Sardinia - Coastal Explorer (Self-Guided Road)
About this trip.
Alghero to Pula by road bike
The route runs the length of Sardinia's western seaboard, starting at the Catalan-tinged port of Alghero in the north and finishing eight days later in Pula on the south coast. Italy's most exotic island, as the brochures like to call it, has a quietly excellent network of well-surfaced, low-traffic roads, and this self-guided trip strings together the best of them. You ride past sandy coves, ancient watch towers, and water that genuinely does turn emerald in the right light.
Sardinians take their cooking seriously — agriturismi, stubborn regional dishes, long evenings — and the pace of road cycling rewards that. You won't go hungry, and the route is built around places where eating well is the default.
The eight-day route
Day one is an arrival day at Alghero, with a transfer in from Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO), time to build the bike and perhaps a short warm-up spin into the surrounding countryside. Day two delivers the trip's likely signature stage: 28 miles to Bosa along a rollercoaster cliff road, with 845 metres of climbing and a fair chance of spotting griffon vultures perched on the rock faces. Bosa itself sits on the Planargia flatlands in the Temo River valley.
From there the route turns south through the Montiferru range, drops into the low marshlands around Cabras and the Sinis Peninsula, and reaches the Roman ruins at Tharros on a low spit between sea and lagoon. The middle days cross the Arborea Plain onto the mountainous Green Coast, with long descents to Fluminimaggiore and Masua and the unmistakable view of the Pan di Zucchero sea stack on the Nebida ride. After a stop on the islands of San Pietro and Sant'Antioco, the south-west coast road runs past white beaches before arriving in the colourful streets of Pula. Carthaginian settlements, Roman remains and rural churches are scattered along the way for anyone wanting to break up the riding.
Booking, kit and who it suits
This is a self-guided trip — you ride at your own pace using route notes, not in a group with a guide. Accommodation is a mix of independently run small hotels and family-managed agriturismi, chosen for character rather than uniformity. Prices start from £1,475 per person, with eight days on the ground and Alghero-Fertilia (AHO) as the in-and-out airport.
If a week feels short, it's possible to start instead in Olbia and add two extra days along the north coast, turning the trip into a ten-day route — worth a conversation with the operator before booking. The grading sits in the middle of the scale, so you need to be happy with rolling coastal terrain and the occasional serious climb, but daily distances are sensible and there's plenty of time to stop. It suits riders who want the cycling to be the holiday rather than an add-on, and who'd rather eat properly in the evening than chase Strava segments.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
