The 10 most beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda

There are several beaches in Europe where you can spend a wonderful holiday, between relaxation, nature and crystal clear sea. There is a place, however, in Italy, where there are some of the most sought after locations not only by Italian citizens, but also by travellers from all over the world.

This is the Costa Smeralda, a corner of Sardinia that offers new emotions every year. In fact, one visit is not enough to capture all the beauty of this wild and refined coast, made of very light sand and crystalline waters and Mediterranean scrub. Here, beyond the spotlights on luxury resorts and famous people, there is an authentic and surprising Sardinia. Here are the 10 most beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda , which represent the essence of this territory.

A corner of paradise in Cala Corsara

Reachable only by sea and located on the island of Spargi, within the Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Cala Corsara is much more than just a beach. It is a corner of nature in its purest state, where the fine and very clear sand meets dunes colored by junipers, brooms and sea lilies, typical of the area.

Here the sea has rare shades, ranging from emerald green to turquoise, with the granite rocks that surround the beach and the coast, smoothed and made smooth by the currents and the wind, which almost seem to draw fascinating natural sculptures. Cala Corsara, among the most beautiful beaches in Northern Sardinia , is perfect for those seeking peace, for those who love nature and for all snorkeling enthusiasts, thanks to its rich and transparent seabed. There are no beach resorts, so if you decide to visit Cala Corsara, it is best to organize before departure. Once you arrive at your destination, the sea will be the real protagonist and will make the day unforgettable.

Porto Pollo: home of kitesurfing and windsurfing

If you are looking for a beach that can satisfy everyone, including sportsmen, families and nature lovers, then the right one is Porto Pollo beach , also known by locals as Porto Puddu .

This beautiful beach is located near Palau and is famous for its unique shape. It is formed by a strip of sand that connects the mainland to Isola dei Gabbiani and creates a double bay that offers a unique spectacle to visitors from both sides.

This beach, always caressed by the wind, is one of the European paradises of windsurfing and kitesurfing , where there are also schools, rentals and courses for all levels. But beyond its sporting streak, the beach also offers a softer and quieter side. The beach is characterized by shallow waters, soft sand and many services, which make it perfect for all travelers who travel with children and family in tow. In addition, here in Porto Pollo there are various services, such as bars, restaurants, umbrellas and ample parking. It is possible to experience the magic of the beach of Porto Puddu even all day, enjoying the freedom of a breathtaking natural setting, unique and typical of the Costa Smeralda .

The charming beach of Capriccioli

Among the most famous and loved of the Costa Smeralda, there is also the Capriccioli beach , a beach that contains many souls.

This is located just south of the famous Porto Cervo, in the municipality of Arzachena, and appears as a small promontory composed of several inlets, separated by granite rocks of a decidedly suggestive pink color. On one side, the eastern beach is characterized by shallow and protected seabeds, perfect for children and/or for all those who are looking for tranquility and relaxation while taking advantage of the fresh waters of the Mediterranean.

On the other side, the western one, Capriccioli beach hosts two bays. One is known as the Pirate beach , where there is also a wooden pier that allows boats to dock, the other is called the Turtle beach , a small corner of hidden Sardinian paradise where, in some periods of the year, sea turtles lay their eggs. Capriccioli beach is an equipped beach, but at the same time it maintains a strong natural charm, with the green of the Mediterranean scrub that reaches the sand, creating a unique landscape.

Liscia Ruja, the Long Beach of Sardinia

This beach on the Costa Smeralda is also known by many as the Long Beach of Sardinia. It is the beach of Liscia Ruja , the largest on the entire Costa Smeralda.

The name itself tells its true essence. It is a stretch of clear sand about 500 meters long, clear, with light pink shades, which with the emerald green of the sea creates a spectacle for the eyes of its visitors. It is a versatile beach , if you can call it that, frequented by those who love to relax by the sea, but also by families and couples who are looking for a romantic place.

Here the vegetation and the green of the Mediterranean scrub create a unique landscape. At the same time, the presence of beach resorts, rentals, bars and various restaurants, make Liscia Ruja really convenient even for long stays. The parking lot, although paid, is large and well organized. Despite its popularity, it always manages to maintain spaces of tranquility thanks to its size. However, it is advisable to reach this beach, especially during the high season, in the early hours of the morning.

