Karagorolizze Beach on Sardinia has just been named the best on the planet (Image: Getty Images)
When you think about the best beaches in the world, you will probably think about the Maldives and the Caribbean. However, there is one Mediterranean island with matching beaches everywhere on Earth. It is not found in Greece or Spain.
In fact, one beach on this beautiful island has been named the best on the planet. Add it to the island's hot climate, great food, rich history and urban life. There is the perfect holiday ingredients.
Despite all this, it is not even on the top 10 islands most visited by British tourists. This is dominated by Tenerife in Spain, Mallorca, Lanzaroth, and Santorini in Greece, Corfu and Rhodes.
The island is Sardinia. Sardinia is located halfway between the medical Italian and Spanish coasts, and is far less popular and less well-known than the Spanish and Greek hotspots.
Sardinia is huge so there is plenty of space and you won't be crowded with one or two overly populated tourist attractions. But despite its size, it is comfortable to navigate and you can easily drive along the coast and stop by at any of the gorgeous beaches you'll find regularly. Plus, it's a short, cheap flight from the UK.
Sardinia's bright blue sea with stunning white sand (Image: (Image: Getty))
At the southern tip is the metropolis of Cagliari, so you can experience the bustle of urban life with lively restaurants and bar scenes. On the other side of the island is Arguero, a moderately large town with a lively restaurant scene.
Sardinia also eliminates rich luxury, and its northeastern coast is a magnet for wealthy European tourists who flock to Porto Cervo, where you can entertain yourself by examining heavily decorated yachts and guessing who owns them.
As you would expect from anywhere in Italy, the food scene is sensational and there are so many options to eat. Given that Sardinia is less overwhelming than tourists like Mallorca, we still see that many of its restaurants are primarily locals and the quality of the food is still high.
But perhaps the main selling point in Sardinia is the number of beaches that frankly drop your chin. They are regularly featured at the top of the list of the best beaches in the world.
Best Beaches in Sardinia
You can make a list and it's all over the island, so choosing the “best” beach in Sardinia is almost impossible. Unlike some holiday spots where the best beaches are in certain locations, Sardinia has stunning beaches along every part of the coast, north, south, east, wet.
In fact, it was named the best beach on the planet. Those who compiled a list of the 50 best beaches in the world said, “Karagorolitze feels more than just a beach. Its raw beauty has a way of emotional touching the moment you turn to it.
Beautiful Kara Gorolitze in Sardinia (Image: Getty)
A selection of other beautiful beaches in Sardinia may find what you like through your own research. Not only is the main island of Sardinia itself, but there is also the archipelago of Maddalena, a series of islands just off the north coast of Sardinia.
1. Kara Mariol
2. SiaggiaDellaPelosa
3. Spiaggia del Pirata
4. SpiaggiaRenaBianca
5. Kara Corsala, La Maddarena
Cala Mariolu “straightforwardly in your impressive beauty everywhere you turn and the sense of privacy and adventure it offers.” (Image: (Image: Getty))
Karakorusala beach in the Ramaddalena Islands off the main island (Image: Getty)
Of course, Sardinia is busy during peak hours in July and August. Costa Smeralda is one of the most popular destinations. It is also a celebrity hotspot and island area where wealth is most obvious.
If you want to taste a bit of celebrity spotting, this is definitely a place to go. Spyga del Principe is the best beach to see Hollywood stars, music moguls, or business leaders. Lonely Planet said: “There are plenty of beautiful cove necklaces with amazing dives on the coastline, where the emerald sea wind-powered granite mountains fall into fjord-like entrances.
A super wealthy yacht docked in Porto Cervo in Sardinia (Image: (Image: Getty))
Where to stay in Sardinia
The place you choose to stay in Sardinia depends on what kind of holiday you want. Cagliari is the island's largest population centre and a bustling city with the perfect mix of historic and modern times. It's not actually a tourist town, so the restaurants here cater primarily to Italians, so you can be sure of their quality.
Even Cagliari has its own beaches, huge poets, and beautiful beaches that call for short rides from the city where the people of the city flock as often as possible. Like many popular beaches in Italy, there are plenty of places to eat and drink on the beach, from sandwiches and snacks to cafes, restaurants and bars.
Paetto, a wide urban beach in Cagliari (Image: (Image: Getty))
Spyga del Principe is the perfect beach for those who might see Hollywood stars (Image: (Image: Getty))
On the other side of the island is Arguero, a comfortable sized town with several beaches and interesting locations, including the most luxurious country villages. From Alghero you can get a boat at Diettuno (Neptune's Cave), a sturdy coastal cave.
On the east coast is the luxurious destination of Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda, a haven for the rich and famous people. If you're not ready to interact with the wealthy ones yet, Canisione is a modest small town nearby, with plenty of options in hotels, restaurants and bars.
Similarly, if you need a place that is close to the city as well as a good beach nearby, try the Villasimius just a short drive from Cagliari.
Incredible staircase in Grottadinettono near Arguero at the sunset, Capocaccia (Image: Getty)
A colorful house in the town of Bosa, founded in 1112 on the west coast of Sardinia (Image: Getty)
Where to eat in Sardinia
The options for dining in Sardinia are almost endless, and all major towns and cities have many authentic options, mostly for Italians rather than tourists.
However, one dining experience you should not miss is Agriturismo. This is an Italian concept that has seen traditional farms adapt to accommodate visitors who want to eat and stay (or both). The menu can be extensive and fantastical and will be extremely full of the best local foods. There is no such thing. The Agriturism Moracorti, located between Canisione and Alzacena, northeast of the island, is a classic example.
How to get to Sardinia
Sardinia's major airports are located in Cagliari on the south coast and Olbia on the northeast coast. You can frequently get flights from UK airports. You can fly from London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Birmingham to Olbia, with prices starting at £46. Karghiari offers several more British airports.
