Cala Goloritzé: 10 Things To Know About Sardinia’s Best Beach

Cala Goloritzé is one of Sardinia’s most celebrated beaches (and one of the beaches of Sardinia with restricted access). Located on the Eastern coast of the island, in the gorgeous Gulf of Orosei in the region of Ogliastra, roughly 9 km (5.6 miles) north of Baunei, the setting of this small cove is simply paradisiac.

I have been to Cala Goloritzé Beach countless times, and explored all ways of getting there (on the famous Cala Goloritzé hike, on a mix of hike there + boat back, and by boat – though this doesn’t really allow you to spend time at the beach). This is probably my favorite beach in Sardinia, a place I never tire to visit and for which I find all the effort truly worth it.

A favorite of locals and tourists alike, Cala Goloritzé is one of the most photogenic spots on the island.

Follow the best Instagram profiles in Sardinia, and you’ll always see photos and videos of it. Read a post or article about the best beaches in Italy / the Mediterranean / the world, and you can almost bet they will mention Cala Goloritzé.

Mind you: this beach facing the Tyrrhenian Sea is hardly secret spot in Sardinia. Visit in the peak summer months and you’ll struggle to find a place to lay down your towel. Nevertheless, Cala Goloritzé is truly worth visiting, even though getting there requires some effort. 

Are you curious to learn more about Cala Goloritzé, and how to get there? Then continue reading, as I will share all my expert tips to help you plan your visit.

Cala Goloritzé At A Glance

Here’s a quick overview with everything you need to know about Cala Goloritzé beach:

• Cala Goloritzé is a regulated beach with mandatory booking and daily caps at 250 visitors.
• Two ways to visit:
  • Hike (the only real way to spend the day at the beach).
  • Boat tour + swim in (weather-dependent, not all boats will allow it, and you don’t really get to spend time at the beach).
• Booking is required for access and checked on arrival.
• No services on the beach: no toilets, no bar, no shade beyond natural rock.
• No lifeguard: swimming is unsupervised.
• Best time to visit: early morning or shoulder season to avoid heat and crowds.

Cala Goloritzé Beach

Cala Goloritzé Beach was formed in 1962 as a consequence of a landslide that detached from a sandstone wall. The name translates to “wild goat cove” in English. This is not a sandy beach as you may imagine. Instead of sand, you will find endless, minuscule white pebbles that make it completely unique.

Around the beach, there are limestone cliffs reaching a height of 500 meters (1,640.4 feet). At its back, there’s lush Mediterranean shrub and a forest of holm oaks.

A 143-meter (469-feet) pinnacle rises above the beach (more about it below). To the south, there is a rock arch that many – including myself – used to enjoy climbing (it is now forbidden) to then dive in the clearest, bluest waters you can imagine. 

It’s little wonder that Cala Goloritzé was declared a National Monument of Sardinia in 1993 and a National Monument of Italy in 1995. 

Good to know: Climbing Cala Goloritzé Arch is forbidden. I recommend not to ignore this rule, as it’s not an easy climb (I talk from experience). You need to be 100% confident in your step and able to jump from a height of around 16 meters (52.5 feet). Rocks can be slippery. Once you make your way up there is no way to get down unless you reach the top and jump in the water.

This is a highly protected beach. Boats must stay 300 meters (about 0.2 miles) from the shore. The area is regularly patrolled to make sure everyone respects that rule. There is a ranger on the beach who makes sure no boats approach, and that nobody stays at the beach beyond closing time.

Water at Cala Goloritzé is immediately deep, and incredibly transparent – making Cala Goloritzé a fantastic place for swimming, and one of the best spots for snorkeling in Sardinia. You will have perfect visibility and be able to see the bottom even when it is 15 meters (more than 49 feet) deep. 

Local tip: If you enjoy swimming and snorkeling, make sure to swim all the way to the arch and then behind it. At its right, you will find a small cave that is fun to explore. 

One of the peculiarities of Cala Goloritzé is that spring water gets right onto the beach – from the rock formations around it – and in the water. So you can expect the sea to be colder than in other places in Sardinia. In fact, it is freezing cold in some spots!

Furthermore, as there are lots of goats roaming around the area, it’s not uncommon to see them get all the way down the beach and make their way to one of these sources to have a drink – despite the presence of many people.

Last time I was at the beach, two male goats made their way to the beach and literally started playing, while tourists watched in disbelief.

Cala Goloritzé Pinnacle

The symbol of Cala Goloritzé is Monte Caroddi, an Aguglia – literally “needle” and more specifically a pinnacle. This surmounts the beach with its 143 meters (469 feet). It’s located on the southern side of the beach, where Eleonora’s falcons like to nest.

