10 Best Beaches in Sardinia
Looking for the best beaches in Sardinia? You’re in the right place. Sardinia is an often overlooked gem in Italy. Being a part of Italy and a Mediterranean island, Sardinia has the best of both worlds – old cities with rich history, gorgeous mountains and rock formations, and a stunning coastline. Some parts of Sardinia are more expensive than others, but regardless of which part you’re traveling to, you’ll be able to find a gorgeous beach that makes you feel like you’re in the Caribbean.
Sardinia’s 1,849 km (1,149 miles) long coastline allows for countless pristine beaches of different varieties – some long and sandy, while others sit nestled in small coves, some ideal for surfing while others with more tranquil waters. The Sardinia beaches are all surrounded by crystal clear, turquoise blue water, giving Sardinia beaches the feel of a luxury vacation.
Whether you’re looking to lie in the sun, swim or snorkel, or go windsurfing, Sardinia has a beach that suits your lifestyle and preferences. Some Sardinia beaches have limits on the number of daily visitors, and some cost money for parking. So for these reasons, it’s best to know in advance what you need to do to plan your ideal beach day in Sardinia.
Here are the ten best beaches in Sardinia and what you need to know about them. So, let’s jump in!
10 Best Beaches in Sardinia
It’s useful to know the Italian names of Sardinian beaches because it’s often the Italian name that you’ll need to use when finding the beach on Google Maps. Most Sardninan beach names start with the Italian word spiaggia, meaning “beach,” or call, which means “bay or cove.”
Cala Domestica
Cala Domestica is a small beach located in southwest Sardinia, about an hour and a half west of Sardinia’s capital Cagliari. Cala Domestica has soft golden sand and is nestled in a cove surrounded by tall mountains and clear emerald water.
Atop one of the mountains is the Torre di Cala Domestica (in English: The Spanish Tower), built in the 1700s and used as a watchtower during WWII. From Cala Domestica, there is a well-marked path that will take you to the tower in 15-20 minutes, giving you beautiful views of the beach and surroundings on the way up.
Being surrounded by mostly shallow water, Cala Demestica is a great beach for families, couples, and individuals of any age and can get pretty busy at peak times in the summer. Since this is not a very large beach, it’s best to head there early to get the best spots.
Cala Domestica is serviced with onsite washrooms and a change room. There are also loungers and umbrellas that you can rent by contacting Cala Domestica in advance but due to limited quantities, it’s advisable to bring your umbrella if you have one.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a quieter beach with fewer tourists in the area, then Buggeru Beach (Spiaggia di Buggeru) is only a 15-minute drive away, is very accessible to the main road, and is perfect for those wanting to practice their surfing.
Brandinchi Beach (Cala Brandinchi)
Cala Brandichini is located in the Costa Smeralda, the “Caribbean” of Sardinia, where all the high-end accommodations and luxury resorts are. This makes the area one of the most sought-after locations in Sardinia for tourists, and Cala Brandichini is one of the most popular beaches there.
Cala Brandichini is called “La Piccola Tahiti” (Little Tahiti) because it’s clear turquoise shallow waters and white sand make you feel like you’re in paradise. The water is quite shallow, even several meters out, which makes this beach perfect for all ages, whether you’re looking to snorkel, swim, or just wade in the water.
You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds at Cala Brandichini by filling out this online form in advance, and there is also a beach bar on site to enjoy refreshments and a nice meal with a view.
As with most gorgeous and popular beaches, Cala Brandichini can get quite busy during the summer at peak times. It’s best to go early (before 8:30 am) to get your preferred spot on the beach.
You will be charged an average of €2 depending on the time of year for parking in the Cala Brandichini parking lot, which is quite affordable compared to most of the popular beaches in this part of Sardinia.
Li Cossi Beach (Spiaggia di Li Cossi)
Located in north Sardinia, Spiaggia di Li Cosa is surrounded by white sand and multicolored rock, tall rock formations with cliffs. Spiaggia di Li Cosa has an almost otherworldly atmosphere, like a set in a fairy tale. It is for sure one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Spiaggia di Li Cossi is serviced by a small beach kiosk on the beach, but no bathrooms, so be sure to go before you head to the beach.
You can park at Spiaggia di Li Cossi for free; from there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the beach. Don’t forget to bring your camera as you probably won’t be able to stop taking pictures of how beautiful it is!
The Beach at Oasi Biderosa
Oasi Biderosa is a nature reserve on the northeast coast of Sardinia that contains the Biderosa Coastal Forest, which covers 860 hectares of land in addition to one of the best beaches in Sardinia. To get to the beach, you go on a hike through the forest, enjoying the lush nature as you make your way to the water. Biderosa Forest is lined with easy, accessible walking trails to be enjoyed on your own, with family, or with couples on holiday.
From the Oasi Biderosa parking lot, it is a good 5 km (3.1 miles) to hike to the beach. You can hike there or rent a bike from the premises. This means that Oasi Biderosa Beach is ideal for people who are looking to get outdoors and make the beach, as well as a trek to the beach, a full-day adventure.
Once you get to the Oasi Biderosa beach, you’ll be glad you made the hike. The beach is lined with the whitest sand and blue water looking out into the horizon of the Mediterranian Sea.
Be sure to buy a ticket to Oasi Bidgerosa advance from their website, as they may sell out by the day of.
