Cala Luna

Cala Luna is the postcard the whole Gulf of Orosei is selling. A wide crescent of pale sand and fine pebble curves beneath limestone cliffs, a line of dark caves yawns along the back of the beach, and a green ribbon of oleander marks the dry river valley behind. It is one of the most photographed places in Sardinia, and in person it lives up to the picture in a way that few famous beaches manage.

The water is deep, clear and cool, shelving away quickly from the shore, so it rewards confident swimmers and snorkellers more than toddlers learning to paddle. The caves at the back are the signature: cool, shaded and dramatic, they make a natural refuge from the midday sun and the obvious spot to spread a towel when the open sand gets hot.

The honest part is access. No road reaches Cala Luna. Most people come by boat or dinghy from Cala Gonone, a short and scenic crossing, while walkers tackle the demanding coastal path from Cala Fuili, which takes the best part of an hour and a half each way over rock and needs proper shoes, water and an early start. In high summer the boats deliver a steady crowd from late morning, so the beach is busiest in the middle of the day and emptiest at the edges.

Who should skip it: anyone wanting a quick, easy family swim with a sunbed and a car park, since this is a remote cove with deep water and only a seasonal kiosk. Who should go: walkers, swimmers and photographers who want one of the great set pieces of the Mediterranean and are happy to arrive by sea or on foot.

Cala Luna sits on the central east coast in the Gulf of Orosei, between Cala Gonone to the north and Cala Sisine to the south. There is no road, so the two ways in are by water or on foot.

By sea, regular boats and dinghy hires run from Cala Gonone in season, the quickest and easiest option. On foot, the coastal path from Cala Fuili is a serious walk of about an hour and a half each way over rough ground, so wear proper shoes, carry water and start early to beat the heat and the boat crowds.