Cala Goloritzé is a small, turquoise-water cove tucked into the rugged limestone cliffs of Sardinia’s Baunei coast, widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. In 2025, it was ranked the #1 beach in the world by a panel of travel and beach experts, a title that reflects both its striking setting and its carefully protected status.
Unlike most beaches in Sardinia, getting here takes some planning: access is limited to a hiking trail from Su Porteddu, about 1h15 south of Cala Gonone, with daily visitor caps and mandatory advance booking. For those hoping to arrive by sea, know that boats can only approach offshore (no docking on the beach itself).
To help you plan your visit, we put together this guide that focuses on how to reach Cala Goloritzé, what the hike is like, and how to plan your visit around the reservation system.
Cala Goloritzé – At a Glance
Location
Baunei coast, Gulf of Orosei (eastern Sardinia)
Access options
1) Hike from Su Porteddu (the main way to reach the beach)
2) Boat access is possible, but no beach landing –> swimming required
Hiking trail
– Time: 2h30 – 3h (total trail time, excluding time at the beach)
– Distance: 7.2 km (total including return)
– Elevation: 500 m descent toward the beach (and 500 m ascent for return)
– Difficulty: Moderately challenging (elevation change + rocky terrain)
Access & Advance Booking
– Mandatory reservation for hikers
– Daily limit: 250 visitors
– Tickets released 72 hours in advance at midnight local time
– Booking via the Heart of Sardinia app or website
– Cost: €7 per person (includes parking at Su Porteddu)
– Hours: Hiking trail opens at 7:30 AM, with the last descent entry at 2:00 PM. Visitors have to leave the beach by 5:00 PM.
Best time to visit
– Early morning (cooler hike, fewer people)
Good to know
– Protected natural monument (strict access controls)
– Limited shade at the beach
– No facilities & no toilets: bring water, food, and sun protection
– Not a sandy beach – Cala Goloritzé is a pebbly beach
– Getting there early is ideal, can get packed despite the daily limit of visitors
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Cala Goloritzé: Location, Map, and How to Get There
Cala Goloritzé is located along the Baunei coast on the eastern side of Sardinia, within the Gulf of Orosei, one of the most rugged and least developed stretches of coastline in Italy.
The coastline here is rugged and largely inaccessible by road, which is why reaching the beach requires either a hike or arriving by boat.
Hiking is the main and most practical way to reach the beach. From Su Porteddu, a well-marked trail descends to the coast over roughly 3.5 km, with about 500 meters of elevation loss (Full trail details are covered further below).
Getting to the Trailhead (Su Porteddu)
The starting point for the hike is the Su Porteddu plateau, a remote area inland from the coast, which is best reached by car.
Typical driving times to reach the trailhead:
- From Baunei: ~20–25 minutes
- From Santa Maria Navarrese: ~30–35 minutes
- From Arbatax: ~40–45 minutes
- From Cala Gonone: ~1h15-1h30
The final stretch of road is narrow and winding, but fully paved. Expect slower driving than the distance might suggest.
At the end of the road, you’ll reach the Su Porteddu parking area (link to Google Maps), which serves as the main access point for the trail, where you’ll also find a campground and a small restaurant.
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Boat Access
Cala Goloritzé can also be reached by sea, with tours and private boats departing from places like Cala Gonone, Santa Maria Navarrese, and Arbatax. However, boats cannot dock on the beach and must remain at least 300 meters offshore. Unless you are a confident and strong swimmer, boat tours are better suited for seeing the beach from the water rather than as a means of accessing it.
If you are interested in visiting Cala Goloritzé by boat, these are some of the most popular tours:
Cala Goloritzé: What Makes It So Special & Is It Worth It?
Cala Goloritzé is a beach that stands out even by Sardinian standards, where beautiful beaches are not exactly rare. Widely considered one of the most striking beaches in Sardinia, Cala Goloritzé was actually formed by a landslide in 1962, which created the dramatic limestone cove seen today. Cala Goloritzé was declared a National Monument of Sardinia in 1993 and a National Monument of Italy in 1995.
What makes this beach different from most is the combination of dramatic landscape, water clarity, and limited access:
- A narrow cove framed by steep limestone cliffs
- Bright turquoise water with exceptional clarity
- A natural stone arch at the edge of the bay
- The towering limestone pinnacle known as the Aguglia di Goloritzé (143 meters high (470 feet))
Unlike many beaches in Sardinia, however, Cala Goloritzé has no sand. Instead, the shoreline is made up of a smaller area with smooth white pebbles (where most people gather) and a more expansive section with large rocks, which adds to its rugged appearance but also limits the amount of space where visitors can comfortably settle.
