Northern Sardinia
Porto Rotondo - fairytale beaches
Porto Rotondo is a sophisticated spot in the north-east of Sardinia with spectacular beaches: small and idyllic or expansive and golden yellow - bays like Spiaggia Ira and Cala Sabina offer something for everyone, whether high society, families or those in search of true relaxation.
Beach description
Porto Rotondo - Dream beach amidst nature and jet-set chic
Porto Rotondo is a sophisticated spot in the north-east of Sardinia with spectacular beaches: small and idyllic or expansive and golden yellow – bays like Spiaggia Ira and Cala Sabina offer something for everyone, whether high society, families or those in search of true relaxation. Starting in the centre with its stylish marina, visitors have the choice of a number of beaches with crystal-clear water and fine sand – all of which have their own character and some beautifully unique featuresThe dream beaches near Porto Rotondo in detail:
Spiaggia Marinella
A fine, bright white dream beach with crystal-clear water, rich green maquis and illustrious villas. With its natural beauty, vast expansiveness and many services, bars and restaurants, it’s not only popular with residents of nearby Porto Rotondo. Car parks are located directly at the beach.Punta Nuraghe/Spiaggia Ira
It’s easy to fall in love with Sardinia’s idyllic beaches. Just like the glamorous high-society icon Ira von Fürstenberg, whose favourite beach is around one kilometre to the west of Porto Rotondo: the fine, sandy beach on the promontory of Punta Nuraghe has since been called Spiaggia Ira. It is very busy in summer, not least thanks to its many services.Cala Sabina
The bay of Cala Sabina (between the Golfo della Marinella and Golfo Aranci) has a very special feature: In addition to its Caribbean-like blue water and a bar offering refreshments, it has its very own train station. This makes it the only beach in Sardinia that is directly connected to the island’s rail network. By car, a signposted dirt road leads down to the beach.Spiaggia dei Sassi
The striking Spiaggia dei Sassi fascinates with its blend of fine sand and the odd stone, emerald green water, picturesque rocky reefs for snorkelling and a gently sloping beach, which is ideal for children. Only a few parking spaces are available here, although a free shuttle bus leaves Porto Rotondo for the beach.Spiaggia Rudargia
A real gem of a beach, just 100 metres long. Spiaggia Rudargia is a small, idyllic bay beside Spiaggia Ira. Flanked by an apartment complex, the beach is beautifully nestled amidst oleander and juniper bushes. Restaurants and bars round off the services provided in this small but beautiful bay.Location and surroundings
Beaches in detail
Liscia Rena
This small beach with crystal-clear waters is also located in Porto Cervo. It has coarse, light-coloured sand and pinkish granite rocks. From the centre of Porto Cervo, drive northwards on the Via Nibani until you get to the beach. The water is not very deep, making it ideal for small children.
Grande Pevero
You will find the dazzling, white sandy beach of Grande Pevero in the town of the same name. This half-moon-shaped bay is next to some small wetlands. One of Europe's finest golf courses, the Pevero Golf Club, can also be found here. Getting there from Porto Cervo: drive southwards on the SP 59 for about 3 km until you reach the beach, which is signposted
Li Nibani
Fine, white, sandy beach surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and granite cliffs. From here, there is a direct view of the Isole Nibani, which gives this bay its name. Nibani is Sardinian and means sea gulls. In fact, many of them do often circle the small group of islands offshore. From Pevero beach, you drive to this bay over a dirt road.
Capo Capaccia
A gorgeous beach surrounded by wild natural scenery that can be found in the small town of Romazzino. Drive from Porto Cervo towards Arzachena on the SP 59. At the town of Abbiadori, turn off towards Cala di Volpe and Romazzino. The beach is only a few hundred metres behind Hotel Romazzino. Follow the signs on foot.
Romazzino
The famous Romazzino beach lies in front of the luxury hotel of the same name. It is a white sandy beach with a view of Isola Mortorio. Directions are the same as for Capo Capaccia beach. Park in the large car park on the right in front of the Romazzino Hotel and walk the few metres to the beach.
Spiaggia del Principe
This beach was supposed to have been a special favourite of the founders of the Costa Smeralda, the Prince and Princess Karim Aga Khan IV. It is a fine sandy beach surrounded by pink-coloured granite rocks. Because of the shallow depth of the water, it is also suitable for small children. To get there, take the SP 59 until you reach the town of Abbiadori, then drive towards Cala di Volpe and Romazzino. After 2.4 km, just before Capriccioli, turn off left towards Romazzino. After a further 1.3 km, turn right, drive on for another 300 metres and then park in front of a barrier. Next, walk along the asphalt road for 250 metres and then turn right onto the footpath to the beach.
Cala di Volpe
You will find this bay for swimming right in the heart of the Costa Smeralda, protected from the wind and with a view of the famous Cala di Volpe luxury hotel, an international meeting point for VIPs since the 1960s. If you can not do without your creature comforts, you will feel right at home here. Beach umbrellas and sun loungers can be hired. There are also bars and restaurants very close by. As described above, take the turn off for Cala di Volpe off the SP 94 heading towards Abbiadori. One hundred metres after the junction, turn right onto a dirt road and drive to the beach.
