Sardegna HousesCosta Smeralda · Olbia · La Maddalena
Beaches, islands, villages and day trips: practical guides for planning a holiday in Costa Smeralda, Olbia and the La Maddalena archipelago.
Travel guides
Il Pellicano is a roughly 200-metre stretch between Pittulongu and Mare e Rocce, with small rocks offshore. Beach services are by the nearby hotel.
Read the guide: Il Pellicano: a small stop on Olbia’s beach coastTravel guides
A practical guide to Marinella, covering the shoreline, access, services and the decisions that make a beach stop easier to plan.
Read the guide: Marinella: choosing a bay between Olbia and Porto RotondoTravel guides
A practical guide to Porto Istana, covering the shoreline, access, services and the decisions that make a beach stop easier to plan.
Read the guide: Porto Istana: the Tavolara view that makes your beach dayTravel guides
Plan the approach to Spiaggia del Dottore before planning the swim: the municipal listing describes an unpaved road leading to the car park, so check access and ground conditions before setting out.
Read the guide: Spiaggia del Dottore: the path matters as much as the seaTravel guides
Capo Ceraso is a stretch of coast, not a guarantee that every cove has the same access. To choose without guesswork, identify a permitted entrance first, then weigh the road, facilities and your group’s needs.
Read the guide: Capo Ceraso: choose your cove without guessingTravel guides
Le Saline combines a long sandy beach with a seabed that, according to the municipal listing, deepens quickly. Plan the arrival and assess the sea conditions before entering the water.
Read the guide: Le Saline in Olbia: sea and scenery beyond the car parkTravel guides
Choose Marina Maria with the wind and the approach in mind, rather than assuming it offers shelter: the municipality describes it as a beach used by surfers and reached from the car park across a footbridge over the pond.
Read the guide: Marina Maria: a beach to consider when the wind picks upTravel guides
Spiaggia Ira can pair a beach stop with time in Porto Rotondo: the municipal listing describes fine sand, shallow water and facilities, while transport and availability should be checked for your date.
Read the guide: Ira Beach: Porto Rotondo’s seaside pauseTravel guides
Spiaggia dei Sassi is Porto Rotondo’s rockier option: the municipal listing describes fine sand mixed with small pebbles and a surrounding cliff. Plan access and what to bring around that contrast.
Read the guide: Spiaggia dei Sassi: Porto Rotondo’s rocky sideTravel guides
Punta Volpe has a short walk from the car park according to the municipality, but the source does not describe a developed coastal trail. Plan for the path, rocky shoreline and transport.
Read the guide: Punta Volpe: a coastal walk from Porto RotondoTravel guides
The Rena Bianca near Olbia is by Portisco; the beach of the same name in Santa Teresa is a different destination. Check the map pin before travelling and plan transport and facilities for the right place.
Read the guide: Rena Bianca near Olbia: not the Santa Teresa beachTravel guides
Razza di Juncu can fit into a coastal route towards Portisco if the access and transport work for your day. The municipal listing gives a specific driving approach and describes shallow water.
Read the guide: Razza di Juncu: a bay for your Portisco coastal routeTravel guides
Portisco works well as an unhurried stop: the beach sits beside the marina and Mediterranean scrub, while the bus stop is about a kilometre away. Treat the beach and harbour as separate visits and check connections.
Read the guide: Portisco: take time for the beach and marinaTravel guides
Punta Nuraghe, also called Contro Ira in the municipal listing, is a stop on the Porto Rotondo promontory. Your choice depends on the walk from the bus stop or car and on which facilities you need.
Read the guide: Punta Nuraghe: a stop on the Gulf of CugnanaTravel guides
Cala Sabina is a beach in Golfo Aranci with a nearby railway stop, but the service is seasonal. Check Trenitalia for your exact date; do not plan around timetables or intervals copied from an old listing.
Read the guide: Cala Sabina: the beach with a train stop worth checkingTravel guides
At Cala Moresca, plan to reach the permitted access and continue on foot: the municipality excludes motor vehicles from the beach and describes two beaches, a pine grove and a view of Figarolo.
Read the guide: Cala Moresca: enjoy the last stretch on footTravel guides
For a single day, choose one storyline: the town and its history, or the panoramic road with a small number of coastal stops. Trying to do everything turns the visit into a checkli
Read the guide: La Maddalena in one day: what deserves your time?Travel guides
La Maddalena remains a rewarding visit without a boat: the ferry takes you to the inhabited island, where you can choose the town, the panoramic road or beaches reached from land.
Read the guide: La Maddalena without a boat: discover the island by landTravel guides
The panoramic road is more rewarding when each stop has a purpose. Instead of pulling over at every bend, pair the viewpoint at Punta Tegge with a beach or a place of historical in
Read the guide: La Maddalena’s panoramic road: stops worth the driveTravel guides
Punta Tegge is a place to look across the coast, not a guaranteed show at a particular hour. The headland faces Spargi and the Park identifies it as a viewpoint; plan flexibly and
Read the guide: Punta Tegge: La Maddalena’s sunset among the rocksTravel guides
At Bassa Trinita, a responsible visit begins with how you cross the dunes. The Park has installed boardwalks to reach the beach without trampling them; staying on the route protect
Read the guide: Bassa Trinita: reach the beach while protecting its dunesTravel guides
Spalmatore is worth considering when you want to pair a bay known to local residents with a day exploring the island. The stop makes sense if it fits your plan; do not treat it as
Read the guide: Spalmatore: why add it to your La Maddalena route?Travel guides
Capocchia du Purpu, or Octopus Head, is a beach on the Giardinelli peninsula, linked to the main island by an isthmus. Its name describes a natural rock formation; check the map an
Read the guide: Capocchia du Purpu: find the real Octopus Head bayTravel guides
Monti d’Arena is identified by the dune on a hill on the eastern side and by the route towards the water described by the Park. Check access and conditions before setting out: an a
Read the guide: Monti d’Arena: sand and access to check before your visit