Wondering which are the best beaches in Sardinia? You’ve come to the right place!
First off, you might be wondering whether the best beaches in Sardinia are in the north or south. Let me assure you – they’re in the north!
This guide will walk you through all the best beaches in northern Sardinia, how to get to them, and what you’ll need to know once you’re there.
Growing up I spent my summers in Sardinia, and later I worked there on a sailing boat running tours, so trust me when I say I know the island as a local!
These glistening white sand beaches with crystal clear blue waters will blow you away, so pack your snorkels and beachwear, and get ready to spend your holiday lounging on the best beaches in North Sardinia.
Contents
The natural pools of the Archipelago of Maddalena, Italy
Cala Soraja, one of my favourite beaches in the Archipelago della Maddalena, Italy
Premise For Exploring Sardinia’s Beaches
Sardinia’s northern beaches are breathtaking. They look like a Caribbean beach, with their white sand and clear turquoise water against a backdrop of pink rocks.
Personally, my favourite thing about them is that they are wild beaches. Most of the time, there’s very little infrastructure on them, and rarely any services.
Whilst most of Italy’s beaches are riddled with loud ‘Bagni’, beach clubs, and men selling sunbeds and umbrellas, these beaches are barren.
It does mean you have to think ahead a bit more because there’s not likely to be any toilets or restaurants onsite, but honestly, they’re worth the extra hassle.
Floating away at the famous La Pelosa Beach in Stintino, Italy
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re willing to put in a little extra thought the reward is getting to spend the day on a picture-perfect beach!
Another thing worth thinking about is that Sardinia is unfortunately quite a windy destination.
It’s worth checking the forecast each day to see what the wind will be like, and having a chat with a local before you jump in the car (they always seem to know where the wind will be blowing today!).
It’s no fun sitting on a beach having the wind swept into your face, no matter how beautiful it is!
Especially if you’re visiting Sardinia out of season, you could still get some nice beach days if you’re in Italy in winter, but you have to make sure you find sheltered beaches, otherwise, they’ll just be too cold!
Kayaking in the Golfo di Oresei, Italy
Map of the best beaches in North Sardinia
Before we dive into the details of each beach and what’s special about them, here is a map of the best beaches in North Sardinia, so you can see the exact location of each and how far they are from each other.
Best Beaches In The Maddalena Archipelago
Cala Soraya, Spargi Island
Hands down, this is my absolute favourite beach in the world. It’s completely remote and can only be reached by boat. There are no services whatsoever, so pack everything you think you’ll need!
Cala Soraya is located on the island of Spargi. It’s a small beach with glistening white sand and some of the clearest water you’ll ever see.
There are mountain views from the beach, and behind the beach, there is a sloping Mediterranean hill lined with patches of woodland.
If you’re looking for the most picturesque beach in north Sardinia – this is it! This catamaran tour is the best way to reach it.
You’ll get to visit Cala Soraya and a host of other beaches in the Maddalena Archipelago, plus they cook you a super delicious pasta lunch on the boat. The whole tour lasts about seven hours and the boat is limited to 12 people.
You can read more about why I loved this day out so much in my Maddalena Archipelago post. Personally, I think it’s the best beach in north Sardinia, and this is the best tour to discover it!
Click here to book your Maddalena Archipelago catamaran tour to Cala Soraya!
Relaxing on Cala Soraja in Spargi Island, Italy
The beautiful water of Cala Soraja, Spargi, Italy
Cala Coticcio, Caprera Island
This minuscule beach is bordered by huge jutting boulders that surround a little patch of white sand. The rocks form a little inlet, and there’s only enough space for about 10 towels on the beach itself.
From Cala Cotticio you can watch the boats bobbing up and down in the nearby waters, and then enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains in the distance.
Another of Sardinia’s most remote beaches, it can only be reached by boat or a 45-minute hike.
Whichever way you decide to get there you’ll need to go with a guide as only a certain number of people are allowed to visit each day.
Whilst it’s a bit frustrating, it also means you can guarantee that the beach won’t be overcrowded and the environmental impact of tourism is being minimised.
Enjoying the view over the clear water of Cala Coticcio in Sardinia, Italy
Cala Napoletana, Caprera Island
Similar to Cala Coticcio, Cala Napoletana is tucked away into a little cove surrounded by sand-coloured boulders that protect it from the wind.
It feels intimate and private, even the boats can’t get to the actual beach and have to anchor at a distance.
It’s a bit of a faff reaching the beach because it involves getting a ferry from Sardinia to La Maddalena Island, then driving across to Caprera Island.
From there you have to hike for about half an hour to reach the little beach. It’s honestly worth it though, despite it being so out of the way. Bear in mind you will need a car to reach this beach.
From the Becco Di Vela car park follow Trail 14 to Cala Napoletana! The hike is beautiful, and if you’re lucky you might even spot wild mountain goats along the way. The sea is very calm at Cala Napoletana, so bring your snorkelling gear along.
