Sardinia offers some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches, edged by dazzling shades of aquamarine and emerald green water – perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Discover silky sand beaches that offer every conceivable facility and others that rely solely on their scenic beauty, nestled beneath soaring cliffs and fringing tiny coves that lie sheltered between rocky headlands.
One of the best ways to discover your own beach getaway is to charter a boat for the day or hire a car and explore the coast.
Here is a selection of some of the best of Sardinia’s world-class beaches from Costa Smeralda and Costa Paradiso to the Gulf of Orosein, Ogliastra, Costa Rei, Villasimius and Pula.
At Alghero, discover a choice of impressive white-sand beaches that lie beneath dramatic rocky headlands and ancient watchtowers, stretching from Capo dell'Argentiera to Capo Caccia along the west coast of Sardinia.
The best beaches in Alghero, include…
Relax on this 900m-long white-sand beach that shelves steeply into the crystal clear, deep blue water of a calm bay fringed by a dense pine and eucalyptus forest.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, sun loungers, a bar, restaurant and hotel.
Le Bombarde Beach is located around 3km west of Fertilia.
This crescent-shaped beach sits beneath a shrub-covered headland capped by a 16th century Spanish watchtower with panoramic views over the coastline.
Swim in the clear water of the turquoise bay, sunbathe on the sand and pebble beach and hike the hillsides covered in colourful native vegetation. Facilities include a bar, supermarket, pizzeria and various accommodation options.
Torre del Porticciolo Beach is located 17km northwest of Alghero.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this long and narrow white-sand beach that shelves into the clear aquamarine waters of a sheltered bay and is fringed by dense eucalyptus trees.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, showers and toilets, food kiosks and boats for hire.
Mugoni Beach is located 18km northwest of Alghero.
Fringed by a dense forest of pine trees, this white-sand beach shelves into clear turquoise waters offering perfect swimming conditions.
Facilities include a refreshment stand, beach umbrellas and boats for hire.
Maria Pia Beach is located 2km northwest of Alghero.
Discover a 2km-long crescent of soft pink-tinged sand overlooked by three 17th century watchtowers and surrounded by sand dunes and a pine forest.
Exposed to strong northwest winds, this beach is a favourite place for surfers. Facilities include cafes, restaurants, umbrellas and lifeguards.
Porto Ferro Beach is located 26km northwest of Alghero.
Read more about Alghero beaches…
Explore the south coast around Chia and discover one of Sardinia’s most scenic coastlines, indented with rugged cliffs, Spanish watchtowers and secluded emerald-green coves fringed by gorgeous wide and silky white-sand beaches that are often flanked by sprawling dunes and clear lagoons.
The best beaches in Chia, include…
Sunbathe on the sugar-white sand of this gorgeous 1km-long beach that overlooks the site of the ancient Phoenician-Punic city of Bithia.
Behind the beach lies Chia pond, where you can watch flamingos and other waterfowl.
Or stroll along the beach to the Torre di Chia, a 16th century stone tower built to repel pirates. Facilities include a bar, restaurant, pizzeria, disco and various accommodation options.
Spiaggia Sa Colonia is around 1km southeast of the centre of Chia.
Unwind on this pristine golden-sand beach that gently shelves into emerald-green water.
Porto Campana is a wide beach framed by bush-covered headlands and rare bushes such as junipers, lentisks, rockroses and scented white cornflowers that grow in the sand dunes behind.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, deck chairs, a kiosk and water sports. There are various boats for hire including rubber dinghies, hobie cats, tridents and lasers, as well as surfboards, windsurf boards and water skis.
The nearby Grand Hotel Chia Laguna offers a range of accommodation options.
Porto Campana is located 2km southeast of Chia.
Dig your toes into the soft white sand of this long beach that sits between a wide turquoise bay and large sand dunes, some of which rise up to 20m in height, dotted with age-old juniper trees.
Make your own footprints on this pristine beach and stroll out to tiny Su Giudeu Island, a huge schist rock covered with shrubs. Facilities include umbrellas, deck chairs and water sports equipment such as kayaks, pedal boats and windsurfers. A beachside kiosk sells cool drinks, sandwiches and ice creams. Su Giudeu is located around 2km southeast of Chia.
This secluded, small golden-sand beach links a small islet to the mainland and is framed by thick vegetation and clear turquoise water.
There are no facilities on the beach, however bars, restaurants and a pizzeria are located nearby at Porticciolo Beach.
