Welcome to Sardinia, the Caribbean of Europe. Due to its incredibly clear and blue water, the Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea is really a Caribbean lookalike. With over 2.000 kilometers of coast line and hundreds of stunning beaches and bays, it is a popular destination among tourists and travellers from all over Europe. Therefore, Sardinia invites you into a beautiful paradise made for a vacation, some travelling around and exploring. This guide is all about the best beaches in Sardinia and where to find them.
In general, Sardinia is full of breathtaking beaches with clear water. And still, some of those beaches are even more beautiful than others. In order to not miss them on your trip to Sardinia, it is best to check them out before you arrive. Learn where to find the best beaches in Sardinia which will indeed make you feel like you´ve just stranded on a Caribbean Island – right here.
One of the best and most impressive beaches in Sardinia: Spiaggia di Cala Spinosa, Capo Testa
Let´s start the list with a really special place on the island. Capo Testa is located in the very North of Sardinia. You can actually wave over to Corsica on a clear day. Capo Testa is mainly known for its impressive rock formations. The view over the landscape really is unique and cannot be found anywhere else on the island (or even in Europe).
One of the best places to enjoy the beauty of Capo Testa is the Cala Spinosa Beach, one of the best beaches in Sardinia. It is only a small bay, but that is exactly what makes it special. You need to climb down some stairs and rocks to reach the actual beach. Hidden in between the rocks and nature, Cala Spinosa offers a quiet and incredibly beautiful place for a sunny day. Make sure to bring your umbrella, if you need some shadow and definitely do not forget your snorkeling gear!
Notes-from-a-traveller´s tip:
If you want to explore more of the area around the beach, do not spend the whole day relaxing. Bring some shoes and follow the path behind the beach until you reach the bigger rocks. Here, you will most likely see a few climbers and get an even better view of the incredible landscape.
You can reach the beach via the main road leading to Capo Testa. Park your car in one of the parking spots (be aware of the fee though) and make your way down to the beach. The small track starts on the right hand of the Sea Lounge Bar and Restaurant.
Spiaggia Le Piscine
We will stay in the North of Sardinia for the next beach. Le Piscine Beach is located close to the small town of Cannigione and the long beach of Mannena and is one of the most Northern beaches of the Costa Smeralda. If you prefer a quieter and more peaceful place, this is your best choice in the area.
Le Piscine offers beautiful views over the bay with incredibly blue water. You can walk along the beach and the rocks for quite some time which makes it perfect for a beach walk. At the end of the trail, there is also a nudity bathing area.
The beach can easily be accessed from the main road. There a bigger parking lot which is under surveillance during the day. This is a good choice if you have valuable items in your car and want to play the safe card. If you are travelling on a budget and want to avoid the parking fees (and yes, they are indeed quite high in Sardinia), you can park along the road and walk the rest.
Spiaggia del Principe, the beaches of the Costa Smeralda
One of the number 1 areas for the best beaches in Sardinia is the Costa Smeralda. The area is best known for the Caribbean beaches, the clear water and the sandy rocks. One of the most amazing beaches in the area is the Spiaggia del Principe. Compared to the previous beaches, this one is definitely more of a tourist spot, but not less beautiful.
A trail through some bushes leads down to hidden bay. You are greeted with wide sand and turquoise water. Wow, what a sight. You can even rent sunbeds or just find your own spot at the beach. During the high season, it can get quite busy at Spiaggia del Principe. And yet, it is one of the best beaches in Sardinia. Especially due to its clear water and the dreamy located in a small bay.
There are two parking options to reach the beach. The official parking lot is quite expensive, but again, you will find some spots along the main road when reaching the area. Another option is to hike down the beach from the small village of Romazzino. From the end of Via dei Ciclamini you can find a small trail leading down to the place. If you are staying in the area, this is the best and cheapest choice.
Porto Ferro Beach
Welcome to the North-West coast of Sardinia, another area which is basically filled with stunning beaches. Porto Ferro Beach is one of them and located about 30-minutes outside of the city of Alghero. It’s a long sandy beach which is popular among families and outdoor lovers, as there are a few hiking trails in the area.
There is a parking lot close the beach. In general, Porto Ferro Beach is perfect for a long beach walk and swims in the ocean. Due to its location, the water is incredibly calm and therefore ideal for swimming and playing in the water. But, the sad reality hits as well: plastic. Make sure to bring a bag and collect some of the debris around you and leave the place better than you’ve found it.
