The World’s 50 Best Beaches were just announced for 2025 in a new pulled from the input of over 1,000 travel industry professionals, with two stunning places in Sardinia bookending the list at spots #1 and #50.
In the top slot is Cala Goloritzé on the Gulf of Orosei, along a stretch of the Baunei coastline where sea and mountains meet. It’s famous for its intensely turquoise blue waters and above all for Punta Caroddi, a dramatic limestone pinnacle that rises above the beach. Getting there takes considerable effort, as it’s accessible only by boat or by a roughly 3.5km (2-mile) trek along a foot path from the su Porteddu parking lot.
Coming in at #50 on the list is Spiaggia della Pelosa. Situated at the northeasternmost part of the island, this beach is heralded for its gentle waves, ultra-fine powdered sand and shallow, transparent seabed. The silhouette of the Tower of La Pelosa, a 16th-century lighthouse that once protected the island from pirates and invaders, only adds to the mystique.
Cala Marilou, last year’s pick for second runner up, is conspicuously absent from this year’s lineup. But that’s because in 2024 a “Best of the Best” list was created to acknowledge beaches that appear consistently in or near the top spots, or that have attributes that set them apart. Marilou beach’s exceptional qualities have warranted it a “forever place of honor.”
Final rankings were calculated not by sheer vote numbers or popularity metrics, but by sifting through each judge’s description of what makes the space special. Read more about The World’s Best Inc. selection process .
Other beaches in Sardinia you shouldn’t overlook
The above titleholders are impressive, for sure, but there’s so much more to Sardinia than the latest beach bucket list. Here are some other spots to explore along the island’s 1,000-plus miles of coastline.
Capo Coda Cavallo, San Teodoro
Not too far from the glitz of the Costa Smeralda is Capo Coda Cavallo in San Teodoro. A quiet beach bordered on one side by crystal clear waters and on the other by lush vegetation, it’s named for the narrow granite promontory that resembles a horse’s tail. Part of a protected marine area covering 15,000 hectares, it’s renowned for its unspoiled biodiversity where under the surface of the water is a whole new world to discover.
Cala Domestica, Buggerru
Cala Domestica is a hidden beach kissing the south-western coast of Sardinia near the town of Buggerru. Characterized by wind-sculpted limestone cliffs, fine golden sand, and dazzling pristine waters, the inlet was used to ship minerals extracted from local mines in the early part of the 20th century. The 18th-century Aragonese watchtower offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding land and seascapes.
Cala Corsara, La Maddalena
Legend has it that the coves of this beach were once a favorite hideout for ancient pirates. Today the small bay on the southern coast of the island of Spargi is part of the Maddalena archipelago national park. Since you can only reach the beach by boat, it’s known for being a paradise of peace and quiet.
Villasimius, Cagliari
Not far from the port of Cagliari is a 35-km (22-mile) swath of beaches known as the coast of Villasimius. It encompasses a string of famous beaches like Punta Molentis, Cala Caterina and La Spiagga del riso (Rice Beach). Families flock to the area for the clean, crystalline sand and sea. The scent of myrtle and juniper wafting is just the icing on the cake.
