Cagliari sits as the capital city of Sardinia island in Italy. While most people think that this is the hub for food, history, culture, and art, they miss out on the beaches in Cagliari. These beaches are perhaps one of the most beautiful things about this place.
The city is on the Southern side of Sardinia, and there are many beaches you can explore. Even the locals visit these beaches all year to enjoy the crystal clear waters. Sardinia is the second-largest island in Italy and the Cagliari beaches on this island are something that should be on your travel bucket list.
- QUICK OVERVIEW
- Most Popular Beach in Cagliari: Poetto Beach
- Top-Rated Hotel in Cagliari: Villa Fanny
- Top B&B in Cagliari: B&B Casa Devoto
- Best Thing To Do in Cagliari: Underground City & Old Town Exploration
If you are planning on visiting this island, here are some of the best beaches in Cagliari, Italy that will take your breath away.
Most Popular Beaches in Cagliari, Italy
All places have some of the most popular beaches that tourists and locals visit each year. Of course, such beaches are also exceptionally beautiful. Remember that the most popular Cagliari beaches will be crowded, especially during the tourist season.
People that want a little escape and peace might do well by visiting the most popular beaches in Cagliari during off-peak season. No matter what time you visit, here are some of the most popular beaches in this region.
Calamosca Beach
Calamosca Beach is perhaps one of the most scenic Cagliari beaches you will experience. It is a small cove with two promontories that guard it against each side. When you look at the east side of this beach, you will find Sant’Elia.
While on the west side of this beach, you will find the famous Sella del Diavolo Mountain. This Cagliari beach is known for its beautiful white sand, aquamarine waters, and shallow waters. There is barely any wind because of the cove, which means it is the best swimming spot for you.
The beach does not have much, but it does include a small kiosk. You can use it to enjoy a refreshing drink, gelato, or a light lunch. Be sure to check out this beach when you come to Cagliari.
Poetto Beach
If there is one beach that the people in Cagliari love, it is Poetto beach. You will know why it is one of the most popular beaches in Cagliari when you look at it. It includes more than eight kilometers of fine sand, clear waters, and more.
One of the best things about this Cagliari beach is that the water is shallow and clear. This means you can come with your family here too, as your kids will love swimming and playing in the waters. There is also a biking and running lane along Poetto for you to stay active.
Because Poetto is one of the most popular Cagliari beaches, it is also well-serviced. There are lifeguards, restaurants, kiosks, and even pets are welcome in some areas. You can plan an entire day here and you will not get bored of what this beach has to offer.
Sant’Elia
Most tourists don’t know about Sant’Elia, but it is one of the best beaches in Cagliari that locals visit all year. If you want to stay away from many tourists and visit a local favorite, then this is it. The water is gorgeous and the fine white sand is even better.
One thing to keep in mind here is that there are no kiosks or lifeguards on duty. This Cagliari beach is not serviced because tourists don’t frequent it a lot. Therefore, remember to pack your own beach gear and refreshments with you if you plan on spending some time here.
If you are at Poetto Beach, and it gets too crowded, you can simply take your car to Sant’Elia. They are not far from each other and you will enjoy the peace here more.
Cala Fighera
Cala Fighera is not just one of the most popular beaches in Cagliari; it is one of the best beaches on Sardinia Island. As you look at the incredible sea, you will feel a sense of calm rush over you. It is even better if you are a fan of rocky beaches because this beach includes all rocks and pebbles.
We recommend that you don’t come here with family or children, as the beach has too many rocks. However, the beach has protection from the wind, making the water clear and the marine life robust. Cala Fighera is also a nudist-friendly Cagliari beach.
You can come here with your friends or significant other and enjoy the great vibes. There is a kiosk to rent sunbeds and umbrellas for relaxation. La Paillote is also nearby for you to enjoy some great food after spending a day at this beach.
Best Beaches In Cagliari That The Locals Love
Whenever you visit a new place, it is always important to go where the locals go. It enables you to get a sense of what is truly beautiful and important in the city. Such places also don’t have many tourists, which is why you will enjoy them more.
If you are looking for the best local beaches in Cagliari, here are some of the top ones that you must visit.
Mari Pintau Beach
Mari Pintau loosely translates to the painted sea, and this Cagliari beach rightfully deserves this name. As you look at the water, it resembles a field of sparkling gemstones. These include aquamarine, turquoise, jade, topaz, and emerald.
The sight will fill your heart with awe and wonder as you look at this beautiful beach. The beach is a little pebbly, so rent a sunbed for some comfortable lounging. Of course, the best part is that you will rarely ever find a tourist here as it is mostly a local beach.
This beach is also nudist-friendly. If you want to see one of the top Cagliari beaches that will make you feel a painting has come to life, be sure to check Mari Pintau.