Tuerredda Beach (Spiaggia di Tuerredda)
Located in south Sardinia, just over an hour’s drive from Cagliari, Spiaggia di Tuerredda is family-friendly with a smooth entrance in shallow waters and is serviced for a full day of fun, and relaxation in paradise. There is a delicious restaurant on site serving a variety of cuisine and a station to rent pedal boats.
Show up early to get a spot for the day at Spiaggia di Tuerredda as there as the number of visitors is limited to 1,000 per day. It is also a pet-free beach. However, even with these limitations, Turreadda can still get pretty busy, especially in the summer. If you want sun chairs to enjoy on the sand, reserve them by calling the beach staff in advance. It is also recommended to show up early, before 9:00 am, to get a spot so that you aren’t disappointed.
Parking at Tuerredda Beach is 9€ for the day, regardless of how long you stay. So, feel free to stay as long as you want for the full day, to get the most out of your visit here.
Punta Mulentis Beach (Spiaggia di Punta Molentis)
Spiaggia di Punta Molentis is one of the most distinctive beaches in Sardinia because of its tall pointed rock formation. Punta Mulentis is located just a 15-minute drive from Villasimius, a popular tourist town in southeast Sardinia.
Film crews have shot ‘Caribbean scenes’ for movie clips at Spiaggia di Punta Molentis, and the beach has also been used in Sardinia advertisement campaigns.
There are areas of the Spiaggia di Punta Molentis ideal for small children as well as deeper areas that are great for snorkeling because of the crystal clear water. Bring your snorkel gear; you’ll be glad you did.
As with many other Sardinia beaches, it is recommended to call in advance to reserve a sunbed. There is a restaurant on-site at Punta Mulentis Beach, so you can enjoy the day here without having to worry about grabbing food elsewhere. It’s important to note that the number of visitors to Punta Mulentis is limited to 300 daily, and parking is €10 per car plus €1 per visitor to enter the beach in cash, so keep this in mind before you plan your beach day.
Longa Beach (Spiaggia Longa)
Spiaggia Longa is located right next to Isola Rossa, a touristy seaside town in northern Sardinia, roughly an hour and a half in between the cities Alghero and Olbia.
Known for its beautiful sunsets, Spiaggia Longa has an onsite bar and sunbeds that you can rent. No pebbles or rocks are on the ground, just soft sand – perfect for small children. Spiaggia Longa is known for being one of the most family-friendly beaches in northern Sardinia.
The Spaggia Longa beach parking is conveniently situated just a few meters from the entrance, which makes it easy to get to the beach from your vehicle and back.
Principe Beach (Spiaggia del Principe) aka Poltu di Li Coggh
This stunning beach is also known as Poltu di Li Coggh in Sardinian but is often called Spiaggia del Principe, which in English means “The Prince’s Beach.” It earned this name from being the favorite beach of Prince Karim Aga Khan during his visit to Sardinia in the 1960s. It was Karim Aga Khan who went founded the Costa Smeralda region in 1962. So, this beach is pretty special for that reason.
Located in a small cove with large red rocks, Spiaggia Principe is very picturesque, like other beaches in Sardinia. It’s important to note that this pristine beach is not serviced by a bar or washrooms – just natural beauty.
Spiaggia del Principe is also less accessible than other Sardinian beaches, with the parking being pricier than average (€18 for the whole day) and a narrow, rocky walking path from the parking area to the beach, which takes about 12-15 minutes to hike. For this reason, Spiaggia del Principe may be easier to visit with parties of adults only or older children, but you may be able to push a young child in a lightweight stroller.
San Nicolo Beach (Spiaggia di San Nicolo)
Spiaggia di San Nicolo is a 3 km (1 mile) long sandy beach in southwestern Sardinia. The length of this beach means it doesn’t get too crowded, and it’s enjoyable for relaxing in the sun or taking long walks along the shoreline, admiring the mountain views in the distance. Spiaggia San Nicolo is also serviced with restaurant bars on-site and gorgeous sea views.
This is a great beach for surfing as well as a day out with the children. There are accommodations in the small village of Portixeddu right next to this beautiful beach.
Li Feruli
Li Feruli Beach is a lesser-known beach about an hour and a half west of the city of Olbia.
A wooden bridge is built for visitors to access the beach, which makes the walk to the beach pleasant with stunning views.
Li Feruli is a large and wide beach, so it doesn’t get too crowded even during the high season. It’s perfect for adults looking to relax as well as small children to play in the soft sand by the shoreline. A small Italian restaurant on the beach with a patio overlooking the ocean is well worth a stop for lunch or dinner.
When the weather is right, Li Feruli Beach is great for surfing, and you may also see some people doing kitesurfing on windy days.
Best Beaches in Sardinia: Final Thoughts
So there you have it – the 10 best beaches in Sardinia. With its stunning, world-class beaches, quaint towns, and rich history dating to ancient times, Sardinia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. If you’re already in Italy, you can get to Sardinia by flying direct from several destinations around Europe or by taking a ferry from Rome or other cities on the Italian mainland coast.
By now, after reading this article, you know that you really can’t go wrong with any of Sardinia’s beaches. Because of Sardinia’s geographical location, its coastline is breathtaking no matter what side of the island you’re on. If one beach is full, you can be sure there might be another, less busy one not too far away.
We hope this guide has helped show you the best beaches in Sardinia and what you need to know to prepare for a beautiful day in Italian paradise. Buon Viaggio!
