The Baunei Coast, Sardinia Travel Guide

The Baunei Coast, Sardinia Travel Guide | The Best Hikes & Beaches on The Baunei Coast

If you’re looking for a destination which combines beautiful beaches with rugged hiking trails, then the Baunei Coast needs to be pushed to the very top of your hit list. Tucked away on the eastern side of Sardinia this 40 km stretch of coastline is unbelievably beautiful. I’m talking dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into the most incredible turquoise blue covers and white sandy beaches. It is a little slice of heaven, and the best bit is that it isn’t quite as famous as other Italian coastlines just yet!

In this guide I am going to break down everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to the Baunei Coast – from the best hikes and most beautiful beaches to where to stay, how to get around and when to go. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous few days in the mountains or a chilled weekend by the water, I’ve got you covered.

The Practicalities:

Getting There:

I recommend flying into Olbia airport in the north of Sardinia, as it is about 1-2 hours away from the Baunei Coastline. There are multiple direct flights from the UK to Olbia each day.

Getting Around:

You will definitely need a rental car to get around Sardinia as well as access the beaches and trailheads. I recommend renting one on the smaller side to allow for wiggle room on the narrower streets.

When To Go:

The Baunei Coast can get a little too busy during the peak months of July and August, so I would recommend visiting in May/June or September to have the most enjoyable experience.

Where To Stay:

I would recommend staying in Cala Gonone, a cute little beachside town at the northern end of the gulf. It allows easy access to the water, a selection of beaches and you can drive into the mountains. Another option if hiking is the priority over beaches is to stay in the small mountain village of Baunei a little further south.

How Long To Stay:

I would recommend a long weekend (3-4 days) as a minimum to hit the highlights. If you want to extend your trip and explore other parts of the island, you could always stay a little longer.

What To See & Do On The Baunei Coast

Explore The Beautiful Beaches

Let’s be real, the beaches are the true highlight of this region. There are so many gorgeous coves to explore – many of which can only be accessed by boat (more on that later!). In summary, these are the ones I would prioritise visiting:

Cala Goloritze – named the best beach in the world in 2025. An absolutely stunning dramatic beach you can only access via hiking and the number of visitors is capped each day which makes it even more exclusive.
Cala Mariolu – the busiest of the beaches, but perhaps the most beautiful and my personal favourite in terms of scenery. There are large rocks to jump off as well as sandy bays and towering cliffs. It is accessible via small boat, ferry or hiking.
The Pools of Venus – a tiny little beach with some picturesque caves surrounded by crystal blue water, only accessible via a small boat.

Cala Luna – the largest and longest beach in the area with huge caves you can explore. It is accessible via hiking, ferry or small boat and there is a small restaurant behind the beach.
Cala Fuili – a gorgeous small cove just south of Cala Gonone, you can drive up, park and walk down a series of steps to access it.
Cala dei Gabbiani – another seriously pretty spot along the coast that is marginally quieter than some of its neighbours. It is accessible via boat or hiking trail.
Cala Fenile – a smaller and slightly quieter beach in the south of the gulf. It is best accessed by hiking. A great option if you want to get away from the crowds.

You can tick off most of these in a single day on a boat trip, but splitting them over a few days makes for a more relaxed experience. It is also worth noting that Cala Gonone town itself has a series of small beaches along the waterfront. We walked down there most evenings to have a little swim and sunbathe as the sun went down.

Take A Boat Trip

This is the ultimate way to see and experience the Baunei Coast. I would recommend either booking onto a small group tour, or if you’re able to – hiring a private boat with a skipper so you have the ultimate freedom to explore. It is also worth noting that you can actually rent a boat without a skipper if you feel confident driving one, and you don’t need a boating license to do that.

We had an amazing experience with Palmasera Boat Rental. They gave us a better price than any other company in the port, threw in free coolboxes and umbrellas, and our skipper was a legend. His name was George and his energy was infectious, he was so enthusiastic about the area and made our day an utter joy – showing us quiet spots away from the crowds and giving insider tips and insights! I highly recommend requesting him when you book.

In short, when you explore the coast by boat you can access all the best beaches, stop off and swim in the turquoise blue water, have picnics in little coves and just make the most of this incredible scenery. I have no doubt that it will be the highlight of your trip.

Note: One thing to beware of is that from 2025, beach access is now regulated within the region and you need to obtain a QR code to show to staff on site when you land in certain coves (like Mariolu). If you book with a boat rental company, they can do this for you or show you how to do it for yourself.

Eat Delicious Food

This region of Italy has been named as one of the world’s “blue zones” where the locals live longer than anywhere else, and the quality of the food definitely has something to do with it. Cala Gonone is only a small town with a limited range of restaurants but some of them are absolutely top notch, here are my personal favourite spots:

Ristorante Cala Luna. We came here twice because we loved it so much! It has stunning views over the coastline and their pasta is unreal.
Retrovino Market Bar. A great lunch spot with salads, sandwiches and the most amazing sharing boards.
La Dispensa. A small family owned restaurant with delicious home cooked food, it’s not got the frills of fancier spots but the food packs lots of flavour.
Gelateria Fancello. By far the best gelato spot in town, they have a good range of flavours and blend new ones each day!

Go For a Hike

In my opinion, it is a crime to visit this region of Italy and not go for a hike! The mountain landscapes are phenomenal and best experienced on foot. The Baunei Coast is actually famous for the Selvaggio Blu – one of the most challenging and beautiful treks in Europe which is 45km long combining hiking, climbing and abseiling over multiple days. However, thats probably a little much for a weekend away so let me recommend some of the best day hikes in the area:

If you do one hike, make it this. Cala Goloritze was named the best beach in the world in 2025 and is only accessible via a hiking trail (boats cannot dock there).

The beach is limited to 250 visitors per day and you need to get a permit in advance using the Heart of Sardinia Website. The trail is open 7.30am to 5pm, with parking at the top and a small cabin serving food and drinks. It is a little spicy, with a downhill outward journey and purely uphill return so make sure you bring lots of water.

Distance: 7.5km
Elevation: 520m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Link: Here

A classic and popular trail in this region, the route takes you from the smaller Cala Fuili bay along a rugged coastal path to the expansive Cala Luna with its famous caves. It is a fairly simple hike except for a short steep section where you need to use your hands. You have the option to get a boat back to Cala Gonone or hike the return journey.

Distance: 10.6km
Elevation Gain: 500m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Link: Here

If you want to get away from the crowds, this trail in the south of the gulf is a great option. It takes you to a more secluded cove, Cala Fenile, while rewarding you with stunning views along the coastline. There are some steep sections, but nothing technical or particularly challenging.

Distance: 5km
Elevation Gain: 300m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Link: Here

This beautiful trail offers a change of scenery, taking you away from the coast into the heart of the mountains. It leads you from the Lanaitho valley to the Nuragic village of Tiscali and allows you to experience absolutely incredible views of the national parks dramatic landscapes.

Distance: 8.5km
Elevation Gain: 400m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Link: Here