Sardinia used to be a complicated destination for travelers from Serbia. You would fly to Rome or Milan, wait for a connection, then land on the island half a day later. The charter program changed that completely. There is now a direct Air Serbia flight from Belgrade straight to Alghero, the lovely Catalan flavored town on the northwest coast of Sardinia, and the whole package is organized so that you only need to show up at the airport.
The flight schedule
Departures run on Wednesdays, and the stay is 7 nights, Wednesday to Wednesday. Flight JU478 leaves Belgrade at 06:50 and lands in Alghero at 09:00, which means you are at the hotel before noon on day one and the whole first day counts as real vacation. The return flight JU479 departs Alghero at 09:45 and arrives in Belgrade at 11:40. Plan to be at Nikola Tesla airport at least two and a half hours before takeoff, and check the exact departure time 24 hours before flying, since charter timings can shift slightly.
What the price covers
The package price includes the round trip flight, airport taxes of about 50 euros, group transfers from Alghero airport to your hotel and back, the confirmed hotel stay, and the services of a representative who speaks Serbian. The rep meets you at the airport, points you to your transfer, and visits hotels during the week for questions and optional excursions. Checked baggage of 23 kg plus 8 kg of hand luggage per passenger is included, which is generous for a summer week.
What you pay separately
Two things are not in the price. The first is the local tourist tax, paid at the hotel reception: in Alghero it is around 2 euros per person per day in 3 star hotels and around 4 euros in 4 and 5 star properties, with slightly lower rates in Stintino, Valledoria and other resorts. The second is travel insurance, both health and cancellation, which we honestly recommend taking. Babies under 2 fly for 48 euros without a seat and get 10 kg of baggage for their stroller and gear.
Where you can stay
Most of our Sardinia hotels are in and around Alghero, so you get a real town with restaurants and a beautiful old quarter, not just a resort strip. The 5 star Smy Carlos V Wellness & Spa is the most exclusive address in the program, about 300 m from the old town, with sea views over the bay and a proper spa. A small unequipped beach is 250 m away and the famous Maria Pia sandy beach about 4.5 km. A week costs from 2730 euros for two people.
Hotel San Marco sits in the Lido district, literally across the street from the San Giovanni town beach, about 50 m from the sand. The old town is an easy 2 km walk along the waterfront. With 125 rooms and a 4 star rating, it is the best pick if you want to step out of the lobby and onto the beach, from 1980 euros for two people.
Hotel Oasis faces Maria Pia, widely considered the prettiest sandy beach on this side of the island. You cross the road and walk a shaded path through a pine forest to the sea. The trade off is the location on the edge of town, 4 km from the center, but a city bus stops right in front. From 2210 euros for two people.
The budget friendly option is Hotel Blu Rina, in the second line from the sea, 100 m from the sandy town beach and a pleasant 3 km promenade walk from the old town. Rooms are simple but have central air conditioning, a minibar and in some cases sea view balconies. From 1670 euros for two people.
A few honest tips
Book early, because Alghero hotels sell out fast for July and August. Reservations are confirmed within about two working days of paying the 40 percent deposit, and the rest is due 21 days before departure, with installment options available. If your hotel is farther from Alghero airport, a small transfer supplement may apply, which is always listed on the package page. And leave one day for Stintino and the La Pelosa beach, it is the postcard everyone comes home with.
