Beaches in Sardinia

Sardinia's spectacular coastline boasts endless bays and coves with white sand beaches and crystal-clear emerald water. The island's beaches are genuinely some of the best the Mediterranean has to offer.

Cala Biriola beach

Beautifully varied, most with gently shelving shorelines and shallow waters, the beaches in Sardinia are perfect for all ages, including young children. Whether you're in one of the secluded bays or one of the busier town beaches, you'll find a very good standard of cleanliness of beach and water.

A good range of water sports are available on most coasts during the summer, including waterskiing and windsurfing. Porto Pollo, near Palau in the north, is a favourite spot for surfers and also the place for kite-surfing. Sailing is another popular pursuit, particularly around Alghero, the Costa del Sud, the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena archipelago; however most will have to make do with joining a group with a full crew. Sardinia is also one of the Mediterranean's best locations for diving and there are local outfits offering tuition and excursions with full equipment provided.

Rather than give a long list of beaches we have broken them down into regions – just click on the links to select your choice.

 

 

 

Costa Smeralda & the North East

Santa Teresa

Enjoy stunning views of the straits of Bonifacio over the turquoise sea as you head to the dramatic headland of Capo Testa to the west of Santa Teresa. The nearby bay of Santa Reparata has some delightful stretches of beach. To the east there are many small beaches around Porto Rafael and Palau.

 

Arzachena

This area is home to an array of attractive sandy beaches, some with a deep green backdrop of pine trees. To the north of Cannigione and Laconia you will find lots of sandy coves. Tanca Manna sits approximately 250 metres from the road behind a saltwater lake. It has a great stretch of sand and plenty of facilities for families. A kilometre beyond Tanca Manna is Barca Bruciata, a small sandy beach which is quiet with no facilities. Cala Capra beach just beyond Golfo delle Saline is a pretty sandy bay tucked beneath the impressive Capo D’Orso headland with its distinctive bear shaped weathered rock.

Sandy Beach - Resort Cala di Falco

 

Costa Smeralda

There are many fantastic bays and beaches on the Costa Smeralda, some well signposted, others hidden down small, winding tracks. You will often find that the sea is behind a group of private villas, or that the only visible sign of a beach is a row of parked cars by the side of the road. In these cases it pays to leave the car and do a bit of exploring by foot. Our favourites include:

- The Capriccioli headland has five beautiful small sandy beaches. There are facilities for boat hire and also a bar close to the beach. These beaches, including La Celvia, are amongst the most popular in the area.
- Just before the Hotel Cala di Volpe is the beautiful Liscia Ruia, an extensive sweep of white sand set down a long unsurfaced road.
- Rather off the beaten track is the Spiaggia del Principe which cannot be reached by car. The last stretch has to be done on foot takes under 10 minutes and is well worth the effort.
- Piccolo Pevero is a small sandy beach with parasol and boat hire. It also has a restaurant (“Il Pulcino”) and a bar.
- The Pitrizza beach at Liscia di Vacca just north of Porto Cervo is also popular.

Take a look at our properties in Costa Smeralda and the North East

Capriccioli

 

 

 

Alghero and the North West

Alghero and around

The Maria Pia beach in Alghero is a beautiful sandy bay backed by pinewoods. More beaches are to be found as you journey further around the bay of Alghero and around Porto Conte bay and beyond it. On the way to Porto Conte, just past Fertilia, try the beaches of Lazzaretto with superb views across to Capo Caccia and Le Bombarde, a strip of pure white sand bordered by crystal clear sea. Just to the south of Alghero is Speranza Beach, with its beautiful strip of golden sand. Beyond the headland of Capo Caccia there is a lovely long beach at Porto Ferro. Stintino, the north-western point of the island, has some fantastic beaches, including the almost tropical Pelosa.

Find out about all the things to do and see in Alghero

Beach towels on Speranza Beach, Sardinia

 

 

 

Central Sardinia

East coast

The eastern coast provides some fantastic beaches and except for a few stretches, most of these can only be reached by boat, after walking a long way or by driving on dirt tracks. Amongst others, Cala Gonone and Cala Luna are both exquisite and secluded, backed by majestic limestone and macchia covered mountains.

 

West coast​

To the west, you can explore the unspoilt bays of the Costa Verde, on the far-reaching sand dunes at Piscinas, which have been sculpted by strong winds over the years. The Costa Verde offers stunning contrasts from the magnificent but sparsely visited beaches to the densely forested hills and mountains of the Iglesiente.

Take a look at our accommodation in Central Sardinia

 

 

 

Southern Sardinia

Around Pula

Nora beach is a pleasant sandy beach which extends south of the Roman ruins of Nora. A popular destination for the townsfolk of Pula. It can be crowded during the hottest months. St Margherita is a long sandy beach which encompasses the summer resort of Forte Village Hotel and Abamar Hotel. Beach facilities are good here if you want to hire a speed boat or a sea scooter.

Nora Beach, Sardinia

 

Chia

Chia is a dazzling beach and is perfect for those who love long sandy beaches. This idyllic beach, recently voted the 5th best destination for a beach holiday in Europe, has fine sand and is fringed with sand dunes. There is a growing number of ice cream booths which have appeared over the years where you are able to buy refreshments. Unfortunately this is a beach to avoid when the mistral wind blows as the sand is swept across the beach at very high speed and can be quite painful! There are facilities here to hire windsurfs and sea kayaks.

Kitesurfing at Spiaggia di Su Giudeu, Chia, southern Sardinia

 

Carbonara Gulf

Amongst the most beautiful beaches of the Carbonara Gulf are towards Villasimius: Porto Sa Ruxi, Cala Piscadeddus, Campus or Foxi, Campulongu Beach, Spiaggia del Riso.

Take a look at our accommodation options in Southern Sardinia

 

Recommended for you