When it comes to finding the world’s most spectacular beaches, Sardinia ranks among the top.
With its fine white sand, azure waters, surrounding rock formations, and limestone cliffs, Spiaggia Rosa is a must-see in Italy.
This beach stands out due to its unique color – a stunning blend of pink and orange.
Located in the Archipelago of La Maddalena off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, the beach is a popular spot for travelers looking to take in its breathtaking beauty.
It’s one of the best places in Sardinia to take a quick boat trip to an amazing island for a day of fun.
The distinctive pink shade is created by a mix of carotene and shells from nearby reefs that blend in with the white grainy sand. Pink Beach has shallow waters, making it an excellent spot for families with small children.
It also has a secluded pine forest and a large rocky outcrop in front of the beach, making it a backdrop for photos.
If you’re visiting Sardinia and looking for some of its most beautiful beaches, you should definitely add Pink Beach to your list.
About Budelli Island and Spiaggia Rosa
Sardinia’s pink beach, Spiaggia Rosa, is an island paradise like no other.
Located on the tiny Budelli Island off the coast of Sardinia, this picturesque rocky beach is unique in its appearance due to its bright pink sand.
Budelli Island is situated in the Maddalena archipelago, just off the northwestern coast of Sardinia. It is a protected area and visitors must take a boat to reach it, however it’s a pretty short distance.
Budelli Island is one of seven islands that comprises the Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park.
The main beach on Budelli Island, Spiaggia Rosa, is well renowned for its powdery pink sand that gives the shoreline an almost surreal beauty.
It’s one of the more popular of Sardinia’s beaches due to its unique beauty. The fine sand against the turquoise water creates a magnificent backdrop for the many pictures taken of this beach.
Budelli Island and its Pink Beach have been made famous due to their appearance in films like “Red Desert” directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.
This small island and its pink beach are a popular destination for Italian and foreign tourists alike, especially during the summer months when the crowds become larger.
History of Spiaggia Rosa
The beach has been pretty well-preserved over the years, despite its popularity, to ensure that visitors can still enjoy its natural beauty.
But it wasn’t always like this.
Spiaggia Rosa has a long history of people stealing sand from the beach and taking it home with them as souvenirs in the past.
As a result of this, the beach slowly started to have a bleaching effect and it quickly started to lose its iconic pink tone.
In 1998, the beach became protected by the Italian government, making it illegal to take even a single grain of sand from the beach. They decided to close it off to visitors and hope that with time, the beach would regain its natural pink color.
At the same time, the government also made it illegal to even step foot on Spiaggia Rosa.
Fortunately, their efforts paid off and the beach has now regained its striking pink tone we know and love.
Why are the beaches pink in Sardinia?
Most people are curious about the color of the sand and why the sand on this beach is pink.
Well, we can thank the microbiology of the marine environment for that one!
The pink color of Spiaggia Rosa’s sand comes from the shells and skeletal fragments of the microscopic organisms called Miniacina Miniacea, a type of foraminifera. These tiny creatures contain a reddish pigment in their shells and are found in abundance in these waters.
The natural movement of the waves on Budelli Island has resulted in these organisms leaving a pinkish hint on the sand.
When the red pigment of the foraminifera is washed up on shore and gets mixed with the white sand, it gives the sand this unique pink hue.
Basically, it’s like one big beautiful, colorful science experiment.
Is it possible to visit the Pink Beach of Sardinia?
Yes, it is possible to visit the pink beach of Sardinia.
Besides, what fun would this beautiful beach be if we couldn’t ever see it?
However, it is currently only possible to admire this rosy beach from afar. The Pink Beach of Sardinia is a protected area, and walking on the sand at Spiaggia Rosa is strictly prohibited.
Visitors will only be able to approach up to a maximum of 70 meters from the shore.
Although you can’t actually walk on the beach, it’s still worth the trip. The breathtaking views of the pink sand and crystal-clear waters make it well worth your while.
How to get to Budelli and Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach)
Spiaggia Rosa is located on Budelli Island, around 12 kilometers from Sardinia’s west coast.
It can generally only be accessed by boat – though depending on the time of year and weather conditions, it may be possible to reach the island by swimming. (Although I definitely don’t recommend it!)
There are several ways to get to Pink Beach, depending on where you’re coming from and what kind of experience you’d like.
Ferry
If you’re staying in South Sardinia or anywhere else on the island, there are three main ferries that will take you directly to Budelli Island.
