Are you wondering what to wear in Sardinia? In this guide we will give you a month by month overview so you know what to wear to Sardinia in Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall.
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Overview of the Weather in Sardinia
The thing to know about Sardinia is that it is an island that will experience all four seasons
Is Sardinia warm all year round?
Sardinia tends to have a pleasant climate all year round. Even if you are visiting Sardinia in December you will find that the daytime temperature hovers around the 12C mark.
However in the evenings drop to around the 5C mark.
The coldest months in Sardinia tends to be January and February. Inland you will find the temperatures drop to below zero but snow in Sardinia is not all that common.
But even though the temperatures are low enough you will find that snow only falls in Sardinia at high altitudes.
What is the weather like in Sardinia in Summer?
The warmest months are conversely July and August with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees. However one of the reasons that Sardinia is popular with tourists is that it has a long tourist season.
Some people say that Sardinia has a ‘six-month summer’, because this is the time that many people think the seas of Sardinia are swimmable. This therefore makes Sardinia peak tourist season run for six months from May until October.
If you are traveling to Sardinia during Summer you will want lots of light loose clothing made of natural fabrics.
When does it rain in Sardinia?
Although many people associate Sardinia with sunshine, it does rain in Sardinia.
The rainiest month in Sardinia is November with almost 2 inches of rainfall in the month.
While you will find May to August the driest months in Sardinia.
Sardinia Dress Code
When traveling to Italy, I know a lot of people worry about dress codes and what not to wear. However Sardinia is one of the easiest places to dress for dress code wise.
Sardinia has a largely tourism based economy main economy, both domestic and international and therefore you will see many people dressed for sightseeing and going to the beach.
Days tend to be casual, but nighttime slips into a more smart casual dress code especially for eating dinner in Italy.
But don’t confuse casual with not being stylish as I find Italians to be a very stylish bunch.
The only place in Sardinia you really have to worry about dress codes are in churches and out hiking. All Italian churches whether you are in Rome, Venice or Florence have dress codes which require shoulders and knees to be covered. And Sardinia is no different.
But other than that there really aren’t any specific dress codes you should be aware of. So what should you pack and wear in Sardinia?
What to wear to Sardinia in Summer
Summer in Sardinia is classified as June, July and August. These are the hottest and driest months in Sardinia therefore it is important to pack clothing that can cope with the heat.
For instance, we recommend only packing things that are made of natural fabrics such as cottons, linens and silks. Natural fabrics are more breathable and will prevent sweating which is definitely a plus when looking at spending the summer months in Sardinia.
Things we put on our packing list for Sardinia in Summer include:
Maxi Skirt / Maxi Dresses
Items that are maxi in length are my go to for summers in Italy whether I am on the mainland or one of the islands such as Sicily.
They are perfect for on the beaches in Sardinia and if your items keep your shoulders and knees covered then they are perfect for cities and Italian churches and also work well for going out for dinner in Sardinia.
Trousers
Trousers, particularly those made of linen and chinos, are perfect choices for Sardinian evenings.
I find trousers are great for dinner in Italy where you may be dining alfresco especially for those cooler nights or in places where there may be mosquitos. For instance, although I wouldn’t expect you to be eaten alive by mosquitos in Sardinia however in places where there is standing water or around harbours for instance you may find mosquitos an annoyance.
Shorts
These are perfect for on the beaches of Sardinia and exploring the tourist sites on the island.
However if you plan to visit a church on your Sardinia itinerary, do not wear shorts on the day you plan to do so.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect in Sardinia in summer especially if you select a natural fabric one with a looser fit. This will help prevent sweating and also still meet the dress code for churches.
It is also a great day to night transition piece and good for eating out in Italy especially when dining al fresco.
T Shirt
T Shirts work pretty much anywhere in Sardinia whether you are on a beach or in a museum.
For Sardinia in summer I tend to stick with plan dark t shirts that can have a cardigan or pashmina added to dress them up in the evening.
Slogan and graphic t shirts are not what locals wear in Italy so I find plain dark t shirts help you fit in with the locals more.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina no matter the season and Sardinia in summer is no exception.
A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer or help provide some added modesty for churches in required.
Underwear
Goes Without Saying
PJs
Sardinia gets hot in summer so I recommend selecting nightwear that is lightweight and be sure to check whether you accommodation has air conditioning before booking.
Swimwear
One of the best things to do in Sardinia in Summer is hit one of the many beaches. If you plan on doing this you will definitely want a couple of pieces of swimwear with you.
There are no dress codes on beaches in Sardinia that you need to be aware of so choose a one piece or bikinis based on your personal preference.
But also be sure to pack
Beach Covers
For moving between locations. People in Sardinia don’t tend to wear beachwear on the boardwalk so you will want a beach cover with you too!
