Our Favourite Beaches in South Sardinia (After Years of Exploring)
At Pocket Sardinia, we’ve spent years exploring the island’s stunning coastline, but it’s the South that we keep coming back to. It’s also where I grew up, and where we believe many of Sardinia’s best beaches are quietly hiding.
Sardinia beaches are undoubtedly some of the best in Europe; but it can be overwhelming to choose which to visit. The beaches of North Sardinia are often the most hyped, the West and East are considered the wildest, however the South is guarding some of the most stunning beaches in the Mediterranean. All featuring soft white sand, crystal-clear waters, and unspoilt stretches, it’s no wonder this region attracts beach lovers from around the world.
Please note: These beaches are well known, so they are often busy, especially in the peak of summer. Our selection is based on our personal favourites, and we’ve included more well-known beaches specifically for first-time visitors.
Where Is South Sardinia? (& Best Beaches Map)
In this guide to the best beaches in South Sardinia we’ve covered all the southern coast of the island and a little of the Southeast (for convenience), including the areas around Teulada, Chia, Pula, Cagliari (the capital), Villasimius and Costa Rei.
The easiest way to get to South Sardinia is via Cagliari Elmas Airport, if you are coming by plane. Alternatively, you can travel by ferry, as Cagliari has a harbour with connections to several cities in Italy and abroad.
The South coast is well connected by road and we recommend renting a car to explore the region’s coastal gems at your own pace. Alternatively, base yourself in Chia, Cagliari or Villasimius and explore by bicycle or many hotels have shuttle buses.
The Best Beaches in South Sardinia
1. Porto Pino, Southwest Sardinia
Famous for its crystal-clear light blue azure waters and especially for its tall white sand dunes that can reach incredible heights, Porto Pino is a great option for a full beach day. Shallow areas make it suitable for children and this vast beach will almost always have space for beachgoers, if you are willing to walk that extra mile. There is a paid car park 5 minutes walk from the beach with a wooden path that leads to it. Keep in mind, this short walk can be quite intense during the hottest hours of the day, so we recommend going there early in the morning or late in the afternoon. But on the flip-side, this 5-minute walk deters many people visiting, so you’ll have more space for yourself.
Porto Pino is a mainly wild and natural beach, but there are a few services on the beach, such as lifeguard, sunbeds, showers and beach rentals.
2. Cala Zafferano, Southwest Sardinia
This hidden gem is located inside a military area, accessible only in summer by boat trip or with special permission. Its isolation ensures pristine waters and total tranquillity. Zafferano translates as Saffron, due to the tiny coral fragments along the shores that give the sand its characteristic pink hues. In contrast with the clear blue water and the white sand, this makes this beach even more special.
Cala Zafferano is a beautiful place to admire and to swim in and is likely one of the most secluded beaches you’ll find in Sardinia, although keep in mind that placing your umbrella and towel on the beach is forbidden.
✈️ Still deciding where to stay in Sardinia? Our South Sardinia accommodation guide shows all of our recommended areas and hotels before you book.
3. S’Ottixeddu & Spiaggia degli Americani, Southwest Sardinia
“The Americans’ Beach’, named after the American troops that founded their military base here during WWII, and used this beach as a favourite hangout space during those years. S’Ottixeddu is a wild gem of the Sardinian South, perfect if you love nature and you want to escape it all. Reach this beach by foot, with a short 5-10 minutes’ walk along a dusty road – or frequent boat tours from Teulada Harbour stop here on the way to Cala Zafferano.
The refreshing and shallow sea is strikingly, almost unnaturally blue, to contrast with the light, fine powdery sand. American Beach is completely wild with no services, so make sure to bring water, food, sunscreen, an umbrella and a towel. Paid parking on site.
4. Tuerredda Beach, Teulada
Tuerredda is often compared to the Caribbean, and boasts turquoise waters perfect for snorkelling. What makes this beach attractive is the amazing shape of the beach as a peninsula protruding towards the nearby island of Tuaredda. It’s common to see many birds circling the island and fishing in the highly populated waters.