Cala Napoletana in Caprera Island, Italy
Spiaggia Testa del Polpo, Maddalena Island
This quaint beach is named ‘Octopus Head Beach’ after the enormous natural boulder that juts out of the water on one end.
You can find the beach on the Giardinelli islet, and one of the great things about this beach is that you can pretty much drive the whole way there!
It’s a long dirt road that leads to the beach, so be ready to tackle the potholes! As long as you drive slowly and you’re careful, you should be fine.
One of the best things about Spiaggia Testa del Polpo is that the waters there are very calm, so it’s a popular snorkelling and swimming spot.
In peak season the beach can get pretty busy, but there are always spots on the big boulders if you can’t find any empty space on the sand.
The rocks are definitely the ‘Wow’ factor on this beach, making it one of the best beaches in Sardinia!
Spiaggia Testa del Polpo in Italy
Cala Corsara, Spargi Island
Cala Corsara is another Sardinia gem that is only reachable by boat. The beach is actually more of a string of beaches, separated by boulders that extend into the sea.
As you sail in there are large, imposing cliffs in hues of red and orange that mark the entrance to the little cove.
I loved swimming from one beach to another at Cala Corsara. Some of them are really rocky and others have the characteristic soft, white sand you’d expect of a Sardinian beach, so each little section felt like a different beach.
If you’re careful and you’re feeling brave you can even jump off some of the rocks into the clear, blue water.
Make sure you only jump off from spots where you’ve seen other people do it, and check that it’s deep enough before you do!
Enjoying the beautiful turquoise water of Cala Corsara on Spargi Island, in Sardinia, Italy
The catamaran tour I mentioned to reach Cala Soraya will also visit Cala Corsara, as it’s an island hopping tour of the best Maddalena beaches.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, you could also take into account this budget tour.
Besides Cala Corsara, it will take you to the coolest spots on four different islands, Maddalena, Spargi, Budelli, and Santa Maria.
You’ll also get to explore the historical downtown of La Maddalena and they have a restaurant service onboard.
Check out prices and availability for your boat tour to Cala Corsara here!
Cala Corsara on the island of Spargi in Sardinia, Italy in August (a bit too many boats!)
Piscine Naturali di Budelli (or Manto della Madonna)
Whilst the Piscine Naturali di Budelli isn’t technically a beach, I had to add it to this guide because it’s an incredibly beautiful spot between the three islands of Santa Maria, Budelli, and Razzoli.
A sort of natural pool is formed between the three islands, and it’s become a popular swimming spot.
There is one big beach there, the Spiaggia del Cavaliere, but unfortunately it’s closed. You are allowed to swim in the water surrounding the beach, as long as you don’t get out of the water and onto the sand.
It’s been closed to protect the beach, so stick to the rules!
You can only reach the Piscine Naturali di Budelli by boat, and depending on the wind conditions that day you’ll anchor up in a different spot.
This catamaran tour is the best way to visit the Natural Pools of Budelli. Catamarans have a shallower keel compared to sailing or motor boats, which means they can anchor closer to shore, where the water is particularly clear and turquoise!
Click here to book your perfect catamaran tour to the Natural Pools of Budelli in Sardinia, Italy!
Relaxing on the nets of the catamaran we cruised in the Maddalena Archipelago at the Cavaliere Beach, Italy
Best beaches in North Sardinia
Porto Pollo
Porto Pollo is Sardinia’s watersports haven.
It’s not as beautiful as the other beaches, with their picturesque coves, white sand crystal clear turquoise water, but it’s big, has plenty of services and offers lots of water sports opportunities.
If you want to try out kitesurfing, windsurfing, or sailing, this is the place to come. Unlike the other beaches so far there are facilities on this beach, including toilets, restaurants, and multiple bars!
Even if you don’t want to do any intense watersport, it’s a great beach to swim, socialize, and chill on. I love watching the sunset in Porto Pollo, with a cold mojito in hand!
It’s also a lot bigger than the other beaches, so in peak season you’re more likely to find a spot. You’ll need to pay for parking, but it’s only a couple of euros.
Sunset in Porto Pollo, Italy
Windsurfing in Sardinia, Italy
Le Piscine di Cannigione
This little beach has no bar, beach sunbeds, or umbrellas, but there are parking facilities right behind it. You can drive right up to it, so it’s a super easy-to-access choice.
Bear in mind that since 2024 you have to reserve a parking spot online ahead of time!
It’s only a small beach, so it gets crowded and it’s hard to find a spot to lay your towel down in summer, but when there’s strong mistral wind, it’s completely sheltered and incredibly beautiful!
Enjoying the crystal clear waters in Le Piscine di Cannigione, Italy
Best Beaches On The North-West Coast of Sardinia
Spiaggia La Pelosa
Again, you’ll need to book ahead for this one. It’s ticketed access during peak season, in an attempt to regulate the number of people visiting the beach each day. It costs 3.50 EUR per person.
They’re also encouraging people to bring beach maths instead of towels, as they trap less sand and protect the beaches from slowly disappearing.
One great thing about this beach is that you can actually reach it by public transport. There’s a bus that runs from Stintino village to the beach.
