The 15 Best Beaches In Sardinia

Writing a post on the best beaches in Sardinia is no easy task. There are so many to pick from, such a huge variety in terms of the landscape, the services, the way to get there that inevitably each selection does reflect personal taste.

The good news is that literally all Sardinia beaches are gorgeous. Visit whichever coast on the island and you will find something to suit your needs and preferences. And the good news is that – with just a handful of exceptions – all the best beaches in Sardinia are free to access and those that aren’t free require just a small fee that will hardly impact your budget. In some cases, however, the number of accesses is limited so you will have to make sure you head there nice and early or (if allowed) reserve your spot before going.

In this post, I highlight the best beaches in Sardinia and share some tips to make the most of them – including useful information on how to get there. If you need inspiration on Sardinia beaches and more, make sure to visit my Instagram profile where I regularly share photos of the best places to visit on the island.

The 15 Best Beaches In Sardinia

Oasi di Biderosa – Orosei

Oasi of Biderosa is definitely one of the best beaches in Sardinia not only because of its white and soft sand and the crystal clear emerald sea but especially thanks to its unspoiled nature and the restricted number of people who are allowed to enter each day.

This oasis consists of a park, a pond and five amazing coves and is located on the east coast of Sardinia, in the gulf of Orosei. In the park of 860 hectares there are natural granite and centuries-old trees such as junipers, pines, holm oaks grow. There is a path which winds through the pine forest and runs along the lagoon where migratory birds rest and then reach the summit of Mount Urcatu, from where the view opens up to the shining white sand and the turquoise sea: it will leave you breathless.

You can explore the park on your own, at the entrance you’ll receive a map; or you can join a guided excursion to learn more about the local flora and fauna.

The first beach is four kilometers away from the entrance. Each beach is roughly one-kilometer long. The five coves all have fine white sand which comes in sharp contrast with the color of the shallow sea.

TIP: Rent a kayak for the chance to go along the beaches to admire the incredible waters.

There are several kiosks where you can rent umbrellas and chairs or get some food and a drink, but I recommend bringing your own food.

How to get to Oasi Biderosa

The best way to get to Oasi Biderosa is by car. Follow State Road SS125 and in half an hour you will be there. The entrance gate is at km 236,5. I recommend getting there early in the morning (the Oasi opens at 7.30 am) when the beach is usually quiet and stay till the sunset when it’s not too hot and you can enjoy the changing color of the sky. The Oasi closes at 8.00 pm.

The number of cars and motorbikes allowed in the park is restricted: make sure to book in advance by calling numbers +39 333 179 83 35 or +39 342 355 99 75  every day from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm). The entrance fee is €12 per car and €6 per motorbike +  €1 per person + €1 per booking surcharge. If you walk from one of the nearby beaches, there is no entrance fee.

For guided tours of Oasi Biderosa, click here.

Cala Brandinchi – San Teodoro

This is definitely one of the best beaches in Sardinia. Locals call it Tahiti because honestly, you feel like you are in Polynesia there: the white sand is in sharp contrast with the turquoise blue of the water, studded with darker reflections where the rocks emerge. Do you need further reasons to visit it?

Cala Brandinchi is located north of San Teodoro and it is the one of most famous Sardinia beaches. The shore is framed by a pine forest, where it’s possible to find shadows during the hottest hours, and sand dunes, where juniper bushes and wild lilies grow. Behind it there is the homonymous pond with its flora and fauna: pink flamingos, herons and black-winged stilts live there but if you visit in the summer you won’t see any as the pond usually dries up.

The shallow waters and the shore are perfect for a game of matkot. I also recommend getting your own floating device to just soak in the water, and your snorkeling gear to check what lies beneath the surface.

One thing you will love about Cala Brandinchi is the view of Tavolara Island on the background, a grandiose limestone massif coming out of the sea – just this makes me think this is one of the best beaches in Sardinia!

If you have time, book a boat-tour and spend the day on the island. You can do so here. 

Cala Brandinchi is one of the most popular Sardinia beaches and can get very crowded. The best time to visit this beach is from October to May. If you are visiting Sardinia in July and August, try to arrive early in the morning or around lunch time when families go back home for lunch.

The beach is equipped with kiosks, picnic tables under the pine forest, free services, showers, changing room and a private area where you can rent beach umbrellas with sunbeds.

LOCAL TIP: From Cala Brandinchi you can walk to Lu Impostu that is separated by a small rocky promontory covered by woods and joined to Cala Brandinchi by a small path immersed in the Mediterranean vegetation. If you prefer you can reach Cala Brandinchi from the car park next to Lu Impostu.

