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North Sardinia Circle Tour

Highlights

North Sardinia Circle – A Road Cycling Adventure Around the Island’s Northern Tip

Begin and End in Olbia – The Gateway to Northern Sardinia, explore Coastlines, Villages, and Medieval Towns

  • Number of days: 9
  • Level: Challenge
  • Tour code: TNSCT-26
  • Price from: € 1185

Support levels

Expand the section below for a quick overview of the services included in this trip. For more detailed information — such as hotel descriptions and more — we invite you to download the brochure.

Guided – What's Included

Accommodation – all accommodations as per program
Meals – all breakfasts, two dinners
Expert guides – professional guides with deep local knowledge
Cooking class – Santu Lussurgiu, Antica Dimora del Gruccione
Van assistance – daily support including water, gels/electrolytes, mechanical help, luggage transport, and optional lift
Daily bike care – daily checks for optimal performance
Group transfers – from/to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport
10% off bike rental

Guided – What's Not Included

Individual transfers – available as an extra
Flights
Drinks during dinner
City Tax
Extras in hotel
Travel insurance
Bike rental

Self Guided – What's Included

Accommodation – all accommodations as per program
Meals – all breakfasts, two dinners
Support level – detailed briefing; SardiniaCycling APP access; telephone assistance during the tour; 10% discount on bike rental
10% off bike rental

Self Guided – What's Not Included

Flights
Drinks during dinner
Extras in hotel
City Tax
Travel insurance
Luggage transport
Bike rental
Group transfer
Individual transfers – available as an extra

Technical facts

  • Number of stages:

    7

  • Total distance:

    790 KM

  • Total elevation:

    12,864 MT

Description

Explore Sardinia Day by Day!

Charming medieval towns along the coast. Mountain villages where ancient traditions are still alive. Coastal roads brushed by the sea breeze, and astonishing mountain routes cutting through the heart of central Sardinia. East coast or west coast.

This tour doesn’t include everything — but it includes an incredible amount.

All of it supported by seamless logistics, smart organization, and handpicked, welcoming hotels. No wonder this has become one of our best sellers.

North Circle is a thrilling cycling adventure that loops around the northern end of Sardinia. Starting from lively Olbia, your counterclockwise journey is designed to immerse you in the island’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. From Olbia, you’ll ride toward the picturesque town of Castelsardo, passing through the charming village of Aggius — surrounded by stunning coastal panoramas and rustic countryside.

The journey continues westward to historic Alghero, a medieval gem by the sea. From there, the route leads through unforgettable scenery toward Santu Lussurgiu, an authentic Sardinian village, after a beautiful ride through colorful Bosa.

Next, the route heads into the island’s rugged interior toward Fonni, offering sweeping mountain views and a taste of Sardinia’s wild beauty. You’ll then return to the eastern shoreline and the spectacular seaside village of Cala Gonone.

The loop takes you back inland for a stop in Bitti, where you’ll experience one more taste of genuine Sardinian hospitality before closing the circle where it all began.

Throughout this “challenge” level adventure, you’ll enjoy excellent accommodations and delicious meals — the perfect complement to long days in the saddle. Each stage reveals a different facet of the island, from sweeping coastal vistas to dramatic mountain landscapes, enriched by welcoming locals and outstanding food traditions.

A clever feature of this tour: for self-guided or private departures, the trip can start from either Olbia or Alghero — or be customized into a shorter version, such as Alghero to Olbia.

This is more than a cycling tour — it’s a vibrant tapestry of Sardinian life. Here, the whispering winds, rugged cliffs, and turquoise waters set the rhythm of your journey. Experience the true essence of Sardinia through the cadence of your pedals and the warmth of its hospitality.

Day 1: Welcome to Sardinia

Arrival in Olbia, transfer to accommodation (when included in the package) in Olbia at a four-star hotel.


Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel

Meals

Meals: Breakfast

Day 2: From Olbia to Castelsardo

From Costa Smeralda, riding along the hills of northern Sardinia, and passing through the famous landscapes of the Aggius valley, you come to the medieval town of Castelsardo. This is a very well preserved historical city, thanks to the fact that it’s perched atop a promontory high above the sea that has protected it from attacks and destruction over the centuries. Today, Castelsardo is a well-known tourist destination with all the services imaginable available for you. There’s a marina and beautiful beaches and small inlets perfect for a pleasant summer holiday. But rituals and traditions such as the famous Festa di Lunissanti mark the everyday life of the town, characterized by the industrious work of basket-weavers, fishermen, and farmers. You’ll love it! Accommodation in a four-star hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 102.6km
Elevation gain: 1,741m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 4h 30min

Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: From Castelsardo to Alghero

On a beautiful coastal road, we head westward, always close to the stunning beaches of the Gulf of Asinara. We reach Porto Torres and, with it, the first industrial complex in Sardinia, before turning south into the island’s interior. Before reaching the west coast again at Alghero, we can enjoy a magical view from Monte Argentiera, stretching from the Porto Conte Regional Park to Capo Caccia, a protected marine area. It’s a stage full of sights to see. Our destination, Alghero, is a fascinating medieval town. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 100.5 km
Elevation gain: 778 m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 4 h

Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfasts

Day 4: From Alghero to Santu Lussurgiu

On this stage, you’ll experience the special connection between the coastline and mountains in Sardinia. You start from Alghero and ride south to Bosa on one of the most renowned coastal roads on Sardinia. The medieval village here is one of the best preserved on the island. And it’s worth visiting. Enjoy an unforgettable ride through the narrow streets and stop for a quick meal in the heart of this old town. It's simply special. Bosa is the place where you leave the sea behind you. A long climb into the inner mountains of western Sardinia takes you to the historical city of Santu Lussurgiu. A Sardinian traditional dinner awaits us. Accommodation and dinner in a three star hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 84.6km
Elevation gain: 1,960m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5h

Accommodation

Category: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: From Santu Lussurgiu to Fonni

This is a real mountain stage. It takes you up to the highest mountain village in Sardinia. After 30 km, you enter the wildest area of Sardinia, called Barbagia. This region is considered the heart of the island, for thousands of years it is here Sardinians took refuge from the invasions of other Mediterranean cultures, and an area where tradition and true Sardinian pride live on. You can almost breathe it and you shouldn’t miss it. Here, you ride through very small villages such as Neoneli, famous for the Neoneli’s tenors. This is a male quartet which sings the so called 'Su cantu a tenòre', a style of polyphonic folk singing characteristic of the Barbagia region and today it's a proud member of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The more you climb, the deeper you get into Sardinian tradition. For instance, you pass through Tonara, a village famous for the production of delicious Torrone nougat. Sardinian nougat is known and loved by many for its delicious taste and top-quality natural ingredients. Fortunately, you will need some extra calories at this stage of the trip. From Tonara we climb up Tascusì pass topping out at 1250m. Your legs will get a well-earned respite on the descent before the last hill on the way to Fonni, where we overnight. Accommodation in a three star hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 97.7km
Elevation gain: 1,969m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 4h

Accommodation

Category: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: From Fonni to Cala Gonone

Leaving Fonni, we ride southwards and soon we climb over Correboi pass (1250m) and head down a long descent on a quiet and panoramic road that will take us briefly out of the Barbagia region. As we approach the very wild Ogliastra mountains we bend decidedly towards the coastline and after a lovely up and down section, we take another super long and winding descent with a spectacular view of the southeastern coastline. It is impossible to go quick here: every hairpin calls for a photo! The small town of Talana is a good opportunity for a coffee stop before we turn left and ride towards the SS125, the ancient and iconic road that once was the only connection between south and northeast. Now we have quicker roads to do the job, and the SS125 is a cyclist's paradise. You'll discover why. At the end of another long descent on the SS125, we find our destination: the tourist resort of Cala Gonone. Time to take a swim! Accommodation in a four-star hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 95.3km
Elevation gain: 1,531m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 4h 30m

Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: From Cala Gonone to Bitti

There's a spectacular way to get out of the Cala Gonone cove, however, as in life, the best things seldom come easy. We need to climb up a steep old road carved into the white limestone. After this tuff start your legs will get some time to recover. We will cross the SS125 again on our way to Galtellì. A stop here is like looking back in time. Galtellì has been awarded the Touring Club Italiano’s orange flag rating for excellence. The streets of the old town centre, its traditions and sensations helped inspire Nobel Prize winning author Grazia Deledda when she wrote her book Canne al Vento. Quite soon after Galtellì we encounter the main climb of the day before passing through two typical Sardinian villages Lula and Orani. Shortly after Orani we will reach the daily destination: Bitti. Dinner and overnight at a four-star hotel.

