The 25+ Best Sardinia Beaches
Situated roughly halfway between Europe and Africa, the island of Sardinia is part of Italy. However it also has a very separate sense of identity with a distinct heritage and even its own language. Over the centuries Sardinia has been home to a number of successive cultures, all of which have left their mark on the island.
Other things are different in Sardinia too, which brings us on to the beaches. Whilst the Italian mainland has its fair share of beautiful beaches these are often reserved for patrons of hotels and bars with the hoi-polloi forced to the far corners. With over 1,000 kilometres of coastline it really doesn't matter that a handful of the island's beaches may operate concessions. With so many stunning beaches to choose from this isn't an issue in Sardinia.
Sardinia's beaches are quite simply stunning, possibly the best in the Mediterranean, if not Europe. Think brilliant white sand contrasting with the vivid blues of crystalline waters and cloudless skies. There is variety here too; from secluded coves set amongst the dramatic scenery of the east coast to wide sandy bays along the Costa Verde on the more exposed west coast.
To the north of the island is the famed Costa Smeralda. This is were you will find some of the most stunning coves and bays on the island, and a price tag to match. This is the playground of the rich, famous and beautiful. Even if you don't have your own yacht this is perfect celebrity spotting territory.
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1. Cala Goloritze
© Yesuitus2001 / CC BY Perhaps one of Italy's most iconic beaches, Cala Goloritzè is beautifully positioned at the base of a ravine on the north eastern coast of Sardinia. As with other beaches in the vicinity, the water here is a brilliant azure blue and crystal clear whilst the beach is bleached white by the sun.
But it is the stunning limestone cliffside and rock formations that really sets Cala Goloritzè apart. Most notable of… read more »
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2. Spiaggia Rosa
Luca Giudicatti "Pink Beach" lies wild and unspoiled on Budelli Island, a tiny expanse of land just off the northern coast of Sardinia in the Maddalena Archipelago. While rare, being only a handful of pink beaches known worldwide, its faint rosy hue is entirely natural. It results from high concentrations of crushed corals and shells among the sands.
Backed by lush Mediterranean plants and offering glass-like shallows that are difficult to resist,… read more »
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3. La Pelosa
Lying at the foot of Capo Falcone on the north-western tip of Sardinia is one of the islands most stunning beaches. A stretch of white sand and shallow, turquoise waters make La Pelosa everything you could desire from a Mediterranean beach. In addition to all this the beach has a secure enclosed feeling with the island of Piana just offshore and guarding the channel to the north a sixteenth century… read more »
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4. Cala Mariolu
© Elisa Locci Great for:- Snorkeling
Not far along the coast from the stunning cove and rock formations of Cala Goloritze is another Sardinian gem, Cala Mariolu. This little beach is set at the foot of plunging limestone cliffs which contrast with the stunningly clear blue water of the Gulf of Orosei. So alluring is the water here that I challenge anyone to not take a dip. Given how clear the it is no surprise this… read more »
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5. Is Arutas
© Elisa Locci Great for:- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Situated in the centre of Sardinia's west coast is a the Sinis Peninsula, a wonderfully rural area of unspoilt beauty. The coastline here is home to a number of snowy-white beaches that contrast sharply with the stunning blues of the Mediterranean. Of all these, Spiaggia di Is Arutas is the best known, and for good reason.
A crescent of beach between rocky outcrops, Is Aruttas is home to a unique sand.… read more »
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6. Cala Luna
Alexander van Loon Great for:- Snorkeling
Tucked away in the rocky coastline of the Gulf of Orosei are a number of stunning, secluded coves. Along with nearby Cala Goloritzè and Mariolu, the beach of Cala Luna is one of the most spectacular and beautiful in all Sardinia. Translating as "Moon Cove" this doubtless refers to the crescent of near-white sand that forms the beach here.
