
Sardinia is a destination famous for its incredible natural beauty and, in particular, the unbelievable array of stunning beaches that abound along her coastline. From long sandy stretches to hidden little coves, remote and untouched gems to well-equipped hotspots, popular hangouts to little slices of heaven that you might sometimes manage to have all to yourself, there are perfect beaches for all sorts of people and lots of different needs and preferences and all kinds of days at the sea while on vacation in Sardinia. However, among all of the picturesque beaches to choose from along the coast of Sardinia, one of the most beloved and most popular of all is Cala Brandinchi.
Located 7km north of San Teodoro and 2km east of the little village of Monte Petrosu, Cala Brandinchi is famous for its striking looks and vivid colours that have earned it the nickname (which it more than lives up to), “Little Tahiti.” Facing east and 700m long, this impossibly pretty beach boasts a soft and white sandy shore that contrasts sharply with the crystal clear and rich blue waters of the sea.

These azure waters at Cala Brandinchi are, furthermore, pretty shallow and the bay is so sheltered that there aren’t strong currents to worry about, making this a perfect spot for kids to swim and for families to enjoy a safe and fun day at the beach together on holiday in Sardinia. Couples, too, will find it ideal as that long sandy shore is perfect for romantic strolls hand-in-hand, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Those travelling in groups or with friends will also find that the exciting and vibrant energy of this popular spot is also a bonus for many. Those looking for peace and quiet, however, may not enjoy this element. As a beach that has been consistently named one of the best in Italy throughout the years, Cala Brandinchi is not even close to a hidden gem and is one of the best-known and most in-demand beaches in Sardinia. You will find, as a result, that it is often heaving with visitors in the summer months. Also, despite being rather long, it is quite narrow and can, therefore, quickly fill up because of this.
But, if crowds don’t bother you, or if you are travelling outside of the busiest months of the summer, then you will certainly be able to appreciate the great beauty and wonderful attributes of this excellent beach! Said attributes include a stunning clear view across the waters to Tavolara Island, the lovely Mediterranean pine wood that frames the beach and is filled with the atmospheric song of cicadas, soft sandy dunes, and the rock formations in the water that act as perfect living environments for marine life, making it an ideal place to go snorkelling (especially paired with that stunning crystal-clear water).
As it is a popular spot, however, this beautiful beach also has the benefit of being quite well-equipped, though some of the facilities on offer are not inexpensive. You can rent umbrellas and sun-beds but you can expect to pay upwards of €45 for two sun-beds and an umbrella and a €5 supplement to have one in the first row. To book these in advance (which is always recommended if you want them) then just call +39 339 133 1653. Ensuring you get a spot when the beach is busy requires arriving early in the day but if you have a sun-bed and umbrella booked already then your place is secure and you don’t need to be as worried about this. In addition to umbrella and sun lounger rentals, there are also places on the beach to rent different equipment for water sports such as SUP, paddle boats, and more. There are also two chemical toilets available at the entrance to the beach and these are free for all to use and a welcome addition to any popular beach, even if sometimes less than ideal.
Some things to keep in mind if visiting the beach are: parking and spaces on the beach itself are limited so arriving no later than 9am on busy summer days is your best bet for ensuring access; taking sand, stones, and shells is illegal in Sardinia and you will be fined if you are caught doing so; the sand dunes here are protected so do not walk on them; bins are dotted on the beach for smaller trash and larger items should be brought home to be disposed of properly and recycled correctly when possible as recycling is compulsory in Sardinia.
As long as you keep all of these things in mind, you should be able to have and plan a lovely day out at this charming beach in Sardinia, which is among the most popular on the island and in all of Italy for very good and rather apparent reason. A real stunner and a true slice of tropical heaven in Italy, this is a natural beauty that also happens to boast some great facilities to help make your day at the beach even more enjoyable and comfortable. So, be sure to plan a trip if you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia and you are on a mission to explore the best and most beautiful beaches in the area. And if you happen to be on holiday in Sardinia out of season and you’re less of a fan of crowds, then it is even more reason to plan a trip as you are more likely to find the beach less busy and more spacious outside of the summer months.