10 Best Beaches In Alghero + 3 Nearby

There is no shortage of amazing beaches in Alghero. Whether you intend to spend just a weekend in Alghero, or even a week, you will find a lovely cove to hang out for the day or just a few hours.

I visit Alghero often, in the summer months (though I admit I avoid going to Alghero in August, as I find it too crowded), in the fall (I especially love the Catalan town in October), and even in the off-season (it’s one of my favorite places to visit in Sardinia in the winter).

Of course, I never miss a chance to go to the beach in Alghero – to swim and relax in the summer, and for a walk the rest of the year (sea temperatures in Sardinia are too cold to swim between November and April).

Looking to travel to Alghero? Make sure to read my post, Unmissable Things To Do In Alghero, and my Carefully Curated Alghero Itinerary (it’s a day-by-day itinerary with activities and tips). And if you need more help planning your trip, you can book a one-hour consultation with me.

With shallow, transparent waters and a gorgeous natural setting, Alghero beaches are perfect for any kind of crowd, including families with children who’ll have a blast playing with the powdery, white sand and splashing in the refreshing waters.

Below is my selection of the best beaches in Alghero and near the city, with a few tips to make the most of your visit. All of them are free to visit!

Quick Overview of Alghero Beaches

Here’s a quick overview of beaches in Alghero based on your travel needs:

• Without a car (walk/bus) → Maria Pia, Lido San Giovanni.
• Best for families → Maria Pia, Lido San Giovanni, Le Bombarde, Lazzaretto, and Mugoni all have shallow entry, facilities, and shade.
• Best water/snorkeling → Cala Dragunara and Rena Majore della Nurra offer rocky edges and clarity.
• Quietest → Go to the beach in the early morning or late afternoon, or in the shoulder season. The most secluded beach is Rena Majore della Nurra, but it’s harder to reach.
• Sunset → Most Alghero beaches are west-facing. Poglina offers incredible sunsets.
• Windy day options → Mugoni is fairly protected from Mistral wind. Rena Majore della Nurra is a safe choice when southeastern winds blow.
• Iconic day trip → La Pelosa, in Stintino, is one of the best beaches in Sardinia and absolutely picture perfect.

Beaches In Alghero And Nearby: Quick Comparison

Best Alghero Beaches Map

Wondering “where are the best Alghero beaches?” – I have created a map for you that you can see below.

Let me stress that while you can reach some beaches by bus or bike, you will be better off renting a car in Alghero for your trip if you wish to do some beach hopping.

How to use this Alghero beaches map: This map points out the city beaches and a few that are further away. Use your computer mouse on desktop or laptop, or your fingers on your smartphone, to enlarge the map. Click on the star next to the title to save into your Google Maps account. You should then be able to view it on your smartphone or computer by clicking on “Your saved maps” in your Google Maps. To view it in a larger screen click on “View larger map” in the top right corner.

Beaches In Alghero Without A Car

Are you staying in Alghero without a car? Start with Maria Pia for shade and space, or Lido San Giovanni for convenience. Even without a car, Le Bombarde and Lazzaretto are easy to visit. For a quiet day, head to Mugoni or Punta Negra.

Maria Pia

• Best for: families/sunset/people traveling with their dog.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: bar, loungers, and toilets at the beach clubs.
• Shade: yes in the pine forest.
• Parking: limited parking along the road, paid.
• Getting there: 10-minute drive from Alghero, 18-minute by bus (take bus AF), 13-minute by bike.
• Local tip: arrive early, as this is the most popular beach in Alghero; walk all the way to the north of the beach for a quieter spot.

If you only have time to visit one beach in Alghero, go to Maria Pia. There’s a good reason this is one of the most popular beaches in Alghero: it’s a long beach with powdery white sand, backed by a thick pine forest and sand dunes (which here in Sardinia are protected), which means there’s lots of shade even if you don’t bring your umbrella.

Quieter than Lido San Giovanni, Maria Pia is also one of Sardinia’s best dog-friendly beaches – one of the two in the Alghero area, and a major plus if you want to bring your dog to Sardinia.

The beach is easy to reach from the center of Alghero: it’s a quick car or bus ride, and you can also bike or walk there (though walking from the center takes almost one hour).

The beach is equipped with kiosks where you can get food and drinks, and beach clubs where you can rent “lettini” (that’s Italian for beach loungers) and umbrellas.

Lido San Giovanni

• Best for: ease of access, families.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: bar, loungers, and toilets at the beach clubs.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: limited parking along the road.
• Getting there: 5-minute drive from the center of Alghero, 8-minute by bus (take bus AF), 20-minute walk
• Local tip: grab a sunset drink at the Magic Beach Bar for a memorable end of the day.

