Why Fall Is the Best Time to Visit Sardinia's Beaches (And Almost Nobody Knows It)

Summer is coming to an end, and with it the desire for a beach holiday...or maybe not? In Italy, there's a wonderful region where the beaches, coasts, and seaside locations become even more attractive and special when autumn comes.

We're in Sardinia, an island that never ceases to amaze. But forget about its typical summer landscape, with beaches overrun by mass tourism and picture-perfect coves bustling with curious onlookers and swimmers. In autumn, these dreamy places transform into more intimate and hidden oases, almost private, framed by a landscape that gradually changes colors, sounds, and temperatures, rediscovering that pleasant and distinctly Sardinian slowness.

The sun no longer burns as strongly as before, the water is clear and cool, the breeze caresses the skin, the cities and roads are less crowded: it’s time for a journey of pure beauty to discover the most captivating beaches of Sardinia in autumn, an itinerary that will amaze you.

To experience a true autumn adventure in Sardinia, amidst beaches, coves, and landscapes of pristine nature, we've designed an itinerary lasting at least 7 days, with as many stops to discover together.

This itinerary can also be extended to 10 or 14 days, if you'd like to explore the cities in depth and take excursions into the hinterland and villages.

Our starting point is Olbia, which offers numerous air and sea connections to Italy and abroad. From there, we'll travel independently with a rental car, allowing you to reach the stops along our route with the best flexibility. For further information on roads and directions, please check out the map.

On this trip we'll visit some of Sardinia's most beautiful beaches, from the northeastern coast of Gallura to the western coast of the province of Oristano. Here are the perfect Sardinian beaches for autumn:

- Cala Brandinchi (San Teodoro)

- Zia Culumba Beach (Capo Testa)

- Cala li Cossi (Trinità d'Agultu e Vignola)

- La Pelosa Beach (Stintino)

- Porto Ferro Beach (Sassari-Alghero)

- S'Archittu Beach (Cuglieri)

- Is Arutas Beach (Cabras-Sinis Peninsula)

Our journey begins in Olbia on a clear autumn day, with a pleasant sun welcoming us to the island. Our first stop is Cala Brandinchi, near the town of San Teodoro, less than a 30-minute drive south of Olbia (SS125 Orientale Sarda), amidst gentle curves and Mediterranean views of the Capo Coda Cavallo promontory.

Cala Brandinchi is known by many as Sardinia's little Tahiti, a paradise of pure white sand where the turquoise sea is crystal clear. In autumn, this enchanting place rediscovers its natural beauty, once again fully accessible to visitors without reservations and without the summer crowds.

Its shallow, sheltered waters remain pleasantly warm even into November, making swimming and snorkeling possible without any problems. Near the beach, there are also pine forests and hidden coves to explore, ideal excursions to take in autumn when the weather becomes milder.

If the weather allows, autumn is also the perfect time for a boat tour of the surrounding coasts and islands, especially Tavolara. You can rent a boat to sail yourself at the tourist ports, or join an organized excursion.

It's also worth exploring the city of Olbia, which we dedicate at least half a day to. We recommend exploring it with us especially in the first half of October, during the Benvenuto Vermentino food and wine event.

On our way to the second stop, our next destination is the Capo Testa promontory in the Santa Teresa Gallura area. Autumn here offers a calm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for exploring its magical coastline without the noise of summer. By car from Olbia (SS125 and SS133bis), it's just an hour's drive north, through hills, cork oak forests, and archaeological wonders such as the Tombs of Giants near Arzachena and Palau and the Bear Rock.

Once at Capo Testa we find Zia Culumba Beach, nestled between imposing granite blocks sculpted by wind and sea. In October and November, the cool climate makes for pleasant hiking trails that follow the coasts, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coves.

Next to the beach, you can also visit the evocative historic site of the ancient Roman columns, a charming cove famous for its ancient granite quarries, with columns and blocks still visible in the sand and on the seabed.

