Sardinia Beaches: 10 of the Best Beaches to Plan Around From Olbia

Sardinia’s beaches are not all the same kind of beach day. Some are easy to reach after landing in Olbia; others require reservations, early starts, or several hours of travel. The best Sardinia beaches to plan around include relaxed first-day options near Olbia, iconic Costa Smeralda coves, wilder natural beaches, and a few highly regulated coastal destinations that need advance planning.

From Olbia, the northeast coast is the easiest place to start. You can reach several of the best beaches in Sardinia in about an hour, while places like Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, and La Pelosa are better treated as full-day trips.

How to Choose the Best Sardinia Beaches for Your Trip

The smartest way to plan beach days in Sardinia is not to look only at beauty. Access matters. So do parking, reservations, services, drive times, and how much energy you want to spend after a long flight.

A beach that works perfectly on your first afternoon may not be the same one you would choose for a more ambitious day trip. Porto Istana is easy and close to Olbia Airport. Spiaggia del Principe and Capriccioli offer the Costa Smeralda atmosphere without a long drive. Cala Goloritzé and Cala Mariolu belong in the adventure category. La Pelosa is iconic, but it requires planning and respect for access rules.

1. Porto Istana

Porto Istana is one of the easiest beaches to reach after arriving in Olbia. It is in the municipality of Olbia, in the Murta Maria area, about 15–20 minutes from Olbia Airport, facing the Tavolara Marine Protected Area.

The water is emerald and light blue, with a shallow seabed and views of Tavolara. The beach has small coves of very fine white sand with shallow water, making it suitable for children as well.

This is a practical beach for the first day, especially if you want to keep the plan simple. Take the SS125 toward Murta Maria, then follow the turnoff for Porto Istana. Itinerary

The parking management company indicates 121 parking spaces, with the beach about two minutes on foot from the parking lot.

The best time to arrive is by 9:00 a.m. In high season, parking can become more difficult after 10:00 a.m. The parking rate is €2.00 per hour from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On the beach, there are two bars and rentals for sun beds and umbrellas.

2. Spiaggia del Principe

Spiaggia del Principe is one of the symbolic beaches of the Costa Smeralda. It is in the municipality of Arzachena and is linked to the story of the Aga Khan, the figure closely associated with the tourism development of the area.

The setting is classic northeast Sardinia: turquoise and emerald water, a pale seabed, dense vegetation, and granite rocks framing the shore. There are no beach clubs, but sun beds and umbrellas can be rented and placed in the area you prefer. A daily bar truck usually arrives around noon, offering sandwiches, gelato, and drinks.

From Olbia Airport, the drive takes about 35–45 minutes.

To get there by car from Olbia, take the SS125 toward the Costa Smeralda, then continue on the SP73, the SP94, and finally the SP60. Itinerary

There are two parking lots, including one large lot where you can leave the car and continue on foot. The walking routes follow two easy and scenic trails through nature.

Parking is paid from June to October. The rate is €2.50 per hour or €18.00 for the full day.

In July and August, arrive by 8:30–9:00 a.m. This is one of the classic Costa Smeralda beaches, and an early start makes a difference.

3. Capriccioli

Capriccioli is another excellent Costa Smeralda choice, especially if you want a beautiful beach without going too far from Olbia. It is about 35–45 minutes from Olbia Airport.

The beach is made up of small sandy coves separated by granite rocks, with emerald and turquoise water. It has the polished Costa Smeralda feeling, but it is still easy to work into a beach day based around northeast Sardinia.

To reach Capriccioli by car from Olbia, take the SS125 toward the Costa Smeralda, then continue on the SP73, the SP94, and finally the SP60. Itinerary

There is a beach bar with a large green area for lunch, aperitivo, dinner, and after-dinner drinks. Sun beds and umbrellas are available to rent. A short walk away, there is another bar offering light lunch options, as well as a restaurant open for dinner.

On the opposite side, you can easily walk to Spiaggia del Pirata, which has a dock and offers dinghy and kayak rentals. From there, you can continue on foot to another beautiful beach, La Celvia, where umbrella and sun bed rentals and a bar are available.

Parking is paid from June to October. The rate is €2.50 per hour.

The best time to arrive is by 8:30–9:00 a.m. The coves are small and fill quickly in high season.

4. Cala Brandinchi

Cala Brandinchi is one of the most famous beaches in Gallura, known for very pale turquoise water, white sand, and a shallow seabed. It is often called “Little Tahiti.”

Located in the municipality of San Teodoro, it faces the Tavolara Marine Protected Area and sits about 30–40 minutes from Olbia Airport. Take the SS125 toward San Teodoro, then follow signs for Capo Coda Cavallo and Cala Brandinchi. Itinerary

It is one of the nicest beaches in Sardinia, but in high season it is not a beach to visit without planning. Access to Cala Brandinchi is subject to mandatory reservation from June 1 to September 30 through the San Teodoro beaches portal.