This limestone spire is a favorite of climbers, and there are various climbing routes on it. The most famous was opened by Alessandro Gogna and Maurizio Zanolla – AKA Manolo – and is known as the Sinfonia dei Mulini a Vento (Symphony of Windmills).

Make sure to read my post, Where To Go Climbing In Sardinia, for more fun places perfect for rock climbers.

Cala Goloritzé Tickets

A few years ago, the municipality of Baunei, where Cala Goloritzé is located, has introduced an access fee for any visitor wishing to spend the day at the beach. They did so in order to protect the beach, which is a National Monument. They also wanted to finance the maintenance of the trail to get to it. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• No more than 250 visitors per day can access Cala Goloritzé.
• You must book your spot at the beach in advance during the summer months.
• Cala Goloritzé tickets cost €7 and can be booked from 72 hours before visiting via the app Heart of Sardinia or via the official website (also called Heart of Sardinia).
• Tickets include access to Su Porteddu parking lot, where virtually everyone who wants to hike to Cala Goloritzé parks their car.
• If you visit in the off-season (i.e., in October, in the winter, or early spring months), no reservation is necessary, but you will still have to pay the €7 fee once you get to the beginning of the trail.

Good to know: The app doesn’t work well for iPhones. If you are unable to book via the app, you can send a WhatsApp message no earlier than 72 hours before your visit, and pay directly when you get there. You can message these numbers: +393495462583 – active Monday to Friday; +393804616989 – active every day.

How Booking Cala Goloritzé Works

Booking is required only if you want to visit Cala Goloritzé by hiking to the beach.

If you reach Cala Goloritzé on foot via the hiking trail, access is regulated and you must:

1. Book your entry in advance through the official system (the Heart of Sardinia or via the official website (also called Heart of Sardinia).
2. Respect the daily visitor cap – there’s no fixed access time on the ticket, but you can only access the hiking trail between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm during the peak season (in the off-season, you will have to make your way back by 2:00 pm). In any case, you should start hiking no later than 10:00 am.
3. Show your booking confirmation when checked at the ticket desk right at the trailhead, or at the beach.

This booking allows you to spend time on the beach, within the permitted time window. You will have to walk back up from the beach no later than 6:00 pm.

If you arrive by boat, the situation is different.

Boat tours do not land at Cala Goloritzé. Boats must remain offshore, behind protective barriers. Most tours allow you to:

• See the beach from the water, or (very few of them)
• Swim close to the boat, without actually stepping onto the beach.

A small number of operators allow a very short swim-to-shore stop, typically 15–30 minutes at most. In this case:

• No booking is required, because you are not accessing the beach via the regulated trail.
• Time on shore is strictly limited and depends on sea conditions and operator rules.

In short:

• To properly visit Cala Goloritzé → you must book and hike.
• To see it from the sea → no booking needed, but access is brief and limited.

Good to know: I can’t confirm this, as all my most recent visits have been via the hike, but apparently the ranger at the beach can still charge you the €7 fee for the beach if you swim to shore.

How To Get To Cala Goloritzé Beach

There is no really easy way to get to Cala Goloritzé, as you can’t get there by car, and boats can’t really make their way all the way to the beach. The only way to spend time in Cala Goloritzé is if you hike there. If you are ok with just seeing Cala Goloritzé from the sea, then going by boat is a viable option.

Before I share my insights on how to get to Cala Goloritzé via a hike or by boat, let me share a quick comparison table.

Hike vs Boat – Which Way To Visit Cala Goloritzé?

By boat 

Private Boat

If you know how to drive one, you can rent your own rubber dinghy and reach Cala Goloritzé independently.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Best departure points: Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese.
• Price: Typically €250 for the day + gasoline (paid when you return the dinghy).
• Licence: No license needed for dinghies under 40 horsepower.
• Leave by: If you want to enjoy the beach without boats around, try to leave as early as 8:00 am.
• Important rule: Boats can only anchor around 300 meters (about 0.2 miles) from the beach and can’t get to shore to allow passengers to disembark.

Local tip: You should ask for a dinghy with a shade or parasol for the peak hours. 

You can rent your dinghy directly in Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese, but it’s best to book it in advance. You can rent a dinghy in Cala Gonone via this link.

Chartered Boat

Another option is to join one of the many boat tours that explore the Baunei Coast and stop by Cala Goloritzé.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Best departure points: Boat tours to Cala Goloritzé depart from Cala Gonone, Arbatax, and Santa Maria Navarrese – the latter being the closest access point.
• Price: It varies, depending on the number of people on the boat and on what’s included. More expensive tours typically include lunch.
• Leave by: Most tours leave at 9:00 am. Some tours leave as early as 7:00 am.
• Good to know: Boats can only anchor around 300 meters (about 0.2 miles) from the beach and can’t get to shore to allow passengers to disembark. Some boats may stop by Cala Goloritzé so that passengers can jump in the water and swim a bit before continuing to explore the gulf. Very few charter passengers to shore on a rowboat. 