How to get to Cala Brandinchi

From San Teodoro, take State Road SS125 northwards for 8 km, turn right towards Capo Coda Cavallo, go straight on for 900 meters and then turn right again on a dirt road to your final destination. There are several car parks, choose the one with availability.

The beach has three accesses: two are from paid parkings (€6 for half day or €10 for the whole day) directly to Cala Brandinchi and the third one is from the free car park at Lu Impostu.

The gorgeous Spiaggia del Principe definitely is one of the best beaches in Sardinia

Spiaggia del Principe – Arzachena

Spiaggia del Principe is considered the brightest pearl of Costa Smeralda, and definitely one of the best beaches in Sardinia (not to mention, this is thought to be one of the 20 most beautiful beaches in the world). Set in a fairy tale location, it is so magnificent that Karim Aga Khan IV, an Arab prince and Muslim imam, fell in love with it at first sight when he landed by chance in Porto Cervo in the 1960s.

The Prince is the founder of Costa Smeralda and Spiaggia del Principe became his favorite beach – that’s how the beach got its name. Locals also call it Portu Li Coggi.

The beach is surrounded by hills covered in Mediterranean vegetation, leading to arch shaped beach characterized by white and light pink sand and protected by a pink granite promontory. Water is of a deep emerald color. Isn’t a breath taking scenery?

The beach is divided into two parts by a group of rocks that emerge on the shoreline. The color and transparency of the sea is due to the particular sand and granite seabed.

Due to its beauty this beach gets very crowded during summer time. Out of season it can be a paradise for a few guests. Anyway, if you are planning to come to Sardinia in July or August, my advice is to arrive early in the morning.

How to get to Spiaggia del Principe

From Arzachena, you need to take the Provincial Road SP59 towards Porto Cervo and after approximately 15km turn to Cala di Volpe and Romazzino. Continue on the SP94 for 2.5 km and before reaching Capriccioli (another of the best beaches in Sardinia), turn left towards Romazzino. Once you leave the car park, continue on foot for about 350 m following the path on the right directly to the beach.

Spiaggia di Li Cossi – Trinità d’Agultu

Spiaggia Li Cossi is another of my favorite beaches and one of best beaches in Sardinia that are located on the North coast, in the area known as Costa Paradiso, a renowned tourist resort near Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola. The beach owes its name to the millenary flow of the Rio Li Cossi which forms a small pond behind it.

Located in a bay enclosed between pink granite rocks, this tiny cove is sheltered from the wind and is a perfect beach to go during windy days.

The golden sand with small pebbles plunges into a multicolored sea, whose tones vary from the emerald green to the blue in contrast to the golden and pink outcropping rocks. The shallow waters are perfect for swimming even for small children. Snorkeling is best a little further from the shore.

A lush and varied Mediterranean vegetation with various shades of green and intense scents are all great compliment to this gorgeous beach, where there is no lack of comfort and services: a kiosk where you can rent your beach equipment, canoes, SUPs, and pedal boats.

TIP: Make sure to linger on for sunset, as it is a real treat here.

As you can imagine the charm of this cove attracts many people: locals and foreigners, so it easily gets overcrowded (particularly on windy days) so once again try to arrive early in the morning and stay for the sunset.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you like hiking, a spectacular hiking trail, about seven kilometers long (one hour) but easy, connects Li Cossi to Li Tinnari, passing through the beautiful coves of Porto Leccio. Don’t hike during peak hours!

How to get to Li Cossi

From Trinità d’Agultu, follow Provincial Road SP90. Near km number 32, you will find the crossroads, well signposted, which leads to Costa Paradiso. Turn and proceed straight ahead until you descend gently towards the coast, arriving at the car park where the path begins.

Once you park the car, a panoramic 500 meter-long path will guide you through granite and trachyte pink rocks to this magic cove. A wooden railing accompanies the route to the overhanging points. I bet that you will stop to take pictures on your way to the beach.

Spiaggia La Pelosa – Stintino

In the Gulf of Asinara, in the extreme north-western tip of the island, you can find La Pelosa, universally recognized as the second most beautiful beach in Europe and duly included in any list of the best beaches in Sardinia. It’s a natural paradise where fine sand and shallow water, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and junipers, are a formal invitation to relax completely

The main features that make this place unique are: very fine white sand, shallow water for meters, iridescent sea that takes on all shades from the turquoise to the blue that blends with the sky and a suggestive panorama offered by the nearby Spanish watchtowers.