The closest beach to the center of Alghero (just 2 km/1.2 miles!), this 3 km (1.8 miles) long beach is hardly the best beach in Alghero (there’s often algae on the beach). Nevertheless, it’s a favorite of families thanks to the sandy shore and very shallow water. Besides, it’s so close to the center of town that it’s very convenient for a quick beach fix.

All in all, it’s a good place to catch a glimpse of the sun or go for a quick swim if you have just arrived in town or don’t feel like driving, biking or walking too long. You will find plenty of kiosks serving food and drinks, and beach clubs renting whatever you need for the day.

Le Bombarde

• Best for: couples, groups of friends, people watching.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: bar, loungers, toilets, and a proper restaurant.
• Shade: some shade in the pine forest.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 20-minute drive from Alghero, 25-minute by bus (take bus 9320 or 9321 and get off at Hotel dei Pini), 30-minute by bike.
• Local tip: arrive early as the beach can get very crowded.

This is the most famous beach in the Riviera del Corallo – the Coral Riviera. It’s a comfortable place where you will find a beach club and rental of all sorts of beach equipment, just in case you don’t feel like carrying yours.

The beach is actually quite small, but it has the most refreshing, transparent water and incredibly fine, white sand, and it is surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees that cicadas call home – indeed, the singing of the cicadas on hot summer days is almost deafening.

It’s one of the most crowded beaches in Alghero, too – so if you are looking for a quiet place, maybe this beach is not for you.

On the plus side, there’s a direct bus from the center of Alghero, in case you don’t want to drive. Just make sure to note down the time of the last bus ride back to town, as otherwise it’s a 2-hour walk back.

Lazzaretto

• Best for: couples, groups of friends, people watching.
• Sand: sandy beach and rocks on the sides.
• Facilities: bar, loungers, and toilets at the kiosk.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 20-minute drive from Alghero, 25-minute by bus (take bus 9320 or 9321 and get off at Lazzaretto), 35-minute by bike.
• Local tip: since it’s just a 15-20 minutes walk to Le Bombarde, you can visit both beaches on the same day.

Lazzaretto beach is a nice, sheltered small cove that takes its name from the Aragonese watchtower that dominates it. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, this beach has a beach club and rental of all sort of equipment for your day.

There is a main beach (smaller than Le Bombarde) and several smaller rocky coves at its sides. The shallow water makes it perfect for families with children, and since it is nicely sheltered from the wind, the calm sea is great if you want to give SUP a try.

The beach is right next to Le Bombarde, only separated by the pine forest. Much like Le Bombarde, it can get incredibly crowded – avoid going if you are looking for a quiet spot.

Mugoni

• Best for: easygoing vibe, great for swimming, views of Capo Caccia promontory.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: bar, restaurants, loungers and other equipment rental, and toilets at the bars.
• Shade: some shade in the pine forest.
• Parking: yes,
• Getting there: 20-minute drive from Alghero past Nuraghe Palmavera, 40-minute by bus (take bus 9320 or 9321; there’s also the Cattogno Beach Bus which only runs in the summer), 45-minute by bike.
• Local tip: The best restaurant at the beach is Le Ninfe. Book in advance.

Not nearly as famous as the above mentioned beaches, but a favorite of locals, Mugoni is a longer, narrow stretch of white sand and clear waters with gorgeous views over Capo Caccia.

The shallow water is generally calm, and the vibe at the beach is overall very relaxed (way more than Lazzaretto and Bombarde, in my opinion).

You’ll find a nice pine forest at its back, various kiosks and beach clubs and places to rent beach equipment. As it is a much longer beach compared to Le Bombarde and Il Lazzaretto, you’ll never find it to be overwhelmingly crowded. If you walk north from the bus stop, away from the beach clubs, it’s even less crowded.

Punta Negra

• Best for: a more secluded, quiet beach.
• Sand: sandy, with rocks at the sides.
• Facilities: bar, loungers, and other equipment rental, and toilets at the kiosk.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 15-minute drive from the center of Alghero, 30-minute bus ride (take bus 714, AF or 9321), 22-minute bike ride.
• Local tip: go here if you want a more local beach.

Not far from Fertilia, where Alghero International Airport is located, Punta Negra is a small, sheltered (it’s set between two rocky headlands) and lesser-known Alghero beach with fine sand and transparent waters, home to Hotel Punta Negra.

The presence of the resort means that the beach is well looked after. Nevertheless, it’s never too crowded and even on a peak summer day you are bound to find a spot.

Much like other beaches in the area, you’ll see a forest of Arenosu pines at its back. You’ll also find a kiosk and a beach club.

Cala Dragunara

• Best for: snorkeling.
• Sand: pebbly beach.
• Facilities: kiosk and beach club with toilets and showers.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 31-minute drive from the center of Alghero, 47-minute bus ride (take bus 9321).
• Local tip: visit as part of a day trip to Neptune’s Grotto and Porto Conte Nature Park.

