Where to Stay in North Sardinia (neighboorhood + hotel guide)

Where to Stay in North Sardinia for YOU

Keep scrolling to learn everything about these best places in North Sardinia, with pros & cons + hotel options. 👇

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in North Sardinia – Pros & Cons

North Sardinia is one of the most fantastic areas of the entire Mediterranean: from pristine sand beaches to fancy, buzzing towns, everyone will find something to adore.

However, as awesome as it is, the upper half of the island is a pretty large area, and it can be pretty difficult to find the best town for you. Don’t worry, I’ve narrowed it down to 5 areas, depending on what you are looking for:

THE BEST Place to Stay in North Sardinia: Alghero

Not only is Alghero the best town in North Sardinia, but also one of the best on the entire island: it has everything you need, no matter what you are mostly looking forward to, and is thus the best compromise you can find. So, if you want to make sure your stay in Sardinia is memorable, just pick this town!

As for the reasons I decided to pick Alghero as my favorite place to stay in North Sardinia, there are multiple.

First off, you can easily reach the city because it has one of the airports of the island. It’s also easy to get around and visit Sardinia starting from Alghero. 

Then, there are plenty of incredible beaches, which I’m sure is what you love most, but also great sights nearby such as the Neptune’s Cave.

And finally, the town itself is split into two parts, one of them being more modern, while the other is authentic and ancient.

Where to Stay in Alghero

Right, you’ve decided you want to stay in Alghero, and I can’t blame you; there are tons of breathtaking views and interesting activities there.

However, if you want to make the most out of your stay there, you’ll need a fitting hotel; here, I have listed my 3 favorite options in the town, sorted by budget:

✅ Best Hotel: Alma di Alghero Hotel

For such pricing, the experience you’ll get at the Alma di Alghero Hotel is nothing short of incredible, which is why it is easily the best hotel in Alghero.

On top of that, its outdoor area boasts a wide, lit-up swimming pool with unforgettable views of the sunset and the sea, while the interior is clean, modern, and bright.

✨ Luxury Choice: Casa Villamarina

For those of you who love the rolling hills and seemingly infinite vineyards of Tuscany, in northern Italy, you’ll adore the Casa Villamarina, which replicates exactly that in North Sardinia.

In this luxury hotel, you will stay amidst a vineyard and will taste local, exquisite wines every day, while your room will be decorated with fancy tones of brown, beige, and white.

💰 Budget Pick: Lo Spicchio B&B

Lastly, for budget travelers, I can only recommend the Lo Spicchio B&B. Considering how many incredible perks it offers, I still can’t believe how cheap it is!

Situated a mere 1 km / 0.6 mi from the nearest beach, it is fully equipped with anything you need, and its rooms are spacious. Fantastic!

Best Place to Stay in North Sardinia for Beaches: La Maddalena

Sure, Alghero has incredible beaches, but if you want THE place to stay if your major concern is the beachfront, then La Maddalena is for you.

This stunning, unspoiled archipelago is located in the northeasternmost part of the island, and its seaside is just paradisiacal. I can tell you that, if you decide to stay there, you won’t ever get bored of the jaw-dropping views of the turquoise waters of Sardinia.

The main town of the archipelago is also named La Maddalena, and you could stay there if you wanted to, although all of it is just amazing. The area is overall very beautiful, much wilder than the rest of the island, and it is pretty relaxing and intimate.

Actually, the marine ecosystem is untouched there, as the archipelago is a natural reserve. The landscapes are stunning, and the vegetation is superb.

Where to Stay in La Maddalena

Although the archipelago of La Maddalena is largely unspoiled, it still offers plenty of accommodation.

And, if you want to make sure you picked the best option, here are 3 of them you simply cannot go wrong with:

✅ Best Hotel: Excelsior

I am 100% convinced that Excelsior is easily the best hotel in La Maddalena. Featuring a spotlessly clean interior and spacious rooms, its architecture is just magnificent.

Besides, you will be located in the middle of the harbor of the main town of the archipelago, which gives you prime access to all the boats and ferries.

