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Choosing the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia is an almost impossible task – they’re all spectacular. But you have to start somewhere, so here are a few of our favorites.

As the second largest island in the Mediterranean, it’s no surprise that Sardinia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. From north to south and east to west, this sprawling coastline is as pretty as it can be rugged. Whether you’re strolling across fine white sands, tip-toeing over tiny grains of quartz or hopping between rock pools, you’ll always be bordered by luxuriously luminescent blue waters. If you’re a beach lounger or a keen swimmer, a sailer or a watersports enthusiast, this curated selection of Sardinia’s best beaches will have the ideal stretch of sand for you.

Cala Corsara (Archipelago della Maddalena)

Natural Feature

Cala Corsara in Spargi island, archipelago of La Maddalena in Sardinia, Italy
salva.tours / Shutterstock

This tantalizing cove can be found on the island of Spargi, which is part of the Archipelago della Maddalena, found just off the island’s northern coastline. You’ll need to take a boat to get here, but Cala Corsara lives up to the hype as one of the prettiest spots in all of Sardinia. Not only are the sands pristine and the vibrant hues of ocean blue shimmering, but there’s a magical sense of isolation on this remote, slightly in-the-wild stretch of coast. There’s no wonder that tales of pirate lairs here are aplenty.

Spiaggia della Pelosa (Stintino)

Natural Feature

fabio-traina-gFiRaltpU5U-unsplash
Fabio Traina / Unsplash

Located towards the northwestern tip of Sardinia, near the charming coastal town of Stintino, is this beach with shallow, calm waters that lends itself perfectly to snorkeling, diving and windsurfing. Pelosa is a large and wide beach that stretches almost 300m and looks out over the turquoise water towards Isola Piana and Isola Asinara, sitting majestically in the Med. Pelosa is a much more easily accessible beach, with lots of parking – although competition for spaces is extremely healthy in summer – within easy strolling distance to the sand.

La Caletta

Natural Feature

Graniro beach with azure clear water and La Caletta town, Sardinia, Italy, Europe.
Eva Bocek / Shutterstock

With a name translating to ‘little harbor’, you can imagine the quaint coastal vibes on show in La Caletta, but it’s also the starting point of one of the island’s longest beaches, a sweep of sugary sand stretching nearly six kilometers to the lagoon of Su Graneri. There is almost always a breeze, so it’s a great choice for kite and windsurfers as well as sailers and regular surfers, with plenty of equipment shops and watersport schools in La Caletta itself. There is plenty of parking and and waterfront amenities to keep you going throughout the day, but the beach is also long enough that everyone is able to find their own little patch of sand without clambering over one another.

Is Arutas (Cabras)

Natural Feature

Sunset at Is Arutas beach, Cabras, Province of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy
Dimitry B / Unsplash

The sand, if you can call it that, is the real draw at this beach on Sardinia’s west coast, near Oristano and San Salvatore – the filming location for several Spaghetti Western movies. It’s made up of tiny grains of rice-shaped quartz that change color depending on the light, meaning that the beach can range from green to pink and everything in between. In winter, surfers flock here for the swells, but in warmer weather this place is pure seaside escapism, with turquoise waters just begging to be dipped in.

Cala Brandinchi (San Teodoro)

Natural Feature

Brandinchi beach near San Teodoro with Tavolara island at background, Sardinia island, Italy
Marisa Estivill / Shutterstock

Tucked within a beautiful bay on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, this gem of a beach near San Teodoro is nicknamed Little Tahiti thanks to the vibrant hues of its shallow waters. Surrounded by pine trees and juniper bushes, the bright white sands of this beach provide a perfect spot to enjoy the views of tiny Isola Ruia in the distance, but before drying out in the peak of summer, you can also enjoy the inland lagoon just behind the beach – a common quirk along this stretch of Sardinia’s coast. With plenty of nearby towns and some enviable picnic spots, this place demands to have your attention for the full day.

Porto Giunco (Villasimius)

Natural Feature

Spiaggia di Porto Giunco, Sardinia, Italy
Simon Wiedensohler / Unsplash

Nestled nicely within a bay along southeastern Sardinia’s spectacular Capo Carbonara peninsula, this must is an absolute must-visit if your exploring this side of the island. As one of the finest beaches within easy reach of Cagliari, and as a spot along the popular resort area of Villasimius, this is very popular summer haunt. Luckily the pristine white sands here stretch long enough to make room for everybody, while the protection offered from its bordering headland means that even the breeziest of days won’t be felt on the beach. If you’re done kicking back and want to stretch your legs, we suggest you tackle the uphill walk up towards Porto Giunco Tower, which looks over the beach from atop the headland. These storied old outposts can be found all over the island, but few boast views quite so spectacular as this.

This is an updated version of an article originally written by Gillian McGuire.

About the author

Gethin Morgan has developed an exciting portfolio across a series of roles at Culture Trip. With a keen interest in food and drink, Gethin is also particularly interested in niche or alternative travel which, in his case, usually involves following the Wales national soccer team to Europe's most obscure cities.

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