Southern Sardinia is a region of pure light — where the sea seems to hold every possible shade of blue and time slows to match the rhythm of the waves. Far less crowded than the island’s northern coast, the south offers travellers a more authentic kind of beauty: endless beaches, ancient ruins, and small villages that still live by the tide.
From Cagliari to Villasimius and across to Chia, this part of Sardinia is a study in contrasts — wild and polished, remote yet welcoming. Here are the beaches that best capture the spirit of the island’s southern coast.
Poetto Beach
Just outside Cagliari, Sardinia’s lively capital, Poetto Beach stretches for eight kilometres along a crescent of soft sand and turquoise sea. Locals treat it as their open-air living room — a place to swim before work, meet friends for coffee, or cycle along the promenade.
Despite its proximity to the city, the water is remarkably clear, and the atmosphere shifts from lively in summer to serene in autumn. Poetto is the perfect introduction to southern Sardinia: urban comfort framed by natural beauty.
Cala Giunco
Drive east toward Villasimius, where granite headlands and shallow lagoons define the coastline. The star attraction here is Cala Giunco, often cited among the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Fine white sand, pink flamingos feeding in the nearby salt lake, and water so transparent it feels almost unreal — it’s a landscape that invites both relaxation and exploration.
Villasimius also offers some of the island’s most refined stays, including elegant resorts in Sardinia, which combine contemporary comfort with Sardinia’s elemental surroundings. Many travellers use the area as a base to explore nearby coves such as Porto Giunco and Punta Molentis, each a perfect blend of wilderness and accessibility.
Tuerredda Beach
Further west, near Chia, Tuerredda Beach has become synonymous with turquoise perfection. The bay curves gently toward a small island just offshore, reachable by a short swim or kayak. Its sheltered position means calm water and minimal wind, ideal for long swims and paddleboarding.
Tuerredda’s charm lies in its simplicity — a strip of sand, a few cafés, and the unbroken horizon. Early mornings here are particularly magical, when the sea is glassy and the beach still quiet.
Su Giudeu
Just a few kilometres from Tuerredda, Su Giudeu offers a completely different landscape. Broad and open, it’s framed by rolling dunes and a lagoon often dotted with flamingos. The beach stretches for nearly two kilometres, and at low tide, a narrow sandbar connects to a small rocky island that feels like another world.
This is Sardinia at its most elemental — no sound but wind, sand, and sea. Yet it’s easily reached from Chia, making it one of the best spots for travellers seeking a balance between adventure and comfort.
Porto Pino
Heading toward the Sulcis region, Porto Pino reveals an entirely different character. Its dunes — some up to 30 metres high — form a natural amphitheatre of white sand that looks almost otherworldly. Behind them lie pine forests and salt flats, home to herons and flamingos.
The sea here is shallow for dozens of metres, creating shimmering gradients of blue and green. It’s a favourite among locals but rarely feels crowded, even in high summer.
The Essence of the South
The beaches of southern Sardinia share one defining quality: clarity — of water, of light, of experience. There’s no excess, only presence. Whether you’re wandering the dunes of Su Giudeu, floating in the calm of Tuerredda, or unwinding at a tranquil resort, the sense of restoration is immediate.
This is the island at its purest — where every horizon invites you to slow down, look closer, and remember what it feels like to breathe without hurry.