Sunglasses
The sun is strong in Sardinia in summer so be sure to pack sunglasses whether you are in the city or a beach.
Sunhat
A wide brimmed hat is a necessity especially for on the beach and exploring outdoors where there is little shade.
Best Shoes for Sardinia in Summer
Great shoes for Sardinia in summer are:
Sneakers
Great for exploring cities, sneakers and mountains in summer. I would only suggest hiking boots if you plan on doing some more intense hikes but check local conditions and specific trail information for more information.
Sandals
Great for walking if you take the right pair and also what I wear to dinner in Italy.
Flip Flops
For round pools and on Sardinian beaches.
What to wear to Sardinia in Winter (December, January and February)
Depending on the area you are in Sardinia will depend on what the winter temperatures are like.
The coast although cool in the winter is no where near as chilly as the inland mountains on Sardinia so if you plan on going inland we recommend packing more layers and thicker coats.
Winter in Sardinia is consider December, January and February though November gets pretty chilly too. If you are traveling during these months then I recommend packing:
Jacket / Coat / Blazer
Although the Winters in Sardinia aren’t freezing, unless you are heading inland to the mountains, I would still recommend taking a coat with you
I would personally choose a waterproof jacket for Sardinia in Winter as it can get rainy especially in January. However if you feel the cold a light coat may also be appropriate.
For the evenings in Sardinia, a blazer is also a great option for both men and women.
And if you are traveling inlaid I would recommend wearing a warmer jacket that can cope with cooler temperatures.
And course a pashmina is needed anytime of year!
Sweater / Hoodie
Layers are key to your Sardinia Winter Wardrobe so we recommend packing a mix of smarter sweaters for the evenings and more casual hoodies for during the day.
Blouse / Shirt
Blouses and shirts are appropriate in Sardinia in Winter for both day and night wear!
T Shirts
T Shirts are an appropriate base layer for Sardinia whether you are exploring towns or countryside. We normally pack a mix of long sleeve and short sleeve versions so we are ready for any occasion. HoweverI find that the temperature in Sardinia are cool enough to warrant long sleeve tees most of the time.
Trousers / jeans
As the temperatures drop we recommend bringing a mix of trousers and jeans. We don’t recommend wearing jeans in Sardinia during the summer as the temperatures are too high for this to be comfortable. However they are perfect In winter and some of the shoulder seasons.
If you do opt to wear a winter dress in Sardinia during the Winter months we recommend adding tights to go with it as it does get chilly.
Swimwear (optional)
It really isn’t warm enough in Sardinia to use the sea in Winter so unless you are brave and used to cold water swimming I would leave the swimwear at home unless your hotel has a pool that is heated.
Best Shoes for Sardinia in Winter
Shoes / Boots
Sports shoes are not appropriate in Sardinia at night whether you are having a night out or a dinner in a resort. We therefore recommend packing a pair of smarter shoes or boots.
Sneakers
Great for exploring Sardinia during the day whatever time of year you are visiting. Hiking boots are only needed if you plan on hiking but won’t be required on the coast or in the city.
What else to pack for Sardinia in Winter
Umbrella
If you are visiting during the Winter chances are you will see at least some rain so a lightweight compact umbrella is an essential.
What to wear to Sardinia in Spring and Fall
Sardinia in Spring is classified as March, April and May while Fall spans September, October and November.
However many people consider May to October the season for swimming in Sardinia. Therefore if you are visiting in May, September and October you may want to check out our Sardinia summer packing list too.
One of the great things about visiting Sardinia in Spring and Fall is that these are classified as the shoulder seasons and by visiting during this period you will be rewarded with pleasant sightseeing temperatures.
We recommend packing a mixture of clothing weights for these seasons as the weather is more changeable.
For instance we would add layers such as hoodies and sweaters for using the in the early mornings and evenings as well as a mixture of long and short sleeve tops so you are prepared for any temperature.
For early spring and late fall, I would definitely also add a waterproof jacket onto your packing list too! And course a pashmina is needed anytime of year!
It is also always worth packing a pair of jeans for the shoulder seasons in Italy. However we opt to wear darker and more tailored fit jeans as this will help you look more like a local in Sardinia.
Sardinia Packing List FAQS
Do you need water shoes in Sardinia on beaches?
Whether or not you need water shoes in Sardinia depends on which beaches you are planning to visit as not all beaches in Sardinia are rocky.
However if you plan to visit Cala Luna or Cala Goloritze or other rocky beaches we would recommend having them to make your visit more comfortable.
Do you need mosquito repellant in Sardinia?
Though Sardinia is not famous for its mosquitos I would still pack mosquito or insect repellant particular in summer. Mosquitos are found near standing water and harbours and can be a nuisance if you don’t have repellant with you.
And if you are visiting other parts of Italy during your trip be sure to check out our specific seasonal Italy packing guides: