The most beautiful beaches in Mallorca

Looking for the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia? Then you shouldn’t miss the following article. Sardinia has long been known as the “Caribbean of the Mediterranean” and awaits you with stunningly beautiful beaches and bays, as well as crystal-clear sea shimmering in all possible shades of blue.

So you don’t have to fly to the Caribbean, because Europe also offers plenty of such dream destinations. During our Sardinia tour, we visited countless beaches, be it in the north, east, south, or west. But we can tell you one thing in advance: WOW! WOW! WOW!

What else you should know

What else you should know
The most beautiful beaches in Sardinia
1. Cala Coticcio
2. Cala Petra Ruja
3. Porto Taverna
4. Is Arutas
5. La Pelosa
6. Cala Spinosa
7. Spiaggia di Tuerredda
8. Cala Goloritzé
9. Spiaggia di Galera Èccia
10. Costa Rei
The most beautiful beaches in Sardinia – Our conclusion

The most beautiful beaches in Sardinia

On the following map, we’ve marked our most beautiful beaches in Sardinia for you to get a better overview. Whether north, east, south, or west – Sardinia has great beaches and bays everywhere that are worth a visit. Of course, there are countless other beautiful beaches in Sardinia, but you can’t visit them all in one trip anyway. Instead, focus on a few beaches and enjoy your time there all the more intensely. Sometimes less is more.

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1. Cala Coticcio

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia is located in the east of the small island of Caprera in the La Maddalena archipelago. The Cala Coticcio beach is not only one of the most beautiful, but at just 10 meters, it is also one of the smallest beaches in Sardinia. I (Bolle) was there once before in 2015 and couldn’t resist a second visit this year (2025).

The fine sand, the surrounding rocks and maquis, and the crystal-clear water create a dreamlike setting that is second to none. From the upper cliffs, you have a magnificent view of the small Caribbean bay and the sea.

Sardinia-Sights-Caprera-Cala-Coticcio

Getting there: You can reach Cala Coticcio beach on the island of Caprera either by excursion boat* or via a narrow path after a 40-minute hike (more information about the hike here). During the season, you are now only allowed to hike to this beach with a guide (June 1st – September 30th), for which you have to pay on site (approx. €25 per person).

We were able to hike to the beach alone in May (and also in April 2015) and enjoy the view to the fullest. In the off-season, the beach is not yet as crowded. During the season, there are many!!!! tourists and boats there. It’s best to read the current reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. Cala Petra Ruja

We discovered the small bay of Petra Ruja (Liscia Ruja) by chance while exploring the famous and popular Costa Smeralda. The beach is 500 meters long and up to 25 meters wide. The many crushed shells give the beach a pretty pink hue.

We especially liked the small, hidden coves surrounded by many orange rocks. Here you’ll find secluded corners where, with a bit of luck, you’ll be completely alone. And, as you would expect, the water at this beach is crystal clear and beautifully calm.

Getting there: From Portisco, drive north on the SP 94. At the intersection, turn left towards Abbiadori and then right onto the SP 160. Follow this road for about 3 kilometers and park your car in the “Parcheggio Liscia Ruja Querce” parking lot (or a little further to the beach if there is space).

Then continue on foot for about 10 minutes to the beach. On the left side of the bay, you will find numerous rocks in the water and smaller, hidden coves. These are wonderful places to sunbathe, swim in the sea, and relax.

3. Porto Taverna

The town of Porto Taverna remained particularly memorable for us, as we not only found a stunningly beautiful backdrop there, but also spotted our first flamingos. It’s best to park your car HERE and then walk across the beautiful, long wooden walkway to the beach. With a bit of luck, you might spot flamingos and other bird species in the lagoon.

The wooden walkway ends directly at Porto Taverna beach. From here, you have a fantastic view of the offshore island of Isola Tavolara (book a tour to the island here*). On the beach you will find, among others, the Chiosco Mare Azzurro restaurant and the 2.1 Café Restaurant, where you can enjoy a leisurely meal with a view of the sea.

While you are in the area, it is also worth visiting the nearby beaches of Spiaggia di Lu Impostu, Cala Brandinchi, Cala di Volpe and the charming village of San Teodoro. They are all just a stone’s throw away – perfect to visit in one day. San Teodoro is a lively resort with beautiful beaches, cozy restaurants and a famous night market in summer.

