ONE European island with dreamy beaches and a crowd-free city has been named as a top destination for 2026 holidays.
Whilst it is part of Italy, Sardinia is actually located closer to Africa than mainland Italy and as a result, it boasts warm temperatures and exotic fauna and flora.
And now it has been named as a Destination of the Year by Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel report, which gathered data from millions of visitors and revealed that searches for Sardinia holidays have risen by 63 per cent.
Having recently visited, I know exactly why – Sardinia is a Mediterranean gem unlike any other.
Most travellers head to Olbia in the north of the island, but Cagliari in the south – the capital of the island – is also a great destination to explore.
The south of the island and around Cagliari is full of quaint villages, rocky hills and breathtaking beaches.
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I stayed in a small village called Chia, which is home to two Hilton hotels.
The resort has a number of pools to enjoy and there are two hidden beaches resort guests can access, both with crystal-clear warm waters and hardly any people.
Rooms at one of the hotels – the Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia – start from £257 per night, for two people including breakfast.
You can also do a number of activities from the resort, including a two-hour horse ride up into the island’s hills.
It was such an amazing way to see the island and experience a bit of local life.
And from the resort, it took me less than an hour to reach Cagliari.
The city is small, but even on a sunny Saturday at the end of August, its streets were quiet from hordes of tourists.
As well as sitting on the coast with panoramic views of the sea, the city has a great blend of culture and history.
One of my favourite spots in the city is Bastione di Saint Remy – a neoclassical fortress made from white and yellow limestone.
While you do have to climb tens of steps, once at the top of the monument you are treated to spectacular views of not only the city, but the islands stretching coastline.
For a while I just sat enjoying the blazing sunshine and the views, with boats whizzing in and out of the port accompanied by the sounds of bustling cafes on the city’s streets below me.
Around Bastione di Saint Remy, there are many winding streets with quaint shops and cafes to explore, which form the city’s historic quarter.
Prices in the shops and cafes are cheap too, with coffees setting you back around 87p to £1.74.
Food didn’t set me back much either, with a salmon and avocado brunch setting me back less than a tenner at Ex Tipografia.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria, Cagliari’s main cathedral is also worth exploring.
It features a mix of different architectural styles and has a stunning crypt inside – just remember if you are visiting to cover up as this is a place of worship.
Make sure to not miss The Underground Cagliari Tour – this unique activity takes you to three different underground sites across the city.
Stops include the Salesian Institute Tunnel-Shelter, which was used by a school as a shelter during heavy WWII bombings.
The entire tunnel is also lit by candles when you visit.
The second stop is at the Crypt of Santa Restituta – it is a natural cave that has been expanded over centuries and has also served as a place of worship.
Finally, you head to the Archaeological Area of Sant’Eulalia, which sits beneath the Church of Sant’Eulalia in the Marina district and reveals the remains of a Roman road.
The tour costs from £26.61 per person.
If you want to enjoy the Mediterranean weather, make sure to explore Orto Botanico.
It is a huge garden with lots of different varieties of plants and Roman archaeological remains and it costs less than £4 to visit.
Return flights to Cagliari cost as little as £38 in November from London with Ryanair.
If you are looking for more inspiration for an Italian getaway, then check out this tiny Italian island set to be ‘turned into an oasis’ to escape hordes of tourists.
Plus, the brilliant five-star Italian campsite with beautiful beaches, affordable restaurants and activities for the whole family.