The West Coast of Sardinia | Self-Guided Bike Tour

A Catalan Heritage Gem

It’s a weird place, Alghero. You are in Sardinia, you’ll find stunning crystal-clear water on a white sandy beach. Cuisine, wine, and style as an Italian town. But, walking downtown, you feel as though you are in Catalunia. Perhaps, you’ll stop in a restaurant to sample the famous Paella Algherese.
You can find this kind of blend of cultures in several places in Sardinia. You are just in the middle of the west Mediterranean Sea, and you can feel it.
This is the reason why this bike tour starts from here. The airport is just 10 minutes away from your hotel. After checking in, you’ll have a detailed day-to-day briefing of the whole bike tour, followed by a bike fitting session.
Then, you are free to start exploring Sardiniania by bike with a warm-up through lovely rural countryside with olive oil groves, orchards, and vineyards toward the Capo Caccia and Neptune coves. Along the road, you can also discover signs of the island’s long history, such as the nuraghe Palmavera, dated 1.500 B.C.
End your first day with a fish-based dinner in one of the restaurants on the ramparts of the historic center.

Overnight: Alghero
Included: –

A fantastic coastal ride to Bosa

Leaving Alghero, you’ll find yourself on a fantastic coastal road with a sea view and no traffic. What’s better for starting your West Coast bike tour in Sardinia? This 45 km stretch of ups and downs leads you to Bosa, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy.

Bosa is a colorful village on a hill dominated by its XII-century Malaspina Castle and the Temo River winding through the valley below. Take a break in its historic center and taste the Malvasia, the wine symbol of the area.

After leaving Bosa, your climb begins, taking you to your hotel in Tresnuraghes, a tiny village surrounded by the Malvasia vineyard.

Overnight: Tresnuraghes
Included: Breakfast

From the Olive trees to the Bottarga lands

The region of Sardinia you’re biking through today is a key area for Olive oil production. The main center of this industry is Cuglieri. The olive oil making began in the 16th century, thanks to the Jesuits. The Cathedral of Cuglieri will be the main landmark since you start riding. Once you reach Cuglieri, on the top of the hill, a thrilling downhill brings you to the coastline, where you can have a break at the beach of S’Archittu, the famous arch-shaped rock by the sea.

You will then enter the Sinis Peninsula, with its lagoons, pink flamingos, fishing traditions, and Phoenician heritage. Legend says that they started the preparation of Bottarga, a delicacy of salted and cured fish roe extracted from the local mullet. Cabras, the main town and your destination, hosts the “Giants of Mont’e Prama”, IX Century B.C. statues celebrating Nuragic warriors.

Overnight: Cabras
Included: Breakfast

Cycling on the wild Costa Verde

Back to the coastline

It’s a quiet start today. We cycle across the Arbus plateau up to the Bidderdi pass. From here, a fantastic 10 km downhill will take us back along the coast to Portixeddu, a long beach beaten by the Mistral wind, and then to Buggerru, where you can feel the mining history of Sardinia.

It’s time to go up the Acquaresi hill again, but first, let’s stop at Cala Domestica: what was once a mining port is now a splendid cove.

The descent towards Masua is one of the most famous among cyclists, known for its view of the ‘Pan di Zucchero’ (Sugar Loaf) at the end. We go up again towards Nebida, where we can take a short break to enjoy the scenic walk with a sea view, and then down to Fontanamare and Portoscuso, our final destination.

Overnight: Portoscuso
Included: Breakfast

Discover the multicultural heritage of Carloforte.

On today’s bike loop, we’ll discover the two islands on the Sardinia west coast. They are so close but so different in history and landscapes. We’ll first take the ferry at Portovesme port, next to Portoscuso. The ferry’s journey takes just 30 minutes. We can spend this time watching the “Tonnara” of Carloforte and Isola Piana, the place of the traditional fishing of Tuna.

Carloforte, the unique town on San Peter Island, blends Ligurian, African, and Sardinian cultures. Your ride here will be between salt works, lovely small beaches, and spectacular cliffs until the solitary lighthouse of Capo Sandalo. After the ride, take the time to have a tasty lunch at this charming and colorful town famous for the Red Tuna fishing tradition. The typical Cascà, a couscous dish featuring fresh seafood, is a delightful mix of Ligurian, African, and Sardinian cuisines. 

In the afternoon, take the ferry “back to Sardinia”, as locals say, to Calasetta. For the most avid riders, a scenic 40 km ride along the entire coastline of Sant’Antioco offers views of secret coves, Spanish towers, and orchards.

Overnight: Sant’Antioco
Included: Breakfast

Through Carignano vineyards and the amazing Costa del Sud

The last leg of your Sardinia West Coast bike tour will leave you in the memory of postcard images.
We will leave Sant’Antioco crossing the salt pans and reaching Trattalias Vecchia, an abandoned but perfectly preserved medieval village.

Ritual photo, and then back on the bikes for a quiet ride through the countryside among the Carignano vineyards, a unique and specific wine from this area of Sardinia. After a beautiful climb and, of course, an even more beautiful descent, you will reach the southern coast, where you will cycle on a coastal road overlooking the sea.

Here, there are some of the most photographed beaches in Sardinia, such as Tuerredda and Su Giudeu di Chia. The last 10 km will bring you to Pula, heir to the ancient Phoenician and Roman city of Nora, where you can visit the ruins and its theatre. Pula is the perfect place to celebrate your cycling holiday on the west coast of Sardinia.

Overnight: Pula
Included: Breakfast

Arrivederci Amici!

It’s time to say goodbye, but we know our Island touched your heart, and you want to be back in Sardinia or one of Mediterras’ destinations for cycling with us!
After breakfast, we’ll help you with bikes and luggage and a shuttle to Cagliari airport, at just 30 minutes from Pula.
Ciao Amici, ci vedremo ancora!