Su Cardolinu is located around 2km south of Chia.
Unwind on this gorgeous golden-sand beach fringed by shrub and dunes scattered with pines and coccoloni junipers.
The picture-perfect beach is framed by two granite headlands and shelves into a turquoise sea, forming a small natural pool. Apart from a small kiosk selling ice creams, there are no facilities here so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Cala Cipolla is located around 4km southeast of Chia.
This gorgeous golden-sand beach nestles between steep hillsides covered in junipers, lentisks and rockroses shelving into the clear emerald-green water of a small bay.
There are no facilities here so you need to bring your own food and drinks.
Spiaggia del Morto is located around 2km south of Chia.
More about Chia beaches… and how to get to Chia…
Sardinia's Costa Paradiso is located on the north coast of Sardinia and stretches for arount 70km (43mi) from Santa Teresa di Gallura in the north to the small town of Castelsardo on the west coast.
This stunning coastline is an alternative to the more crowded and expensive Costa Smeralda.
Sunbathe on a choice of long, unspoiled white-sand beaches that gently shelve into calm turquoise waters framed by scenic coves and a dramatic wind-sculpted rocky landscape along the northern coast near Capo Testa.
Nearby Portobello offers villas, hotels and a restaurant. The town of Santa Teresa di Gallura offers a superb golden-sand beach framed by rocky headlands and the entire region is popular for windsurfing, scuba diving and fishing.
Costa Smeralda and Porto Torres are about an hour’s drive away.
The best beaches on Sardinia's Costa Paradiso, include…
Guarded by a 17th century Spanish watchtower, this sugar-white beach shelves into crystalline shallow water that contains every shade of turquoise imaginable.
Swim and snorkel among colourful fish and take in the views across to tiny Piana Island and nearby Asinara Island – now a national park but once the site of a high-security prison used to confine Mafiosi.
Facilities include sun umbrellas, a café and restaurant. La Pelosa is located less than 2km from Stintino.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this 8km-long white-sand beach that flows inland creating a series of sand dunes scattered with lentisks (evergreen shrubs) and groves of juniper trees.
This vast beach is often windy and is best known for its good surfing conditions. There are no facilities here so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Badesi Beach is located 2km from the Badesi township.
Unwind on this long stretch of golden sand backed by a walkway at the centre, with vast sand dunes covered by lentisks and framed by pinaster forests at each end of the beach.
Sunbathe close to the beach amenities or pick a more secluded spot at the far end of the beach. Facilities include snack bars, restaurants and nearby accommodation.
The beach is located in front of Platamona township.
Swim in crystal clear water and relax on the golden sand of this long beach located along the Gulf of Asinara between Punta Tramontana and Platamona.
Facilities include refreshment kiosks, beach umbrellas and hire boats.
More about Costa Paradiso beaches… and how to get to Costa Paradiso…
The east coast region of Sardinia around Costa Rei is best known for its crystal clear water, natural rock formations and long golden-sand beaches fringed by pine groves.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this 8km-long white sand beach that shelves into mainly shallow water perfect for swimming.
The beach is bordered by low sand dunes and a lagoon, creating an environment for various marsh wildlife.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, a café and various water sports including rubber dinghies, windsurf, kayaks and pedal boats.
Marina Rei Beach is on the Costa Rei, around 11km from Villasimius and is accessed by numerous small side streets.
Make your own footprints on this pristine white-sand beach that shelves into a clear turquoise bay and is framed beneath a juniper-covered hillside and Spanish watchtower.
After a swim, hike up to the ancient nuraghi tower that overlooks the bay. Facilities include a kiosk selling sandwiches, ice creams, snacks and cold drinks. Cala Pira is located 11km from Villasimius.
More about Costa Rei beaches… and how to get to Costa Rei…
With its crystal clear turquoise waters, countless coves shimmering with white-sand beaches, unique granite rock formations and rugged mountains covered with olive trees and native vegetation, Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is one of the world’s most beautiful natural environments and a firm favourite with honeymoon couples.
Costa Smeralda’s best beaches, include…
Unwind on one of Sardinia’s best beaches – a long crescent of soft white sand framed by macchia (native shrub) hillsides and lapped by the clear turquoise water of a secluded cove.
There are no facilities here so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Spiaggia del Principe is located 1.6km east of Romazzino on the northeast coast and is accessed by car followed by a short walk.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on the soft white sand of this gorgeous half-moon shaped beach that sits between hillsides covered in juniper and olive trees and fronts a picture-perfect cove.