Cala Regina
Cala Regina is half an hour away from the Cagliari city center, and it is one of the best local beaches in Cagliari. The beach is a small cove that includes a Spanish watchtower, which is also called the Cala Regina tower. You can take a walk in the water and look at some majestic views from the top.
If the winds at the other beaches are too strong for you, consider coming here because this Cagliari beach is a cove. Besides that, there is a lot of Mediterranean vegetation here that you will love. This includes pine trees, eucalyptus trees, and more.
An important note about this beach is that it includes a shallow seabed that immediately transforms into deep waters. Such waters are not safe for children, but it is one of the best snorkeling spots. As you explore the waters, you will find some incredible marine life.
Nora Beach
Nora Beach falls a little outside of Cagliari, but it is still one of the top beaches in Cagliari you need to visit. The beach is located close to an archaeological site, and on one side of the beach, you will find an old Spanish tower. You can’t go inside the tower, but you can still climb to the entrance and enjoy the views.
There is also the Church of Sant’Etfisio here, and it is one of the most popular destinations for summer weddings. If you come here during the summer, you might notice a wedding or two. As you explore this Cagliari beach, you can go behind it to look at some of the best pink flamingoes.
It is a great local beach where you will hardly find any tourists. So, you can come here, rent some sunbeds, and relax all day. The serene and peaceful vibes here are unbeatable.
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Best Cagliari Beaches in Surrounding Areas
While there are great beaches in Cagliari, some of them fall outside the city limits. However, when you visit, you must not forget to go to these beaches too. Here are some of the best Cagliari beaches in surrounding areas you will love.
Cala Pira
Cala Pira is one hour away from Cagliari, and it has shallow waters with some amazing white sand. A great thing about this Cagliari beach is that it is protected from the wind. You can come here any time of the day and enjoy the location without worrying about strong winds.
Keep in mind that if you visit this beach in August, it can get incredibly crowded. That is because even tour boats come here to spend the day. We recommend that you come in the off-season so you can enjoy the beach to its fullest.
Porto Giunco
If you have a car, Porto Giunco is an hour and ten minutes away from Cagliari. However, it is one of the most scenic beaches in Cagliari that is worth the drive. Even before you reach this beach, you will find a salt lake with pink flamingoes.
After parking your car, you can follow the wooden path that leads to the beach. When you reach, be prepared to take in the beauty of what this Cagliari beach has to offer. The sand is white, the water is blue and shallow, and you can snorkel here all you like.
Solanas
Solanas is just fifty minutes away from Cagliari by car, and it is one of the top family-friendly beaches in Cagliari. The sand is golden, and there are many kiosks serving drinks, food, gelato, and much more. One of the top features of this beach is that it is incredibly long.
So, even if it gets crowded, you will still be able to enjoy it as there is enough space to go around. You can go during the peak season or the off-season, depending on what you prefer. Be sure to take your family to enjoy this beach to the fullest.
Capitana
Capitana is only thirty minutes away from Cagliari, and it is one of the top Cagliari beaches you need to visit. There is not much sand here because of the construction, but the water is clear and the color is breathtaking. As you go to the end of this beach, you will a smaller beach to enjoy too.
If you love snorkeling, then this is one of the best beaches in Cagliari for you. There are some great rocks here and the marine life you will find is even better. It is also easy to findthis beach, as there are lots of signs that will help you get here.
Best Beaches In Cagliari For Day Trips
Some of us just want to spend our entire day at the beach because of the serenity and peace. On the other hand, some of us want to spend so much time partaking in water adventures. Whatever your reason may be, here are some of the best beaches in Cagliari for day trips.
Punta Molentis
Punta Molentis is a little further from Cagliari, as it will take you an hour and a half to reach by car. That is why this Cagliari beach is suitable for an incredible day trip. It is a hundred meters long, and the entire area is protected.
One thing to keep in mind is that this beach has limited entry. That is because it is protected and the jurisdiction wants to keep big crowds away from the beach. We recommend that you come here early to spend the entire day without any hassle.
Scoglio di Peppino
Scoglio di Peppino is less than an hour from Cagliari, and it is one of the top family-friendly beaches for a day trip. There is a granite rock that emerges from the waters and it has created a natural swimming pool. Many families come here to spend the day, and it gets busy during the peak season.
There are various types of fish here, so be sure to snorkel here to have an experience of a lifetime. Remember that you will have to pay to park here. Besides that, you will have to walk for around 100m along the footpath to get to this Cagliari beach.
