Travel Journal | Sardinia
Postcards from Sardinia
Sardinia had been at the top of my hit list for a while, so when Tom and I were looking for a last minute Euro trip I knew exactly where I wanted to go. We visited Sardinia for five days—and honesty, we haven’t stopped talking about it since. It wasn’t a trip we planned too tightly. Just a clinchè Fiat Punto rental, loads of saved destinations on my google maps, and a mission to find the best pasta on the island.
There’s something about Sardinia that feels quite secret, like it’s moving in it’s own flow - there’s definitely no rushing anybody! And of course this is all part of its charm which is very raw and quite frankly romantic. So here’s a rough guide to the kind of Sardinia we found; think €4 spritzes, clear water coves, and trattorias where the menu changes everyday. (If in doubt, always go for the fresh seafood pasta)
Here’s where we swam, wandered, ate, and stayed. A Sardinia that’s delicious, chic without trying and a little rough round the edges. A full guide, Woven Rosa-style.
getting around
You definitely need a mode of transport to be able to explore the island to its fullest. We opted for a hire a car over a scooter as some of our drives were over an hour long. I recommend a small car to help with parking because squeezing into small spaces should be listed as an Italian sport on this island.
Where to Stay
On such a large island you can’t see it all in five days, so we opted for two different locations as we wanted to get the most out of our trip, but also feel like we had time to relax in each location.
On arrival we headed North West and had a few nights near Alghero to explore the beautiful coveso that side of the island. We found a beautiful guest house Fattoria dei Piani, which felt like a green oasis fit with a pool, rustic tennis courts and even horses.
We then travelled to the East Coast for few nights in Dorgali where we stayed in a gorgeous family run bed and breakfast called Palazzo Cherchi which felt like a true Italian experience. A beautiful old building with the original floor tiles and ceiling designs in tact. Make sure you try the homemade cakes on the breakfast buffet, and make it up to the roof terrace for golden hour.
Where to swim
La Marinedda (North)
A beautiful and vibrant cove on the north of the island. Perfect for people watching, and hanging out with the locals. Make sure you sample some fresh fish and pasta at LL Cormorano which has incredible views of the whole cove.
Cala Tinnari (North)
Only reachable by foot or boat, this rust-red-pebbled beach was completely empty when we arrived at golden hour. The sea glows emerald and there’s something ancient about the landscape—raw and untouched. Bring a book. Stay until the sun dips.
Cala Fuili (East)
The water here is every shade of blue. We parked up on the roadside near Cala Gonone and hike an hour to get there. A beautiful cove with cliffs towering behind you. Theres no amenities or shade so make sure you bring provisions.
Cala Luna (East)
Take a small boat early from Cala Gonone and get here before anyone else. Limestone cliffs, white pebbles, and water that doesn’t look real. Heaven.
Where to Eat & Drink
Visit Tenute Sella & Mosca winery to sample Sardinias best grapes. A large estate, with a beautiful terrace and so many wines to try it’s hard not to try them all. You go for one and can easily stay all day!
Eat at Chiosco Monte Longu, a casual outside pizza bar popular with bikers with the best view of the east coast. Whats not to love.
We visited farm stay Corte Barisone and we were so glad we booked the day before when we saw the queues down the street. An authentic Italian trattoria with exceptional local food. They host one service a night and serve everyone the same set menu which is seasonal and always changing. A must in Dorgali!
Local deli’s & fruterias. One of the best things about travelling in Europe for us is all the delicious fresh produce. Some of the best food we ate were from local delis and bakeries; Italians sure do know how to make a mean sandwich.
*Disclaimer, as soon as I landed in Sardinia I was on a mission to find the best pasta on the island. And well the mission was flawed, because I soon realised Sardinians make bloody terrific pasta and it’s simply impossible to choose. A fun field trip none the less - but one thing I did learn, when in doubt, always order the fresh seafood pasta.
Things to do
Take a boat from Cala Gonone to visit the beautiful beaches down the east coast that you can only visit by boat. The water is so blue and just incredible! Take an organised trip or if you’re feeling adventurous you can hire your own boat for €250. Make sure you take a snorkel mask, so many fishies to see!
The owners (mother and son duo) of guest house Fattoria dei Piani host a pasta evening where they teach you how to make different pasta shapes and then cook you up a storm at the end. All served with local wine from the winery down the road - delish!