Located in the area of Porto Conte, not far from Neptune’s Grotto, north of Alghero, Cala Dragunara is one of the smallest, most charming small beaches in Alghero, with small pebbles and pristine clear waters.

It’s a favorite spot for snorkeling. It’s also a fantastic sunset spot – good thing there is a kiosk for that much needed drink.

The beach is incredibly small. Plan to get there super early if you want a spot at the beach!

Excursions to the nearby Neptune’s Grotto depart from the pier at Cala Dragunara. The beach is close to the area of Capo Caccia, a great place for a walk and where you’ll also find the via Ferrata del Cabirol, one of the most challenging in Sardinia.

Best Beaches Near Alghero (Short Drive)

Porticciolo (Torre del Porticciolo)

• Best for: active travelers in search of an off-the-beaten-path beach.
• Sand: mix of sand and pebbles.
• Facilities:
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: best reached by car (25-minute drive), and there’s some hiking involved (wear good shoes).
• Local tip: hike up to the Aragonese watchtower for impressive panoramic views.

Surmounted by an Aragonese watchtower, Porticciolo beach is a lovely place, nicely equipped with a beach club where you’ll be able to rent umbrellas and loungers. Yet, it’s one of the most secluded beaches near Alghero.

The clear waters make it perfect for snorkeling, but the rocky seabed and the mix of sand and pebbles, however, make it a bit uncomfortable and not ideal for families with children.

A trail by the beach allows you to reach the nearby Cala Viola or, further north, Porto Ferro beach.

Porto Ferro

• Best for: water sports.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: kiosk and beach club with toilets.
• Shade: in the pine forest.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 30-minute drive from the center of Alghero, 50-minute bus ride (take bus 9320).
• Local tip: go here if you are looking for a laid-back place to hang out for the day.

This beach is actually part of the municipality of Sassari, but you can easily get there from Alghero, so I thought I’d mention it. Locals refer to it as “hippie beach.”

Surrounding the beach, there’s a gorgeous pine forest. Porto Ferro is also very exposed to the Mistral wind, thus a perfect place for surfing in Sardinia, wind surfing and kite surfing. You’ll also find a beach club where you can get drinks and food, and beach equipment rental, in case you are too lazy to bring your umbrella.

Porto Ferro is also one of the most famous nudist beaches in Sardinia (the nudist section is clearly marked by a sign), and one of the best dog friendly beaches near Alghero since 2017. The nudist beach is in the northern side, at Torre Negra, where the Aragonese Tower is located.

Cala Speranza (Poglina)

• Best for: families with children.
• Sand: sandy beach with some rock formations.
• Facilities: kiosk and beach clubs for rentals, and toilets at the kiosk.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 15-minute drive from Alghero, 15-minute bus ride (take bus 9312).
• Local tip: move away from the main access points to find a more secluded spot.

This beach takes its name from the nearby La Speranza Church, but the official name is actually Porto Pollina, or Poglina. Located in the municipality of nearby Villanova Monteleone, on the way to Bosa, this is a narrow strip of sand with incredible cliffs at its back, fine white sand, and shallow, clear water – in other words, perfect for families with children.

The beach is equipped with beach clubs where you can rent all sorts of beach equipment and get food and drinks too. If you walk south from the main access, it is less crowded.

Beaches Worth A Longer Drive

If you have a car and don’t mind driving, these beaches are still fairly close to Alghero, and they are worth visiting.

Cala dell’Argentiera

• Best for: a completely off-the-beaten-path vibe.
• Sand: thick-grain sand and rock formations.
• Facilities: none.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 45-minute drive north of Alghero.
• Local tip: bring everything you need for the day.

Equally distant from Alghero and Sassari, Cala dell’Argentiera is a splendid, small cove in a truly unique setting: this was a mining village. As it is a bit more isolated and there’s no kiosk or beach club, it is never too crowded.

Water is almost immediately deep, so it may not be the best beach if you have children who aren’t confident in the water.

The beach takes its name from the silver – argento in Italian – which was once abundant in the area and was extracted from 1867 onwards. The mining village was abandoned in the 1960s, once the mine was closed, and what’s now left is an open-air museum. Only a few families live in the nearby area.

The main characteristic of the beach is the dark cliffs that jump directly into the clear waters. When the sea is calm, this is one of the nicest places to go snorkeling in Sardinia. But if the Mistral wind blows, you should avoid it, as the sea can get very rough. I once visited on a Mistral day, and the waves were 5 meters (more than 16 feet) high.

