Cala Goloritzé
A protected national monument on Sardinia's wild east coast, Goloritzé is reached by a ninety-minute walk down a limestone gorge or by boat from Cala Gonone.
- Best forWalkers & hikers · Beach lovers · Photographers
- In July29°C · barely any rain · sea 27°C
- Ideal stayA day trip from Cala Gonone
- Approx. flying time~12h 40m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageItalian
- Local time15:091h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / F / LBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+39
Why go
A small beach of white pebbles at the foot of a limestone gorge on the Golfo di Orosei, with a rock pinnacle rising beside it and water shading from clear to deep blue within a few metres of the shore. There is no road, no bar and no shade to speak of. The beach is reached on foot from Su Porteddu; boats may view it from offshore but cannot land visitors on the sand.
Most people come as a day trip from Cala Gonone, Baunei or Santa Maria Navarrese, and it works best in June or September when the heat is manageable and numbers are lower. Daily visitor caps apply in season and must be booked in advance. Anyone wanting sunbeds, food or straightforward access should choose one of Sardinia's serviced beaches instead.
- Ideal stay
- A day trip from Cala Gonone
- The vibe
- Bright, austere, hard-won
From our guides
The reward is a small beach of white pebbles, an impossibly blue sea and a needle of rock beloved by climbers. Visitor numbers are capped in high season, which keeps it blissfully calm. Bring water and decent shoes — this one is earned.
Featured in Ten European beaches for your next summer escape
Things to do
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The walk down from Su Porteddu
About an hour and a half each way on a rocky path through the Bacu Goloritzé gorge, steep in places and almost entirely unshaded.
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The Aguglia pinnacle
A limestone needle of around 140 metres standing beside the beach, a well known climbing route and the landmark in every photograph of the cove.
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The natural arch
A rock arch at the northern end of the beach, easy to swim out to and around in calm conditions and the best snorkelling spot here.
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Snorkelling off the pebbles
The seabed drops away quickly into very clear water. Bring a mask with you, because there is nowhere on site to hire one.
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Boats from Cala Gonone
Boat trips view Goloritzé from offshore and may visit other coves. Boats cannot land on Goloritzé beach; reach it on foot and check the current access reservation arrangements.
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The Supramonte above
Limestone uplands behind the coast, crossed by the Selvaggio Blu trekking route and a series of gorge walks for stronger hikers.
Getting there
-
Fly to
Olbia (OLB)
Nearest airport to Cala Goloritzé, about 89km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Cala Gonone
About two hours by car from Olbia (OLB), south on the SS131 DCN and then east over the mountains to Dorgali and Cala Gonone.
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On the ground
Getting around
There is no road to the beach. Either walk the ninety minutes down the limestone gorge from the Su Porteddu car park above Baunei, or take a boat from Cala Gonone or Santa Maria Navarrese in season. Numbers are capped in summer, so book ahead.
Public transport: Buses reach Dorgali, Cala Gonone and Baunei, but nothing serves the trailhead on the plateau.
Flights
Los Angeles Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia, Italy
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Roughly 12h 40m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 14°C in January to 29°C in July. Driest in July; wettest in November, with rain on about 12 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 28°C, coolest at 15°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
July29° · rain 1 day · sea 27°Warm and dry.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — May to August. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Small hotels, B&Bs and agriturismi, plus apartments and a few coastal campsites and holiday villages. No large luxury resorts on this stretch, which is much of its appeal.
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Best base overall
Cala Gonone
The boat harbour for the Golfo di Orosei beaches, with hotels, restaurants and a road down from Dorgali. Everything here revolves around the boats, so the town is very quiet outside summer.
Find stays in Cala Gonone -
Closest to the sights
Baunei and Santa Maria Navarrese
The nearest villages to the Goloritze trailhead on the Golgo plateau, which matters if you want to walk in early before the heat. Accommodation is limited and mostly small guesthouses.
Find stays in Baunei and Santa Maria Navarrese -
Best value
Dorgali
Inland above Cala Gonone, with cheaper rooms, real Sardinian restaurants and no beach premium. You drive the winding road down to the coast every day.
Find stays in Dorgali -
Best with children
Orosei and Cala Liberotto
Long sandy beaches with shallow water and family hotels, half an hour north of the boat harbour. The dramatic cove scenery is a day trip rather than the view from your room.
Find stays in Orosei and Cala Liberotto
Worth knowing before you book: Access to Goloritze is capped daily and must be booked online in season, separately from the boat. August in Sardinia fills months ahead with week-long minimum stays.
Search everything else in Cala Gonone by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Book ahead
- Entry numbers are capped daily in season and must be reserved in advance. This applies to walkers and to boat passengers alike.
- Pack this
- Water, food, sun protection and proper shoes. There are no facilities of any kind at the beach or on the path.
- Timing
- Boats deliver the crowds around the middle of the day. Walkers who set off early get the cove at its quietest.
- Swimming
- There are no lifeguards and the shelf drops away quickly. It is fine for confident swimmers in calm conditions.
- Sea state
- Boat services are cancelled in wind and swell, sometimes at short notice. Have an alternative plan for the day.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Cala Mariolu
Sardinia, Italy · 2km away →
South Sardinia
Italy · 56km away →
La Pelosa
Sardinia, Italy · 157km away →
Palombaggia
Corsica, France · 164km away →
Soaking the Cascate del Mulino
Saturnia, Italy · 322km away →
Ischia
Italy · 367km away →Elsewhere in Italy
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Cala Goloritzé?
For warm, mostly dry days, May to August. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 14°C in January to 29°C in July. Driest in July; wettest in November, with rain on about 12 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 28°C, coolest at 15°C.
How long should I spend in Cala Goloritzé?
Our suggestion: a day trip from Cala Gonone.
How do I get to Cala Goloritzé?
About two hours by car from Olbia (OLB), south on the SS131 DCN and then east over the mountains to Dorgali and Cala Gonone.
Do I need a car in Cala Goloritzé?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. Buses reach Dorgali, Cala Gonone and Baunei, but nothing serves the trailhead on the plateau.
What currency and language are used in Cala Goloritzé?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Italian. Plugs: type C and F and L.
Who is Cala Goloritzé best for?
Best for walkers & hikers, beach lovers and photographers. In a phrase: bright, austere, hard-won.