Thanks to a natural barrier created by Capo Falcone, on top of which there’s an ancient Saracen tower, and the Piana and Asinara islands, this tropical beach is protected from the force of the open seas, so, despite the strongest mistral wind, the water is always very calm. This is one of the reasons, together with the shallow sea, this beach is a favorite of families with children.

Pointing the sea, on your left, on a small island, there is an Aragonese tower built in 1578 to defend the coast. That’s the symbol of La Pelosa. You can easily reach it on foot and a short swim, after crossing another delightful little cove, La Pelosetta.

Facing the beach, Isola Piana, was used for grazing livestock in the past and takes its name to the fact that is so flat that it does not obstruct at all the spectacle of the majestic rocks of Asinara Island rising behind it.

As the enormous number of guests visiting this paradise was irremediably ruining it (just to give you an example La Pelosa in the Seventies was famous for its dunes, now almost completely disappeared), the municipality of Stintino decided to allow only 1500 visitors per day while in the past even 5 thousand people could get in.

You can get to La Pelosa on foot from the nearby beaches, but you cannot stop there unless you are wearing the bracelet. There are many appealing beaches in the surroundings, so, if you don’t find availability at La Pelosa you should go to Saline, Ezzi Mannu, Il Gabbiano, L’Ancora, Pazzona and Punta Negra.

From June till the end of September, you will have to pay a €3.5 euro per person ticket (children under 12 years get in for free). At arrival, you will receive a biodegradable bracelet in a different color according to the day of the week.

In order to preserve the beauty of La Pelosa, other rules are: the obligation to use a mat (over which you will put your beach towel), the prohibition to remove sand from the beach, to introduce animals until 8 p.m. and to bring cooler bags and, above all, it is a “smoke free” beach. Some guards roam the beach to implement the rules.

How to get to La Pelosa

La Pelosa beach is only 2 km away from Stintino. If you come from Sassari, you will have to take the State Road SS131 towards Porto Torres and take the exit for the Provincial Road SP34. Stintino is about 25 km away. From Stintino you will find directions to the beach. Once you’ll reach the beach, if you keep going on the street you’ll come up to a panoramic viewpoint from which you can admire it. Parking is rather costly.

Head over to my post A Guide To La Pelosa.

Cala Sabina – Asinara

On the heavenly island of Asinara, in the north-west of Sardinia, you can find Cala Sabina, a treasure among the other amazing beaches in this national park and sure enough one of the best beaches in Sardinia.

Framed by a granite promontory and immersed in the lush Mediterranean vegetation with bushes of tamarisk, this beach is characterized by an impalpable white sand, crystal clear waters of stunning colors, which vary between emerald, turquoise and blue with a sandy seabed. The water is so uncontaminated and transparent that you will see many confident fishes that will come close to you. It’s like swimming in a dreamy natural pool, even better thanks to rare fishes that live here safely.

The beach is dotted with a few pink rocks and on the shore wild lilies grow, conferring incredible colors and scents to this oasis: in fact, in this national park flora and fauna have safe shelter and protection.

There are no services on the beach, so bring whatever you may need for the day.

The best time of day to enjoy Cala Sabina is after 5:00 pm when all the guests, except the few ones who sleep on the island, have to leave. If you are lucky you will have the beach all for you.

Asinara is a truly special place. There are no cars, except service cars of the handful of workers on the island. There’s one hostel and one guest house: basically after tea time (when all ferries depart to return to mainland Sardinia) only a few guests (who are spending the night) remain. You’ll have all the island to yourself and when nighttime comes, you will only hear the bray of the donkeys and the steps of wild boars, and admire a sky full of stars.

The island itself deserves a visit through its park, beaches and jails. In fact Asinara used to be a high security prison. You can join an organized tour so you can get all the explanation about the history, flora and fauna of the island.

The hostel has 70 beds and a few of them are in double room, try to book as soon as you can to be sure to find room. Otherwise, the bed and breakfast is a more comfortable place to stay. You can book it here.

How to get to Cala Sabina

You can reach Asinara by ferry from Stintino or Porto Torres. The way  to get to Cala Sabina depends on where you land. There’s a path, starting from Cala d’Oliva, along the coast and with incredible views and the chance to meet wild animals like goats, turtles and white donkeys.

If you are visiting Asinara on a guided tour, you will have a stop at Cala Sabina for a swim.

If you rent a rubber dinghy or a boat, you need first to ask permission to the park authority to leave it at a buoy. 

Cala dell’Argentiera – Sassari

Cala dell’Argentiera is one of the most unique and best beaches in Sardinia. It is immersed in a unique setting of industrial archaeology, formed by a mining village and the mining plants of Argentiera, steep dark cliffs overhanging a crystal clear emerald sea.

