If you’re looking for the best beaches in Sardinia, boy, are you in for an exciting ride! Sardinia beaches are totally mind-blowing! In fact, this beautiful Italian island tops many lists of the world’s best beaches and it’s not hard to see why.
Think of the gorgeous beaches that stretch for miles and miles. The clear blue Meditarranean waters that will simply take your breath away. The fine sands that feel like sugar on your feet.
Oh, Sardinia! What a dream.
So, for that best Italian summer vacation, head to Sardinia — highly recommended!
But first, let us answer some of the frequently asked questions about the beaches of Sardinia.
The Best Beaches in Sardinia: FAQs
How are the beaches in Sardinia?
You know how it is with Italy’s fantabulous beaches: they come in droves. But unlike the beaches you can find in the mainland, most of Sardinia’s beaches look tropical and are located in gorgeous settings.
Think of cliffs and rock formations, spectacular hills and dunes — minus the jillion hotels and resorts strewn in just about every corner!
Fret not, however, if you’re the type who can’t live without the amenities. Tourist facilities in Sardinia’s beaches are usually within reach.
What is the sea like in Sardinia?
As clean and clear as can be! The sea is light blue and crystal clear with white sand bottom, reminiscent of the Caribbean.
What’s keeping the waters so clean and clear is a plant that’s native to the Sardinian Sea. It’s called the Neptune grass or posidonia oceanica, also known as Mediterranean tapeweed, and it creates underwater meadows, which are extremely important to the island’s marine ecosystem.
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When is the best time to hit the beaches of Sardinia?
Keep in mind that although Sardinia is a dead ringer for the Caribbean, it is not the Caribbean. You can’t swim in its waters all year-round. Sardinia looks like a tropical island, but it is not. The climate is far from it.
While it might look like it, the Sardinian Sea is not always warm. The beaches aren’t always suitable for sunbathing and even walking on the sands is impossible on a brutal weather. The strong tides and waves make any fun beach activities impossible, unless you’re in for surfing.
Some months are harsher than the others. So to avoid freezing, make sure to visit the island for a dip between June and August. July is the hottest month — perfect for sunbathing and long swims.
Are there sharks in Sardinia?
Thank goodness, there has been few shark-related accidents recorded on the island – a total of 4, with only one fatality, according to Shark Utopia. These happened in 1721, 1970, 2012, and 2015.
So yes, there are, indeed, sharks in Sardinia, but they feed mainly on plankton and other small prey. So unless you’re the owner of the Chum Bucket, you have nothing to worry about.
Just a word of precaution, however: Do not swim into deep waters during the sunset and especially at night. Doing so can pose some risk, especially if you’re not a very good swimmer. You never know with the behavior of ocean predators in the dark.
In addition, you should also check out the best places to visit in Sardinia!
10 Best Beaches in Sardinia, Italy
A perfect summer destination for many, the island of Sardinia is an Italian region best-known for its clear and pristine waters as well as the variety of its coasts and, in general, the Caribbean-like feels of its abundant beaches.
The island boasts over 200 coves and beaches ranging from silky white sandy shores to pebbly ones. So many and so different from each other that handpicking the best ones, to say the least, can be quite daunting — but let’s dive right in.
Here are 10 of the best beaches in Sardinia, Italy.
1. Cala Goloritzé — Baunei, Nuoro
Formed by a landslide in 1962, Cala Goloritzé is famous for its 143-meter pinnacle above the cove. It’s dream-like and super gorgeous! Be warned, though: You can’t get there by car and it requires a 4-km. hike to get to the beach or by boat.
The hike is a spectacular activity in itself, giving you a chance to see goats, cows, and donkeys, not to mention the stunning views. After the 1.5-hour hike, you will be rewarded with a magical beach with its pristine turquoise waters and beautiful white sand — Caribbean-style!
Apart from swimming and taking loads of pictures, you should explore the beach and any of its many beautiful caves as well.
The beach allows only 200 people per day so you have to book online. Entrance fee is €6.
Looking for a place to stay around Cala Goloritzé? Find one here.
2. Spiaggia di Nora — Nora, Cagliari
About 25 km. southeast of Pula in Cagliari Province lies a clean and quiet beach — Spiaggia di Nora. Its proximity to the famous archeological ruins of Nora and the beautiful surroundings make Spiaggia di Nora such a popular beach destination.
Spiaggia di Nora is a family-friendly beach with pristine white sand and crystal clear water in every shade of blue. It is a lovely place for swimming and relaxation, with a nearby beach club if you want some refreshments and/or rent umbrellas.
It is popular among locals so expect the place to be quite busy on weekends.
Click here for a great variety of accommodations near Spiaggia di Nora.
3. Cala Brandinchi — Capo Coda Cavallo, Sassari
Want to experience “Tahiti” in Italy? You can find it in Capo Coda Cavallo, some 10 km. from San Teodoro and 23 km. from Olbia.
The stunning Cala Brandinchi is known among locals as “Little Tahiti” for its incredibly clear shallow waters, 700 meters of soft white sand, natural dunes, and the small islets in the horizon that add magic to this already enchanting little beach.
Cala Brandinchi makes it to every list of the best beaches in Sardinia with its surrounding pine trees giving it a tranquil atmosphere and providing visitors with a great opportunity to catch the stunning sun rays. This spot is also great for picnics.