Getting there: You can reach Port Taverna via the SS125. Here, between Vaccileddi and Costa Dorata, you will find the beautiful beach with a lagoon and wooden walkway. Immediately after the roundabout on the SS125 towards Porto Taverna, turn right onto a dirt road that leads to the parking lot (view parking lot on Google Maps). During the season (June 1st – September 30th), parking is subject to a fee (€4/day | €2/half-day). Outside of the season there is usually not much going on and parking is free then too.

4. Is Arutas

During your trip, you should definitely visit the Sinis Peninsula, as it boasts many beautiful beaches and scenery. We recommend a detour to the Spiaggia di Is Arutas and Mari Ermi beaches. Here, you won’t find your usual sandy beaches, but rather small, beautifully colored quartz pebbles, roughly the size of a grain of rice.

Hence the name “rice grain beach,” which you’ll likely come across frequently during your research on the peninsula. Azure water meets fine, white sand – the crystal-clear sea and the paradisiacal backdrop make these beaches truly dream destinations that can easily compete with the Caribbean.

Getting there: From Oristano, take the SP6 and SP59 to Is Arutas beach. The journey takes only about 20 minutes. Directly in front of the beach is a large public parking lot, which is free to use during the off-season. During the season (June 1 to September 30), you’ll reportedly pay up to €15 per day.

If that’s too expensive for you, it’s best to use the free parking lot (show parking lot on Google Maps), which is just 400 meters away. You’ll have to walk a little further to get to the beach, but you won’t pay a cent for it.

5. La Pelosa

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia is definitely La Pelosa Beach, located on the Stintino peninsula in the province of Sassari. You can park your car right up the road and then walk to the beach. Off-season, there’s no charge for the beach or parking, but more on that later. The bay is truly beautiful, with very fine sand and a brilliant blue water.

Here, you can walk countless meters into the water without it getting too deep. The shallow beach is therefore ideal for children. Just behind the picture-perfect La Pelosa Beach, you can spot the Island of Asinara, a nature reserve and also worth a visit. Caution: During peak season, the beach here is said to be extremely crowded!

During the season (June 1st – September 30th), a maximum of 1,500 people are allowed to visit the beach daily (adult admission: €3.50, children up to 12 years free). This is to regulate the crowds and protect nature. You should definitely register online in advance to secure a ticket. During peak season, tickets sell out very quickly, and you’ll have to check on site to see if you can still get one.

You’ll also need a mat for your towel on the beach (e.g., a raffia mat), which you can also purchase from vendors on site (approx. €5). This is to prevent too much of the fine sand from being eroded over time. Anyone caught stealing sand can expect hefty fines of up to €3,000. And before we forget: Parking costs €2.50 per hour during the season.

6. Cala Spinosa

If you’re taking a Sardinia tour, you should definitely explore Capo Testa with its lighthouse and the Valle della Luna. This cape at the northern tip of the island, with its imposing granite cliffs, is definitely one of the top sights in northern Sardinia. The many small bays and beaches around the cape are also stunningly beautiful and offer fantastic views.

A good starting point for your visit is Santa Teresa di Gallura – a charming coastal town with a pretty old town, small cafés, and a great view all the way to Corsica. From here, you can reach Capo Testa in just a few minutes and explore the region wonderfully.

The small Cala Spinosa is surrounded by rocks that provide protection from the wind. The crystal-clear water is usually calm and shimmers in all possible shades of blue. The sloping beach is popular with families with children, as the entry is nice and shallow.

Getting there: Unfortunately, the journey is somewhat arduous, and parking is scarce. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the path down to the beach along the rocks is steep. The trail to the bay begins to the right of the “Sea Lounge” bar.

In wet conditions, you should be even more careful, as the descent over the rocks can be slippery. Since the beach is very small and moorings are limited, you should arrive early in the morning.

7. Spiaggia di Tuerredda

We discovered the beach of Tuerredda by chance during our tour. Only after our visit did we learn that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia. Even from the panoramic road, we caught our first glimpses of the white, V-shaped sandy beach in the sheltered bay.