The beach takes its name from the mining of silver (argento in Italian) that used to be in the area. Once Argentiera was a flourishing village and the main mining district in northern Sardinia, thanks to rich deposits of zinc and silver lead. The activity lasted exactly one century from 1867. Today this ghost village is an innovative open-air museum. Only a few families of farmers live in the village all year round.

Located on the north-west coast of Sardinia, Cala dell’Argentiera consists of two semi-circular beaches separated by a small cliff in the middle. Both have a sandy shore with grey-ish and light amber, medium grain, sand with small polychrome pebbles. The extremely crystalline sea is of an iridescent turquoise with shades of emerald green with the presence of rocky planks further offshore. The bay is protected by a high cliff on which there is thick Mediterranean vegetation, whose green color contrasts sublimely with the color of the sea.

Despite the protection of the cliff, the sea is often rough so don’t go on mistral days.

When the sea is calm, it is an ideal place to practice scuba diving and water sports such as snorkeling. If you like diving, you will take advantage of an old construction directly on the water from where you can jump into the emerald sea. Many people, from the youngest till the elderly, queue to dive from the highest point. You can also hike the cliffs, following paths in unspoiled nature, and have a spectacular view of the bay underneath.

Another reason to love this beach is that it never gets very crowded, even in high season.

Next to the beach you can find a kiosk where to buy refreshments and rent beach equipment, pedal boats and canoes.

How to get to Cala dell’Argentiera

From the outskirts of Sassari, proceed along the State Road SS291 in the direction of Alghero / Fertilia and, after about 6 km, take the exit to Argentiera. At the crossroads, turn left for Argentiera and proceed straight on along Provincial Road SP18. Continue on Provincial Road SP18, passing through Palmadula village and Porto Palmas, another beach in the area, until you reach Cala dell’Argentiera.

Cala Cumpultittu – Bosa

Cala Cumpultittu, located along the panoramic coastal road from Alghero to Bosa, is a hidden beach of very fine grey-ish sand in a partially closed bay, where the water is very clear and framed by a rocky scenery. It’s beauty is such that it has to be included in this post about the best beaches in Sardinia.

Perfectly sheltered from the mistral winds, this small cove (just about 60 meters long) is protected on both sides by beautiful promontories that descend to the sea, covered by thick Mediterranean vegetation. Despite the difficult access (you need to climb down on a suggestive small downhill path for about 300 meters), Cala Cumpultittu really deserves a visit and can get very crowded in the summer months.

The sea is an enchanting turquoise and blue, in which you can immerse yourself in absolute tranquillity and snorkel along the coast exploring the nearby rocky coves. Next to the sandy coastline, there are large white limestone rocks smoothed by the sea, where you can comfortably lie down with your feet in the water.

If you go for a short hike around the tuff cliffs, during the less hot hours of the day, you will discover some spectacular rock formations, shaped by the patiently brute forces of nature and time. If you are lucky, you’ll spot a rare griffon vulture, in fact in this area there are still some that nest and fight strenuously against extinction. Moreover the view is enchanting.

Cala Cumpultittu has no facilities so you need to bring anything you may need for the day.

How to get to Cala Compultittu

From Bosa, take the Strada Provinciale SP49 heading to Alghero for about 5 kms, pass the signs for S’Abba beach and after about 1 km you will reach a car parking on your left hand side. At the end of the car parking there is a sign for the footpath to the beach, it takes about a 15-minute walk to arrive to Cumpultittu. I personally find the path part of the beauty of this beach and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the bay and with the Mediterranean greenery’s scent along the way.

TIP: I highly recommend to wear trainers and not flip-flops for the walk.

Spiaggia Mari Ermi – Cabras

Mari Ermi is a rough diamond of the gulf of Oristano and the marine area of Sinis peninsula, in the central-western part of Sardinia. One of the best beaches in Sardinia, it is surrounded by soft dunes, dotted with the green of the coastal scrub, and protected by a silver pond, where numerous species of seabirds live. With a bit of luck, you will be able to spot pink flamingos, whose heads are, most of the time, immersed in the water intent on eating the shrimps that give them their characteristic color.

The sand here is quite different from the other beaches I have mentioned: it’s like grains of rice. These white and pink quartz grains with very small pebbles have many iridescent shades. This feature makes laying on the beach very pleasant because the grains do not stick to the skin and you can easily take them off.