Ride Specs

Distance: 65.7km
Elevation gain: 1,485m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 4h

Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: From Bitti to Olbia

Hopefully, your smartphone’s memory card still has some space, because this day will offer plenty of fantastic photo opportunities. You ride north to close the loop, and right from the start, the landscape is stunning: you follow the very large — exceptionally white — limestone ridge of Monte Albo. Many of the peaks of this limestone bastion rise over a thousand meters; all around, Mediterranean maquis and evergreens spread across the hills. After a long descent, you reach the Torpè Lake valley, which today is a park oasis: nearly eight thousand hectares of untouched forests, trails, springs, rivers, and “dunes” in the area of Bitti, Lodè, Posada, and Torpè. A few more rolling roads lead you to the final descent into Olbia at the end of a challenging and unforgettable journey.

Ride Specs

Distance: 120.3 km
Elevation gain: 1,871 m
Riding terrain: hilly
Riding time: 5 h

Accommodation

Category: 4-star hotel
Meals: Breakfasts

Day 9: Goodbye Sardinia

Transfer to Olbia Costa Smeralda airport (when included in the package) and end of services.

Dates and prices

How to reserve on-line

Step 1: Choose Your Dates

For self-guided tours, you can select any start date within the available periods (early or late season). Once you pick your starting day, the full trip duration will automatically appear. If your preferred dates fall outside these periods, please email us. While reservations are possible, we’ll handle them directly outside of the online store.

Step 2: Select Room Occupancy

Choose the desired room arrangement for your stay.

Step 3: Select Extras and Pay

Before completing your booking, you’ll have the chance to customize your trip by adding optional services — such as local experiences (if not included), luggage delivery, or transfers from and to different airports.

Important: Luggage delivery is a shared cost.

Once you’ve selected your preferred add-ons, you can proceed to payment.


Support levelDeparturePriceBook now
Support level: Guided group tour
Price for min 6 people
Departure: 31 May 2026
Price: € 2190
Book now:

Support level: Self guided | early season
Departure:

Apr 1 - Jun 21, 2026

Price: € 1285
Book now:

Support level: Self guided | late season
Departure:

Sep 1 - Nov 15, 2026

Price: € 1185
Book now:

Support level: Go Private
Customize your trip
Departure:

Apr 1 - Jun 21, 2026 | Sep 1 - Nov 15, 2026

Price:
Book now:

Enhance Your Experience

Turn your cycling adventure into an unforgettable journey.

Cycling through breathtaking landscapes is only part of the story. To make your trip truly special, we’ve curated a selection of authentic local experiences — from hands-on pasta making to wine tastings and cultural encounters — that let you discover the soul of the region beyond the saddle.

These experiences are included in the Guided version of the tour, offering a deeper connection with local traditions and people. If you’ve chosen the Self-Guided option, you can add them individually to create your own perfect mix of cycling and discovery.

For this trip, we propose:

  • Pasta-making class
  • Winery visit and wine tasting

Bike rental service

Choose the perfect ride for you

Unlike most tour companies, we operate an in-house rental service, offering top-quality bikes tailored to enhance your journey. We believe that the right bike can turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. Instead of prescribing a specific model, we invite you to choose the bike that best suits your riding style from a wide range of platforms, models, and sizes. To make things even easier, when you book your trip, you’ll receive a 10% discount code to apply to your bike rental.

Why This Trip Is Perfect for You

Click to discover!

"Will I be fit enough to complete the North Sardinia Circle Tour?"

Response: The North Sardinia Circle Tour is designed for cyclists with a solid level of endurance, but it's not a race. We provide detailed route descriptions, elevation profiles, and e-bike options to ensure you can enjoy the journey at your own pace. If you're unsure, our team can help assess your fitness level and recommend the best setup for you.

"What happens if I have a mechanical issue or an emergency during the ride?"

