Sardinia is, after Sicily, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, and the distances are long — from Cagliari to Olbia is about three hours by car. The decision therefore falls at the airport. Both are reachable direct from Bolzano.

Cagliari in the south is the capital and, with Poetto, has an eight-kilometre city beach reachable by bus — a combination hardly any other Mediterranean capital offers. The better-known bays of Chia and Villasimius lie about an hour to the east and west. The south is more affordable than the north-east and works better without a car, because the city beach requires no rental.

Olbia in the north-east opens up the Costa Smeralda with its granite rocks and turquoise bays, and the La Maddalena National Park. The coast is more scenically spectacular than the south, but also markedly more expensive — especially in July and August. For a beach holiday focused on the clearest water and dramatic granite bays, this is Sardinia's postcard side.