Spiaggia del Principe, Costa Smeralda: Sardinia Beach Guide
Plan a day at Spiaggia del Principe near Porto Cervo, reached on foot from the car park. What the sand, water, wind and crowds are like, and when to go.
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Spiaggia del Principe earns its reputation from two small coves of fine white sand split by a pink-granite outcrop, set between Romazzino and Capriccioli in the comune of Arzachena. It suits swimmers and snorkellers who do not mind carrying their gear for about ten minutes, and anyone based in Olbia or Porto Cervo looking for a wilder corner of the Costa Smeralda.
The beach is also known as Poltu di Li Cogghj, Gallurese for 'port of the skins', a reminder of its past as a loading point for local leather. There is no road down to the sand: you park, then walk.
Where Spiaggia del Principe is
The beach sits on the Costa Smeralda coast north of Olbia, roughly 29 km from the city and about 9 km from Porto Cervo, in the municipality of Arzachena. It lies between the beaches of Romazzino and Capriccioli, which makes it easy to combine with either on the same day.
The nearest airport is Olbia Costa Smeralda, less than 30 km away, with a covered car-hire terminal at the airport. Picking up a car there is the simplest way to reach this stretch of coast.
Getting there by car
From Porto Cervo, the drive follows the SP59 and then the SP160 towards Romazzino before turning for the beach, a route of about 9.4 km. From Olbia, take the SS 125 Orientale Sarda and then the SP73 and SP94 towards Arzachena before joining the SP160 and Via Romazzino.
Another approach from the south comes after the Cala di Volpe junction, turning right towards Romazzino; after about 1.5 km you park and continue on foot. No bus, ferry or boat service to the beach is documented, so a car is the practical option.
Parking and the footpath
Parking is paid in summer and for the whole season, though the exact charge is not given. Treat the parking as the main cost of the day and arrive early in high season, when the dedicated car park fills.
From the car park, a clear path through Mediterranean scrub leads down to the sand, a walk of roughly 450–500 m that takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on pace. The path is wide enough for umbrellas and gear, but a backpack is easier than a wheeled trolley on the uneven ground.
The sand and the water
The beach is really two small arenili of very fine white sand, separated by a large outcrop of pink granite worn smooth by the wind, with junipers growing around the edges. The setting feels wilder than the groomed resorts nearby.
The water is clear and the bottom rocky in places, which is why snorkelling is one of the best things to do here: bring a mask to see the fish close in. The beach faces south-east, so it catches the sun for most of the day.
Shelter and wind
Because the beach faces south-east, the best conditions come when the wind blows from the west, which leaves the coves more sheltered.
The granite rocks at the centre and sides give some shade and a windbreak, so if you want to sit out of the breeze, aim for the edges of either cove rather than the open middle.
How busy it gets
July and August are the busiest months, and the advice is to be on the sand early in the morning to avoid the crush.
June and September offer a better trade-off: fewer people, so a spot at the front is easier to find, and pleasant temperatures. For a quiet swim, those shoulder months are the sensible choice.
Views and the islands
Offshore you can see the islands of Mortorio and Soffi, part of the La Maddalena archipelago. Soffi has a flat, green profile and is known for natural rock pools nicknamed the Piscine, and peregrine falcons and Audouin's gulls nest there.
Facilities and rules
There is a refreshment point on the beach, but no other facilities such as sunbeds, showers or lifeguards are documented, so plan to bring water, shade and anything else you need. If you would rather trade the walk and wild feel for easier access and more services, the beaches in Alghero on the west coast make a useful comparison.
Rules include no fishing, no removing sand, no single-use plastic and no leaving rubbish. Respect these to keep the beach as it is.
Walking and mountain biking nearby
Less than 2 km away is one of the five entrances to the Pevero Health Trail, a nature route popular with walkers and mountain bikers. For a longer outing, the loop around Monti Zoppu leads to the 'InstaPoint Costa Smeralda' viewpoint over the coast.
Nearby beaches to combine
Romazzino and Capriccioli are the closest alternatives, both a short drive away and useful if the car park at Spiaggia del Principe is full. Further south, Cala Brandinchi near San Teodoro is another white-sand option, though it gets busy in summer.
For more ideas along this coast, the Olbia beaches guide covers the wider stretch from the airport down to San Teodoro.
Practical planning for UK travellers
Fly into Olbia Costa Smeralda and collect a car at the airport terminal, which has a covered car-hire area. From there, Spiaggia del Principe is under 30 km, making it an easy first or last day on the island.
Pack a backpack rather than a trolley for the 10–20 minute walk, and bring cash for the summer parking charge, as the exact fee and payment method are not published. Check with the Comune di Arzachena or the local tourist office for current parking details.
Plan Your Visit
Spiaggia del Principe rewards the short walk with two sheltered coves, clear water and a wilder feel than the nearby resorts. Arrive early in July and August, or choose June or September for more space, and carry your gear in a backpack.
If you have a car, combine the beach with the Pevero Health Trail or the Monti Zoppu viewpoint for a half-day out, and keep Cala Brandinchi or Romazzino as a backup if the car park is full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reach Spiaggia del Principe?
By car: follow the SP59 and SP160 from Porto Cervo, or the SS 125, SP73 and SP94 from Olbia, then park and walk down. There is no bus or boat service documented.
How long is the walk from the car park to the beach?
The path is about 450–500 metres and takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes, depending on pace and how much you are carrying. A backpack is easier than a wheeled trolley.
What is the beach like?
It consists of two small coves of fine white sand divided by a pink-granite rock, with clear water and rocky patches that make it good for snorkelling. It faces south-east, so westerly winds give the most shelter.
When is the best time to visit?
June and September are quieter and still pleasant, while July and August are the busiest months, so arrive early in the morning if you visit then.
Is there a parking fee?
Parking is paid in summer and for the whole season. The exact charge is not published, so check with the Comune di Arzachena or the local tourist office before you go.
Which beaches are nearby?
Romazzino and Capriccioli are the closest alternatives, and Cala Brandinchi near San Teodoro is a longer drive south. All make good backups if the car park at Spiaggia del Principe is full.
Can you snorkel at Spiaggia del Principe?
Yes, snorkelling is one of the most recommended activities here because of the clear water and rocky bottom close to shore. Bring your own mask and fins.
Sources
Beach notes for your next trip
Optional updates when we add or revise beach guides.
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