7 days in Sardinia with the family. A guide for those travelling with children

Tips and ideas for spending a week with children in the North of Sardinia. Beaches, boat trips and excursions for the whole family in and around Palau.

If you have 7 days of holiday in Sardinia you can enjoy relaxing days on the beach to the full with your children and then go on exciting boat trips and excursions inland to discover this magical island.

The basis for this itinerary is Palau, the ideal location for those who want to move around freely while being close to the best destinations in Gallura, half an hour from the Costa Smeralda and Santa Teresa Gallura and 20 minutes by ferry from the island of La Maddalena. A family hotel in the North of Sardinia is the perfect formula for seaside holidays with children thanks to the facilities offered by the mini club and a wide range of excursions for the whole family.

Here is a mini-guide of things to do with children in the North of Sardinia, the services and facilities offered by the hotel for families and some ideas for the best way to spend 7 vacation days in Palau.

Day 1: Arrival and first sun-bathe

After your arrival and a welcome drink offered by the Park Hotel Cala di Lepre, once you’ve sorted out your luggage, it’s best not to waste time. If you are going to arrive in the morning, you mustn’t miss out on the generous Mediterranean Brunch® served at lunchtime in the “Arcipelago”, the Palau Hotel’s main restaurant. In the afternoon you can enjoy your first sunbathe and have your first swim on the Hotel’s beach, or choose instead a deck-chair by the pool while the children make new friends at the baby and mini clubs.

Day 2: Things to do in Palau

On the second day it would be interesting to spend a morning exploring the natural historical marvels of the area. Among the things to do in Palau, a walk up to the Roccia dell’Orso (Bear Rock) will certainly be fun for the children who once at the top will be able to examine closely the giant four-legged rock that dominates the entire promontory of the same name. Along the road from Palau to Porto Rafael, a typical small Northern Sardinian village not to be missed is the Fortress of Monte Altura. At the start of the 19th Century, this military building was considered the most beautiful fortress in Europe and it offers a stunning 360° panoramic view. From here you can easily reach the beach at La Sciumara, winner of the Bandiera Blu 2016 with its shallow sandy bottom and crystal clear water and which is ideal for children’s games.

Day 3: Boat trips with the children in the North of Sardinia

If you are spending your holidays in Palau it is impossible to resist the colours of the sea and the unspoiled landscapes that can be seen on the La Maddalena Archipelago and Corsica. Among the boat trips with children (from three years of age and above) offered by the hotel, a mini cruise around the Corsican Archipelago is an unmissable experience for the whole family. Starting from the Cala Capra Marina at the foot of the Capo d'Orso promontory you can admire the coast that continues up to Santa Teresa Gallura then head off to Bonifacio. After a visit to this picturesque little town on the sea, following the majestic cliffs up to Capo Pertusato, you come to Isola Piana, Lavezzi and Cavallo where the crew offers a light lunch so that both young and old can enjoy long breaks for a swim.

Day 4: Tour of Gallura

During your family holiday in Sardinia how can you not go on a half day trip to the inland regions? A tour of Gallura among old villages, granite rocks, vineyards and forests of cork oak trees is an excursion not to be missed. Leaving the Park Hotel Cala di Lepre we first go to the mediaeval town of Luogosanto which despite only having 1,900 inhabitants boasts a good 22 churches as well as the Hermitage of San Trano, an isolated setting in the hills which offers a breathtaking panoramic view. From here we move on to the Nuraghe Majiori at Tempio Pausania following a scenic route that passes below the imposing monolith that is Monte Pulchiana. Once we arrive at the Nuraghe children and adults alike will be enchanted by the majesty of the ancient Nuraghic civilisation. Ten minutes from here brings us to the little village of Aggius where there is the chance to visit the Museo Etnografico Oliva Carta Cannas and the Banditry Museum, the only one in Sardegna. Before returning to Palau we will be able to enjoy a tasting session of the authentic flavours of Gallura in one of the town’s original cafés.

Day 5: Outdoor activities and wellness

If you love doing sports and outdoor activities the Palau Hotel for children offers a wide range of things to do with the family in the North of Sardinia. One of the most enjoyable activities for both young and old is horse riding along the paths by the sea: a unique riding experience with beautiful animals on tracks immersed in Mediterranean vegetation facing the coastline of the La Maddalena Archipelago, on cliffs populated solely by lighthouses looking out over the sea. On your return you can spoil yourselves with a relaxing afternoon taking advantage of the hotel services and facilities: Mum and Dad can dedicate themselves to wellbeing at the Palau SPA with a rejuvenating Thalassotherapy circuit, while the little ones can have fun in the baby and mini club with entertainers offering lots of fun sports and recreational activities.

Day 6: Visit to the Costa Smeralda

Departure day is approaching. You have spent almost seven days in Northern Sardinia and you haven’t visited the Costa Smeralda? Impossible! Following the coast road through the most beautiful places on the Golfo di Arzachena, in just a few minutes by car you will be in Porto Cervo. Here a walk through the narrow streets and an ice cream in the Piazzetta delle Chiacchere is a must. If you want to have a swim in the afternoon, the Costa Smeralda beaches for children are nearby and to round off a day of fun with the whole family you can give the kids some time in the Gregoland games park, a specially created area for the little ones in the heart of Porto Cervo.

Day 7: The (other) beaches for children in Palau

On the last day, before packing your bags, you can enjoy a morning by the sea on one of the Palau beaches that you’ve not been able to visit yet. Among the beaches specially for children in Palau you can choose from the Bandiera Blu 2016 winners including Isuledda, very popular and a favourite destination for windsurfing in Northern Sardinia, Spiaggia Liscia, immediately after the Isuledda Isthmus and Palau Vecchio, the little beach in the heart of Palau town.