Cala Gonone is one of the best places in Sardinia for beach hopping, especially if you want to explore the dramatic coastline of the Gulf of Orosei. This part of eastern Sardinia is known for turquoise coves, limestone cliffs, sea caves, and beaches that range from easy town beaches to remote spots only reachable by boat or hiking trail.
During our time in the area, we visited more than a dozen beaches around Cala Gonone and the Gulf of Orosei. Some were famous bucket-list beaches that can’t be reached by car (boat or hiking only), some were local yet scenic beaches in town, and others were quieter road-access options that worked well when we wanted a more relaxed day.
To help you decide what beaches you might want to prioritize, we put together this guide on our favorite beaches near Cala Gonone, with practical details on where they are located, whether you need a boat, a car, or whether you can hike to the beach, and what to expect once you arrive.
How to Use This Beach Guide
The beaches near Cala Gonone vary a lot in how easy they are to reach. Some are simple town beaches you can walk to, others require a car, and the most famous Gulf of Orosei coves are best reached by boat or hiking trail.
It’s also worth noting that several of the most scenic beaches here are more like small coves with beautiful water and dramatic limestone backdrops than long, sandy beaches. But if you’re looking for wide stretches of sand, we do include a few such beaches in our list as well.
For each beach below, we include the same practical details: where it is, how to get there, whether there are costs or access restrictions, how crowded it tends to feel, and whether you’ll find facilities or rentals.
Disclosure: This page (Cala Gonone & Gulf of Orosei Best Beaches Guide) may contain product affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. More details can be found on our disclosure and policies page.
Cala Goloritzé
We’re starting with the beach that lies farthest from Cala Gonone, but with good reason. Cala Goloritzé is widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, and in 2025, it was ranked the #1 beach in the world by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
Its appeal comes from a rare combination of turquoise water, steep limestone cliffs, a natural stone arch, and the towering Aguglia di Goloritzé pinnacle. Unlike most beaches in Sardinia, however, getting here takes some planning. Access is tightly controlled, and hikers need a reservation that can be difficult to secure in peak season.
Location: Baunei coast, near Su Porteddu, about a 1h15 drive south from
Access: Primarily by hiking a moderately difficult 3.5 km (one-way) trail
Technically, you can see the beach by boat (several boats, including a stop near the beach), but they are not allowed to dock on the beach itself, meaning you have to be a confident swimmer to cover the 300 m left to reach the beach.
Beach type: White pebbles with large rocky sections
Beach size: Small
Cost or fees: €7 per person, payable via the Heart of Sardinia app or website
Crowds: Moderate. The daily limit keeps numbers manageable, but the beach is small, so it rarely feels empty in peak season.
Facilities: None — no toilets, restaurants, loungers, or rentals
Good to know: Mandatory reservation for hikers, with a daily limit of 250 people.
For more information on the beach and tips on how to best navigate the reservation system, see our detailed Cala Goloritze guide.
Cala Luna
Cala Luna is one of the most iconic beaches along Sardinia’s Gulf of Orosei, and is especially recognizable for its large limestone caves, which line the northern side of the cove and provide one of the most striking backdrops in the area.
Cala Luna is also larger and more spacious than Cala Goloritzé, making it a better option if you want to spend a few hours relaxing by the water. It also offers a great mix of dramatic scenery, clear turquoise water, and easier access than Cala Goloritzé.
Location: Gulf of Orosei, south of Cala Gonone, near the mouth of the Codula di Luna canyon
Access: Either by boat from Cala Gonone (boats can dock directly on the beach), by hiking a moderately challenging 5.5 km one-way trail starting near Cala Fuili (a 10-minute drive from Cala Gonone), or by combining both
Beach type: Mix of sand, pebbles, and a few rocky sections in the middle
Beach size: Medium, especially when compared to other Gulf of Orosei coves
Cost or fees: No fees for hiking trail or beach access; Boat transport fees depend on operators.
Crowds: High in summer, especially around the cave side of the beach and during main boat arrival times
Facilities: Limited — seasonal restaurant/bar and toilets near the beach area, but no full beach-club setup
Good to know: A popular option is to hike to Cala Luna in the morning and return by boat in the afternoon, avoiding the return hike during the hottest part of the day.
