The 20 Most Beautiful Beaches of Sardinia from North to South

Sardinia's beaches, which are the most beautiful on the island?

In Sardinia, there are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Expanses of fine white sand and crystal-clear water: on the island, you will find beaches that resemble exotic and remote locations.

It's hard to select, from North to South you'll find dream beaches and sea, it's no wonder that Sardinian beaches dominate the rankings of the most loved beaches in Italy.

Where to go for the sea in Sardinia this summer? Here's a tour to discover the most beautiful beaches of the island.

Cala Mariolu Cala Goloritzé La Pelosa Scoglio di Peppino Cala Brandinchi Porto Taverna Li Cossi Tuerredda Cala Luna Porto Giunco Ponte Molentis Porto Pollo Mari Pintau Su Giudeu Cala Domestica Spiaggia del Principe Cala Pira Cala Capriccioli Cala Coticcio Spiaggia Rosa of Budelli Berchida

Along the 1,897 km of Sardinia's coastline, you will find landscapes of all types: stretches of sand surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and high cliffs that protect small coves and secret beaches. The most beautiful cliffs can be found in the bay of Gulf of Orosei.

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From the Emerald Coast to the southern beaches of Sardinia, the options are endless. The mild climate of the island allows you to enjoy the sea even off season, from June to late September.

BeachLocationProvinceLa PelosaStintinoSassariSpiaggia del PrincipeArzachenaSassariCala GoloritzéBauneiNuoroTuerreddaTuerreddaSouth SardiniaCala LunaBauneiNuoroScoglio di PeppinoCosta ReiCagliariCala DomesticaBuggerruCagliariPorto GiuncoVillasimiusSouth SardiniaPunta MolentisVillasimiusSouth SardiniaCala BrandinchiCapo Coda CavalloSassari

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Below, we've created a useful guide to the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia with a map: you will find beaches on the north coast, the western coast of Sardinia, the eastern coast, and the southern coast with a selection of the most beautiful and least crowded secret beaches, which will make you want to set off immediately.

READ ALSO: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN ITALY

Sardinia is a paradise for sea lovers. Some of the most beautiful and well-known beaches are very crowded during high season. Others that are equally beautiful, however, are little frequented even in the height of summer and can be found in the more underrated coastal areas of the island, such as Southwestern Sardinia.

There are pink beaches and white beaches, coves accessible only by trekking and coves reachable only by boat.

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Cagliari is the Italian city with the best urban beach, frequented yes, but wide and beautiful even in August.

There's a strenuous but incredibly beautiful way to discover them all, and that is to walk the Path of 100 Towers, a trek that crosses the entire Sardinian coast, passing by the 100 watchtowers built along the coastline.

Among the most beautiful and incredible beaches on the island is the Valley of the Moon, located in Santa Teresa Gallura and considered a kind of hippie paradise on the northern coast.

Below, you will find the 15 beaches you really must not miss in Sardinia.

Cala Mariolu Cala Coticcio Spiaggia Rosa of Budelli La Pelosa Tuerredda Is Arutas Cala Goloritzé Cala Brandinchi Scoglio di Peppino Solanas Cala Domestica Punta Molentis Su Giudeu Porto Giunco Porto Pollo

Along the northern coast of Sardinia, there are some of the most beautiful and well-known beaches of the island. Here lies the paradisiacal archipelago of La Maddalena and the beautiful beach of Stintino, facing the Asinara archipelago.

The Emerald Coast is the most expensive and VIP area, while Alghero is a great option for those traveling by air and want to get around to the nearby beaches without renting a car. Below you will find the complete guide to the best beaches in northern Sardinia:

Beaches in North-East (Olbia and Nuoro)

The beaches in the province of Olbia are the most fashionable on the island. Cala Arena Bianca, Cala Petra Ruia, Isuledda, and Pevero Beach are not far from Porto Cervo and are surrounded by lush Mediterranean scrub that smells of juniper and myrtle. Here you will find all the beaches near Olbia, reachable via public transport or on foot.

Beaches in North-West (Sassari)

La Pelosa of Stintino, with the beautiful tower of the same name, and the Saline are the most iconic and well-known beaches of Sassari. In Alghero, along the Coral Riviera, we recommend Bombarde, Porto Ferro, and Lampianu. The beach of Capriccioli (in the Arzachena area, in the North of the Emerald Coast) is one of the most well-known. The surrounding nature is not as interesting, but immediate proximity to the beach includes myrtles and junipers. The beach is equipped with zones providing services, restaurants, and kiosks.