Thanks to the milky white color of the quartz, the sea takes on a spectacular turquoise tone of rare beauty, better than a painter’s palette. The seabed slopes gently out to sea, making the beach ideal for families with children. But when the mistral wind blows, the sea becomes quite dangerous for kids. On the other hand, during mistral days, Mari Ermi is the ideal place to practice sports such as kite or windsurfing.

In the distance you can spot the beautiful granitic shape of the island of Mal di Ventre, known by locals as Malu Entu, ‘bad wind’, due to the sudden changes in the weather. It is usually frequented during the summer months and is another naturalistic paradise where sea turtles land and whose seabed hides lots of shipwrecks. Daily excursions leave from Mari Ermi to the Mal di Ventre island.

Mari Ermi has similar characteristics to two other coastal jewels of Cabras: Is Arutas (thought to be one of the best beaches in Sardinia) and Maimoni. If you have enough time, they deserve a visit too. It is also located in a short distance from the mythical Phoenician city of Tharros, several nuraghi, the nuragic necropolis of Monte Prama and the Domus de Janas del Sinis.

Next to the beach there is a big car park, a kiosk with showers and services.

How to get to Mari Ermi

From Oristano, take the Provincial Road SP54 northwards and then the exit towards Tharros and S. Giovanni. After a few kilometers turn right for Cabras, and shortly afterwards turn left following the signs for S. Giovanni di Sinis. At this point you will be on Provincial Road SP6 and you need to follow the signs for Is Arutas. Once you reach Is Arutas, proceed to the right for about 500 meters until you reach the Mari Ermi car parks.

Make sure to also read my post A Complete Guide To Mari Ermi Beach.

Piscinas – Arbus

The beach of Piscinas represents one of the best beaches in Sardinia thanks to its wonderful dunes about 50 meters high that extend for two kilometers inland. The mistral wind constantly changes the shapes of the dunes.

This dazzling yellow-ochre desert has dunes which are completely golden and others covered with Mediterranean vegetation and small shrubs such as junipers, esparto grass, lentiscos, brooms and mastic trees, which often lead to the beach other types of “visitors”, such as foxes, rabbits, partridges and deer.

Piscinas has remained one of the rare Italian places where the sea turtles nest. This Sardinian heritage and its dunes have been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Piscinas, located on Costa Verde, in the south-west of Sardinia, is considered by National Geographic one of the nicest Sardinia beaches and among the 21 most beautiful beaches in the world: characterized by more than 5 kilometers of golden, fine and warm sand and an iridescent blue color, crystal clear and shiny sea with a sandy seabed that is almost immediately deep, with a stepped conformation. From a minimum of two to three meters it soon reaches tens of meters.

About 200 meters from the shore, at the bottom of the sea, the wreck of an English ship has been lying for over three centuries. If you like diving, you can easily explore this site.

Fishing enthusiasts will be happy to know that sea breams and other fishes populate the waters. But the wild sea of Costa Verde is rarely calm: constant wind raises long and high waves, making it a destination for surfers. Windsurfing, kiting and board surfing are also practiced here in winter.

Near the beach there are still traces of the old system used for the extraction of minerals, that is now waiting to be included in an industrial archaeology itinerary. Ingurtosu has been, for over a century, the business center of the nearby mines belonging to the Montevecchio complex. In the village there are the director’s house, the management building, a church and a hospital and ruins of housing and construction sites with wells and washing plants.

Although it is quite crowded in the summer months, thanks to its size there is no feeling of overcrowding. Moreover this marvelous oasis is far from everything: the villages are not in the neighborhood and there are only a handful of accommodation facilities (only a campsite and a hotel).

On the beach you’ll find two panoramic kiosks where you can rent sunbeds, deckchairs, swimming equipment, canoes, kayaks etc.

How to get to Piscinas

From Cagliari take the State Road SS130 towards Iglesias, for about 50 km, and then proceed towards Fluminimaggiore taking State Road SS126. Pass the village of Fluminimaggiore and shortly after the 77th kilometer, turn left towards Ingurtosu, then proceed along the road, where you will find the abandoned mining settlements.

The road becomes unpaved (30kmh limit) and descends steeply between mountains of waste materials, rusty carts and abandoned railway wagons used to transport minerals and leads you directly to the beach.

Head over to my post A Guide To Piscinas.

Spiaggia Porto Cauli – Iglesias

Near the small village of Masua, on the south-western coast of Sardinia, there is the enchanting beach of Porto Cauli, definitely one of the best beaches in Sardinia.