One of the best beaches in Sardinia: Rena Majiore Beach della Nura
Are you ready for one of the best beaches in Sardinia? Or maybe even THE best beach on the island? Rena Majiore Beach is located about 30-minutes North from Alghero and a more remote place for travellers. Despite its incredibly beautiful water and scenery, it is not as crowded as other beaches in Sardinia. Which makes it perfect for your trip to the island.
To reach the beach, you need to hike down the cliffs a bit. The parking is free and you can take the main trail down the hills. Make sure to wear some good shoes, as it can get quite steep. The beach itself is full of small beautiful stones. It is perfect for snorkeling and just enjoying the stunning view. Again, the water is incredibly clear and impresses in all different shades of blue.
But not only snorkeling is one of the best things to do at the beach. You can as well enjoy the sunset and stay until the evening. If you are lucky, you will be able to enjoy the view almost all by yourself as most of the visitors leave in the early evening. This really is a special place on the island and one of the best beaches in Sardinia – do not miss out on it!
Poglina Beach
If you are staying and exploring the area around Alghero, one of the best beaches to visit is Poglina Beach. It is located directly at the scenic costal road along the West coast and is the place to be for sunset. There even is a camping spot directly at the beach (a great choice if you are travelling Sardinia with a camper van).
Spiaggia della Pelosetta
No, this is NOT La Pelosa Beach, which you might have already heard about. And no, La Pelosa Beach will not find its place in this guide about the best beaches in Sardinia. La Pelosa Beach is a popular beach located in the North of Sardinia, close to the town of Stintino. It is well-known among tourists and one of the most crowded places on the whole island. But that is not the only reason why I would NOT recommend visiting it. There are ridiculously rules about visiting the beach. You do not only have to pay quite some high fees to park and enter the beach, but as well you need to buy a special mat to put your towel on (yes, putting your towel directly on the sand is forbidden and you can be charged if you violate the rule).
An even better place to still enjoy the beauty of the area is the Beach della Pelosetta, which is located a few meters away from La Pelosa. It offers direct views on the Torre della Pelosa and the Isola Piana. It is quieter and smaller and you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.
If you want to save on the parking fees, make sure to park a little more distant to the touristy area and walk the rest.
Punta Molentis Beach – the best of the beaches in Sardinia ´ s South
Ready for an absolute gem in Sardinia´s South? While most of the dreamy beaches are located in the Northern part, you can still find some paradise places in the South. One of them is Punta Molentis, one of the best beaches in Sardinia. That’s for sure. The beach is located close to the town of Villasimius and popular among both locals and tourists.
Especially during the weekend, it can get quite crowded and it is best to arrive a little later to avoid the crowds of midday. Depending on the day you arrive, you might be asked to pay an entrance fee to both the beach and the parking lot. It usually costs 10 Euros all together and you can enter all the beaches in Villasimius with the ticket. Do not be surprised, because it is totally worth it!
Punta Molentis Beach is a white-sand beach with a stunning view over the coastal line. With a clear water, rocks to climb on and a perfect sunset spot, the beach basically has everything you could possibly dream of. Make sure to stay until the sun sets behind the hills and enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
If you prefer it to be quieter during the day, you can also spend some time at the area close to the parking lot. This is a more remote beach, away from the tourists and crowds of the main Punta Molentis Beach. You will see it on your right when you follow the path along the shore. But do not forget to visit the main beach in the late afternoon, when the first visitors are starting to leave.
Cala Porto Giunco
This beach is the proof that spending the day at the main beach is not always the best choice. Sometimes, going a bit off the beaten track to the more remote areas offers the best views. Cala Porto Giunco is located close to one of the main beaches of Villasimius in the South of Sardinia. While most tourists as well as locals spend the day at the long Spiaggia di Porto Giunco, there is a small bay at the very end of the beach, just directly underneath the Torre di Porto Giunco, a beautiful view point.
You can reach the small beach from Parking Porto Giunco via a small trai. While other people are spending their day in the crowds, you will get to experience this beautiful small beach.
Another option in the area is the Spiaggia di Capo Carbonara, which is located a little further down the cape. Again, you will get to enjoy the view with less people. Absolutely worth it!
The beaches of the National Park del Golfo di Orosei
And last but not least, the Golfo di Orosei and the stunning National Park. This is one of the most popular areas of Sardinia and well-known among travellers. With places such as Cala Goloritzé or Cala Luna, the National Park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and views of the island.
The best (and sometimes only) way to explore the beaches is by boat. Only a few can be reached by foot and a hike. Boat trips are the number 1 thing to do if you want to explore the Golfo di Orosei. You can either rent a boat by yourself and spend a day on the ocean or book yourself a boat tour with a few other tourists. Both options allow you to see the beauty of the golf and the incredible nature.
