Vacations in South Sardinia: let's discover the beauties of Pula and Chia

For a beach and nature holiday in Sardinia, the area between Pula and Chia, in the south-west of the island, is ideal for many reasons. It is a paradise of colours, beaches, hidden coves, verdant hills, and Mediterranean scrub. While this is true, it is not only for this reason that we recommend you spend your holidays in this area. Our entire island boasts a lush and wonderful nature.

Here we are just a few kilometres from Cagliari, the island’s largest and liveliest city, and we are in a strategic point to visit many other Sardinian spots that you will hardly forget once you return home. We will tell you all about it in other posts on our blog, in the meantime read why you should spend your holiday in the south of our beautiful island.

What to do between Pula and Chia?

This area is best known for its spectacularly colourful coastline: Su Giudeu, Tuerredda, Cala Cipolla, Porto Campana and the Spiaggia di Nora are just a few of the beaches where you can spend relaxing days immersed in the blue; true natural paradises far from the hustle and bustle of the city where you can also enjoy water sports or take a boat trip.

If you want to enjoy hiking and cycling in addition to the sea life, the Is Cannoneris state forest can offer you the peace you are looking for: it is the largest elm and holm oak forest in Europe, stretching between Pula and Domus De Maria, crossed by many small streams that form natural pools and waterfalls and, in addition to the Sardinian deer, it is home to stags, wild boars, wild cats, foxes, weasels, dormice and birds of prey such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons.

From the highest point of the forest, Punta Sebera (almost 1,000 m), you will enjoy a sweeping view, which on a clear day allows your gaze to embrace the entire Gulf of Cagliari. Still on the subject of nature walks, the route along the ancient Roman road, which connected Nora to the port of Bithia, a location that we now identify with Chia, is definitely worth following: an excursion along the coast, immersed in the scents of the Mediterranean maquis, which can be done either on foot or by mountain bike. To photography enthusiasts we cannot but suggest the scenic stretch between Chia and Teulada and to motorcyclists the hairpin bends of the ‘inner’ road that passes through the hills of Domus de Maria.

Where to stay in Pula and Chia

The town of Pula is about 40 km from Cagliari-Elmas airport, in a fertile plain known for its excellent fruit and vegetable production.

Pula is perfect if you are looking for a relaxing holiday but don’t want to miss out on a bit of city vibrancy.

You can find accommodation within the town or in its immediate vicinity – either in the countryside or near the beaches of Nora, dei Fichi and Su Guventeddu – and you can decide between renting well-equipped flats or individual holiday homes with a garden, which will allow you to enjoy your free time in total privacy and security.

If you prefer even more privacy, you could opt to rent a small villa or a detached house in the lush pine forest of Santa Margherita di Pula, located about 7 km west of Pula and extending along the coast almost as far as Chia. From these houses you can walk to the beautiful beach of Santa Margherita, which takes on various names depending on the stretch of coast (Cala Verde, Perla Marina, Riva dei Pini, Cala Bernardini).

Also in Chia you can choose between villas, cottages and flats a few hundred metres from the beach, or on a hilly area that is still a short distance from the sea.

As you will have understood from this short article, we are not only experts on Sardinia but we are really in love with this area of magnificent beaches and amazing nature. If you need advice and more information, please contact us without obligation. We will be able to help you find what you are looking for to make your holiday in southern Sardinia truly unforgettable!