Our Guide to the best beaches in Sardinia, Italy
Beaches in Sardinia
Sardinia's coastline extends for around 1,800km and is home to innumerable beaches whose beauty is simply breathtaking. There are literally hundreds of stretches of white sand lapped by shallow, transparent waters, and it's no coincidence that the island is considered to be a beach-lover's paradise that rivals the Caribbean or Polynesia. Many of the most photogenic beaches are found in the northeast on the Costa Smeralda, but wherever you go, you'll find plenty of irresistible options.
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Costa Smeralda
Below are a few (there are so many!) of our favourite beaches, starting at the northern tip of Sardinia and heading down the Costa Smeralda, on the island's northeastern coast.
PORTO LISCIA and BARRABISA
Where: just over 1km east of Porto Pozzo.
Description: a sweeping, 3km stretch of fine golden sand looking northwards towards the islands of the Maddalena, the beaches of Porto Liscia and Barrabisa are separated only by the slender mouth of the Liscia river. Both are popular with kite surfers (there are a couple of clubs where you can hire boards) but it doesn't get too busy in general. There are a couple of bars and restaurant but no beach clubs.
Access: easy, by car.
CALA DI TRANA
Where: 3km northeast of Porto Pollo.
Description: a divine arc of fine white sand with a pinkish tinge. It's fringed by sand dunes, enclosed by a pair of verdant headlands, and offers views out to the archipelago of La Maddalena. It's a beach for true nature lovers who are happy to make an effort to get there. There are no facilities here, so you'll have to take your own supplies and equipment.
Access: difficult. By boat or via a 30/40-minute walk along country paths.
Spiaggia de la Sciumara
Where: 0.5km west of Palau.
Description: fine white sand and gin-clear waters framed by emerald trees and sandy-hued granite masses: in a word, idyllic. There's a beach-bar serving snacks and drinks and you can rent sun loungers and water sports equipment. It's a great beach for families.
Access: easy, by car.
Le Piscine
Where: about 5km southeast of Palau.
Description: the smaller of two neighbouring sandy beaches, Spiaggia Le Piscine is immersed in natural surroundings of great beauty. Sheltered and east-facing, it is perfectly formed and ideal for those looking for peace and quiet. There are no facilities, so we recommend you take your own provisions.
Access: easy, by car, but with a walk of around 200m from the car park.
GRANDE PEVERO
Where: about 2.5km south of Porto Cervo.
Description: if you're looking for organised beach clubs with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas, some water sports equipment, and a bit of a buzz, this beautiful, white-sand beach could be for you. Its white sands and its shallow, turquoise waters are child-friendly, and there's a beach bar serving snacks and drinks. Behind the beach is a lagoon, which attracts passing birds, and a trail leads off up to the top of the headland, from where the views are sensational.
Access: easy, by car. Parking is limited, however.
Spiaggia del Principe
Where: about 5.5km southeast of Porto Cervo.
Description: unofficially renamed in honour of the Aga Khan, who loved spending time there in the 1960s, Spiaggia del Principe is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. It has all the attributes of other beaches - divinely transparent waters, bleached white sand, vivid green surroundings, and granite formations, but also something intangible. There's a beach club and a snack bar, but it does get busy in the main summer months.
Access: easy, by car, but with a 10-minute walk from the car park.
Capriccioli and La Celva
Where: about 6km south of Porto Cervo.
Description: a cluster of heavenly, turquoise bays with irresistible sands separated by verdant, granite headlands. Capriccioli has two beaches, one facing west, one east. La Celva, just an amble from our villa I Corbezzoli, faces south surveying a scene of heart-racing beauty.
Access: easy, by car, but with a short walk from the car park.
LISCIA RUJA
Where: about 7km south of Porto Cervo
Description: a gently curving crescent of white sand that extends for around 700m, north to south. Inspiring vistas take in the wooded coastline, the crystal clear sea, and the islets of Soffi and Mortorio. There are several good lidos (but also plenty of space if you prefer not to rent sun loungers and umbrellas) as well as a bar-restaurant.
Access: easy, by car.
RENA BIANCA
Where: 12.5km north of Olbia
Description: taking its name from the whiteness of its sand, Ruja Bianca combines dunes fringed by emerald vegetation, shallow, green-hued waters, a selection of lidos, some offering water sports, and a snack bar and café.
Access: easy, by car, plus a walk of about 500m.
CALA SABINA
Where: 11.5km northeast of Olbia
Description: a beach with a cool vibe, its own little train station, soft white sands and limpid, shallow waters. There is a chic lido, a restaurant, and a bar which has DJ sets in the evening. The perfect spot in which to chill from dawn to night, though it can get busy in the high summer season.
Access: easy, by car or train.
CODA CAVALLO
Where: 20km southeast of Olbia
Description: an arcing, 550m stretch of sand, which, alongside the islet of Proratora, wraps around a lagune-like bay of shallow, electric-blue water. Part of the Capo Coda Cavallo headland - a protected marine and nature reserve - it also offers beguiling views of the islands of Molara and Tavolara. There is a beach club and a restaurant, and its all very child-friendly.
Access: easy, by car.
Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu
Where: about 18km southeast of Olbia
Description: two paradisiacal beaches (the former measuring about 700m long, the latter about 1km) separated by a slender wooded headland. Both offer Polynesian-style white sands (indeed the former is known locally as Little Tahiti), irresistible, chalky-blue waters, lidos, and natural surroundings that take the breath away - they back onto salt-water lagoons and you might be lucky enough to see flamingos and herons. Cala Brandinchi is a protected beach and you'll need to book to enter. If you can't get a place, just head to Lu Impostu - you won't be disappointed.
