Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Best of Sardinia

Ten-day escorted Sardinia tour with ancient ruins and the Little Green Train

Best of Sardinia, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day escorted tour of Sardinia, flying from London Gatwick to the island's capital, Cagliari, and returning from Olbia. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with 9 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels across four bases: Cagliari, the Oristano area, Alghero and Baja Sardinia. Rail plays a small but distinctive part in the trip: two rides on Sardinia's Little Green Train, from Monserrato to Mandas on day 3 and from Macomer to Bosa on day 5, both slow heritage routes through the island's interior. Days combine guided walking tours of Cagliari and Alghero with visits to Nuragic and Phoenician ruins, a farm-to-fork cooking experience, and wine tasting at Sardinia's oldest winery. The tour ends with three nights at leisure in Baja Sardinia near the Costa Smeralda. It suits travelers interested in Sardinia's ancient history and food and wine, who also want free time to explore independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • Baja Sardinia accommodation is one of two named hotels, the Hotel Cormorano or the Club Hotel, so which one you get is not fixed in the evidence.
  • On the 30 May and 6 and 20 June departures, the route from Cagliari to Senorbi is by coach rather than by train, so the itinerary can vary slightly by departure date.
  • The Maddalena Archipelago boat excursion on day 8 is optional and payable locally, not included in the tour price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cagliari

    Flying directly to Cagliari

    Your holiday begins at London Gatwick where you meet the Tour Manager before flying directly to Sardinia's capital, Cagliari, in the southeast corner of the island. On arrival, transfer to the hotel in the city's historic centre. Dinner is served at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Cagliari

    Welcome to Cagliari

    Shortly after breakfast, meet a local guide for a walking tour of Cagliari. The tour takes in the Royal Palace, the Pisan watchtowers of San Pancrazio and the Elephant, and the graceful stone cathedral of Santa Maria. Free afternoon to explore viewpoints, museums and beaches.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Oristano

    Little Green Train & 'farm to fork' experience

    First trip on Sardinia's Little Green Train from Monserrato to Mandas, retracing DH Lawrence's route described in 'Sea and Sardinia'. Visit the farmstead 'Le Vigne Ducali' for a cooking show and lunch. Walk to the 19th-century district of San Francesco. Travel north to Oristano and check in before dinner. Note: on 30th May and 6th & 20th June departures, travel by coach from Cagliari to Senorbi before continuing on the Little Green Train to Mandas.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Oristano / Putzu Idu

    The ancient city of Tharros & Sardinia's oldest winery

    Visit the ruins of Tharros, an ancient city on the Gulf of Oristano with Nuragic, Phoenician and later layers of history. Free time over lunch. Visit the Giovanni Marongiu Civic Museum in Cabras to see the 'Giants of Mont'e Prama'. Tour and wine tasting at Sardinia's oldest winery, founded in 1898. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Alghero

    To Bosa on the Little Green Train

    Board the Green Train from Macomer to Bosa, following a pastoral route along the basalt plateau. Guided tour of the Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria di Corte. Stop at Tinnura station to visit the 'Country of Art' open-air village-museum and taste local Malvasia wine and biscuits. Free time for lunch at Bosa Marina. Visit Bosa, the only river settlement in Sardinia, with Malaspina Castle. Continue to Alghero for an overnight stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Alghero

    Getting to know Alghero

    Morning walking tour of seafront Alghero, known as 'little Barcelona' for its Catalan heritage. Stroll along the golden sea walls to the historic centre. Free afternoon to explore medieval churches, swim in the Mediterranean or discover local restaurants. Evening at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Baja Sardinia

    Nuraghe Santu Antine, the 'King's House'

    Visit the Nuragic complex of Santu Antine ('Sa Domu de su Re' – the King's House), a megalithic dry stone monument. Travel to a typical Sardinian agriturismo for a farm-to-fork lunch with local wine. Visit the Basilica di Saccargia in Pisan Romanesque style. Arrive at the coastal resort of Baja Sardinia.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8overnight: Baja Sardinia

    Exploring beautiful Baja Sardinia

    Free day to explore the region at leisure. Options include strolling to the beach, relaxing at the hotel pool, or joining an optional excursion (payable locally) to the Maddalena Archipelago. Evening free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Baja Sardinia

    To stylish Porto Cervo and time at leisure

    Short drive to fashionable Porto Cervo for a guided tour of the glamorous seaside resort. Free time to stroll through the marina, browse designer shops or relax in a café. Afternoon at leisure near the hotel, a short walk from Spiaggia di Baja Sardinia and Cala Tremonti. Farewell dinner with wine at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10

    Homeward bound

    After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight back to London from Olbia. Holiday ends on arrival in London.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A local guide leads a walking tour of Cagliari taking in the Royal Palace, the Pisan watchtowers of San Pancrazio and the Elephant, and the cathedral of Santa Maria.
  • Day 3The tour boards Sardinia's Little Green Train from Monserrato to Mandas, retracing the route DH Lawrence described in 'Sea and Sardinia', followed by a cooking show and lunch at the farmstead Le Vigne Ducali.
  • Day 4The tour visits the ruins of Tharros, an ancient city on the Gulf of Oristano with Nuragic, Phoenician and later layers of history, and tastes wine at Sardinia's oldest winery, founded in 1898.
  • Day 5The Little Green Train runs from Macomer to Bosa along a basalt plateau, stopping at Tinnura station to taste local Malvasia wine and visit the open-air 'Country of Art' village-museum.
  • Day 7The tour visits the Nuragic complex of Santu Antine, known as 'Sa Domu de su Re', or the King's House, a megalithic dry stone monument.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Gatwick to Cagliari, and Olbia to London Gatwick
  • Breakfast each day
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, but only for two short legs: the Little Green Train from Monserrato to Mandas on day 3 and from Macomer to Bosa on day 5. Most travel is by coach and flight.
Is it escorted or independent?
Escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish.
What hotels are used?
4 and 5-star hotels including the Hotel Regina Margherita in Cagliari, the Hotel Raffael in Putzu Idu, the Smy Carlos V Wellness & Spa in Alghero, and either the Hotel Cormorano or Club Hotel in Baja Sardinia.
When does it run?
The evidence lists 6 departures across May, June, September and October in 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, and the optional Maddalena Archipelago boat excursion, which is payable locally.

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