A Guide To Cala Zafferano, Sardinia: 5 Best Things To Know

Located at the southwestern tip of Sardinia, Cala Zafferano (at times also referred to as Porto Zafferano) is a stunning beach with the brightest, whitest sand and the most beautiful, clear azure waters you can think of. It’s easily one of the best beaches in Sardinia.

I have been to Cala Zafferano a few times (including last summer), and loved it every time. Once, when I was there, we had the beach to ourselves (admittedly, it was a very windy day), and it was blissful!

As the beach is located in a military area, this is one of the most secluded beaches in Sardinia, and getting there can be a bit of an ordeal. However, once you are there, you will feel completely rewarded for all your efforts. In fact, you will feel like you have been let into one of the best-kept Sardinian secrets.

If you are curious to know more about this slice of paradise on earth, and want to discover how you can enjoy it too, you are in the right place. Continue reading as I share everything you need to know about Cala Zafferano Sardinia.

Cala Zafferano Sardinia

Cala Zafferano is a beautiful white and pink sand beach located in the municipality of Teulada, and one of the best South Sardinia beaches. The name “Zafferano” means “saffron” in English, and is due to the color of the sand here, a lovely light pink.

The beach is surrounded by sand dunes that are covered in juniper. The water is shallow and incredibly transparent, of a beautiful shade of blue.

As Cala Zafferano is located in a military area, the beach is only accessible to visitors who can get there by boat in the months of July and August, and on the condition that they don’t disembark.

A military lookout patrols the area to make sure that tourists abide by the rules, but they are usually flexible enough to let you disembark for a quick walk on the beach, on the condition that you don’t plant any umbrellas.

Since it is so isolated, Cala Zafferano can be incredibly quiet. Even if you visit in peak season, you may end up sharing the beach with just a handful of other visitors. We visited in mid-week in July, and I think there was only one boat other than us! However, expect to find a lot of boats if you visit on a weekend in August.

As there is nothing in the area, you will need to bring anything you need for the day – food, water, sunblock, etc.

The best time of day to capture the incredible colors of Cala Zafferano is between 12:00 and 3:00 pm. That’s when most of the photos you see in this post where taken. I have also taken photos there at about 5:00 pm at the end of July and the light was gorgeous.

Check the wind conditions before making your way to Cala Zafferano. This part of Sardinia is very exposed to the wind and it’s best to go when it’s not windy. I once visited when the Mistral wind was very strong, and while the colors of the sea looked gorgeous, the water was too cold to swim!

How To Get To Cala Zafferano, Teulada

You can only get to Cala Zafferano by boat, and only in the months of July and August.

There is no road access to Cala Zafferano Teulada, and since it is in a military area, you can’t walk or hike there. The only way to get there is by boat. If you don’t have one, you can rent a zodiac from the nearby Capo Malfatano or Porto Tramatzu, which is about a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Cagliari, and a 15-minute drive from Teulada.

From Cagliari, you will have to drive along SS195 towards Domus de Maria and then Teulada. It’s the same road you’d follow to get to places like Pula, Nora archaeological ruins, or the beach of Su Giudeu in Chia, or Cala Cipolla.

In Porto Tramatzu, Teulada Charter is a reliable company for rentals. You can expect to pay around €250 for the day for smaller zodiacs that carry up to 6 passengers. To this you have to add the cost of petrol, which is factored in once you return your zodiac.

You need to book at least a week in advance – send a WhatsApp message or call Teulada Charter for info at +39 338 639 3053. You will need to bring proof of ID for the rental.

If you don’t wish to rent a boat, you can consider this boat tour to Cala Zafferano that departs from the nearby Chia. The tour lasts 4 hours, with plenty of time to snorkel and have a good time enjoying this unique beach.

Alternatively, you can opt for this morning or afternoon tour departing from the tourist harbor of Teulada. The tour lasts 4 hours and includes stops at nearby beaches such as Cala Scudo. You will also enjoy fresh fruit during one of the stops, and a nice apertif of local products and Vermentino wine.

Whether you choose to rent a zodiac or book a tour to visit Cala Zafferano, consider that during the summer months, a wind which we call “termica” in Sardinia normally picks up in the early afternoon, so you may be better off with a morning tour as the weather conditions will be better.

