Whenever someone asks me about a recommendation for a secluded beach in Sardinia, I recommend Cala Murtas (also known as Spiaggia di Murtas, or simply as Murtas locally), in the Sarrabus Region on the eastern coast of Sardinia.
You see – the truth is that there aren’t many secluded beaches in Sardinia; the kind of place where you go even in the peak summer months, and find very few people there. That’s because we locals love a day at the beach.
And since we have paradisiac beaches and pristine waters, tourists visiting in the summer months will want to spend a day at the beach too.
Cala Murtas isn’t just Sardinia’s best kept secret when it comes to beaches. It also is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Southern Sardinia. But trust me, it is such a nice, blissful place that if you are in the area you should make it a point to go – I certainly do any time I am in Costa Rei.
Cala Murtas is the perfect place to spend a day in the sun for the whole family, away from the chaos of other places, and where you can safely take your dog with you.
I have recently been to Cala Murtas and decided to put together a short guide for you.
What To Know About Cala Murtas Beach
Cala Murtas Beach
Cala Murtas is a gorgeous, long beach located in the municipality of Villaputzu, in an area known as Quirra and famous for having a NATO military base.
As a result of the presence of a military base, there are no towns, villages or beach hamlets in the immediate vicinity. This makes the beach a bit harder to access than most in Sardinia. Likewise, for that reason there are no services on the beach.
However, the lack of villages or towns nearby and the complete lack of services means this beach is fabulously quiet, and the perfect place to hang out if you aren’t a fan of crowds, noise, loud music at the beach – you get the idea.
This 6 km (3.7 miles) long beach is has gorgeous, thick Mediterranean vegetation at its back, and is characterized by a fun mix of golden sand and tiny pebbles which give it a unique look.
Water at Cala Murtas is almost immediately deep, which makes it perfect if you are a good swimmer – but not so quite if you have small children who can’t swim – though each time I have visited I came across families with children who seemed to be having a brilliant time.
If you worry about your kids not being confident in the water, you may want to consider going to another beach.
Services at Cala Murtas beach
There is nothing in the way of equipment at Cala Murtas – no toilets, no kiosk and no lifeguard on duty, so you will have to take whatever you need for the day, and swim with caution!
On the northern bit of the beach you will find a fenced area that marks the dog-friendly beach. Keep in mind that phone reception at the beach is scarce and erratic.
How to get to Cala Murtas
There are no buses that go to Cala Murtas, so you need to drive to get there.
The beach is easy to reach from Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia: it’s about 92 km (57.4 miles) west of Cagliari. Driving there will take you around 1.5 hours – which is still doable if you want to go on a day trip. To get there, you will need to follow Strada Statale (State Road or SS) 554 and then follow the signs to Muravera, driving along the SS125.
Cala Murtas is within quick driving distance from popular summer holiday destinations such as Costa Rei.
If your starting point is Costa Rei it will be 41 km (25.4 miles) and a 40-minute drive.To get there, follow SS 125 northbound towards Muravera. Past that, continue driving towards Quirra. There will be a sign to your right pointing to Murtas Beach.
The road is narrow and windy and goes through the countryside. After about 10 minutes on that road you will find a sign pointing you to the dog beach – that’s the one you have to follow. It’s another couple of minutes drive along a dirt road until you get to the parking lot, which is free.
Tips to make the most of Cala Murtas
Here is some additional tips to make the most of Cala Murtas beach.
DON’T BE LOUD – This is a place where people go in search of peace and solitude. If you need loud music to have fun, you should probably head elsewhere.
DON’T SMOKE – It’s forbidden at all beaches in Sardinia. Look for a designated area.
DON’T TAKE SAND – Or shells, stones and pebbles! This is one of the few beaches where you may still find a good mix of beautiful pebbles and shells. Leave them where they are. Not only taking them is disrespectful of the environment, but it’s also forbidden by law and should you be caught with it, you will be given a fine. Make sure to read my post about Sardinian sand theft for a better understanding of the implications.
ONLY BRING SMALL CHILDREN IF THEY CAN SWIM – Water is immediately deep at this Cala Murtas, so it is not a suitable place if you have small children who aren’t confident in the water. Either way, make sure to supervise them closely!
DON’T LEAVE GARBAGE – Small garbage bins are scattered on the access points to the beach and will remind you to separate between plastic, paper, organic waste and glass and tin. Dispose of your garbage accordingly, and if you have larger items, bring them home with you.
Other nearby beaches and attractions
QUIRRA CASTLE – One of the lesser known castles in Sardinia, you can easily reach this castle by car following the signs from the beach. From the parking lot, it’s another hour walk and entirely uphill on the way there. It’s mostly in ruins, but charming nonetheless. You need to wear shoes for the walk.
COSTA REI – About 40 minutes drive from Cala Murtas you will find the beaches of Costa Rei. This area is characterized by a 12 km (7.5 miles) long, sandy beach with clear shallow waters and is a favorite of families for its ease of access.
PORTU S’ILLIXI – Another lesser known beach, again a bit hard to access. There is a very small parking lot, and from there it’s a downhill walk (you will need shoes) to get to the beach, which is not equipped with any service.
SANTA GIUSTA – Locally referred to as the Scoglio di Peppino, this is a very scenic (and very popular) spot in Costa Rei, beloved by locals and tourists alike. There’s a large rock formation right on the shore that you can climb for wonderful coastal views.
Where to stay near Cala Murtas
There is nothing in the way of accommodation close to Murtas, as there are no towns, villages or beach hamlets.
The closest town is Villaputzu, but your best access point if you want a place with a bit more of a holiday feeling, and beloved by locals, will be Costa Rei, where accommodation option abound with plenty of holiday rentals, small hotels and some of the best beach resorts in Sardinia.
You can read my post Where To Stay In Costa Rei for my recommendations, or simply use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Costa Rei.
Further Readings
Spending your holidays in Sardinia? Make sure to read my other posts:
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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.