What to See in Southern Sardinia: 10 Must-See Destinations

Southern Sardinia is the most surprising part of the island: Cagliari, a Mediterranean capital with eight thousand years of history, the white beaches of Villasimius and Chia, the Phoenician-Roman site of Nora with its columns overlooking the sea, and the island of Sant'Antioco with its Tabarchin civilization. It is also the most accessible area — Cagliari Elmas airport has the best connections in Italy out of season — and the most versatile: suitable for those seeking history, nature, the sea, and authentic cuisine all in one trip. Here are ten destinations you cannot miss.

Cagliari: the Mediterranean Capital

Cagliari is the natural starting point: the Castello district, perched on a limestone hill with 14th-century Pisan towers, dominates the Gulf of Angels like a natural fortress. The Bastione di Saint Remy offers the most beautiful view over the entire city; the Cathedral of Santa Maria, with its crypt, holds centuries of history. At the San Benedetto market — one of the largest covered markets in Europe — you can find the best bottarga in Sardinia. The Marina district, below Castello, is home to historic trattorias: fregola with clams, spaghetti with sea urchins in season, and burrida alla cagliaritana. In the afternoon, the Poetto — eight kilometers of urban beach — welcomes tourists and locals alike. Behind it, the Molentargius Park hosts one of the most important colonies of pink flamingos in the Mediterranean: at sunset, they soar over the beach in vivid pink formations. Combine your visit to Cagliari with a stop at the Sella del Diavolo, the promontory that closes the gulf to the west: a 45-minute trail from Marina Piccola leads to one of the most beautiful views in the south.

Villasimius and Costa Rei: the Caribbean Seas

Villasimius is the beach destination in the southeast: picture-perfect beaches like Simius, Campus, and Punta Molentis (with limited access, to be booked online in summer), turquoise waters, and a vibrant little seaside town. Surrounding it, the Protected Marine Area of Capo Carbonara — the easternmost point of the Gulf of Cagliari — ensures pristine seabeds for snorkeling and diving. To the north, the Costa Rei stretches the coastline for another twenty kilometers up to Piscina Rei and Capo Ferrato: less touristy than Villasimius, quieter, with vast beaches and pine forests. The village of Castiadas, inland, offers a glimpse of rural Sardinia just a few kilometers from the coast. From Villasimius, it’s easy to arrange boat excursions to Cavoli Island and the Serpentara rocks, with stops for snorkeling in the protected marine depths.

Chia and the Costa del Sud: the Most Scenic Beaches

The Costa del Sud, stretching between Capo Malfatano and Capo Spartivento, is the most spectacular stretch of the southwest: hills of Mediterranean scrub descend to white beaches like Tuerredda (the Sardinian ‘little Tahiti’) and Su Portu. Chia, the most famous town in the area, has three fine sandy beaches with dunes and junipers that would make the Caribbean envious: Su Giudeu, Campana, and Chia itself, with the Aragonese tower from the 1500s reflecting in the sea. The dunes of Chia are one of Sardinia's environmental rarities: a fragile ecosystem with flora and fauna dependent on the dunes, threaded by protected paths. Behind it, the Chia lagoon is home to herons and flamingos. The sunset from Su Giudeu, with the golden dunes glowing pink, is an experience that justifies the detour all by itself. The Costa del Sud is ideally traveled by car along the SP71: each turn reveals a new bay, and the profile of Sardinia falling into the open sea is one of the island's most beautiful sights.

Nora: the Roman City with Columns in the Sea

Nora is the most evocative archaeological site in southern Sardinia: a rocky peninsula with the remains of a Phoenician then Roman city, where the columns of the forum rise directly from the shallow sea. You can see the mosaics of the baths, the theater (still used in summer for performances), the paved streets, and — in low season, with calm seas — the sunken remains of the ancient port. Near the site, you can find the small church of Sant'Efisio, where each year on May 1st begins the longest procession in Italy, and the Lagoon of Nora, a protected area where the kingfisher nests. The village of Pula, five kilometers away, has the civic museum with Phoenician-Roman finds and is the logistical base for visits: trattorias, hotels, and the only convenient parking for Nora. The practical tip: go to Nora early in the morning or towards sunset, when the sidelight enhances the colors of the stone and the columns cast long shadows on the water. In high season, arrive right as it opens to avoid the heat.

