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Sardinia Self Guided Bike Tour: Uncover the allure that captivated the Phoenicians and Romans when they first set foot in Sardinia. Embark on a journey through history with visits to the Punic-Roman seaport towns and the necropolis of Nora and Calasetta, and explore the sun-soaked villages along the coast, as well as the distinctive Genoese-style islands of San Pietro and Sant’Antioco. After a day of cycling and discovery, savor the exceptional cuisine and unique wines of the Sulcis Peninsula, treasures found only in this region. Ride along the Green Coast, dotted with character-rich villages like Buggerru, where you’ll spend a night surrounded by coastal splendor, before following the southern coastline and ascending one of southern Sardinia’s most picturesque climbs—up and over the majestic Mount Cidro. Conclude your journey in Guspini, nestled in the peaceful Campidano flats. For those seeking extra adventure, add a loop ride to the beaches of Pistis and the dramatic dunes of Torre dei Corsari, or enjoy a leisurely shopping day in Cagliari, easily reached by bus or train from Guspini.
Not Included:
Included Deluxe Hotels:
About the Hotels: Enjoy accommodations in carefully selected 4-star hotels, conveniently located to enhance your experience. Each lodging offers a private bathroom and a range of thoughtful amenities to ensure your comfort throughout your stay. For travelers seeking a more cost-effective option, we also provide budget-friendly accommodations. Please inquire for pricing and availability tailored to your needs.
Local Expert: Mauro, a native of Northern Italy, brings a diverse background to his expertise. With a passion for the arts, he studied cinema and photography in Milan before later mastering the craft of authentic Italian cuisine. An outdoor enthusiast, Mauro enjoys horseback riding and ski touring in the Dolomites, but cycling remains his greatest passion—he rides year-round, embracing the joy of exploration. He looks forward to welcoming you on your self-guided Sardinia bike tour!
Need to Know:
Welcome to Pula! Check into your first hotel at your convenience and get ready for an exciting journey ahead. Your welcome reception and orientation will take place today at 5:00 PM, where a Pure Adventures representative will personally fit your bikes and provide an overview of each day’s ride. If you arrive with time to spare, seize the opportunity to take a leisurely ride to Nora and immerse yourself in the charm of the area!
Meals: on own
Highlights: possible ride to Nora
Overnight: Pula
Cycling out of Pula along beaches and Spanish watchtowers, the pristine, crystalline waters will make you think you are in the Caribbean. It is the Mediterranean vegetation and in particular, the juniper trees (ginepro) typical of this region, that reminds you are in beautiful Sardinia! After warming up on the flats, the rolling hills ready us for the coastal ride along craggy cliffs with ancient fortified watchtowers, alternating with little sandy coves and long stretches of soft, sandy beaches. On the last part of the ride you’ll descend to Teulada, famous for the longevity of its inhabitants and for their history of achievements. Tonight, stay at one of our very favorite places in Teulada and enjoy a delicious dinner there, as well.
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Distance: +606 m, 47 km / 29 mi
Highlights: beautiful coastal riding
Overnight: Teulada
Cycle from Teulada to Calasetta, passing through the charming villages of Sant’Anna Arresi or Santadi. The route includes a fascinating flat stretch that comes alive with the vibrant sights of pink flamingos and the unique experience of crossing a salt mine, leading you to the first minor island of Sant’Antioco. Your destination for the day is the picturesque Genoese-style fishing village of Carloforte, located on the second minor island of San Pietro. Before boarding the ferry to San Pietro Island (a quick 40-minute ride), take some time to explore the quaint and lovely village of Calasetta.
Carloforte greets you with its lively harbor adorned with brightly colored sailboats, exuding both tranquility and a vibrant local spirit. This thriving community offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere alongside all the amenities you could need. As the day winds down, indulge in the exceptional local cuisine—a true highlight and a perfect way to end your adventure-filled day.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: +277 m, 57 km / 35 mi
Highlights: flamingos, San Pietro Island, Calasetta, Carloforte
Overnight: Carloforte
Embark on a scenic loop ride around Carloforte, an island steeped in charm and history, dedicated to the Italian King Carlo Felice and renowned for its maritime schools and thriving tuna fishing tradition. As you pedal through this secluded island, embrace the wild, rugged landscape that stretches across the Mediterranean Sea, evoking a timeless atmosphere that makes you feel like its first explorer. The dramatic geological features and untouched beauty create a sense of wonder at every turn.