A quick note: Arrive early in peak season, as it gets very crowded due to its beauty and limited parking. Alternatively, book your beach club in advance, which will guarantee your entry. The beach is family-friendly with a lifeguard, sunbeds and equipment rental.
5. Su Giudeu Beach, Chia
A postcard-perfect beach with a wide stretch of soft golden sand and calm, shallow emerald waters. Ideal for families and beachgoers who love space, Su Giudeu is also known for its impressive sand dune. To reach Su Giudeu you’ll have to pass an impressive salt lake populated by pink flamingos, a chance to take in the stunning reflections and lake views. From the carpark, the beach is easily accessible via a wooden path, coming from the wonderful Aquadulci Hotel which has its own access directly from the hotel itself. If this is your dream beach and you want to get the best spot, then we recommend staying at Aquadulci.
Next to Su Giudeu are many other adjoining beaches, so in total this beach is very long and spacious, family friendly as well as being good for snorkelling and water activities. The plus is the Isola Su Giudeu, which on calm days you can swim (or even walk) to at low tide!
6. Poetto Beach, Cagliari
Cagliari’s city beach stretches over 8 km and it is packed with all the amenities someone could wish for, from restaurants, bars, and pop-up stalls to water sports rental equipment. It’s perfect for those staying in the city who want easy beach access. It is considered as one of the best city beaches of all Europe but will blush in comparison to those mentioned above and below outside of the city.
The water at Poetto is shallow and it’s perfect for families with young kids, or young adults that want a fun environment – but it is not best for those looking for seclusion.
7. Mari Pintau, Quartu Sant’Elena
Just a short drive from Cagliari you will find this amazing, often overlooked small beach. Mari Pintau means “painted sea”, in Sardinian language, it features shimmering blue waters with a varied palette of blues, from crystals into a deep blue and a mixed pebbles-sand beach. It’s a favourite for snorkelling and scenic drives in particular.
Arriving from Cagliari on the coastal road, you can’t miss it, the colours are truly beautiful. As of 2025, it is still one of the few free beaches of Sardinia with tricky but possible free on-road parking, but there may be plans shortly to put limited entry numbers on this beach.
As with many beaches in Southern Sardinia, this is another family-friendly beach with shallow water, a life-guard on site, limited sun-beds and umbrellas and water sports rental equipment.
8. Porto Giunco, Villasimius
Porto Giunco is located near Villasimius, this long (long!) beach is backed by a lagoon where flamingos can often be seen. There is plenty of space here, but for some reason, everyone often decides to stay next to the runway… White sand, calm waters, and water activities make it a versatile spot. The beach is overlooked by a 16th Century Spanish Giunco Tower, which you can see from up close with a 10-minute walk uphill. From there, you will get wonderful views over the Area Naturale Marina protetta di Capo Carbonara and the Cavoli Island, assuming you are up for a hike.
The water is shallow but can be light waves, which makes it a fun spot for kids and young adults. Sun beds, toilets, and a few beach bars are available. Water sports rental is available too.
9. Punta Molentis, Villasimius
A lovely double crescent beach surrounded by rocky cliffs, Punta Molentis is very picturesque and has a comforting, sheltered feeling, being protected on both sides by hills and rocks. It feels like a warm hug, and it’s wonderful to swim in the safe, shallow waters. Limited access here with only 500 a day, preserves its natural charm, so make sure to book your entry on the Villasimius portal or rent your sunbeds at I Due Mari Beach club.
There’s a small hill to your left above the beach bar, which offers an impressive viewpoint, as well as the bar being a wonderful spot for sunset aperitivo.
The beach is good for families with kids, but not the most accessible, as the car park is a 5-minute walk on a dusty road. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available but limited.