Also not to be missed in Capo Testa is the hiking trail leading to the panoramic lighthouse and the Moon Valley, one of the most spectacular lunar landscapes in Sardinia. We decided to dedicate a whole day to it, a truly unique scenic trekking experience!

The third stop of the itinerary takes us to the area of Trinità d'Agultu and Vignola, famous for its rugged coastline that offers picturesque landscapes in North Sardinia. Starting from Santa Teresa Gallura (SP90), the scenic drive southwest of less than an hour takes us to the entrance of Costa Paradiso.

Here lies the beautiful Cala li Cossi beach, which we reach by following the paths that descend across the rocky coast to the sea. The mild climate and less intense sunlight in October or November give this place an intimate and rejuvenating atmosphere, transforming the small bay into a true oasis for travelers seeking beauty.

Nestled between imposing pink trachyte rocks, Cala li Cossi is naturally sheltered from the cold autumn winds, remaining a swimming spot long after summer ends. The seasonal colors also spectacularly highlight the natural hues of the area, with its contrasts between the red cliffs, the green scrub, and the clear blue sea.

By visiting this beach, we also better understand the reason behind this coastline's name: the Costa Rossa (Red Coast), whose surroundings offer travelers splendid explorations of wild coves and breathtaking cliffs, all the way to the nearby seaside village of Isola Rossa. Continuing further west, you can also visit the charming medieval village of Castelsardo, perched on a promontory overlooking the sea with its historic Doria Castle.

The stunning La Pelosa Beach is a must-see on any itinerary exploring Sardinia's most beautiful beaches, even in autumn. So, we set off from Castelsardo by car (SS200, SP81, SP57) to discover our fourth stop, just over an hour's drive through Romangia and Nurra to the far northwestern tip of Sardinia.

We reach Stintino, a seaside town that this year hosts Festival del Turismo Itinerante in October, an essential stop on the way to La Pelosa Beach. Recognized by travelers as one of Sardinia's most beautiful scenic gems, visiting this paradise starting in October is a completely different experience: no more reservations, much less crowded roads, highly reduced parking costs, and an incredible panorama that blends with the autumn colors. Plus, clear, shallow waters ideal for refreshing shoreline walks even when the weather begins to cool.

From the Stintino marina, we can also embark on a boat excursion to discover the pristine nature of the Asinara National Park, admiring one of the most beautiful seas in the world from a unique perspective.

Before continuing on to the next stop, we'll also take some time to visit picturesque Sassari, the birthplace of Salude & Trigu: a rich heritage of events and traditions celebrating the authentic Sardinia, all year-round. And if you truly want to delve into the heart of the island's historical, cultural, and food and wine spirit, experience it with us.

From Sassari, our itinerary continues to discover the most beautiful beaches and coastlines on the western coast of Sardinia. Our fifth stop is Porto Ferro Beach, located between Sassari and Alghero (SS291, SP55bis) and reachable in about a half-hour drive towards the coast.

Porto Ferro Beach welcomes us with a wide bay of golden sand with reddish hues, framed by ancient watchtowers and a dense hinterland of pine trees and Mediterranean trees. And precisely between October and November, with the cooler climate and less summer crowds, this beach becomes one of Sardinia's most attractive destinations, especially beloved by coastal trekking and surfing enthusiasts.

The location of this picturesque bay offers splendid opportunities for exploring the surrounding area, too. Thanks to its proximity to the Porto Conte Natural Park, it's easy to combine a day at the beach with adventurous nature excursions on foot or by bike between the reserve and the Capo Caccia promontory.

Don't miss Palmavera, one of the most important nuragic sites, before reaching the vibrant city of Alghero with its Catalan soul - we recommend discovering its artisan crafts involving precious red coral. The city also hosts JazzAlguer, an interesting series of jazz concerts with a grand finale scheduled for late October.

