Villasimius and Costa Rei sit on Sardinia's southeast tip, where white-sand beaches stretch for kilometres alongside some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. This is Sardinia's beach heartland: low-key compared to the Costa Smeralda, but with a quality of coastline that rivals anything on the island.
Located in Sardinia
The southeast corner of Sardinia is where the island shows its most purely coastal self. Villasimius anchors the area with its small town grid and a marine protected area that keeps the water exceptional, while Costa Rei stretches north along a near-continuous ribbon of white sand. Together they form one of Sardinia's most rewarding beach destinations, without the price tag or the pomp of the northeast.
Villasimius and Costa Rei occupy the southeastern corner of Sardinia, south and east of Cagliari. The zone runs roughly from Capo Boi and Capo Carbonara in the south up to the rocky headland of Capo Ferrato in the north, encompassing around 30 kilometres of coastline. Administratively, Villasimius sits within the Sud Sardegna province, and Costa Rei falls within the Sarrabus-Gerrei territory, centred on the small settlement of Monte Nai. For more context on how this area fits into the broader island, see our guide to Cagliari and its surrounds.
Villasimius is the area's main town, with a proper centre: a church square, a handful of streets with shops and restaurants, a tourist office, and a supermarket. It sits about 50 kilometres southeast of Cagliari by road, roughly an hour's drive depending on traffic. Costa Rei lies further north along the coast, approximately 20 kilometres from Villasimius. Its central node is Monte Nai, which is less a town and more an organised resort strip with rental villas, apartment complexes, and a few bar-restaurants strung along Via C. Colombo near the beach.
The two areas are connected by the SS125 and a network of coastal roads, but they are not walkable between each other. Anyone basing themselves here without a car will feel the limitations quickly. The Sarrabus region between them is sparsely populated hinterland: scrubby macchia, granite outcrops, and almost no services. That emptiness is part of the appeal, but it underscores how dependent this coast is on private transport.
ℹ️ Good to know
Capo Carbonara and its offshore islands (Isola dei Cavoli and Isola di Serpentara) are protected within the Area Marina Protetta Capo Carbonara, a marine reserve divided into zones with different levels of protection. Boaters, divers, and snorkellers must follow specific rules about speed, anchoring, and diving locations. Zone A is restricted to researchers and staff only.
In the morning, Villasimius feels like a small Sardinian town that happens to be surrounded by extraordinary beaches. The streets around the main piazza are quiet before nine. A few bars open early for espresso. A bakery or two puts out trays of cornetti. There are dogs asleep in doorways. The heat builds slowly, and by ten the procession towards the coast has begun, cars loaded with umbrellas and cool bags heading for the car parks at Spiaggia del Riso, Simius, or the Notteri sandspit.
The Notteri area is unusual even by Sardinian standards. A long, narrow sandbar separates the open sea from an inner lagoon, and in the right season, pink flamingos wade in the shallower water behind. The combination of the open beach on one side and the lagoon on the other gives the area a different quality of light, especially in the late afternoon when the sun starts to angle across the water. For beach comparisons across the island, it's worth reading our roundup of the best beaches in Sardinia before deciding where to base yourself.
Costa Rei has a different rhythm. It is essentially a resort corridor without a real village centre, and in peak season the beach is the social space. From July to mid-August, the 10 kilometres of white sand between Capo Ferrato and the southern end of the beach fill steadily. The water is shallow for a long way out and the sand is fine and pale. Families dominate. The bars on the beachfront do a steady trade in granita and Aperol spritzes as the afternoon light turns gold. By evening, the beach is almost empty, and the action shifts to the restaurant strips and rental villa terraces.
Outside of peak season, the character changes noticeably. In May, June, and September, both areas are peaceful. The water is still warm enough to swim, the beaches are uncrowded, and prices are considerably lower. Many facilities at Costa Rei only operate from June to September, so visiting in early May means some beach bars and rental equipment operators will be closed or not yet set up. Villasimius, with its permanent resident population and year-round services, is more reliable outside peak season.
The coastline itself is the main draw. Spiaggia di Villasimius and the Notteri lagoon area rank among the most photographed spots on the island's southern coast. Spiaggia del Simius, immediately south of the town, offers calm, clear water and easy access, while the more exposed beaches to the north of town, like Spiaggia della Fortezza and Campus, draw those looking for slightly less crowded options.