For more information on the hike, boat logistics, and what to expect at the beach, see our detailed Cala Luna guide.
Cala Fuili
Cala Fuili is one of the easiest scenic beaches to visit from Cala Gonone and a great option if you want a small cove without needing a boat trip. It sits at the end of the coastal road south of town, making it much more accessible than the famous Gulf of Orosei beaches farther along the coast, such as the previous two on this list.
The beach itself is small and framed by limestone cliffs, with clear water and a rugged setting that feels more dramatic than Cala Gonone’s town beaches (which we’ll present further below), especially as seen from above by the roadside. It is also the starting point for the popular hike to Cala Luna, so it’s easy to pass through Cala Fuili even if you are not planning to spend the day there.
Location: Just south of Cala Gonone, at the end of the coastal road (10-minute drive)
Access: By car, followed by a short descent on stone steps from the roadside parking area
Boat access: Not usually visited as a boat-tour beach; this is primarily a road-access cove
Hiking access: Starting point for the Cala Fuili to Cala Luna hiking trail
Beach type: Pebbles and rocks, with clear water and limestone cliffs
Beach size: Small
Cost or fees: No beach access fee; parking is generally roadside and free, though spaces are limited
Crowds: Moderate to high in summer, especially because it serves both beachgoers and hikers starting the Cala Luna trail
Facilities: None directly on the beach — no toilets, restaurants, loungers, or rentals
Good to know: Parking fills quickly in peak season, so arrive early if you want a convenient spot or plan to start the Cala Luna hike from here.
Cala Cartoe
The beach is set in a small bay backed by low hills and Mediterranean vegetation, giving it a quieter and more tucked-away atmosphere than the beaches directly in town.
It does not have the same dramatic limestone cliffs as Cala Luna or Cala Goloritzé, but it is a great option when you want a more relaxed beach day without dealing with boat schedules or having to hike a challenging trail.
Location: North of Cala Gonone, towards Orosei
Access: By car, via a scenic but narrow road (20-minute drive from Cala Gonone)
Beach type: Sandy beach with clear water and some rocky sections near the edges
Beach size: Medium
Cost or fees: No beach access fee; parking may be paid or limited depending on the season
Crowds: Moderate in summer, but usually less busy than the boat-access beaches
Facilities: Limited seasonal facilities may be available, but do not expect a full beach-club setup.
Good to know: The road to Cala Cartoe is scenic but can be narrow and winding, so take your time, especially if driving in peak season.
Optional trail option: You can also hike between Cala Gonone and Cala Cartoe via Trail B210, but it’s an 8 km one-way trail without an alternative option to return to town, meaning that you’ll likely have to hike the same trail back unless you are meeting up with somebody who drove to the beach.
Cala Osala & Su Barone
Just north of Cala Cartoe, the beaches are right next to each other, separated by a small marina and a long breakwater pier.
Instead of dramatic cliffs and enclosed turquoise bays, this stretch feels more open and spacious, with long sandy beaches, pine forest, and lagoon-like scenery behind parts of the coast, providing you with a very different visual environment from the other beaches on this list.
Location: North of Cala Gonone, towards Orosei
Access: By car, via a scenic but narrow road (20-minute drive from Cala Gonone)
Beach type: Long sandy beaches with open water and natural surroundings
Beach size: Large
Cost or fees: No beach access fee; parking may be paid or limited depending on the season
Crowds: Moderate in summer, but the beaches are spacious enough that they usually feel less crowded than the smaller coves
Facilities: Several restaurants and bars are scattered along the beach
Good to know: The final road to these beaches is narrow and winding in places, so take your time, especially if driving in peak season.
Palmasera Beach
Palmasera Beach is one of the most convenient beaches in Cala Gonone. While it may not have the wild, dramatic feel of the Gulf of Orosei coves, it is practical, accessible, and close to hotels, restaurants, and the waterfront.
Location: In Cala Gonone, just south of the main waterfront area
Access: On foot from many parts of Cala Gonone
Beach type: Mix of sand, pebbles, and small stones
Beach size: Medium
Cost or fees: No beach access fee; paid parking may apply nearby, depending on where you park
Crowds: Moderate to high in summer, especially because it is one of the easiest beaches to reach in town
Facilities: Nearby restaurants, bars, rentals, and beach services are available in season
Spiaggia Centrale
Spiaggia Centrale is the easiest place to reach if you are staying near the waterfront or harbor. Given its proximity to the marina, it’s surprisingly still quite scenic. It’s the perfect place to go for a quick swim.
