The Best Beaches of South Sardinia

a picture of spiaggia del poetto di cagliari in south sardinia
Spiaggia del Poetto di cagliari, in South Sardinia.

Caribbean-coloured waters, gorgeous beaches stretching for miles and miles. Sugar-fine sands. Grandstand views over the Mediterranean Sea. Majestic dunes, masterpieces of nature, forever whipped by the warm winds of the southern Sardinian summer. Lagoons. Migrating birds. Flamingos, searching for a summer home. Dolphins graciously swimming in the exquisite celestial-blue waters.

These are the best beaches of South Sardinia, located just a one and a half hour’s drive away from Cagliari Elmas Airport, at most.

Spiaggia Calamosca

  • Location: near Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, parking, restaurant.
  • Length: 120 meters.
A summer's day at Spiaggia Calamosca, 5 kilometers south of the center of Cagliari, Sardinia.

At Calamosca, the views of Faro di Capo Sant’Elia are lovely, with Caletta della Torre di Calamosca across the water.

Learn more about Spiaggia Calamosca, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia Portopineddu

  • Location: near Porto Pinetto, Province of Carbonia-Iglesias, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: None. You'll want to bring some amenities.
  • Length: 125 meters.
a picture of spiaggia portopineddu near porto pinetto in southwest sardinia

The cozy beach of Portopineddu (Spiaggia Portopineddu) has a length of only 125 meters, but don’t let its small size fool you; it has a gorgeous lick of white sand and usually remains quiet even during high season. For these reasons, we’ve added it to our overview of Best Beaches of South Sardinia. Spiaggia Portopineddu faces south, offering excellent views of the headlands of Punta Menga. On the right side of the beach, you’ll see Punta Sa Bua, a rocky outcrop that provides a nice spot to take some pictures of your holiday in Southern Sardinia. The shallow waters around the rocks offer a few good spots for some afternoon snorkeling. The beach is backed by a combination of small sand dunes and pine forests, through which a few beachfront villas are scattered. The beach is easily accessible through a short walk through the pine forest. The sandy bottom makes the water easily accessible. Spiaggia Portopineddu is suitable for families with children. Highly recommended!

Learn more about Spiaggia Portopineddu, how to get there, and where to stay.

Monte Cogoni Beach

  • Location: near Chia, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, camping, parking, restaurant, umbrellas.
  • Length: 240 meters.
a picture of monte Cogoni beach in chia south sardinia

Monte Cogoni Beach (Spiaggia di Monte Cogoni), located in Chia, Domus de Maria, belongs to the best beaches of South Sardinia. It has a length of approximately 200 meters. The beach faces southwest, offering beautiful views over the deep blue waters of Chia Bay. La Torre di Chia, a sixteenth-century watchtower, compliments the scenery on the north side of the beach. The beach is backed by a few low dunes and a pond where flamingos can be spotted in summer. Shallow waters make Monte Cogoni Beach suitable for families with children. Wind conditions at this beach are ideal for surfing, and it’s also a favorite spot in Chia for scuba diving.

Learn more about Monte Cogoni Beach, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia delle Dune

  • Location: near Porto Pino, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, parking, restaurant, umbrellas, wooden pathway.
  • Length: 2000 meters.
a picture of le dune beach in cagliari south sardinia

Le Dune beach (Spiaggia delle Dune) in the locality of Porto Pino is a gorgeous lick of silky white sand with a length of nearly two kilometers. Also known as White Sands, this beach is backed by two lagoons where migratory birds including flamingos come to spend their summer days. Le Dune beach is one of the widest beaches in South Sardinia. You’ll be mesmerized by the majestic rolling dunes behind the beach. These can rise to 30 meters. Juniper trees and other Mediterranean greenery cover the inland dunes to complete the beautiful scenery. Beach umbrellas, deck chairs and pedal boats are available for rent. The seabed of Le Dune beach has a gradual slope; it is suitable for families with children. Beach activities include underwater fishing, snorkeling, and walking along the long shoreline. Highly recommended.

Learn more about Spiaggia delle Dune, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia di Campana Dune

  • Location: near Chia, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, parking, restaurant, umbrellas.
  • Length: 440 meters.
a picture of spiaggia di campana dune in chia south sardinia

1 kilometer south-east of Setti Ballas, you’ll discover the beach of Campana Dune (Spiaggia di Campana Dune). This is the northernmost part of a 1.7 kilometer long stretch of sand that extends all the way to the beach of Su Giudeu. The beach is backed by pretty dunes that can reach up to 20 meters high, and features marvelous vistas of the Torre di Chia to the north-east, and Isola su Giudeu to the south. Beach activities include beach tennis, kayaking, paddle boating, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Overall, this part of south Sardinia is very nice for hiking and walking as well.

Learn more about Spiaggia di Campana Dune, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia di Porto Pino

  • Location: near Sant'Anna Arresi, Province of Carbonia-Iglesias, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, parking, umbrellas.
  • Length: 4000 meters.
a picture of spiaggia di porto pino in south sardinia

Porto Pino beach is one of the best beaches of south Sardinia. It is located between the provinces of Cagliari and Carbonia, just south-east of Porto Pino. It has a length of 4 kilometers and faces south-west, offering views of Isola La Vacca situated 15 kilometers off the coast. Characterized by majestic sand dunes, the beach is backed by several ponds (Stagno di Brebéis and Stagno di Maestrale) where marvellous pink flamingos can be spotted. The beach area is well equipped with sun umbrellas, bars, and bathrooms. Water sports opportunities include surfing and scuba diving.