We parked our car (free of charge since it was off-season) and strolled to the 400-meter-long beach, which already impressed us with its crystal-clear water and fine sand. WOW! What a backdrop. Just 150 meters from the coast lies the small, green island of Isola di Tuerredda, which can be reached by kayak, among other things.

Sunbeds and parasols are available for hire on the beach (prices vary depending on the order). There’s a restaurant and a bar/snack bar, as well as canoe, pedalo, and dinghy rentals. During the season, the beach is almost overcrowded, which is why we advise against a visit. In mid/late May, things were still quite relaxed there.

Getting there: Tuerredda Beach is located in the southwest of the island, directly on the beautiful SP 71 panoramic road. There’s a large parking lot in front of the beach, where you pay €7 to €10 per day during the season. Outside of the season, you don’t pay any parking space and can park along the road. However, since the beach is very popular, it fills up quickly between June and September.

8. Cala Goloritzé

You’ve probably seen Cala Goloritzé during your research, right? This impressive bay is located in the Gulf of Orosei on Sardinia’s east coast and can be reached either by boat or on foot. We rented a motorboat in Santa Maria Navarrese and cruised along the stunning coast.

The scenery during the trip is almost unreal: Rugged mountains meet the deep blue sea, with small bays appearing in between, looking like something out of a picture book. The small Cala Goloritzé awaits you with crystal-clear water and a fine sandy beach. Ideal for snorkeling, so don’t forget your mask!

Cala Mariolu is also nearby, and with its turquoise waters and light pebbles, it easily rivals Goloritzé—definitely worth a stop! Also worth a visit is Cala Luna, another spectacular beach in this area. Many people start their boat tour from Cala Gonone – a popular starting point for excursions along Sardinia’s wild east coast.

Getting there: As already mentioned, you have two options: either rent a boat (or take a guided tour*) or hike to Cala Goloritze in about three hours. Many bays and beaches along the east coast (hiking is also possible) can only be reached by water, so it was really cool that we were able to stop everywhere. The boat ride was incredibly fun, and we highly recommend a tour like this. More about it here: Our highlights in eastern Sardinia.

9. Spiaggia di Galera Èccia

On the Sinis Peninsula (Costa Verde), there are some truly beautiful beaches, such as the Spiaggia di Galera Èccia. This beach is located below the “Spanish Tower of San Giovanni di Sinis” and is easy to reach. Fine sand, crystal-clear water, and a sea shimmering in the most beautiful shades of blue await you.

Here you can relax and enjoy the summer in peace. There are several other attractions in the surrounding area, such as the ruined city of Tharros with its archaeological museum or the lighthouse at Capo San Marco.

Getting there: If you’re exploring the Sinis Peninsula, be sure to stop at this beach. From Oristano, you can reach this beach via the SP6 (approx. 20 minutes). A large public parking lot is located directly in front of the “Da Marina Pau” restaurant, where you can park your car. From there, continue on foot to the tower, the ancient city of Tharros, and the beautiful beaches. Galera Èccia beach is just 150 meters away.

10. Costa Rei

The Costa Rei is Sardinia’s royal coast and awaits you with an almost 10-kilometer-long stretch of sandy beach, bright white sand, and crystal-clear water. Since the beach slopes gently throughout, this region is particularly suitable for families with children. Sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts will also find their money’s worth here.

You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as diving and kitesurfing schools, on site. You can also enjoy some great hikes in the region, such as to Capo Ferrato, Capo Carbonara, or Monte Ferru.

Getting there: From Cagliari, you can reach the coast after about 50 km on the SS 125 state road. To the north, the coastal strip is bordered by Capo Ferrato and to the south by the rocky and sandy bays of Sant’Elmo. You’ll find countless parking spaces along the coast.

The most beautiful beaches in Sardinia – Our conclusion

We’ve just introduced you to some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, and as you can see, there’s a lot to see. Sardinia is truly a dream island and an absolute beach paradise. We don’t know of any other European island that offers such a variety of incredibly beautiful beaches. If you’re looking for a summer destination, we highly recommend this island. Whether with family and children, with your partner, or with your best friends – Sardinia is truly suitable for everyone!