Destination guide
Sardinia weather by month
June is the best fit for warm, mostly dry days without Sardinia's peak summer heat; September suits travellers who put a warm sea ahead of reliably dry weather. Daytime averages reach 27°C in June and 26°C in September, when the sea is still 24°C. July and August are better for heat lovers, while spring suits time outdoors rather than long swims. Winter calls for layers, waterproofs and flexible plans.
- Hottest month
- 30.3°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 12.9°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 25.2°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 2 h 24 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Sardinia, month by month
A little perspective
Sardinia through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.9°C | 7.4°C | 13.8°C | 4.4 | 56 | 8 | 0% |
| February | 13.2°C | 7.1°C | 13.3°C | 5.5 | 43 | 8 | 0% |
| March | 15.4°C | 8.8°C | 13.6°C | 6.3 | 56 | 8 | 0% |
| April | 18.0°C | 10.7°C | 14.6°C | 7.1 | 53 | 8 | 0% |
| May | 22.1°C | 14.2°C | 17.3°C | 8.4 | 44 | 6 | 17% |
| Junebest | 26.8°C | 18.1°C | 20.9°C | 11.1 | 17 | 3 | 69% |
| Julybest | 30.0°C | 21.0°C | 23.8°C | 12.7 | 7 | 1 | 96% |
| Augustbest | 30.3°C | 21.5°C | 25.2°C | 11.2 | 12 | 2 | 98% |
| September | 25.8°C | 18.6°C | 23.6°C | 7.8 | 37 | 6 | 64% |
| October | 21.9°C | 15.5°C | 20.9°C | 5.7 | 65 | 8 | 16% |
| November | 17.1°C | 11.7°C | 17.9°C | 4.3 | 78 | 10 | 0% |
| December | 13.9°C | 8.8°C | 15.2°C | 4.2 | 62 | 9 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Sardinia
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. November is the wettest month (78 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (7 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.2°C and coolest in February at 13.3°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB, 3 km from Olbia) takes roughly 2 h 24 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Rome.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Sardinia between 1991 and 2020 reached 39.4°C on 2 August 2017; the coldest fell to -0.9°C on 13 February 2012. In August one day in ten tops 33.7°C and about 55% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 4.3°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was May 2018 with 228 mm, against a May average of 44 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Sardinia
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:45 | 17:17 | 9.5 h | 4.4 h |
| February | 07:18 | 17:55 | 10.6 h | 5.5 h |
| March | 06:34 | 18:28 | 11.9 h | 6.3 h |
| April | 06:43 | 20:01 | 13.3 h | 7.1 h |
| May | 06:04 | 20:32 | 14.5 h | 8.4 h |
| June | 05:50 | 20:55 | 15.1 h | 11.1 h |
| July | 06:03 | 20:53 | 14.8 h | 12.7 h |
| August | 06:32 | 20:21 | 13.8 h | 11.2 h |
| September | 07:03 | 19:32 | 12.5 h | 7.8 h |
| October | 07:33 | 18:42 | 11.1 h | 5.7 h |
| November | 07:09 | 17:04 | 9.9 h | 4.3 h |
| December | 07:40 | 16:55 | 9.3 h | 4.2 h |
Spring: comfortable days arrive before warm seas
March is still a layers month: days average 15°C and nights feel cool, so plan for a jacket rather than relying on sunshine alone. April brings milder afternoons at 18°C, making time outdoors more comfortable, but rain remains a consideration through both months. May is the more convincing choice for warmth, with days reaching 22°C and fewer rainy days than earlier in spring. The catch is the sea: even in May it averages 17°C, so pleasant weather on land does not mean comfortable swimming for everyone. Pack light clothes for warmer afternoons, something warmer for evenings and a waterproof layer throughout spring.
Summer into September: choose between heat and swimming comfort
June offers a useful balance: 27°C days, relatively little rain and a sea averaging 21°C. It suits travellers who want summer warmth but find peak heat tiring. July and August both average 30°C by day, so leave the hottest part of the afternoon for shade and take lighter clothing for warm evenings. July is the driest month and has the most sunshine; August has the warmest sea at 25°C. September eases the daytime heat while keeping the water at 24°C, making it a strong swimming choice. The trade-off is rain: September averages 6 rainy days, so it is less dependable for dry days than the summer months.
Autumn and winter: milder afternoons, less reliable outdoor weather
October can still suit travellers wanting warmth without high summer heat: days average 22°C and the sea is 21°C, though rain makes flexible plans sensible. November drops to 17°C and is the wettest month, so it is a weaker choice if your holiday depends on being outdoors. December feels cooler again at 14°C, with evenings needing warmer layers. January and February both average 13°C by day and 7°C at night: think jacket weather, not a winter beach break. February has more sunshine than January, but the same average number of rainy days. Across these cooler months, pack a waterproof and treat any swimming as a cold-water choice rather than expecting summer-like comfort.
A little more detail
Sardinia weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Sardinia?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Sardinia are July, August and June. August is the hottest month (average high 30.3°C) and January the coolest (12.9°C).
How many months a year is Sardinia over 25°C?
4 months in Sardinia average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 6 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Sardinia?
November is the wettest month in Sardinia (78 mm on average) and July the driest (7 mm). Annual rainfall averages 530 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Sardinia?
The hottest day recorded in Sardinia between 1991 and 2020 reached 39.4°C on 2 August 2017; the coldest fell to -0.9°C on 13 February 2012. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the sea warmest in Sardinia?
August has the warmest sea, averaging 25°C. July and September both average 24°C, so September is a good alternative if you want warm water with gentler daytime heat. June's sea is cooler at 21°C, despite its warm afternoons.
Is May or October better for a warm holiday?
Both months average 22°C by day. May is the better fit for more sunshine and fewer rainy days, while October has the warmer sea: 21°C compared with May's 17°C. Choose May for time outdoors and October if swimming matters more.
How hot does Sardinia feel in July and August?
Both months average 30°C by day, with nights staying warm at 21°C in July and 22°C in August. Plan more active time away from midday, keep shade breaks in mind and pack lightweight clothes rather than expecting evenings to feel cool.
See also: Italy weather by month · where else is hot in August
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Olbia (Olbia (Costa Smeralda)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.3 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C