The sea is still warm, the beaches are finally peaceful and prices are lower. Here’s why September beats August on every count.
If you’ve already done Sardinia in August — the crowds, the scorching heat, the high prices — you’ll know exactly what we mean. If you’re planning your first trip to the island, give September serious consideration. We say this after years of welcoming guests: it’s the month when our visitors come back most rested.
September in Sardinia is not the end of summer. It’s summer finally becoming enjoyable: the sea is at its warmest, the beaches empty out, the evenings grow cooler and prices come down. It’s the moment the island returns to those who know how to wait.
How it compares to other months
July — Air temperature: 36°C, sea: 26°C. Intense heat, crowded beaches, high prices. Difficult to manage with young children.
August — Air temperature: 38°C, sea: 27°C. Peak heat and crowds. Beautiful, but exhausting. Prices are at their highest.
September ✓ — Air temperature: 28°C, sea: 26°C. Ideal temperatures, warm water, quiet beaches. The perfect moment.
The sea temperature in September is practically identical to August — the water holds the heat built up over the summer. The difference is in the air: the suffocating heat of midsummer is gone, the nights are cool and pleasant, and you wake up in the morning without already feeling drained before you’ve even stepped outside.
Five reasons to choose September
01 · The beaches empty out From 10 September onwards, Berchida and Bidderosa return to being the near-deserted beaches that photographs show. You can find parking, find space, and actually breathe. It’s not the same experience as August: it’s better.
02 · The sea is at its best The water reaches its highest temperature of the year at the end of August and the start of September — around 26–27 degrees. Swimming is pure pleasure, and the conditions for snorkelling are excellent thanks to the clarity of the water.
03 · Prices come down Compared to August, flight and accommodation rates drop noticeably — often by 20–30%. With the same budget you get more space, more comfort and less stress. For those coming from abroad, it’s well worth factoring this in.
04 · Ideal for families Many European schools reopen in mid-September, which means that in the first 10–12 days of the month there are still families around but without the chaos of August. Children enjoy the beaches without the crowds, the heat is manageable, and the evenings are pleasant.
05 · The interior becomes accessible In August the inland areas are extremely hot and day trips are tiring. In September temperatures drop and it becomes a pleasure to explore: Orgosolo, Orosei, the Grotte del Bue Marino, the holm oak forests. The Sardinian interior is extraordinary, and September is when it’s best visited.
A few things to be aware of
September isn’t perfect on every front. Some accommodation and services start to reduce their hours or close in the second half of the month. The restaurants on La Caletta’s harbour are almost all open until the end of September, but it’s best not to assume that everything will run exactly as it does in August.
Tip: the first two weeks of September are the sweet spot — you’ll still find everything open, the heat is manageable, the beaches are quiet and prices have already dropped. If you can choose, aim for 1–15 September.
June also deserves a mention: the beaches are beautiful and almost deserted, the sea is already warm at around 22–23 degrees and prices are at their summer lowest. For those without school-term constraints, June is the second-best option after September.
Our properties are available from April to October. If you’re planning a September stay, we’d recommend booking a little in advance — the most sought-after dates fill up quickly even outside August.