The Most Beautiful Beaches in Porto Rotondo
Porto Rotondo can be described as a little corner of paradise: its beaches are simply fantastic, the sea is a stunning blue and crystal-clear, and the atmosphere is every bit as good as that of the Caribbean.
The Coast of Porto Rotondo
In fact, the town is chosen as a tourist destination almost exclusively during the summer season, when people want to spend their vacation days lounging in the sun and lulled by the waves, enjoying a dreamlike landscape.
Porto Rotondo boasts numerous beaches, each with its own unique characteristics, and once you arrive, it’s worth visiting them all and taking a refreshing dip in the waves that lap at their shores. From the most comfortable stretches of sand to coves nestled in nature, every stretch of coastline offers different colors, scents, and views.
Those who love to explore can reach them on their own, planning their days based on distance, available amenities, and the type of beach they prefer. Alternatively, you can choose a rubber boat tour: some itineraries are already organized to let you discover the most beautiful spots, but you can also opt for a charter, coordinating the route with the skipper.
Beaches You Can't Miss
Punta Lepre Beach
The main beach in Porto Rotondo, located in the heart of the marina and close to the town’s amenities.
Marinella Beach
One of the largest and most picturesque beaches in the area, with very fine sand and shallow waters.
Ira Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Porto Rotondo, known for its white sand, crystal-clear water, and amenities.
Punta Lepre Beach
Located at the entrance to the harbor, Punta Lepre Beach is Porto Rotondo’s main beach and serves as a true landmark for tourists and locals alike. Its fame stems from its location: it is situated in the center of the Porto Rotondo Marina, the beating heart of all the area’s services and restaurants, and very close to the docking areas for yachts and motorboats.
Don’t let its proximity to the harbor fool you: the waters lapping at the shore are always crystal-clear and feature those subtle shades—ranging from light turquoise to deep blue—typical of the Sardinian coast in the Gallura region.
The beach is of medium size and is surrounded by fragrant juniper trees. The sand is light in color, tending toward pearl gray, and the water isn’t very deep. A boardwalk connects this wonderful spot to the Porto Rotondo Yacht Club, one of the most famous venues not only in the town but also along the entire northern coast of Sardinia.
If you choose Porto Rotondo for your vacation, visiting Punta Lepre Beach is an absolute must: in fact, it’s unthinkable not to discover the beauty of this little gem of nature, which is easily accessible on foot from the town center or via the shuttle service provided by the town.
Marinella Beach
Another very famous beach is Marinella Beach, one of the largest and most picturesque in the entire area. It is located between Porto Rotondo and Golfo Aranci and stretches for about 800 meters. Although surrounded by hotels and apartments, Marinella has remained unspoiled and still boasts typical Mediterranean wild vegetation and numerous trails leading to the beach.
The beach itself, by the way, has very fine sand and shallow, sandy waters—ideal for families with children who love to play in the sand. Furthermore, it is sheltered from the wind and is perfect for spending entire days, alone or with others, in complete relaxation.
Punta degli Asfodeli
Punta degli Asfodeli stands out for its small, rocky beaches, which are completely different from the more well-known and popular ones, typically characterized by sand. This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s a secluded spot: every year, tourist traffic is quite high, and despite the rocky terrain, many visitors enjoy diving off the cliffs and going on short hikes. In Porto Rotondo, solitude is definitely not on the agenda!
Sassi Beach
Sassi Beach is situated on a strip of land that connects the Iscia Segada promontory to the hamlet of Porto Rotondo. Across from it, you can admire Alghe Beach, and together they overlook the sea along the colorful coastline—a spectacle of blue, turquoise, and emerald hues.
Its name derives from the composition of the shoreline, made up of gray, pearlescent pebbles and very fine sand. The pebbles are the main feature of this very unique beach, made even more charming by a majestic cliff that stretches behind it and shelters it from the winds, ensuring calm waters.
In addition, the area is surrounded by dense, vibrantly colored Mediterranean scrub that creates various shaded areas, perfect for finding shelter from the sun.
The beach is quite small, which is precisely why it’s always very crowded during peak season. It offers every kind of service, from bars to rentals of beach chairs and/or small boats.
It’s the ideal choice both for families—who can let their children play safely in the shallow, sandy waters—and for groups of friends who love adventure and definitely shouldn’t miss a tour of Porto Rotondo’s most beautiful beaches, including Hrusca Beach, Bassey Beach, and Cala Punta Volpe.
Ira Beach
Located within the Gulf of Cugnana, Ira Beach is one of the few public beaches remaining in Sardinia, generally limited to small stretches of sand tucked between private beaches.
It is named after Princess Ira von Fürstenberg, an actress and designer who loved to spend her vacations in Porto Rotondo, where she owned a private villa. It is one of Porto Rotondo’s most popular beaches thanks to its 25-meter width and impeccable amenities, which include the option to rent equipment for sailing, windsurfing, and other water sports.
The sand is white and the water is crystal clear, and their contrast creates truly captivating plays of color. The water is shallow—so much so that you can touch the bottom for dozens of meters—making it ideal for parents who want their children to play freely.
The beach is surrounded by endless rocks and dense Mediterranean scrub, giving it a truly distinctive character. For this reason, it’s also perfect for tourists who want to spend a few hours of their vacation hiking or snorkeling—or who are simply looking for a sheltered spot to enjoy entire afternoons of pure relaxation.
