Discover the beautiful beaches in northeastern Sardinia – from hidden coves to well-known hotspots. Tips, highlights, and experiences for an unforgettable week in Sardinia.
The northeast of Sardinia is one of the most impressive and picturesque regions of the Italian island. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking natural scenery, it is a true paradise for travelers. In this article, we present the most beautiful beaches in northeastern Sardinia—from hidden coves to well-known hotspots that offer unforgettable experiences for every sun worshipper and nature lover. Discover the perfect places for your next seaside getaway!
Our highlights in Sardinia:
- Capo Testa
- Barca Bruciata
- Spiaggia La Liccia, Li Cossi und San Pietro a mare
- Castelsardo
- Absolutes Highlight: La Maddalena
- Porto Cervo
- Spiaggia del Principe
Im September erfüllten wir uns einen lange ersehnten Reisewunsch – Sardinien, die Karibik Europas. Wir haben schon so viele tolle Fotos von den Traumstränden gesehen, und wollten uns endlich selbst von der Schönheit der Insel überzeugen. Anfang September sollte diese auch nicht mehr so überlaufen sein, sagte man uns :). Wir holten uns also einige Tipps von Freunden, wo wir denn genau hin sollten. Bald hörten wir aber heraus, dass es eigentlich egal ist wohin wir fliegen – es ist wirklich überall toll. Also suchten wir einfach nach einem halbwegs leistbaren Flug, irgendwo nach Sardinien. Dieser brachte uns nach Olbia, also in den Nord- Osten der Insel. Uns wurde ein Appartement in Capo Testa empfohlen. Gut dass es in den Appartamenti Vista Mare gerade eine Stornierung gab und wir die Glücklichen waren, die die Wohnung mit Meerblick nun auch kurzfristig buchen konnten. Nach einer Flugverspätung, dem etwas komplizierten Abholen unseres Mietautos, natürlich ein Fiat 500 – what else, kamen wir mitten in der Nacht in unserem Zuhause für die Woche an. Wir staunten nicht schlecht, als uns am nächsten Morgen dieser Ausblick erwartete:
There was a small café below the apartments where we could get freshly baked brioche for breakfast every day. Of course, we had to take a quick dip in the sea first to wake up. It's really great when you live (almost) right on the beach. At 7:30 a.m., the “big march,” as we called it, began in front of our terrace. We watched the hustle and bustle from the comfort of our breakfast table as one car after another tried to snag the best parking spot, everyone jumped out and marched down to the beach loaded down with umbrellas, deck chairs, and coolers. By around 9 a.m., it was already pretty crowded and the first parking drama was unfolding. So our breakfast entertainment was quite funny, Italian style. The landlord also told us that it wasn't as crowded now as it would be in July and August. I'd rather not imagine what it's like in the height of summer.
A friend lent us a beach guide for Sardinia, which was really helpful. It allowed us to choose the most beautiful bays based on pictures. It also included brief descriptions of how to get there, which was really practical. So we chose Barca Bruciata beach for our first trip. Even the drive there was great. At a viewpoint, we saw the entire coast, the Roccia dell'Orso bear rock, and even Corsica. The beaches are all truly beautiful, no matter which one you choose. Like all the other beachgoers, we quickly learned to always bring a parasol, diving goggles, snorkel, and snacks.
The Capo Testa peninsula
Capo Testa – Cala Spinosa
Over the next few days, we explored the Capo Testa peninsula on foot. At the northernmost tip is the stunningly beautiful Cala Spinosa. After a short walk, we reached the somewhat steep descent through the rocks, which wasn't ideal in flip-flops, but was manageable nonetheless. We were glad we didn't have to look for a parking space, as that would have meant getting up earlier. Sunbathing areas on the beach are also somewhat scarce. As the bay is relatively sheltered from the wind by the surrounding rocks, you can spend the whole day there in comfort. There is a luxurious-looking lounge above, but we haven't tried it.