Rena Majore della Nurra

• Best for: anyone looking for a quiet spot. Not a good beach for families with children.
• Sand: small pebbles.
• Facilities: none.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 50-minute drive from Alghero. Once there, there’s a short hike down to the beach (a solid uphill on the way back to the parking lot).
• Local tip: bring everything you need for the day, and avoid Mistral days.

About 50 minutes drive north of Alghero, Rena Majore della Nurra is a gorgeous cove surrounded by cliffs, with tiny white pebbles and wonderfully clear waters that make it perfect for snorkeling. It’s one of the most impressive secluded beaches in Sardinia.

The beach is not equipped with a kiosk or a beach club (so make sure to bring food and water for the day), and there is no lifeguard on duty. There’s hardly any phone reception at the beach.

As there is no sand and it’s not directly accessible from the road (it’s a good 15-minute hike from the parking lot, more on the way back when you have to go uphill), this is not a good beach for families with children, unless they are truly confident in the water and can entertain themselves swimming rather than making sand castles.

Make sure to read my post A Complete Guide To Rena Majore Della Nurra Beach for more instructions on how to visit this beach.

La Pelosa

• Best for: families with small children, anyone looking for an iconic spot.
• Sand: sandy beach.
• Facilities: kiosks, restaurants, loungers and other equipment rental, toilets and showers.
• Shade: no.
• Parking: yes.
• Getting there: 1-hour drive north of Alghero.
• Local tip: set yourself a reminder to book access to the beach.

La Pelosa is one of the most celebrated beaches in Sardinia, and while it is 60 km (a little over 37 miles) from Alghero, just outside Stintino (one of the most famous coastal towns in Sardinia), it is still easy to reach and can be visited on a day trip from Alghero.

La Pelosa beach is a fantastic place to spend a day for the entire family: the sand is incredibly fine and soft, and the water is very shallow, so children can play safely.

There are beach clubs to rent umbrellas and loungers, but they must be booked well in advance, and restaurants along the road from where you access the beach, where you can get food and drinks.

One important thing to know, however, is that La Pelosa is one of Sardinia’s protected beaches, and access is capped to no more than 1500 visitors per day. You will have to book your visit in advance via the website Spiaggia La Pelosa and pay a small fee. I recommend planning to be there very early, too, as there’s limited parking (and it’s also very expensive).

My post How To Visit La Pelosa shares more information on how to plan your visit to this incredible beach and helps you familiarize yourself with the many rules to follow when visiting.

Guided Tours Of Alghero Beaches

Of course, you don’t need a guided tour to visit a beach. However, a boat tour in Alghero is a great idea to see the coastline from a different perspective and to do a bit of beach hopping in case you don’t have too much time in the area.

There are many options you could consider – sailing tours, catamaran tours, and zodiac tours, for example, and you can even rent your own zodiac if you know how to drive it. Here are some options I recommend:

Alghero wild beaches tour – A great tour by land that stops at several beaches and allows for lots of time snorkeling.

Andrea Jensen sailing day trip – The most popular boat tour in Alghero. It includes lunch and makes several stops for swimming, including in Porto Conte and Capo Caccia.

Full day zodiac tour – A very good option if you prefer a smaller and quicker boat; the tour makes several stops, including in Cala Inferno, the Isola Foradada, Capo Caccia, and the Bay of Porto Conte, Capo Galera, Torre del Lazzaretto and the Bombarde Beach.

Dolphin watching tour – A great tour option for the whole family, there’s a marine biologist on board to explain more about the marine life you will be observing during the tour. You will have plenty of chances to snorkel, too.

My post, The Best Boat Trips In Alghero, highlights more boat options for you to consider.

FAQs on Alghero Beaches

Final Considerations

Alghero is one of the most celebrated tourist destinations in Sardinia, and one of the prettiest cities in Sardinia. Here you’ll find some of the most interesting archaeological sites in Sardinia, including a nuraghe and the impressive Anghelu Ruju Necropolis (one of Sardinia’s many Domus de Janas, now a UNESCO site).

You will enjoy some of the most romantic sunsets in Sardinia. It’s one of the top diving destinations in Sardinia. There’s the unique Neptune’s Grotto (one of Sardinia’s most visited caves), and you will find hiking trails offering breathtaking coastal views.

But there’s more! Alghero has some fantastic restaurants, some of the best Sardinian wineries (my favorite local winery is Sella e Mosca, which is also home to one of the best boutique hotels in Sardinia)

Visit in the summer, and you’ll have the bonus of the great Alghero beaches, which are among the best in the Mediterranean.

Further Readings

Make sure to read my other posts:

• The Best Airbnbs In Alghero
• The Best Hotels In Alghero
• How To Get From Cagliari To Alghero
• How To Get To Alghero From The Airport
• The Best Itinerary For North Sardinia
• The Best Surfing Spots In Sardinia
• Guide To Renting A Car In Alghero