North Sardinia: an area waiting to be discovered
North Sardinia offers landscapes and views that are truly unforgettable.
Discover the 10 photos that will transport you to the wild heart of the wonders of North Sardinia. The Islands of La Maddalena, the Costa Smeralda, Tavolara and Molara.
Plan your next trip and choose incredibly scenic spots for an unforgettable vacation.
The Pink Beach
One of the must-see sights in Northern Sardinia, absolutely worth visiting, is the Pink Beach.
The Pink Beach is located on Budelli Island in the southeastern part of the island. It is a protected beach, an area of full conservation, and can only be reached by boat.
Its name comes from the characteristic color of the sand, which is made up of tiny fragments of pink-colored organisms living in the meadows of Posidonia oceanica.
The sand is pink due to the presence of mainly fragments of bryozoans Miriapora truncata and foraminifera Miniacina miniacea.
The Pink Beach of Budelli is famous not only for its beauty but also because some scenes from Michelangelo Antonioni's film *Red Desert* were shot here.
Porto Taverna
The Porto Taverna Beach is located between Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro, right in front of the Islands of Tavolara and Molara in the Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area.
It is a very long beach set in enchanting nature with a wetland of particular value and environmental significance behind it.
The Porto Taverna Beach can be reached by car from the north entrance and the south entrance or can be accessed by boat during a boat trip.
Incredibly scenic is the pond behind the dunes with walkways positioned over the water, creating a magical setting.
During a walk around the pond, you can closely admire Flamingos, Herons, Egrets, and Black-winged Stilts. Definitely one of the beaches to see!
Cala Santa Maria
Cala Santa Maria is located on the homonymous Santa Maria Island in the La Maddalena Archipelago. Santa Maria Island is truly a small gem characterized by small beaches and bays with breathtaking colors.
The island is named after the Benedictine convent of Sancta Maria de Budello, which dates back to the medieval era.
Santa Maria Island in the Archipelago is of particular importance as it hosts the Mantle of the Madonna. This is a unique stretch of sea nestled between the islands of Budelli, Razzoli, and Santa Maria.
The Port of the Madonna is a highly sought-after destination for both pleasure boaters and boat trips.
On the island, there are some of the most famous and well-known beaches in the area, including Cala Santa Maria, Porto Madonna, and the famous Passo degli Asinelli.
Cala Coticcio
Cala Coticcio is located on the Island of Caprera and is undoubtedly among the most sought-after beaches. It is a small and delightful cove characterized by water of a very clear blue color, leaning towards white, with an almost powdery sandy beach.
Cala Coticcio is completely surrounded by vegetation and typical Mediterranean scrub plants, giving it a completely exotic and wild appearance.
On the Island of Caprera, there are also other absolutely must-visit beaches.
One of these is Cala Relitto, a beach located in the integral reserve zone of the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena.
This beach takes its name from a wreck that was once on the beach, of which only a few fragments are now appreciated.
These are beaches that leave you literally breathless due to their colors, especially on days when a light mistral blows.
The Mistral is a wind that blows from the northwest, making the air clear and clean and making the colors particularly vivid, enhancing the light contrasts.
Cala Coticcio has been nicknamed Tahiti… I wonder why 🙂
Cala Brandinchi
The beach of Cala Brandinchi is located on the northeast coast of Sardinia, near the municipalities of Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro. It is situated in the southern part of the promontory of Cape Coda Cavallo.
Cala Brandinchi is also known as the Little Tahiti, precisely for its stunning colors of water and sand.
At this beach, the seabed gently slopes and remains shallow for dozens of meters, creating the characteristic and famous swimming pool effect.
At Cala Brandinchi, you can admire very fine sand dunes covered with sea lilies. The back-dune area boasts a beautiful pine forest for resting in the shade.
Discover all the information about Cala Brandinchi and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Cala Corsara
Cala Corsara is located in the southern area of the Spargi Island in the heart of the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena.
The beach of Cala Corsara is famous for a granite rock that resembles the profile of a witch looking at the sea.
Spargi is truly a wonderful island that hosts enchanted beaches. The island is scattered with bays and inlets, fragmented by suggestive rocks with the strangest shapes.
On Spargi, you can find some of the park's most famous beaches, sandy coves of the whitest and finest sand, surrounded by large tafoni with lush vegetation behind.
Some of the beaches to visit on Spargi include Cala Bonifazzinca, Cala Ferrigno, Cala dell’Amore, Cala Granara, and Cala Connari.
