So Sardinia… that Italian island everyone says is gorgeous but crazy expensive? Yeah, me and my girlfriend almost skipped it ’cause our bank accounts were crying. But then I thought – nah, let’s crack this budget thing. Here’s exactly how we did it dirt cheap last May.
Step 1: Flight Hacking Like Hobos
Checked flight prices from London – almost choked. £200+? Hell no. Dug around Skyscanner like a maniac clicking “whole month” view. Found Ryanair for £36 return on a Tuesday red-eye. Booked it immediately before it vanished. Pro tip: fly to Alghero instead of Cagliari. Saved £50 per person right there.
Step 2: Bed Roulette Strategy
Hotels? Pfft. Scoured Airbnb filters for “private room” not whole apartment. Landed this family’s spare room near Bosa for €25/night. Lady named Francesca threw in free breakfast – total win. Avoided coastal resorts like plague, stayed 20 mins inland. Bonus: learned to make ricotta from her grandma.
Step 3: Moving Around Without Going Broke
Rental cars wanted €70/day? Nope. Bought ARST bus tickets at tobacco shops – €1.90 per ride anywhere locally. For longer hauls? BlaBlaCar is gold. Hitched with a fisherman driving to Cagliari for €8 total. His Fiat smelled like anchovies but hey, saw epic coastline for pennies.
Step 4: Eating Like Kings for Peanuts
Supermarkets became our temples. Daily ritual: grab €3 focaccia from bakeries, €1.50 local cheese, €4 bottle of Vermentino wine. Picnics on every beach. Splurged once on €12 seafood pasta – still dream about it. Avoided restaurants with photo menus like they had viruses.
Step 5: Free Fun That Blew Our Minds
Paid €0 for these bangers:
- Spiaggia della Pelosa – turquoise water so clear we saw our toes
- Hiked Gola Su Gorropu canyon (€6 parking split 4 ways)
- People-watched in Alghero’s old town eating €1 gelato
- Found hidden coves via dirt paths behind abandoned shepherd huts
Final damage? £287 each for 7 days including flights, bed, food, transport. Yeah the fancy spa people looked happier. But we swam in the same sea for 1/10th the price. Next target: Sicily on €20/day. Watch this space.
