Sardinia – a beach lovers paradise

Sardinia is very well known for its Caribbean like beaches in the middle of Europe. However, it is also known for a luxury crowd that is docking its million dollar yachts every summer on the shores of Sardinia´s beautiful coastline. That was actually one of the main reasons plus the news of overcrowded beaches, why I have skipped Sardinia in my travel plans over the last years.

But that was a big mistake I have to admit. My recent travel to there turned out to be a real great trip. First of all, the rich & the famous are mainly gathering in the north of the island around Olbia (Costa Smeralda), second the island is big so you can easily skip the crowds.

We decided to fly to Cagliari in the south of the island, where you can still have a very authentic experience and where you will find yourself mainly among locals. Further it is highly recommended to skip the summer month especially July and August, where beaches also in the south are full due to the local holidays of the Italian themselves. Late spring or late summer/early autumn is the best time to come.

On this trip our main purpose was sun & beach, so the Blog below mainly reflects some suggestions for beach hopping in the south. However, for sure I will come back to Sardinia for a road trip around the island as Sardinia has some breathtaking landscapes and dramatic coastlines to explore plus is rich in history and has picturesque villages.

Another strong point of Sardinia is the amazing food that is always super fresh and locally sourced. In some villages in Sardinia you can find the oldest people on earth and sure their nutrition plays a huge role in their centenarian’s life – the olive oil for example from here is one of the best you can get.

How to get there

Easiest way to reach Sardinia is by plane either through the airport in Olbia/northern part (www.geasar.it/en) or Cagliari/southern part (www.cagliari-airport.com).

If you come with your own car, you have the option of various ferry services from different ferry lines and different departure points on the mainland of Italy. Check for example www.directferries.com/sardinia.htm

Where to stay

As mentioned Sardinia is huge so you will find all sorts of accommodation types there from camping, over holiday apartments, authentic B&B´s, small family-owned hotels to bigger luxury hotels (these you will find mainly in the northern part of the island). Thanks God so far Sardinia was spared from huge All-Inclusive resorts as you have them in Spain or Turkey.

Our hotel - the Crucurris Resort

We stayed in a truly amazing adult-only resort near the beach town of Villasimius – the Crucurris Resort (www.cruccurisresort.com/en).

The experience starts here with a very warm welcome from their super friendly staff.

The whole resort is nestled at the foot of a mountain range and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. You can choose between different room types either in the main building or around in the garden area. For all options you will have either a balcony or a terrace.

Our spacious room was in the main building, very clean with a nice terrace and direct access to the garden area.

Well, the garden is really one of a kind at the Crucurris Resort with beautiful trees and exotic plants all around.

In the middle you can find the main pool plus a smaller one in the lower garden. There is plenty of sunbeds around the pool and in the grass area inclusive of some cabanas.

Food is another outstanding point at the Resort – especially the dinners, where you have the choice of a very varied and authentic Italian menu. The taste is delicious and all the plates are also a feast for the eyes. I highly recommend booking yourself on a HB meal plan.

Breakfast was also super good with many choices.

For your hunger over lunch the pool bar serves freshly made salads, pinsa, pasta and burgers.

Further facilities are a Spa Centre plus a small fitness room.

If you like to go for a swim the next beach is a 5 minutes car ride away or a 20 minutes walk.

Further you have the option to purchase a beach access at their sister hotel Stella Maris (www.stella-maris.com/en/).

Stella Maris

At the Stella Maris you can enjoy a nice stay at the beautiful white beach, have a dip in the pool and enjoy lunch in their garden restaurant.

Beach Hopping

To reach further beaches of the area it is recommended that you take a rented car, which we actually took from arrival at the Cagliari airport till departure. As the Crucurris Resort is a bit outside of town, it is also nice to have a car with you if you like to go in the evening to Villasimius with its many bars and shops.