Starting from Alghero and heading south (SP105, SP49), before reaching the sixth stop on our Sardinian beach itinerary perfect for autumn, we drive along the spectacular panoramic road overlooking the sea, heading to Bosa. This colorful village on Sardinia's western coast is a gem worth visiting, a sight unmatched anywhere on the island.

From Bosa, we get back in the car, continuing south and entering the heart of the province of Oristano (SS292) to reach S'Archittu. This stunning coastal town south of Cuglieri owes its name to the imposing natural limestone arch, approximately 15 meters high, which dominates the cove and enhances the evocative landscape of this sandy namesake beach.

In the months of October and November, swimming is not guaranteed, as the water may be too cold or rough. However, S'Archittu is a place where the sea can be experienced with every sense: the colors, scents, and sounds of autumn transform what is a popular summer seaside location into a place of tranquility and connection with nature, where you can admire wonderful sunsets with the sun disappearing into the middle of the arch and take leisurely walks overlooking the sea.

Also worth visiting in the area is Torre del Pozzo, in particular the Torre su Puttu on the small and curious promontory overlooking the sea, Sa Balena (“balena” means whale): this peculiar name comes from a very special cave, which transforms the rough sea into veritable geysers of water...just like whales do!

Our seventh and final stop takes us to the heart of the Sinis Peninsula, just west of Oristano. We get back in the car, and from S'Archittu we continue south toward Cabras (SS292, SP6, SP7), following a comfortable half-hour drive through a rural landscape: our destination is Is Arutas Beach.

Also known as the "rice grain beach", Is Arutas's shore is composed entirely of small grains of quartz in shades of white, pink, and light green, an essential part of the pristine nature of the Sinis Marine Protected Area. It's no coincidence that taking quartz grains as souvenirs is strictly prohibited.

A true beauty to behold and felt underfoot, to be appreciated at its most evocative side in the tranquil autumn weather. Here, the sea water is clear and deep just a few meters from the shore: ideal for a peaceful swim without straying too far, or for snorkeling.

Beyond Is Arutas, we also take time to explore the surrounding area of the Sinis Peninsula, which offers an exceptional combination of nature and archaeology in a single destination. A few minutes' drive toward the tip of the peninsula is the extraordinary archaeological site of Tharros, an ancient seafront city founded by the Phoenicians, where Roman columns, paved streets, and building ruins still stand.

Inland from Cabras, we also stop to visit the Mont'e Prama Archaeological Area and the Cabras Civic Museum, which houses the famous Giants of Mont'e Prama, among the most interesting nuragic finds in Sardinian archaeology. Who knows how many ancient secrets these colossal stone sculptures hold...

Tip for the return to Olbia: departing from Oristano by car, following the SS131, we return to the eastern coast of Sardinia in about 3 hours, with the opportunity to admire the wild landscape of Goceano, Barbagia, Baronie, and inland Gallura.

Autumn in Sardinia restores the beaches and coasts to their truest form, returning them to those natural, slightly wild jewels that the entire world envies us. On this fascinating journey we shared, we were amazed by the evocative sensations that Sardinian beaches can convey, even when you least expect it.

With the arrival of October the coasts of this stunning island become more magical and accessible, ideal for an off-the-beaten-path trip and decidedly more affordable: transportation, accommodation, rental, and car parking costs are actually halved, and the requirement to book access to the most popular beaches is also eliminated.

But a beach holiday in Sardinia in autumn is, more than anything else, an alternative experience that satisfies travelers on a sensory level. The days often remain as bright as summer, but the much more pleasant temperatures facilitate excursions and outdoor activities. And even swimming or a simple stroll along the shore on the sunniest days is perhaps much more satisfying now than in summer.

Autumn Sardinia is a world to discover at a slow pace, especially by the sea. Here, every wave tells the story of a time seemingly lost and rediscovered: no longer the symbol of a frenetic holiday where its most beautiful beaches are "for many", but the experience of living them in a more intimate and exclusive way, taking home an indelible memory of a land that enchants all year-round.