8 Best Places To Go Shopping In Sardinia

Whether you are looking for traditional crafts and local products, luxury goods, or clothing, shopping in Sardinia is a lot of fun, and it just so happens that I (your favorite local) am a bit of a shopaholic, and I know all the best spots to go shopping around the island – whether they are boutiques or artisan shops.

Everyone visits Sardinia to enjoy its gorgeous beaches, visit the many unique archaeological sites, explore the pretty coastal towns, eat all the delicious Sardinian food, and drink Sardinia’s fabulous wine.

However, it’s quite likely that you’ll want to pick up a souvenir or two. If you love perusing local shops while traveling, you will find there are plenty of opportunities to go shopping on the island.

I know it can be difficult to know exactly where to go and what to look for, so I’m here to help you find the best places to go shopping in Sardinia.

Read on to know more about the best places to go shopping in Sardinia to make your shopping dreams come true.

I have a guide on The Best Sardinian Souvenirs that will also help your shopping efforts.

Quick Guide To Shopping In Sardinia

Here’s a quick overview of the best places to shop around the island:

• Best for local crafts: Cagliari (old town artisans’ shops), Alghero (coral jewellery & boutiques).
• Best markets: Olbia’s weekly market, Sassari’s morning market, Cagliari’s San Benedetto food market.
• Best souvenirs: traditional textiles, baskets, byssus products, knives, pecorino & local food products.
• Best for fashion/fine shopping: Porto Cervo (luxury), Cagliari, Sassari, and Alghero city streets.
• Best for ceramics: Sardinian ceramic shops in Cagliari, Baunei, Alghero, and Olbia.
• Worth knowing: many smaller shops close between 1:00 and 4:30 pm and on Sundays outside peak season.

Shopping In Sardinia – Comparison Table

Where To Go Shopping In Sardinia

Shopping in Cagliari

Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia, and the biggest city on the island, perched on the southern coastline of the island. Cagliari has amazing shopping spots, and it’s indeed one of the best places to go shopping in Sardinia. I live in Cagliari, and let me tell you— the shopping here is awesome.

Here is where to go shopping in Cagliari:

Mercato di San Benedetto – Cagliari’s historic morning market is positively brimming with incredible local food products. Go there if you’re on the hunt for some divine Sardinian products, maybe to do some cooking at your Airbnb, or just pack a picnic for the afternoon. You’ll find freshly-caught fish, wagon wheels of cheese, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, and much more.

Good to know: Mercato di San Benedetto is currently closed for renovations, and the temporary stands are now found in Piazza Nazzari nearby.

Make sure to read my post 5 Markets In Cagliari For Your Shopping Needs.

Piazza del Carmine – If you’re an antique hunter, make sure to be there on a Sunday. Three Sundays a month, this beautiful square in Cagliari hosts an antique market called the Cagliari Antiquaria. You’ll find old jewelry, dusty books, and bespoke clothing— all at your fingertips.

Sapori di Sardegna – For more typical Sardinian products, Sapori di Sardegna is a lovely shop located in the Marina historic district of Cagliari. You will find lots of Sardinian wines, Sardinian cheese, homemade culurgiones and malloreddus pasta, sweets like Sardinian pardulas, Mirto (a typical local liquor), and more.

Good to know: Another good shop selling local products is Bonu, in Viale Diaz (a beautiful residential part of town close to the center).

Local tip: If you are on the hunt for Sardinian produce, you can simply go to any grocery store in Cagliari. Places like IperPan or SuperPan, Conad, Crai, and Despar all have a cheese section where you can find local cheeses, and all sell lots of local produce.

Mercato di Santa Chiara – A tiny little market behind Piazza Yenne, by the Scalette Santa Chiara, where the locals go to grab produce and groceries. There are cheese, wine, meat, bread, and fruit stalls. It has lots of charm and personality and has been around since 1955.

Innoi Sardinia – This shop, which also serves as a tourist info point and as a bike rental shop (they also do bike tours) has some of the most fun souvenirs from Cagliari: mugs and other ceramics, beach towels with prints that refer to our beloved Poetto Beach, traditional Sardinian rugs and pillow covers, and everything is made by local artists. It’s located in Via Dettori, in the Marina district.

Good to know: There are many more souvenir shops in Cagliari, typically in the area of La Marina. In Viale Regina Margherita, Intrecci is another great shop. In general, stay away from shops that are not locally owned, as they won’t sell anything that’s made locally.

Via Roma, Largo Carlo Felice, Via Manno, Via Sulis, and Via Garibaldi – These are Cagliari’s most famous shopping streets, in the districts of Villanova and La Marina, and where you should go for fashion items.

Shopping in Alghero

Alghero is one of the prettiest cities in Sardinia, and a great place to go shopping. The winding, narrow streets of the Old Town in Alghero are perfect for shopping or window-shopping.