Set at the foot of a lush green valley Cala… read more »
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7. Spiaggia di Rena Bianca
Stahlkocher Great for:- Swimming
Rena Bianca beach sits near the northern tip of Sardinia, only a stone's throw away from the neighbouring island of Corsica (well, just over 10 Km across the Strait of Bonifacio). This is the main beach for the pleasant little resort town of Santa Teresa di Gallura and one of the main reasons for staying here.
The name Spiaggia di Rena Bianca translates as "White sand beach", which is a fairly… read more »
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8. Spiaggia di Piscinas
Olaf Tausch Great for:- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
There is something ironic about a beach known as "Sardinia's desert" is set in the Costa Verde (Green Coast) on the island's west coast. Despite this the name is apt as this wide sandy beach is equally deep and backed by dunes reaching up to 60 metres high. Created by the relentless Mistral wind which blows off the Mediterranean, Spiaggia di Piscinas' dunes are dotted with equally sculpted juniper bushes… read more »
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9. Cala Brandinchi
Joselu Blanco Great for:- Swimming
Cala Brandinchi is one of a number of beautiful beaches in the San Teodoro area of northeastern Sardinia. The local nickname of "Little Tahiti" may seem a little fanciful but the colours here are truly stunning; brilliant white sand contrasts with the clear blues and turquoise of the sea, whilst behind the dunes are pine trees and juniper bushes.
The beach here is a good size and… read more »
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10. Spiaggia di Tuerredda
Elena Giglia Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
The beautiful sandy beach of Tuerredda is often described as the gem of Sardinia's far southern coast. With its crystal clear azure water, fine golden sand and backdrop of verdant hills it is easy to see why.
Not only is the water a delight to behold it is ideal for swimming as the Tuerredda is fairly sheltered. The beach is framed by Capo Malfatano and Capo Spartivento, rocky headlands which provide… read more »
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11. Spiaggia di Su Giudeu
Elena Giglia Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Spiaggia di Su Giudeu is one of a number of fantastic beaches located near the resort of Chia, on the very southern tip of Sardinia. A wide stretch of curving, pale golden sand backed by high sand dunes and lapped by the crystal clear, blue waters of the Med.
Su Giudeu Beach has a wonderfully natural feel about it with little in the way of development visible from the sand. Juniper… read more »
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12. La Cinta
© sailorr Great for:- Swimming
- Kitesurfing
The spectacular and expansive white sand beach of La Cinta is the closest to the town of San Teodoro in the northeast of Sardinia. Whilst it may not have earned the nickname of "Little Tahiti" that neighbouring Cala Brandinchi has, the two beaches share many of the same features except La Cinta is many times bigger, stretching on for around 5 kilometres.
What makes these Sardinian beaches really stand out… read more »
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13. Punta Molentis
dronepicr Great for:- Snorkeling
The small Sardinian beach of Punta Molentis is one of the most recognisable and iconic on the island. Situated on the southeastern corner, near the popular resort town of Villasimius this is one of the very best beaches in Sardinia, and that's quite a claim.
Set on a narrow strip of land between a hill and promontory both of which have a covering of typical Mediterranean shrubs and even cactus. To… read more »
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14. Spiaggia di Nora
Chris Great for:- Swimming
Nora Beach, in the far southeast of Sardinia, offers a wonderful mix of natural beauty and fascinating history. Set at the base of the long, narrow headland of Capo di Pula, Spiaggia di Nora has a beautifully rural backdrop with woodland behind and mountains in the distance.
Sitting on a slender isthmus, the beach itself is a good-sized stretch of pale golden sand set in a sheltered bay. Facing east means… read more »
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15. Porto Giunco
dronepicr Great for:- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Located in the southeastern corner of Sardinia is one of the finest beaches on the island, Porto Giunco. This long stretch of near-white sand has water on both sides; the clear azure of the Mediterranean to one and the Stagno di Notteri, a large lagoon, to the other. With verdant headlands at either end of the beach and a backdrop of mountains the scenery here really is quite stunning.
Despite its… read more »