The Porto Giunco beach at Villasimius is one of the area's standouts: a double-curved bay sheltered by headlands with a shallow turquoise entry that deepens gradually. The sandbar between the sea and the Notteri lagoon runs alongside it, making the walk between the two a visual experience in itself.
For those interested in extending their time in the southeast, the archaeological site at Nora lies on the opposite side of Cagliari on the southwest coast, about 90 minutes' drive away, and is worth combining with a wider regional loop. Day trips from the Villasimius area toward the Ogliastra coast to the north are also possible, though the road via the SS125 through Muravera is scenic but slow.
💡 Local tip
Boat trips from Villasimius harbour are the best way to access the most protected coves around Capo Carbonara and to reach the offshore islands. Book in advance during July and August, when places sell out early in the day. Several operators offer half-day and full-day excursions; the tourist office in Villasimius can advise on current licensed operators.
Villasimius has the most diverse food scene in the area, with a range of restaurants from simple pizzerias to seafood-focused trattorias and a few places aiming at a slightly more refined clientele. The streets around the main piazza and leading towards the port area concentrate most of the options. In summer, competition is healthy and quality generally holds up, though prices are higher than you would pay for equivalent food in Cagliari.
Sardinian seafood is the natural choice here: fresh-caught sea bream, sea bass, and mullet prepared simply, bottarga (pressed and dried mullet roe) shaved over pasta, and fregola cooked with clams in a tomato and white wine broth. These are not tourist inventions but standard local preparations that appear in most restaurants. For a fuller picture of what to eat and drink across the island, the Sardinia food guide covers the regional pantry in detail.
Costa Rei's dining is more limited and more seasonal. The strip of restaurants and bar-restaurants along and near Via C. Colombo at Monte Nai operates mainly from June to September. Most serve straightforward Italian beach resort food: pasta, grilled fish, pizza in the evenings, and generous aperitivo spreads. Standards vary more than in Villasimius. The better strategy is to self-cater for lunches using the supermarket in Villasimius and save restaurant eating for dinners.
Wine drinkers should look for Cannonau (the local Grenache) and Vermentino di Sardegna on restaurant lists. Both are produced across the island and pair well with grilled fish and seafood pasta respectively. The Sardinia wine guide explains the regional designations and what to look for on a label.
The nearest major airport is Cagliari Elmas Airport (IATA: CAG), located about 7 kilometres northwest of Cagliari city centre. From the airport to Villasimius, the drive is roughly 55 kilometres, following the SS554 ring road east before joining the SS125 southeast toward Villasimius. The journey takes between 55 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy on summer weekends and Friday afternoons.
A rental car is the most practical option for anyone staying in this area. The coastal roads between Villasimius, the various beaches, and Costa Rei are not served by frequent public transport, and the distances are too large to cover comfortably without a vehicle. Car hire is available at Cagliari airport from all major operators; booking in advance is strongly advisable in July and August. Roads in the area are mostly in good condition but can be narrow and winding in the Sarrabus hills, and some beach access tracks are unpaved.
ARST regional buses connect Cagliari with Villasimius on a limited schedule, and there are services toward Muravera and Costa Rei, but frequencies are low and services reduce further outside summer. The ARST website lists current timetables, which should be verified before travel as seasonal schedules change. For a broader overview of getting around the island, see the guide to getting around Sardinia.
From Cagliari to Costa Rei, the most direct road route goes via the SS130, joins the SS554, then follows the SS125 direction Muravera before turning toward Castiadas and the Monte Nai junction for Costa Rei. Total distance is around 80 kilometres from Cagliari, taking approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes by car. Within the Costa Rei area itself, a bike or scooter is sufficient for moving between beach access points along the main coastal strip.
⚠️ What to skip
There is no motorway network in Sardinia. Journey times on the SS125 can stretch significantly in peak season, particularly on Saturday turnover days when rental villas change hands. If you are arriving by car on a Saturday in August, allow extra time. Fuel stations become sparse south of Cagliari and are limited in the Sarrabus zone between Villasimius and Costa Rei, so fill up before leaving the city.
Villasimius town is the better base for those who want a mix of beach access and some local life. There are hotels, B&Bs, and apartment rentals within walking distance of the centre, and having a proper town nearby makes evenings more varied. It also means you are not wholly dependent on a single beach. Costa Rei suits those who want a pure beach holiday with a rented villa or apartment, direct beach access, and no real need to go anywhere. For a wider look at accommodation options across the island and how to decide where to base yourself, the where to stay in Sardinia guide is a useful starting point.