Here are some excellent places for shopping in Alghero:

Via Carlo Alberto, Via Gilbert Ferret, and Via Rome – These are the most popular shopping streets in Alghero. In the peak summer season, it’s densely packed with shoulder-to-shoulder fellow shoppers and tourists! Via Roma is known locally for the jewelry and clothing shops.

Good to know: The most iconic Alghero jewelry features the vivid red coral that has been fished locally from Riviera del Corallo. If you are looking to buy that, double-check it’s local and fished in a sustainable way.

Antonio Marras – This shop in Piazza Civica, in the historic center of Alghero, features the latest collections by Antonio Marras, one of Italy’s most prized designers (he’s from Alghero).

Frida – Lovely vintage fashion shop where you truly never know what you’ll find.

Calzoleria Naitana – The oldest shop in the historic center of Alghero (they have been around since 1945) sells handmade leather belts and sandals.

Piazza Civica – On the last Saturday of each month, a fantastic arts, crafts, and antique market is hosted here. It’s one of my all-time favorite places to go hunting for little treasures, like handmade cards and knick-knacks for my apartment.

Mercato Civico di Alghero – This is the best place to buy local produce (including fish. Alternatively, there’s the Wednesday street market of Viale Europa/Via Corsica.

Shopping in Olbia

Olbia is the gateway to the heavenly world-renowned Emerald Coast of Sardinia, a place of true beauty, and one of the best places to go shopping in Sardinia. Various street markets happen on different days throughout the week. So no matter when you visit, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble across a street market or two during your stay.

Here are my favorite shopping spots in Olbia:

Farmers Market – The local farmers’ market is located in Piazza Nassiria on Mondays, Via Sangallo on Saturdays, and Piazza del Mercato on Wednesdays. It’s where you need to stop to buy local produce and groceries.

Corso Umberto I – In the heart of Olbia, it is the main shopping street in town. Here and in the surrounding alleys, you will find more than 100 fashion boutiques.

Artigianato Pasella – Olbia’s legendary Sardinian souvenirs shop is located in Corso Umberto I. You will find anything from Sardinian ceramics to textiles.

My post, What To See And Do In Olbia, will guide you to more activities in this fun Sardinian town.

Shopping in Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo is the epitome of opulence. It’s a stunning, tiny resort town in the northeast corner of the island, and the main hub of the Emerald Coast (a 30-minute drive from Olbia), although it only has a population of 421 people.

Porto Cervo was created to be the playground for the rich and the famous, and it’s definitely not the place to go if you are looking for authentic Sardinia. Often referred to as the “kingdom of luxury holidays,” here you can buy high-end fashion items, not handmade, charming souvenirs.

The center of town appears more like a high-end shopping mall than anything else. Don’t expect to find alleys and streets, or you’ll be disappointed.

Among the luxury shops of Porto Cervo, you’ll find:

• Versace
• Louis Vuitton
• Gucci
• Prada
• Dior
• Valentino
• Roberto Cavalli
• Alberta Ferretti
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Rolex
• Cartier
• Bulgari

There are a few independent shops tossed in among the famous brand names. These independent shops are certainly not “mom and pop” stores; rather, they are stunning artisan stores filled with runway-ready clothing!

If you are looking to splurge a little in Porto Cervo, but don’t want to drop more than a thousand euros, head over to La Bikineria, a swimsuit shop that hand-makes all its bikinis and swimwear locally!

If you are planning on staying in Porto Cervo during your Emerald Coast getaway, my guide on Where To Stay In Porto Cervo is incredibly useful.

Good to know: Not far from Porto Cervo, and also in the Emerald Coast, San Pantaleo is a tiny historic town that has a beautiful market every Thursday morning.

Shopping in Porto Rotondo

Porto Rotondo is very similar to Porto Cervo in that it was created as a luxe resort town, geared towards the rich and famous. A 30-minute drive south of Porto Cervo, it’s a visionary seaside town part of the Emerald Coast, and a bit larger than Porto Cervo with roughly 1,000 inhabitants living there year-round.

During the summer, up to 30,000 tourists and vacationers live in the villas, residences, and timeshares in Porto Rotondo.

These are the main shopping spots in Porto Rotondo:

Piazza Quadra, Piazza San Marco, and Piazza Casbah – These squares are home to the high-end Italian fashion brands you’ll also find in Porto Cervo; however, you will also find less refined shops, like a scuba gear shop.

Piazza Andrea Cascella – home to some of the best boutiques in Porto Cervo, but not too expensive. I recommend stopping by Laura Cialfi to try on beautiful dresses, shoes, and more.

Shopping in Sassari

Sassari is the second-largest city in Sardinia, and it has incredible shops, nightlife, and restaurants. My sister lived in Cagliari for 10 years, and I visited regularly, so I know all the best shopping areas in town.