Capo Testa – Spiagga Rosa
The Spiaggia Rosa, right in front of our apartment, was also great. With its gentle slope and relative shelter from the wind, it is also very popular with families. Walking along the coast, you practically stumble over half-finished granite columns left behind by the Romans, which look as if they were carved from the glittering rock only yesterday. Quite unexpectedly, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of Italian history. This is where the granite for Roman columns was quarried. Today, the remains are just lying around, as if they had been ordered and never picked up. It's fascinating to imagine how the rock was worked here a few thousand years ago, and now it's just lying around, inviting you to sit on it or climb around on it.
Capo Testa – Valle de la Luna
Another interesting part of Capo Testa is the Valle de la Luna. This “Valley of the Moon,” framed by white granite cliffs, is definitely worth a short hike. The cliffs have been shaped by wind, weather, and the sea, forming a natural sculpture park. There are numerous small caves, which were particularly popular with wild hippies in the 1970s and made the peninsula a popular meeting place. Even now, it looks as if some people still call this place their “home.” A little further up, you can already see the “Faro” lighthouse. In front of it are a few more wild rocks that are perfect for enjoying the sunset. We often spent our evenings in the nearby town of Santa Teresa Gallura, which has some good restaurants to offer.
Along the north coast: La Liccia, Li Cossi, and San Pietro a Mare beaches to Castelsardo
The west coast also has some dream beaches to offer. Our first stop was at Spiaggia La Liccia. The expansive beach is characterized by very fine sand, and the crystal-clear water invites you to jump in. But we also really liked the next beach, Spiaggia Li Cossi on the Costa Paradiso. The short hike (500 m) there was perfect for what felt like 100 photo stops. The view of the small bay, surrounded by high cliffs, was only slightly marred by the many visitors. Behind the small beach section is a small lagoon lake that looks as if it springs from a mighty canyon. However, the sea on the other side of the beach definitely looks more inviting for swimming and, above all, snorkeling. All good things come in threes – and so we also stopped at the 3 km long San Pietro a mare beach for a short walk to the rather large lagoon there. The view of the small town of Castelsardo is a perfect photo opportunity, and it's no surprise that it belongs to the association “I borghi più belli d'Italia” (the most beautiful places in Italy) – the perfect place for sunset and dinner.
La Maddalena Archipel
Mit Auto & Fähre von Palau
If you are traveling in northern Sardinia, you should definitely plan a trip to the La Maddalena archipelago. These 60 islands, which form the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, are definitely worth a visit. We spent one day exploring the inhabited main island of La Maddalena by car and another day on a boat. By car: From the coastal town of Palau, there is a ferry every 30–45 minutes that takes you to La Maddalena in about 15 minutes. After leaving the crowded harbor town, you can drive along the 45 km long coastal road to the most beautiful beaches. We made our first stop at Bassa Trinita beach. The view was a dream, with white sand, turquoise blue sea, and a cozy beach bar just above to enjoy. The beach itself was a little too windy for us, which was probably why there were hardly any people there – which was also nice. Then we continued on to Spiaggia Spalmatore, where it was much more comfortable to swim in the bay. We then continued over a bridge to Isola Caprera, where there were also beautiful beaches, hammocks, and cozy beach bars in the south. After dinner in the “capital,” we headed back to Palau and Capo Testa.
Even more beautiful: La Maddalena by boat
A few days later, we also took a boat trip through the archipelago, which was even more beautiful. We started in Santa Teresa and booked the trip on the spot, but I would recommend reserving a few days in advance. From the boat, you can see even more beautiful bays and beaches, such as Budelli, Spiaggia Rosa, and Spargi. It was a really great tour, and the little bays are absolutely gorgeous. An important tip: book a boat that can accommodate as few people as possible. Luckily, we were traveling with a small group, so we always had the bays and beaches (almost) to ourselves for half an hour before a huge ship docked and the beach was so crowded you couldn't see it anymore.
Porto Cervo
We spent our last day strolling through Porto Cervo, the luxurious capital of the Costa Smeralda. Surrounded by charming boutiques, a harbor with yachts larger than many houses, and cozy bars and cafés, one could easily spend quite some time here. But we really wanted to go back to the beach, so we stopped at Spiaggia del Principe on the way to Olbia. Just to enjoy the turquoise blue, crystal-clear water and the finest white sand one last time before saying “ciao Sardegna” – and hopefully see you soon.
Have you been to Sardinia? What was your favorite place?
