The 6 Best Beaches in South Sardinia
A trip to Southern Sardinia must include the visit to its beautiful beaches.
Especially if it’s your first time on the island.
Our trip took place in the first half of June and we were blessed with lovely weather.
Sunny days with pleasant temperatures were ideal for spending a few hours by the sea. The wind, both mistral and libeccio, was our tenacious travel companion.
Some of the more popular coves were already crowded by mid-morning, and we can only imagine how busy they get during high season.
Caletta of Torre Pixinni
Drawing from our own personal experience, this article aims to provide you with valuable insights into the 6 best beaches in South Sardinia.
Three of them are situated along the South Coast and three are located instead to the east of Cagliari, ensuring that we cover a wide range of options.
We want to emphasize that this is not a hierarchical list since all the beaches we’ve mentioned are equally stunning.
Please not that we haven’t had the chance to visit certain beaches in the area, such as Cala Sinzias and Costa Rei, or those situated near the town of Muravera on the southeast coast.
We also haven’t included the well-known Poetto Beach in Cagliari.
As for the beaches in Costa Verde and on the San Pietro Island, we’ve already covered them in our previous articles.
Table of Contents
South Sardinia, Where to Stay
When planning our trip, we decided to book accommodation in Teulada and Cagliari.
Initially, we considered staying in Villasimius, but since our return flight was scheduled early in the morning, we ultimately chose to stay in the island’s capital.
Regardless of your preferences, the tourism industry in Southern Sardinia caters to all types of travelers, offering a wide range of accommodation options including:
hotels of varying standards, holiday homes, apartments for rent, luxury resorts, holiday villages, farmhouses, and bed & breakfasts.
You’ll be delighted to know that there’s something for everyone!
In Teulada, after careful research, we decided to stay at the B&B Su Tostainu.
The location of the property is convenient, as it’s situated close to the main roads yet still in a peaceful area.
The family who runs the B&B are incredibly hospitable, and their warmth and kindness are the standout features of our stay.
The rooms were clean and comfortable, and during the summer, we had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast outdoors under the porch overlooking the garden.
In Cagliari we stayed in a hotel that, from recent research, seems to have been closed permanently.
However, you can find the latest and best offers for accommodation in Southern Sardinia at the following link.
The Best Beaches in South Sardinia
Our itinerary to explore the best beaches in South Sardinia began in Porto Pino and continued towards Villasimius, situated to the east of Cagliari.
The panoramic road along the coast covers approximately 150 kilometers, excluding the detours to reach the shores.
If you’re planning an itinerary like this, it’s essential to have your own transportation.
If you don’t have your vehicle instead, we highly recommend renting one as soon as you land on the island, just as we did.
To rent a car we always rely on DiscoverCars.
It’s a price comparison website that offers a great amount of options from different rental companies. The website is user-friendly and easily accessible from both PC and mobile devices.
In the past, we had to cancel our trip last minute, but with the “free cancellation” option, we received a credit for the full amount we paid at the time of booking.
1- Porto Pino Beach
The stunning Porto Pino beach is surrounded by a lush pine forest of Aleppo oaks and pines, and it’s easily accessible from Teulada, where we stayed.
Simply take the SS195 and once you arrive in Sant’Anna degli Arresi, turn left, and you’ll arrive at your destination in less than ten kilometers.
The beach is divided into two distinct areas.
The first area is located a few tens of meters from the parking lots and is more crowded, with various amenities for bathers.
The second area, more beautiful and wilder, stretches for over two kilometers and ends with the famous white sand dunes.
The shoreline of Porto Pino beach
The landscape of the sand dunes at Porto Pino is quite unique and has a lunar appearance, with hillocks rising to about 35 meters covered in rushes and small shrubs.
The shoreline is marked by a delicate pinkish strip of sand that separates the blue of the sea from the white of the beach.
We decided to explore this area on foot and took a long walk to the extremity.
Besides, Porto Pino is an excellent destination for windsurfing, with enthusiasts looking for the right gusts of wind to ride the waves of the sea.
2- Cala Tuerredda
Cala Tuerredda, located on the southern coast of Sardinia, is undoubtedly one of the most iconic beaches in the region.
Its picturesque blend of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise sea make it a sight to behold.
In fact, among all the beaches we have visited not only in Sardinia but also in other parts of Italy, Cala Tuerredda stands out as one of the most stunning coves.