Surrounded by Mediterranean greenery, this little beach, about 100 meter long, has two large rocks at each side, so it is quite sheltered from the wind. Characterized by medium grain white and amber sand, it overlooks a beautiful crystalline polychrome sea which shades go from turquoise blue to emerald green. This extraordinarily transparent sea is prosperous of hidden beauties and it is ideal for those who practice underwater fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Porto Cauli is popular thanks to the amazing Pan di Zucchero, a sea stack, that stands in front of you in the middle of the blue sea. This natural monument of 133 meters (a few tens of meters higher than the famous stacks of Capri) has detached from the rugged Mount Nai in remote times and has been forged by the passage of time and the combined work of wind and sea.

The limestone rock emerges from the depths and stands out like a sea giant dominating the coast. On the sides there are two suggestive rocky arches, both of which can be crossed by small boats.

TIP: Make sure to rent a canoe and paddle till Pan di Zucchero: the colors of the sea are incredible. Once there you can swim under the arches.

From Pan di Zucchero you can clearly see Porto Flavia. At mid-height, magically suspended in the air, this harbor was used to board directly onto the ships the very heavy minerals that were mined in a complex of underground tunnels dug into the rock. Its name was given by Cesare Vecelli, a mining engineer who named it after his daughter (Flavia) and spent his life studying technological innovation in order to improve mineworkers’ lives.

If you are interested you can have a tour in the mines, they are very suggestive especially thanks to the break on the sea. You can book it here.

The beach gets usually very crowded during the summer months but it deserves a visit.

My personal advice is to bring a towel to have a quick shower at the kiosk and enjoy a good drink and a delicious dinner at the restaurant by the beach: the food is tasty and the view of the sunset is unforgettable.

At the refreshment point on the beach, you can rent beach umbrellas, sun beds, canoes and other beach equipment.

How to get to Porto Cauli

From Iglesias, proceed on the main road SS130 and take the exit to Nebida. Go straight on Provincial Road SP83 until you reach the small village of Masua. Once you reach Masua, follow the direction to the beach.

Read my post A Useful Guide To Masua Pan Di Zucchero.

Spiaggia di Tuerredda – Teulada

Tuerredda will remind you of a Caribbean beach. Undisputedly one of the best beaches in Sardinia, thanks to the intense turquoise of the water, the green of the shrubs and the gold of the fine sand. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this beach at first sight, since the very first moment you spot it from the car on your way to the beach.

Tuerredda stretches for over half a km in a bay between Cape Malfatano and Cape Spartivento, on the south-western coast of the island. The colors of the water and their exceptional transparency will leave you amazed. Thanks to its conformation the beach is sheltered from the mistral and the crystal clear sea is almost always calm, perfect for long swims or snorkeling.

Not far from the shore, about one hundred meters, there’s a small island and, at the top of it, a tower that gives its name to the beach. You can relax lying on the sand or explore the typical Mediterranean vegetation.

The beach of Tuerredda offers various services such as kiosks where you can rent umbrellas, deckchairs, sunbeds, canoes and pedal boats and bars and restaurants nearby. You can also join an excursion to the other ‘jewels’ of Teulada coast: Porto Tramatzu, Cala Zafferano (by far one of the best beaches in Sardinia, although only accessible in summer), and Porto Pino with its incomparable dunes.

This beach gets very crowded in the summer, so make sure to get there early!

How to get to Tuerredda

From Cagliari take the main road SS195 in the direction of Teulada. Turn left towards Chia, past the small market you’ll see on the street and continue heading Teulada for 10 km on SP71. After the junction for Perdalonga, on your left, go straight on for about one kilometer and the enchanting expanse will appear to you from above, with its small island in front of you. At the end of a small downhill road, on your left, there is the access to the beach parking also for campers. You have to pay a small fee in order to park.

Make sure to read my post A Guide To Tuerredda Beach.

Spiaggia di Punta Molentis – Villasimius

There are so many beautiful beaches on the southern-east coast of Sardinia (as in the rest of the island), that is not easy to pick one. But, above all, I think that Punta Molentis definitely is one of the best beaches in Sardinia, in particular since a limit to the number of visitors has been placed – so it never gets crowded.

Located not far from the nice village Villasimius, Punta Molentis owes its name to the donkey (‘su molenti’, as we call it in Sardinian) that was used for the transportation of granite of which the area is rich. On the promontory, overlooking the beach, there is what still remains of a Nuraghe. The view from there is breathtaking.

The beach is surrounded by granite rocks up to 15 meters high and all around a luxuriant nature that offers serenity and shelter from the sun. This area has been included in the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara.