Alghero Beaches

In Alghero and its surroundings, there are beaches that are easily reached by renting a scooter, a car, or using public transport. Bombarde Beach is the most well-known beach in Alghero and also the most crowded during high season. Lazzaretto Beach is a long beach followed by many coves. Then there's Mugoni Beach, perfect for windy days, the lido beach, and Fertilia.

The eastern coast of Sardinia is one of the most beautiful. It is touristy but not excessive, boasting a myriad of beaches and coves where you will feel like you're on a deserted island in the Mediterranean.

Beaches in the Nuoro province

In the province of Nuoro we recommend Cala Luna, which is hard to reach and therefore never crowded, and Cala Fiuli (not far away), the Gulf of Oleandri, and Cala Gonone.

Ogliastra Beaches

The white beaches of Cala Goloritzé (Baunei), Torre di Barì Beach (Barisardo), Coccorocci (Cardedu), and Lido di Orrì (Tortolì) are in the province of Ogliastra. According to Legambiente and the Italian Touring Club, the coast of Baunei on the Gulf of Orosei, Ogliastra, and Baronia are awarded the title of the best tourist district in Italy. The municipality of Baunei has been awarded the title of 5 sails, a prestigious recognition attributed for the sustainable management of the area, landscape preservation, and services offered in full respect of the environment. According to TripAdvisor, Cala Mariolu (also in Baunei) is the second prettiest beach in Italy and the sixth in Europe.

In the province of Cagliari, there are many beautiful beaches that are away from mass tourism and often little frequented. Cala Cipolla is the perfect beach for windy days, sheltered by the rocks that create a deep bay and surrounded by Mediterranean scrub.

Su Giudeu is located in the beautiful Bay of Chia, where all the beaches are beautiful.

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The area around Villasimius is rich in stunning beaches, among which we highlight Porto Giunco with its pink sand and super crystal-clear water, although it's certainly not the only one worth visiting.

In the Gulf of Angels, a little further south are the famous beaches of Cala Mosca, Quartu, and Poetto, each more paradisiacal than the last.

The beaches of Carbonia Iglesias province are among the most underrated on the island, with the magnificent Costa del Sulcis being very beautiful and diverse.

The cliffs of Porto Paglia are a must-see; next follows Porto Botte with the beautiful Porto Pino beach.

The western coast of Sardinia may not have the transparent waters of Alghero or pink sand, but it boasts a beautiful sea and underrated locations that are not touristy.

Among the most beautiful beaches in this small paradise is Cala Domestica, deep and surrounded and protected by rocks. Not far away are the dunes of Scivu, which are a perfect destination to hit the beach in August, boasting the record for the most secluded beaches in Sardinia.

Also, the dunes of Piscinas, enormous and solitary, are found on the Costa Verde. Around the beach, there are the rusted remains of an ancient abandoned mine.

Beaches in Carbonia Iglesias (South West)

Among the most spectacular places in the province of Carbonia Iglesias is Porto Flavia: a spectacular cliff with an abandoned tunnel that is what remains of an old mining facility.

Beaches in Medio - Campodano

Just north of Masua is Pistis where it feels like you're in Africa with long sandy shores swept by the wind.

Beaches in Central-West Sardinia (Oristano)

If you love windsurfing and water sports, Is Arutas (Cabras) is the beach for you. Porto Alabe Beach is pink and surrounded by cliffs and stacks that form coves and natural pools. Aba Rossa Beach is located in the center of the Gulf of Oristano and is famous for its calm water that is just like a swimming pool.

The western and southern coasts of Sardinia feature the least touristy and most affordable beaches on the island. Among these are Cala Domestica and the nearby Caletta, Cala Cipolla in the Bay of Chia, the beaches of Piscinas and San Pietro Island.

Cala Cipolla Cala Domestica Cala Sintias Piscinas San Pietro Island Cala Corsara Asinara

Paradises that look tropical, white beaches that slope into the azure sea. These are some of the landscapes you will find on the coast of Sardinia.