The Costa Rei accommodation market is dominated by villa and apartment rentals rather than hotels. Weekly rentals are standard, and the market is strongly seasonal: prices from late June to mid-August are significantly higher than shoulder months, and many properties do not offer short stays during peak weeks. Booking three to six months ahead is not excessive for the best properties in this window.
For families, Costa Rei's shallow, calm water and the low-key resort environment work well. The area is very child-friendly, with minimal road traffic near the beach areas and plenty of space on the sand. Villasimius is also suitable for families and has slightly more infrastructure. For more on travelling Sardinia with children, the guide to Sardinia with kids covers the practicalities.
Couples looking for a quieter, more relaxed version of Sardinia's coastal appeal will find the shoulder season (May to early June, or September to mid-October) well suited to this area. The beaches are uncrowded, the water is warm enough to swim, and prices drop substantially. For honeymoon or romantic travel ideas across the island, the Sardinia honeymoon guide provides additional context.
The southeast coast of Sardinia has a classic Mediterranean climate: dry, hot summers from June to September, mild and occasionally wet winters, and reliable shoulder seasons on either side. The sea temperature allows comfortable swimming from May to October. For a detailed breakdown of seasonal conditions across the island, the Sardinia weather guide and the monthly guides for May and September provide specific advice.
July and August bring peak crowds, peak prices, and guaranteed sun. The beaches at both Villasimius and Costa Rei fill up significantly, particularly at weekends when visitors from Cagliari arrive in numbers. This is when the coast is at its most lively but also its most congested: parking at popular beach access points can be extremely competitive, and restaurant queues without reservations are common.
The most balanced time to visit is June or September, when sea temperatures are still high, tourist density is manageable, and the full range of services is operational. Early October remains possible for beach visits in good years, and the hinterland is particularly pleasant for walks and drives through the Sarrabus hills when the summer heat has lifted. November through April is quiet to the point of emptiness; many Costa Rei facilities close entirely, and Villasimius reverts to a small town with limited visitor services.
💡 Local tip
If you are visiting in summer and want to avoid the worst beach parking scrambles, arrive at the beach before 9am or after 5pm. Many beaches on this coast are at their best in the early morning anyway, when the light is low and the water surface is still calm. Evening swims, after the crowds have gone, are one of the area's underrated pleasures.
Sardinia is part of Italy and therefore the eurozone. Currency is the euro (EUR). The emergency number is 112, as across the EU. Italian tap water is generally potable, though it is worth checking local notices in smaller resort areas. Tipping is not mandatory in Italian restaurants; a small amount left at your discretion is appreciated but not expected. If visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees should be covered, though there are few churches of significance within the immediate resort zone.
Italian electrical sockets use Type C, F, and L plugs at 230V/50Hz. Standard EU or Italian travel adapters cover the main plug types. Sardinia follows Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving, in line with mainland Italy. Citizens of EU and EEA countries can enter with a national ID card; most non-EU visitors from countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan can enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period under Schengen rules. Visa requirements should be verified with official EU or Italian government sources before travel, as they are subject to change.
Porto Giunco is approximately 2 kilometres of fine white sand on Sardinia's southeast tip, framed by a flamingo lagoon on one side and the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area on the other. It combines exceptional natural scenery with easy access from Cagliari, making it one of the most rewarding beach days in the south of the island.
Discover
Spiaggia di Costa Rei is a sweeping arc of fine white sand along Sardinia's southeastern coast, running roughly 8 to 10 kilometres through the locality of Costa Rei, a seaside fraction of the municipality of Muravera. The water is shallow, clear, and calm, making it one of the most family-accessible beaches on the island. Unlike the heavily marketed northern coasts, this stretch rewards visitors who make the hour-long drive from Cagliari with space, quiet, and impressive scenery.
Discover
Spiaggia di Simius (Simius Beach) sits just southeast of Villasimius in Sardinia's sun-drenched southeast corner, stretching more than a kilometre of fine white sand along shallow turquoise water. Free to access and open year-round, it rewards visitors who plan around the crowds with some of the clearest Mediterranean swimming on the island.
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Punta Molentis is a compact, semi-wild beach inside the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area near Villasimius. Surrounded by juniper scrub and the ruins of an old granite quarry, it draws visitors who want clear water without the resort infrastructure. The catch: access is limited by a daily cap, parking can be booked in advance, and the last stretch is on foot along a dirt path.
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