The beach of Punta Molentis is divided into several coves. The first, nearest to the parking, has pebbles of medium size. Even if the color of the sea is amazing a few people remain here because it’s uncomfortable to walk there. The main beach is the most famous: it has an arched shape and is enclosed to the north by a small promontory.

Thanks to this particular conformation, it is quite sheltered from the wind.

Because of sea storms and the big number of visitors during the summer months, Punta Molentis has suffered a sharp reduction in the space available. So today entrance is allowed up to a maximum of three hundred people per day and the access to the beaches is prohibited from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.

There are two refreshment points on the beach and in one of these is also possible to rent beach umbrellas, deckchairs, sunbeds and other beach equipment.

How to get to Punta Molentis

From Villasimius, follow the panoramic road that leads to Costa Rei (home to a few more of the best beaches in Sardinia) passing by the sports fields, take the municipal road Accus is Prezzus. A little further on, at the junction Mare/Villasimius go straight ahead. Once you reach a narrow hairpin bend, turn left on a dirt road, then continue turning right and passing under the road bridge until you reach the parking lot.

The daily rate for the parking area is €10 for cars and €5 for motorcycles. There is also an entrance fee of €1 per person; children under six years of age get in for free.

For more information about Costa Rei, check out this post.

You should also read my post A Complete Guide To Punta Molentis.

Cala Goloritzè – Baunei

Cala Goloritzè has to be mentioned among the best beaches in Sardinia. This is a small dreamy corner where sea and mountains meet harmoniously creating something unique and spectacular. Dominated by the grandiose and imposing limestone peak of Mount Caroddi, with its height of 143 meters, this beach is so peculiar thanks to the white pebbles, the crystal clear turquoise sea, marble rocks shaped by time emerging from the sea and, icing on the cake, a natural arch not far from the shore.

This little cove, on the east coast of Sardinia, was created in 1962 when a landslide detached from the sandstone wall. It has been awarded with the prestigious title of Italian National Monument in 1995.

The scenery is enchanting: the cliffs all around are covered by the Mediterranean scrub that perfumes the air, the seabed is of a surreal transparency, even when it’s 20 meters deep you can still see the seabed, rocky wall in which the erosive action of the sea has carved a stone arch that dives into the sea. The beach is sheltered from the wind.

This place is ideal for the most daring swimmers (the water of the cove is colder than normal due to the numerous currents of cold water coming from a nearby river), divers (you need to be brave to jump into the water from the arch), climbers (there are various climbing routes, the most famous of which is the ‘symphony of windmills’, opened by Maurizio Zanolla ‘Manolo’ and Alessandro Gogna), hikers and birdwatchers, in fact this area is the nesting habitat of the rare Queen’s falcon.

You can get to Cala Goloritzè on foot or by boat. In the first case, you have to hoke from Supramonte of Baunei for about an hour (a bit longer on the way back). The views along the way are amazing.

TIP: If you plan to hike to Cala Goloritzè, you will need to wear hiking shoes.

The other option, by sea, is much easier but less impressive: you can rent a dinghy or book a charter service (in groups) from several places such as Santa Maria Navarrese and Cala Gonone. It is forbidden to moor less than 300 meters from the shore: there are boundary buoys and from there you can approach by rowing, walking on the rocks or swimming. If you choose the boat or dinghy, just before arriving, stop at the pools of Venus for a dive.

As there are no kiosks on the beach, you will need to take whatever you need for the day.

How to get to Cala Goloritzè

Located not far from the village of Baunei, you can get to Cala Goloritzè by foot or by boat, as stated above.

After leaving your car at the parking of Su Porteddu, the trail is 3.5 km long.

The other path, known as path of the wild blue (Selvaggio Blu), runs for 50 km along the entire coast of Baunei between unique views and ancient mule tracks of coalmen and is among the most beautiful and challenging in Europe – the overall hike last 7 days.

Otherwise from Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, La Caletta or Arbatax several daily itineraries depart every day. I recommend to rent a rubber dinghy so you can be independent and have a stop in the other beautiful little coves.

If you cannot drive a dinghy, choose a cruise on a small boat, even if they are more expensive you won’t waste time getting on and off the boat. There are plenty information on the net if you want to book it in advance, but it’s better to check the weather and sea condition first. You can book your tour here.

There is a small fee to access Cala Goloritzè: €6,00 for adult and €1,00 for children to 10 years old. Part of the money goes to pay the salary of the guardian who keeps an eye on this gorgeous beach.

For more detailed information, read my post A Complete Guide To Cala Goloritze.

