One Of Italy's Most Breathtaking Beaches Is A Crystalline Gem In Sardinia

If someone tells you to think of your "happy place," it's a good bet that it's got clear, crystalline waters, shimmering white sand, and a gorgeous mountainous backdrop. If that's true, you can actually visit that happy place in real life. On the Italian island of Sardinia, the second-largest island in the country, you can find some dreamy beaches, but they pale in comparison to its star, Cala Goloritzé. In fact, this beautiful location won the top spot in The World's 50 Best Beaches for 2025. This pristine stretch of shoreline in the middle of the eastern Baunei Coast was classified as a national monument in 1995, which has allowed it to remain unspoiled. This isn't a beach with tons of things to do besides enjoying pure relaxation. There are no amenities here. You can't even drive directly to it. So, if you want to visit this place, you're going to need to do a bit of planning. The only ways to get here are to take a boat and swim (or dinghy) in from it, or take a rather strenuous hike in. But it's absolutely worth it either way. 

Cala Goloritzé is a bit under 100 miles from the Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, and just a few miles further from the southern Cagliari Elmas Airport. Cagliari Elmas might be the better choice, as it's right by Sardinia's biggest city, which is a seaside paradise with incredible food. While it also has great beaches, you'll want to rent a car or take a boat cruise from Arbatax (about 80 miles from the city of Cagliari) for around $75 at the time of this writing, just to see the majesty of Cala Goloritzé. 

Cala Goloritzé's beauty is unmatched. Surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and beautiful limestone formations like the beach's famous spire, this spot was discovered by the outside world when free climbers practiced their skills there in the 1980s. Between the clear water, the privacy, and the pretty arch that goes from the land to the water, it's easy to see why this beach ranks where it does in terms of beaches worldwide. That alone is a good reason to protect it, and Sardinia has restrictions on how to get there. If you take a boat, it must be moored at least 300 meters from the shoreline. From there, you can swim or row a dinghy in. 

The other way to get to Cala Goloritzé is to hike. However, you have to purchase a ticket, and they only release 250 per day. You can book up to three days in advance through the Heart of Sardinia app, website, or by telephone. Tickets are a bit over $8 per person at the time of this writing, though residents and kids under six can go for free. Ticket counters open at midnight. The hike begins at the parking lot for the Su Porteddu bar and restaurant (the ticket includes parking). If you choose to embark on this trail, bring good hiking shoes as it's rocky. Also, take along plenty of food and water. This is a 4.5-mile out and back trail with an almost 1,700-foot elevation gain, so be prepared.

This beach does get busy, despite the restrictions, in July and August, so June or September are better options. The average high temperature for both months is around 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ocean is usually calm during that time. To beat the crowds, you may also want to go early in the day before the rest of the tourists set out.

It's worth spending a full day at Cala Goloritzé, as you can start hiking at 7:30 a.m. (but not past 3 p.m.), and you can stay there until 5 p.m. Then you have to hike back. You can't just pick up a boat from the beach. However, if you're staying in Sardinia for a bit, there is also more to explore. 

If you're staying in Cagliari, visit the 13th-century Santa Maria Cathedral in the Piazza Palazzo. The current face of the structure was added in the early 20th century, and the inside is a baroque beauty (added in the 17th century), highly decorated and full of drama. You should also look into tours of the city's underground full of crypts and tunnels, some of which were used as a shelter during WWII. If you're staying near Cala Goloritzé, you might want to take a drive up the coast around 100 miles to visit Arzachena, where someone actually discovered buried treasure in the sand. While you're in town, don't miss the Roccia del Fungo, which is a really cool mushroom-shaped rock formation near the town center. Nearby you'll also find La Prisgiona Nuraghe Complex, an archeological site that has the ruins and remains of a Bronze Age civilization, and the Giants' Tomb of Coddu Vecchiu, a funerary site dating from the early Bronze Age. 

On the northwest side of the island, you can visit Sassari, once the Royal City of the Kingdom of Sardinia. It features the ruins of a castle, and the Altare Monte d'Accoddi, an archeological site with structures between 5,000 and 6,000 years old. Finally, if you fancy a bit of country-hopping, remember that while Sardinia is around 120 miles from mainland Italy, it's only 7.5 miles from the lovely French Mediterranean island of Corsica, which is definitely worth a visit.