Beyond La Pelosa, Stintino has a long stretch of white quartz sand on the Gulf of Asinara – Le Saline, Pazzona and Ezzi Mannu, with no booking and plenty of parking – and a rocky west coast, the Mar di Fuori, with coves like Coscia di Donna. The right choice depends above all on the wind of the day.
Holiday homes in Stintino, a few minutes from these beaches
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We have been managing holiday homes in Stintino since 2011, and the question we hear most often from guests as soon as they arrive is always the same: “La Pelosa has limited entry – what about the rest?” There is a lot more, and it is the reason many of our guests come back. In this guide we take you to the beaches we go to ourselves, with what really matters: what the seabed is like, how far you walk, what happens when the wind changes. No rankings, just tips from people who work here every day.
La Pelosa is still Stintino’s postcard view, but in 2026 access required booking on the official website spiaggialapelosa.it from 15 May to 15 October, with a daily cap on entries, an entrance ticket (free for children) and a mandatory mat under your towel. The 2027 rules are published in spring. For the best times, booking and parking, read our complete guide to La Pelosa. If you are looking for quiet alternatives outside Stintino too, there is our selection of uncrowded beaches between Alghero and Stintino.
One tip that applies everywhere: even away from La Pelosa, the best hours are early morning and after 4 pm. Around midday in August the sun is fierce and the car parks fill up.
A few kilometres from the village, towards Porto Torres, Le Saline takes its name from the old salt pans used from the Middle Ages until the early decades of the twentieth century. Behind it lie the lagoon and the wetland; in front, the Gulf of Asinara.
What it’s like: the “sand” is made of white quartz grains, almost like tiny pebbles: it doesn’t stick, but it gets hot and you feel it under bare feet. The water is crystal clear and, along most of the beach, the seabed is shallow and sandy – ideal for children.
Services: a large car park (also used by campervans), places to eat and drink, and rental of umbrellas, sunbeds and pedalos. Because it is so long, you’ll find space even in August: just walk a few hundred metres away from the main entrances.
Who it’s for: families with children, anyone who wants facilities close at hand, windsurfers and kitesurfers.
Bonus: flamingos can sometimes be seen in the lagoon behind the beach. It’s not guaranteed: it depends on the season and the water level.
Pazzona is the natural continuation of Le Saline to the south-east: the beach runs on without a break. White quartz mixed with fine gravel, dunes with Mediterranean scrub behind, and a shallow seabed near the shore that slopes gently. Most of the beach is free; in season there is a kiosk renting umbrellas and sunbeds.
It’s the choice for anyone who wants the sea of Le Saline with less coming and going. Some stretches of this coastline are set aside for dogs (dog beach): if you’re travelling with yours, ask locally which stretches are allowed this year.
Carry on further east and the beach becomes Ezzi Mannu: kilometres of pale sand mixed with small pebbles, dunes and a more natural setting. There is at least one beach club with facilities, while long stretches remain free and without services: bring water and shade.
The seabed is a little less shallow than at La Pelosa, but still suitable for children under supervision. To the east, the Fiume Santo power station is visible on the horizon: not the perfect postcard, so better to know beforehand.
Watch out for parking. In July 2026 the Municipality issued an ordinance for Ezzi Mannu with one-way streets and a total parking ban on both sides of the roads concerned, to keep escape routes clear in case of fire. Park only in permitted spaces: checks do happen.
Behind the eastern stretch, already within the municipality of Sassari, lies the Stagno di Pilo, one of the most interesting wetlands for birdwatching.
Locals in Stintino distinguish between the “inner sea” (mare di dentro), the sheltered side facing the Gulf of Asinara where La Pelosa is, and the “outer sea”, the Mar di Fuori, the west coast looking onto the open sea. Here everything changes: dark cliffs, rocks, small coves, deep water and sunsets over the sea.
This is not a place for beach umbrellas. It’s for those who love walking, snorkelling when the sea is calm and a little time on their own. There are no facilities and often no shade either.
The best-known cove on the Mar di Fuori: small patches of sand and pebbles, plenty of rock and a beautiful rocky seabed for snorkelling. You get there on dirt roads followed by a stretch on foot; closed shoes are a must. Before jumping in from the rocks, always check the depth.
It is not suitable for small children, pushchairs or anyone who finds it hard to walk on uneven ground. When there are rough seas from the west, give it a miss: the waves come straight in.
Along the road to La Pelosa, on the inner sea, there are small inlets between the houses: Cala Lupo is a little cove of coarse sand and rock, with a rich seabed for snorkellers. Around Punta Negra you’ll find other small ways down to the sea between the rocks. They are small spots without many facilities, handy above all if you’re staying nearby and want a quick swim before dinner.
The locals’ secret is simple: check the wind the evening before.
A serious warning: off Le Saline there are currents that can carry people on boards or inflatables far out. Stay close to the shore and follow the flags.
| If you’re looking for… | Go to… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small children and facilities | Le Saline | Shallow water, food and drink, rentals, large car park |
| Space without giving up a kiosk | Pazzona | Same beach, less coming and going |
| Nature and walks on the dunes | Ezzi Mannu | Wild setting, long free stretches |
| Snorkelling | Coscia di Donna, Cala Lupo | Rocky seabeds (calm sea only) |
| Sunset over the sea | Mar di Fuori | West-facing coast |
| Windsurfing or kitesurfing | Le Saline / Pazzona | Thermal and westerly winds, flat water |
| A day of strong mistral | La Pelosa side (with booking) or the inner-sea coves | More sheltered |
| No booking | Saline, Pazzona, Ezzi Mannu | Free access |
If your plan is to alternate between La Pelosa, Le Saline and the Mar di Fuori, a home in Stintino makes sense: within a few minutes’ drive you’re on either side of the peninsula and can choose your beach each morning according to the wind. We directly manage homes throughout the municipality of Stintino and you save up to 15% by booking direct on our website. Have a look at our holiday homes in Stintino.
Which beaches in Stintino don’t need booking?
Le Saline, Pazzona and Ezzi Mannu on the Gulf of Asinara, the coves of the Mar di Fuori such as Coscia di Donna, and small coves like Cala Lupo. In 2026 booking was required only for La Pelosa.
What is the best beach for children in Stintino besides La Pelosa?
Le Saline: a shallow, sandy seabed along most of the beach, a large car park, food and drink and rentals. Pazzona is a quieter alternative.
Where should you go in Stintino when the mistral blows?
Avoid the Mar di Fuori, which faces west. The La Pelosa side and the inner-sea coves are more sheltered; with a strong mistral, even Le Saline and Ezzi Mannu can have waves.
Is Coscia di Donna suitable for children?
Not for the little ones: access is on a dirt track and on foot, with rocks, deep water and no facilities. It’s ideal for adults and teenagers who snorkel when the sea is calm.
Can you see flamingos near the beaches?
Sometimes, yes – in the lagoons behind Le Saline and at the Stagno di Pilo, near Ezzi Mannu. Their presence varies with the season and the water level; in winter the area is a wintering ground.
Can you park freely at Ezzi Mannu?
No. A municipal ordinance in July 2026 introduced one-way streets and a parking ban along the access roads. Use only the permitted areas and check the rules in force.
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