Beaches Sardinia: Discover Sardinia's best beaches

Sardinia has a coastline of almost 2,000 kilometres, and much of it is backed by some of the most striking scenery in the Mediterranean. The island’s beaches range from long, dune-backed sweeps of pale sand to narrow coves tucked beneath limestone cliffs, and the water is generally clear enough to see the bottom in several metres of depth. The following selection covers some of the finest, arranged by region.

The North

Costa Smeralda

The Costa Smeralda, on the north-east coast, is the most famous stretch of shoreline on the island. Its beaches are known for their pale, fine sand and shallow, turquoise water.

Liscia Ruja is the largest beach on the Costa Smeralda, a broad crescent of soft sand with a gentle shelf into the sea, which makes it a good choice for families. Capriccioli is smaller and more sheltered, divided by granite outcrops into several little inlets; the water here is calm and particularly clear. Grande Pevero sits at the end of a long, curving bay and holds its shape well even when the wind picks up elsewhere. Piccolo Pevero, just next door, is quieter and reached by a short path.

Prince’s Beach and Cala di Volpe lie further along the same coast and are popular with those staying in the area’s resorts. Rena Bianca at Santa Teresa di Gallura, on the northern tip, takes its name from its white sand and is framed by a sixteenth-century Spanish watchtower.

La Maddalena archipelago

The islands of the La Maddalena archipelago, off the north-east coast, are reached by ferry from Palau. Cala Coticcio on Caprera is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, though access is on foot and the walk takes around forty-five minutes. Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli is famous for its pink-tinted sand, produced by fragments of coral and shell; the beach has been protected for many years and landing on it is not permitted, but it can be seen from the water.

Asinara

Asinara, off the north-west coast, was a prison island for much of the twentieth century and is now a national park. Its relative isolation has left its beaches largely undeveloped. Cala Sabina and Cala d’Oliva are the best known, reached by boat from Stintino or Porto Torres.

The South

Chia

The Chia area, on the south coast, is a protected nature reserve of dunes and wetlands. Spiaggia di Chia is a long, wide beach with fine sand and a backdrop of low dunes covered in juniper and lentisk. Cala Cipolla is smaller and more enclosed, with a distinctive tower on the headland above. Su Giudeu is reached by a short walk and has a shallow lagoon behind it that attracts flamingos in spring and autumn.

Villasimius

Villasimius, east of Cagliari, has a cluster of beaches within easy reach of one another. Porto Giunco is the best known, a long sweep of sand with a shallow shelf and calm water. Cala Sinzias is quieter and backed by pine woods. Punta Molentis is a small beach on a promontory, with clear water and good snorkelling close to shore.

Costa Rei

Further along the south-east coast, Costa Rei is a long, straight beach of fine, pale sand that stretches for several kilometres. It is one of the most consistent beaches on the island for swimming, as the shelf is gentle and the water warms early in the season.

The East

Orosei and the Gulf of Orosei

The Gulf of Orosei, on the central east coast, is reached mainly by boat or on foot, and its beaches are among the most dramatic on the island.

Cala Luna sits at the mouth of a gorge and is backed by caves and limestone walls; it can be reached by boat from Cala Gonone or by a walking trail from the Golgo plateau. Cala Mariolu is a small beach of white pebbles and sand, with water of an unusually vivid blue. Cala Goloritzé is a narrow cove beneath a tall limestone pinnacle; it is a protected monument and access is limited, with landing from boats restricted and a footpath from the Golgo plateau providing the main route in.

Arbatax and Ogliastra

South of the gulf, the Ogliastra coast has a series of quieter beaches. Cala Sisine is reached by boat from Cala Gonone and is backed by a gorge. Cala dei Gabbiani and Cala Biriola are smaller and less visited. Near Arbatax, Porto Frailis and Orrì offer longer stretches of sand with easier road access.

The West

Sinis peninsula

The Sinis peninsula, on the central west coast, is a protected marine area. Is Arutas is known for its grains of quartz, which give the sand a pale, glassy appearance; removing sand from the beach is prohibited. Maimoni and Mari Ermi are nearby and share the same character. The peninsula also holds the archaeological site of Tharros, which overlooks the sea.

Alghero and the north-west

Maria Pia, just north of Alghero, is a long, pine-backed beach within walking distance of the town. Le Bombarde and Lazzaretto are smaller and popular with local families. Further south, Piscinas on the Costa Verde is a wide beach backed by some of the highest sand dunes in Europe, reached by a rough track and best visited with a vehicle suited to the surface.

Practical notes

• Best time to visit: late May to early July and September offer warm water and fewer visitors than August, when Italian holiday crowds are at their peak.
• Winds: the mistral blows from the north-west and can make exposed west-coast beaches rough; the east coast is often calmer when it does.
• Access: many of the most beautiful beaches, particularly in the Gulf of Orosei and on the islands, are reached only by boat or on foot. Boat trips run from Cala Gonone, Palau and Stintino.
• Protection: several beaches, including Spiaggia Rosa and Is Arutas, are protected. Landing, removing sand or shell, and in some cases anchoring, are restricted or prohibited.
• Facilities: the larger beaches generally have car parks, bars and sunbed hire; the smaller coves often have none, so it is worth taking water and shade.