Pitches right by the sea – Sardinia camping like in the catalogue

Dreamy pitches in Sardinia right by the sea or with magnificent views – that’s surely what most of the now numerous campers wish for. This is also what is suggested in the many sales catalogues for the vehicles. The reality, however, is often cramped, noisy and well-filled campsites. In Sardinia, however, there are still many opportunities in some places and at certain times to stay overnight a bit more secluded, legally, or at least tolerated by the local residents.

The dose makes the poison. This also applies to wild camping in Sardinia. Officially, it is prohibited. Problems already began in the 1970s with hippies who set up wild campsites in the most beautiful spots or lived in caves in their communes, e.g. at Capo Testa or Cala Luna. Today, it is more the sheer mass of motorised travellers rolling over the island. Inland or outside the high season, the situation is much more relaxed, and with appropriate consideration and by asking the locals, Corpo Forestale or police, you can still find great places to stay overnight. The locals are still incredibly hospitable and helpful.

Many restaurants in the countryside let their evening guests stay overnight on pitches, as we did, for example, at S’Abba Druche north of Bosa. Many farms (with farm shops), so-called Agricampeggio, offer additional pitches alongside rooms and holiday flats. There are also still the cosy, non-parcelled campsites with pitches under pine and olive trees (e.g. in Marina di Gairo) which are less suitable for large motorhomes or score lower in official reviews due to somewhat older, but usually well-maintained sanitary facilities. I haven’t missed the 5-star campsite crowd there so far.

Some landowners in beautiful locations have also started offering overnight stays on their land, usually without or with only rudimentary infrastructure such as water, electricity, toilets or waste disposal. A fee of 10-30 EUR, depending on size and number of people, is then collected in cash from each guest at the entrance or during an evening round. This was how it was handled during our stay at Torre Argentina, where we were able to keep enough distance from the other campers and still stood in a magnificent landscape right by the sea.

More pictures in the ‘Sardinia’ gallery.