Best Beaches in Sardinia

Located in Stintino, Italy, La Pelosa is a breathtaking beach renowned for its captivating beauty and azure waters. With a length that stretches along the coastline, this sandy haven boasts a soft, white sand, creating a picturesque setting for beachgoers to bask in the Mediterranean sun.

Porto Istana Beach is a stunning treasure on the island of Sardinia in Italy. The white sand and crystal-clear waters makes this beach one of Italy’s hidden gems. Excluding holidays, Porto Istana Beach is usually empty, giving beachgoers a sense of tranquility on the island, as well as easy parking in the lot adjacent to the beach. Without major crowds to encourage urban development, the beach has limited amenities, adding to the rustic island vibe of the beach. The surrounding nature needs to be explored to the fullest, and purchasing a day-long hiking tour throughout Sardinia’s hills is the best way to do just that. After your hike, head to Il Portolano on the beach and enjoy a delicious meal that you will remember for years to come. Scuba diving is an especially popular activity for beachgoers, with vibrant marine life and spectacular waters. Tavolara Diving offers a legitimate experience with the best equipment for only 90 euros for two dives. The dive sites are beautiful and the staff is thorough, friendly, and helpful, making voyaging out into the ocean the experience of a lifetime. If you’re looking for hiking trails near the beach, Thinking Sardinia sells a full-day hiking tour throughout Tavolara Island at an affordable price. The tour guides are friendly and patient, particularly when you go canyoning. If you desire a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea, Thinking Sardinia’s tour will surpass all your expectations. Looking for hotels closest to Porto Istana Beach? If you aren’t traveling on a budget, Hotel Cala Cuncheddi offers luxurious accommodations and is located only one mile from Porto Istana Beach. The hotel itself is situated on its own beach property and offers a massive pool that overlooks the entire ocean. Here, you get quite the vacationer’s experience. For slightly more price-sensitive travelers, Hotel Castello di Tavolara is only one and a half miles from Porto Istana Beach and offers a warm, comfortable ambience with a friendly staff. There are multiple places to eat near Porto Istana Beach, including Il Portolano and Acqua Pazza, two of our favorites. If a luxurious meal on the water is what you seek, look no further than Il Portolano, a beachfront restaurant with a view that few eateries can challenge. Book this restaurant well in advance, and enjoy dining on Italian dishes that will make your mouth water just looking at them. For a cheaper option, choose Acqua Pazza, which offers a homey ambience and comforting meal options, almost as though your Italian grandma is the the one cooking in the restaurant’s kitchen. Come visit Porto Istana Beach, only a 30-minute bus ride from the city’s center -- it will be more than worth the travel!

Located on the Italian island of Sardinia, Cala Goloroitze is an incredibly gorgeous beach. The pebbly beach is sandwiched between towering, rugged cliffs and is only accessible by a long, difficult hike. We'll be blunt -- this hike is definitely a tough one, and is not for the faint of heart. Start in Baunei and walk along a narrow, quiet road to Golgo Plateau; from there, begin the more scenic hike to Cala Goloritze.

This entire stretch is three hours long, but you can also drive to Golgo Plateu and then hike, cutting your walking journey in half. Once you make it to the rocks above the beach, the trickiest part is climbing down to the shoreline. The feeling of finally stepping foot on one of Italy's most beautiful beaches makes every step of the way more than worth it. Because the beach does not have easy access, you'll be able to enjoy some peace and quiet while looking out over the vibrant, turquoise waters. The beach offers several small coves to explore, snorkeling spots galore, and even sailing further out on the water.

Although there are no amenities or accommodations in close proximity to the beach, the best places to stay that you can hike to the beach from are Hotel Villa Gustui Maris and Cala Luna hotel, both in Cala Gonone and both spotlessly beautiful. Some nearby restaurants include Il Golgo, located just over two miles from Cala Goloritze; this restaurant provides delicious, Mediterranean barbecue at an affordable price. Bar Su Porteddu is an eatery located in the car park of Cala Goloritze; with great beer and a cozy atmosphere, this bar has become a hotspot for hot and sweaty tourists returning from the daunting hike. Cala Goloritze clearly makes for a wonderful vacation destination. With photogenic views and a rewarding hike, this beach is a must-see.

Tuerredda is a beautiful beach located in Teulada, Italy. The beach is approximately 500 meters long with crystal clear turquoise water and soft white sand

Carla Biriola's beauty surpasses the domains of written word. It is amongst the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast of Sardinia. White sands, a partially submerged rock arch and prime real estate for hiking await you at Cala Biriola.

Cala Brandinchi is often called "Little Tahiti" and for good reason. The incredibly clear and tropical waters are enjoyable to swim in. The beach is 700 meters long. Due to its natural beauty and splendor, it is very popular with tourists in the summer months.

