The Costa Verde in Sardinia is one of the wildest and most unspoiled areas of the island. This stretch of coast in southwestern Sardinia extends for 47 km, from Capo Pecora to Capo Frasca.
But why is it called Costa Verde? The name comes from the presence of thick Mediterranean vegetation that grows on the hills surrounding the coast. Broom, strawberry trees, junipers, mastic trees, and myrtles are just some of the shrubs that cover the cliffs and sand dunes. And the dunes themselves are one of the natural wonders of the Costa Verde: here you find deserts that stretch from the sea into the hinterland for kilometers, a unique landscape in Italy.
Let’s begin the journey along the Costa Verde, the true star among the best Sardinian beaches.
The Best Beaches of Costa Verde
The first one we recommend is Piscinas beach, a stretch of golden sand and dunes that reach right to the sea. Piscinas is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Costa Verde, with unspoiled nature and crystal-clear sea.
Another must-visit spot is Scivu beach, characterized by golden sand, the common thread of the Costa Verde, and the boulders that delimit it. Scivu beach also features crystal-clear sea and a breathtaking panoramic view.
But where to go in Costa Verde if you’re looking for a beach that’s uncrowded even in August? Funtanazza beach is definitely one of the best choices. Here too, you can find unspoiled nature, golden sand, crystal-clear sea, and sandy seabeds that drop off quickly.
The beaches of southwestern Sardinia aren’t over yet. If you want to explore this area at its best, you can’t miss Marina di Arbus, characterized by fine, soft-to-the-touch sand, and crystal-clear sea with shallow seabeds. This wonderful beach stretches for a full 2.5 km and is bordered by a suggestive cliff covered in vegetation, where broom, strawberry trees, myrtles, and junipers grow. You can reach it via a path that winds through the rocks and leads to this corner of paradise.
Let’s continue this journey to Pistis beach, the ideal choice for lovers of Golden Sands beaches. The beach is very wide, about a kilometer long, and offers a beautiful panoramic view.
Among the must-visit spots in Costa Verde in Sardinia, there are also Torre dei Corsari beach, Portu Maga beach, and Capo Pecora, a pink granite promontory marking the southern limit of the coast.
To visit the beaches of Costa Verde and surroundings, renting a vehicle is recommended. This area is perfect to explore both by car and scooter. If arriving from the north of the island, you can rent the vehicle with Ellepi in Olbia, then head to Costa Verde via a scenic road.
Uncrouded Beaches of Costa Verde
Despite the beauty and fame of Costa Verde’s beaches, what surprises visitors is the tranquility you breathe. Even in peak season, compared to other areas of the island, it’s harder to encounter crowds of tourists, and the beaches are often uncrowded. This is because the area is little known to mass tourism and is mainly frequented by nature and unspoiled sea lovers, those seeking tranquility and wanting to explore something different from the more renowned spots.
Costa Verde is an area that can offer truly fantastic solitary and wild beaches, just like the equally wonderful unspoiled Ogliastra beaches (not too far from Costa Verde), for a seaside vacation far from chaos and stress.
Must-Visit Spots in Costa Verde
In conclusion, if you’re looking for an unspoiled and wild seaside vacation destination, Costa Verde in Sardinia is definitely among the must-visit places. Its beaches, among the most beautiful and wild on the island, will give you unforgettable moments of relaxation and contemplation of nature. You can choose from long sandy shores, rocky coves, pebble beaches, and spectacular dunes, all uncrowded even in peak season.
Costa Verde offers the chance to spend relaxing days on the beach but also to take nature walks and visit cultural sites. Here you can discover a Sardinia different from the usual tourist stereotypes. The main attractions of Costa Verde are tied to the area’s mining past and represent evocative testimonies of industrial archaeology.
One unmissable spot for history buffs is the Montevecchio Mine in Arbus, operational for about 150 years until 1991. Guided tours allow visits to underground galleries, workshops, and administrative offices, offering a complete overview of the harsh working conditions in the mining sector. Ingurtosu, on the other hand, is one of Sardinia’s many abandoned villages following the mine closures. Walking among its ruined houses, disused yards, and warehouses gives the feeling of reliving a forgotten past.
Even though the main attraction of Costa Verde is the beaches, visiting these places is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of this region. In this way, you can discover a Sardinia that goes beyond advertising images and clichés. With a combination of sea and history, Costa Verde offers a complete vacation for those who want to discover the true essence of Sardinia!