From secret coves to vibrant islands and long stretches of sand backdropped by dramatic cliffs crawling with Mediterranean vegetation, Italy boasts some of the most spectacular beaches and seaside towns in the world. Because beachgoers are literally spoiled for choice, it’s not always easy to decide which town or beach is the right fit for you. Luckily, each of Italy’s coastal regions has something unforgettable to offer, whether you’re traveling with friends, and family, or going solo. America Domani has compiled a shortlist of incredible beaches to visit in the region of Sardinia, an island that is a popular summer destination for Italians and tourists alike.
Arutas
Aruttas is a crescent-shaped beach composed of blinding white sand and rice-like pebbles that makes the water appear impossibly bluer. Nestled between rocky outcrops, it’s located on the eastern side of the island and is one of Sardinia’s most popular beaches.
Spiaggia di Tuerredda
Located on the south side of the island, this rustic v-shaped beach stretches for over 1,650 feet. It has the kind of frosty white, granular sands usually found in the Caribbean, and its pristine azure waters are a haven for snorkelers.
Cala Biriola
Cala Biriola is tucked away on the island’s east coast amid rugged vegetation. Trekking into the landscape inland from the beach is a popular activity, as are snorkeling and scuba diving beneath the beach’s crystalline waves. The cove is a haven for escapists looking to spend time nestled within Sardinia’s evocative nature.
Cala Brandinchi
One of the island’s most exotic beaches, Cala Brandinchi is often dubbed “Little Tahiti,” and it’s easy to see why. The bay is a thin, arched stretch of sand surrounded by musty pine woods, and startling turquoise waters that attract snorkelings and kitesurfers. The area surrounding Cala Brandinchi is also a hotspot for birdwatchers.
La Maddalena
La Maddalena are a cluster of islands that form the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena. The islands and islets are made from pink granite and are positioned on the northeastern tip of Sardinia, directly within the strait that separates Sardinia from the French island of Corsica. The islands in this area are a prime spot for exploring secret coves and swimming in topaz waters. They’re best experienced via boat.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.