Liscia Ruja
This sandy beach can be found in the town of the same name, Liscia Ruja. Drive along the coastal road to Olbia. Turn left at the signpost and drive to the beach along a dirt road through a rocky, hilly landscape. Beach umbrellas, sun loungers, pedal boats and motorboats can be hired. Ideal for small children.
Razza di Junco
Because of its fabulous setting, this beach has been designated as being of special value by Legambiente (the Italian environmental protection agency). It is located in an area of wetlands and owes its name to the reeds that grow there. Drive along the SP 94 coastal road towards Olbia and then turn off left to the beach.
Rena Bianca Costa Smeralda
This beach is also located in the town of Portisco. Extremely fine, brilliant white sand with small dunes behind the beach. Fabulous scenery of thick Mediterranean vegetation and pink-coloured granite rocks. Directions: drive along the SP 94 towards Olbia until you reach the Portisco sign. Here you turn off to the left and drive some 300 metres further to the beach. Beach umbrellas, sun loungers, pedal boats and motorboats can be hired. This bay is favoured by divers and windsurfers.
La Prima e Seconda la Spiaggia (the first and second beaches)
Golfo Aranci's main beach is accessible from the main street to the city hall. It is one of the largest beaches and has bright, fine sand and crystal-clear water; it has a partly sandy, partly rocky seabed. Furthermore, one has a great view of the gulf and the island of Tavolara. The beach is well equipped with various kiosks and a free parking. The location is perfect because of its proximity to restaurants, pizzerias and the town centre. The second beach can also be reached from the main road, or alternatively by climbing over the low granite cliffs. This beach is smaller and partially equipped with beach chairs and beach umbrellas.
La Terza Spiaggia (the third beach)
The third beach is located along the main road and is one of the most beautiful beaches in this area and can therefore become a bit crowded. The beach has fine white sand and overlooks the emerald green sea. As the water is very shallow for a long time, you can enjoy the magically transparent water. Furthermore, from here you have beautiful view of the island of Tavolara that majestically emerges out of the horizon. The lido offers a bar and is well equipped with beach chairs and beach umbrellas.
La Quinta Quarta e la Spiaggia (the fourth and fifth beaches)
The fourth and fifth beaches are not far from the village. These two beaches have fine sand and turquoise water. On the seabed you can see a mixture of sand and stones. There are also the banchi di Posidonia, a refuge for small fish. The two beaches are separated by a small bank of rocks. At the end you can see the Capo Figari and the island of Figarolo, picturesque spots for nature lovers.
Baia Caddinas
Near the centre of Golfo Aranci is the Baia Caddinas beach, which has fine white sand and clear water. The beach is well equipped, and it is possible to rent sports equipment. You can also walk to a small tourist port.
Cala Moresca
The beach lies east of Golfo Aranci towards Capo Figari it is not accessible by car. The walk through the nature reserve is about 2.5 km long. At the end of the walk you reach a pine forest which overlooks the bay of Cala Moresca. Here you can marvel at the bay's two beaches, which are characterized by fine, golden sand. The emerald-coloured water along with the bright rocks offer a picturesque sight. In the background is the island of Figarolo. Behind the beach there is a disused brickworks and there are little paths leading to Capo Figari, from where one has a splendid view of the gulf. One can also visit the cemetery of the castaways and the old lighthouse.
Spiaggia Bianca
The white beach is located on the road from Olbia to Golfo Aranci. It is a beautiful beach with clean and clear turquoise water. The beach is about 100 metres long and is bounded laterally by two rock jetties. Behind the beach are dunes leading to the Mediterranean scrubland. In summer, the beach can become a little crowded as it has a lido.
Cala Sabina
The beach of Cala Sabina is located near the roundabout at the entrance of Golfo Aranci. It is a beautiful beach of white sand and clear, shallow water. The beach is surrounded by juniper berry trees and Mediterranean shrubs. There is a kiosk that offers various services and a car park.
Nodu Pianu, Pittulongu, Bados
Nodu Pianu opens on a spectacular stretch of coast, just north of the Gulf of Olbia, which includes the towns of Pittulongu and Nodu Pianu up to the imposing profile the Capo Figari overlooking the Gulf of Golfo Aranci. This stretch of coast just south of the Costa Smeralda is characterized by pink granite rocks and splashes of Mediterranean green bushes, overlooked by the fascinating profile of the island of Tavolara, peaking out of the sea in the south east. On the beaches there are restaurants and bars, and you can rent chairs and beach umbrellas. Because of its proximity to the city (the villages are less than 5 km from the outskirts of Olbia), the two beaches tend to fill up, especially on weekends.
Punta Nuraghe
Sandy beach with a stunning view over the Golf of Cugnana. The bay is located at the East end of Porto Rotondo. Shallow water and thus very suitable for small children. Here you can rent umbrellas, sun beds and pedal boats.
Ira
This beach is very popular with VIPs. In fact, it owes its name to a famous German aristocrat, Ira von Fürstenberg, who used to stay in a villa here. In the summer months, the sea is crowded with the luxurious yachts of the Costa Smeralda´s high society. The beach is within walking distance of the centre of Porto Rotondo.
Punta di Volpe
Sand beach with an excellent view of the islands of Mortorio and Soffi. The crystal-clear water makes it a perfect place for snorkelling. To get here, take the direction towards Punta di Volpe and continue for about 750 metres after the car part. Take the walkway to the left that leads you to the bay.