Cala Napoletana – Caprera

In the north of the island of Caprera, on the west coast, you can find Cala Napoletana, definitely one of the best beaches in Sardinia. This is a true paradise of white sand, clear waters and majestic Mediterranean vegetation with the presence of some smooth amber-colored rocks, which make the view very suggestive.

It consists of two tiny coves, among the most beautiful of the entire Maddalena archipelago, and is characterized by floury white sand where you can lie and get a nice tan or play matkot. The sea has tones which vary from pale blue to cobalt blue with a shallow sandy seabed: swimming and snorkeling here are a real pleasure, especially after the heat suffered along the way if you come on foot.

Cala Napoletana is well sheltered from winds coming from north-east and south-east, but it’s exposed to the mistral. It never gets extremely crowded as it’s reachable only by boats or after a short hike. There are no services here, so you need to bring food and drinks and everything for sheltering from the sun.

The beach can be easily reached by sea and the service is provided by boats that take tourists around the archipelago of La Maddalena.

How to get to Cala Napoletana

By car and foot – From La Maddalena, proceed along the bridge that connects it to Caprera and turn left at the end of it. Take Cala Garibaldi road and then turn right into a slightly curved road that leads to Arbuticci fort. Once you arrive at the fort, take the first small road on the right and drive as far as possible. Once you park the car, you will find the sign for the path that leads directly to the beach.

Along the way you will pass through a dense vegetation that shelters you from the sun for a part of the path. Beyond this stretch the path becomes narrower and always downhill, the high vegetation ends and the path begins among granite rocks and low Mediterranean scrub. It will take you about one hour and you will be rewarded with the beauty of this small beach.

You need to wear hiking shoes or, at least, sneakers. The way back is clearly more challenging because you will climb after having spent the day at the beach: my personal advice is to go early in the morning and come back after the sunset in order to avoid the hottest hours. So try to bring only the necessary (food, drinks, an umbrella, towels and sun cream).

By boat –  you can rent a rubber dinghy or book an organized tour on small boat (maximum 10/12 people).

Make sure to read my post The Best Boat Tours Of La Maddalena.

Guided Tours To The Best Beaches In Sardinia

Some Sardinia beaches are hard to reach, others require a boat ride and at times you may just want the comfort of having someone else organize your day, so that all you have to do is relax. Here are a few good guided tours that will take you to the best local beaches:

• 7 hour La Maddalena archipelago boat tour – a highly recommended tour that takes you to some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia.
• La Maddalena archipelago full day boat tour from Palau – this tour is similar to the one above but has a different departure point.
• Cala Goloritze boat tour – a boat ride to one of the most isolated beaches in Sardinia.
• Orosei gulf hop on – hop off boat tour – you get to visit several of the best beaches in Sardinia in just a day.
• Cagliari: Between the Mountains and Sea Tour – a nice tour that unites mountain views and incredible beaches.
• Porto Flavia Tour – this goes to some mines that can now be toured and some gorgeous Sardinia beaches.
• Cagliari hidden coves by scooter – a fun way to explore the beaches near Cagliari.
• Full day tour of Cala Luna – visit one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia, as well as the nearby caves.
• West Beaches Tour – another great tour that takes you to the beaches of the west coast.

Rules Of Behavior In Sardinia Beaches

The main rules to observe in order to preserve the best beaches in Sardinia (in fact, all Sardinia beaches) for future guests are:

• Don’t leave any garbage, especially cigarette butts. Please take it back home. A lot of fish and other animals are endangered and garbage is one of the reasons.
• Don’t steal sand, shells or stones. Can you imagine if every guest took some sand from the beach every day, every year? There won’t be sand beaches any more. Besides, this is also against regional law and if you got caught in the act of bagging sand or transporting it, you’d be subjected to a fine. Find out more here.
• Don’t touch starfish. I know you want to proudly show them to your children or your friends but when you touch them, they immediately die. Would you show a dead dog to your children? I don’t think so.
• Don’t light fires or use open flames appliances. Sardinia is a windy islands, it takes a second for a little fire to become something bigger even because the vegetation in summer is very dry and catches fire immediately.

Further readings about Sardinia

Make sure to read my other posts about Sardinia:

• 10 Absolutely Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia
• The Best Sardinian Food You Need To Try
• A Guide To The Things To Do In Cagliari
• A Quick Guide To Mari Pintau
• An Easy Guide To Cala Monte Turno
• A Quick Guide To Cala Sisine
• The Best Dog Friendly Beaches In Sardinia
• The Best Beaches In South Sardinia
• The Best Beaches In Northern Sardinia

This post was written by Strictly Sardinia contributor Elisabetta Tavani.

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