Despite having traveled many times in beautiful sea and beaches destinations, I had never been before to the italian island of Sardinia.
Both as an italian and as a great beach and sea lover, I had to to remedy this shortcoming quickly. So in early July 2017 we went to Sardinia island for the first time. We stayed for 7 days in an Airbnb in Santa Margherita di Pula village, that was our base jump to explore the south western coast of Sardinia.
How to arrive in South Sardinia and how to get around?
The only airport in south Sardinia is Cagliari, which ensures good connections with other european cities, even with the lowcost airlines (for example Eurowings and Ryanair). To get around the best way is to rent a car when you arrive at the airport, there are no useful public transports in this area. I suggest you to reserve it in advance (always remember that July and August is very peak season in Italy.)
How does the southern west coast, between Cagliari and Sant’Antioco, look like?
It is rather green and peaceful, even in summer, there are no intensive settlements here, ruining the coast. It is an area still left to nature (and a military settlement too), and this greatly enjoyed us.
Areas of natural interest in South Sardinia, lakes and dunes.
The most interesting thing in this area however – in my opinion – are not the beaches, but rather the wetlands close to the beaches itself: ponds and salt marshes, home to flamingos and other birds. You’ll have often have to step through this areas to get to some ot these beaches, after leaving the car at the parking, for example at Su Giudeu beach and at Porto Pino dunes beach. These landscapes are sometimes surreal.
Su Giudeu salt ponds and wetlands 
Porto Pino dunes
Please note: it is forbidden to step on the dunes and vegetation, they are almost always fenced.
Beaches of South West Sardinia: useful informations
All of the beaches in this area have crystal clear and beautiful sea, clear water, they all are perfect for bathing, even with small childrem. They are composed with white sand and the most are sloping down slowly.
All beaches are public and there is free access, open all year round (except for a portion of the Porto Pino dunes beach which is open to the public only from June to September), you only have to pay for the parking. Most of the beaches have either bathing establishments where you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and a free beach area. Except for small coves, you will always find a bar or a restaurant on the beach.
There are always parking areas near the beaches, the cost of which varies from 4 to 6 euro per day per vehicle, reduced to 3 euros if you arrive in the afternoon. Some beaches, like Su Giudeu, also have a camper area. You can enter to the parking lot generally from 8 am to 8 pm hour, only a few beaches allow exit of vehicles up to 11 pm. You can also go away and come back, showing your ticket you will not have to pay twice in the same day.
Please note: In some cases the parking ticket is valid in all car parks in the same municipality, it should be explained on the ticket itself, this could be handy if you move between different beaches within the same day.
Best beaches in South West Sardinia: Tuerredda beach (location: Teulada)
Tuerredda is a very nice beach shaped like a “boomerang”, with a little island off the bay, and exciting sea colours which you can see driving along the coast. They will for sure make you stop to take a picture like we have done! (no photoshop, these are the REAL colours!)
The beach is quite small and always busy, with one bathing establishment and the most is free beach; there is also a restaurant and many street vendors. You can do a bit of snorkeling at the sides where there rocks are.
Portu Tramatzu beach in South Sardinia
This beach is located at the edge of the military border area of Porto Pino, and is close to another beach reachable by foot and called “beach of the Americans”. The seabed here is very low and the day we went there was oceanic Posidonia in good quantity; the presence of this marine plant (which is not an algae) is an indicator of water quality, so if it bothers you a little think instead that this is an index that sea is clean and in good health! (The only thing that can bother is that it is not cleanud up on the beach).
Porto Pino dunes beach
This wide beach is simply wonderful with its natural white dunes and salt ponds landscape. To get there drive along the SS195 road and turn towards Porto Pino Is Pillonis, and then turn left before the town, there are directions to the car park. After leaving the car at the parking you have to walk for about 15 minutes along a dirt road under the blazing sun to reach the beach.
The sea at Porto Pino 
the beach path to Porto Pino 
Porto Pino dunes beach
The sea here has a crystal blue color and is among the most beautiful seen in the area, the sand in some has shades of pink .. amazing!
Sa Colonia beach, location: Chia
The Chia coastline consists of a succession of wide beaches and smaller coves, from Campana Dune and Monte Cogoni beaches, up to the small Cala Cipolla, the wide Su Giudeu and Cape Teulada. All these beaches have behind an intact vegetation made of Mediterranean scrub, juniper and sometimes small dunes.
Heading to the West from Cagliari, the Sa Colonia beach is located just before Monte Cogoni and Campana Dune, below the Chia Tower headland, on which you can climb for a panoramic view. The sea is so clear and transparent that it looks like a pool.
Su Giudeu beach, the one with the islet
Giudeu is a beautiful beach which can be entered from several points, first of all at the ponds described above, where there is also the area camper. The dunes instead are located near the end of the beach, where there access to Cala Cipolla is. At the center at bay area it is a small islet which you can easily reach by walking at low tide and calm sea. Sadly the time we visited the sea was rough and we could not walk to the small islet, instead we spent th afternoon jumping the waves!
Cala Cipolla cove
This was my favourite one, beacuse I prefer the small coves rather then the wide beaches! Here at Cala Cipolla you will always find a bit of natural shade of the pine trees. You can reach Cala Cipolla by leaving the car at the the last parking at Su Giudeu, and then continue by foot for about ten minutes down the trail. For a panoramic view I suggest you to climb up to the lighthouse at Cape Spartivento, the trail starts here at Cala Cipolla.
On the beach you can rent sun beds and umbrellas and there is a kiosk selling sandwiches, ice cream and soft drinks.
Santa Margherita di Pula beach
Last, we visited the beach nearest to our location, the Santa Margherita beach, a beautiful 5 km long coastal stretch with a pinewood and crystal sea water perfect for swimming.
Where to stay, hotels in West South Sardinia
Here on the beach you can stay at the Forte Village Resort, a luxourious but very expensive hotel accomodation.
IMPORTANT! If you want to spend your vacation in Sardinia during summer 2020 you have to register your trip online. Read more here >>