Is Sardinia missing out because it doesn’t offer endless scenic roads with top-notch services at every corner like Mallorca? Or because its cycling infrastructure isn’t as developed?

That’s a fair question — especially from those who’ve been to the Balearic Islands, where everything seems set up for cyclists: rentals on every block, guided tours for all levels, repair shops, bike cafés, and a hotel wherever you stop.

And you’re right: Sardinia doesn’t have that level of service density. Not yet.

Why? Let’s start with the tourism model. In Spain — and Mallorca in particular — tourism has long been dominated by large-scale resorts. These mega-structures need to fill rooms even in the off-season, and they do it through aggressive pricing. That creates incentives to attract niche markets like cyclists, especially in spring and autumn.

In Italy — and Sardinia especially — hotels are generally smaller and family-run, operating at higher price points and with shorter seasons. A 4-star hotel in Sardinia simply can’t compete on price with a Spanish one — nor should it try.

Cycling holidays on Sardinia and the power of critical mass

Mallorca is about seven times smaller than Sardinia, yet it offers a massive concentration of tourists and cyclists in just a few areas. That creates a “critical mass” effect: the more cyclists gather, the more the local economy adapts to them. It becomes a self-sustaining cycling bubble.

Sardinia, by contrast, is larger, more spread out, and less densely populated. That makes it harder to achieve that same critical mass of cyclists, and thus harder to justify bike-focused services in every village. But is that really a problem? As entrepreneurs, of course, we’d love more visitors. But as cyclists and locals, we don’t miss the model of crowded beach hotels and cycling as mass tourism.

We believe that Sardinia’s cycling experience is different by design: It’s for those who want to explore, not just ride laps. It rewards those who enjoy depth, not density. It requires time, and that’s part of its charm. Of course, our rental service — with delivery anywhere, access to our route database, and full warranty on mechanical issues — allows you to choose from a wide range of locations and enjoy excellent cycling with the convenience of a fully organized setup.

Sardinia: not Mallorca — and that's perfectly fine

Sardinia is a big island. It takes days to ride from coast to coast. Its beauty lies in empty roads, authentic encounters, and a sense of discovery that few places in Europe still offer. So yes — Sardinia isn’t like Mallorca.

And no, Mallorca will never be like Sardinia. And maybe, just maybe, we’re lucky to have both — so we can choose the one that fits our soul each season.