The Best Farm Stays and Ecolodges in Sardinia

This 18th-century family home, dressed in warm terracotta tiles and neutral tones, offers an upmarket, modern take on an agriturismo. With just 22 guest rooms, it feels intimate but there’s also a host of activities on offer, including tennis, horse riding and trekking. Pampering is part of the experience, too. Enjoy the hammam in the lovely spa, or lounge by the pool.

Antica Dimora del Gruccione is an Albergo Diffuso, which means that the hotel’s buildings are now peppered throughout the quaint village of Santu Lussurgiu. Whether you’re relaxing in your homely room, visiting the cosy romantic library or dining on an artfully plated, locally sourced menu in the Slow Food restaurant, the setup enables to feel truly immersed in this mountain town.

You’ll have the chance to get to know horses, donkeys, chickens and cows at this working farm, set in the countryside near pretty Oristano, and Sardinia’s most fascinating archaeological sites. As well as offering beamed ceilings and simple furnishings, the family-owned farm produces its own extra-virgin olive oil, salami and jams, which you can sample at the restaurant or at breakfast.

If you want a taste of the Sardinian outdoors on a visit to Cagliari, Il Giardino di Valentina is a great choice as it is only an hour’s drive from the city. Set in a sleepy village among a bloom-filled garden, rooms are simple and homely, with cool marble floors or tiles. Cyclists love it for the brilliant cycle paths nearby and you can hire a bike on site.

Set in the Tepilora Natural Park, L’Essenza Oasi Sensoriale calls itself a secret stay – and it feels as if it’s hidden away. Four hut suites, topped with thatched conical roofs, come with views of unspoilt wilderness, forests, rivers and hiking trails. There’s a yurt-like vibe to the suites but they come with regular beds, stylish worn furniture and sturdy bedside tables.

Bisos, which means dreams in Sardinian, offers a sustainable stay, having been refurbished as a NZEH (Nearly Zero Energy Hotel). When you lay your head in bed in one of the six rooms, which come with original ceilings and tiled floors, you can rest assured you’re not harming the planet. Top-quality insulation, water-saving facilities and locally sourced food is all part of the offering.

From floral-print sheets to wellbeing workshops, the personal touch of owners Elizabeth and Massimiliano are found everywhere. Psychologist Elizabeth, who opened the property more than a decade ago, wanted to create a space that enhanced guests’ mental health and focused on sustainability. Surrounded by greenery, the home is painted in natural paints and cleaned with ecofriendly products. Breakfasts are Sardinian-sourced and organic.

If you think eco can’t mean luxurious, think again. This holiday house sleeping four on the southeastern coast of Sardinia marries environmentally sustainable buildings and local handcrafted cushions with lazy days by the pool, balconied bedrooms and a shaded gazebo. Have lunch under the 400-year-old olive tree in the garden before heading out for an afternoon to explore the nearby port city and capital, Cagliari.

This resort on Torre di Bari beach offers days spent flopping beside the surf with rustic pleasures, such as hiking or cycling trips through the rugged terrain. An on-site pool, restaurant seafood and spa with rooftop jacuzzi come as part of the deal, too.

Families with kids in tow will love this self-catering agriturismo estate in Sardinia’s northeast because there’s plenty of room to spread out. Villas come in various shapes and sizes, with one featuring five bedrooms. The coast is not far away but if you’re here for the quiet rural life, there’s picnics of local oil, salami, pies and sweets to enjoy on the lawn and barbecues on warm evenings.

By day, the loungers surrounding Agriturismo La Quercia’s pool provide a sun-drenched spot to dry off after a cooling dip. By night, they let you gaze up at the stars. Here, on the southwest Sardinian coast by the Costa Verde, the night skies are amazing. The cosy farmhouse restaurant, run by Fiorella and Francesca, puts produce from the family farm to expert use in dishes such as tagliolini with vegetables or risotto with red cabbage.

Kayaking on nearby Lago del Cedrino, a serene sliver of water, is a must-do when you stay here. This working farm stay encourages you to immerse yourself in the Sardinian landscape, whether that’s on treks, horseback rides or kayaking. Friendly farm animals on site will keep you company while you enjoy a local breakfast of cheese and salami.