Your August weather guide
HotWeather in Sardinia in August
August is a good time to visit Sardinia if you want hot days and warm water, but less suitable if you prefer to stay active through the afternoon. Daytime highs average around 30°C, nights stay near 22°C and the sea is about 25°C. Rain is unlikely to shape your holiday. The main trade-off is the heat: plan for shade at midday, rather than expecting comfortable weather for walking around all day.
Long-term climate averages for Olbia (Costa Smeralda), not a forecast · 1991-2020
Sardinia, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Olbia (Costa Smeralda).
- Average daytime high
- 30.3°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 34°C
- Average night-time low
- 21.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 20°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +8.9°C
- London averages 21.4°C in August
- Sea temperature
- 25.2°C
- year to year: 24°C to 26°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 11.2h
- 82% of 13.6 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 2
- 12 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 64%
- Days over 25°C
- 98%
- 55% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 39.4°C
- 2017-08-02
- Record low 1991-2020
- 16.6°C
- 2006-08-31
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 24 min
- 1358 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How August compares
August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Sardinia and ranks 37th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within Italy it is 3rd of 16 (Italy in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Sardinia is 8.9°C warmer by day and 8.0°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in August
The typical August day in Sardinia peaks at 30.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 33.7°C or more. About 98% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 21.5°C; one night in ten drops to 19.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 39.4°C (2017-08-02) and the coldest night 16.6°C (2006-08-31).
Rain in August
Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 2 days with 1 mm or more, 12 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2002 with 48 mm, the driest 2012 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 64%.
Sea temperature in August
The sea averages 25.2°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 24.3°C to 26.2°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 11.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:32 and sets about 20:21 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 18%.
Is August a good time to visit Sardinia?
Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Sardinia on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Expect heat that shapes your day
This is reliably hot weather, not just the chance of a warm spell: 55% of August days reach 30°C. On the hottest days, temperatures reach 33.7°C or more, so an exposed afternoon walk can feel demanding. Put more active plans in the morning and leave room for a shaded lunch or an indoor break when the heat builds. Light, loose clothing, a hat and sunscreen belong in your daily bag. With humidity averaging 64%, do not assume evenings will always feel fresh, either. The average night low is 21.5°C, making accommodation with effective cooling a sensible priority if warm bedrooms tend to disturb your sleep.
Warm swimming water, with little rain
The sea averages 25.2°C, comfortably warm for swimming rather than a bracing dip. Its August range of 24°C to 26°C means even a cooler year should suit travellers who dislike cold water. There is plenty of time outdoors, with about 11.2 hours of sunshine during 13.6 hours of daylight, but that also makes shade an important part of your plans. Rain is a relatively small concern: about 2 days have measurable rain, so wet-weather clothing is less of a packing priority than sun protection. A shower is still possible, and dry averages are not a guarantee. Overall, August suits a swimming-led holiday better than one built around sustained activity in the midday heat.
A little perspective
Sardinia through the year
August is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| 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% |
| AugustSelectedbest | 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.
Keep exploring
Similar in August
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Sardinia in August FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Sardinia hot in August?
Sardinia is hot in August: the average daytime high is 30.3°C and nights average 21.5°C. About 98% of August days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Sardinia in August?
The sea around Sardinia averages 25.2°C in August, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 24°C to 26°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Sardinia in August?
Sardinia sees about 2 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 12 mm of rain in a typical August. The wettest August between 1991 and 2020 was 2002 (48 mm) and the driest was 2012 (0 mm).
How sunny is Sardinia in August?
Sardinia gets around 11.2 hours of sunshine a day in August out of 13.6 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Sardinia compare with the UK in August?
Sardinia is on average 8.9°C warmer than London by day in August (30.3°C against 21.4°C).
What is the hottest August on record in Sardinia?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day in Sardinia reached 39.4°C on 2017-08-02, and the coldest night dropped to 16.6°C on 2006-08-31.
How much hotter is Sardinia than London in August?
Sardinia's average daytime high is 30.3°C, compared with London's 21.4°C - a difference of 8.9°C. That is a substantial step up from a typical London August, so expect to adjust your pace and take shade breaks rather than keep moving all afternoon.
Will I need a jacket in the evening?
A heavy jacket is unlikely to be useful, with night lows averaging 21.5°C. A light layer is a sensible option if you feel the cold: the coolest nights can fall to 19.5°C or below. Mostly, pack for warm evenings.
Is August Sardinia's hottest month?
Yes, August ranks as Sardinia's warmest month. It suits travellers who actively want heat and warm swimming water. If hot afternoons or warm nights are a drawback for you, that ranking is a reason to weigh up your timing rather than an automatic recommendation.
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