Learn more about Spiaggia di Porto Pino, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia del Poetto

  • Location: near Cagliari, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, parking, restaurant, umbrellas.
  • Length: 8000 meters.
a picture of spiaggia del poetto di cagliari in south sardinia

Poetto Beach (Spiaggia del Poetto di Cagliari) is located in between Comune di Quartu Sant Elena and Comune di Cagliari, in south Sardinia. It is the main beach of Cagliari, the capital of the island of Sardinia. The beach has a length of 8 kilometers and faces south-east, offering views over the deep blue waters of the Golfo di Quartu. The beach is marked by beautiful views of the hills of the Sella del Diavolo to the south. Poetto beach is backed by two ponds: the Stagno di Molentargius and Stagno di Quartu where the well-known pink flamingos can be spotted. The beach has a full range of facilities: you’ll find kiosks, bars with beach beds, restaurants, discos, plenty of water sports facilities, a marina, and a fair. Poetto is one of the windiest spots on the island. For this reason it is a one of the best beaches of South Sardinia for kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts.

Learn more about Spiaggia del Poetto, how to get there, and where to stay.

Santa Margherita di Pula Beach

  • Location: near Santa Margherita di Pula, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, camping, parking, restaurant, umbrellas.
  • Length: 2600 meters.
a picture of Spiaggia di Santa Margherita di Pula in south Sardinia Italy

Santa Margherita di Pula beach (Spiaggia di Santa Margherita di Pula) is located in front of the village with the same name, just 5 kilometers east of the community of Domus de Maria. You’ll find several beaches in this area, all conveniently located parallel to the SS 195 for about 5 kilometers. With a length of 2600 meters, this beach is the longest stretch of sand you’ll find in this part of Cagliari. Santa Margherita di Pula beach features grains of sand in shades of pink, and its waters are quite shallow – a feature that will be appreciated by families with small children. The wind conditions allow Santa Margherita di Pula to be popular among the surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing crowd. Its surroundings are an interesting mix of cultivated agriculture, green and cooling pine forests, campings and nearby beach resorts.

Learn more about Santa Margherita di Pula Beach, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia di Chia sa Colonia

  • Location: near Domus de Maria, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: beach chairs, parking, umbrellas.
  • Length: 750 meters.
a picture of chia beach near domus de maria in cagliari sardinia

Chia Beach, with sands colored like peaches and turquoise waves rolling towards the coastline, is one of the best beaches of south Sardinia. The lagoon behind Chia beach is an important flamingo breeding ground, and if you’re very lucky, you might spot some dolphins swimming in the sea. Located nearby you’ll find the Torre di Chia, offering impressive views of the local surroundings and good opportunities to take some great vacation pictures.

Learn more about Spiaggia di Chia sa Colonia, how to get there, and where to stay.

Cala Cipolla

  • Location: near Domus de Maria, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: bar, beach chairs, parking, umbrellas.
  • Length: 150 meters.
spiaggia di cala cipolla near chia in south sardinia italy

Cala Cipolla (Spiaggia di Cala Cipolla) is one of the pearls that the Chia Bay is famous for, and is another favorite spot among off-season surfers. The beach is tucked away in a narrow bay and only spans 150 meters, with sands white and fine, backed by dense Mediterranean Maquis. There are pine and juniper trees right by the beach where you can find some shade during the hot hours of the day. The cove faces south, and on the west side, you’ll admire the views of the lighthouse on the headlands of Capo Spartivento located one kilometer away. The working lighthouse is a unique location in Chia, as it serves as a hotel with six rooms. Make sure to bring some snorkeling gear!

Learn more about Cala Cipolla, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia di Tuerredda

  • Location: near Domus de Maria, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: beach chairs, parking, restaurant, umbrellas.
  • Length: 400 meters.
a picture of tuerredda beach near capo spartivento in south sardinia

Spiaggia di Tuerredda, located on the headlands of Capo Spartivento, certainly deserves a spot on the top ten list of most beautiful beaches of South Sardinia. Located just west of Perda Longa and near the beach of Su Giudeu, its natural beauty is breathtaking. Sheltered from the wind, the v-shaped beach stretches for just about half a kilometer, but big treats come in small packages! The beach faces south-east, offering pleasant views of Isola di Tuerredda located 150 meters off the coast. In the far distance, you can see the headlands of Capo Malfatano and Torre di Capo Malfatano, a sixteenth century watchtower.

Learn more about Spiaggia di Tuerredda, how to get there, and where to stay.

Spiaggia Su Giudeu

  • Location: near Domus de Maria, Province of Cagliari, South Sardinia.
  • Facilities: restaurant.
  • Length: 600 meters.
a picture of su giudeu beach near domus de maria in southern sardinia

Su Giudeu beach (Spiaggia di Su Giudeu, also called de s’Acqua Durci (fresh water)) is located just 1 kilometer south of the renowned Chia beach, near the southernmost point of Sardinia about 50 kilometers from Elmas airport in Cagliari. Su Giudeu is one of the best beaches in the Cagliari area, and arguably one of the best beaches of South Sardinia. A popular beach for the alternative and surfing crowd of the island, Su Giudeu features several reefs just above the surface of the sea that make it good scuba diving spot. Apart from dudes with surfboards hunting for the highest Mediterranean waves, flocks of flamingos have chosen the area of Chia Su Giudeu as their summer playing ground in the lagoons nearby.

Learn more about Spiaggia Su Giudeu, how to get there, and where to stay.