The Best Costa Smeralda Beach?

Which is the best Costa Smeralda beach? The Costa Smeralda is full of incredibly beautiful beaches and I have set myself the difficult task of finding the best one.

Together with my wife Maria and our young son, I have spent many a summer lying on beaches or splashing about in turquoise seas, all in an effort to discover the best beaches in Sardinia.

If you've explored our site in detail, you'll realize that we think the best beaches in Sardinia are those little-known beaches on the east coast (view the article here) .

Despite loving the east coast, the Costa Smeralda has some really incredible beaches too. Four in particular are simply stunning.

As is usually the case with our family, we couldn’t decide which Costa Smeralda beach is the very best, so the beaches are listed in no particular order.

For more Sardinian & Costa Smeralda beach photos click here.

Cala Capra

One of the most well-known of Palau's many beautiful beaches, located less than two miles from the island's capital.

The shallow, crystal-clear seas and well-sheltered bay of this peninsula are perfect for families with young children.

If you enjoy walking, you will adore the lovely walks behind the beach, which take you through spectacular scenery with great views.

Where to Stay

Base yourself in nearby Palau, from where it is easy to explore, although you will need a car, which is best booked before you leave.

The best place to stay in Palua is La Vecchia Fonte. It is one of the friendliest hotels on this coast and the rooms are spacious as well as spotless.

Another excellent option is the Hotel Palau which offers breathtaking views of the Maddalena Islands. The hotel is in the upper part of Palua but offers a free shuttle to and from the beach, which is around 600 meters away. 

Getting to the Beach

From Palau, take the SS 123 in the direction of Capo d’Orso and take the right turn-off after 3.8 km. Turn left after another 100 meters, then keep going straight for about another half kilometer.

Budelli and the Maddalena Islands

Budelli is a little island that is part of the Maddalena archipelago and is home to some of the loveliest beaches in all of Sardinia.

The island is a national park, and access to a few of the beaches is limited. Don’t worry, though, as plenty of stunning beaches are still open to all.

Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) is the most beautiful of the island’s beaches.

Pink sands and the myriad hues of an incredibly translucent sea make this beach an unforgettable one. The beach normally looks its pinkest early in the morning, but you'll be watched over by the National Park Rangers while you visit. Sadly, many people stole the sand, and the beach was beginning to look a little less pink.

Actually, anywhere you go on Budelli Island and the other islands of the Maddalena, you'll find beautiful beaches and warm, calm waters, perfect for snorkeling or simply splashing about in.

Hotels on La Maddalena

Not a lot of choice on La Maddalena and by far the best bet is the Excelsior Hotel, otherwise stay in Palau and take a boat trip across for the day.

Getting to the Beach

Spiaggia del Principe – The Prince’s Beach

Perhaps the most famous Costa Smeralda beach, this is a great beach for kids with shallow waters and sands lapped by an incredible turquoise sea. It's not only for kids but also for those wanting a romantic spot of almost Caribbean like beauty.

If you enjoy snorkeling, this is a good beach, but you will need to bring your own gear as there is nowhere to hire equipment.

The half-moon crescent shape is divided into two by some rocks, which older kids will enjoy exploring.

Spiaggia del Principe is named after the Aga Khan, who fell in love with this spot in the sixties and was the first to start making the Costa Smeralda one of the "in" destinations for the rich and famous.

Like all beaches on the Costa Smeralda, this one is free, and this has prevented the snobby attitude you get on the beaches of the south of France.

Thankfully, too, the beach is rarely crowded except in July and August; try to visit during June or September.

Where to Stay

The Monte di Mola is the hotel I would recommend. This is one of the few hotels on this coast that offers good value for money and is a good base to explore Principe beach and the other beaches of the Costa Smeralda.

Getting to the Beach

Principe Beach is around a kilometer outside of Romazzino; your hotel will be able to give you detailed directions. After you park in the parking area, you will need to walk for about fifteen minutes to reach the beach.

Monte Di Mola Hotel

Pevero Beach

The colour of the sea off Pevero beach changes from sapphire blue through to emerald green in a sparkling show of brilliance that seems to change by the minute.

The beach itself is ivory white with fine talcum powder sand, and the sea is shallow until quite far out, making it perfect for little kids to splash around quite safely.

Behind the beach are some fabulous dunes and juniper forests. If you enjoy watching the rich and famous, then this is one of the few beaches they frequent.

If you don't, they are easily ignored; anyway, they are completely overshadowed by this incredible place.

Where to Stay in Pevero

The best option is the Pevero Hotel, They offer a free shuttle into Porto Cervo, and the hotel has a reserved area for guests on the Piccolo Pevero beach, which is located right in front of the hotel.  You will need a car to explore inland areas.

Getting to the Beach

Take the SS59 from Porto Cervo; the turn-off for Piccolo Pevero is about 1.8 km further on; after a minute or two, you can park, and the beach is a short 10-minute walk away.

For more photos of the beaches around Pevero and Porto Cervo click here.

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Need a Map of Sardinia to find these beaches? Click here.