Because access is restricted, the beach avoids much of the heavy development and large crowds found elsewhere along the coast. There are no beach clubs, rentals, or permanent infrastructure: just a raw, protected natural setting.
All boats visiting the beach must stay 300 meters from the shore.
Is Cala Goloritzé worth it?
We definitely think so! But if you’re looking for an easy beach day, probably not. Reaching Cala Goloritzé requires planning (advance booking – more about the booking system further below), an early start, and a fairly demanding return hike, especially in summer heat.
The beach itself is also relatively small, with limited comfortable space due to its rocky terrain, meaning it can feel crowded despite the visitor cap during peak periods.
But if you don’t mind the hike, it’s one of the most rewarding hiking & beach experiences in Sardinia. The combination of the hike, the setting, and the limited access makes it feel more like a destination you arrive at, rather than just another stop along the coast.
Cala Goloritzé: Access & Booking Tips
Access to Cala Goloritzé is strictly regulated to preserve the site, and planning ahead is essential, especially in summer.
Reservation System (Hiking Access)
If you’re planning to hike in, advance booking is mandatory.
- Daily limit: 250 visitors
- Cost: €7 per person
- Includes: access + parking at Su Porteddu
- Booking via the Heart of Sardinia app or website
Tickets are released on a rolling basis:
- Exactly 72 hours (3 days) in advance
- At midnight local time in Sardinia
In peak season, spots can sell out quickly, often within minutes for popular dates.
Important tip: cellular coverage is spotty around the trail, so be sure to have downloaded proof of reservation on your phone beforehand. Staff are present at the trailhead, and they won’t let you on the trail without it.
How to Actually Get a Spot
This is where timing matters!
- Be ready a few minutes before midnight (local Italian time)
- Have the app/site open and your details ready
- Refresh right after 00:01 — delays of even a few minutes can make a difference
In our experience, most tickets sell out within 10-15 minutes, especially for weekend dates and during peak summer months. We recommend trying to get tickets a few times before the official date you want as “practice runs”, to make sure you know how the app works and what info is requested. It will also give you an idea of how quickly tickets sell.
Cala Goloritzé Hiking Trail
Access Hours
Access to the hiking trail is controlled and follows a fixed daily schedule.
- Trail opens at 7:30 AM
- Last entry for the descent: 2:00 PM
- Visitors are expected to leave the beach by 5:00 PM
These cutoffs are enforced to ensure hikers have enough time to complete the return climb safely, especially during the hotter parts of the day.
Trail Start Point
The hike begins at the Su Porteddu parking area (link to Google Maps), located inland from the Baunei coast.
- Large parking area shared with a nearby campground
- Easy to access once you reach the end of the paved road
- This is the only official trailhead for Cala Goloritzé
At the entrance to the trail, you’ll pass a small kiosk/checkpoint, where staff will verify that you have a valid reservation before allowing access.
Trail Stats & Difficulty
Distance: 7.2 km (including return)
Route Type: Out & Back
Elevation gain: 520m (cumulative elevation gain)
AllTrails rating (2026): 4.8, 400 ratings
Duration: Most people complete the full trail (excluding time at the beach) in 2h – 2h30
Trail difficulty level assessment:
Very Easy | Easy | Moderate | Moderately Challenging | Challenging
Overall, the Cala Goloritzé Hiking Trail is best described as Moderately Challenging. Although not overly long, the trail is quite steep, with very rocky, uneven terrain.
Not an AllTrails member yet? We highly recommend signing up for either their free or paid membership plans. The free plan allows you to find new trails and plan routes but it can only be used while hiking if you have access to mobile data. The paid membership plan (AllTrails+) allows you to download trail maps for offline use and provides live progress updates and off-route notifications.
If you are still uncertain – you should know that the All Trails mobile application was voted the 2023 iPhone App of the Year by Apple.
We find that AllTrails is a great tool to have when hiking, particularly for assisting with navigation when the trail is hard to locate and to help monitor your progress along the trail, which helps estimate how much time you’ll need to complete the trail.
Trail Description and What to Expect
The trail to Cala Goloritzé begins somewhat deceptively. For the first 100 meters or so, the path is almost perfectly flat, though quite rocky. Shortly afterward, however, the trail begins a gradual climb over the next 500 meters or so.
While this section is not especially steep, the main challenge is the footing: very rocky and uneven terrain and loose stones in places, all of which require constant attention to where you step.
This is also one of the more scenic parts of the trail inland, with low Mediterranean vegetation and occasional views through the limestone landscape. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter some of the local goats along the route, as we did.