Cala Brandinchi is one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia, highly-frequented not just by locals but foreign tourists as well.
Where to stay? Click here.
4. Spiaggia La Pelosa — Stintino, Sassari
As one of the very best beaches in Sardinia, Spiaggia La Pelosa is a paradise you shouldn’t miss if you are visiting the north of the island. This beach is ideal for families with young kids, thanks to its clear shallow waters.
The beach tends to be crowded during peak season (July and August), although there is a limit of 1,500 people. This shouldn’t put you away, however, as you will be rewarded with clear turquoise waters and white sandy beach — plus the Torre della Pelosa, a 16th-century watchtower that was once part of Sardinia’s marine defense system.
Plenty of water activities are available at Spiaggia La Pelosa, including windsurfing, surfboarding, and canoeing. The area is also a popular diving spot.
There are bars and restaurants in the area, but make sure to bring cash because they do not accept cards. Some of these establishments offer fabulous views on the surrounding hills overlooking La Pelosa Beach.
Entrance fee for adults is €3.50; for children, it’s free. Please note that booking in advance is required. For La Pelosa’s official booking website, click here.
Also check out these hotels near La Pelosa Beach.
5. Spiaggia del Poetto — Cagliari
Its location, which is just by the region’s capital city of Cagliari, makes Spiaggia del Poetto a popular destination for beach bums. Poetto Beach stretches for about 8 km. and is easily reached by bus from the city.
The beach offers a lot of exciting water activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, and with ample spaces for basking in the sun.
Poetto Beach is filled with bars and restaurants so it’s a good place for dining out with the seawater within arm’s length. The ponds in the area also allows for spotting pink flamingos.
Looking for a nice place to stay near Poetto Beach? Check out these deals.
6. Cala dei Gabbiani — Baunei, Nuoro
Located just 1.6 km. from Cala Goloritzé, Cala dei Gabbiani — or Seagulls’ Beach — is small and well-maintained pebble beach in a beautiful setting and scenery that are reminiscent of the beautiful Caribbean. The spectacular cove of sand, rugged cliffs, and blue waters make it one of the best Sardinia beaches you can find.
With its .23 km. stretch of sand, Cala dei Gabbiani is one of if not the largest cove found on the jagged Ogliastra coast. Named after the seagulls coming to the beach during sunset, the area is tranquil and the shallow waters make it fun and safe for young kids.
Please note that there are a few sharp rocks, so water shoes are a must. They will help you walk over the rocks on the steep incline when getting out of the water.
Where to stay? Click here for an array of hotels to choose from!
7. Spiaggia del Principe – Arzachena, Sassari
Considered by many to be one of if not the most stunning in Costa Smeralda and one of the best beaches in Sardinia to visit, Spiaggia del Principe is known as Poltu di Li Cogghj in the local dialect. The name “Spiaggia del Principe” is said to be connected to Costa Smeralda founder, Prince Aga Khan.
While Spiaggia del Principe is small, getting down to the beach is a bit of a trek so take note to wear appropriate shoes. After the downhill trek, however, you will be rewarded with fine sand bordered by rocks and Caribbean-like water with the distinct color due to the backdrop of sand and granite.
Spiaggia del Principe truly deserves its fame. However, if you’re not mobile it may not be a good idea to go because of the trek, which can take up to 15 minutes. Also not recommended for very young children and the elderly.
Click here if you’re looking for a good place to stay near Spiaggia del Principe.
8. Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja – Arzachena, Sassari
Another must-visit beach in Costa Smeralda, Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja is also known as “Long Beach” because it is long – and also wide. It is, in fact, the largest beach in the area.
Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja boasts powdery white sand with golden and reddish hues and turquoise blue water that looks like the Caribbean.
You can go snorkelling or just sunbathe and relax while enjoying the views of two beautiful islands – Soffi and Mortorio – in front. The beach is also ideal for long walks.
Where to stay? Click here to find out the best deals.
9. Spiaggia di Tuerredda – Teulada, Cagliari
A popular beach with Caribbean-style white sand and crystal blue waters, Spiaggia di Tuerredda is very accessible – situated right along a coastal road – and offers fantastic views.
Tuerredda Beach is ideal for families with young kids, thanks to its clear shallow waters. This is definitely one of the most beautiful Sardinia beaches you can go to.
For a great experience on the southern part of the island, enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, great food and drinks, and friendly service at Spiaggia di Tuerredda. The beach also offers fun water activities such as snorkelling, paddling, and many more.
Looking for hotels? Click here.
10. Porto Istana – Olbia, Sassari
Porto Istana is an enchanting coastal village located some 10 mins. east of Olbia. It faces the island of Tavolara and is very near the Area Marina Protetta di Tavolara, a famous marine park on the island.
Porto Istana is actually a set of four beaches, each separated by small rocky bands. It boasts fine white sand gently sloping toward the crystal clear blue Mediterranean waters, which makes it ideal for swimming and is particularly safe for young children. It is a favorite destination among surfers and divers as well.
Porto Istana is one of the most stunning beaches in Sardinia that you shouldn’t miss when in Olbia. Here you can choose from a wide range of hotels for your family holiday, relaxing break with friends, or romantic getaway with your significant other.