Contro Ira Beach
Its name reflects its location: it is, in fact, on the opposite side of Ira Beach and is also known as Punta Nuraghe Beach. It stretches for about 80 meters, overlooks the Gulf of Cugnana, and is one of the most renowned public beaches in Porto Rotondo.
This is because, despite its small size, it is well-equipped: it offers parking just a few meters from the beach and the option to rent lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as canoes for a trip along the coast.
The sand isn’t as fine as that of nearby beaches and is an unusual gray-ochre color. The shallow waters make it accessible even for families, who can safely bring their children to play on the beach.
Nearby, you’ll find numerous hotels, restaurants, and pizzerias that are sure to enhance the vacations of couples, families, and groups of friends.
Hruska Beach
Ranked 188th among the 319 beaches in the Sassari area, Hruska Beach is located just 1 km from the center of Porto Rotondo.
It consists of a small stretch of coastline featuring several coves, each with crystal-clear turquoise water, light-colored sand, and pebbles. Walking along it is easy—in fact, it’s ideal for long strolls, even barefoot.
It offers very easy access to the water, making it a favorite even among families with children. Moreover, it remains one of the least crowded spots even during peak season—yet another reason why it’s chosen by solo travelers and those seeking relaxation.
Hruska Beach is unspoiled, offering beautiful natural scenery and completely free admission. It also has a large parking lot just 300 meters away.
Shirley Bassey Beach
Its name comes from that of the famous British pop singer Shirley Bassey, who, in the early 20th century, loved to spend her vacations in Porto Rotondo, on the northern coast.
Bassey Beach stretches along the western slope of the Iscia Segada promontory, opening up among the rocks of Punta di Volpe amidst stunning natural beauty. The bay is nestled in an extraordinary setting; though small in size, it is characterized by typical Mediterranean scrub that surrounds fine, snow-white sand, as well as a clean, crystal-clear, turquoise sea.
The semicircular cove is the ideal place to relax and take rejuvenating walks, as well as a shortcut to all the other beaches easily accessible on foot, such as Spiaggia dei Sassi, located a little further south.
From Shirley Bassey Beach, you can admire the Portisco Marina and La Rena Bianca Beach, both popular destinations in Porto Rotondo. The area is sheltered from easterly winds but not from the Mestruale wind; as a result, the waters are particularly choppy despite not being deep.
The coast does not offer beach facilities but does have a parking lot, located next to Spiaggia dei Sassi.
Alghe Beach (or “Beach of the Seaweed”)
In Iscia Segada, a hamlet of Porto Rotondo, lies Spiaggia delle Alghe (Seaweed Beach), so named because of the Posidonia seaweed washed up on the shore, which forms dunes and banks.
The bay forms the southern flank of the isthmus that connects Porto Rotondo with Marina di Portisco and ends at the stunning cliffs of Punta Volpe.
The presence of Posidonia seaweed carried in by the sea ensures that the waters lapping Spiaggia delle Alghe are crystal-clear and clean, characterized by a rocky seabed teeming with fish. Anyone who follows the hidden trails through the Mediterranean scrub typical of the beach can easily reach small coves teeming with fish, perfect for underwater fishing enthusiasts.
A parking lot makes access to Spiaggia delle Alghe very convenient, while also separating it from Spiaggia dei Sassi. On the beach, you’ll find sunbed and umbrella rentals as well as a snack bar, but the bay is not recommended for families with children due to the presence of rocks.
Punta Volpe Beach
Set in a truly picturesque setting between Punta di Volpe and the Monte Ladu promontory, Cala Punta Volpe Beach stretches for about 200 meters and is easily accessible from downtown Porto Rotondo.
The beach consists mainly of fine- to medium-grained golden sand, bordered by granite rocks. The sea is azure and crystal-clear near the shore, dotted with rocky outcrops. The seabed, on the other hand, is both sandy and rocky.
From Punta Volpe Beach, visitors can enjoy a splendid view of the islands of Soffi and Mortorio; it is no coincidence, in fact, that it is one of the most popular beaches, especially since it offers amenities for beachgoers such as parking, wheelchair access, lodging facilities, bars, and restaurants.
Small Beaches of the Gulf of Cugnana
The Gulf of Cugnana is unquestionably one of the most sought-after destinations on the northern coast due to the beauty of its shoreline and its untamed appearance, which so intrigues tourists and visitors. The inlet is part of the municipality of Olbia, in the province of Sassari, and is located in the historic region of Gallura. It can be reached by ferry or by car from the Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport.
The gulf features a long beach, shallow waters, and crystal-clear seas. There are numerous small beaches nestled within it, such as Punta Asfodeli Beach, Ira Beach, and Marina di Portisco Beach.
Porto Rotondo is just 5 km away from the Gulf of Cugnana, as is Marinella Beach. Heading north, you can easily make your way to Porto Cervo to discover the pristine sandy shores of Liscia Ruja, La Rena Bianca, and Petra Ruja.
But that’s not all: the Gulf of Cugnana is, in fact, a place rich in natural and archaeological attractions, such as the Nuragic well temple at Cugnana, the granite headlands of San Pantaleo, and the islands of Soffi, Mortorio, and Le Camere.
Within the gulf, you can go snorkeling, windsurfing, and horseback riding. The area is well-served and equipped with restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and farm stays.
Stay just a few minutes from the beach
Residence Porto Rotondo 3 offers a convenient way to enjoy Porto Rotondo at your own pace, with easy access to the most beautiful beaches and amenities, the town center, and relaxation always within reach.