You can buy the following boat tours online: 

Cala Goloritze boat tour – departing from Santa Maria Navarrese, it goes to a selection of beaches in the area, making a stop at Cala Goloritzé.

Orosei Gulf boat tour – similar to the one above in terms of itinerary, but it departs from Cala Gonone.

Gulf of Orosei Boat Tour – it departs from Arbatax and makes a stop at various beaches along the way, including Cala Goloritzé.

Check out my posts, Best Boat Tours To Cala Goloritzé and Best Gulf Of Orosei Boat Tour, for more great options.

Hike to Cala Goloritzé Beach

The only way you have to get there if you want to spend time at the beach rather than just seeing it from afar is to hike to Cala Goloritzé. It’s a challenging hike (on the way back), but also one of the best hikes in Sardinia, given the reward at the end.

Here’s a quick overview of the hike:

• Trailhead – Su Porteddu parking lot, in the Golgo Plateau above Baunei.
• Overall distance – 3.5 km one way (around 2.2 miles).
• Walking time – Between 1 hour and 15 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the Cala Goloritzé beach, and between 1 and 2 hours to hike back up. If you are a better uphill hiker like I am, you will find the way up a bit easier.
• Elevation gain – 470 meters (1,524 feet).
• Difficulty – The Cala Goloritzé hike is moderate to hard. However, that really depends on your level of fitness. The trail is very easy to follow.

Expert tip: I have done this hike plenty of times with different friends. Some found the uphill climb back to the parking lot terribly challenging. My recommendation is to go at your own pace. The trail is easy to follow. If you are struggling uphill, just slow down and tell your friends you will meet them at the parking lot.

Good to know: The Cala Goloritzé trail is open from 7:30 am daily. The beach closes at 6:00 pm in the summer months, after which all visitors must leave.

What’s the Cala Goloritzé hike like?

What I personally love about this hike is that it is completely immersed in nature with no real sight of the sea until almost the very end. That’s when you will be able to spot magnificent views of the cove below. 

You may also meet animals along the way – typically some pigs that are left to roam free in the Golgo Plateau, and goats.

Another important thing I need to point out is that, since Cala Goloritzé is surrounded by mountains, the sun starts going down and the beach gets in the shade as early as 4:00 pm, even in the peak months. Most people start leaving then, for fear of being stuck in the dark on the trail.

However, once you get to the main part of the trail, it will still be in full daylight. In other words, you can linger at the beach a bit longer and actually walk up when the temperatures are a bit more forgiving.

If you don’t want to hike alone, you can join this guided hike to Cala Goloritzé that departs from Baunei.

Cala Goloritzé hiking tips

Here are some useful tips for the Cala Goloritzé hike:

• Wear proper hiking boots – The person at the ticket booth will check your shoes to make sure they are adequate for the hike. The terrain is uneven, often slippery, as you may be walking on gravel and smooth rocks.
• Wear proper hiking gear – You can wear wick-away summer hiking clothes, and your swimsuits just underneath.
• Carry at least 2 liters of water – The heat can be brutal in the summer months, and you will need it (especially on the walk back up).
• Carry snacks and food – There’s no kiosk at the beach.

Good to know: There’s a nice café at Su Porteddu parking lot where you can get water, snacks and sandwiches to bring to the beach. They also have toilets you can use before and after the hike. It’s a spot where everyone stops for a celebratory beer at the end of the hike.

Is the Cala Goloritzé hike suitable for children?

I have seen plenty of children on the Cala Goloritzé hike in the past, but none last time I was there. Some children do well on the hike and have a good time, while others clearly struggle.

Before taking your children on this hike, consider how eager they are. If they are hikers in the making, they will enjoy it. If they don’t really like walking (especially uphill), then give it a miss and opt for a boat tour instead.

How to get to the trailhead

The only way to get to Su Porteddu parking lot in the Golgo Plateau, where the trailhead to Cala Goloritzé is located, is by car. No public transportation goes there.

I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best deal on car rental in Sardinia.

This is the GPS location of Su Porteddu parking lot.+

Here are some driving distances to give you an idea:

• From Baunei – a 15-minute drive.
• From Santa Maria Navarrese – a 35-minute drive.
• From Tortolì – a 40-minute drive.
• From Costa Rei – 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• From Cala Gonone – 1 hour and 45 minutes (over an extremely windy road).
• From Villasimius – 2 hours.
• From Cagliari – 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Once you are at Su Porteddu parking lot, you will have to park your car and go through the checkpoint before you start hiking.

