There are many incredible Chia beaches. This is an ancient village in southern Sardinia, developed from the small Phoenician settlement of Bithia and located in the municipality of Domus de Maria. We locals love it for its pristine beaches, that make it a favorite holiday destination in South Sardinia.
This is an area I know well: comes summer and I often head in that direction to enjoy a day at the beach, since Chia is a great destination for day trips from Cagliari. Come to think of it, I also visit in the off season to enjoy the beaches in Chia and to tackle the many coastal hikes the area has to offer.
Below you’ll find my personal selection of the best beaches in Chia (and some nearby that are easy to visit from Chia).
If you are basing yourself in South Sardinia, my post The Best Beaches In South Sardinia will guide you to the beaches you should consider visiting.
11 Incredible Chia Beaches
Su Giudeu
One of my favorite beaches in Sardinia, Su Giudeu is an out-of-the-ordinary beautiful beach, and one of the most famous Chia beaches. It’s perfect for families with children who will enjoy playing with the beautiful golden sand and swimming in the shallow sea.
In front of the long and wide beach there’s a small island, to which you can get on foot, since the water is never deep. You will need sandals or rock shoes to walk on the island, as it’s very rocky and you will hurt your feet otherwise.
The beach is backed by gorgeous sand dunes. However, the dunes are protected and there’s a small fence and signs that point out that climbing the dunes is forbidden. You may be tempted to climb them for a photo, but please don’t!
Just as well, you should not take any sand from the beach (this applies to all Sardinian beaches). If you get caught with sand you will be fined.
Behind the beach, a salt pond is one of the many places where you an spot pink flamingos in Sardinia. However, water evaporates during the hot summer months so flamingos move to other areas.
Su Giudeu beach can get crowded during the summer months, but as it is very wide you’ll always find a spot. If you’d rather go to a serviced beach, you have that option too: there are several spots where you can rent umbrellas and loungers.
Scattered along the beach you will find many kiosks where you can get drinks and a bite to eat – some of them also play lounge music at sunset. Toilets are available near the parking lot for a small fee.
Don’t go to Su Giudeu Beach on a windy day: sand flies everywhere.
My post A Guide To Chia Su Giudeu Beach shares more information about this unique beach.
Sa Colonia
A large white sand beach, Sa Colonia is located between two suggestive promontories, Sa Colonia has beautiful golden sand and shallow, clear waters. There’s an Aragones watchtower in one of the promontories where you can walk to for panoramic views of the beach (that’s where I took the photo from).
The beach is also known for the remains of the Punic-Phoenician town of Bithia, right on the mountain where now you can see the Aragonese tower.
Sa Colonia has a couple of kiosks where you can rent beach equipment such as umbrellas, loungers and sun beds, and where you can get a bite and a drink.
Of all the beaches in Chia, it’s one of the most sheltered from the wind.
Monte Cogoni
Monte Cogoni is the other half of the Sa Colonia Beach. While Sa Colonia is located under the Torre di Chia promontory, Monte Cogoni is close to the Chia lagoon, where you can sometimes see flamingos in their natural habitat.
The name Monte Cogoni comes from the mountain at its back.
The beach has a kiosk where you can rent beach equipment (umbrellas, loungers etc) and where you can also enjoy a bite and a drink.
The seabed is very similar: shallow waters and very fine sand, so it’s a great beach for families with children. However, it is highly exposed to the winds. This makes it ideal if you want to winds surf or kite surf, but not quite as much if you are visiting with children.
Cala Cipolla
Cala Cipolla is a nice small beach with white sand and a pine grove and Mediterranean bush at its back. The natural environment makes it one of the best beaches in Chia if you are looking for a bit of a wilder place to explore and enjoy (though don’t think you’ll find it empty!).
The beach is less exposed to the wind compared to other beaches in the area. There are times we literally head to Su Giudeu, realize it’s windy there, and decide to climb the hill that separates Cala Cipolla from Su Giudeu. When we see it’s not windy, we simply head down there!
Cala Cipolla gets quite crowded in the peak summer months and at the weekend. Since it is not that big, it could be hard to find a spot. There is only a small kiosk where you can get a bite and a drink, and rent some loungers but otherwise, it’s best to pack your own lunch and anything you may need for the day.
If you walk the trail behind the kiosk, you will reach the Hotel Faro di Capo Spartivento, a prime boutique hotel in a unique location.
