13 Best Sardinia Beaches & Areas To Visit!
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I spent three weeks exploring this gorgeous Italian island to uncover the best Sardinia beaches…
And let me tell you – it’s not a bad task to take on exploring the ‘spiaggia’ life. (Spiaggia is code for ‘beach’ in Italian!) 🥳
Here are a few things to know about Sardinia before I jump into this list and you start packing your teeny weeny bikini:
✅ Sardinia is huge, so you’ll need a rental car to get around to these beaches (more on this later). While Google says it takes 4 hours to get from south Cagliari to north Costa Maddalena, it will take longer because you’re traversing mountains in the middle of Sardinia.
✅ Your will need at least a week to explore. And if you only have a week, stick to the East Coast – start in Cagliari and work your way up to the famous Costa Smeralda and Maddalena Archipelago.
✅ Sardinia is ideal for both beach and mountain hiking (surprising!) – this island is literally a nature lovers’ paradise combined with small-town Italy – and it’s budget-friendly AF!
Which Part Of Sardinia Has The Best Beaches?
Sardinia is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Bold statement, but having traveled to Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, all around Italy and its coastline, I can attest to this bold statement being spot on!
The island has a coastline of over 1,800 kilometers, and there are many pretty beaches to explore. Here are some regions of Sardinia that are particularly well-known for their beaches.
☀️ Maddalena Archipelago ☀️
Located way in the north of Sardinia, this is where all the celebrities and travelers flock to because it’s known as the Maldives of Europe.
My favorite beaches on the archipelago are:
➡️ Cala Francese Second Wild Beach (strange name, but cute little beach)
➡️ Bassa Trinita Beach
➡️ Spiaggia del Rellito
➡️ Cala Coticcio (Tahiti Beach)
☀️ Costa Smeralda ☀️
Also in the island’s northern region, Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is a popular destination for luxury and glamour. The beaches here are WOW, to say the least – crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sand!
Some of the most famous ones are:
➡️ Porto Cervo
➡️ Liscia Ruja
➡️ Capriccioli
☀️ Villasimius ☀️
Located on the southeastern coast of Sardinia, Villasimius is a popular destination for folks who really love to beach – think white sandy beaches, great for families! The beaches here have white sand, shallow blue waters, and super pretty views.
Villasimius’s most beautiful beaches include:
➡️ Punta Molentis
➡️ Porto Giunco
➡️ Campulongu
☀️ Chia ☀️
Situated in the southwestern part of Sardinia, Chia is known for its long stretches of sand dunes and clear waters.
While I personally didn’t make it to this part of the island, I’m told by my Italian friends that some of the most beautiful beaches in Chia are:
➡️ Su Giudeu
➡️ Tuerredda
➡️ Cala Cipolla
Where To Stay To Enjoy Sardinia Beaches
Here are the best parts of Sardinia to visit and stay for the beaches I recommend above, depending on your situation. I loved the east coast and Arbatax the best.
📍Best Spot For Beaches (North) – Costa Smeralda – Le Ville Le Saline
📍Best Spot For Families (South East) – Villasimius – Hotel Simius Playa
📍Best Spot For Couples (North East) – Arbatax – Hotel La Bitta (the cutest spot!)
📍Best Spot Without A Car (West) – Alghero – Alghero Casa Blue Sea View
13 Best Sardinia Beaches
Most of the beaches I love and recommend are on the island’s east side, and you will need a car (and sometimes to hike a bit) to get to them.
This is what I use to check rental car prices on the island:
➡️ Discover Cars ⬅️
The list starts from the south area of Villasimius, near where you might land in Cagliari Airport, and goes all the way to Costa Smeralda and Maddalena area in the very north (my top favorite beaches start at #4).
Lastly, I recommend a few beaches in the South West area of Chia that are highly recommended by my Italian friends.
1. Punta Molentis, Villasimius
One hour away from Cagliari Airport, Punta Molentis is situated in a cove surrounded by rugged hills. The beach is about 200 meters long and has shallow waters, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
PRO TIP: If you are going on a family trip with little kids, this is the beach for you!
There are several villas, apartments, and hotels in Villasimius, ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious. The town is also known for its lively nightlife, with many little tiki bars, restaurants, and clubs (remember those?!).
2. Porto Giunco, Villasimius
Located in the town of Villasimius, Porto Giunco is surrounded by a natural park and has a stunning view of the Isola dei Cavoli, an island just off the coast.
The water is super clear blue, and there are a few little hiking trails around – one of my favorites is to Torre di Porto Giunco (you can see it from the beach).
FUN FACT: The beach is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as it is home to a variety of bird species, including pink flamingos.
3. Campulongu, Villasimius
Campulongu is another popular beach destination near Villasimius, and it offers a ton of fun activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
The beach is well-equipped with facilities such as showers, changing rooms, and beach umbrellas and loungers that can be rented.
4. Costa di Baunei, Cala Goloritze
Costa di Baunei is a rugged and scenic stretch of coastline located in the eastern part of the island of Sardinia, near the town of Arbatax (where I stayed).
One of the most beautiful spots along this coastline is Cala Goloritze, a small, secluded beach nestled between towering limestone cliffs. Cala Goloritze can only be reached on foot or by boat, which makes it an ideal destination for hikers looking for a quiet and unspoiled place to relax.