On the other hand, an afternoon tour gives you enough time to make your way from Cagliari or wherever else you may be staying to Teulada Harbor (called Porto Teulada in Italian), or Capo Malfatano, where most tours depart from.

Rules of Behavior at Cala Zafferano, Sardinia

Cala Zafferano is a heavily patrolled beach. You need to observe a few rules to stay out of trouble. Here they are:

DON’T ANCHOR YOUR BOAT – This rule is in place, but the military that patrols the beach is normally flexible about it, as long as you stay within a certain perimeter. If you don’t, you’ll discover soon enough, as they will be quick to approach you and ask you to leave.

DON’T PLACE YOUR UMBRELLA – This is a military area and you are a mere guest. While you can walk on the beach and sit on the sand, you can’t do anything that would amount to occupying the territory, even if only temporarily.

DON’T PUSH TOO FAR IN YOUR EXPLORATION – You are welcome to walk along the beach and on the rock formations at its southern end, but you shouldn’t push yourself through the forest. Once again, remember that the military patrols the area and they will be quick in sending you on your way if you break the rules.

DON’T TAKE SAND, SHELLS, OR PEBBLES – This rule actually applies to all beaches in Sardinia. If you are caught in the act of stealing or caught with sand or shells in your bags, you will be subjected to a fine. Just don’t risk it. I explain the issue more in depth in my post What’s The Deal With Sardinia’s Sand Theft?

DON’T ABANDON YOUR TRASH – Cala Zafferano is not an equipped beach, and you won’t find trash cans to dispose of your garbage. Bring whatever trash you produce home with you and dispose of it properly. Keep in mind that in Sardinia, you must separate organic waste from plastic, cans, glass, etc. The same goes for cigarette butts: don’t drop them in the sand or in the water.

DON’T PICK UP JELLY FISH OR STARFISH – If you spot a jellyfish in the water, just swim away from it. Don’t pick it up and by all means, do not kill it, as it contributes to the delicate local ecosystem. The same goes with starfish: don’t pick them up and don’t take them out of the water. Starfish are more delicate than you can imagine and staying out of water, even if only for a few seconds, causes their death. For more information, click here.

DON’T SMOKE – It’s now allowed in any beach on the island.

Other Nearby Beaches

There are many other beautiful beaches in the area you may want to visit before or after you make your way to Cala Zafferano. Here are a few you can consider:

PORTO SCUDO – Also located in the military area, and once again only accessible by boat.

PORTO TRAMATZU – You will be going through this beach if you pick up your boat rental there. It’s a beautiful, small sandy beach with clear waters. There’s a kiosk and you can find umbrella and sun bed rentals too.

TUERREDDA – One of the most famous beaches of Southern Sardinia. It has fine, white sand, a Spanish watchtower surmounting it, and a small island in front of it. It’s a protected beach so access to visitors is capped. If you want to visit, plan to be there very early.

CALA ANTONIAREDDU – Lovely, tiny cove that’s among the most isolated in the area. It looks a bit like a fjord; it’s characterized by fine, white sand and surrounded by thick Mediterranean shrub. The water is incredibly clear.

SU GIUDEU – One of the best beaches in Chia. It has beautiful, fine golden sand and incredibly clear waters. There are sand dunes at its back (which, however, can’t be climbed). The beach is equipped with kiosks for food, drink,s and to rent beach equipment.

Where To Stay To Access Cala Zafferano

You can visit Cala Zafferano on day trips from Cagliari. There are many excellent places to stay in Cagliari, including fantastic hotels by the beach, and you’ll have a choice among many excellent restaurants in Cagliari. I recommend using Booking.com to find the best hotel deals in Cagliari.

The closest town is Teulada, which offers a few good places to stay (again, refer to Booking.com to see all the available options). Here you’ll find Da Stefano, one of my favorite restaurants in Sardinia.

Another good access point is the lovely Pula, where you’ll find a great range of hotels, resorts and private holiday homes. Finally, there are some excellent hotels in Chia, a well-known holiday hamlet. Once again, I recommend using Booking.com to find your accommodation in Chia.