Experiences
Sardinia's best beaches: clear water, boat trips and seaside hotels
White sand, turquoise water and coves you can only reach by boat or on foot. How to find the best beaches in Sardinia, and where to stay on the Costa Smeralda and in the south.
The boat stops in a cove, and the water is so clear the anchor seems to hang in mid-air. A strip of white sand runs along the shore, with nothing behind it but granite and scrub. There is no road here, which is why it is so quiet.
Sardinia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Many are best reached from the sea, and several have rules to protect the sand and the water. Here are the beaches to prioritise, and the hotels near them.
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The best beaches and boat trips
Book the experience: See boat trips and activities in Sardinia
The La Maddalena islands
North of the Costa Smeralda lies an archipelago of small beaches, granite rocks and turquoise water. Boat trips from Palau and the Costa Smeralda stop at several coves for swimming.
Costa Smeralda
The north-east coast has small, sheltered beaches such as Capriccioli and Liscia Ruja. The water is often perfectly clear, and the harbour town of Porto Cervo is close by.
La Pelosa
The beach near Stintino in the north-west has shallow, pale blue water and an old tower on a rocky islet. Visitor numbers are capped in summer, so check the rules and book a spot.
The Gulf of Orosei
On the east coast the mountains drop straight into the sea, and the beaches of Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzè sit between the cliffs. You reach them by boat or on trails from the mountains.
Where to stay in Sardinia
The Costa Smeralda suits boat trips and the most famous beaches in the north. In the south there are large resorts on long sandy beaches.
Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Cala di Volpe sits on its own bay on the Costa Smeralda, in a building designed to look like a small village. One of the best-known hotels on the island.
Book your stay: See rooms at Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Hotel Pitrizza
Villas by the sea.
Hotel Pitrizza
Pitrizza is on the Costa Smeralda, with small granite villas and a private beach. Quiet and discreet, and close to the boats to La Maddalena.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Pitrizza
Forte Village Resort
On the beach in the south.
Forte Village Resort
Forte Village is in the south of the island on a long sandy beach, with several hotels, pools and restaurants on one site. A good choice for families.
Book your stay: See rooms at Forte Village Resort
When is the best time to visit Sardinia?
June and September: warm sea and slightly fewer people than high season.
July and August: the hottest and busiest, especially on the Costa Smeralda.
May and October: mild, but the sea is cooler and some hotels are closed.
Sardinia beaches FAQ
Which is the best beach in Sardinia?
La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzè and the beaches of La Maddalena are among the most famous.
Do I need to book a spot on the beach?
At La Pelosa visitor numbers are capped in summer. Check the rules before you go.
Where should I stay?
The Costa Smeralda for boat trips and beaches in the north, the south for long sandy beaches.
Can I take sand home?
No, taking sand and stones from the beaches is forbidden.
When is the sea warmest?
From July to September.