Sardinia, dotted with magnificent beaches from north to south, each with its own unique characteristics, exudes a breathtaking natural charm. Let’s discover the top ten beaches as rated by visitors.
The Best Beaches North of Olbia
The north-eastern part of Sardinia is known as the Costa Smeralda; as its prestigious name suggests, it is one of the most sought-after destinations for seaside holidays. Naturally, it also boasts some of Sardinia’s finest beaches, namely:
1. Ira Beach
It is one of the most famous beaches in Porto Rotondo, an exclusive holiday resort established in 1967 in a spectacular natural cove just 15 km from Olbia.
Situated at Punta Nuraghe, the very tip of the headland that separates the Gulf of Porto Rotondo from the Gulf of Cugnana, is a beautiful stretch of beach with warm, fine white sand that contrasts with an incredibly crystal-clear sea, shimmering with fabulous shades of green and turquoise, which interplay in a dance of colours, enhancing the beauty of nature. The shallow, sandy seabed is ideal for children to play and swim. Here and there, rocks emerge from the water, whilst on either side of the beach, a low cliff offers the perfect spot for those who love fishing, diving and snorkelling.
Behind her, the evergreen Mediterranean scrub adds the finishing touch of colour to a perfect natural scene, whose breathtaking beauty has made it famous even internationally and a favourite destination for many celebrities.
2. La Celvia Beach (Capriccioli) is a wonderful beach with a soft, pure white sandy shore, featuring beautiful rocks emerging from the seabed in places. The stunning, crystal-clear sea at this beach boasts enviable colours and crystal-clear waters. It displays various shades of emerald green closest to the shore, and a mixture of azure and turquoise as one moves further out to sea. It is moderately busy during the summer months and is rich in Mediterranean scrub and vegetation, making it a truly idyllic sight.
3. Elephant Beach (Capriccioli) is a pocket beach situated a short distance from La Celvia beach. It is a small beach that can only be reached by swimming or by climbing over the rocks that separate it from the nearby La Celvia beach.
For years now, it has been one of the most photographed spots on the Costa Smeralda, thanks to the distinctive rock that the elements have sculpted into the shape of an elephant.
4. Romazzino Beach, it is a long stretch of beach with snow-white sand, surrounded by rocks jutting out of the ground and the myriad shades of green of the Mediterranean scrub. The seabed is moderately deep, making it ideal for fascinating dives for diving enthusiasts. It is considered the jewel in the crown of the Costa Smeralda. With its soft, snow-white sandy shore, its crystal-clear sea stands out, with rocks emerging from the water’s edge. It, too, is now regarded as a must-visit destination for celebrities in the summer.
5. Del Grande Pevero Beach, Situated in a picturesque crescent-shaped bay in the heart of the Costa Smeralda, home to celebrities and paparazzi, here is one of the most glamour and exclusive destinations from around the world. A few kilometres from Porto Cervo, in the Arzachena area, lies the tranquil Grande Pevero, which takes its name from the gulf of the same name. It is a curved stretch of pure white, soft, almost impalpable sand, approximately three hundred metres long, laid to rest by the shimmering colours of the sea, whose hues vary in a play of colours from green to blue, before becoming, thanks to its extraordinary clarity, transparent at the water’s edge.
It is fringed by smooth, white granite rocks and green vegetation, which seem to enclose it in a symbolic ‘embrace’. Here, you can breathe in the scent of centuries-old junipers. The seabed is shallow and gently sloping, making it particularly suitable for children to play in and for less experienced swimmers.
The Best Beaches South of Olbia
6. Porto Taverna Beach, It is a beach of fine sand about 1 km long; the seabed is shallow and slopes gently. Easy to reach and very safe, it is a beach that is also suitable for families with young children and inexperienced swimmers. It is a well-known beach and can get crowded during the high season; however, it is spacious enough to ensure you can always find a spot to sunbathe in peace.
7. Capo Coda Cavallo Beach, an iconic site in Sardinia. Capo Coda Cavallo is a strip of granite land that juts out into a stretch of sea sheltered by the imposing mass of Tavolara, the smooth rocks of Molara and the picturesque islet of Proratora. Together, these form a protected area covering 15,000 hectares of crystal-clear waters, inlets and coves, stretching from Capo Ceraso to Punta s’Isuledda, home to the southernmost of San Teodoro’s beautiful beaches.
You’ll be treated to one of the most picturesque coastal landscapes in the Mediterranean: white sandy beaches, coves, islets, lagoons and an endless array of colours. Whatever the wind conditions, you’ll find a spot where the sea is calm. And underwater, there’s a whole other world to discover.
8. Cala Brandinchi, it will captivate you at first glance, as you’re dazzled by the whiteness of the sand and the intense turquoise of the sea. You’ll feel as though you’re in Polynesia or the Caribbean; it’s no coincidence that it’s known as ‘Little Tahiti’. Cala Brandinchi is a beach of exotic beauty, ranked amongst the 15 most beautiful in the whole of Sardinia by specialist websites – proof that paradise does indeed exist on Earth. San Teodoro’s most dazzling gem stretches between Punta Sabbatino and Capo Coda Cavallo, a strip of granite land jutting out into the sea, almost directly opposite the imposing mass of Tavolara, a limestone mountain rising from the water to form a spectacular backdrop to an unrivalled landscape. The long, narrow strip of fine, compact white sand dips into the crystal-clear water. The seabed remains very shallow for tens of metres, creating a ‘swimming-pool effect’ that is ideal for swimming and children’s games. The white sand sets off the shades of the water: from emerald green to turquoise, from light blue to cobalt blue. Dark reflections appear where the rocks emerge, providing a habitat for a rich variety of marine life and an oasis for snorkelling enthusiasts.
9. Berchida Beach, Many tourists describe the spectacle offered by this beach as one of Sardinia’s wonders, capable of rejuvenating the spirit and evoking new emotions as the sunlight changes from sunrise to sunset. Berchida is a stunning, long and spacious beach, regarded (and voted) as one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. It is situated in the municipality of Siniscola, in Baronìa, just a few kilometres away. Never crowded, it is the ideal destination for rest and relaxation, with shallow waters, fine sand and sea colours ranging from green to turquoise.
10. Cala Luna, one of the wonders of the Gulf of Orosei and the entire Mediterranean, chosen as the setting for a cult Italian film. Cala Luna is a cove carved out between the cliffs, with a dazzling 800-metre ‘strip’ of fine, golden sand at its centre, which slopes gently into the crystal-clear, azure-hued sea. The seabed, shallow for the first few metres, quickly deepens, making it a favourite with snorkelling, diving and spearfishing enthusiasts. This cove, with its Polynesian-like features, lies at the mouth of the Rio Illune, a stream that over millennia has carved out a long canyon, the Codula di Luna. The water flows through the gorge for kilometres and feeds a small lake behind the beach, surrounded by a grove of oleanders and Mediterranean scrub. The mouth of the stream marks the boundary between the territories of Baunei, in Ogliastra, and Dorgali, in the Barbagia region of Nuoro – municipalities that ‘share’ the pride of such natural beauty.
To sum up, Sardinia really is an open-air spectacle. We would like to share with you not only breathtaking views, but also the warmth and hospitality of the local people.
These are our recommendations; we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