My guides, How To Rent A Car In Sardinia and A Guide To Driving In Sardinia, provide plenty of tips for anyone who wants to drive on the island.

Useful Information on Cala Goloritzé, Baunei

Here are a few more tips to make the most of your time at Cala Goloritzé.

• Bring whatever you need for the day – There are no services at the beach, not even toilets. Bring whatever you may need for the day – an umbrella for shade, water, food, and sunblock. Bring a towel and snorkeling gear, as this is one of the best snorkeling spots in Sardinia.
• No dogs allowed – This is a highly protected beach. Unfortunately, you will need to leave your pet at home for the day. This is my guide to dog-friendly beaches in Sardinia.
• No smoking.
• Leave only footprints – There are no garbage bins at the beach. Take back with you whatever trash you produce during the day. This also goes for cigarette butts, in case you are a smoker (though this is a no-smoking beach). 
• Don’t steal sand – Or pebbles, in this case. Taking sand, stones, and shells from Sardinian beaches is forbidden, and if you are caught with it, you’ll end up with an expensive fine. I explain why in this post.
• There’s no lifeguard on duty – Keep this in mind if you are not a confident swimmer, or if you have children. There is, however, a guard on the beach who can call for help in case of emergencies.

Other Nearby Beaches

The Gulf of Orosei, where Cala Goloritzé is located, is home to some of the most scenic beaches in Sardinia. Here are my favorite ones:

• Spiaggia delle Sorgenti – Literally Spring Beach in English, here spring water gets onto the beach, flowing between the rocks. It’s located around 200 meters (0.1 miles) north of Cala Goloritizé.
• Cala Mariolu – North of Cala Goloritzé, it’s famous for its tiny white pebbles, white as snow, which give it the name Ispuligi de Nie (literally “snowflakes” in Sardinian language). It can be reached by boat or on a strenuous hike departing from the Golgo Plateau.
• Cala dei Gabbiani – North of Cala Goloritzé, this small cove has the clearest water you can think of.
• Cala Biriala – Also referred to as Cala Biriola, this small cove can be reached by boat or on a strenuous hike from the Golgo Plateau.

• Cala Sisine – One of the most accessible beaches in the area, located at the end of a ravine which was once a river bed. You can get there by boat, or by car until a certain point, after which you will have to walk.
• Pools of Venus – Piscine di Venere in Italian: not actually a beach but a stunning swimming spot.
• Cala Luna – Pictured above, this is one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia. The set of the famous movie “Swept Away” (one of the many movies filmed in Sardinia), it can be reached by boat or on a hike departing from Cala Fuili, north of Cala Gonone.

There are also a few caves – namely the Grotta del Miracolo, Grotta del Fico, and Grotta del Bue Marino, once inhabited by monk seals. They are among the most scenic caves in Sardinia.

Where To Stay Near Cala Goloritzé Italy

Depending on whether you want to hike or take a boat to Cala Goloritzé, you should sleep in either Baunei, Santa Maria Navarrese, Arbatax, or Tortolì. They all have good accommodation options. These are some places I have tried and recommend:

• Hotel Bia Maore – in Baunei, it has nice rooms decorated according to the local style. Breakfast is excellent. 
• Hotel Nicoletta – in the center of Santa Maria Navarrese, it features classic rooms and has access to a private beach area.
• Hotel La Bitta – Facing the lovely Porto Frailis beach near Arbatax, it has one of my favorite restaurants in Sardinia.

I am not a fan of the Rifugio Cooperativa Goloritzé, in the Golgo Plateau.

I have a Complete Guide On Where To Stay In Santa Maria Navarrese for even more options.

My guide, Where To Stay In Sardinia, shares more areas to stay around the island.

FAQs on Cala Goloritzé Beach

Final Considerations

Cala Goloritzé is one of my favorite beaches in Sardinia, a place I try to visit whenever I can and in any season. Getting there requires a bit of effort – especially if you want to spend the entire day at the beach, which is only possible if you hike to the beach.

But it’s worth it, and in my experience, it’s much better to sweat and puff, and be rewarded at the end, than seeing the beach from a distance as it’s the case for boat tours.

Once, when I visited many years ago, I was able to hike down to the beach and then get a boat back to Santa Maria Navarrese. If this is an option that you are interested in, it’s best to enquire locally, as I have not heard of it in recent years.

This is a truly unique place in Sardinia, and if you are exploring the Baunei Coast, it’s really worth visiting.

Further Readings

Are you planning a trip to Sardinia? Make sure to check out my other posts:

• Best Beaches In Sardinia
• Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia
• Most Beautiful Beach Resorts In Sardinia
• 17 National Parks And Nature Reserves In Sardinia
• A Quick Guide To Mari Pintau