Accessible via the panoramic road SP71, the beach stretches for about 500 meters and is shielded from the wind by the dense Mediterranean vegetation that surrounds it.
Unfortunately, due to its popularity and advertising, the beach is often overcrowded.
Cala Tuerredda
The beach of Cala Tuerredda is accompanied by an islet of the same name which can be reached by swimming or by renting a pedal boat.
However, during the summer months (mid-June to end of September), the number of visitors allowed is limited to 1100 per day, with 729 people permitted on the free, non-bookable beach, and the remainder being able to access the two equipped bathing establishments.
The beach is also plastic-free, meaning that non-biodegradable plastic material is not permitted.
Availability can be checked on the official website of the beach (italian language only).
Additionally, the clear waters of Tuerredda make it an excellent spot for snorkeling.
3- Cala Cipolla
Continuing along the SP71 towards Pula, a few kilometers after passing Capo Spartivento you reach Baia Chia, located in the municipality of Domus de Maria.
It is one of the largest bathing areas in the region and the beaches change name at each inlet.
In short sequence there are Cala Cipolla, Su Giudeu, Campana Dune, Sa Colonia and finally Su Portu.
In this area of Sardinia the tourism industry is more developed than in other areas of the region.
Tourism is more developed in this part of Sardinia than in other areas of the region, which has brought economic benefits, but has also resulted in the construction of architectural eyesores that clash with the natural landscape.
Beaches of Chia
Cala Cipolla is easily accessible from the town of Setti Ballas.
You can turn towards the sea on Viale Spartivento and continue on a dirt road until you reach the parking lot.
Once you park your car in the open space enclosed by a wooden fence, you can follow a short path that ascends slightly on foot.
The golden sandy beach is situated between two granite headlands and is nestled in a secluded location, almost hidden by the dunes and thick vegetation.
4- Mari Pintau
Mari Pintau beach is located about 25 kilometers from the center of Cagliari and can be accessed via the SP17.
It is located in the territory of Quartu Sant’Elena.
Once near the town of Geremeas, visitors can leave their car on the sides of the roadway and make their way towards the sea along a short dirt path, surrounded by the classic verdant shrubs of the Mediterranean scrub.
The beach boasts a mix of smooth pebbles and sandy areas that gently merge into the crystal clear waters of the sea.
Its name, “painted sea” in Sardinian dialect, reflects the breathtaking palette of colors created by the sun’s reflection on the seabed.
A real painting.
Mari Pintau Beach
5- Porto Giunco
Leaving behind the stylish Marina di Villasimius, a secondary asphalt road will lead you to a dirt track, a few hundred meters down the way.
The track is well-trodden and easy to navigate, flanked by medium-sized eucalyptus plants and a variety of coastal shrubs.
Along the way, you’ll pass the famous Notteri pond, home to a colony of pink flamingos.
Three entrances lead to the beach, each clearly marked with directional signs.
Upon reaching the end of the carriage road, you’ll find a large parking area.
A path through a metal gate will guide you to the stunning white sandy beach, which is well-equipped but can become rather crowded in peak season.
Dominating the horizon is the historic Tower of Porto Giunco, part of a network of coastal towers built by the Spanish to defend Sardinia against pirate raids.
Cala Is Cabras
6- Punta Molentis
Our tour to explore the best beaches in South Sardinia culminates at Punta Molentis, situated on the southeastern tip of the island.
Departing from Simius village, follow the SP18 route adorned with stunning oleander plants until you reach the junction for L’Oleandro hotel restaurant.
As you embark on the dirt road, keep to the right at the fork and continue through the picturesque Mediterranean vegetation.
The car ride may have some bumps and potholes, but the end result is worth the minor inconvenience.
Punta Molentis is a stunning stretch of white sand, which is usually bustling with activity. Fortunately, we visited early in the morning when the crowds were still manageable.
Take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, as we did.
Close to the beach is an ancient granite quarry, which is part of the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara.
The beach’s name derives from the donkeys or “molenti” in Sardinian dialect, which were once used for mining operations in the quarry.
Capo Carbonara Area, established in 1998, covers approximately 14,000 hectares and boasts a distinctive landscape of rocky outcrops and seagrass meadows that contribute to its exceptional environmental value.