Spiaggi di Punta Molentis

Our first beach was also one of the most famous of the whole island, but a bit of a disappointment. Although we were there before the main season the beach started to fill up from early morning hours and by lunch time it was super crowded – don´t want to imagine how that is in the main summer season then. In addition to the beachgoers, you also have many people arriving by yachts and excursion boats.

But the beach itself is indeed beautiful with a small mountain in the backdrop, white sand and turquoise waters all in a crescent-shaped bay.

You have toilet facilities at the beach plus a very nice beach bar, Due Mari (www.puntamolentis.net).

If you like to rent a sunbed/umbrella it is expensive and a reservation is highly recommended (through the bar). You also will have to register to enter the parking area of the beach (www.brav.it), which is tricky with a rented car as you won´t be able to do this long in advance without your actual number plate. Without that registration you have to come super early otherwise they won´t let you in if all spaces are filled (limit is 200 cars per day and 600 visitors total).

I am also not sure of the actual condition of the parking area and surroundings as shortly after our visit last year they had a very huge wildfire there and had to evacuate people from the beach side by boat as the escape through the parking was blocked from the fire.

Galeotto Beach

A place that I really liked and that was super relaxed is Galeotto beach (www.instagram.com/il_galeotto_beach). Here you will find yourself mainly among locals and the rental fares for an umbrella and sunbeds are less than in the fancier spots.

The beach is long and wide and invites for endless beach walks. If the hunger sets in Galeotto has a very nice beach bar and restaurant. You will get freshly made dishes here as seafood pasta, calamari, grilled fish and more.

Tabu Beach

Is a fancier kind of beach club hidden away in a desert like landscape (www.tabubeachclub.com). You will have a mini off-road drive to approach this spot, but it is easily reachable from Costa Rei.

As in all beach venues sunbeds and umbrellas are for rent plus further options as cabanas.  The whole beach club is held in white colours and you can enjoy your beachside drinks while listening to chilled vibes. The restaurant serves typical beach restaurant items in good quality.

Portogiunco Beach

Closer to the hotel you find Portogiunco Beach, which is actually the “house beach” of Villasimius. On this long stretch of sand you have various beach establishments – Portogiunco is one of them. During the main season it is highly recommended to do a reservation in advance (www.portogiunco.com/en) – also here you have a choice of various types of beach beds.

What I loved most was the crystal-clear water , which is quite shallow so it shows the Caribbean like colours even more. At the end of this beach is a little hill with a castle ruin on the top. A climb up there will be donated with spectacular views over the bay and open sea.

Food and drinks are served at Portogiunco as well plus you have a choice of various water sports like SUP, kayak and so on.

A very nice scenery opens up on the approach to the parking area of Portogiunco as you pass a lake where you can spot flamingos and other birds. Take a walk around through this preserved nature area on a wooden walkway.

Last but not least some city life…..

If you feel that on one day you have to leave your spot in the sun and discover the area around, then a trip to Cagliari would be nice. From Villasimius skip the quicker highway connection and take the more scenic coastal road.

Cagliari might not be Italy´s most beautiful town as it is mainly a port city, but it has indeed its very own mediterranean charm. Best is to leave the car at the parking beside the port - Park Roma (www.apcoa.it/sosta-breve/sedi/cagliari/porto). Don´t forget to take any valuable belongings out of the car, it is a port city and car thefts are common and also be aware of pickpocket in the old town. However in general Cagliari is a safe city.

From there you can make up your way to the old town. In the pedestrian area you will find many shops, old cafes plus some street artists and musicians that entertain the bypassing shoppers.

Climb up the stairs to the Bastion Saint Remy (www.sardegnaturismo.it/it/esplora/bastione-saint-remy) for fantastic views over the city and the port.

After your walk take a break in one of the shady cafes right in front of the Bastion. A visit to Cagliari is rather about to immerse into the relaxed lifestyle of southern Italy than to experience great sights.

So this was our little beach excursion to the picturesque island of Sardinia – an island where you can experience the quality of life.

Sardinia – la bella vita.