After this initial uphill stretch, the trail begins its overall descent toward the coast. The remainder of the route alternates between:
- easier flatter sections
- moderate downhill stretches
- rougher rocky descents where footing again becomes more important
Although there are a few shaded pockets along the trail, most of the hike is exposed, making sun and heat one of the biggest factors during summer visits.
Slightly beyond the halfway point, you’ll reach a small shaded picnic/rest area, one of the few places along the trail where you can briefly escape the sun. Around this point, the towering limestone pinnacle known as the Aguglia di Goloritzé also begins to come into view for the first time.
As you approach the coast, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with expansive views over the Gulf of Orosei and the limestone cliffs surrounding the cove.
The trail eventually arrives above the beach itself, where a narrow wooden staircase descends toward the shoreline. Before entering the final beach area, staff will verify your prepaid digital reservation ticket at a final checkpoint.
Additional Details and Hiking Tips
Canine companions: Dogs are not permitted on the trail to Cala Goloritzé (nor are they allowed on the beach).
Trail environment: The trail crosses rugged limestone terrain typical of Sardinia’s Baunei coast, passing through Mediterranean scrubland, rocky slopes, and exposed coastal landscapes. As you approach the coast, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with expansive views over the Gulf of Orosei and the surrounding cliffs. Shade is limited along most of the route.
Route signage: The trail is generally easy to follow and well established, and the steady flow of hikers during peak season usually makes navigation straightforward. Some rocky sections can feel less defined in places, particularly where the trail crosses broader limestone terrain.
Trail surface / Technical aspects: The terrain is rougher than many visitors initially expect. Expect uneven rocky paths, loose stones, gravel, and occasional steeper descents. No technical scrambling or climbing is required, but good footing is important throughout much of the hike. The final staircase descending toward the beach is narrow and can become congested during busy periods.
Slope and effort: Although relatively short, the hike is often underestimated. The descent toward the beach is manageable for most visitors, but the return involves a sustained uphill climb of roughly 500 meters, much of it on rocky terrain with little shade. Heat and sun exposure are often the biggest challenges, especially during summer.
Previous Hiking Experience: Most visitors with moderate fitness levels should be able to complete the hike comfortably with proper pacing and sufficient water. No technical hiking experience is needed, though visitors unused to rocky terrain or sustained climbs may find the return more tiring than expected.
Cell Service: Cell reception along the trail is inconsistent. Some visitors may receive a weak signal near the parking area, but coverage can weaken or disappear entirely along portions of the trail and near the beach.
Leave No Trace: Cala Goloritzé is a protected natural monument, and preserving the area is taken seriously. Stay on the established trail, pack out all trash, and avoid disturbing vegetation or wildlife. The restrictions and visitor limits are part of what keeps the area so pristine.
Bugs: Insects are usually minimal along the trail. Occasional flies may appear during hotter months, particularly near shaded rest areas, but mosquitoes are generally not a major issue.
Equipment: No special hiking gear is required, but sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners with good grip are strongly recommended for the rocky terrain. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as most of the trail is exposed. If you plan on swimming, bring a towel and water shoes for the rocky beach.
Weather and Exposure: The trail offers little protection from the sun for most of its length. Summer temperatures can become extremely hot by midday, particularly during the climb back from the beach, making early starts highly recommended. After rain, rocky sections of the trail can become slippery and require additional caution.
Best Time to Hike the Cala Goloritzé Trail
Best Time of Year
The best time to hike to Cala Goloritzé is generally between late spring and early fall, when conditions are warm enough for swimming, and the trail is reliably dry.
- May to June: One of the best overall periods. Temperatures are usually pleasant for hiking, vegetation is greener, and crowds are more manageable than in peak summer. The sea can still feel cool earlier in the season.
- July to August: Best for swimming and guaranteed beach weather, but also the hottest and busiest period of the year. The exposed trail can become extremely hot during the return climb, and reservations tend to sell out very quickly.
- September to early October: Another excellent period to visit. Sea temperatures remain warm, temperatures become more comfortable for hiking, and crowds gradually decrease compared to mid-summer.
Outside of these months, cooler temperatures and unstable weather can make the beach experience less enjoyable, though hiking conditions may still be good on clear days.
Best Time of Day
Starting early in the morning is strongly recommended.