The hidden cove of Li Itriceddhi

Not far from the previous beach of Liscia Ruja, walking along a dirt path, hidden among the bushes, you arrive at Li Itriceddhi , a small cove for a few intimates.

There are no establishments or large crowds of tourists and bathers here, but only sand, clear waters and granite rocks on the sides of the bay, which create small natural pools. It is a unique and essential beach, which appeals to those seeking silence and simplicity, without giving up a true postcard setting.

Access to the Li Itriceddhi cove is not complicated, but it still requires a bit of adaptability, as well as a pair of suitable shoes to reach it. Once you arrive, however, the feeling will be that of having discovered a small hidden treasure and the effort, even if minimal, will be rewarded!

La Cinta Beach: the most beautiful in San Teodoro

For those who are looking for a long, wide beach, where you can take relaxing walks by the sea and where nature and services coexist, then La Cinta beach is the right answer. This beach, very popular and loved by the local population, is located in San Teodoro and is a real strip of sand about five kilometers long, which separates the sea from the pond behind it.

The spectacle here is twofold: on one hand, in fact, it is possible to enjoy splendid turquoise and calm waters, perfect for swimming, suitable for everyone, adults and children, on the other, instead, there is a pond populated by pink flamingos and other species of birds, visible especially in the quieter hours, capable of offering unique spectacles and unforgettable photographs.

The Cinta is very popular, but its extension allows you to easily find space for yourself. Even in high season, the scent of juniper and the sound of the wind in the bushes remain protagonists.

The private Isola Piana

Far from the beaten tourist track, there is Isola Piana . A place that retains an almost mythical aura in Sardinia.

This small island is part of the Sulcis archipelago, in the territory of Carloforte, and today it is a private property with access reserved only for residents of the small complex present. Its rich history, from penal colony to tuna fishery, passing through noble fiefdom, and its uncontaminated beauty make it a symbol of the most secret Sardinia .

The waters surrounding Isola Piana are transparent, almost like glass, and all around grows spontaneous, green and lush vegetation. If you have the opportunity to visit it, even just for a boat trip, it is really worth giving yourself the privilege of living a day in such a fascinating place.

Sand White on the Strait of Bonifacio

Overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio , with a view of the nearby island of Corsica, visible on clear days, is the beach of Rena Bianca . This is the city beach of Santa Teresa Gallura , which has nothing to envy to the more isolated ones mentioned above.

What makes Rena Bianca unique and fascinating? Its white sand , with light pink shades due to the presence of small coral fragments, and the sea with shades ranging from turquoise to intense blue, create a unique landscape, a postcard spectacle. Behind the beach, there are also small juniper woods that create natural and scented shade areas. Furthermore, Rena Bianca has been awarded the Blue Flag several times, and is a perfect beach for those who want beauty and convenience, without having to move too far from the town center.

Please note that this beach has an entrance fee of €3.50, valid from 1 June to 30 September, and to preserve its uniqueness, only 1015 people per day can access it.

Ira Beach in Porto Rotondo

Among the most beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda, located in Porto Rotondo, there is also the Ira beach . A place loved especially by those looking for comfort, but also relaxing natural landscapes.

This beach takes its name from Ira von Fürstenberg, an Italian noblewoman, actress and designer, who made this corner of Sardinia famous in the 1960s. Today it is one of the best-equipped beaches in the area , characterised by very fine sand, transparent sea, shallow waters ideal for children, and a backdrop of rocks and greenery that makes it unique. Clearly, there is no shortage of services here. It is possible to take advantage of the nearby car park, as well as bars and restaurants, to spend the whole day here, and the possibility of renting pedal boats or sun loungers. An elegant and at the same time authentic beach.

If it is true that every corner of the Costa Smeralda can surprise, these ten beaches represent the most authentic and fascinating soul of this stretch of Sardinia. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, contact with nature or simply a place to stop and breathe deeply, you will find it all here. The Costa Smeralda is ready to excite you again, season after season, year after year.