Cala Porto Giunco is a stunning beach located in Villasimius, Italy. It stretches for about 2 km and boasts white powdery sand and crystal-clear water

Located on the west coast of Sardinia in the Western Mediterranean, Spiaggia di Is Arutas is the prize of the Sinis peninsula and is reached by traveling approximately ten kilometers northwest of Cabras and through the tiny village of San Salvatore. The pale, round, quartz sand rivals an artist’s palette of green, white, and pink -- a gorgeous picture of simple, island paradise. The complete silence and isolation from any bustling city, the calming, tranquil rush of the waves, and the endless stretches of grassland around the beach give the beach a lasting serenity that is enjoyed by all its visitors. The unparalleled rock formations keep a protective watch over the waters below, and the captivating, turquoise sea draws in beachgoers from all over the world. Regardless of whether you come for the sand, serenity, or sea, Spiaggia di Is Arutas is a beach like no other. On the beach itself, you’ll be able to connect with nature in ways that few other beaches are able to provide. While on the unique, quartz surface of the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy the abstract rock formations overlooking the beach at Punta Su Bardoni as well as observe the wildlife in the area. Once you’re ready to jump into the water, put on your snorkeling or diving gear and go for it -- but beware! The sea here is abruptly deep, with significant drop-offs within the first few meters. However, this depth works to your advantage, as the azure, clear waters provide you with a sharp view of all the marine animals that live beneath the surface. A wide array of fish, colorful reefs, and perhaps even the thrill of locating a sunken ship are awaiting your arrival. When on the beach, you will definitely need to wear sunglasses because the sparkling sand is nearly blinding. As for the amenities on the beach itself, you will find parking and camping areas and an occasional refreshment stand. While this paradise is remote, there are still dining options available. Your immediate choices may be slim, but your needs will still be met by sampling the local cuisine at nearby Chiosco da Marco or Is Arutas Da Attilio. You can also travel a few kilometers farther to Cabras, a more populated town. Either way, you will be pleasantly filled with an authentic Italian meal of fresh seafood. If you plan to spend the night in the area, you have a few options as well. The beach itself offers only a campsite, Camping Is Aruta, so you must move a bit inland for any other type of accommodation. If you want to continue to feel the quiet, isolated vibe you experienced while on the beach, choose Hotel Ristorante Sa Pedrera, Agriturismo Villa Gaia Cabras, or S'incant'e Sinis, all within ten minutes of the beach. If you’ve had your fill of isolation, then scoot on over to the city life in Cabras, which offers plenty of lodging options for a variety of budgets along with a bit of a nightlife. With so much natural beauty and tranquility, Spiaggia di Is Arutas is a gem within the breathtaking island of Sardinia.

Spiaggia del Principe is a beautiful white sand beach where the water is so clear you can completely see all of the marine life in the water. This is a smaller, secluded beach where most people won't go, but, the beauty of this beach is breathtaking. Surrounded by small mountains a limited people, this is the perfect place to get away.

Maddalena Spiaggia is a stunning beach located on the island of La Maddalena, Italy. The beach is approximately 300 meters long and features crystal clear blue-green water, and soft white sand

Costa Smerlda Beach is a small secluded beach with lounge chairs for rent surrounded by lush vegetation.

Spiaggia del Poetto is a popular beach located in Quartu Sant'Elena, Italy. The beach is approximately 8 km long and features soft, golden sand

Capriccioli is a stunning beach located in Olbia-Tempio, Italy. It stretches for about 300 meters and boasts soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters

Located on the southeastern coast of Sardinia, Italy, Costa Rei is a stunning beach that stretches for about 8 km.

Spiaggia la Speranza is a gorgeous beach located in Biddanoa Monteleone/Villanova Monteleone, Italy. This stunning beach is approximately 1 kilometer long and features fine, golden sand that contrasts beautifully with the crystal-clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea

Su Giudeu is a stunning beach located in Domus De Maria, Italy. The beach is approximately 800 meters long and features soft white sand

Capo Comino is a stunning beach located in Thiniscole/Siniscola, Italy. The beach is about 3 kilometers long and boasts pristine white sand that gently slopes into the crystal-clear water

Punta Molentis is a stunning beach located in Crabonaxa/Villasimius, Italy. The beach is approximately 350 meters long and has soft, white sand with crystal-clear turquoise waters

Santa Giusta is a beautiful beach located in Santa Justa/Santa Giusta, Italy. With a length of approximately 600 meters, this beach boasts soft, golden sand and clear, turquoise water

Spiaggia Di Costa Verde is a beautiful beach located in Petacciato, Italy. The beach stretches for approximately 3 kilometers and features fine golden sand.