✨ Luxury Choice: Hotel Cala Lunga

For those of you who want the most memorable and comfortable stay in the natural reserve of La Maddalena, I give you the Hotel Cala Lunga.

Situated right on the beachfront, this hotel offers a fully equipped, private portion of the beach, as well as stunning swimming pools and modern amenities. Awesome!

💰 Budget Pick: Hotel Villa Marina

Last but not least, I believe travelers on a tight budget will be very satisfied with the Hotel Villa Marina. Located right next to the center of La Maddalena, it serves exquisite breakfasts every morning and boasts plenty of parking spots.

On top of that, the staff there will swiftly answer your every demand, and they are both smiling and nice.

Check out this guide to get more hotel picks in La Maddalena.

Best Place to Stay in North Sardinia for Families: Santa Teresa Gallura

Are you looking for the best way to treat your loved ones during your trip to North Sardinia? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered: just go to Santa Teresa Gallura, and your entire family will be thanking you!

Why, do you ask? Quite simply because the town is the perfect quaint getaway for a memorable holiday as a group. Its location is remote, and the scenery is overall particularly peaceful. Also, in this safe little village, you will enjoy beautiful narrow streets and tasty restaurants.

Although it would, in my opinion, fit the requirements of any kind of family, Santa Teresa Gallura is best for groups with kids under 10. The beaches there are just incredible, and there are pedalos and a laid-back atmosphere: what more could you want to enjoy your time with your children?

However, be careful that, aside from relaxing and enjoying the wilderness, there aren’t that many activities there.

Where to Stay in Santa Teresa Gallura

As peaceful as Santa Teresa Gallura can be, it will never be memorable if you don’t associate it with a fantastic hotel. And, if you want to make sure your family doesn’t lack anything, pick one of these 3 options:

✅ Best Hotel: B&B Rosa dei Venti

Located right on the beachfront, the B&B Rosa dei Venti is easily the best hotel you can find in Santa Teresa Gallura.

There, you and your loved ones will enjoy particularly comfortable beds, as well as a copious and fresh breakfast. Also, the host will very warmly welcome you to Sardinia, and the rooms are spotlessly clean.

✨ Luxury Choice: Villa Bianca Luxury B&B Experience

The main reason I picked the Villa Bianca Luxury B&B Experience as my favorite luxury hotel in Santa Teresa Gallura is for sure the breathtaking views it offers.

Situated right next to a pristine sand beach, it is stylishly and modernly decorated, and you and your family will enjoy all the fanciness and comfort Sardinia has to offer.

💰 Budget Pick: Da Adriana Guesthouse

For those of you who are looking for affordable yet decent accommodation, Da Adriana Guesthouse is right here for you; even for families, it will perfectly do the trick.

In this hotel, you will be served fresh and local breakfasts every morning, and you can also rest on a cute, sunny terrace. Plus, thanks to its guesthouse status, it feels pretty cozy and intimate.

Best Place to Stay in North Sardinia for Couples: Costa Smeralda

Although Costa Smeralda is the most famous and coveted area of Sardinia, I simply couldn’t decide on a perfect place for couples, as I believe the entirety of this area is suitable for a romantic holiday.

Although it is pretty wide with several cities like Olbia, it offers so much buzzing activity all around that any kind of couple will never get bored, even younger ones.

If you want to relax by the seaside and sunbathe on the warm sand of the island, then Costa Smeralda is the place to go: it boasts some of the most amazing beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and is pretty famous for that.

Besides, if you want to try the multitudes of excellent, authentic restaurants there, be my guest: I can tell you, you won’t regret it.

Nevertheless, I must warn you that you should travel there off season, as it is pretty crowded during the summer.

Where to Stay in Costa Smeralda

Costa Smeralda is a pretty large area, which means it can be tedious to find the best hotel to stay in: there are so many of them!