Visit the old town in Alghero, so many beautiful small streets with so many hidden cafes, delis and wine bars. Great for an afternoon of exploring.
Shop Our Italian Inspired Edit
PRE-ORDER dispatching first week of April 2026.
A handmade ceramic pasta bowl in sunglow orange.
Designed to bring sunshine & pleasure to your everyday, the ParaSol Collection embraces the simple joys of Spanish life.
Inspired by the dynamic and colourful Spanish coast of Valencia, where the ceramics are handmade in a small family-run workshop. The warm shades mirroring the bright umbrellas that line the beaches. A collection to to be enjoyed at your leisure, all year round.
Designed by founders Laura & Tom, and exclusive to Woven Rosa.
A set of handwoven coasters, originating from Oaxaca, Mexico.
These colourful mats are the perfect table accessory. Use them for coffee cups, wine glasses, candles, plants - or create a larger mat for your table with multiple sets.
We have worked directly with a family of artisans in the Oaxaca region of Mexico to design and create these beautiful, bold and contemporary textiles. Each coaster is handwoven using traditional Zapotec techniques, and the colours are achieved with handmade plant based dyes.
Each piece is handwoven, so designs and colours may vary slightly between each coaster.
*The coasters are sold in sets of two and are perfect to be styled mix & match.
Coaster Size: Approx. 13cm x 13cm
Set Size: Set of 2 coasters
Fibre: 100% sheep’s wool
Construction: Handwoven using traditional Zapotec techniques
Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico
Colours: The set includes 2 coasters in colours of ocean blue, white, red and black.
Dive into the Mediterranean with our Cala Collection. Handblown tumbler glasses & matching jugs, all individually created with recycled glass by skilled artisan glass blowers on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
The Moro Jug is mouth-blown in a bold swirl of blue, hot pink, and white.
Mix and match for a colourful tablescape that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
Introducing Onda, a handmade ceramic serving plate in an entwined wave design. Hand painted in lilac & palm green.
La Onda translates to both waves and vibes in Spanish, which we think is very fitting for this vibrant centrepiece.
Part of theParaSol Collection which is designed to bring sunshine & pleasure to your everyday, and embrace the simple joys of Spanish life.
Inspired by the dynamic and colourful Spanish coast of Valencia, where the ceramics are handmade in a small family-run workshop. The warm shades mirroring the bright umbrellas that line the beaches. A collection to to be enjoyed at your leisure, all year round.
Designed by founders Laura & Tom, and exclusive to Woven Rosa.
Plate Dimensions: 31cm
PRE-ORDER dispatching first week of April 2026.
A handmade ceramic dinner plate, pasta bowl and breakfast bowl in azure.
Designed to bring sunshine & pleasure to your everyday, the ParaSol Collection embraces the simple joys of Spanish life.
Inspired by the dynamic and colourful Spanish coast of Valencia, where the ceramics are handmade in a small family-run workshop. The warm shades mirroring the bright umbrellas that line the beaches. A collection to to be enjoyed at your leisure, all year round.
Designed by founders Laura & Tom.
Dive into the Mediterranean with our Cala Collection. Handblown tumbler glasses and matching jugs, all individually created with recycled glass by skilled artisan glass blowers on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
The Deià Glass features a bold pink swirl thats inspired by the coast.
Mix and match for a colourful tablescape that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
PRE-ORDER for Playa Cup Set and Mixed Cup Set dispatching first week of April 2026.
A set of 4 handmade ceramic cups, in bold stripes contrasting colourways.
Part of the ParaSol Collection which embraces the simple joys of Spanish life, and designed to bring sunshine & pleasure to your everyday.
Inspired by the dynamic and colourful Spanish coast of Valencia, where the cups are handmade in a small family-run ceramics workshop. The warm shades mirroring the striped umbrellas that line the beaches. A cup to to be enjoyed at your leisure, all year round.
Designed by founders Laura & Tom, and exclusive to Woven Rosa.
A handmade ceramic dinner plate in sorbet.
Designed to bring sunshine & pleasure to your everyday, the ParaSol Collection embraces the simple joys of Spanish life.
Inspired by the dynamic and colourful Spanish coast of Valencia, where the ceramics are handmade in a small family-run workshop. The warm shades mirroring the bright umbrellas that line the beaches. A collection to to be enjoyed at your leisure, all year round.
Designed by founders Laura & Tom, and exclusive to Woven Rosa.
