A Guide To Tuerredda Beach Sardinia: 8 Best Things To Know (original) (raw)
Wide and long, Tuerredda Beach combines the wilderness and beauty of a natural beach with the comfort granted by kiosks, restaurants and equipment for a more relaxed stay.
Easily one of the best beaches in Sardinia, this gorgeous beach is easy to access on a day trip from Cagliari and at a stone’s throw from Chia and Pula – so you really should not miss if if you are planning a vacation in South Sardinia!
I have obviously been to Tuerredda Beach many times. It’s easy to reach from Cagliari, and it is one of my favorite beaches in South Sardinia, so I never miss the chance to go during the summer months (and occasionally, also in the off season when I get to enjoy the beach by myself!).
If you plan to visit Tuerredda Beach during your stay in Sardinia, keep on reading this post. Visiting the Spiaggia di Tuerredda (that’s the name in Italian) requires some careful planning, as it is a protected beach. Don’t worry: I will share all the most useful information and some hacks to help you reserve a spot.
Clear waters at Tuerredda Beach
The Ultimate Guide To Tuerredda Beach
Essential information on Tuerredda Beach Sardinia
Located between Capo Spartivento and Capo Malfatano promontories at 5 km (little over 3 miles) from Chia and at 58 km (36 miles) from Cagliari, Tuerredda is one of the most iconic beaches of southern Sardinia, loved by tourist and locals alike.
It is a highly protected beach: access to Tuerredda Beach is capped to 1100 people per day, and they can access on a first come, first serve basis.
Of these 1100 daily visitors, 729 are allowed to access to the free beach (by which I mean they can lay their towel and umbrella wherever they prefer), and 371 will have to stay at one of the two bathhouses located at the Spiaggia di Tuerredda.
As most beaches is Sardinia, Tuerredda is most crowded in July and August, though in recent years there has been a large influx of tourists in September too.
Tuerredda Beach
The vegetation, the golden sand and the emerald sea at the Spiaggia di Tuerredda create an unique setting. The shallow waters make it a perfect place for families, as kids can play safely on the shore, while adults and children alike can enjoy snorkeling along the rocky sides of the beach.
The two promontories (Capo Spartivento and Capo Malfatano, mentioned above) protect the beach from the wind, making it a good spot to lay down and relax.
On Capo Malfatano you can admire an Aragonese watchtower, dating back to the 17th century, like many other towers built along the coast in Sardinia for defensive reasons.
Behind Tuerredda Beach, you can find the ruins of a nuragic settlement, so be sure not to miss it if you are into history.
In front of the beach, you can see the islet of Tuerredda, which is easily reachable by boat, kayak and even by swimming if you are keen. My friend and I are competitive swimmers and we have been a few times, but I shall warn you against swimming there on a windy day as the currents can be very strong.
The islet is surrounded by clear emerald and blue waters populated by marine life and flora, a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Tuerredda Beach also has two bathhouses where you can rent beach umbrellas, sun beds, small zodiacs and pedal boats. Both have a café, where you can have something to drink or eat, and showers. Lifeguards are on service in both – this is a fully equipped beach.
Access to Spiaggia di Tuerredda is capped
Tuerredda Beach top hack!
As I have said before, access to Tuerredda Beach is capped. If you want to bring your own beach umbrella and take a spot on the free beach, I suggest you go there as early as possible as soon as the beach opens at 9:00 am to secure a spot.
You can also check the official website on your way there to see if there is a spot available (they update data on a regular basis).
The official site also allows you to see how many spots are available at the bathhouses, so if you are going very last minute you may want to give them a call to reserve a spot.
In fact, continue reading for my proven hack for those who want to visit Tuerredda Sardinia.
The only way you can secure a spot at the Tuerredda Beach Sardinia is by making a reservation at one of the bathhouses. Here are their contact information:
Tueredda Beach Club: +39 339 724 6817
Tropico Mediterraneo: +39 351 766 9307
Tueredda Beach Club has a restaurant named Poseidon, while Tropico Mediterraneo has a small kiosk with tables.
Let me stress that if you want to make a Tuerredda Beach reservation, you should book well ahead of time. There have been occasions when my sister and I called in August to reserved a spot for September.
