18Stintino, Sardinia
White-sand beaches and crystal-clear water characterize the beaches of Stintino on the northwestern coast of Sardinia. La Pelosa beach is especially beautiful and a favorite of Romans, who flock here in the summer. Stintino borders Sassari, Sardinia’s second largest city, which has an important university and a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Insider Tip: Start in Sassari with a visit to the centuries-old Duomo and the Museo Sanna. Then head over to La Pelosa beach in Stintino to sunbathe and take in the sea air.
19La Maddalena, Sardinia
The largest town in the Maddalena archipelago, which lies between Sardinia and Corsica, La Maddalena is renowned for its dazzling beaches. The granite islands are composed of rocky outcroppings, and the coves make for some stunning scenery. The old town has all the charm of a historic Italian village, with pale yellow and orange buildings, narrow streets, and piazzas where visitors gather for a drink or meal. Caprera Island, in the Maddalena archipelago, is the final resting place of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian revolutionary, and history buffs will appreciate a visit to his tomb (though the body was exhumed in 2012 for DNA analysis).
Insider Tip: La Maddalena is only accessible by a ferry that leaves every half-hour from Palau.