Things To Do in Budoni

A 15-minute taxi ride will land you in Budoni's next-door town, San Teodoro. This place pulls out all the stops when it comes to the after-dark scene. Picture Ibiza-esque beach clubs, glamorous open-air nightclubs, and classy cocktail bars that are perfect for sipping sundowners in.

Every year in Budoni, the last Sunday in August is blocked out for the feast of St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the area. Costumed worshippers parade through the streets, choirs fill the air with celebratory hymns, and a sea procession launches from the port of Ottiolu. Budonesi kitchens also churn out origliette – fried pastries doused in honey and flavoured with orange zest.

If you’ve got some spare euros burning a hole in your pocket, take a trip to Olbia – half an hour’s drive north of Budoni. Once you’re there, you’ll want to head for Corso Umberto, the city’s main shopping avenue. It’s lined with bijou boutiques, big brand stores, and cafés for refuelling in between. Keep your eyes peeled for pop-up market stalls, too – they’re great for grabbing some well-priced take-me-homes.

Most of the restaurants in Budoni are dotted along Strada Statale, the town's main drag. Aside from the occasional fine-dining place, you’ll come across streetside restaurants that specialise in home-cooked Sardinian cuisine, like suckling pig and clam spaghetti. Make sure you don't arrive too early, though, as a lot of don't fling open their doors until the sun starts to set.

Budoni’s namesake stretch of beach is the biggest in the area, spanning around four kilometres. It’s also the most striking, and often draws comparison to Caribbean coastlines. Fine, creamy white sands roll gently into sapphire-shaded waters. And, because the sea's shallow here, it’s great for taking a dip in. When you do want to up the ante, you can try windsurfing or snorkelling.