Which area of Sardinia has the most beautiful beaches? A complex question with no single answer. Wherever you go, nature delivers spectacular views, crystal-clear water and coastlines that look almost painted.
That said, without taking anything away from anywhere else, the beaches of South Sardinia are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Long stretches of fine sand, clear waters and stunning colours define the island’s southern coastline, one of the most sought-after holiday areas in the region.
If you are planning a holiday in Sardinia and looking for stops to include in your itinerary, this article is for you. Starting from Olbia with a rental car, let’s explore together the most beautiful beaches in South Sardinia.
South Sardinia beaches: the best ones
Southern Sardinia alternates less crowded beaches with more tourist-focused coastlines, so you can find the right option for every need. For this reason, exploring South Sardinia is a great choice, especially if you want an unforgettable experience with all the nuances this land can offer. From famous beaches to quiet, secluded coves, this corner of the island knows exactly how to impress.
1. Costa Rei beach
Costa Rei beach is located in Muravera and is one of the most beautiful shorelines in the area, with fine sand, clear waters and shallow seabeds. Mediterranean vegetation frames the panoramic view of Scoglio di Peppino, a pink-granite islet rising from the sea. The beach is popular, yet you can still find quieter, free sections, especially outside the peak months.
2. Santa Giusta beach
Santa Giusta beach features white sand, clear waters and shallow seabeds. Lush Mediterranean scrub and a panoramic view complete the setting, this time towards the Torre di Santa Giusta, a 16th-century coastal tower that is part of the area’s heritage. Compared to other beaches nearby, Santa Giusta is wider and more spacious, which makes it ideal if you want a bit more peace and privacy.
3. Cala Sinzias beach
Cala Sinzias is located in Castiadas and it’s no surprise it ranks among the most beautiful beaches in South Sardinia: you will find white sand, crystal-clear waters and shallow seabeds. The bay is protected by two headlands and a eucalyptus grove, creating an intimate, scenic atmosphere. There are several access points, and one of the easiest is following the signs for Lido Tamatete, where there are two car parks: a public one and one reserved for the beach club’s customers.
4. Cala Pira beach
Cala Pira beach features whitish-grey sand, clear waters and shallow seabeds. Behind it, a small headland covered in Mediterranean scrub and the Cala Pira tower. You cannot park in the lay-by close to the beach: follow the signs to the car park, which will take you to the left side of the shoreline (facing the sea).
5. Punta Molentis beach
Punta Molentis beach is in Villasimius, famous for fine sand, clear waters and shallow seabeds. A small peninsula shelters the beach from the wind. Behind it, a hill covered in Mediterranean vegetation offers a panoramic view over the bay. It is very popular in summer, yet you can still find quieter stretches of free beach.
6. Porto Giunco beach
Porto Giunco deserves a place among the most beautiful beaches in South Sardinia. You are in Villasimius and, as with many beaches in the area, you will find fine sand and shallow seabeds. Lush vegetation surrounds the shoreline and the view opens onto the Torre di Porto Giunco, a 16th-century coastal tower. Families love this beach thanks to the shallow water and the many services available, such as umbrella and sunbed hire, bars and restaurants.
7. Porto Sa Ruxi
Porto Sa Ruxi is the first beach you reach when travelling from Cagliari towards Villasimius, a taste of the wonders that define this renowned destination in south-eastern Sardinia. Its distinctive shape includes three crescent coves divided by granite rocks, set in a wild landscape of sandy dunes, ancient junipers and fragrant myrtle bushes. Soft golden sand meets a crystal-clear sea in intense shades of blue and turquoise. The shallow seabed and sheltered setting make it perfect for families, while snorkelling lovers will enjoy the underwater life within the Capo Carbonara marine protected area.
8. Mari Pintau
Mari Pintau, whose name means “painted sea”, is one of the most striking beaches along Sardinia’s southern coast. About 20 kilometres from Cagliari, on the panoramic road to Villasimius, it is known for its smooth pebbles that slope into a sea with unique tones, from deep blue to emerald green. Surrounded by green hills, this gem of Quartu Sant’Elena offers a landscape that feels like a natural painting. It can be busy in summer, but you can still find quieter stretches of free beach.