Tuerredda
Tuerredda is less than an hour away from Cagliari, and it is a white sand beach that is incredibly beautiful. It is also one of the top scenic beaches in Cagliari that you can easily reach. You will love the charm of the beautiful Mediterranean vegetation and juniper trees
It is one of the best Cagliari beaches for children and families. This is also a popular spot for divers as you will find some of the most diverse marine life in the region.
Cala Cipolla
Cala Cipolla is also less than an hour away from Cagliari, and this beach is known for its dunes and white sand. The Cagliari beach is not too big, but it is surrounded by some beautiful juniper and pine trees. There is also a dirt path that you must follow if you want to reach the beach.
You will also have to park your car at S’Acqua Ucci because you will not be allowed to park on the road. Once you do, you can walk the dirt path and make your way to the beach. With the natural landscape and greenery, there is much to love about this beach.
Most Beautiful Beaches In Cagliari
All beaches are beautiful, but if you want to take some of the best pictures of the most beautiful beaches in Cagliari, then you have come to the right place. Here are some most beautiful Cagliari beaches to visit.
Spiaggia di Su Giudeu
Spiaggia di Su Giudeu is an hour away from Cagliari, and it is situated near the resort of Chia. You will find it on the southern side of Sardinia. This Cagliari beach has high sand dunes, golden sands, blue waters, and much more.
Behind this beach, you will find a small lagoon. It is filled with herons, flamingos, and many other majestic water birds. You can also enjoy various water activities here, such as surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and much more.
Spiaggia di Simius
Spiaggia di Simius is one of the top famous beaches in Cagliari among tourists because it has great facilities for your comfort. The white sands and the turquoise water make it a dream for snorkelers. Besides that, you will also just enjoy walking here and taking in the beautiful views.
The setting is beautiful as there are rocks and hills here. You will also notice a lighthouse as you take in the views. So, if you want to relax and enjoy majestic views, this Cagliari beach is for you.
Costa Rei
Costa Rei is an hour away from Cagliari, and it has eight kilometers of beautiful wind sand. One of the best things about this beach is the hilly and lush backdrop, bay scenery, coral reefs, offshore islands, and more. We recommend that you go diving here or bring your snorkeling gear for an adventure.
There are many sports activities you can take part in here. Of course, if you only want to come here to relax and unwind, you can do that too. It is a little outside Cagliari, but even the drive is worth it for the views you will get.
Cala Sinzias
Cala Sinzias is perhaps one of the top beaches in Cagliari for families. It has all the amenities you will require with your kids. These include renting beach chairs, toilets, showers, lifeguards, parking, and much more.
You will not have to worry about having fun here, be it with family or friends. There are low hills behind the beach with many camping grounds and holiday resorts. Besides that, you can enjoy the amenities of the beach bars.
Timi Ama Beach
Finally, one of the most beautiful beaches in Cagliari is the Timi Ama beach. This beach is great for families with small children. That is because you can spend the entire day here and everyone will have fun, as there are restaurants and sunshades.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the vibrant nightlife, we recommend that you come in July or August. The nightlife here is incredible during these months, and you will fall in love with the place.
The Best Places To Stay In Cagliari, Italy
Now that you are familiar with the best beaches in Cagliari, it is time to understand where to stay. Here are some of the best places to stay in Cagliari that will offer you access to the best beaches.
T-Hotel
T-Hotel is the ideal place to stay in the center of Cagliari. The hotel includes modern rooms, hydrotherapy, a wellness area, a great bar, and much more. Each morning you will be served an English breakfast that you will find delightful.
The hotel is just ten minutes from Poetto Beach and Calamosca. Besides that, there are many nearby attractions for you to visit. So, don’t forget to check this out for your stay.
Villa Fanny
Another great place to stay near the center of Cagliari is Villa Fanny. The entire villa is made of natural materials, which is why you will feel at home here. It is also close to Calamosca and Poetta beach for you to enjoy the sea.
Many people that come here love the bar on site. If these things check all your boxes, then try staying at Villa Fanny.
Antico Corso Charme
Antico Corso Charme is a beautiful 18th-century historical building right in the heart of Cagliari. You will get a balcony, air-conditioned room, mini bar, private bathroom, and much more. The hotel will also serve breakfast at your doorstep as you wake up.
You can explore the surrounding areas as there are many shops, pubs, and restaurants nearby. Besides that, both Poetto and Calamosca beach are just a few kilometers away. So, don’t forget to enjoy your stay here.
Enjoying The Best Beaches In Cagliari
These are the best beaches in Cagliari that you must visit. Some are in the heart of the city while others are a little further. You can create an itinerary depending on what you want to explore.
Cagliari provides the opportunity to have the trip of a lifetime that you will remember for a long time to come. Make sure to book any accommodation or tours in advance for a great vacation., if you are visiting during the busy season.
