The 8 most beautiful beaches in and around Cagliari

Cagliari boasts one of the most beautiful and cleanest seas in Italy, allowing it to be compared to some of the best known exotic locations in the world. In this article we look at the 8 most beautiful beaches in and around Cagliari that are absolutely worth discovering.

Poetto Beach

Poetto beach is undoubtedly the 'sea' of Cagliari's hinterland, one of the most important city beaches in Europe, as well as the busiest in Sardinia, a favourite destination for visitors to the capital, in summer and on any fine, sunny day during the rest of the year: it is a must-see even if only for a coffee or an aperitif, accompanied by the sea breeze.

With its 8 km of beach, Poetto stretches from the Sella del Diavolo promontory to the Quartu Sant'Elena coastline. The sand of Poetto is fine and white, although after the beach nourishment of 2002 due to the erosion of the sand dunes, it has lost its former charm. However, there is no Cagliari resident who does not love this city beach, frequenting it all year round.

Cala Mosca Beach

The beach of Calamosca, only four kilometres from the centre of Cagliari, is located close to the very long and extensive sandy coastline of Poetto. It lies in a wonderful bay dominated and sheltered by two majestic promontories: to the east Capo sant'Elia , overlooked by an ancient lighthouse, to the west the promontory of Sella del Diavolo.

The sand on this beach is fine and yellowish, with polished pebbles. The clear sea with shades between emerald green and blue is suitable for children and also, for lovers of underwater fishing and diving.

Mari Pintau Beach

Its name means "painted sea", and once you're there it's easy to see why: crystal-clear waters in colours ranging from green to turquoise and deep blue. Mari Pintau is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Quartu Sant'Elena coastline.

The sandy shore consists of coloured pebbles smoothed by the sea, which, in this part of the coast, is almost always calm and sheltered from the winds.

Punta Molentis beach

Completely immersed in the magnificent habitat of the Capo Carbonara protected marine area, Punta Molentis beach is one of the most beautiful in Villasimius. It is striking for its white sand with silver reflections shimmering in the crystal-clear water. The name is due to the donkeys - in the Sardinian language 'is molentis' - used for the extraction of granite, which is abundant in this area.

Punta Molentis is actually not just one beach, but two beaches: a cove to the north consisting of smooth granite rocks and one to the south with fine white sand.

The beach is in the shape of an arch, surrounded to the north by a small promontory, to the east by a mass of hollow rocks. The sea, which is splendid, has shades that vary from emerald green to turquoise and blue. The seabed is shallow and sandy. Because of its structure, similar to an isthmus, it is sufficiently sheltered from the winds. 

Behind it, on a hill, are the remains of a nuraghe, known as Punta Molentis.

As has already happened on other beaches in Sardinia, due to the large influx of tourists in the summer, to protect the area from summer 2021 Punta Molentis has limited people's access to a maximum of 500 per day.

Tuerredda Beach

The beach of Tuerredda stretches inside an inlet between Capo Malfatano and Capo Spartivento, in the territory of the municipality of Teulada, in the south-western extremity of the island. Thanks to its conformation, the beach is sheltered from the mistral wind and therefore the sea is almost always calm, perfect for long swims or snorkelling. The seabed is sandy and rich in marine fauna.

Just in front of the beach is the islet of the same name, which can be easily reached by swimming in a few minutes and is also a pearl because of its vegetation. It is also a paradise for snorkellers, thanks to the clarity and cleanliness of its waters. The colours of the sea vary from the blue of the seabed to the more transparent blue and green, to the white of the sand, which is very soft on the shore.

In July and August, Tuerredda beach is very crowded, while it is more livable in June and September.

Su Giudeu Beach

Overlooking the bay of Chia, this beach has a very long white sandy shoreline, a dreamlike sea and very high dunes on which centuries-old junipers climb. It owes its name to the islet of Su Giudeu, located only 150 metres from the shore. 

Cala Pira Beach

The delightful beach of Cala Pira is located about halfway between Villasimius and Costa Rei, in the municipality of Castiadas. Its shoreline, consisting of sand mixed with tiny coral fragments, lights up with pink hues illuminated by the reflections of the sun.

At either end of the beach, two granite cliffs protect the white sandy shore and intoxicate it with Mediterranean scents. To the north on the small promontory, known as the 'Cappuccino rock', a watchtower dating from Spanish times is perched.

Porto Giunco beach

Porto Giunco beach is, together with Punta Molentis, one of the most precious pearls of the south-eastern coast of Sardinia.

The long, pale sandy shoreline is divided by a narrow strip of land by the Notteri pond, in which it is easy to see pink flamingos, which have long since chosen it as their habitat.

It was once lush with reed beds, hence the name of the beach, also known as 'dei due mari' (of the two seas), because it is a sandy tongue sandwiched between two bodies of water.

In short, if you are planning a holiday in South Sardinia, you have only to choose!

Want to visit Cagliari and its surroundings? Take part in Roberta Carboni's guided tours!

Cover photo: sardegnaturismo.it.

Roberta Carboni has been a tourist guide and art historian for more than 10 years. She lives in Cagliari and is passionate about Sardinia, which she has loved so much, all her life, which is why she has chosen to tell its story through exclusive thematic tours. In this way, she contributes to making the island known not only to those who do not yet know it, but also to the Sardinians themselves. The tours take place both within Cagliari, i.e. in the historic centre and other parts of the city, and in the surroundings of the city, going also to the south and centre of Sardinia.

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