A quiet cycling paradise, also in winter: why to pick Sardinia
Maybe you’ve never considered Sardinia as your next cycling destination, but there are plenty of good reasons to do so. If you want sunshine and stunning scenery, combined with delicious food and friendly prices, this unique island is definitely the place to ride.
1. Wonderful weather
The cycling season in Sardinia? Well, it really lasts 365 days a year. The scorching hot summer months are in fact the least attractive period for a cycling trip, although the early morning hours even then offer plenty of opportunities for beautiful rides. Spring and autumn are both climatically ideal for exploring the island on two wheels. In April and May, you'll ride through a blooming landscape in delightful temperatures (sometimes already approaching
30 degrees Celsius), while in the late summer month of September the worst of the heat is over and October and November once again offer fantastic cycling conditions, with average temperatures well above 20 degrees. But what about winter? From December to March, the many hours of sunshine and predominantly mild temperatures make Sardinia a quiet paradise for cyclists.
2. Stunning and challenging
Sardinia is incredibly beautiful; anyone who has ever been here on holiday will confirm that. From the azure seawater, the rugged cliffs and the dazzling white beaches surrounding the island, to the wild ridges of the central Gennargentu massif, where the highest peaks nearly reach the 2,000 meter mark and the lush green nature, full of ancient holm oaks, is regularly hidden under a white blanket of snow during the winter months. Unparalleled roads wind through this wondrous, varied landscape. As a cyclist, you will encounter hardly any traffic, certainly outside the summer months. And good to know: there is something here for everyone. Are you looking for panoramic coastal routes? Check. Do you prefer cycling on the flat? Check. Or are you a mountain goat who likes to cover at least 3,000 meters of altitude per day? Brace yourself!
3. A unique place
If you stop in the Sardinian interior for a coffee break, chances are you won't understand a word the old men at the table next to you are saying — even if you speak e a decent amount of Italian. Sure, Sardinia has been part of Italy for over a century and a half, but in many places the Sardinian language (perfectly incomprehensible to outsiders) and culture are still very much alive. The island and its inhabitants have a really strong and distinctive identity, which is in a sense a cocktail of the Nuragic civilization of the first Bronze Age inhabitants and influences from the many temporary rulers since then. In every village you pass, you will see colourful murals, often dedicated to historical figures or the pastoral culture of the island. You'll feel right away: this is not a random, interchangeable cycling destination, not just any sunny spot, but a unique place.
4. Mangiare!
Cycling equals eating, that's common knowledge to anyone who regularly and seriously gets on the pedals. And for food, naturally, there is no place better than Italy. National classics such as pasta alla carbonara, lasagne alla Bolognese and a pizza Napoletana can't be left out of the menu in Sardinia either. But as befits a proud and distinctive region, the island also likes to show its own face in the culinary field. And so, the hungry cyclist here gets cullurgiones on his plate — a regional type of stuffed pasta in the shape of crescent moons. Or the typical fregola, roasted pasta balls that bear some resemblance to pearl couscous and are often served with seafood. Fueled by such a carbohydrate bomb, plus perhaps some homemade tiramisù, you will blast up the remaining hills and mountains whistling, on your way to the next food fest.
5. Budget friendly
Returning to those coffee breaks for a moment: for a perfect espresso at a local bar in Sardinia, you'll rarely pay more than €1,20. For a cappuccino, the maximum would probably be around €1,80. And those are decent indications of the overall price level on the island. Especially during the low season, when hospitality establishments aimed purely at tourists have closed their doors and you are mainly dependent on village bars and supermarkets for refreshments, the bill is often a joke compared to Western European standards. And that obviously doesn't only apply to food and drinks. During the winter months, many accommodations in Sardinia are largely vacant, which is reflected in very modest rates. So if you're searching for a budget friendly destination for your next cycling trip: search no more, you've just found it.
