Rena Majore della Nurra – not to be confused with the Rena Maiore beach near Santa Teresa di Gallura – is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Sardinia and definitely one of my favorites. Located in the territory of Sassari, this hidden gem is easy to reach from either Sassari, Stintino or Alghero. Locals love it, whereas only in recent years tourists have started discovering it, perhaps for a long time put off as for many it is inconvenient to reach.
If you are planning a trip to the northern part of Sardinia and basing yourself in Alghero or Stintino; if you are tired of the crowds of the most popular beaches such as La Pelosa, and you don’t mind a short trek, then I suggest you visit Rena Majore della Nurra beach.
Since I know the area well, I thought I’d share everything you need to know to plan your visit.
What You Must Know About Rena Majore Della Nurra
Rena Majore della Nurra Beach
Rena Majore della Nurra is a long and wide natural bay, with an area of at least 3300 square meters. The size of the beach makes it easy to find a spot to put the umbrella during the summer, though I must say this beach never gets too crowded, even during the peak summer months. Of course, for a prime spot at the beach plan to go there in the first hours of the morning.
The surrounding hills are covered with the typical Mediterranean vegetation, and shelter the beach from the wind – though keep in mind that since the beach faces west, it’s not the best place on strong mistral days as the currents make it impossible to approach the water.
Rena Majore della Nurra is not a sandy beach – you will find it has the whitest small pebbles. This is why this I don’t recommend this beach for families, as kids might get bored – unless they are very keen swimmers and love playing in the water. Also, the shore has deepish waters, so if you have kids with you you should always keep an eye on them while they are in the water.
The presence of the pebbles and the rocky seabed on the other hand make the water truly spectacular, with emerald and blue colors. The beach is also perfect for snorkeling, although you’ll have to watch out for jellyfishes, which are sometimes brought close to the shore by the currents.
Rena Majore della Nurra is not a serviced beach – you won’t find anything like a kiosk or a place to rent any sort of beach equipment. Therefore, I recommend bringing a beach umbrella, as well as food and drinks for the day. Cell phone reception is also spotty – all the better for a relaxing day!
Important rules of behavior for Rena Majore della Nurra
During your visit to Rena Majore della Nurra beach, you should observe some rules of behavior – which won’t differ from those you should observe in other beaches in Sardinia – in order to keep the beach clean and safeguard the delicate local environment.
DON’T TAKE SAND – Actually, in this case it would be more appropriate to say not to take pebbles. Taking sand, shells or stones away from Sardinian beaches is strictly prohibited. You can read more about it here.
KEEP THE BEACH CLEAN – There are no trash bins in Rena Majore della Nurra but this doesn’t mean you can abandon your trash there. In fact, never leave trash on the beach or anywhere else. Collect it all in bags and take it away with you, in order to throw it away in appropriate bins once you get home. Sardinians separate their trash in organic, glass and tins, plastic, paper and generic. You should do the same.
RESPECT THE MARINE LIFE – Refrain from picking crabs, starfish, jellyfish and other marine creatures: they literally die as soon as you take them out of the water. It’s also prohibited by law and may even result in jail time!
How to get to Rena Majore della Nurra
The only way to get to Rena Majore della Nurra beach is by car.
From Sassari, take State Road 131 to Porto Torres, then follow the signs to Stintino. From Stintino, take SP34. From Alghero, follow State Road 291.
Once you reach the hamlet of Pozzo San Nicola, you will find a roundabout. At the roundabout, take the second exit for Argenteria/Palmadula. Keep on driving until you pass Bar Caffè Mercurio, then proceed until you find a junction with a dirt road. Turn right on the dirt road and continue until you arrive to the parking spot.
Once you park the car, you’ll have to continue on foot, following a 600 meter trail. The walk is not particularly difficult and entirely downhill on the way to the beach (which means it is uphill on the way back), but in any case, you should wear comfortable closed toe shoes to protect your feet.
Other nearby beaches
There are other beautiful beaches on the northwest coast of Sardinia, such as Spiaggia dell’Argenteria and Spiaggia della Frana.
Spiaggia dell’Argenteria is probably better for families, as it features light-colored sand and has an it is easy to get to.
Spiaggia della Frana can only be accessed by sea, since it is completely surrounded by cliffs.
Where to stay to easily access Rena Majore della Nurra
The most convenient places to reach Rena Majore della Nurra are Stintino and Alghero, where you’ll find plenty of excellent accommodation options and from where you’ll have access to lots of other gorgeous beaches.
For accommodation in Alghero, click here. Don’t forget to also read my post Where To Stay In Alghero.
For accommodation in Stintino, click here. Make sure to also read my post The Best Hotels In Stintino.
Further Readings
For more incredible beaches, make sure to read the following posts:
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