Parking can also be reserved online through Cala Brandinchi Beach, which states that reserved paid parking is guaranteed with booking. With a reservation, arrival can be more relaxed. Without one, it is better to arrive by 8:00–8:30 a.m.

The parking lot, which also gives access to Lu Impostu beach, has an hourly rate that varies by season, from €1.50 in low season to €2.50 in high season.

Services include a beach club, sun beds, umbrellas, and a bar.

5. Cala Moresca

Cala Moresca is a more natural beach near Golfo Aranci, about 30–35 minutes from Olbia Airport. It is a good choice if you want clear water, rocks, views, and a less conventional beach setting.

The water is emerald green and turquoise, with views of the small island of Figarolo. The municipality of Golfo Aranci describes two small beaches, with shallow water in the first few meters and then a deeper seabed.

The name is linked to “figu morisca,” the prickly pear. In the area, there are also remains of lime production facilities active in the 20th century.

To reach Cala Moresca, drive from Olbia toward Golfo Aranci, then follow signs for Capo Figari and Cala Moresca. Itinerary

The final stretch is on foot.

Parking is free, but more limited than at classic beach destinations. This is best understood as a naturalistic beach rather than a serviced one. There are no refreshment points and no sun bed or umbrella rentals directly on the beach.

The best time to arrive is by 9:00 a.m., especially if you want to find space and enjoy calmer sea conditions.

6. Isola dei Gabbiani / Porto Pollo

Isola dei Gabbiani and Porto Pollo, in the municipality of Palau, are among the best beach areas in Sardinia for water sports. The sea is blue and turquoise, and the area is often windy, which is why it is especially known for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing.

From Olbia Airport, the drive takes about 50–60 minutes. The route goes from Olbia to Arzachena and Palau, then toward Porto Pollo and Isola dei Gabbiani. Itinerary

This is not the beach to choose if you are looking for the calmest, most sheltered swim. It is better for an active day, especially if water sports are part of the plan. In high season, arrive by 9:30 a.m.; for sports, wind conditions often improve in the afternoon.

Parking is available in the Porto Pollo and Isola dei Gabbiani area. The official Isola dei Gabbiani property lists services including a village, campground, restaurant, and dinghy rentals.

Seasonal services are available from late March to late October and include dining, resort or campground facilities, sun bed and umbrella rentals, windsurfing schools, and other beach services.

7. Berchida

Berchida, in the municipality of Siniscola, is a long wild beach with intense turquoise water and pale sand. It is about 55–70 minutes from Olbia Airport, making it one of the more natural options still reachable on a manageable drive from Olbia.

The area is wide and natural. There are also archaeological and historical elements nearby, including a nuragic settlement and medieval remains.

To reach Berchida, drive on the SS131DCN or the SS125 toward Siniscola and Orosei, then continue on the unpaved road toward the beach. Itinerary

Near the beach, there is a paid unpaved parking lot.

The best time to arrive is by 9:00 a.m. in July and August.

Berchida is ideal if you want a beach day in a wilder, more natural setting. There are some refreshment points, but bring cash: card payments may be difficult when the connection is unreliable.

8. Cala Goloritzé

Cala Goloritzé is one of Sardinia’s great adventure beach days. It is in Baunei, with transparent turquoise water, white pebbles, a natural arch, and a limestone spire.

Cala Goloritzé has been a protected Natural Monument since 1995. That status helps explain why it is not a casual beach stop and why access is regulated.

From Olbia Airport, the drive to the Golgo plateau and Su Porteddu takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. The route goes from Olbia toward Nuoro or Siniscola, then to Baunei, the Golgo plateau, and Su Porteddu. Itineraty

From there, you continue by trekking.

Costa di Baunei indicates that reservations are mandatory from April to October, with a maximum of 250 people present at one time. Reservations are available 72 hours in advance. The access cost is €7 per person, with guarded parking included.

If you are starting from Olbia, leave very early, ideally around 6:00–6:30 a.m., and do the trek in the morning.

There are no beach clubs, sun beds, or umbrellas. Closed shoes, water, and food are essential. It is one of the most memorable Sardinia beaches, but it should be planned as an adventure day, not as an easy swim after breakfast.

9. Cala Mariolu

Cala Mariolu is part of the Costa di Baunei, one of the most scenic areas of eastern Sardinia. The beach has blue and turquoise water, clear sea, and pale pebbles typical of the Gulf of Orosei.

From Olbia Airport, it takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours to reach the departure ports, plus navigation time. Itinerary

It is not conveniently reached by car. Most travelers arrive by boat from Cala Gonone, Arbatax, or Santa Maria Navarrese.

Parking depends on the chosen departure port, not on the beach itself, so there is no single parking cost to cite.

The best approach is to choose a morning boat tour and book ahead in high season. There is no fixed beach club on the beach; services are generally on board the tours or in the departure ports.