I suggest trying to send a message via WhatsApp, or call either one of the bathhouses at least 2 or 3 weeks in advance if you are visiting between July and September.
Enjoying the water on a hot day at Spiaggia di Tuerredda
Important rules of behavior for Tuerredda Beach
As for every beach in Sardinia, you have to know and respect some rules during your time on Tuerredda Beach. Make sure to familiarize with them as they truly apply almost anywhere on the island!
DON’T TAKE SAND – Never take sand, shells or stones from the beach. It is prohibited and you could even get a fine if you are caught with it, or caught in the act. You may even end up in a discussion with locals, who are very adamant in protecting their natural heritage! My post Sardinia Theft Sand explains more in detail what the issue is.
PETS – Dogs are unfortunately not allowed at Tuerredda Beach but there are nearby beaches where you can take your furry friend. My post on dog-friendly beaches in Sardinia highlights all the places where you can spend a day at the beach with your dog.
DON’T SMOKE – This is a new rule that many beaches in Sardinia are now implementing. You can smoke only in designated areas, and of course you are expected to throw away your cigarette butts in the trash bins.
KEEP THE BEACH CLEAN – Don’t leave anything on the beach when you leave. If you need to dispose of something, be sure to use the trash cans. Sardinians are very keen on recycling and you’ll find separate bins for plastic, organic waste, paper, tins and glass and generic waste along the beach and in the parking lot.
TOILETS – There usually are toilets at most equipped beaches in Sardinia. In Tuerredda, they are available near the parking lot. Some are only open to customers of the kiosks and bathhouses (but you can pay a small fee to use them); others are chemical toilets free for everyone.
Relaxing in Tuerredda Sardinia
How to get to Tuerredda Beach
There is no public bus that links Cagliari to the Spiaggia di Tuerredda, so the best way to get to Tuerredda Beach is by car. It’s easy to to reach from either Cagliari (about one hour drive), Chia (just 15 minutes by car) or Pula (around 30 minutes).
From Cagliari, take the SS195 towards Pula. After 45 km (about 28 miles) you will reach the intersection to Chia. Turn left there onto SP71.
After the Perdalonga crossroad, you’ll see the entry to Tuerredda Beach on the left and the beach parking spots – there is a fee of around €10 per day to pay at either parking lot.
Guided tours that go to Tuerredda Beach
If you don’t want to rent a car for your Sardinia trip, but still want to visit Tuerredda, you will be happy to know that there are some guided tours from Cagliari that go there. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is bringing a towel and water, as everything else will be provided for you.
I recommend this guided tour of Chia Beaches and Tuerredda. It visits Tuerredda as the first stop and then goes to Su Giudeu Beach in Chia. You will spend 8 full hours between these two gorgeous beaches. The tour includes an umbrella you can use for shade and you will move in an air-conditioned van.
Cala Zafferano
Other nearby beaches
Tuerredda Beach is located in the Teulada municipality, and not far from Chia, so there are many beaches you can visit in the area. Here are my favorite ones:
CALA ZAFFERANO – In the military area of Teulada, this beach can only be accessed by boat and only during the months of July and August. It is patrolled my military boats. To get there, you can rent a zodiac for the day in Capo Malfatano.
CAMPIONNA – A small beach with rocks and dunes.
PISCINNì – This beach is perfect if you are looking for something more hidden and natural. It has soft white sand and it is very close to a small promontory.
CHIA SU GIUDEU – A wonderful, long sandy beach with lots of nearby smaller coves; it is fully equipped and easily accessible, perfect for the whole family.
CALA CIPOLLA – Sharing the same parking lot with Su Giudeu, this is a very small cove with pristine waters and surmounted by gorgeous cliffs.
CALA ANTONIAREDDU – A lesser known, tiny sheltered cove with incredibly clear waters.
Tuerredda on a windy day
Where to stay to easily access Tuerredda beach
The closest location to Tuerredda Beach is Chia, which is part of the Domus de Maria municipality. Chia is just 7 km (4.3 miles) from Tuerredda Beach. There are many nice holiday homes, resorts, hotels and B&B’s in Chia you can stay comfortably and access even more beautiful beaches in the area.