Sardinia

Which beaches are worth the hype in 2026?

Start with Cala Goloritzé on the east coast. It is a pebble beach with a 40m limestone arch. You need to book a parking spot online (15 EUR per car, reserve 3 days ahead via the Baunei comune site) then hike 45 minutes downhill on a rocky path. Water shoes are non negotiable. Bring 1.5 litres of water per person because there is no shade and no bar. The payoff is a deep blue cove that swimmers and snorkellers love.

La Pelosa near Stintino is the postcard beach. White sand, knee deep water for 50 meters. In 2026 they cap visitors at 1,500 per day. Entry is 3.50 EUR per person (you buy online at least two days before, no tickets at the gate). Towels are banned on the sand from 9am to 6pm to protect the dunes. You must rent a lido towel or sit on a mat you carry. No glass, no plastic. Fines start at 50 EUR. Skip it if you want to lie on your own towel. Go for the water, not for the beach.

Chia beach in the south is a 4 km stretch of fine white sand with dunes. Free parking in the large dirt lot costs 5 EUR per day until 4pm, then 2 EUR. The paid lido (Spiaggia di Chia Lido) charges 25 EUR for two sunbeds and an umbrella for the whole day. Currents can be strong near the rocks. Stick to the central area where lifeguards patrol until 6pm.

Cala Mariolu on the east coast is only reachable by boat. From Cala Gonone the public boat costs 18 EUR round trip (departs 9am and 11am, returns 4pm and 5.30pm). The beach is half pebbles half fine rock. Snorkelling is excellent along the western cliffs. No facilities: carry everything.

Is it free or do you pay for entry?

Most beaches in Sardinia are public and free for the sand and water. You pay for parking, for a lido rental, or for entry to a protected area. Here is the breakdown for 2026.

Practical warning: on Porto Giunco the parking meters accept coins only. No card. The nearest ATM is 2 km away in the town centre. I saw six people get fines because they could not pay and left the car.

When do they get packed? How to dodge the queue?

July and August are chaos. The worst hours are 10.30am to 3pm. On La Pelosa the queue for the paying lot starts at 8.30am and by 9.15am the lot is full. Cala Goloritzé trail gets a line at 8am for the first hike. Chia fills by 11am but the free section is 4 km long, so you can always walk 200 meters and find space.

Go in June or September for empty beaches. Water in June is 22 C, in September it is 24 C. In 2026 the weather has been hot since early May. I swam at Cala Sinzias (south coast) on a Tuesday in June and shared the beach with twelve people.

If you must go in high season, arrive by 8.30am or after 4pm. Bring a late picnic, watch the sunset, leave when the mosquitoes come (around 7.30pm near dunes).

What to bring for a Sardinian beach day in 2026

Water shoes for every rocky cove. The pebbles at Cala Goloritzé and Cala Mariolu burn in the sun. Reef safe sunscreen (the local shops sell the Solcos brand for 12 EUR, the only one that doesn't damage the Posidonia sea grass). A 2 litre water bottle minimum. A sarong or thin towel because chairs are not available everywhere. A hat. Cash for parking and for the bar. No glass anywhere, fines are 150 EUR on the spot.

For the boat beaches bring a dry bag (the boats get spray) and a light windbreaker for the return trip when the afternoon wind picks up. The Ferries from Cala Gonone sell dry bags for 8 EUR at the kiosk.