Less crowded European island has ‘world’s best’ beaches — just 2.5 hours away

Located off the west coast of mainland Italy, Sardinia has dazzling white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, not to mention mountains, lagoons and stunning coastlines.

But it’s not even in the top 10 islands most visited by British tourists, which is dominated by the likes of Tenerife, Majorca and Lanzarote in Spain, as well as Santorini, Corfu and Rhodes in Greece.

Temperatures in Sardinia top 30C in the summer months, but are still relatively mild in November, with daily maximums of around 19C, and minimums at around 10C. 

We found the ideal spot to explore these untouched shores at the magnificent Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia hotel and stumbled upon a haven for food lovers in the process.

Where to stay in Sardinia

You really do have so many options of places to stay in Sardinia, but we were captivated by the stylish interior of Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia on the island’s southern tip, which made this five-star resort feel extraordinary from the moment we entered. Our room was adorned with golden hues and exquisite decor that gave us the impression of having arrived at our own secluded Italian villa, complete with a stone-and-marble bathroom, a spacious living area and a balcony overlooking a lagoon teeming with pink flamingos.

The lagoon itself was an incredible sight, which we could appreciate even more through binoculars, and our balcony also served as the perfect place to savour a glass of wine in the evenings as we settled into our Italian escape.

Sardinia’s best beaches

One of the many incredible things about Sardinia is the sheer number of world-class beaches it has. It’s no exaggeration to say you can almost turn off the coastal road at any given point and you’ll end up at a beautiful beach. In fact, in a recent list of the world’s 50 most beautiful beaches, two from Sardina made the list, one of which was ranked in second place.

Just a 10-minute stroll from our hotel (or you can opt for the private shuttle from the Conrad hotel and its neighbouring property Baia di Chia Resort) we found the hidden Monte Cogoni beach. It has been hailed as one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches and we could certainly see why.

Monte Cogoni is a serene sanctuary of crystal-clear water and soft golden sand that can quite rightly be described as paradise. We took full advantage of the resort’s private area for guests with sun loungers, parasols and towels, before indulging in a refreshing swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

We also spent time at the nearby Campana Dune beach with its enticing blue waters and stretches of sand, where we savoured the gentle sea breeze and listened to the soft melodies emanating from the beach kiosk.

Here is just a small selection of some of the island’s other best beaches. What’s more, as well as the main island of Sardinia itself, there is also the archipelago of Maddalena, a series of islands just off Sardinia’s north coast, which has its own collection of gorgeous beaches.

1. Cala Mariolu

2. Siaggia della Pelosa

3. Spiaggia del Pirata

4. Spiaggia Rena Bianca

5. Cala Corsara, La Maddalena

What to do in Sardinia

We maximised the use of the resort’s e-bikes and ventured to the province of Capo Spartivento along the ancient Roman road, where we discovered a striking red lighthouse on the edge of the south coast. After another steep ride, we reached the historical Chia Tower, where we were rewarded with awe-inspiring views.

It’s certainly worth the journey to admire this stunning area from above.

This resort offers an array of other activities too, from water sports and horseback riding to tennis and beach volleyball, plus beautiful pools for guests to relax in across both the Conrad and Baia di Chia resorts. One of our favourite spots at Conrad was the Bioaquam pool, a secluded location with views out to Chia Bay.

For some pampering, we visited the Conrad Spa, where you’ll find treatments, saunas, a Turkish bath and more. We swam in the three outdoor pools in the spa’s gardens, while on the rooftop we enjoyed the pool with massage jets.

Where to eat in Sardinia

With a total of 10 eateries spread across Conrad and Baia di Chia, we embarked on a culinary adventure. Our day began with breakfast at the Terrazza restaurant, set against the scenic backdrop of the mountains – a truly breathtaking way to kick off the morning.

We savoured Italian coffee before ordering our eggs and exploring the extensive buffet offering meats, fruits, cooked dishes and cakes, even indulging in a morning mimosa.

We also spent two of our evening meals here, dining as the sun set. The four-course meals left us spoilt for choice.

Standout dishes included paccheri pasta with crustacean bisque, crispy-skinned sea bass with saffron cream and lemon meringue and sorbet all paired with a glass of local white wine.

Our dining experience extended to the patio setting of Sa Mesa, where we relished marinated local prawns, macarrones de punzu (Sardinian pasta with fresh sausage) and pane carasau flatbread. En route to Campana Beach, we made a pit stop at Le Dune lounge bar for some tuna tartare.

Conrad boasts an impressive array of gelato at its ice cream parlour we only wished we had more time to sample them all.

If you’re not staying here, however, your eating options are still almost endless, with so many authentic options which are still for the most part geared more to Italians than tourists. One eating experience not to be missed is the agriturismo. This is an Italian concept which has seen traditional farms adapt to cater for visitors who want to eat or stay (or both). The menus can be extensive and fantastic, and you will find yourself very full of the most excellent locally-produced food. There’s nothing like it.

How to book

Room rates at Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia start from £343 per night. Ryanair provides direct return flights from London Stansted to Cagliari starting from £118.95.