Where are the best beaches in Sardinia?

There are really two options to finding the best beaches in Sardinia - hire a car and find your own little paradise or check out some of these recommendations.

South: the capital of Cágliari has a popular 10km white, stretch of sand called Poetto Beach and some superb stretches of sand off Sardinia’s most scenic road heading southwest on the Costa del Sud, past cliffs, coves, ancient watchtowers, dunes and flamingoes. South-west: Spiaggia san Nicolo, just north of Buggeru is a huge curving slash of golden sand much favoured by surfers and isolation-seeking beach folk. Piscinas Beach - just south of Mariana di Arbus and below Oristano - has 3,000 acres of sand dunes known as the ‘Sahara of Italy’, and naturally spectacular wide-open beaches too.

 

 

North Costa Smeralda is Sardinia’s best-known upmarket beach area, sporting sensual wind-sculpted rocks and glittering seas but costly, needless to say. A couple of easy-access beaches there are Cala Liscia Rula and Spiaggia Capriccioli.  North-west: For those on a tighter budget the popular package tourist town and active fishing port of Alghero on Sardinia’s west coast is one attractive option with some excellent architecture in and around the old town, plenty of colourful fishing activity and some good beaches nearby, such as Torre del Lazzaretto’s shallow waters or S’Abba Druche and it’s rocky pools - both family friendly.?

North: Alternatively try the turquoise sea, powder sand and sociable, bikini-packed beach of La Pelosa, near Stintino on the northwestern tip of the island, or even better, hire a boat to get to Asinara National Park and share the magnificent beaches with little albino donkeys, wild pigs and wild sheep. In short, go wild.?East: Sardinia’s east coast is still forested and strangely undeveloped, with dozens of perfect coves and bays lined with curvy cliffs and perfect sand.

Mabrouk - Alghero’s hidden secret

Summer is well and truly here so it that time of year when I get to review all the local resturants in Alghero.  I know what you are thinking – yes it is hard, jumping in my car and driving around the good, bad and indifferent eateries in this Alghero.   I almost go on car auto-pilot to one of the very best restaurants in Alghero – “Mabrouk”.   This superb place is located in the very heart of the old town of Alghero.   You can not miss it as it is situated in an old stone building with arched interior ceilings – beautiful!  Now this place is one of Alghero’s little know secrets – not even a menu on the street to tell you it is there so shhh!  When you peek through the old windows you will observe an uninspiring entrance – don’t let this put you off.  One thing to be aware of is that it only sell seafood – caught fresh that day.   As usual I had the clam linguine with garlic and parsley.  This was followed by fresh fruit, coffee and a shot of Limoncello – if that is your thing. This food is to die for.   A meal for two with wine comes at a very reasonable $33 per person.  The wine which you can drink as much of as you like is great – not the house plonk.  

The service is great, the food is great – damn it – Mabrouk is and for ever will be fantastic