You can hop on a direct ferry from either Costa Smeralda, Palau, or La Maddalena.
Private boat
If you’re looking for a more private experience, you can hire a boat to take you directly to the island. This is by far the best option if you want to explore the entire archipelago or just enjoy some time on the beach.
Guided tours of Spiaggia Rosa
You can also take a guided tour of Budelli Island and its pink beach that will show you all of its hidden gems as well as the best spots for swimming and snorkeling.
In my opinion, the best way to visit Pink Beach is with a boat tour. There are several boat tours available from the nearby port of Olbia, and they will take you on a scenic ride to Budelli Island.
On these tours, you’ll be able to admire the beauty of this secluded part of the Mediterranean Sea and get close enough to the pink beach to take some stunning photos.
Where to stay in Sardinia near the Pink Beach
If you’re looking for accommodation near this popular beach, there are several nearby resorts and hotels that offer great deals.
I’ve written a complete guide on the best beach resorts in Sardina, separated by neighborhood and region of the island. Definitely go check that out if you’d like a more in-depth review of each hotel and what they offer.
But for now, here’s a quick look at my top choices for where to stay near the Pink Beach.
Hotel Cala Lunga ($$)
Located in La Maddalena – 7 km from Spiaggia Rosa
Nestled amongst cliffs that overlook the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Hotel Cala Lunga offers a range of amenities, including three coves, an outdoor pool, two restaurants, and a furnished terrace.
Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s free Wi-Fi access throughout their stay. The air-conditioned rooms are tastefully decorated in Sardinian-style and include a flat-screen TV, mini-bar, and private bathroom.
Select rooms even boast a private balcony with stunning sea views. Parasols and sun loungers are provided free of charge at the beach.
For dining options, guests can choose between the à la carte restaurant, Il Mirto, which is open for lunch and dinner, or enjoy a fixed dinner menu at Le Terrazze.
Additionally, the Cormorano pool bar is available for guests to unwind and relax.
Hotel Nido D’Aquila ($$)
Located in La Maddalena – 8 km from Spiaggia Rosa
Hotel Nido D’Aquila is situated on a tranquil and isolated beach on Maddalena Island, and boasts stunning views of Sardinia across the bay.
The hotel offers a variety of air-conditioned accommodations, including both rooms and studios, with select options offering picturesque views of the sea or mountains.
Each room includes a mini-bar, while the studios come equipped with a convenient kitchenette.
Guests can start their day with a buffet breakfast that includes Italian coffee, pastries, and Sardinian cheese. The hotel’s restaurant serves up a variety of local specialties and classic Italian dishes for guests to savor.
Casa Ilva ($$)
Located in La Maddalena – 8 km from Spiaggia Rosa
Situated in the heart of La Maddalena’s historic center, Casa Ilva provides a variety of amenities for guests to enjoy, including express check-in and check-out, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, allergy-free rooms, and a shared breakfast room.
Along with family rooms equipped with kitchenettes, the property offers organized boat trips for those looking to explore the surrounding area.
Residenze Le Vele & Le Maree ($$)
Located in La Maddalena – 8 km from Spiaggia Rosa
Residenze Le Vele & Le Maree is a charming apartment complex located on the picturesque Island of La Maddalena, just off the coast of Sardinia.
Boasting panoramic mountain views and free parking, the apartments at Le Vele are all air-conditioned and feature fully equipped kitchens and either a balcony or terrace.
Additionally, the property includes a communal garden and is located just 0.9 mi from the beach.
The center of La Maddalena town, where ferries depart for Sardinia, is only a 15-minute walk away.
Final thoughts on the amazing Pink Beach of Sardegna
Overall, I think this place is definitely worth a stop by if you happen to be visiting Sardinia or the surrounding area.
Would I specifically plan a trip to Italy to visit this place? Probably not.
But for a day trip, or even just an afternoon excursion, it’s definitely worth the effort.
And, who knows? Maybe if enough people start visiting and word gets around, the Italian government will eventually open up the beach to visitors and we’d all be able to admire this rosy paradise first-hand!
Until then, just sit back and enjoy the view from afar.
The Pink Beach of Sardinia is still one of the most beautiful places you can find in Italy!
Happy travels!
Thanks for reading!
Now that you have all the information you need about the incredible pink beach of Sardinia, it’s time to start planning your Italy trip!
Don’t forget to check out these related posts for more tips and recommendations.
How to spend a day in San Remo, Italy
Best wine tours to take in Rome, Italy
Pin this post!
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!