PRO TIP: There are no facilities at Cala Goloritze, so visitors need to bring their own food and water.
The hike to the beach is easy going down (1-hour downhill hike) and a bit challenging coming back up (1.5 hr uphill hike), but the views along the way are stunning and well worth the effort. The beach itself is made up of white pebbles and crystal-clear water.
5. Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda
Porto Cervo is a coastal village located in the northern part of Sardinia, and it is the main center of Costa Smeralda. Today, the village is a hub of luxury, with high-end restaurants, designer boutiques, and exclusive nightclubs.
PRO TIP: Porto Cervo is 30 minutes drive north of Olbia Airport in the Sassari Region of Sardinia.
Hands down, Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda are popular destinations for travelers seeking a luxurious vacation in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. This is a great spot for your honeymoon!
6. Liscia Ruja, Costa Smeralda
The special part about Liscia Ruja is that the beach stretches for about 700 meters and is surrounded by granite cliffs and super green Mediterranean vegetation.
It is equipped with all the necessary amenities, including beach umbrellas and sun loungers, and there are several bars and restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a meal or an Aperol Spritz.
During the summer months, Liscia Ruja can get quite busy, but there are plenty of secluded spots where you can relax and soak up the sun in peace.
7. Capriccioli, Costa Smeralda
Capriccioli is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Smeralda, and it is surrounded by rocky cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation.
The beach is made up of two coves that are separated by a rocky outcrop, and it offers spectacular views of the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
8. Cala Francese, Maddalena Archipelago
The Cala Francese is a beautiful cove located on the island of Maddalena, which is part of the Maddalena Archipelago in northern Sardinia. It’s a small beach, and it’s a bit of a walk to the second wild beach, but I think it’s pretty enough to make it worth it!
➡️ See the Maddalena Archipelago on a Private Boat Tour for a Day! ⬅️
9. Bassa Trinita Beach, Maddalena Archipelago
Bassa Trinita Beach is a beautiful beach located on the island of La Maddalena. It’s easy to find free parking, and it’s not usually crowded. They have a lifeguard service and a bar/restaurant near the beach.
The water was a little rocky, with tons of fish swimming around. And if you pay attention to the sand, you will see it is pink, as it is on Spiaggia Rosa.
PRO TIP: Bring an umbrella with you as there is not a lot of shade to sit under!
10. Spiaggia del Rellito, Maddalena Archipelago
The beach is not very large, and so it can get busy during the summer. That said, the waters are blue, the sand is warm, and there is plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing if you get there early and stake your spot.
PRO TIP: There are no facilities or amenities on the beach, so I recommend you bring your own food, drinks, and beach gear.
11. Cala Coticcio (Tahiti Beach), Maddalena Archipelago
This is a tiny sandy beach, but holy crap, is it pretty. I mean, it’s known as Tahiti Beach for a reason.
You need to make a reservation here and go with a guide. The trail is about a 45-minute moderate hike, steep in a few sections and very hot with no shade in others.
It’s a wild beach, so bring a bite to eat and lots of water. When you get to the beach, it takes your breath away, turquoise blue water and a small fine sandy beach.
HISTORY: Due to previous years of no regulation, the beach could not handle the amount of traffic (500 people on some days), so I am glad to see the restrictions. A €25 per person for a guide is well worth it.
12. Su Giudeu, Chia
Su Giudeu is a beautiful beach located in the town of Chia on the southern coast of Sardinia. The beach is surrounded by sand dunes and juniper trees, which provide shade and a natural backdrop to the beach.
HISTORY FACTS: In addition to the beach, Chia is also known for its archaeological sites, such as the Nuraghe of Chia, which is a prehistoric stone structure that dates back to the Bronze Age.
13. Tuerredda, Chia
Tuerredda is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia and is a popular tourist destination during the summer months. While I have not traveled to this part of Sardinia myself, this beach comes highly recommended by my Italian friends!
Map Of The Best Sardinia Beaches
Map Key
- Punta Molentis, Villasimius
- Porto Giunco, Villasimius
- Campulongu, Villasimius
- Costa di Baunei, Cala Goloritze
- Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda
- Liscia Ruja, Costa Smeralda
- Capriccioli, Costa Smeralda
- Cala Francese, Maddalena Archipelago
- Bassa Trinita Beach, Maddalena Archipelago
- Spiaggia del Rellito, Maddalena Archipelago
- Cala Coticcio , Maddalena Archipelago
- Su Giudeu, Chia
- Tuerredda, Chia
Getting Around Sardinia
The best way to get around Sardinia is by renting a car. This is how we could explore the beaches and hikes we wanted for the 3 weeks we were here.
This is what I use to check rental car prices on the island:
➡️ Discover Cars ⬅️
Pro Tip: I highly recommend getting the added car insurance because some of the roads are gravel, even though Google suggests it’s a state street (and should be paved).
And while you’re at it, don’t forget your Travel Medical Insurance, especially if you’re hiking.
Final Thoughts: Best Sardinia Beaches
All beaches in Sardinia are great, to be honest. To really explore the coastline, you’ll want to rent a car and take your time – a week on each coast, east first, west next!
Sardinia took me by surprise as an island because it’s much more than just beaches. There is a lovely small-town vibe, there are way more mountains and hiking than I thought, and I just forgot about everything exploring the island – it’s that chill!