Upon returning to Carloforte, treat yourself to a delightful lunch at one of the many local restaurants, celebrated for their exquisite tuna dishes perfectly paired with the fine wines of the Sulcis region—a culinary experience not to be missed.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: +668 m, 43 km / 27 mi
Highlights: rugged landscapes, local tuna dishes
Overnight: Carloforte
After departing from San Pietro, enjoy a scenic 40-minute ferry to Portoscuso, where your cycling adventure begins. From the port, pass through the quaint village of Gonnesa and take on the climb to Nebida, where panoramic views of Pan di Zucchero, a striking 133-meter rock formation with natural arches, await. Along the way, immerse yourself in Sardinia’s mining heritage, with villages like Porto Flavia showcasing fascinating history and museums.
Continuing along the coastline, take in stunning views of sandy beaches and rugged promontories that connect the mining towns. Arrive in Buggerru, a charming seaside village nestled within a picturesque gulf. Treat yourself to a delicious meal and refreshing gelato in the lively main square—a perfect way to end an unforgettable day of cycling.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: +770 m, 41 km / 25 mi
Highlights: Pan di Zucchero natural arches, mining villages
Overnight: Buggerru
After leaving Buggerru, cycle along the golden sands of San Niccolao, where the shimmering coastline meets the deep blue sea, offering captivating views at every turn. Pause in the quaint village of Portixeddu for a cappuccino or light snack before tackling the scenic hills of Monte Cidro. As you ascend, take in the Mediterranean flora of cork oaks and junipers dotting the rugged landscape, with the climb rewarding you with sweeping views and a thrilling downhill ride into Arbus.
Discover the fascinating mine at Montevecchio, a UNESCO-listed site of industrial archaeology and part of the Geominerario Storicoparks. After exploring this historical treasure, continue to Guspini, descending through stunning scenery as you approach this charming town. Consider ending your day with a delightful meal at your hotel’s restaurant to cap off an adventure filled with natural beauty and cultural discovery.
Meals: breakfast
Distance: +950 m, 50 km / 31 mi
Highlights: Monte Cidro pass, rock formations, juniper & beaches, Montevecchio
Overnight: Guspini
After breakfast, your unforgettable self-guided cycling tour of Sardinia concludes. From here, you have several convenient options to continue your journey. If you’re heading to Cagliari or other destinations on the island, you can take a bus or train from San Gavino Monreale, which is well-connected and easily accessible. Alternatively, for a faster and more personalized option, taxis are readily available. Be sure to check local schedules in advance for public transport to ensure a smooth and timely transfer. Whether you’re extending your adventure or heading home, you’ll depart with lasting memories of Sardinia’s beauty and charm!
Optional Ride Day & Night: The Green Coast Take on a 60 km loop ride from Guspini, passing through Torre dei Corsari and Portu Maga with an ascent of +1210 m. Begin toward Montevecchio, reaching the coastline after 25 km, and pause for a refreshing coffee at Portu Maga. Then, climb back toward Guspini, enjoying Sardinia’s untamed beauty in one of its most rugged regions. Please inquire for current rates.
Meals: breakfast
Dates: Plan your trip at a time that best fits your schedule! Pure Adventures tours have flexible start dates.
2025 Tour Rates: (based on double occupancy)
Hybrid Bike Rental: 221 euros
Road Bike Rental: 338 euros
E-bike Rental: 338 euros
Bike Rental Details Page
New! Travel Insurance is now required to participate in this tour. You can book through our preferred vendors or your own. Proof of coverage will be required.
How do our tours compare to similar trips? You Get More! If you compare prices, we are much less than guided trips with similar experiences. In our private, independent format, you get much more than what most traditional self-guided tours offer, plus it’s a better experience! Our team has gone to great lengths to build and create exceptional tours all over the world, vacations that will give you lifelong memories. From the accommodations to the bikes, to the routes themselves, we hold each component of our tours to a very high standard. We are dedicated to empowering people through travel!
Overall great rides, some more challenging than expected. Excellent support from the Pure Adventures team overseas, great hotels and a fantastic part of Italy!
Hello from the Johnson family! This was our first self-guided bike tour as a family and our first time to Sardinia! For a family traveling with extremely active (put us to shame) older children, this was the ideal vacation. We could go at our own speed, allowing for the kids to go ahead a bit if they were feeling zippy. Sardinia is quite the hidden gem, and we loved our time there. We could easily have spent another week there just relaxing and enjoying all of the good food and WINE! At least we earned the cals!