Sant'Antioco and Calasetta: the Tabarchin Island

Sant'Antioco is the largest of the minor Sardinian islands, connected to the mainland by an elevated road over a natural sandy bank. Phoenician (here is the most important necropolis on the island), Byzantine, and then Tabarchin — the Tabarchins descend from Ligurian fishermen who settled centuries ago in Tabarka — coexist in an ancient and authentic urban fabric. The Sulcis museum and the Christian catacombs carved into ancient Phoenician tombs deserve a morning visit; then the historic center climbs up to the Savoy fortress with views over Sulcis and the lagoons. The beaches are to the west: Coa Quaddus, Maladroxia, and La Caletta have a less crowded sea compared to the eastern coasts. Calasetta, at the northern tip of the island, is the port for ferries to Carloforte — the island of San Pietro, the Sardinian capital of red tuna and Genoese architecture. A day trip Calasetta-Carloforte is one of the best-kept secrets of southern Sardinia.

Top Beaches of the South: Where to Go and When

Southern Sardinia has a density of exceptional beaches in a relatively compact area. In order of ease of access: - Poetto Beach (Cagliari): eight kilometers of urban beach, convenient by public transport, ideal for those staying in the city. Gentle seabed and fine sand. - Simius (Villasimius): the most famous in the southeast, with almost powdery white sand and turquoise water. To be booked in August for parking and sunbeds. - Punta Molentis (Villasimius): limited access with online booking, rocky and sandy seabed, 360° panorama from the promontory. - Tuerredda (Teulada): one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, with an islet reachable by swimming. Access from the north via dirt road or by sea. - Su Giudeu (Chia): the dunes, the junipers, and the Aragonese tower make this place unique. Arrive by 9 am in August. The best months for the southern sea are June, July, and September: water temperatures between 22 and 26°C, walkable beaches, and more affordable prices than in August.

What to see in Southern Sardinia in a week?

With a week you can comfortably cover the main destinations: 1-2 days in Cagliari (Castello, Poetto, San Benedetto market), 2 days based in Villasimius (southeast beaches, boat excursion to Capo Carbonara), 1 day in Nora and Pula, 1 day on the Costa del Sud with Tuerredda and Chia, and 1 day in Sant'Antioco with a possible ferry to Carloforte. A car is essential for moving between destinations.

When to go to Southern Sardinia?

June and September are the ideal months: warm sea (22-26°C), livable beaches without reservations, and prices 20-30% lower than in August. July is beautiful but hot; August is the busiest and most expensive month. For cultural visits (Nora, Cagliari, Sant'Antioco), April, May, and October are perfect: fewer crowds, mild temperatures, and no queues.

How to get around Southern Sardinia?

A car is almost essential: the most beautiful beaches (Tuerredda, Punta Molentis, Su Giudeu) are outside inhabited centers and public transport is designed for residents. Cagliari Elmas airport is connected to the center by train in 7 minutes. From Cagliari, Villasimius is about an hour away, Chia is less than an hour, Pula is 40 minutes and Sant'Antioco is an hour and a half.

What are the most beautiful beaches in Southern Sardinia?

The most photographed are Tuerredda (Teulada), Punta Molentis, and Simius (Villasimius), Su Giudeu, and Chia. For those seeking less crowd: the coves of the Costa del Sud between Malfatano and Capo Spartivento, the beaches of Sant'Antioco (Maladroxia, Coa Quaddus), and the Costa Rei towards Capo Ferrato. Many of the most beautiful require a car and, in August, advance booking of parking.

Is Nora really among the best archaeological sites in Sardinia?

Yes, and with a uniqueness: it is the only Sardinian site where you can walk among Roman remains with columns emerging from the sea. The position on the peninsula, with the sea on three sides, creates an unrepeatable atmosphere. The theater is still used in summer for performances; the Pula museum houses the original mosaics and the Nora stele, one of the oldest Phoenician inscriptions in the Mediterranean.

Is it worth visiting Sant'Antioco and Carloforte?

Absolutely: Sant'Antioco has the most important Phoenician necropolis in Sardinia and an authentic historic center. Carloforte, on the island of San Pietro, is reachable by ferry from Calasetta (15 minutes) and offers unique Genoese architecture, Tabarchin cuisine, and the Red Tuna Festival in May. A two-day trip between the two islands is one of the most original experiences in the south.

Can you visit Southern Sardinia with children?

It is one of the most suitable areas: Cagliari's Poetto has a very gentle seabed and complete services, the beaches of Villasimius have calm waters, Nora is small and feasible even with children from 6 years old, and Molentargius lagoon with flamingos is an easy walk. Avoid coves with difficult access on foot (Tuerredda requires a walk on gravel) and look for establishments with shade for the central hours.