Destination Dupes Sardinia: The Best Alternatives to Tourist Hotspots

Sardinia draws millions of visitors each year, and its most famous spots — the Costa Smeralda, La Pelosa beach near Stintino, the caves at Neptune’s Grotto — can feel overwhelmed in high season. For travellers willing to look a little further, the island offers equally striking alternatives that see a fraction of the crowds. Here are some of the best.

Instead of La Pelosa, try Rena Bianca

La Pelosa, near Stintino in the island’s north-west, is one of Sardinia’s most photographed beaches, with shallow turquoise water and fine white sand. It is also tightly controlled in summer, with visitor caps and ticketing, and it fills quickly.

Rena Bianca, near Santa Teresa di Gallura at the island’s northern tip, offers similarly pale sand and clear water, backed by low granite headlands. The town itself has a lively evening passeggiata, and the beach is within walking distance of the centre.

Instead of the Costa Smeralda, try the Sinis Peninsula

The Costa Smeralda, in the north-east, is synonymous with Sardinia’s luxury image: yacht marinas, designer boutiques and some of the highest accommodation prices on the island. It remains beautiful, but it is rarely quiet.

The Sinis Peninsula, on the central-west coast near Cabras, offers a different rhythm altogether. Long sandy beaches such as Is Arutas — made up of tiny quartz grains — sit alongside Phoenician and Roman ruins at Tharros, wetland birdlife around the Stagno di Cabras, and a strong local food culture built around mullet, bottarga and Vernaccia wine.

Instead of Neptune’s Grotto, try Su Gorropu

Neptune’s Grotto, near Alghero, is a spectacular sea cave reached by boat or by a long staircase cut into the cliff. It is a genuinely remarkable site, but access is limited and queues are common in summer.

Inland, Su Gorropu is one of Europe’s deepest gorges, carved into limestone between the Supramonte and the Gennargentu massif. Reaching it involves a hike of several hours from the Genna Silana pass or a shorter approach by off-road vehicle. The reward is a landscape of towering rock walls and boulders that sees only a fraction of the visitors.

Instead of Cagliari’s city beaches, try the Costa Rei

Cagliari’s Poetto beach stretches for several kilometres and is a fine city beach, but in summer it is crowded and parking is difficult.

Further along the south-east coast, Costa Rei offers a long sweep of sand with clearer water and more space, backed by low hills and a scattering of small resorts. It is around an hour’s drive from Cagliari and makes a good base for exploring the Villasimius area.

Instead of Alghero, try Bosa

Alghero, with its Catalan-influenced old town and sea walls, is one of Sardinia’s best-known towns and is deservedly popular. In July and August, its narrow streets can be packed.

Bosa, roughly an hour’s drive south along the coast, has a similarly colourful old town, the riverside quarter of Sa Costa, and the hilltop Castello Malaspina. It is quieter, cheaper and, for many visitors, just as charming.