Among the most beautiful Caribbean beaches in Sardinia, we highlight Is Arenas Biancas, the white beach of Golfo Aranci, Cala Brandinchi, the little Tahiti of Sardinia, Cala Mariolu, and Cala Goloritzé in Baunei.

Which Sardinian beaches are easily accessible? Here's a selection of beaches:

Costa Rei Spiaggia del Principe Poetto Spiaggia di Villasimius La Pelosa di Stintino Cala Domestica Su Giudeu Scoglio di Peppino

Once in Sardinia, one can think about a trip to an island within the island. San Pietro Island, with its lonely coves, ancient traditions, and less touristy areas, is a must-visit if you go to Southern Sardinia.

To the north, do not miss the Asinara archipelago. Being a nature reserve, access to many beaches is restricted to the public. The island of Asinara is a National Park and a Protected Marine Area.

Some areas, about 10% of the park's territory, are closed to the public and are part of the integral nature reserve. Most of the territory is a nature reserve that visitors can explore while respecting certain rules, while Cala D'Oliva, Cala Reale, and Fornelli are the humanized areas where the few restaurants on the island and the only two places to stay in Asinara are located.

Maddalena, famous for the pink beaches of Budelli, boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Mediterranean. Various sailing tours depart to explore the archipelago.

Cala Soraya, Spargi Island Cala Corsara, Spargi Island Cala Francese, Maddalena Island Cala Spalmatore, Maddalena Island Bassa Trinità, Maddalena Island Punta Tegge, Maddalena Island Cala d'Inferno, Maddalena Island Testa del Polpo, Giardinelli Island Cala Coticcio, Caprera Island Cala Lunga, Razzoli Island Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli Island Spiaggia del Cavaliere, Budelli Island

In Sardinia there are campsites and hotels where it is possible to practice naturism and beaches and coves where it is unofficially or officially allowed to be nude as nature intended. In general, Sardinia is a great place for nudism.

Porto Ferro Beach, Capo Caccia, and Sassari have a wide reddish beach protected by rocks on the sides and by a pine forest behind.

In the Oristano area, there is Is Arenas Beach, which, with its 6 km length, offers a series of coves and inlets where one can be nude.

Camping Baia Saraceno in the northern part of Sardinia, Baia Sardinia in Costa Smeralda, and Club Le Peonie (in Dorgali, Nuoro) are some of the structures where naturism can be practiced.

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Excluding the coves that are difficult to reach and rocky, almost all the beaches in Sardinia have shallow waters and soft fine sand perfect for playing and swimming. However, only a few beaches have been awarded the Green Flags that recognize the best beaches for children.

These are beaches that, in addition to shallow sandy bottoms, offer services suitable for the needs of families with children. Among these in Sardinia are the beaches of Alghero, Santa Teresa Gallura, Castelsardo, Marina di Orosei, and Capo Coda Cavallo.

The most famous of the pink beaches in Sardinia is the beach of Budelli Island, in the Maddalena archipelago and is also the only one with such a clearly pink color.

The pink beach is located in the southeastern part of the island, at Cala di Roto, and its color is due to fragments of a small microorganism called Miniacina miniacea.

The list of destinations for going to the sea in Sardinia is potentially infinite. Where to go? Here's our selection of the best summer vacation spots not to miss this summer.

Costa Paradiso Stintino Gulf of Orosei La Maddalena Emerald Coast Santa Teresa Gallura Porto Cervo Porto Rotondo Gulf of Aranci San Teodoro Budoni Chia Pula Sant'Antioco Villasimius Arbatax Costa Rei

The Emerald Coast is a stretch of the Gallura Coast, in Northern Sardinia, which is part of the municipality of Arzachena (province of Olbia-Tempio). The coast is only about twenty km long, in which are nestled some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia.

Among these are Cala Capriccioli, Cala Volpe, the Pevero, and Romazzino. Not far from the coast, there are the islands and stunning beaches of the Maddalena archipelago.

Cala Volpe Cala Capriccioli Liscia Ruja La Celvia Spiaggia del Principe Cala Battistoni Romazzino Cala dei Ginepri Tanca Manna Mannena

Some of the most beautiful and photographed beaches in Sardinia are marked on Google Maps. Here you will find the map of Sardinian beaches, while on OpenStreet Map you will also find trails to walk or bike to reach all the beaches.