9. Solanas
One of the gems of Sardinia’s south-eastern coast is a wide, bright beach framed by clear waters with blue and emerald reflections. Around one kilometre of sand lies between the Capo Boi headland, topped by a Spanish tower, and a cliff wrapped in Mediterranean scrub. Here nature blends with life in the village of Solanas, a seaside hamlet of Sinnai. Visit this area for generous space to swim and unwind, plenty of outdoor activities on the shore and in the sea, and the convenience of a welcoming small village close to other outstanding destinations in the south-east.
10. Poetto
Poetto is the main city beach of Cagliari, an eight-kilometre shoreline that stretches all the way to Quartu Sant’Elena. With its light sand, blue sea and many services, it is a reference point for relaxation, sport and social life. Once famous for its colourful seaside cabins, today it is one of Europe’s largest and busiest urban beaches, loved by locals and visitors in every season. Sports enthusiasts will also find activities such as windsurfing and sailing.
11. Chia
Chia is located in Domus de Maria and features white sand and shallow seabeds. A hill covered in vegetation shelters the beach and offers a panoramic view of the Torre di Chia, a 17th-century coastal tower that forms part of the local heritage.
12. Cala Cipolla
Cala Cipolla is one of the most fascinating gems of Chia, on Sardinia’s south-western coast. Small and sheltered, it stands out for its light, fine sand enclosed between two pink-granite headlands that create the feel of a natural pool. Behind it, dunes dotted with junipers and pines enhance the wild, unspoilt character of the place. You reach it via a panoramic path, not far from the Capo Spartivento lighthouse. Clear waters and the surrounding landscape make this cove one of the most memorable experiences along the Domus de Maria coastline.
13. Su Giudeu
Su Giudeu is the signature beach of Chia, within Domus de Maria, and is considered one of the most beautiful in southern Sardinia. A wide stretch of soft, light sand opens onto transparent water with a shallow seabed, ideal for long swims or walks in the sea. A small islet, reachable on foot at low tide, makes the scenery even more distinctive and completes the picture-perfect view often chosen for films and advertising. Space, clear waters and unspoilt nature make Su Giudeu unmissable.
14. Tuerredda
Tuerredda is located in Teulada and is sheltered by a small peninsula that protects it from the wind. Behind the shoreline, a vegetated hill offers a panoramic view over the bay. The beach is very popular in summer, so if you want more peace it is best to avoid July and August. Keep in mind that this beach has limited access: the daily maximum capacity is 1,100 people, split between 729 places for the free beach and 371 reserved for beach clubs.
15. Porto Pino
Porto Pino, in the lower Sulcis area, is one of the natural wonders of south-western Sardinia. Its bay alternates white beaches, pink-hued coves and transparent waters, framed by imposing dunes, calm lagoons and a pinewood of rare Aleppo pines. It is a unique landscape where sea and Mediterranean nature blend into a tropical-looking corner of paradise right in the Mediterranean. To see the famous dunes, head to Is Arenas Biancas, which is accessible only in summer as it lies within a military area.
16. Cala Domestica
Cala Domestica is located in Buggerru and features golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Here too, unspoilt wild nature takes centre stage, with panoramic views over cliffs and the surrounding mountains. It gets busy, so consider visiting outside the peak months. You reach it via a dirt road branching off from SS 126, the road connecting Iglesias to Buggerru.
17. Scivu beach
Scivu beach is located in Arbus and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Verde. It stretches for about 3 kilometres and is surrounded by sand dunes and lush Mediterranean vegetation. To get there, you will need to drive along a dirt road branching off from SS 126, the road connecting Arbus to Guspini.
18. Piscinas
Piscinas is the wild heart of the Costa Verde, within the Arbus area, a landscape that feels suspended between desert and sea. Its golden dunes, among the tallest in Europe, reach 60 metres and stretch for kilometres before dropping into the crystal-clear blue water. Shaped by the wind and dotted with Mediterranean scrub, this spectacular environment hosts ancient junipers and mastic trees that withstand sand and mistral. Around seven kilometres long, Piscinas offers unforgettable scenery: it is not unusual to spot Sardinian deer among the dunes or sea turtles laying eggs on the shore.
Places not to miss in South Sardinia
Beyond the beaches, southern Sardinia offers many other attractions. Among the places not to miss, we recommend visiting the Sette Fratelli Natural Park, the Monte Arcosu Nature Reserve and the city of Cagliari, just to name a few.
Sardinia’s sea is among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Crystal-clear waters and shallow seabeds make the area’s beaches ideal for families with children. In addition, the many water sports practised here, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, attract travellers looking for an active break.