The beach is pretty big, there are plenty of bars and restaurants as well as beach facilities. It’s much more commercial than the other beaches we’ve looked at so far.
What makes La Pelosa so special and worth visiting despite the crowds, is the La Pelosa Tower.
Built on a little island just off the beach’s shores, you can even swim out to it if you’re a confident swimmer and jump off into the water at the nearest point!
Chilling at the famous La Pelosa Beach in Stintino, Italy
Spiaggia di Rena Majori
Spiaggia di Rena Majori is a fabulous and vast white sand beach with a restaurant and parking available. In winter the waters get very choppy and it becomes a surfing hotspot.
Even in summer, the waters can get quite rough if the wind picks up. The beach is very exposed so I wouldn’t visit on a windy day.
Another thing worth knowing is there is quite a lot of seaweed on the beach and you have to wade through it when you get in the water.
It’s a great family beach because it has everything you need and is easy to get to! On calm and sunny days it’s a great swimming spot too.
Walking down to Spiaggia di Lu Litarroni in Italy
Best Sardinia Beach On The West Coast
Whilst these beaches aren’t technically on the north coast of Sardinia, I just had to include them! They’re still on the northern half of the island, just further west.
They’re all a bit tricky to access, so prepare to either hike or book a boat tour to reach them.
However, they’re really worth visiting thanks to the breathtaking white cliffs that make up the backdrop of these west coast beaches.
Crystal clear waters in the Cala Luna in Golfo di Orosei, Italy
Cala Luna
Cala Luna is a long, white sand beach that is most famous for its huge caves! You can’t walk beyond the beach’s sand into the mainland because you come up against towering white cliffs. Carved out into the cliffs are vast caves.
You can walk into the caves, and even stretch out your towel on the sandy cave floors. Forget bringing a sun umbrella, the caves are the perfect retreat from the midday sun!
This dinghy excursion takes you along the Gulf of Orosei and visits all three of my favourite beaches on the west coast – Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu, and Cala Goloritze.
The boat can squeeze up to 12 people on and the tour takes all day. Check out my guide on the best time to visit Sardinia before you book any tours!
Click here to book your boat tour to Cala Luna!
Exploring the Golfo di Orosei and Cala Luna by kayak in Sardinia, Italy
Cala Goloritze
Curiously, Cala Goloritze was created by a landslide in 1962. Apart from being a spectacular beach with crystal clear water, it’s famous for the 143-metre-tall limestone pinnacle that towers over this little beach.
Tucked away into a cove, it can be reached by boat or on foot. Pick between this dinghy tour or a 45-minute hike. Boats have to anchor about 200 meters away from the beach, and you swim the rest of the way!
If you walk from the car park, it’s a 4.5 kilometre walk, which will take you about an hour and a half. The nice thing about hiking is you get to trek through the Mediterranean bush. It’s a bit arduous but the views are amazing.
Bear in mind you’ll have to pay a 6 EUR fee to walk through the park. But that’s still cheaper than going by boat if you’re travelling on a budget.
Click here to see prices & availability for your boat tour to Cala Luna!
Beautiful beaches of Cala Sisine in the Golfo di Orosei, Italy
Relax and unwind with nature at the Cala Luna in the Golfo di Orosei, Italy
Cala Mariolu
The giant boulders and towering white cliffs at Cala Mariolu are just as impressive as the ones at Cala Luna and Cala Goloritze. A photographer’s dream, the beach encapsulates the best of the Mediterranean coastline.
The beach is less sandy than other Sardinia beaches. It’s made up of tiny white pebbles, which is why the local shepherds from Baunei called it Ispuligedenie (fleas of snow).
You can hike there, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The walk takes you along steep cliffs, and at points, you have to do some scrambling.
Your effort will be rewarded with panoramic views, but should only be taken on by experienced hikers. Looking for a unique experience? Book yourself onto this incredible sailing trip aboard a 100-year-old ship!
It takes you along the Gulf of Orosei with stops for you to swim and explore. It’s more expensive than other tour options, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Check out prices & availability for an epic sailing trip to Cala Mariolu here!
Kayaking in the Golfo di Orosei, Italy
Final Thoughts On The Best Beaches In Sardinia
Sardinia’s best beaches awe me now as much as they did when I spent my summer holidays there as a child.
The pristine blue water, soft white sand, and sunny weather will make you feel like you’ve landed in the Caribbean!
Sardinia is truly home to some of the best summer beaches in the world, and exploring them should feature on everyone’s Italy bucket list, or even Europe bucket list!
If it’s your first trip to Italy most people won’t add Sardinia to their Italy itinerary, as they prefer to stick to the famous cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre and Lake Como, but honestly seeing somewhere like Sardinia, where Italians themselves go on holiday, is pretty epic too.
This guide includes all the best north Sardinia beaches. Remote and hidden away, some of them can only be reached by boat.
To me, their location makes them even more special. I’ve included lots of tours for a range of budgets so you can choose how you want to explore Sardinia’s best-hidden beaches.
Have you been to Sardinia before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below!
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