Despite this, I still believe that these 3 stand out, so tell me what you think:

✅ Best Hotel: La Smeralda – Boutique Rooms and Breakfast

With such stylish room design and excellent location, La Smeralda – Boutique Rooms and Breakfast is for sure the best hotel in the entirety of Costa Smeralda.

There, the staff is nice and caring, the cleanliness is impeccable and the breakfast is homemade with fresh, local products. Enjoy your stay!

✨ Luxury Choice: Borgo Alba Barona Turismo Rurale

If you are looking for a comfortable and luxurious holiday in one of the most coveted areas of the Mediterranean, then the Borgo Alba Barona Turismo Rurale is for you.

Perfect for couples, this hotel is located right in the middle of the countryside and offers stunning views of the seaside. It is also particularly great for relaxing and enjoying intimate times with your other half.

💰 Budget Pick: La Finestra Vista Corsica

As its name implies, La Finestra Vista Corsica offers views of Corsica, because, in case you weren’t aware, both islands are pretty close to each other.

From your budget-friendly yet comfortable accommodation, you will also have easy access to all of the main hotspots of Santa Teresa, a cute town.

Where to Stay in Northern Sardinia on a Budget: Sassari

Nicolas Vollmer / CC BY

Last but not least on this list is Sassari. And, believe me when I say this: Sardinia as a whole can be quite expensive, and there are not that many places that are affordable; but the best of them is clearly Sassari.

However, before talking a bit more about the town, let me give you some precious tips: if you truly are traveling on a budget and want to save as much money as possible, then the location of your hotel won’t be the main factor; instead, try to travel off-season, to book your stay as early as possible, and to go to places with fewer tourists.

And speaking of less coveted areas, Sassari is perfect. Although it isn’t too popular among tourists, the city is well worth the visit. The second-largest town on the island boasts beautiful, historic architecture, as well as unique festivals and ancient celebrations. And it’s close to some of the island’s best beaches! 

Where to Stay in Sassari

Even though you will stay in a budget-friendly place, you might want to put a little more budget into your accommodation.

Because of this, I have still listed 3 picks based on budget:

✅ Best Hotel: L’Accademia dei Sogni

If you don’t want to waste any time and just want the best hotel in Sassari, here it is.

L’Accademia dei Sogni will offer great value for your money, and it features a particularly well-decorated and comfortable interior, as well as a fantastic location in the heart of the town.

✨ Luxury Choice: Locanda Carra Manna

Are you staying in a cheaper town because you want to pick a fancier hotel? Pretty smart if you ask me! And if that’s your case, you have to check out the Locanda Carra Manna.

This accommodation is simply fantastic, with its central location, comfortable beds, kind and caring staff, exquisite breakfast, cleanliness, and tasteful decoration. An easy 10 out of 10 in my books!

💰 Budget Pick: B&B La Perla Bianca

This is as budget-friendly as it gets, although North Sardinia is quite expensive: the B&B La Perla Bianca offers awesome perks for an incredibly low price.

Also nicely located, this accommodation serves varied and fresh breakfasts, which can be eaten at any time. There are also free parking spots and a sunny terrace. What more do you need?

More Hotels in Sardinia

Couldn’t find the right area for you? Or you’d prefer to see other options before making up your mind?

Check out our main Sardinia guide to find the best location for you:👉 The Best Places to Stay in Sardinia 👈

Or, here are other guides to help find the right location in Sardinia depending on your travel purpose:

• Where to Stay in Sardinia for families
• Where to Stay in Sardinia for couples
• Where to Stay in Sardinia for beaches
• Where to Stay in Sardinia without a car
• Where to Stay in Sardinia for nightlife

Or by location:

• Where to Stay in South Sardinia
• Where to Stay in Cagliari
• Where to Stay in La Maddalena Archipelago

I have even more Sardinia guides, click here to check them out.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! These were my favorite places to stay in North Sardinia. I hope you loved them, and that you found the one you were looking for.

In case you are still unsure what’s best for you, let me remind you that the best overall area is Alghero; there, with incredible beaches, as well as both a modern new town and a historic old town, you are guaranteed to find something you love!