Since 2025, access to the beaches of the Costa di Baunei has been regulated with a daily limit. For independent arrivals or rental boats, booking and a QR code are required, while ferries manage access through authorized companies.

Cala Mariolu is best planned as a full-day coastal excursion rather than a simple beach stop.

10. La Pelosa

La Pelosa, in Stintino, is one of the most famous and regulated beaches in Sardinia. It is known for Caribbean-style blue water, white sand, a shallow seabed, and views of the Torre della Pelosa and Asinara.

From Olbia Airport, the drive takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes. The route goes from Olbia toward Sassari or Porto Torres, then Stintino and La Pelosa. Itinerary

La Pelosa is protected to limit erosion and overcrowding, so planning is essential. Access is limited from mid-May to mid-October and requires advance online booking, with an entrance fee of €3.50 per person.

Parking near the beach is paid from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rates vary by period and day, from €1.50 to €2.50 per hour.

Even with a reservation, arrive by 8:00–8:30 a.m., because parking lots fill up.

Services include beach establishments, bars or refreshment points, and restrooms included in the ticket according to local sources. Visitors must also follow environmental rules, including the use of appropriate mats or towels.

La Pelosa is one of the strongest choices for an iconic postcard image of Sardinia, but it is not spontaneous. Treat it as a planned day.

Best Sardinia Beaches Within One Hour of Olbia Airport

If you are organizing your trip around Olbia or the northeast coast, several beaches in this guide are realistically reachable within about an hour of the airport:

• Porto Istana
• Spiaggia del Principe
• Capriccioli
• Cala Brandinchi
• Cala Moresca
• Isola dei Gabbiani / Porto Pollo
• Berchida

These are the easiest beaches to combine with a stay in Olbia, Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Golfo Aranci, Palau, or the surrounding northeast.

Porto Istana and Capriccioli are especially good choices for the first day after arriving from New York. Porto Istana is the simplest option from Olbia Airport; Capriccioli gives you a Costa Smeralda beach day without pushing too far.

Sardinia Beaches That Require More Planning

Some beaches in Sardinia are beautiful precisely because access is controlled, limited, or more difficult. These should be planned before you go:

• Cala Brandinchi
• Cala Goloritzé
• Cala Mariolu
• La Pelosa

Cala Brandinchi requires reservation from June 1 to September 30. Cala Goloritzé requires reservation from April to October. Cala Mariolu falls under the regulated access system for the Costa di Baunei. La Pelosa is also regulated, with paid access indicated for the 2025 season.

These beaches can be worth the effort, but they do not work well as last-minute plans in high season.

Best Sardinia Beaches by Travel Style

For an easy first beach day, choose Porto Istana.

For a luxury Costa Smeralda atmosphere, choose Spiaggia del Principe or Capriccioli.

For turquoise water and a shallow seabed, choose Cala Brandinchi.

For snorkeling and a natural setting, choose Cala Moresca.

For water sports, choose Isola dei Gabbiani or Porto Pollo.

For a wild beach, choose Berchida.

For an adventure day, choose Cala Goloritzé or Cala Mariolu.

For an iconic postcard beach, choose La Pelosa, Cala Brandinchi, or Cala Goloritzé.

Final Takeaway: How to Plan Sardinia Beaches Well

The best Sardinia beaches are not simply the ones with the clearest water. The better question is: which beach fits your day?

If you are landing in Olbia, start with the northeast: Porto Istana, Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli, Cala Brandinchi, Cala Moresca, Isola dei Gabbiani, or Berchida. Save Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, and La Pelosa for days when you can plan ahead, leave early, and treat the beach as the main event.

FAQ

What are the best beaches in Sardinia near Olbia?

The best beaches near Olbia in this guide include Porto Istana, Spiaggia del Principe, Capriccioli, Cala Brandinchi, Cala Moresca, Isola dei Gabbiani / Porto Pollo, and Berchida.

What is the easiest beach after arriving at Olbia Airport?

Porto Istana is one of the easiest choices after arriving because it is about 15–20 minutes from Olbia Airport and has parking close to the beach.

Which Sardinia beaches require reservations?

Cala Brandinchi, Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu, and La Pelosa require more planning or regulated access. Cala Brandinchi requires reservation from June 1 to September 30. Cala Goloritzé requires reservation from April to October.

What is the best Sardinia Italy beach for the Costa Smeralda atmosphere?

Spiaggia del Principe and Capriccioli are the strongest choices in this guide for a Costa Smeralda beach day.

Is Cala Goloritzé easy to visit from Olbia?

No. Cala Goloritzé should be treated as an adventure day. From Olbia, it requires a long drive to the Golgo plateau and Su Porteddu, followed by a trek.

Which Sardinia beach is best for water sports?

Isola dei Gabbiani and Porto Pollo are the best options in this guide for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, and other water sports.