The trail continues to reach other beaches and it’s perfect for a coastal hike in the spring and fall months. However, I don’t recommend hiking in the summer as it is very exposed to the sun, and terribly hot.
For panoramic photos, you can climb the hill on the left of the beach – there’s an easy to follow trail. That’s where I took my photos from!
Cala Cipolla is very close to Su Giudeu beach – they share the same parking lot. My post A Complete Guide To Cala Cipolla includes even more information about this beautiful cove.
Su Cardolinu
Named after the islet attached to it, Su Cardolinu is close to Chia. The union between the white sand and rocks here creates a relaxing atmosphere, especially at sunset.
This is more of a small cove, rocky with some white sand and a nice forest of pines and Mediterranean vegetation at its back. The water is fairly shallow, so it’s a safe place for children to swim. They will enjoy snorkeling as there is a lot of fish.
In case of low tide, you can easily reach the islet and enjoy the views of land and sea. There is nothing in terms of services, so you should bring all the necessary things you will need for your day.
Since this is a bit of a harder beach to reach, it never gets too crowded. I often visit it in the off season as Su Cardolino is one of the locations along the the Roman Road coastal hike that starts in Pinus Village.
Porticciolo/Torre Chia
Also known as Torre Chia, Porticciolo is perfect if you are looking for a beach with soft white sand for your kids to play – they can spend endless hours making sand castles or swimming in the clear waters.
The beach has a kiosk where you can buy drinks and food.
Porto Campana
Porto Campana also goes by the name of Campana Dune. You will find this beach between Su Giudeu and Cala del Morto (which I will describe in a bit). Porto Campana is famous for its spectacular dunes – but remember you are not allowed to climb them.
The dunes also serve as a protection from the wind, making Porto Campana a perfect place to bask in the sun and to dive in the emerald waters even on windy days. You can rent beach equipment and if you love golf, you can try your swings on the course close to the beach.
Cala del Morto
Don’t let the ominous name intimidate you, Cala del Morto (Morto means “dead” in Italian) is one of the most famous beaches in Chia. In fact, many would tell you it’s also the prettiest one, as well as the most sheltered one (so ideal even on a windy day).
The name is due to a cross that’s located among the rocks. Surely you can imagine that there are all sorts of legends as to why there’s a cross there!
The hills, with their pink granite rocks, and the emerald sea encircle the small cove characterized by beautiful golden sand. The shallow see is perfect for snorkeling. Keep in mind this is not a serviced beach.
BONUS #1 Cala Antoniareddu
This is actually one of my favorite beaches in the world! Not far from Chia, in a spot called La Pinnetta along SS195, you will find Cala Antoniareddu. This is a beautiful natural bay encircled by cliffs covered in thick Mediterranean vegetation.
The golden sand beach and the natural landscape create a wild and unique atmosphere. Cala Antoniareddu is not famous as the other beaches I mentioned, so it’s perfect if you are looking for a more secluded place.
It’s also a bit harder to reach as you have to walk for about 1 km (0.6 miles) from the street where you can park your car, and there’s nothing in terms of services which means you have to take everything you need for the day.
For the best photos, you can follow the trail on the left of the beach.
BONUS #2 Perda Longa
If you plan to go to Cala Antoniareddu, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful beach of Perda Longa, characterized by a shallow seabed perfect for children and adults alike.
It’s blissfully isolated – though there are some houses nearby – so it never gets too crowded. It’s actually a perfect spot to visit in the off-season too, if you enjoy hiking.
The directions to follow to get there are the same as those for Cala Antoniareddu.
BONUS #3 Tuerredda
Tuerredda is a beautiful beach where the white sand and the emerald sea create a captivating landscape. The sandy seabed is home to various species of marine life, making Tuerredda a great place for snorkeling.
The beach has kiosks where you can get food and drinks and rent any beach equipment you may need, though you must book them in advance.
This is a protected beach where daily visitors are capped in the summer months. They can enter the beach on a first come first serve basis. Plan to be there no later than 8:00 am to claim your spot.
Alternatively, you can book an umbrella and sun beds by calling one of the kiosks – Poseidon +39 339 7246817 or +39 070 2082113; Tropico Mediterraneo +39 348 5665502. When you have a reservation for umbrellas and sunbeds, you usually have a bit more time to make your way to the beach.
