop!
BRITTANY IN SARDINIA
The final stop is Li Cossi, a beach on the Costa Paradiso, which definitely lives up to its name. From the parking lot, a beautiful trail leads along the sea and stunning rust-colored rocks to a secluded beach. The sun shines on the rocks, and for a moment, it reminds us of the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, that’s how beautiful it is here. The perfect end to a wonderful spring trip. We will definitely return for the southern part of the island!
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO SARDINIA
We would 100% recommend Sardinia as a week-long trip outside the summer season! The smaller the camper, the better for this trip. The ferry is also priced according to the size of your camper. Get an ice cream at Gelateria Fancello in Cala Gonone. Book your sleeping spots in advance, as many campsites and agricampeggios only open from mid-May. These are some we recommend:
- Agricampeggio Su’e Lentu, Bosa
- Camping Sardinia, Cala Gonone
- Agriturismo La Cerra, Arzachena
- Isola dei Gabbiani
Follow the adventures of this fantastic family on @miekedeclercqrsl.
Text and photos - Mieke Declercq
