We here at Adventures with Sarah are passionate about packing – if you check out our blog and YouTube channel you’ll find a lot of different packing topics covered by Sarah and our team. When it comes to deciding what should be on your packing checklist, understanding your specific location is key. Even within a country, different places require different packing needs. With that in mind, if you have an upcoming trip to Sardinia planned, keep reading for our guide to packing for Sardinia Italy.

Travel Essentials

Deciding what to pack for Sardinia Italy will vary depending on the time of year you’re traveling, what activities you plan to do and if this is part of a larger trip. However, there are some essential travel items that we recommend you always bring with you:

• Sarah’s Box of Awesome, which includes a first aid kit and other helpful items
• Travel adaptor – a universal travel adapter block is a permanent fixture in our travel bags, as it saves having to remember which type of adaptor you need to bring. In Italy you will find 3 plug types, but in general, the type C with 2 thin round pins will be suitable for your travels.
• Sunscreen – not just necessary for a summer trip, sunscreen is a year-round necessity in Sardinia. Even in the winter, the sun can be surprisingly strong, so if you’re out exploring you’ll want sun protection.
• Portable Charger – nowadays our cell phones do pretty much everything when we travel. Taking pictures, getting directions, checking out restaurant reviews and more will quickly drain your battery so a good quality power bank is an essential tool.
• Mosquito repellent – this is necessary for most of the year in Sardinia. The heat and humidity in summer naturally lead to an abundance of mosquitoes, but even in the spring and fall months it is common to find mosquitoes around. Dealing with bug bites is an annoyance you just don’t want during your vacation.

Clothing Suggestions

When it comes to creating your own packing checklist, your clothing choices are crucial. Trying to pack light? You’ll want to think about the weight of your clothes as well as what will be suitable for your trip.

Sardinia has a lot to offer visitors, with stunning beaches, fascinating history, magical natural landscapes and delicious food. Our packing tips for visiting the Italian island vary slightly according to the time of year and activities you may choose to enjoy, so we’ve split up our recommendations by seasons:

Packing for Sardinia Italy in Summer

It gets HOT in Sardinia during the summer so the most important things to consider are the materials your clothes are made out of and the fit. You want to prioritize natural materials like cotton and linen and go for a looser fit. Tight, synthetic clothing will only make you feel hotter, trust us on that!

Similarly, shorts and short skirts/dresses may seem a good idea, but in general longer pants and summer dresses actually keep you cooler when walking round towns or exploring ancient sites – they also help keep away those pesky mosquitoes. At times it can feel cooler in the evenings, particularly if there’s been a summer storm, so bring a light sweater or jacket to throw over your shoulders if needed.

Of course if you’re planning on discovering some of Sardinia’s beaches you’ll want a bathing suit or two, along with a pair of sandals or flip flops. Many of the beaches on the island are pebbly so a pair of water shoes is a good idea as well. Remember that away from the beach itself, it is not normal to walk around in just your swimwear so make sure to bring a cover-up for both men and women.

Packing for Sardinia in the Spring and Fall

Your packing list for trips in the spring or fall will be pretty much the same. The closer your trip is to the summer months, the warmer it will be, so all of the above advice still applies. However, you will want to think more about layering to help you adjust to the changing temperatures.

T shirts, tank tops and light sweaters/cardigans are your friends during the shoulder seasons. You can add or remove layers as needed and ensure you are comfortable whatever you’re doing. Spring and fall are excellent times of year to head out into the Sardinian countryside, so make sure to include a comfortable pair of walking shoes in your packing checklist.

To save space and weight, choose bottoms that work with most (if not all) of your tops. Pants will be the heaviest item in your packing so only bring a few pairs with you. Leggings also work well as a layer for wearing under dresses or pants if it suddenly gets unusually cold. Evening temperatures are noticeably cooler so you’ll definitely want a light jacket when going out for aperitivo or dinner.

Packing for Sardinia Italy in the Winter

During the colder months packing for Sardinia is straightforward. You’ll want layers as in the spring and fall, but instead of short-sleeve t shirts and tank tops, go for longer sleeve tops, heavier pants and warmer sweaters.

Winters in Sardinia are pretty mild, with average temperatures in the 50’s so you don’t need super heavy sweaters and jackets, but a waterproof and practical jacket is a good idea. Rain showers are common through winter but you don’t need to worry about snow unless you’re planning to spend a lot of time in the mountains.

A good pair of sneakers or walking shoes is essential, given you will likely be doing a lot of sightseeing. Scarves and a hat are sensible additions to your packing and a lightweight travel umbrella is also a good idea to protect you from unexpected rain.

Footwear and Accessories

When you’re thinking about your shoes and accessories, it’s better to go small rather than bringing everything and anything you think you might need.

Shoes

We’ve found that for the vast majority of trips, 2-3 pairs of shoes is plenty. You will always need a good pair of walking shoes, as you will always end up doing more steps than you think. These can be sneakers or something more substantial, just what you find most comfortable.

A smarter pair of shoes that can be worn when going out for dinner but are still practical should be your second pair. In the winter this could be boots or in the summer a pair of sandals. The main criteria is that you can walk around in them all day but that they also look good with a more dressy outfit.

Your third pair of shoes will generally be something activity specific. For example, water shoes for boat trips, kayaking or simply navigating pebble beaches, or hiking boots for trails in Sardinia’s mountains.

Finally, always slide in a light pair of basic flip-flops. These take up very little room and weight in your suitcase but are ideal for wearing around your hotel room, heading down to the pool or if you’re planning a spa day.

Accessories

It is easy to get carried away when it comes to travel accessories. Online and on social media there is always a new gadget or device being promoted that seems amazing, but in reality these tend to just add weight and don’t actually improve your travel experience.

There are some exceptions to this however – here are the accessories we do recommend including in your packing for Sardinia:

• A small backpack or day bag to use when you’re on day trips or outings is always top of our accessories list. Sometimes this will be our personal item bag on the plane, but sometimes we will bring an additional one.
• A travel pillow for use on the plane and on the move is invaluable. Sarah’s commitment to her pillow is well documented on our site, but it really can make a huge difference to your adventures – who wants to go out and explore Sardinian culture on a bad night’s sleep?
• If you have difficulty sleeping in unfamiliar places, an eye mask and/or earplugs should definitely be on your packing list. Pro tip, if you don’t use these at home, give them a trial run before setting off on your travels to make sure they work for you.
• Beach days are a big part of travel in Sardinia in the summer and shoulder seasons. Often beach towels will not be provided by your accommodation, so a quick-dry microfiber towel is a great addition. These take up very little space and don’t weigh a lot but will be very useful if you’re planning a lot of time by the sea.
• Similarly, if you’re going to be making the most of your time by the water, a waterproof phone case and/or dry bag is ideal for boat trips, kayaking or canoeing. These keep your items dry and secure with you, and you can still take plenty of photos of your experience.

The key thing to ask yourself about travel accessories is ‘Am I actually going to use this?’. We’d much prefer to leave room for souvenirs and gifts to bring home (Sardinian olive oil and wine are absolutely divine) than have a suitcase packed with all sorts of ‘useful’ items.

Packing for Sardinia Italy is straightforward as long as you consider what you plan to do when exploring the island and the time of year. Check out our upcoming Sardinian adventure itinerary here to find out more about what you could be doing when you visit, and be sure to get in touch if you have questions or packing suggestions of your own.

If you’d like to learn more about packing light, maximizing your space or get specific recommendations, browse the many videos on Sarah’s YouTube channel or our blog posts.