Sardinia enters Lonely Planet’s prestigious Best in Travel 2026 list which includes the 25 world destinations to discover for next year. A recognition that goes beyond the beaches and the crystal clear sea, and rewards the cultural, archaeological and naturalistic richness of an island that proves to be a destination for all seasons.
An island to experience all year round
The Lonely Planet jury chose Sardinia for its great variety. The island ensures experiences of pure authenticity linked to the villages, food and wine, craftsmanship and a thousand-year-old culture that has its roots in the enigmatic Nuragic civilization. The nuraghi, stone towers from the Bronze Age unique in the world, dot the Sardinian territory with thousands of testimonies, such as the Su Nuraxi complex in Barumini, a UNESCO site, represents the heart of this civilization still shrouded in mystery.
Linguistic diversity enriches the Sardinian identity. Sardinian, a language at risk among the twelve protected linguistic minorities in Italy, coexists with the Catalan of Alghero, a legacy of Aragonese rule. This variety opens a window into the soul of the island and tells centuries of Mediterranean history.
Varied nature and sustainable routes
Sardinian nature also surprises with its incredible variety. In a few hours you pass from the famous Costa Smeralda, a destination for yachts and celebrities, to Asinara, a former maximum security prison that is now an almost uninhabited wildlife sanctuary. The coast offers snorkelling, diving and sea caves, while the hinterland opens up to long-distance routes such as the Camino de Santa Barbara, which winds for 500 kilometres.
Active tourism finds space in the new cycle paths born from an ambitious sustainability project, routes that allow you to discover the island in a slow and respectful way, away from the summer crowds. Spring and autumn become very suitable seasons for trekking and visiting archaeological sites, while winter is dedicated to popular culture and traditions.
A recognition worth its weight in gold
Getting on the Best in Travel list means appearing on the radar of millions of travellers, tour operators and content creators around the world. The recognition brings international prestige and can give a concrete boost to local tourism, promoting not only the highly inflated beaches, but also the internal areas, the villages and traditions.
We remember how Lonely Planet’s objective is to invite readers to follow places and itineraries that can convey the journey as discovery and knowledge, focusing on real connections with the territories and with those who live there, strengths that Sardinia brings as a gift.
An opportunity for the whole island
Lonely Planet’s recognition represents an invitation to renew the promotion of Sardinia in a sustainable and inclusive way. It is an opportunity to strengthen local networks, invest in tourism training and promote the excellence of the area. Sardinia proves to be a model of balance between nature, tradition and tourist innovation, with this international recognition which achieves a double objective: it is a source of pride for those who live and work on the island, and a splendid promise for those who have yet to discover it.
The complete Lonely Planet ranking
We leave you with the 25 places chosen by Lonely Planet for 2026:
