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Planning a trip to Sardinia and wondering which beaches are actually worth visiting?
After spending 8 days road tripping around Sardinia, taking boat trips along the Gulf of Orosei and stopping at everything from famous turquoise lagoons to completely wild local beaches, I finally understood why Sardinia is so hyped. Some beaches fully deserved it. Others looked incredible online but felt a bit overrated in person.
So I wanted this guide to be genuinely useful. This is my honest ranking of every beach we visited, including:
- parking situation
- access
- crowds
- shade
- facilities
- snorkelling
- whether I personally think it’s worth the effort
Because some beaches are perfect if you want easy access and shallow water, while others involve dangerous hikes, boat tours or absolutely no facilities whatsoever. If you’re planning a Sardinia road trip, hopefully this helps you decide which beaches match your travel style best.
Check out my road trip itinerary here:
Quick List: The Best Beaches in Sardinia
| Beach | My Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| La Pelosa | 10/10 | Most beautiful beach |
| Berchida | 10/10 | Quiet beach lovers |
| Porto Istana | 10/10 | Families & easy access |
| Cala Goloritzé | 10/10 | Dramatic scenery |
| Cala dei Gabbiani | 10/10 | Snorkelling |
| Biriala | 10/10 | Turquoise water |
| Cala Mariolu | 9/10 | Boat trips |
| Cala Luna | 9/10 | Cave beaches |
| La Frana | 9/10 | Hidden local beach |
| La Cinta | 9/10 | Long sandy beaches |
Best Sardinia Beaches for Different Travel Styles
Best Beaches in Sardinia for Non-Swimmers
- La Pelosa
- Porto Istana
- La Cinta
All three have shallow calm water and easy access.
Best Sardinia Beaches for Snorkelling
- Cala dei Gabbiani
- Biriala
- Cala Mariolu
- Pools of Venus
The Gulf of Orosei coastline had by far the best marine life we saw in Sardinia.
Best Quiet Beaches in Sardinia
- Berchida
- La Frana
Both felt much calmer than the famous beaches further north.
Best Beaches Accessible by Public Transport
- La Pelosa
- Porto Istana
- La Cinta
- Marina di Castelsardo
Useful if you’re not renting a car in Sardinia.
La Frana Beach – My Honest Review (9/10)
La Frana was one of the first beaches we visited in Northern Sardinia and it ended up setting the tone for the whole trip perfectly. This is not one of those polished Sardinian beaches with beach clubs and rows of umbrellas. It feels much wilder and more local. The beach is made up of beautiful white, grey and black pebbles, with incredibly clear water and almost no tourists or people in general around when we visited. Most people there seemed to be locals, which immediately made it feel calmer.
Compared to beaches like La Pelosa or Cala Brandinchi, this place feels completely untouched. It’s also much steeper than many Sardinian beaches, both entering the water and getting down to the beach itself, so I probably wouldn’t recommend it for small children.
There are two access routes:
- one up through the cliffside
- one down through shallow water from the parking area
Definitely take the second option unless you enjoy scrambling down rocks in flip flops.
What you need to know
- Free parking
- No facilities
- No shade except small coves
- Pebble beach
- Great snorkelling
- Mainly locals
- Not children-friendly
If you like quieter beaches that feel natural and unspoiled, La Frana is absolutely worth it.
La Pelosa Beach – Is It Worth the Hype? (10/10)
Yes. Unfortunately for my expectations, it absolutely is. La Pelosa, located near Stintino in northwest Sardinia, is probably the most famous beach on the island and after seeing photos for years, I was fully prepared to be disappointed by how overcrowded it looked online. Instead, I stood there wondering how water in Europe could actually look like that. The sea here is ridiculously shallow, calm and bright turquoise, with soft white sand underneath that makes the colours look even more intense. Visually, it’s probably the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen in Europe. But there’s also no pretending this place isn’t touristy.
During summer:
- parking costs around €20
- access to the main beach is regulated maximum of 1500 people and needs to be booked in advance
- towels directly on sand are restricted
- sunbeds need advance booking
- the main section gets packed
- The daily rate is €3.50 between May and October
We actually stayed slightly outside the main area and walked through shallow water instead, and honestly preferred it. It was quieter, less stressful and better for snorkelling too, also this area doesn’t need to be booked in advance or pay entrance fee.
What you need to know
- White sand
- Very shallow water
- Perfect for non-swimmers
- Public transport access
- Restaurants nearby
- Some natural shade
- Extremely busy in peak season
Even with the crowds, La Pelosa still gets a full 10/10 from me because visually it’s just unreal.
Marina di Castelsardo Beach – Honest Review (7/10)
Marina di Castelsardo is much more of a local town beach compared to the famous postcard beaches around Sardinia. The biggest reason to come here is honestly the setting. You’ve got incredible views of Castelsardo rising above the coastline with the castle overlooking everything. The beach itself is sandy, easy to access and convenient if you’re staying nearby. But compared to beaches further along Sardinia’s coastline, the water didn’t feel quite as clean, probably because it sits directly beside town. I would definitely recommend to not skip Castelsardo as you can see one of the best sunsets from the Old Town.
What you need to know
- Free roadside parking
- Public transport access
- Sandy beach
- Bars and showers nearby
- Good for snorkelling
- No shade
- Can feel busy in afternoons
Not one of the best beaches in Sardinia overall, but definitely one of the nicest town beaches we visited.
Porto Istana Beach – My Favourite Easy-Access Beach (10/10)
Porto Istana completely exceeded my expectations. Located near Olbia on Sardinia’s northeast coast, this beach combines soft white sand and shallow turquoise water with one of the best views anywhere on the island: Tavolara Island rising dramatically from the sea in the background. It almost looks fake in person. Unlike some of Sardinia’s more remote beaches, Porto Istana is also very easy to visit, which makes the experience even better. The further you walk from the main entrance, the quieter it gets, and one thing I really appreciated here was the amount of natural shade from the trees nearby. After several Sardinian beaches with absolutely no cover, this felt like luxury.
What you need to know
- Paid parking
- Limited parking spaces
- Public transport access
- Small shops and bars
- Shallow water
- Family-friendly
- Natural shade available
One of the best beaches in Sardinia if you want beauty without needing a hike or boat trip.
Accommodation near Porto Istana.
Spiaggia Rosa – The Famous Pink Beach (10/10)
Spiaggia Rosa is one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia, but you can’t actually walk on it anymore. Years of tourists taking pink sand as souvenirs caused serious damage to the ecosystem, so access is now prohibited. You can only admire it from the boat during tours around the La Maddalena Archipelago. And even from a distance, it still feels surreal.
What you need to know
- Accessible only by boat
- No swimming allowed
- Protected area
- Usually included in La Maddalena tours
Accommodation near Spiaggia Rosa.
Cala Brandinchi – Beautiful but Overrated? (7/10)
Cala Brandinchi is often called “Little Tahiti” because of its shallow turquoise water and white sand. And yes, it is beautiful, but personally, this was one of the beaches that felt slightly overrated compared to quieter alternatives like Berchida or Porto Istana. It gets extremely busy and organised during peak season, and the whole experience felt slightly less natural than other Sardinian beaches.
What you need to know
- €2 entrance fee
- Advance booking required in summer
- Expensive parking
- Public transport access
- Bars and picnic areas
- Plenty of shade
- Very safe for children
Still beautiful, just not one of my personal favourites in Sardinia.
Book entrance to Cala Brandinchi here.
La Cinta Beach – Best Long Sandy Beach in Sardinia? (9/10)
La Cinta feels completely different from beaches like Cala Mariolu or La Pelosa. Instead of hidden coves and cliffs, this is a long open stretch of white sand beside a protected lagoon and natural park area near San Teodoro. The beach itself stretches for around 3km, and although the entrance area gets very crowded, walking further along makes a huge difference. This also felt like one of the most family-friendly beaches we visited in Sardinia.
What you need to know
- Huge parking area
- Public transport access
- Showers, bars and restaurants
- No natural shade
- Child-friendly
- Very shallow water
- Popular for kite surfing
A great option if you prefer spacious sandy beaches over dramatic coves.
Spiaggia delle Dune – My Thoughts (6/10)
Spiaggia delle Dune felt much wilder and less polished than many Sardinian beaches nearby. The dunes and vegetation are beautiful, and the beach has a more untouched atmosphere, but when we visited there was quite a bit of seaweed, which made the water feel less clean compared to places like Porto Istana or La Pelosa.
What you need to know
- White sand dunes
- Free parking nearby
- Public transport access
- Good snorkelling
- Small beach bar
- Can have seaweed
Not bad at all, just not one of the standout beaches of the trip for me personally.
Berchida Beach – My Favourite Beach in Sardinia (10/10)
Out of every beach we visited in Sardinia, Berchida was my personal favourite. And weirdly, I think part of the reason is because it still feels relatively untouched compared to famous beaches further north. The beach stretches for almost 5km, with soft white sand, shallow crystal-clear water and enough space that even during peak summer it never felt crowded. Compared to Cala Brandinchi, Berchida felt quieter, more natural and much more relaxing. The drive there is slightly chaotic because of the dirt road access, and honestly I’d recommend a 4×4 if possible, but once you arrive, it’s absolutely worth it.
What you need to know
- €12 parking
- Dirt road access
- Easier with 4×4
- Toilets and small restaurant
- Limited natural shade
- Huge amount of space
- Sunbeds available in peak season
Honestly, I wouldn’t even bother renting umbrellas here. The best part of Berchida is how open and peaceful it feels.
The following 6 beaches can be accessible by boat trip from Cala Gonone:
Cala Luna Beach – Worth the Boat Trip? (9/10)
Located along Sardinia’s famous Gulf of Orosei coastline, Cala Luna is one of the island’s most recognisable beaches. What makes it stand out are the huge caves opening directly onto the beach, providing natural shade and making the whole place feel much more dramatic. The water is crystal clear and excellent for snorkelling. The downside is that it gets busy very quickly once the larger boats arrive.
What you need to know
- Accessible by boat or challenging hike
- 2.5-hour hike
- Hiking boots recommended
- Natural cave shade
- Pebble beach
- Great snorkelling
Still absolutely worth seeing, especially early in the morning.
Biriala Beach – The Most Beautiful Water in Sardinia? (10/10)
Biriala had the most unreal turquoise water I saw anywhere in Sardinia. And because bigger boats can’t stop here, it feels much calmer than Cala Mariolu. The beach itself is small pebbles surrounded by cliffs, giant rocks and deep turquoise water full of marine life. There is an arch that is perfect for diving and snorkelling.
What you need to know
- Accessible by boat or difficult hike
- Dangerous unmarked hiking sections
- Great snorkelling
- Water shoes recommended
- Occasional jellyfish
Easily one of the most stunning beaches in the Gulf of Orosei.
Pools of Venus – Best Snorkelling Spot in Sardinia (9/10)
Pools of Venus isn’t really a beach in the traditional sense. It’s more of a stunning swimming and snorkelling area surrounded by cliffs and deep blue water along the Gulf of Orosei coastline. The water here was full of bright blue fish and visibility was incredible.
What you need to know
- Accessible only by boat
- No actual beach
- Amazing snorkelling
- Deep water
Cala Mariolu – One of the Best Beaches in the World? (9/10)
Cala Mariolu was voted the best beach in the world in 2024, and I understand why. White pebbles, impossibly clear water and dramatic cliffs surrounding the beach from every angle. But it’s also extremely popular now. Compared to quieter beaches like Cala dei Gabbiani, this one felt much busier and more chaotic.
What you need to know
- Accessible by boat or difficult hike
- QR booking required for private boats
- Small bar and diving centre
- Water shoes recommended
- Rich marine life
- Cliff jumping spot
Still one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever visited.
Cala dei Gabbiani – My Favourite Beach in the Gulf of Orosei (10/10)
Out of all the beaches along the Gulf of Orosei, this was my favourite. The water gets deep very quickly, which makes the snorkelling incredible, and because it’s less famous than Cala Mariolu or Cala Goloritzé, the atmosphere felt much calmer. This is also where I saw the most beautiful octopus of the whole trip. Still not over that encounter honestly.
What you need to know
- Accessible by boat or hike
- Pebble beach
- Deep water close to shore
- Excellent snorkelling
- Less crowded
Cala Goloritzé – The Most Dramatic Beach in Sardinia (10/10)
Cala Goloritzé genuinely doesn’t look real. The massive limestone pinnacle towering above the beach makes it feel more like a natural monument than somewhere people casually swim. Because of overtourism, access is now heavily controlled, which honestly is probably necessary.
What you need to know
- Maximum 250 visitors per day
- Advance booking required
- 1.5-hour hike with 400m elevation
- Boats must stay 200m away
- Best visited before mid-afternoon
Even seeing it from the boat was unforgettable.
The exact tour that I took to see all those beaches here:
San Giovanni di Sinis Beach – A Different Side of Sardinia (8/10)
San Giovanni di Sinis felt completely different from Sardinia’s famous east coast beaches. Instead of bright white sand and turquoise lagoons, this area feels windier, wilder and much more rugged. The setting beside Capo San Marco and the old watchtower makes it especially beautiful.
What you need to know
- Public transport access
- Dog-friendly
- Great snorkelling
- No sunbeds or umbrellas
- Can get windy
- Stronger currents after storms
Accommodation near Capo San Marco.
Putzu Idu Beach – Honest Review (5/10)
Putzu Idu wasn’t really one of my favourite beaches in Sardinia. It’s shallow, easy to access and good for watersports, but compared to the other beaches on this list, it just didn’t stand out as much visually.
What you need to know
- Free parking
- Restaurants nearby
- Good for watersports
- Seaweed common
- Limited marine life
Spiaggia di San Giovanni, Alghero – Convenient but Skippable (4/10)
After seeing beaches like Berchida, Cala Mariolu and La Pelosa, Alghero’s city beach just didn’t compare. It’s convenient and easy to access, but the water wasn’t particularly clean when we visited and there was quite a lot of seaweed. The sunset views were beautiful though.
What you need to know
- Paid parking
- Public transport access
- Bars and restaurants nearby
- Sunbeds available
- Very crowded in summer
Frequently Asked Questions About Sardinia Beaches
Which beach in Sardinia has the clearest water?
La Pelosa, Biriala, Cala Mariolu and Cala dei Gabbiani had the clearest water we saw in Sardinia.
What is the most beautiful beach in Sardinia?
For me personally, La Pelosa was the most visually beautiful beach in Sardinia, while Cala Goloritzé had the most dramatic scenery.
Are Sardinia beaches free?
Most Sardinian beaches are free, but many require paid parking, advance booking or beach access reservations during summer.
Which Sardinia beaches are best for snorkelling?
Cala dei Gabbiani, Biriala, Cala Mariolu and Pools of Venus were the best snorkelling spots we visited.
Do you need a car in Sardinia?
For most beaches, yes. Some beaches are accessible by public transport, but having a car makes exploring Sardinia much easier.
After visiting 15 beaches across Northern Sardinia and the Gulf of Orosei, one thing became very obvious very quickly: Sardinia is not just about one perfect beach. What makes it special is the variety. One day you’re walking onto a fully organised white sand lagoon like La Pelosa, the next you’re hiking down cliffs towards somewhere that feels completely untouched.
If I had to pick my personal favourites:
- Berchida
- La Pelosa
- Cala dei Gabbiani
- Porto Istana
And I’d go back to every single one tomorrow.
Posts you may like:
- The Ultimate 8 Day Northern Sardinia Itinerary (Beaches, Boat Trips & Maps)
- Malta Travel Guide: Best Tips, Beaches, Hotels & Must-See Places
- Cappadocia Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- Top 10 Things to Do in Dubrovnik
- St Lucia Beach Guide: Best Beaches You Can’t Miss
Save this for later:
Už jsem byla i viděla hodně míst, ale na Sardinii jsem ještě nebyla. Moc ráda bych se tam chtěla podívat, jsou to krásná mista. 😍
Moc doporucuji, opravdu nejkrasnejsi plaze v Evrope co jsem kdy videla🙂
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