The beach is 500m in length and turns a pinkish tinge by the water’s edge.
Sea conditions here are often perfect for kite and wind surfing. Nearby facilities include bars, restaurants, cafes and accommodation options.
Liscia Ruja is located 22km from Olbia on the Cala di Volpe.
Unwind on this soft white-sand beach that nestles in front of an idyllic bay framed by vegetation-covered hillsides.
Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds, beachside bars and a range of nearby accommodation.
Romazzino Beach is located 2km northeast of Cala di Volpe and is easily accessed by car.
This small island sits just offshore of Costa Smeralda and is a haven for windsurfers and surfers.
Access is via a short bridge lined with board-hire shops.
Unwind on this picture-perfect stretch of white sand that shelves into the shallow waters of a turquoise bay that offers perfect swimming conditions for children.
The beach is divided by enormous round granite rocks and is overlooked by hillsides covered in lentisks, rockroses, olives groves and pine trees. Facilities include beach umbrellas, sun beds and a cafe.
Capriccioli is located near Cala di Volpe, around 28km north of the Costa Smeralda.
Discover your own spot on one of Sardinia’s longest and widest beaches, famous for its silky white sand and age-old stands of juniper trees.
The 5km-long crescent of sand sits between a turquoise bay and large sand dunes that mask a marshland and lagoon that is home to many species of wildlife.
Go swimming, scuba diving and surfing (boards for hire and lessons are available). Or hike the sand dunes and spot pink flamingos, coots, turns, red herons and mallards in the lagoon.
Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds and a café, as well as surfboard and pedal boat.
More about Costa Smeralda… and how to get to Costa Smeralda…
The Gulf of Orosei – on the east coast of Sardinia – offers a picture-perfect 40km-long coastline indented with grottos, inlets and coves fringed by gorgeous sugar-white beaches.
The picture is completed with a backdrop of soaring limestone cliffs and hillsides covered in forests of oak, juniper and native shrub.
The best beaches on the Gulf of Orosei, include…
For many, this is the best beach in Sardinia – a gorgeous 700m-long crescent of white sand sprinkled with tiny pink pebbles, nestling between rocky hillsides and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Orosei.
Explore some of the six beachfront caves that lie beneath the rocky slopes of Pta Su Masongiu (115m) and look out for endangered monk seals in the nearby Grotta del Bue Marino, the largest and most dramatic of the many beautiful grottos that indent this 40km-long coastline. Woods of pink oleanders stand behind the beach.
Facilities include beach bars, nearby accommodation, and water sports equipment for hire, such as snorkelling gear, skis and kayaks.
Cala Luna is located 7km south of Cala Gonone on the east coast of Sardinia. The beach is accessible by foot along stone mule tracks or by water taxi from Cala Gonone.
Dig your toes into the soft white sand of this gorgeous beach, which lies between thick juniper trees and the limpid turquoise waters of the Gulf of Orosei.
Other than during the month of August, this beach is generally empty and perfect for a secluded picnic. There are no facilities.
Cala Fuili is located 1km from Cala Gonone on the east coast near Cala Luna and is easy to reach on foot and by car.
Pick your own stop to sunbathe on this stunning white-sand beach that faces a deep blue sea and is framed by two steep hills covered in maquis (scrubland vegetation). There are no facilities on this secluded beach.
Cala Sisine is located between Cala Luna and Cala Biriola, half an hour’s walk from the nearest car park or by boat from Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese and Cala Gonone.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this spectacularly scenic beach – a narrow crescent of soft white sand mixed with tiny pink pebbles that sits between soaring cliffs and the azure blue of a tranquil bay overlooking the Gulf of Orosei. The beach and seabed are scattered with huge white limestone boulders.
Take your own food and drink, as there are no facilities on this pristine, secluded beach. Snorkel or dive the crystal clear waters and explore the nearby caves.
Cala Mariolu can be accessed by land after a long hike but is best reached by boat from Arbatax, Santa Maria Navarrese or Cala Gonone.
Discover this gorgeous white-sand beach nestled between snow-white marble rocks, sheer cliffs and a stunning multi-coloured blue and green sea.
Freshwater springs under the water create a stratum of slightly cooler water, and a 120m-tall stone arch soars from the sea in this scenic locale.
Cala Golorite Beach is located 3km beyond the Monte Santo headland and is best accessed by boat from Cala Gonone as it is an hour’s walk from the nearest car park.
