Sardinia news
Short, source-linked updates from around the island.
Sardinia second in Italy for summer 2026 occupancy at 67.2%, fourth in September
Sardinia ranked second in Italy for summer 2026 occupancy at 67.2%, a tenth of a point behind Trento, the Ministry of Tourism reported on 12 September. The figure is the share of accommodation sold on the major online travel agencies that was booked between 15 June and 15 September, measured by The Data Appeal Company, and not the official bed-occupancy series. Sardinia's rate was 13% higher than in summer 2025. Italy averaged 61.8%, ahead of Spain (54.7%) and France (45.6%), and counted more than 276 million overnight stays from June to August, up 2% on 2025. September tells a different story. On the ministry's September reading Sardinia falls to fourth at 56.5%, behind Veneto (59.2%), Lazio (58.5%) and Sicily (57.8%), and only 0.3 points above the national 56.2%. The longer season is still visible in the official 2025 data, where September (3,485,434 nights) was larger than June, and in the port calendar: 54 of the island's 96 luxury cruise calls for 2026 fall between September and December. Regional tourism councillor Franco Cuccureddu told La Nuova Sardegna that the island cannot be sold as a beach-only product, because the peak months are close to sold out. Operators say the extra visitors are spending less. Gian Battista Piana, regional director of the traders' association Confesercenti, said on 28 August that operators report spending in restaurants and tourist services down 20 to 25%, up to 40% in some areas, figures he said official statistics still have to confirm. For visitors this means July and August remain the hardest weeks to book, while September offers more availability with occupancy still slightly above the Italian average.
21.9 million overnight stays in 2025: Sardinia up 16%, Gallura holds 35% of all nights
Sardinia counted 5,170,093 arrivals and 21,922,765 overnight stays in 2025, up 16.4% and 16.0% on 2024, according to the tables published in August by the Regione Sardegna Osservatorio del Turismo (ROSS1000-SIRED data extracted on 18 June 2026, which may differ marginally from ISTAT's certified series because of late corrections). Foreign visitors supplied 12,170,692 nights, 55.5% of the total and up 21.5%, led by Germany (3,262,084), France (1,608,906) and Switzerland (1,042,919); Poland (+36.3%) and the United States (+33.3%) grew fastest among the larger markets. The Province of Gallura Nord-Est Sardegna registered 1,624,729 arrivals and 7,696,261 overnight stays (+15.5% and +11.5%), 35.1% of all nights on the island and more than Cagliari (5,170,269) or Sassari (3,297,115). Olbia logged 362,778 arrivals and 1,161,262 nights (+11.3% and +7.6%), third among Sardinian comuni after Alghero and Arzachena. Golfo Aranci was one of the fastest-growing comuni on the island: 59,380 arrivals and 333,123 nights, up 35.0% and 42.1%, with an average stay of 5.61 nights. Hotels added 8.0% to 11,015,596 nights, while extra-hotel accommodation rose 25.2% to 10,907,169, now 49.8% of the total; non-business private lets alone grew 37.3% to 4,460,195 nights. The season also widened: April was up 39.9% and September (3,485,434 nights) exceeded June. For visitors this means a longer bookable season in Gallura, more demand for apartments and villas, and busier shoulder months.
EU Commission proposes Affordable Housing Act with new powers to limit short-term rentals
On Wednesday 9 September 2026 the European Commission presented the Affordable Housing Act, a proposed EU regulation that lets national, regional and local authorities designate "areas under housing stress". An area normally qualifies where an average home costs at least eight times disposable income per person, that ratio has risen over ten years and pressure is unlikely to ease within three; at ten times or more, the ten-year test is dropped. The European Parliament and the member states must still approve it. In such areas, authorities must show a "significant adverse effect" from short-term rentals over at least three years. They may then introduce authorisation schemes, quantitative limits or bans on short-term letting of homes that are not the host's primary residence, and limit purchases of homes for short-term letting (for future purchases only). Restrictions are capped at five years, renewable after review. Hosts renting their own primary residence are exempt. "Housing has become too expensive for many people in the EU," the European Commission said. Industry groups counter that short-term rentals are about 1.2% of EU housing stock. In Sardinia the criteria have not yet been applied to any comune. In 2025 the island counted 46,024 private lodgings, 15,926 of them in Gallura Nord-Est Sardegna around Olbia and Golfo Aranci. Banca d'Italia puts the average home price at €1,587 per square metre in tourist comuni against €714 elsewhere. For visitors nothing changes now: since 20 May 2026 platforms already verify Italy's CIN registration numbers under the EU Short-Term Rental Data Regulation.
United Airlines Expands Mediterranean Reach with Direct Newark–Olbia Route Starting May 2027
United Airlines has announced a major expansion of its international network for the 2027 summer season, highlighting a new seasonal nonstop connection between New York/Newark (EWR) and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) in Sardinia. Scheduled to launch on May 27, 2027, the route will operate three times weekly utilizing a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. This milestone route reinforces the growing international demand for Sardinia. United joins Delta Air Lines, which introduced direct JFK-to-Olbia connections in 2026. Combined, the two major carriers will provide daily direct flights from the New York metropolitan area to northeastern Sardinia throughout the peak summer season. The addition of United’s Newark hub unlocks seamless single-connection access to Sardinia for travelers originating across North America. For the island’s tourism and hospitality sectors—particularly short-term rentals and boutique accommodations across Gallura and the Costa Smeralda—the increased transatlantic connectivity is expected to boost occupancy, extend the shoulder season into May and September, and drive higher average daily spend.
Airbnb Luxe Admits AZULIS Villas Dumas — Two of Sardinia’s Ten Luxe Homes
Airbnb Luxe has officially welcomed AZULIS Villas Dumas, comprising Villa Athos and Villa Aramis, into its prestigious collection. This milestone was achieved following an in-person inspection by an Airbnb home consultant, ensuring that the villas meet the high standards of design, comfort, and service required for Luxe status. Villa Athos became available on 14 July 2026, with Villa Aramis set to join shortly after, bringing the total number of Luxe homes in Sardinia to ten. Operated by RENTAL12, a family-run hospitality brand founded by Floriana Panvini Rosati and Kristina Zotova, the villas are located in Golfo Aranci. The company prides itself on its hands-on approach, managing 37 properties and maintaining a 4.9-star rating from over 1,550 reviews since its inception in 2021. The villas were built without debt and feature high-end specifications, including A++ energy classification, designer interiors, and curated art. The inspection process for Luxe homes is rigorous; it involves a detailed walkthrough of each room, ensuring that no modifications are made solely for the inspection. This commitment to quality is reflected in the villas' design, which emphasizes timeless elegance and a connection to Sardinia's landscape. Villa Athos accommodates six guests, while Villa Aramis can host eight, both featuring private heated pools and stunning sea views. The addition of AZULIS Villas Dumas to the Airbnb Luxe collection is a significant achievement for RENTAL12, highlighting the brand's dedication to excellence in hospitality. The villas opened to their first guests on 15 June 2026, marking a successful expansion for the company as it celebrates its fifth anniversary.