Access: easy, by car.
La Cinta
Where: between Ansedonia and Porto Ercole on Monte Argentario
Description: extending for nearly 3.5km, La Cinta is one of the longest beach in the northeast of Sardinia, and has all the same alluring attributes as the others, not to mention bewitching views of the Coda Cavallo headland and Tavolara Island. It backs onto a large lagoon, where flamingos, kingfishers, herons and a host of other birdlife can be seen. Its shallow waters are child-friendly, and there are lidos, a bar, and plenty of water sports to choose from, including kitesurfing and SUPs.
Access: easy, by car.
La Maddalena
The bewitching little archipelago of La Maddalena, situated just off the north coast of Sardinia, is a place of outstanding natural beauty. Of the seven main islands, only a few are inhabited and the others are practically desert islands. There are frequent, 30-minute car ferry crossings from Palau at the northern tip of Sardinia to the main island, La Maddalena, and a bridge links this island to Caprera. The others are only reachable by boat, and we warmly recommend you rent one and explore at your own pace.
There are dozens of beaches to choose from, each with its own distinct charms. Below are a few of our favourites, on the islands of La Maddalena, Caprera and Budelli.
CALA SPALMATORE
Where: in the northeast of La Maddalena island.
Description: a pair of gorgeous pinkish-golden beaches with shallow, transparent waters divided by a long jetty (meaning you can moor your boat there if you visit). There's a third beach, Spiaggia del Costone in the same bay. It's great for families, snorkelling, and has facilities, including a couple of bars, sun loungers and umbrellas.
Access: easy, by car (plus a little walk). There's also a bus-stop nearby.
Bassa Trinità
Where: in the northwest of La Maddalena island.
Description: a feast for the senses, with fine white sand, dunes, granite boulders, gin-clear waters and plenty of greenery. There are no beach clubs, but there is a snack bar.
Access: easy, by car
Spiaggia Monti D'A Rena
Where: near the northern tip of La Maddalena island.
Description: a wide expanse of fine sand lapped by turquoise waters. It's ideal for lovers of more wild beaches, but there's a seafood restaurant-bar above the beach.
Access: easy, by car (parking on the roadside). There's also a bus-stop nearby.
Cala Napoletana
Where: on the northern tip of Caprera island.
Description: an almost perfect semi-circle of white sand and luminous waters protected by granite cliffs. It's a beach for those who love getting more off the beaten track, and you won't find any amenities here.
Access: difficult - probably only recommended if you have a boat.
Spiaggia del Relitto
Where: in the southeast of Caprera island.
Description: fringed by emerald trees, this beach offers amazing sun-bleached sand and extremely shallow, cornflower-blue waters. It's so beautiful that it can get busy, but it's worth a try. It's named after a shipwreck just off the coast. There's a beach bar close by.
Access: easy by car (plus a little walk), though parking is limited.
Cala Corsara
Where: in the south of Spargi island
Description: the vivid colours of the turquoise sea, the jade maquis, and the white sand unite to create a compelling palette. The cove faces south, looking out to the north coast of Sardinia and is a popular spot in which to drop anchor and swim in the glassy waters.
Access: by boat only.
Spiaggia Rosa
Where: in the southeast of Budelli island.
Description: a heavenly arc of pinkish-hued sand lapped by irresistible turquoise waters and fringed by greenery. It really is paradise, but you'll have to take your own provisions as there are no amenities.
Access: by boat only.
THE SOUTH
The coastline of southern Sardinia, moving clockwise from Cagliari, offers numerous possibilities lovers of sand, sea and untouched, maquis-scented landscapes. Below are six of our favourite beaches there, each one with its own very own, irresistible allure.
Santa Margherita di Pula
Where: 45km south of Cagliari
Description: over 2km of fine, golden-white sand that shelves gently into transparent waters, making it popular with families. There are beach clubs with bars and restaurants, so you can quite happily spend a whole day there in full comfort. Two of our properties, Villa Lia and Villa Maria, are just a short stroll from this gorgeous beach
Access: easy, by car
Su Giudeu
Where: just a few km down the coast from Sant Margherita di Pula
Description: backing on to a pair of salt-water lagoons, this 1.2km-long beach is extraordinarily beautiful, with sun-bleached sands and electric blue waters that lap the little island from which the beach takes its name. There are a couple of beach clubs offering sun loungers, umbrellas and other facilities.
Access: easy, by car
Tuaredda
Where: about 4km west of Su Giudeu (see above)
Description: one of several beaches populating a south-facing bay, Tuaredda is a delight to spend time in. The views take in the eponymous islet, while the soft sands and limpid waters are irresistible. It can get busy, but there are beach clubs from which to enjoy the outstanding scenery.
Access: easy, by car
Porto Tramatzu and S'Ortixeddu (Spiaggia degli Americani)
Where: about 7km southwest of the small town of Teulada
Description: a pair of beaches separated by a maquis-carpeted headland. The former is larger, east-facing and has a vibratn beach club offering rib and sailing boat hire; the latter is tiny, perfectly formed, and wilder, with excellent snorkelling (but no facilities).
Access: easy, by car
Porto Pino
Where: at the southernmost tip of Sardinia, about 10km west of Teulada
Description: a curvaceous, 4km-long, west-facing stretch of pinkish-white sand and electric blue waters backing onto salt-water lagoons (popular with migrating flamingos), dunes, an Aleppo pine wood, and expanses of aromatic maquis. There are several beach clubs offering the usual facilities, but also plenty of space in which to find your own spot (if you're happy to walk a bit).
Access: easy, by car
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