10. Cala Pira, Costa Rei
Cala Pira is a sheltered cove with shallow, turquoise waters and soft sand. It’s a favourite beach by locals, especially when the strong Mistral wind is blowing (Sardinia can be windy at times!). The beach is hugged on both sides by hills with fragrant Mediterranean vegetation, and a wonderful Spanish watch tower. You’ll notice that all of the Spanish towers in the area were built to communicate with each other within a line of sight, so you should also be able to see the Giunco Tower from here.
Cala Pira is perfect for those looking for a wild yet accessible beach experience. The water is shallow for quite a few meters, making it a great destination for families with kids. Just keep in mind there is no proper beach club here, just a few sunbeds, umbrellas, and a small bar available on the left side of the beach.
11. Scoglio di Peppino, Costa Rei
Scoglio di Peppino is famous for the large rock formation in the sea connected to the mainland by a shallow stretch of sand. This beach’s shallow waters and soft sand makes it ideal for families and snorkelling, just keep in mind its a 10 to 15 minute walk from the main Scoglio di Peppino car park.
The beach itself near the scoglio (rock) is very tiny, if not almost nonexistent as it it mostly occupied by the beach club owned by the nearby Santa Giusta resort – but you can also position yourself near Spiaggia delle Ginestre and then go for a walk along the shoreline to see the scoglio. Overall, it’s a perfect destination for lazing around, sunbeds and umbrellas widely available for rent, and lifeguards on site.
Our Tips for Visiting South Sardinia’s Beaches
Best time to visit: the months of June and September have warm weather and fewer crowds.
Getting around: Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach these beaches.
Beach services: Popular beaches like Poetto, Porto Giunco and Tuerredda have amenities. Others, like Cala Zafferano, are completely wild or with limited amenities.
Parking: Paid parking is common. Arrive early during peak months.
Where to Stay Near South Sardinia’s Best Beaches
Chia: Great for Su Giudeu, Tuerredda, Cala Zafferano and Porto Pino. Ideal for luxury and boutique resorts.
Pula: A charming town with easy access to Nora Beach, Santa Margherita, and nearby coves not mentioned here.
Villasimius: Perfect base for Porto Giunco, Punta Molentis, Cala Pira, Scoglio di Peppino, Mari Pintau.
Cagliari: Stay here if you want a mix of city and sea, with Poetto Beach on your doorstep and Mari Pintau within a short drive.
Costa Rei and Castiadas: This area hosts over 10km of coastline, with Costa Rei town alone being located along a 7km stretch of sand. Like the nearby Villasimius it is also a perfect base for Punta Molentis, Scoglio di Peppino, Cala Pira and Porto Giunco although it’s a quieter place to stay than the more touristy Villasimius.
✈️ Still deciding where to stay? Our guide to Southern Sardinian hotels shows all of our recommended areas and hotels before you book.
Which South Sardinia Beach Is Best for You?
- For families, Poetto, Tuerredda, Scoglio di Peppino and Porto Giunco are great choices.
- For hidden escapes, try Cala Zafferano or Cala Cipolla.
- Love photography? Punta Molentis, Mari Pintau and Scoglio di Peppino won’t disappoint.
- South Sardinia has a beach for every style of traveler, all wrapped in natural beauty.
South Sardinia Beaches FAQ
What is the best beach in South Sardinia for kids?
Overall, all beaches are suitable for families and kids. Porto Giunco and Tuerredda have more services and are the most accessible.
Can I access Cala Zafferano without a boat?
The only way to get to Cala Zafferano is by guided authorised tours that depart daily from the Porto di Teulada.
Are Sardinian beaches free or do I need to pay?
Most of Sardinian beaches have paid parking. For the southeast area you can download the Easy Park app or if you do not want an additional app on your phone then head to the car park early (before 9am) between July-August to secure your space. Small beaches such as Tuerredda, Punta Molentis, Cala Pira have additional limitations on numbers. Most of the time, securing your space in one of the beach clubs will guarantee your entry. Most of the beach clubs can be reserved in advance via WhatsApp.