The island is home to many species of birds, including the Audouin's Gull and the Storm Petrel.
Cala Corsara is only accessible by boat. Every day there are many boat trips in the La Maddalena Archipelago that allow you to see it.
Capriccioli
Capriccioli is one of the most famous beaches and locations in Costa Smeralda. The beach of Capriccioli is located south of Porto Cervo, a few kilometers from Cala di Volpe.
Capriccioli is a particularly small and intimate beach surrounded by a lush and enchanting nature. The beach is divided into two coves separated by characteristic Gallurese granite rocks.
The beach of Capriccioli is equipped with all amenities, easily accessible. During the summer season, it is a sought-after and very frequented destination, due to its well-deserved popularity.
The waters of the bay of Capriccioli and the nearby beaches are shallow, incredibly clear, and rich in life.
Paese La Maddalena
The Town of La Maddalena is located on the island of the same name, the heart of the National Park.
The Island of La Maddalena is certainly the largest of the islands in the Park. The 7 “sister” islands that make up the archipelago are:
La Maddalena boasts a charming seaside town with a small harbor. The layout of the town’s streets and its characteristic atmosphere have earned it the nickname of Little Paris.
The island and the town have been the setting for important historical events due to the strategic position of the archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea.
La Maddalena was the site of an attempted invasion by the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte, which was repulsed by the Sardo fleet led by Domenico Millelire.
The island is also famous for its granite quarries; at Cala Francese, the quarry remained active until 1930. The use of granite from La Maddalena has always been a subject of disputes: it seems that the extracted granite has been used to create numerous works, some of which were misattributed.
Among the verified monuments actually made with stones extracted from the island, there seems to be the Ismailia monument for the defense of the Suez Canal in Egypt and the tomb of Clelia the firstborn of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of two worlds.
Beaches of Tavolara
Tavolara is an island located in the northeast area of Sardinia between the municipalities of Olbia, Loiri Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro south of Capo Ceraso.
Along with Molara, these two islands are included within one of the 6 Marine Protected Areas of Sardinia.
Tavolara is the “Capital” of the Tavolara and Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area where it is possible to go snorkeling and see all the life that populates the AMP.
The island of Tavolara can only be reached by boat. The tours to visit Tavolara typically include a stop to admire the beaches and the unspoiled nature of the island.
Among the places of particular interest to see in Tavolara are the beach Cala Tramontana, the beach Punta Spalmatore where the two seas meet.
The small cemetery of the Kings of Tavolara that is located just a few minutes’ walk from the landing point is also worth a visit.
The island of Tavolara boasts a truly unique flora and fauna with some characteristic endemisms.
Lu Impostu
The beach of Lu Impostu is located south of the promontory of Capo Coda Cavallo and north of the promontory of Puntaldia in the territory of San Teodoro.
This beach is the twin of Cala Brandinchi and definitely deserves a visit.
This beach is set in a charming environment, with transparent seabeds and lush vegetation. A lagoon with a small ford to reach the beach completes the experience.
The northernmost part of Lu Impostu connects with Cala Brandinchi through a passage in the Mediterranean scrub.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most beautiful beaches in North Sardinia?
- Some of the most beautiful beaches in North Sardinia include the Spiaggia Rosa of Budelli, Porto Taverna Beach, and Cala Coticcio in Caprera. Each of these beaches offers spectacular views and crystal-clear waters.
- How to reach Spiaggia Rosa of Budelli?
- Spiaggia Rosa is located on the Island of Budelli and can only be reached by boat. Organized tours from the Archipelago of La Maddalena allow you to visit this wonder.
- What to see in La Maddalena?
- In La Maddalena, you can visit various enchanting beaches, such as Cala Santa Maria and Porto Madonna, as well as explore the historic center of the island. Don't miss the opportunity to take a tour among the surrounding small islands.
- What is the best season to visit North Sardinia?
- The best season to visit North Sardinia is spring and summer, from May to September. During these months, the weather is warm and ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.
- Are there natural points of interest in North Sardinia?
- Yes, North Sardinia features numerous natural points of interest such as the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, famous for its biodiversity, and the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena. These areas offer opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.
- What activities can I do in North Sardinia?
- In North Sardinia, you can participate in activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, boat excursions, and trekking. The clear waters and natural landscape offer many options for nature lovers.
- Where can I find accommodation in North Sardinia?
- In North Sardinia, you can find a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to bed & breakfasts. Popular locations include Porto Cervo, La Maddalena, and San Teodoro.