Are you looking for information for family holidays in South Sardinia? Sardinia is a stress-free destination, perfect for families because of its wide sand beaches, with the swallow water, its beautiful nature, its delicious and healthy food. My partner is from Sardinia, and as a local, we know where are the best locations and beaches around Cagliari.
Today we bring you on the coast between Pula and Chia, where we spent our holidays.
Table of contents
FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN CALA VERDE
We rented a flat in Santa Margherita di Pula, in a private resort halfway between Pula and Chia, about an hour’s drive from Cagliari.
We are a family with two small children and we generally look for locations surrounded by nature and sea close by.
We couldn’t make a better choice. Cala Verde, is a private and very quiet resort with a gate and a guardian, immersed in a pine forest, directly on the sea, with also a swimming pool.
Access to the sea from the resort – Cala Verde
The pine forest in which the resort is located, is full of ancient trees, and other typical Mediterranean vegetation, such as verbena, aloe and myrtle.
Cala Verde resort
Between June and July, the myrtle blooms and its flowers are small and white in color. At the end of the bloomin, it produces some precious dark blue berries from which the famous Sardinian liqueur is produced, the myrtle!
Myrtle in Bloom
Lantana
Aloe Plant
During the night we were pleasantly surrounded by the dormouse sound and children were really fascinated by!
Green Tunnel to access the beach
This is the sea view from the direct access of Cala Verde resort.
Cala Verde beach
The beach is wide, sandy, quiet and with a small kiosk for a snack, an ice cream, a cold drink. Even during the weekend is not crowded, as it’s not easy to reach this beach.
The sea degrades gently and it is perfect for small children.
The resort has also a lovely playground, where the children wanted to go every evening.
Just outside the resort, there is also a well stocked supermarket with everything you need, from food, to sea toys, bakery and magazines. We never took the car actually, except when we decided to make some excursions to other beaches around or to go to the nearby town of Pula.
Cala Verde is in fact halfway between Pula and Chia.
PULA
Pula is a charming town that is 20 miles far from Cagliari. We strolled around its narrow streets, and we were fascinated by its distinctive architecture and its beautiful Campidanensi houses, typical of Sardinia.
Pula
Strolling in Pula
In Pula there is also one of the most important archaeological sites of Sardinia: the Park of Nora at Capo Pula. You can see the ruins of the first Phoenician city of Sardinia (VIII century B.C.), and then Roman town in A.D. I.
Close to the archaeological site, there is also a beautiful beach, where you can have a break at the end the day.
Nora Beach
Nora beach
Near Nora, there is also Su Guventeddu beach, appreciated by kite and wind surfers even in the winter months.
CHIA
Chia is a tourist destination five minutes drive from Cala Verde, and ca. 70 minutes drive far from Cagliari (it depends on the traffic because the road has only one lane from Pula onwards).
Last year we spent the holidays here in Chia where there plenty of beautiful wild and wide beaches.
The two most famous and beautiful beaches are called Su Giuddeu and Tuerredda.
Tuerredda-Chia
Both the beaches are unfortunately quite crowded during the high season. Best time is the beginning of June and September, if possible.
There is the chance to join a tour by inflatable boat to visit less crowded beaches and coves accessible only by sea.
I also recommend taking a trip to see Lake Lamarmora, one of the largest salt lakes in Europe where you can see the 2 meter high stalagmite called Acquasantiera.
HOW TO ARRIVE TO SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA
The closest airport is Cagliari, that is well connected to the most important European cities thanks to the Elmas – airport. A shuttle bus connects the airport to the city center in Piazza Matteotti, situated between the port and the train station. Moreover, also taxis and rent-a-car services connect the airport to downtown.
If you prefer to arrive by boat, you can get to Cagliari from the following ports with Tirrenia.
- Naples
- Sicily: Palermo, Trapani
- Rome: Civitavecchia
You can get to Cagliari from the rest of Sardinia by train with FS Trenitalia.
The bus company ARST connects Cagliari with all of Sardinia.
Related:
PULA AND CHIA: WHERE TO EAT
And now, some advice for the evening outings and dinners.
Su Incontru in Pula is a pizzeria, with a fast service and very good pizza. The pizzeria is located in the pedestrian square of Pula, quiet and relaxing.
Address: SU Incontru – Piazza del Popolo, 63, 09010 Pula
In chia I highly recommend the Mirage, a very good restaurant with fresh fish plates. Bookings required. If you come, you must try the fried Orziadas, the best of Cagliari cuisine.
Address: The MIRAGE-Viale Chia, 10, 09010 Domus De Maria
In Chia there are also local producers where you can buy fruit and vegetables. If you go around there, you should definitely try the figs, the best thing I’ve ever eaten!!!
Chia figs
If you want more information about this accommodation in Cala Verde, write me in pvt to mumwhatelse [at] gmail [dot] com
See you soon!
Francesca
PIN IT, if you want to save it for later:
2 comments
Mare bellissimo a tratti natura incontaminata . Ci sto facendo un pensierino per questa estate . Poi anche posti da visitare assolutamente come piace alla nostra famiglia MARE e Posti da scoprire
Grazie, credo sia davvero uno dei punti di forza di questo tratto di costa, il mare ma anche la natura incontaminata… Fammi sapere se ci andrai in vacanza :)