My A Guide To Tuerredda Beach shares more information that will help you plan your day at Tuerredda.
Guided Tours Of Chia Beaches
If you want to visit the beaches in Chia but are short on time or don’t have a car, you will be happy to know that there are some guided tours to the beaches that depart from Cagliari and include transportation.
I recommend this Chia and Tuerredda full-day guided beach tour – it includes transportation from Cagliari. Your first stop will be Tuerredda, where you get to spend 3 hours, and then you will make your way to one of the beaches (usually it’s Su Giudeu but it may vary depending on the wind). Bring your lunch, but you’ll get an umbrella.
There’s also this west-beaches tour from Cagliari that goes to Chia. It’s a small group tour of no more than 5 participants so an excellent option if you prefer smaller groups.
How To Get To Chia Sardinia
Chia is so easy to reach from Cagliari that many locals simply go there on a day trip from the city. The nearest airport is Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), about 42 km (26 miles) from Chia.
During the summer months, there is a bus to Chia from Cagliari. However, this only takes you to the main settlement so honestly the best thing to do is renting a car in Cagliari for maximum flexibility.
If you are coming from Cagliari, follow the directions to Pula – which you’ll have to pass – along SS195 and continue towards Domus De Maria. A sign to your left will point you towards Chia.
My go-to site for car rental anywhere in the world is Discover Cars. It’s a comparison site that allows you to select the best car rental companies and the best car for your needs.
Once you get to Chia, you’ll see that most beaches have a (paid) parking lot. Make sure to arrive early as most parking lots fill up in the peak season. Otherwise, you can park your car in the village and use one of the regular shuttles to go to the beach.
Where To Stay In Chia
There are plenty of good places to stay in Chia that provide easy access to the beaches in the area. Here is a selection of my favorite ones:
- Hotel Faro Capo Spartivento – Directly on the water, with stunning sea views, this boutique hotel located in a lighthouse is the best choice if you want a secluded and exclusive location. There’s an excellent on-site restaurant too.
- Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia – This 5 stars hotel is easily one of the best in the area. You’ll have a pool, a kid’s club (perfect if you are visiting with your family), restaurants and sports facilities, a spa and even a pharmacy.
- Hotel Aquadulci – Just 500 meters (0.3 miles) from Su Giudeu Beach, this small hotel has a swimming pool, a garden perfect to relax, and a restaurant serving dishes of local traditions.
I have written a more in depth post on The Best Hotels In Chia Sardinia, where you’ll find more options of places to stay in the area.
Conclusions: Is Chia Sardinia Worth Visiting?
As a local, I can say that Chia is definitely worth visiting, though admittedly this depends on what you wish to experience during your trip to Sardinia.
If you are visiting Sardinia in the summer months, with its beautiful beaches Chia is a perfect holiday destination, a place where you can completely relax soaking up the Mediterranean sun. It’s also a great family holiday destination, as the beaches are long and sandy, the water is shallow, and local hotels have pools and kids’ clubs.
If you visit Chia in the spring or early fall months, you can still enjoy the beaches – they are perfect for a walk or a picnic, and there hills around Chia have a variety of easy to moderate hiking and biking trails that offer stunning coastal views.
The ancient ruins of the old city of Bithia can satisfy history buffs, and not far from Chia, the ruins of Nora and the small town of Pula are interesting places to visit.
If you are the party type, then perhaps Chia isn’t the right place for you. While there are plenty of things to do during the day time (especially if you enjoy beaches and hiking), and lots of good restaurants in the area, there isn’t much of a nightlife (you may be better off in Cagliari for that).
Finally, keep in mind that Chia is highly exposed to the wind (though some coves are more sheltered than others), especially the northwestern Mistral wind.
If you don’t want to fully invest on a holiday in Chia (which can be quite costly, actually), you may want to consider visiting Chia on a day trip from Cagliari – that’s what we locals typically do!
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Claudia Tavani
Claudia Tavani was born and raised in Sardinia, and after moving between the United States and the United Kingdom, she's now back living in her hometown, Cagliari. She's a travel blogger and certified travel designer who loves planning trips and publishing guides, travel tips, and packing lists so that you don't have to. Owner of Strictly Sardinia, cat mom to Minnie. Loves pizza, hiking, archeology, cities, beaches, swimming, and running. Hates peppers.