What's the weather like in Sardinia
Climate
Sardinia is a large island located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy. With nearly 2,000km of coastline, beautiful sandy beaches and mountains inland, the island is a popular holiday destination.
Winds
Sardinia has a lovely Mediterranean climate, experiencing long, warm summers and short, mild winters with short rainy seasons in-between. The north is usually slightly wetter than the south and great geographical diversity gives rise to a number of microclimates on the large island. It is known for being a windy island as it is in the path of the western Ponte winds, Arctic winds, the Alps' Mistral wind, the African Libeccio wind, the north-African Levante wind and the Saharan Sirocco wind.
Humidity
Sardinia has an incredibly varied landscape with each different habitat seeing different weather conditions. Surrounding the capital city of Cagliari in the southeast are lush protected wetlands which experience mild and humid weather, while to the north of these stretches an area of flat, arid plains where temperatures are more extreme. Nearing the mountains it becomes milder again with rolling vineyards and olive groves thriving in the fertile soil. The cooler, wetter mountains are densely forested.
Warm Weather
The warm weather and dramatic landscape have made Sardinia a chosen destination for people looking for very different holidays; those after a relaxing holiday come to soak up the sun on Sardinia's many beaches while water sport enthusiasts enjoy scuba-diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing and more. Hikers head for the hills while climbers scale the mountains and painters paint the scenes before them; golfers are spoilt for choice as hang gliders float above them and, smartest of all, the gastronome lets the scenery remain in the background as they tuck into some porceddu a famous traditional dish of suckling pig cooked on a spit.
Spring Weather In Sardinia
Temperature
Spring time in Sardinia is similar to autumn but much drier, making it a popular time to visit the island. The weather is comfortable and the towns and cities are much quieter than the peak summer months. From March to May, average temperatures range between 12°C and 17°C with highs reaching 22°C by the end of the season. March can still be quite cool on an evening though, with lows of 7°C, so coats and layers are still advised.
Sunshine Hours
After winter, sunshine also increases quickly in spring. Holiday makers can soak up between 6 and 9 hours of glorious sunshine every day, which allows plenty of time to visit the beach and get a tan. You may want to stay out of the water until summer arrives though, as average sea temperatures remain quite low at just 14°C to 17°C which can feel rather cool.
Rain
While rainfall rises in April, spring is generally quite dry in Sardinia compared to the rainy autumn season. April sees 26mm of rain and 13 wet days, which drops to just 19mm and 9 wet days in May.
To find out more about the climate in Sardinia, visit the weather averages page.
Summer Weather In Sardinia
Summer is the most popular time to visit Sardinia, when the weather is at its best. Summer on the island lasts from May till October, though sea temperatures can be extremely nippy at the beginning of the season averaging just 14°C.
Temperature
Temperatures are pleasant all the way through the summer season. Early and late summer see average temperatures around 17°C reaching mid-20s at the peak of the season, while highs can hit up to 30°C. In July and August even the nights remain warm at 19°C.
However, if you are staying by the coast the heat should not become overwhelming as there is a welcome sea breeze year-long. While in some Mediterranean countries it is advisable to avoid the peak months of summer, this means Sardinia is agreeable throughout the peak months, if a little humid for golfers, hikers and cyclists. If your main aim is to relax on the beach and get a tan, summer is a perfect time to visit.
Sunshine Hours
July is the sunniest month of the year in Sardinia, seeing a lovely 12 hours of bright sunshine every day on average. The rest of the summer months see between 8 and 10 hours, which is still plenty. Wonderful sea temperatures around 23°C in peak summer means days spent at the beach swimming and sunbathing will be enjoyable.
Rain
Summer in Sardinia is very dry, especially July and August, so visitors should be able to enjoy a visit without worrying about wet weather. There's just 2mm of rainfall in July and 2 wet days while the most rainfall seen is at the end of the season in September, with 24mm and 8 wet days.
Autumn Weather In Sardinia
Temperature
After the hot summer months, Sardinia starts to cool as autumn arrives. This doesn't mean that the weather gets cold though. Instead, it drops to a comfortable average temperature of 18°C in October and 13°C in November, which is perfect for the various sports that can be enjoyed on the island. Visitors can even hit the beach at the start of the season, as high temperatures can still reach 22°C and average sea temperatures remain at a balmy 21°C.
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine hours drop in autumn, but holiday makers can still enjoy 5 or 6 sunny hours a day. Take a look at the weather forecast for Sardinia here.
Rain
While autumn is still a great time to visit Sardinia, you should be aware than the season is the wettest of the year on the island. After the dry summer months, rainfall increases. October is the wettest month of the year on the island, closely followed by November.
However, with 41mm and 39mm respectively, the rain shouldn't cause too much of a problem. There's only 11 to 14 wet days a month and showers should pass quickly, making way for dry, sunny weather.
Winter Weather In Sardinia
Temperature
Sardinia is a popular winter sun destination, with clear, crisp skies and temperatures much warmer than other parts of Europe such as the UK at this time of year. Temperatures are usually quite mild in winter, with averages between 10°C and 11°C from December to February. Highs can even reach 15°C on the warmest days, though the evenings can be very cool if not cold, so holiday makers may want to pack a coat and some warmer layers to wear at night.
Sea Temperature
Sea temperatures also drop in winter, between 14°C and 16°C, so it's not advised to take a dip at this time of year.
Rain
From October till April the chance of rain is much greater. Sardinia actually has three rainy seasons falling around October, December through till January and in March but the whole period is generally unpredictable and wetter. December sees 38mm of rainfall throughout the month with 15 wet days.
However, most of the rain falls on the mountainous regions and north of Sardinia while the coasts often remain clear. The mountains often receive snow above five hundred metres with some areas seeing snow cover for up to five months of the year!