Location: Central Cala Gonone, near the waterfront and harbor
Access: On foot from the town center
Beach type: Mix of sand, pebbles, and small stones
Beach size: Small
Cost or fees: No beach access fee
Crowds: Moderate to high in summer due to its central location and easy access
Facilities: None directly on the beach, but restaurants, cafés, and restrooms are available nearby
Honorable Mentions: Cala Mariolu & Cala Sisine
Cala Mariolu and Cala Sisine are two of the other famous beaches along the Gulf of Orosei, and both are undeniably beautiful. In terms of scenery, they belong in the same broad category as Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé. That said, we are including them here as honorable mentions rather than core picks because they can start to feel like more of the same (more scenic boat-access and hike-access only coves) and repetitive unless you have extra time or are planning a full Gulf of Orosei boat-hopping day.
More About Cala Gonone
If you’re planning to use Cala Gonone as a base, it’s worth spending some time beyond just the beaches. The town is one of the most practical places to stay for exploring the Gulf of Orosei, with boat departures, local beaches, restaurants, and a pleasant waterfront area all close together.
For more trip-planning details, see our complete guide to the best things to do in Cala Gonone.
Where to Stay in Cala Gonone
Cala Gonone is one of the most practical places to stay for exploring the Gulf of Orosei, especially if you want easy access to boat tours, beaches, sea caves, and nearby hiking trails.
Rather than staying inland or farther down the coast, basing yourself in Cala Gonone keeps you close to many of the region’s main activities. From town, you can walk to the waterfront, join boat excursions, visit local beaches, or start planning trips to places like Cala Luna, Grotta del Bue Marino, and the surrounding coastline.
For staying in town, we can particularly recommend the following accommodation options:
A modern and well-rated stay located close to the waterfront, offering comfortable rooms and easy access to Cala Gonone’s beaches, restaurants, and boat departures. Its location makes it particularly convenient for visitors planning multiple excursions along the Gulf of Orosei.
A stylish adults-oriented hotel located near the seafront, known for its clean contemporary design and excellent location within walking distance of the harbor and town center. A good option for travelers looking for a quieter and more relaxed stay in Cala Gonone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most beautiful beach near Cala Gonone?
For us, Cala Goloritzé is the most striking beach near Cala Gonone, thanks to its turquoise water, limestone cliffs, natural arch, and famous Aguglia pinnacle. That said, it is also the hardest to visit, requiring a hike and advance reservation.
What is the easiest beach to visit from Cala Gonone?
Spiaggia Centrale and Palmasera Beach are the easiest beaches to visit, since both are located directly in town and can be reached on foot. They are not the most dramatic beaches in the area, but they are very convenient for a quick swim or a relaxed afternoon.
What is the best beach near Cala Gonone without taking a boat?
Cala Fuili is the best scenic cove close to town that does not require a boat. For a more spacious beach day by car, Cala Cartoe, Osala, and Su Barone are better options.
What is the best beach near Cala Gonone for hiking?
Cala Luna is the best beach-hike combination from Cala Gonone, especially if you hike from Cala Fuili and return by boat. Cala Goloritzé is also an excellent hiking beach, but it is farther away and requires advance booking.
What is the best beach near Cala Gonone for families?
Palmasera Beach and Spiaggia Centrale are the most convenient options for families staying in town. For a road-access beach with more space, Osala or Su Barone also make for great choices.
Can you visit Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé on the same day?
It is possible on some boat tours, but we would not recommend trying to properly visit both in one day if hiking is involved. Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé are each better treated as their own outing, especially if you want time to enjoy the beach.
Do you need a boat to visit the best beaches near Cala Gonone?
Not always. Some beaches, like Spiaggia Centrale, Palmasera, Cala Fuili, Cala Cartoe, Osala, and Su Barone, can be reached without a boat.
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
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Car Rentals
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Transfer from Airport
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Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Cala Gonone Beach Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to Sardinia.
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