Sardinia – what can I say?!? Sardinia is BEAUTIFUL there and we fell in love with the warmth of the people and their culture. Cycling around the island was a great way to experience everything there was to offer. Even with the occasional wrong turn (we were too busy staring at the landscape,) we found charming places to have coffee and try the local food. We were hesitant to visit Sardinia because we hadn’t heard a lot about it, but we are SO glad that we made the trip! We will be back!
We recently finished a fantastic bike tour in southern Sardinia with Pure Adventure (Sardinia Private Self Guided Tour). Our trip was in mid August of 2019. This was our first cycling trip organized by someone else. We absolutely loved it. First off, even though Sardinia is really hot in mid August, we enjoyed every minute of our vacation. All the cute beach cafes were open and the weather, while hot, made the beach experience perfect. We would wake up early, cycle to one of the many spectacular beaches enjoy our favorite beverages and often rent chairs and an umbrella then continuing along our journey. The food in Sardinia is great and the itinerary was perfect. We met our local contact Mauro on the first day, got our bikes (we upgraded and enjoyed super light carbon fiber cycling bikes that were new and better than our gear at home) as well as the maps and itinerary. The map instructions were very easy to follow and the roads were lovely with options for shorter and longer rides each day with restaurant recommendations (all great). Our luggage arrived promptly, it was always there when we arrived at each hotel which was really appreciated. We did not upgrade on hotels. They were a mix of really great and fine and all the places we stayed were very welcoming, well situated, clean, quiet, allowed us to secure the bikes and had air conditioning (a relief for a mid August vacation). We really loved the itinerary of this trip, especially Carloforte, which is a super cute town on an island so we took our bikes on the ferry and even took a cooking class (thank you Mauro!).It was really nice having a local contact. We are already planning our next trip with Pure Adventure for next summer. Here are some tips if you end up doing a beach adventure in Sardinia (pack covers for your biking shoes that slide over the cleats so you don’t ruin them walking around, pack very small towels that can roll into the little saddle bags, bring change for the showers at the beach since they are all open in the summer with changing rooms, pack a small wash cloth in your bike bag in case you have to fix a chain, an extra water bottle each for your bike since the bike only comes with one each, bring a clothes line and soap since you will likely wash out your bike clothes at each stop since it will dry the same day and a portable iron if you want to press any clothes since no hotels in Sardinia provided irons in the hotel rooms). We also really appreciated the follow through and communications from Richie, our travel adviser in preparation for our trip! The whole vacation from start to finish exceeded every expectation.
We recently finished a fantastic bike tour in southern Sardinia with Pure Adventure (Sardinia Private Self Guided Tour). Our trip was in mid August of 2019. This was our first cycling trip organized by someone else. We absolutely loved it. First off, even though Sardinia is really hot in mid August, we enjoyed every minute of our vacation. All the cute beach cafes were open and the weather, while hot, made the beach experience perfect. We would wake up early, cycle to one of the many spectacular beaches enjoy our favorite beverages and often rent chairs and an umbrella then continuing along our journey. The food in Sardinia is great and the itinerary was perfect. We met our local contact Mauro on the first day, got our bikes (we upgraded and enjoyed super light carbon fiber cycling bikes that were new and better than our gear at home) as well as the maps and itinerary. The map instructions were very easy to follow and the roads were lovely with options for shorter and longer rides each day with restaurant recommendations (all great). Our luggage arrived promptly, it was always there when we arrived at each hotel which was really appreciated. We did not upgrade on hotels. They were a mix of really great and fine and all the places we stayed were very welcoming, well situated, clean, quiet, allowed us to secure the bikes and had air conditioning (a relief for a mid August vacation). We really loved the itinerary of this trip, especially Carloforte, which is a super cute town on an island so we took our bikes on the ferry and even took a cooking class (thank you Mauro!).It was really nice having a local contact. We are already planning our next trip with Pure Adventure for next summer. Here are some tips if you end up doing a beach adventure in Sardinia (pack covers for your biking shoes that slide over the cleats so you don’t ruin them walking around, pack very small towels that can roll into the little saddle bags, bring change for the showers at the beach since they are all open in the summer with changing rooms, pack a small wash cloth in your bike bag in case you have to fix a chain, an extra water bottle each for your bike since the bike only comes with one each, bring a clothes line and soap since you will likely wash out your bike clothes at each stop since it will dry the same day and a portable iron if you want to press any clothes since no hotels in Sardinia provided irons in the hotel rooms). We also really appreciated the follow through and communications from Richie, our travel adviser in preparation for our trip! The whole vacation from start to finish exceeded every expectation.