A tested itinerary from Olbia to the south and back: how much to drive each day and where to stop.
Seven days are enough to cross Sardinia without rushing, provided you pick one direction and do not double back. The most balanced route starts in Olbia, runs down the east coast and returns through the interior.
Days 1 and 2 — Costa Smeralda and around: Porto Cervo, Spiaggia del Principe and the coves between Baja Sardinia and Cannigione. These are short hops of 20–40 minutes, perfect for settling in after your flight.
Days 3 and 4 — towards San Teodoro and the Gulf of Orosei: Cala Brandinchi, La Cinta and then Cala Gonone. Driving gets more demanding here, with winding panoramic roads: allow an hour and a half each way and leave early to find parking.
Days 5 and 6 — the south: Tuerredda, Chia and its dunes, based in Cagliari with an evening at Poetto. From Cala Gonone it is about a three-hour drive: the longest transfer of the trip, best tackled in the morning.
Day 7 — back towards the airport with an inland stop: Barumini and its UNESCO-listed nuraghe breaks up the return and is worth the detour. If you are returning the car to a different airport from where you collected it, remember to say so when booking.