Camping by Costa Rei

Over 7 kilometres of sandy beach from the Scoglio di Peppino bay in the south up to the Spiaggia di Porto Pirastu in the north is the pride and joy of this tranquil village on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The crystal-clear sea, glistening in various shades of blue, and the white sand seduce beach holidaymakers at first sight. A holiday in Costa Rei is ideal for camping by the sea and, thanks to the mild climate, even for winter camping.

Special features of camping in Costa Rei

40 kilometres as the crow flies from the Sardinian capital of Cagliari lies the picturesque coastline of Costa Rei. In addition to the endless and, above all, unspoilt local beach, the region also boasts remote, rocky bays that are perfect for daydreaming and snorkelling. As the campsites in Costa Rei are all located close to the beach, daily enjoyment in the azure waters is only a short walk away. Piscina Rei is another enchanting curiosity awaiting guests north of the edge of the village: less than 100 metres from the coastal shore is a 550-metre-long salt lake fed by seawater. This paradisiacal lagoon is still considered an insider tip.

Journey to Costa Rei

We recommend travelling to Costa Rei via Bavaria and Austria. Alternatively, you can take the motorway route via Switzerland via Schaffhausen, Zurich and Lugano with the appropriate annual toll sticker. Whether travelling from Germany via Switzerland or Austria, both routes meet in Livorno, where the crossing to Sardinia continues by car ferry. The recommended route from Garmisch-Partenkirchen via Austria is around 1,195 km to the destination. However, a good part of the journey is travelled by ferry. Before using the Austrian motorway, for example, a day vignette must be purchased at the petrol station.

Innsbruck is bypassed on the A12 motorway before continuing on the A13 towards the Brenner Tunnel. After the tunnel, travellers continue on the Italian A22 down to Modena. In the meantime, travellers pass Bressanone, Bolzano, Trento, Verona and Manuta. After Modena, the E35 motorway takes you past Bologna and Florence. From Florence, the SS67 motorway then leads to Livorno, where you have to take the ferry to Olbia at the old harbour, but it's also worth stopping for refreshments and a tour of Livorno's beautiful old town beforehand. Once in Olbia, the overland road takes travellers past Nuoro to their destination.

Destinations for camping in Costa Rei

There is no doubt that Sardinia is a true natural paradise that has retained much of its unspoilt nature. In addition to legendary beaches, mysterious places inland are also waiting to be discovered.

The Grotto of Neptune

Over 6 kilometres of tunnels wind their way underground through the rock in the Grotte di Nettuno cave near Alghero in the north-west of the island. Dedicated to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, the grotto is one of the most spectacular cave systems in Europe and amazes visitors. For thousands of years, the constant flow of fresh water has carved out these natural treasure troves and there is still an extensive lake system between majestic stalactites and stalagmites. The mighty stalactite cave can be reached either by boat or via a staircase with 600 steps, and guided tours can of course be booked.

The Tharros archaeological site

In the wild west of Sardinia lies the archaeological site of the city of Tharros on the small Sinis peninsula. The ancient settlement was founded in the 13th century BC next to an existing Bronze Age hamlet by the Nuraghic people of Sardinia. Dominated by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans and further expanded over the centuries, the ancient city was finally completely abandoned around 1050. Today, the remains of ancient columns, streets, houses and shops can be seen in the open-air museum. The ruins of the temple and the necropolis have also been preserved on the peninsula and give visitors a fascinating insight into the life of the ancient inhabitants.

Activities and excursions

The special culture and historical heritage of Sardinia are an inexhaustible source of activities and excursions.

Exploring the countryside by quad bike

There are local organisers who not only hire out quad bikes to explore the surrounding area, but also offer guided tours. This involves discovering the hilly hinterland on bumpy tracks while the group guide explains the special features of the landscape and its sights. Fast-paced action and a breathtaking all-round panorama are the ingredients for a day full of adventure.

Take a trip to Cagliari

62 kilometres away lies the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, on a gently rolling hill in the south of the island. Colourful Romanesque-style houses and ancient sights make for fabulous photo opportunities. The Bastione di Saint Remy with its limestone gate, columns and terrace is just as impressive as the 12th century Castello di San Michele fortress.

The shopping streets of Via Roma and Via Garibaldi offer everything from local craftsmanship to high-end boutiques with international luxury brands. There is also a large selection of romantic restaurants and trendy bars in the city centre.

Gastronomy

Sardinian gastronomy serves up fresh catches from the sea, so it is not surprising that delicious dishes such as octopus salad, seasonal pasta with sea urchins or dried mullet are on the menu of traditional Sardinian restaurants. Hearty meat dishes such as porcheddu - a piglet served on a cork platter and served with myrtle - or roast lamb with artichokes are typical Sardinian traditional dishes. Of course, delicious vegetarian dishes such as culurgiones are also very popular. For dessert, the Sardinians like it savoury and sweet: seadas are deep-fried pastries with a lemon and cheese filling and coated with wildflower honey or sugar. The islanders like to enjoy red or white wines from the region with their delicious main courses.

Best time to visit

The hottest months in Sardinia are July and August with temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius. When camping in Costa Rei, holidaymakers can enjoy water temperatures of around 24 degrees Celsius at this high summer time. However, temperatures suitable for swimming prevail throughout the period from May to October, with June and September proving to be a good choice for a beach holiday. The mild Mediterranean climate also provides ideal conditions in spring and autumn for long hiking, horse riding and biking tours in pleasant temperatures. In winter, when temperatures range from six to eight degrees Celsius, the landscape is full of wild flowers and many festivals are celebrated all over the island.