South Sardinia

Beaches and clear water in the south

Southern Sardinia is built around the Gulf of Cagliari, with the island's capital at its centre and long stretches of white sand on either side. The water is famously clear, the climate is warm well into autumn, and the landscape behind the beaches is a mix of macchia scrub, granite hills and quiet farmland.

East of Cagliari, Villasimius sits beside the Capo Carbonara marine protected area, with beaches such as Porto Giunco backed by a lagoon where flamingos often feed. Further up the coast, Costa Rei has a long, gently shelving beach that suits young children. To the west, Chia is known for its tall dunes and shallow, turquoise bays, and the coast road beyond it, the Costa del Sud, passes rocky coves and the beach at Tuerredda.

Cagliari, history and the islands

Cagliari is a relaxed city with a hilltop old quarter, the Castello, and views over the port and the saltpans of Molentargius, where flamingos are a common sight. Its city beach, Poetto, runs for several kilometres.

Near Pula, the ruins of Nora show Phoenician and Roman remains beside the sea. Inland, Su Nuraxi at Barumini is a UNESCO-listed Bronze Age nuraghe complex and one of Sardinia's most remarkable sights. In the south-west, the islands of Sant'Antioco and San Pietro, with the pretty town of Carloforte, are easy to visit.

Food, wine and getting around

Sardinian cooking is distinctive: fregola, culurgiones filled with potato and pecorino, malloreddus pasta, thin pane carasau and bottarga. Cannonau and Vermentino are the best-known wines, and the south-west produces Carignano del Sulcis.

Cagliari Elmas airport is close to the city, and a hire car is the best way to reach the beaches and villages. June and September are warm and less crowded than August, and spring is good for walking and wild flowers. The south suits families, beach lovers and anyone wanting a slower pace.

Find out more about Sardinia, or browse the villas listed below to choose your base in the south of the island.