Limited-access beaches in Northern Sardinia

Limited-access beaches in northern Sardinia: how it works and how to book (2027)

In 2026 in northern Sardinia you can enter only with a reservation at La Pelosa (Stintino: from 15 May to 15 October, 1,500 people a day, €3.50), at Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu (San Teodoro: from 1 June to 30 September) and, in summer, at Rena Bianca in Santa Teresa di Gallura; on the east coast the same applies to Cala Goloritzé, Cala Mariolu and the Bidderosa Oasis. Without a reservation you stay outside. The rules for the new year are published in spring: always check the beach's official website before you set off.

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The 2027 rules come out in spring: here you'll find those for 2026, which usually change little from one year to the next.

Why limited access exists in Sardinia

In the 2000s–2020s the growth in tourism caused sand erosion, destruction of posidonia, extreme overcrowding and loss of biodiversity. Limited access makes it possible to cap the environmental impact, keep the water crystal clear and improve the quality of the experience for those who get in. Today it is an established reality and is set to expand in the coming years.

La Pelosa – Stintino

The most famous in northern Sardinia

Info Detail 2026
Maximum number of visits 1,500 people per day
Period 15 May – 15 October (2026)
Cost €3.50 per person
Free Children under 12 (they don't need to book)
Booking Compulsory, online only at spiaggialapelosa.it (website or app); you show the QR code at the entrance

Key rules

  • Compulsory: a mat under the towel and washing your feet before leaving
  • Smoking is strictly forbidden (except in designated areas)
  • It is forbidden to take away sand, shells and stones
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Checks at the entrance by dedicated staff

How it works in 2026: 500 places can be booked at any time, while the other 1,000 go on sale every day at 9:00 for the second day after (for example Monday at 9:00 for Wednesday). In July and August they go quickly: book as soon as you know your date. Maximum 4 people per booking; without a booking you can't get in.

Bidderosa Oasis – Orosei

Nature oasis — 5 unspoilt coves

Info Detail 2026
Daily visits Cars and motorbikes with limited numbers (limited places, online booking)
Period May – end of October (limit for cars and motorbikes)
Permitted hours Check the official website
Cars Ticket per vehicle + fee per person
Motorcycles Ticket per vehicle + fee per person
Bikes No limit on vehicles: follow the oasis rules
⚠️ Important: the Oasis is a protected natural area with services reduced to a minimum. Bring plenty of water, food, sun protection and everything you need. You won't find anything inside.

Bidderosa is less well known than La Pelosa but it is extraordinarily wilder. The oasis's 5 coves, linked by paths through the pine forest, stay quiet even in August precisely thanks to the limited number of cars. Up-to-date numbers, fares and opening hours are on the oasis's official website (Forestas / Municipality of Orosei).

Cala Goloritzé – Baunei

Natural monument – Limited access, on foot only

Info Detail 2026
Maximum number of visits 250 people per day
Cost €7 per person
Free Children up to 5 years and residents of Baunei
Getting there On foot only: a path of about 1h30 on the way there (about 500 m of elevation), longer on the way back. Boats cannot land.
Booking Compulsory — app or website of the Municipality of Baunei
Cala Goloritzé is on the east coast, in Ogliastra, more than 3 hours by car from northern Sardinia: it is best fitted into an itinerary with at least one night in the area. From the sea you can only admire it: boats must keep their distance. A little further north, landing at Cala Mariolu is also limited-access with a small ticket (in 2026 from 1 May to 20 October): if you take a boat excursion, ask whether it is already included.

Other beaches with regulated access in northern Sardinia

Beach Access Key rules
Cala Coticcio – Caprera (La Maddalena) Only with an authorised guide, limited numbers (60 people a day in 2026) Environmental contribution + cost of the guide
Cala Brandinchi – San Teodoro Booking compulsory from 1 June to 30 September (2026), €2 Maximum 1,447 people a day; the neighbouring Lu Impostu is also limited-access
Spiaggia Rosa – Budelli (La Maddalena) Landing forbidden: it can only be admired from the sea Area of maximum protection in the National Park
Rena Bianca – Santa Teresa di Gallura Online booking in summer (June–September) About 1,000 people at a time; entrance ticket

Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip

Before you set off

  • Check the official website of the beach you've chosen
  • Book as soon as bookings open (dates and procedures change from beach to beach)
  • Download the confirmation to your phone
  • Plan your arrival time (leave by the afternoon)

What to bring

  • Mat (compulsory at La Pelosa)
  • Water bottle and plenty of water
  • SPF 50+ (the Sardinian sun is intense)
  • Rubbish bag
  • Rock shoes
  • Mask and snorkel (worth it)
Limited access rewards those who plan ahead.
If you book in good time, you'll find unspoilt beaches and fewer crowds. And if you miss out on a place, there are equally beautiful beaches just a few minutes away: in Stintino, for example, Le Saline, Pazzona and Ezzi Mannu.

Organising your holiday in northern Sardinia (without stress)

  • Ferry or plane? It depends on where you're coming from and how long you're staying: we'll help you choose
  • Car recommended? Yes, essential for hidden coves and total freedom. Book here with discount
  • Best period? June and September — fewer crowds, better prices, more privacy
  • Where to stay? In a home with a terrace or garden: more space, more freedom, Sardinia lived from the inside.

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