Beautiful ‘hidden’ beach named one of Europe’s best kept secrets

A beach in Sardinia has been named as one of Europe‘s best kept secret beaches. Sardinia’s Sinis peninsula stretches along the island’s west coast, with the whole coastline celebrated for its beauty. But according to Travel + Leisure “the best spot” can be found just outside the village of San Giovanni di Sinis.

The website notes: “Located a quick stumble across the dunes from some bar shacks, this gem sits dramatically in the shadow of the ruined Roman citadel of Tharros.”

Less well known than other parts of the island, the Sinis peninsula is surrounded by a protected marine area and is part of the Oristano region.

Ancient villages such as Tharros and Cuccuru is Arrius are among the peninsula’s historic sites while there are also opportunities to hike and kayak in the area.

San Giovanni di Sinis is about 80 miles north west of the Sardinian capital, Cagliari, and takes about an hour and 40 minutes to get to by car via the E25.E

BA Euroflyer, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Ryanair UK Ltd. all fly direct to Cagliari. The cheapest month to fly to Cagliari is usually January, according to Skyscanner, with the best price at the time of writing £61.

August is the hottest month in Sardinia, with the Met Office recording an average daily maximum temperature of 32C. In May, the average is 24.3C, June 28.8C and July 31.7C, according to the forecaster. The coolest month is January when the maximum average daily temperature is 14.6C.

The island offers a range of accommodation to suit different budgets. Gallicantu Stazzo Retreat is among Condé Nast Traveller’s recommendations. Others include Domu Antiga, Su Gologone Experience Hotel and Petra Segreta.

Among Tripadvisor’s recommendations are: Holiday Inn Cagliari, Hotel Excelsior, Mercure Olbia and Hotel Villa Piras.

San Giovanni di Sinis is one of 15 best-kept secret beaches listed by Travel + Leisure. Others include Praia da Ilha de Tavira in the Portuguese Algarve; Sa Riera in Spain’s Costa Brava and Psili Ammos in Patmos, Greece.

Argèles-sur-Mer in France’s Languedoc region is another, hailed for its “almost four miles of soft sand” that sun-worshippers will want to get ankle-deep in.

There are two French beaches on the list, with the second being Limeuil in the Dordogne. But this is an inland stretch of sand where the Dordogne and Vézère rivers meet.

Travel + Leisure recommends wading into the water, looking up at the limestone cliffs and swimming in the slow-flowing waters “to feel at one with nature”.