Shopping in Sassari is just as fun for locals as it is for tourists. The historic center is where the best shops are located, but you will also find several good shopping malls.

These are my favorite places to go shopping in Sassari:

Piazza Castello – Not far from Piazza d’Italia, in the heart of Sassari, there’s one of the most stunning jewelry shops I’ve ever encountered. Chieffi and Shardan Gioielli are definitely worth stopping by and browsing through if only to sigh longingly at the sparkling gems.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele – This is the old medieval market area where you can find highly specialized artisan and arts and craft shops.

Mercato Civico – This is the best market in Sassari to pick up delectable Sardinian produce and groceries. Open Monday to Saturday, there are a lot of fresh fish and Sardinian sweetmeats to sample.

My Guide To Sassari will help you plan your time in the city.

Shopping in Oristano

Oristano is located in the central-western area of the island, right on the northern part of the Campidano plain and by the gorgeous Sinis Peninsula. In Oristano, you can find exquisite and ornate piazzas and alluring shopping streets.

Free of chain stores for the most part, Oristano is chock full of independent boutiques and high-quality local products. Most of the best shops and boutiques are located around the center of the city, so you can walk everywhere you need to go on foot.

Here is where to go shopping in Oristano:

Piazza Eleonora d’Arborea – As Oristano’s central square, this is the best place to start shopping. The square is home to an awesome antique market on the first Saturday of the month. It is one of the best antique markets on the island.

Cantina Sociale della Vernaccia – This winery is where to go in Oristano to try (and buy) the famous Vernaccia di Oristano, one of the most highly prized Sardinian wines.

Porta Nuova and Via Dublino – For everyday shopping needs, these are the largest shopping malls in Oristano, but they are pretty far outside the city center and require a car. 

Good to know: Keep in mind that shops in Oristano are closed all day on Sundays and typically close for lunch every day.

Don’t forget to read my post What To See And Do In Oristano for more guidance on visiting this lesser-known Sardinian city.

Shopping in San Teodoro

San Teodoro is a seaside town about 30 km (18.6 miles) south of Olbia, famous for gorgeous beaches (some of the best beaches in northeastern Sardinia, like La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi), and for being one of Sardinia’s prime holiday destinations.

While the town itself is small, it swells up in the summer season, and it’s quite eventful, to the point that it’s one of the top shopping destinations in Sardinia.

Every year, from June through September, the Coclearia evening market (Mercatino di Coclearia in Italian) takes place in San Teodoro. It’s open every night from 8 pm until late and more than 100 stands line the streets, sprawling outwards from the center of San Teodoro.

Here’s what you can find at this street market:

• Sardinian foods, including cheese and the renowned and highly unique Pecorino Sardo (hint: there are a million kinds of Pecorino), as well as Carasau bread, one of Sardinia’s famous kinds of bread that’s flat and crunchy.
• Crafted jewelry.
• Handmade leather goods.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, there are street performers and musicians. It’s a fun place to visit in the evening if you are staying in San Teodoro.

My Guide To San Teodoro shares tips on the best beaches and activities.

Practical Shopping Tips

Here are some additional tips to help your experience when shopping around the island:

• Plan market visits in the morning — especially for food and traditional products; many close by early afternoon.
• Many small shops close between 1:00 and 4:30 pm and on Sundays — check hours locally.
• For authentic Sardinian gifts, focus on regional specialties (baskets, knives, byssus silk products) rather than mass-produced souvenirs.
• If you’ve forgotten clothing or essentials, larger city centers (Olbia, Cagliari, Sassari, and Alghero) are more reliable than tiny resort gift shops.
• When in doubt, ask what’s handmade locally — that’s the core of Sardinian shopping culture.

FAQs on Shopping In Sardinia

Final Remarks

While most likely your trip to Sardinia will be all about its gorgeous beaches, lovely cities and towns, unique historical sites, and pristine nature, it doesn’t hurt to know that, if you need to go shopping (whether out of need or just for fun or for the sake of bringing home some Sardinian souvenirs), you will have plenty of places to shop.

If you are interested in visiting a local produce market during your trip, make sure you go in the morning – peak hours to catch local action are typically between 10:00 and 11:00 am.

Independent shops are open every day but Sundays and usually close between 1:00 and 4:30 pm, whereas larger chain shops remain open throughout the lunch break and often also on Sundays.

One thing is for sure: shopping in Sardinia is less about quantity and more about quality. Taking the time to understand what’s local—and why—makes what you bring home far more memorable.

Further Readings

Make sure to read my other posts about Sardinia:

• Where Is Sardinia?
• How To Get To Sardinia: Routes From Italy And Europe
• 10 Absolutely Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia
• How To Get From Cagliari To Olbia