More about Orosei beaches…
Unwind on the stunning east coast of Ogliastra, which is renowned for its natural beauty. Discover magnificent white-sand beaches, secluded inlets, cliffs and rocky hills covered in Gennargentu forests, Holm oaks, juniper and yew trees.
The best beaches on the Ogliastra coast, include…
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this wide beach of soft white sand fringed by green pine trees, lapped by deep blue seas and overlooked by an ancient Aragonese tower.
Facilities include a beach bar, sun beds and a large parking area. Torre di Bari is located 5km east of Bari Sardo.
This beautiful white-sand beach is framed by lush vegetation and red-brown cliffs and faces a pretty bay of crystal clear turquoise water.
Su Sirboni Beach is located around 6km east of Bari Sardo and is easily reached by car followed by a short walk along the cliffs.
Dig your toes into the soft sugar-white sand of this pine-fringed beach that shelves into crystal clear shallow turquoise water.
Facilities include a beach bar and a variety of waters sports, including rubber dinghies, jet skis, pedal boats and kayaks. Lido di Orri Beach is located 4km south of Tortoli.
This narrow strip of white sand lies between soaring bush-covered hills and the shimmering turquoise waters of a pretty bay. Facilities include food and drink kiosks, pedal boats and jet skis.
Tancau Beach is located 3km east of Lotzorai.
More about Ogliastra beaches…
The region of Pula on the south coast of Sardinia is home to some of the island’s finest beaches, framed by coves and cliffs and overlooked by medieval Spanish towers.
The best beaches in Pula, include…
Unwind on this white-sand beach framed by a rocky headland where well preserved 9th century BC ruins stand.
Swim in the shallow water and go scuba diving in the clear turquoise waters of the bay. Then hike along the narrow causeway to the promontory of Capo di Pula and explore the ancient fortress.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, sun loungers and peddle boat rental as well as a café and restaurant.
Nora Beach is located 3km south of Pula.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this long crescent of white sand that shelves into the clear waters of a deep blue bay.
Stroll along the soft white sand to the nearby ruins of a Roman amphitheatre and visit the twin Spanish watchtowers that stand guard at either end of the beach.
Check out the juniper-scented Chia Dunes, which lie only a few kilometres away. Porto d’Agumu
Beach is located near Pula on Sardinia’s southern tip.
More about Pula beaches… and how to get to Pula…
The east coast region of Sardinia around Villasimius offers numerous turquoise bays fringed by long, white-sand beaches overlooked by ancient Spanish towers.
Check out the soft white sand of Notteri Beach, a stunning beach popular for swimming, surfing and scuba fishing.
The best beaches in Villasimius, include…
Sink your toes into the soft white sand of this stunning beach popular for swimming, surfing and scuba fishing.
Sunbathe on the beach then admire the pink flamingos at the beachside lake. Facilities include umbrellas, sun lounges, pedal boats for hire, a café and restaurants.
Notteri is located close to Villasimius and enjoys a lively nightlife.
Pick your own spot to unwind on this 7km-long beach that stretches in front of Villasimius town. Simius is perfect for long walks and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the bay.
Facilities include several café-kiosks, beach umbrellas, sun loungers and boats for rent.
Choose from three white-sand beaches separated by steep rocky slopes and schist cliffs covered in maquis and facing the clear aquamarine waters of a small sheltered bay. Facilities include beach umbrellas, sun loungers and a café.
Porto Sa Ruxi Beach is located 34km from Villasimius.
Discover one of Sardinia’s most magnificent beaches – a brilliant white-sand beach that shelves into crystal clear water.
Facilities include beach umbrellas, rental boats and the Timi Ama Sofitel hotel, where you can relax with a cool drink.
The nearby saltwater lake of Timi Ama offers the chance to spot pink flamingos. Porto Giuncu Beach is located on southeast side of Capo Carbonara.
Relax on the soft white sand of this long and unspoiled beach that gently shelves into calm turquoise waters. The beach is bordered by low cliffs covered with bush and is popular for horse riding and windsurfing.
Facilities include a cafe, beach umbrellas, sun beds and various water sports equipment such as windsurfers, pedal boats and water skis.
Campu Longu is located near Villasimius and offers various accommodation options nearby.
More about Villasimius beaches… and how to get to Villasimius…
Latest update: Best Beaches in Sardinia: 10 May, 2022
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