Response: We've got you covered. Our support includes a 24/7 assistance number, bike maintenance guidance. Plus, we provide high-quality, well-maintained bikes to minimize the risk of issues on the road.

"Will I be able to find good food options along the way?"

Response: Absolutely! Sardinia is known for its incredible food culture. We provide recommendations for local stops during the rides or rentaurant for the open dinners, ensuring you can enjoy authentic Sardinian cuisine, from fresh seafood to handmade pasta. We also help with dietary requirements—just let us know in advance!

"Is the route too challenging for me?"

Response: The North Sardinia Circle Tour includes some climbs, but they are manageable with proper pacing. We also offer e-bikes as an option to make the ride easier while still enjoying the experience. If you're comfortable riding 70-90 km per day with breaks, you’ll do great!

"Will I have enough flexibility, or is the itinerary too rigid?"

Response: This tour balances structure with freedom. While the accommodations and routes are pre-planned, you set your own pace each day. Some of the stages have a longer and shorter option.

"How easy is it to navigate the route?"

Response: We make navigation simple with a dedicated app, GPS files, and printed roadbooks. You'll always have clear directions, and if you need help, our team is just a call away.

"Why should I book with Sardinia Cycling instead of another provider?"

Response: We specialize in Sardinia, meaning we don’t just organize tours—we craft authentic cycling experiences. Our deep local knowledge, high-end bikes, and personalized support set us apart. Plus, our flexible self-guided format allows you to enjoy the journey on your own terms while having expert assistance whenever needed.

"Isn’t Sardinia too remote and difficult to reach?"

Response: Sardinia is well-connected with direct flights from major European cities and easy ferry access. We also assist with transfer services and travel logistics to ensure a smooth arrival and departure.

"Is this tour really worth the price?"

Response: Absolutely. The tour includes premium accommodations, detailed route planning, luggage transfers on self guided packages, and expert local support. With Sardinia Cycling, you’re paying for a seamless experience that lets you focus on what matters most—enjoying an unforgettable ride through Sardinia’s stunning landscapes.


Still unsure?

Let’s chat and make sure this tour is the perfect fit for you!

Logistics & preparation

North Sardinia Circle Tour

We suggest the following arrival and departure locations. The earlier flights will help us arranging transfers or other activities such as bike rental formalities, bike fitting and all services that are provided individually.
  • Best landing airport
    Olbia
  • Best departure airport
    Olbia

Transfer time from Airport to hotels is about 15 minutes on landing, 15 minutes on departure.

Packing and Weather

Sardinia is a region known for mild Mediterranean weather. It generally features warm, dry weather which makes these rides particularly enjoyable. The spring and fall can see the highs range from the 18s to 25s (Celsius), while the lows are generally between 14 and 18. Summer highs are generally between 28 and 25. We always recommend bringing along riding layers and even a bit of rain (might happen in Spring and Fall) gear so you can keep riding comfortably throughout the day.

Transfers

Sardinia Cycling arranges group transfers from and to the closest airport for the trip. Individual transfers can be also planned and the cost might depend from the departure or arrival location, from the transfer time and it can also be influenced by the presence of bulky luggage, like a bike case. Other transport option is public transport. About this last opportunity, we suggest you using Google Maps and select 'public transport' from and to your selected destination. In any case, we're ready to help you selecting the quicker, smoother and most cost effective solution.

Go Custom

Sometimes your trip on Sardinia simply isn’t long enough! Extend your stay for the best vacation possible. If you wish to spend a few days in our lovely island either before or after your trip, and need assistance making those plans, we're available help. Self guided and supported trips can be extended too and that can happen in any intermediate location along the itinerary: we can help selecting the best one!

Terrain

Designed for Challenge riders
One thing riders learn soon is that Sardinia is hilly. The terrain is varied, with gradual and short, or very long and progressive climbs throughout the week. The routes have been designed to avoid busy roadways, that are very rare in a large and sparsely populated island. However, very little urban riding and short sections of busy roads are unavoidable in Sardinia.

Tour Map: discover your route across Sardinia


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Location

SARDINIACYCLING HOME
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 27
09045 Quartu Sant'Elena | Italy

Contact

Office: +39 070 204 1029
Mobile: +39 392 07 42 153
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