Some of the best beaches in Italy can be found in Sardinia, flanked by the Mediterranean sea on all sides, and one of its most popular tourist attractions. Renowned for its natural beauty, illuminating turquoise water, the beaches in Sardinia will give you plenty of choices when it comes time to choose a relaxing destination.
Because there are so many beaches on the island, we’ll discuss the best beaches in Sardinia that you absolutely cannot miss.
See also Best Towns in Sardinia, Italy.
The Best Beaches in Sardinia
Sardinia regularly tops polls of the best beaches globally, so you can bet that the beaches in Sardinia are breathtaking! Here are some beaches to check out, split into the best beaches in North and South Sardinia!
Best Beaches North Sardinia
The cities of Sassari, Alghero, Stintino and Vignola Mare boast some of the best beaches north Sardinia.
La Pelosa Beach
La Pelosa Beach is arguably the most famous beach in all of Northern Sardinia. La Pelosa is located a mere 2.5km away from Stintino in the North-West of Sardinia. It’s considered one of the best beaches in north Sardinia due to its fine white sand and shallow sea that boasts a gradient of turquoise hues, including aquamarine and topaz waters.
This beach is bustling in July and August, so try to avoid these months for a more peaceful visit. As of 2020, the beach allows only a limited number of visitors on the beach, so you’ll need to book your place using the dedicated app.
The beach is 300 meters long and up to 60 meters wide in some places. It is labelled as one of the best beaches in Sardinia because it is reminiscent of a Caribbean beach paradise.
Cala Ostina Beach
Cala Ostina is a beautiful and secluded beach in Sardinia, located a few kilometres east of Castelsardo. It sits quietly in a small bay under a steep, earthen-toned coastal landform. Its unique appearance and private atmosphere make it a contender for one of the best beaches in north Sardinia.
It is a small beach of only 60 meters in length, but its deep golden sands caused by volcanic rock nearby and almost translucent water are a sight to behold.
This beach is part of an inlet, meaning there are no waves at this beach in Sardinia, which helps make it one of the best beaches in Sardinia for tranquility. As a result, you can expect peaceful swimming and an abundance of green plants in the area. This beach is quite remote despite being easily accessible, so visitors should bring their facilities when travelling as none are available on the site.
Porto Ferro Beach
Porto Ferro is located in the province of Sassari and is one of the best beaches in north Sardinia due to its immense beauty.
For over 30 years, Porto Ferro has been visited by ‘naturists’ or nudists and built a reputation for being one of Sardinia’s most extensive nudist beaches. In 2018, Porto Ferro was labelled one of the first official nudist beaches in Sardinia. As the beach is famous, ‘nudist’ visitors may use only specific beach areas for nudists, including a 200 meter stretch of tiny coves beyond the stone tower at the end of the beach.
Porto Ferro is also well-known for its backdrop of pine forests and towering dunes that make up a truly unique ecosystem. There are ancient towers in this area that add special charm to this beach in Sardinia.
Best Beaches south Sardinia
The cities of Cagliari, Pula, Chia and Porto Pino offer some of the best beaches south Sardinia.
Porto Pino Beach
Porto Pino beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in all of south Sardinia. This oasis of a beach is located at the border of Cagliari and Carbonia-Iglesias provinces, southeast of the village of Porto Pino.
It is 4km long and is characterised by its pristine dunes and pond surroundings, where bright pink flamingos are often spotted. This beach is one of the best beaches in South Sardinia due to its unique backdrop and crystal-clear shallow waters, making it a good choice for families with children.
Porto Pino is well-equipped with many sun umbrellas, bars, bathrooms and water sport activities, including surfing and scuba diving.
Poetto Beach
Poetto Beach is the main beach of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. It is one of the best beaches in south Sardinia as it is one of the longest, making for some seriously majestic and romantic beach walks. It is over 8km long and offers deep blue waters and hillside views to the South.
Poetto is well-equipped with kiosks, beach bars, restaurants, nightclubs, water sports facilities and even a marina. It is arguably one of the the best beaches in Sardinia for kitesurfers, and it is easy to reach by access. Many kitesurfing and windsurfing championships take place at Poetto.
There are so many amazing beaches in Sardinia that we couldn’t list all of the beaches in Sardinia here, or you’d be reading for years!
See also What to see in Cagliari, Sardinia.
Best hotels in Sardinia on the beach
A beach getaway wouldn’t be complete without checking out the best hotels in Sardinia on the beach. Naturally, the best beaches in Sardinia should be accompanied by the most relaxing accommodation on the island!
See also Where to Stay in Sardinia, Italy
On a Budget: Caesar’s Hotel
Caesar’s hotel is located only 20-minute walk from the beach. It includes free wifi throughout and is a short bus ride away from the historical centre of Cagliari.
Holiday House rental: Villa Carina
Villa Carina is a beautiful 3-bedroomed house in Conca Verde, Sardinia. It has a heated pool, sun terrace with ocean views, private veranda and outdoor grill, as well as a full kitchen and combined lounge and dining room. It can sleep five people in total and includes a full family bathroom and en-suite bathroom.
Boutique Accommodation: Jatika Boutique Hotel
A boutique hotel set on the beach, Jatika has ultramodern, clean white finishes in each room. This 4-star hotel includes a restaurant and bar on the premises and offers free wifi for each visitor.
Family-friendly Hotel: Chia Laguna Hotel Village
Aside from its natural beauty, this resort offers boutique shops, many restaurants and bars, private beaches and even a tennis club. It includes a dedicated children’s area for families with children, including a mini club, kid’s pool, and playground.
Luxury Accommodation: Petra Segreta Resort and Spa
This luxury accommodation offers modern wellness facilities, a heated freshwater pool and traditional Sicilian houses known as Stazzi scattered throughout the property.
Head to Sardinia for sun, sand and beach vibes
No matter where you choose to go, it’s totally possible to pick a few random names out of a hat and still land up at some of the top beaches in Sardinia; because there are just so many beaches to choose from on the island!
When looking at staying on the island, whether going on a budget tour or staying with family members, there are some of the best hotels in Sardinia on the beach (and in the whole of Europe) when it comes to natural beauty and epic relaxation.
Check out some of our other posts on travel in Italy:
Travel DudesI’m sure you’ve had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You’re in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.