The trail opens at 7:30 AM, and early departures offer several advantages:
- cooler temperatures during the hike
- softer lighting along the coast
- fewer people on both the trail and the beach
It’s also important to keep in mind that:
- Starting the hike is not permitted after 2:00 PM
- Visitors are expected to leave the beach area by 5:00 PM
Other Places to Visit Near Cala Goloritzé
Grotta del Bue Marino
Located along the Gulf of Orosei coastline, Grotta del Bue Marino is one of Sardinia’s most famous sea caves and one of the most popular excursions in the area. The cave is known for its large chambers, freshwater pools, limestone formations, and underground passages carved into the cliffs along the coast. Guided visits take visitors through a portion of the cave system via elevated walkways, with boat access typically departing from nearby coastal towns such as Cala Gonone. Because the cave can only be reached by sea, it’s often combined with boat tours exploring the Gulf of Orosei’s beaches and coves.
For more details, tips, and boat tour suggestions, see our Grotta del Bue Marino Guide.
Cala Luna
Cala Luna is another of the Gulf of Orosei’s iconic beaches and is often considered one of the best alternatives to Cala Goloritzé for visitors looking for a more accessible beach experience.
Unlike Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna is larger, easier to reach by boat, and backed by a series of large caves that provide natural shade throughout the day.
The beach can be reached:
- by boat from Cala Gonone
- or via a moderately challenging hiking trail from Cala Gonone
While it tends to be busier and less secluded than Cala Goloritzé, its combination of turquoise water, dramatic limestone scenery, and cave-lined shoreline still makes it one of the highlights of the region.
For more details and hiking tips, see our Cala Luna Guide.
Cala Gonone
Cala Gonone is the main tourist hub along this section of Sardinia’s east coast and one of the most practical bases for exploring the Gulf of Orosei.
From here, you can:
- Join boat tours to beaches like Cala Luna and Cala Goloritzé
- Visit Grotta del Bue Marino
- Arrange kayaking or snorkeling excursions
- Get direct access to some beautiful sandy beaches
Compared to smaller coastal villages farther south, Cala Gonone offers a wider range of accommodations, restaurants, and services, making it a convenient base for several days of exploring the coastline.
For more details, tips, and boat tour suggestions, see our Cala Gonone Guide.
Where to Stay Near Cala Goloritzé
When visiting Cala Goloritzé, most travelers stay in nearby coastal towns rather than near the trailhead itself, which is remote and has very limited services.
In our opinion, Cala Gonone is the most practical and enjoyable base for exploring the Gulf of Orosei.
Compared to smaller villages farther south, Cala Gonone offers:
- easy access to boat tours and coastal excursions
- a wider range of hotels and restaurants
- beaches directly in town
- convenient access to nearby attractions such as Cala Luna and Grotta del Bue Marino
It also works particularly well if you’re planning to combine hiking days with more relaxed beach or boat excursions.
Staying in Cala Gonone
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.
Cala Goloritzé Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you need a reservation to hike to Cala Goloritzé?
Yes. Advance booking is mandatory for the hiking trail to Cala Goloritzé. Visitor numbers are capped at roughly 250 hikers per day, and reservations are made through the Heart of Sardinia platform.
When are Cala Goloritzé tickets released?
Tickets are typically released exactly 72 hours (3 days) in advance at midnight (local time in Sardinia). During peak summer months, reservations can sell out very quickly, within a few minutes.
How difficult is the Cala Goloritzé hike?
The hike is generally considered moderately challenging. The trail itself is not technical, but the rocky terrain, uneven footing, sustained uphill return climb, and strong sun exposure can make it more demanding than you might expect.
How long does the hike take?
Most visitors take about 1 to 1.5 hours to descend to the beach and around 1.5 to 2 hours for the return hike uphill.
Can you reach Cala Goloritzé by boat?
Yes, but boats cannot dock directly on the beach. Boat tours and private boats must remain offshore, meaning visitors who want to reach the beach itself must swim in from the boat.
Is Cala Goloritzé worth visiting?
We think so. The combination of dramatic limestone scenery, exceptionally clear turquoise water, limited visitor numbers, and the scenic hike makes Cala Goloritzé one of the most memorable beach experiences in Sardinia. However, those looking for an easy or fully serviced beach day may prefer more accessible beaches.
Are there bathrooms, restaurants, or facilities at the beach?
No. Cala Goloritzé is a protected natural monument and has no beach clubs, restaurants, or permanent facilities. You should bring plenty of water, food, sun protection, and anything else needed for the day.
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
Dogs are not permitted.
What should you wear for the hike?
Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners with good grip are strongly recommended due to the rocky and uneven terrain. In summer, lightweight clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are also essential because of the strong sun exposure.
What is the best time of day to visit Cala Goloritzé?
Early morning is usually the best time to start the hike. Temperatures are cooler, the trail is quieter, and the return climb later in the day is generally more manageable. Keep in mind that starting the hike after 2:00 PM is not permitted.
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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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 Goloritzé Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your trip.
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