Chia Beach Sardinia

I have spent years studying the best beaches in Sardinia (really hard work, this), and I am often asked if the Bay of Chia beaches are better than Poetto Beach and if these beaches are the best in Sardinia.

Well, Chia Bay (Baia Chia in Italian) and the beaches lining the bay are indeed beautiful, but the Bay of Chia Beaches, nor next door Cala Cipolla (named after an onion but stunning despite the unfortunate name), nor Poetto Beach are the loveliest beaches in Sardinia.

The best beaches in Sardinia are those near Cala Gonone - read more here. Cala Gonone's beaches, on the east coast of the island, are less touristy, and life here tends to be a little quieter than in the north or south.

Forget the Caribbean, forget Hawaii; these beaches are better! In fact, these beaches are the best I have found in all of Europe.

Want to combine beach time with a bit of Sardinian city life? Then Chia Beach is ideal and better than the east coast beaches in that it is right on the doorstep of the city of Cagliari, and Cagliari is a must-visit destination. It's great in summer, but Cagliari in winter is just as good. The capital city is steeped in history and culture, offering a unique experience that you cannot help but fall in love with.

One of the best things about Cagliari is getting lost in Castello, the old town. You wander up these narrow alleys and stone staircases that just keep going, and every time you turn a corner, there’s another little piazza or a view of the sea that stops you in your tracks. The old city walls are still there too, wrapped all around it—you can feel how ancient it is, like you’re walking through layers of history that aren’t just in books, they’re in the stones.

But Castello’s only the beginning. Head down toward the Marina district and everything changes—it’s louder, more alive, with stalls full of fresh fish in the morning and the smell of seafood restaurants everywhere. You’ll see locals doing their shopping, then sitting down for lunch right there, because that’s what you do.

And if you’re into art or music, Cagliari surprises you. There are museums tucked away that go from Roman bits and pieces to really cool modern stuff. The Teatro Lirico is one of those places that feels grand without being stuffy—it’s actually ranked among the top five opera houses in Italy, and they bring in incredible performers. But honestly, my favorite thing is just catching one of the local festivals. They happen all the time, and they’re full of Sardinian traditions—music, food, costumes—that feel genuine, not put on for tourists. That’s when the city really shows its soul.

Cagliari

Where to Stay near the Bay of Chia Beaches

There are a number of resort hotels along this part of the coast, but some of them are, to be quite honest, terrible or horribly overpriced. The best option is the Veridia Resort. It's one of those places that's kind of tucked into the Mediterranean brush, so you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere in the best way possible.

And the sea? That crazy blue-green color you only get in Sardinia—you see it the second you walk in, and it just stays with you the whole time.

I walked in and literally just stopped for a second. The greenery, the light, the water stretching out forever—it felt like stepping into your own little bubble, where everything's quiet and nothing's rushing you.

My room was huge, which I wasn't expecting. Big windows, a balcony that actually faced the sea (not just "sea view" in the brochure sense), and the kind of bed you sink into and never want to leave. Even the little things were nice—like the bath stuff, which smelled amazing, not generic hotel soap. And the restaurant? Oh man. They do Italian classics and Sardinian dishes that actually taste like they care about the ingredients. I ate way too much and don't regret it.

There's a pool too, big and pretty, and a gym if you're one of those people who work out on vacation—I am not, but I peeked in, and it looked full of gym stuff. I went straight back to my pool lounger. Honestly, it's the kind of place where you don't have to do anything, but if you want to, it's all right there.

Another good choice is to stay in nearby Santa Margherita di Pula at the Hotel Costa dei Fiori.