Local Etiquette in Sardinia: Greetings, Dining, Beach Rules & Everyday Culture

Why Local Etiquette Matters in Sardinia

Sardinia is proudly local, traditional and welcoming. People are reserved at first, then very warm once you connect. Small gestures make a big difference: greeting the barista, speaking a few words of Italian, dressing respectfully in villages and treating beaches as if they were your own. You will notice that daily life in Olbia, Golfo Aranci and the Gallura villages runs at a slower, more deliberate pace than big mainland cities.

Good etiquette here is not about strict rules, but about showing that you respect the island and its people. In return, you often get better advice, more generous portions, easier help with parking and an overall smoother stay. This guide focuses on practical etiquette for visitors based around Olbia and the north east coast.

Greetings, Language & Everyday Interactions

The biggest etiquette mistake in Italy is not greeting people. In Sardinia that is even more true. When you enter a café, bakery, small shop or elevator, a simple greeting is expected before you ask for anything.

• Use basic Italian phrases: buongiorno (good morning), buonasera (good evening), per favore (please), grazie (thank you), prego (you are welcome).
• Formal vs informal: with staff and older people, start with the polite form Lei. With young people you may naturally move to tu.
• Handshakes and smiles: a brief handshake or nod with eye contact is normal when meeting someone new.
• Cheek kisses: between friends and family, not with strangers or staff. Do not initiate unless the other person clearly does.
• Volume: speak at normal conversational volume in public. Loud phone calls on buses, trains or in restaurants are frowned upon.

English is widely understood in tourist areas, but showing you have tried a few Italian words is appreciated. For longer stays, see our guide on slow travel and winter stays to connect more deeply with local life.

Dining Etiquette, Meal Times & Tipping

Eating out in Sardinia is a social ritual. Meals are meant to be relaxed, with several courses and no rush to leave the table. In Olbia and the coastal towns, restaurants balance locals and visitors but the rhythm remains very Italian.

Meal Times

• Lunch: roughly 12:30 to 14:30, with many kitchens closing afterwards.
• Dinner: locals often eat from 20:00 onwards; early diners at 19:30 are possible, but 18:00 dinners are rare.
• Aperitivo: pre-dinner drink and snacks between 18:30 and 20:00, especially in Olbia and Golfo Aranci.

Ordering & At The Table

• Wait to be seated, especially inside. On terraces, ask staff before taking a table.
• Bread and water appear automatically and are often listed as coperto or cover charge on the bill.
• Courses are usually antipasto, primo (pasta or soup), secondo (meat or fish) and dessert. You are not required to order all of them.
• Coffee comes after dessert, not during the main course. Locals generally avoid cappuccino after late morning.
• Ask for the bill by saying il conto, per favore. It is not considered rude to stay and chat a bit after paying.

Tipping in Sardinia

In Italy, service is usually included and tipping is not mandatory. Rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service is appreciated, especially in tourist areas, but nobody expects large percentages like in the United States. Many restaurants charge a coperto or servizio fee that appears on the menu and bill.

• In casual cafés, rounding up by 1 or 2 euro is enough if you wish.
• In restaurants, leaving around 5 to 10 percent for very good service is generous, not required.
• In taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro or a couple of euros is common.

For family dining suggestions, see our guide to family friendly restaurants in Olbia & Golfo Aranci.

Beach Etiquette, Nature Rules & Noise

Sardinian beaches are spectacular and heavily protected. Local etiquette on the coast is a mix of environmental rules and common courtesy. Following these will help preserve the island and avoid fines.

• No sand or shells: it is illegal in many areas to take sand, shells or pebbles home as souvenirs.
• Respect the dunes and vegetation: stay on marked paths and do not climb sand dunes or walk through dune grass.
• Music: keep speakers low or use headphones. Loud music is considered intrusive on small coves.
• Rubbish: take everything with you, especially on wild beaches where bins may be limited.
• Smoking: check local signs. Some beaches have designated smoking areas or bans.
• Dogs: dog friendly beaches are limited and clearly indicated. Always check local rules and clean up carefully.

As a rule, swimwear is for the beach, pool or boat. In towns like Olbia and small villages, put on at least a T shirt and shorts before entering cafés, supermarkets or bakeries. Topless sunbathing is less common now and should be avoided near families or on busy public beaches. For more coastal inspiration, see best beaches near Olbia and Golfo Aranci.

Dress Code in Towns, Churches & Villages

Sardinia is relaxed but not careless. Locals dress simply yet neatly, and there is a clear difference between beachwear and town clothing. You do not need formal outfits, but looking tidy is a sign of respect.

• Churches and religious sites: cover shoulders and knees; avoid very short shorts, crop tops and low cut tops.
• Evenings in town: smart casual works everywhere. Light dresses, shirts, clean trainers or sandals are fine.
• Villages and rural festivals: modest, practical clothing. Avoid loud slogans on T shirts.
• Hiking and nature: proper shoes, sun protection and layers. Avoid entering restaurants in dirty hiking gear; change or tidy up first.

For packing ideas by season, see packing essentials for Olbia & north east Sardinia.

Driving, Parking & Fuel Station Etiquette

Driving in Sardinia is generally calm compared with many other regions of Italy, but there are a few habits to know. Patience and courtesy on narrow roads and in village streets are highly valued.

• On narrow country roads, pull slightly to the side to let locals pass if they are clearly faster.
• Use indicators early when you plan to turn into agriturismi or side roads.
• Do not park on yellow lines, in front of driveways or on pedestrian crossings, even for a short errand.
• Blue lines usually mean paid parking; white lines are typically free, but always read the local sign.
• Respect ZTL (limited traffic zones) signs in towns; cameras can trigger fines automatically.

In Olbia, our guests can park at Via Sassari 20 gated parking just outside the ZTL and walk into the historic center. For details on rules and maps, check the dedicated Olbia ZTL guide.

Shopping, Markets & Paying

In supermarkets, etiquette is straightforward: queue, keep a bit of distance and have your payment ready. In small shops and weekly markets, interaction is more personal and a few unwritten rules apply.

• Always greet the shopkeeper and say goodbye when you leave, even if you do not buy anything.
• At fruit and vegetable stands, do not handle produce without permission. Point or say what you want and the vendor will choose for you.
• Sampling is usually offered by the seller; avoid serving yourself unless clearly invited.
• Bargaining is limited. At markets there may be some flexibility, but polite, small requests are better than aggressive haggling.
• Contactless cards are common in towns; carry cash for rural markets and very small bars.

Quiet Hours, Apartments & Being a Good Guest

In apartment buildings and residential areas, noise etiquette is taken seriously. Many locals wake early for work and expect evenings to be calm, especially outside high summer.

• Keep voices low in stairwells and common areas, especially at night.
• Avoid loud music on balconies after around 22:00 and during traditional afternoon rest hours in some villages.
• Close doors gently and move furniture quietly, particularly in older buildings with stone or tile floors.
• Follow waste sorting rules carefully. Most towns separate organic, plastic, paper, glass and mixed waste on specific days.
• Use air conditioning wisely: close windows and turn units off when leaving the property.

For more ideas on traveling respectfully, see sustainable travel in Sardinia.

Mini Phrase List for Polite Travel

These simple phrases cover most daily situations and show respect for local culture:

• Buongiorno / Buonasera – Good morning / Good evening
• Per favore – Please
• Grazie (mille) – Thank you (very much)
• Prego – You are welcome
• Scusi – Excuse me / sorry (formal)
• Parla inglese? – Do you speak English?
• Quanto costa? – How much is it?
• Il conto, per favore – The bill, please

FAQs About Local Etiquette in Sardinia