San Teodoro Sardinia: Top Beaches, Boat Tours and Travel Tips

If you’re planning your trip to Sardinia and want to explore paradise-like beaches with that otherworldly blue sea, San Teodoro must be on your itinerary! This charming little town in the northeast of the island is a true haven for those who love nature, tranquility, and good food. In this post, we’ve prepared a complete guide to San Teodoro: from the best beaches to restaurants, how to get there, where to stay, and essential tips for a perfect trip! Everything explained just the way we like it: practical, easy, and well-organized!🤩

Where is San Teodoro

San Teodoro is located on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, in the famous Gallura region, about 30 km south of Olbia. This means that if you arrive at Olbia airport—the closest one—you’ll reach this paradise in less than 30 minutes!

This region is also an excellent base for exploring the Emerald Coast and other stunning beaches nearby.

Why San Teodoro Attracts So Many Tourists

San Teodoro is known for bringing together some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, with that turquoise-blue sea typical of Sardinia, white sand, and incredible landscapes. But that’s not all: the town center is super charming, with a good tourist infrastructure, plenty of restaurants, small shops, street markets, and a laid-back vibe that wins over every visitor. It’s perfect for families or even for solo travelers.

San Teodoro’s Best Beaches and Islands

In addition to its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear sea, San Teodoro is also a departure point for visiting incredible islands with preserved nature and surreal landscapes. Here are the places we think are unmissable:

Cala Brandinchi Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, also known as the “Sardinian Tahiti.” The sea is so blue and calm that it feels like a pool, which is why it’s one of the most famous beaches in Sardinia and absolutely unmissable! It’s located about 10 km from San Teodoro’s center.

🅿️ Paid parking, very crowded in summer (€2.50/hour).

🍴 Good facilities: bars, sunbed and umbrella rentals.

📆 Mandatory booking during high season. You can book on the San Teodoro Spiagge website for €2 per person. Reservations open 48h in advance and spots are limited, so book early!

Lu Impostu Beach

Located right next to Cala Brandinchi, this beach has calm waters surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation. Less crowded than Brandinchi, but just as beautiful.

🅿️ Paid parking, also very busy in summer (€2.50/hour).

🍴 Good facilities: paid parking and a few kiosks.

📆 Mandatory booking during high season. Reservations also via San Teodoro Spiagge, €2 per person, opening 48h in advance. Spots are limited, so plan ahead!

La Marina di Puntaldìa Beach

This beach is a hidden gem in San Teodoro. Its calm, turquoise waters are perfect for relaxing. Surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, it’s a quieter option but equally stunning and charming. We liked this beach because it doesn’t require booking like Cala Brandinchi or Lu Impostu, and it’s not as crowded as La Cinta.

🅿️ Paid parking, limited in summer (€2.50/hour).

🍴 Good facilities: parking, nearby kiosks, sunbed and umbrella rentals.

📆 No booking required.

La Cinta Beach

This beach is super close to San Teodoro’s center—you can even walk there! It’s the most famous beach in town, with a long strip of sand, shallow crystal-clear water, and plenty of facilities, making it perfect for families with kids. However, because it’s so accessible, it often gets very crowded, especially in summer. When we visited, it was packed, so we only stayed a little and then searched for a quieter spot.

🅿️ Paid parking, around €1.50–€2/hour.

🍴 Good facilities: bars, umbrella rentals, kite surf schools, showers, and bathrooms.

📆 No booking required.

Tavolara Island

One of the most impressive postcards in Sardinia. Tavolara is a giant mountain rising from the sea and part of a protected marine area. Perfect for hiking, diving, and snorkeling. This is the island you see in the background of most beaches in San Teodoro.

To reach the island, you need a boat. We took the San Teodoro Boat Tour: Grand Circuit of the Tavolara Archipelago, which included a stop here. It was totally worth it — we visited several stunning spots and the operator’s service was excellent. We recommend it.

🚤 Boat access only. The full tour lasted almost 6 hours and includes several stops.

🍴 Facilities: There is a small restaurant and bar, but it’s best to bring water and snacks.

📆 No booking required.

Molara Island

Located next to Tavolara, Molara is also accessed by boat. Although it is a private island and boats cannot dock like in Tavolara, the surrounding waters are open to the public and offer a spectacular setting for snorkeling. The “natural pools of Molara” have a surreal blue color. Our boat stopped nearby so we could swim and take photos.

🚤 Boat access only — you cannot disembark on the island.

Capo Coda Cavallo Beach

Stunning views of Tavolara and Molara, crystal-clear sea, and great for snorkeling. Located about 10 km from the center.

🅿️ Paid parking, around €1.50–€2 per hour.

🍴 Facilities: Beach bar, sunbed and umbrella rentals, and water sports gear.

📆 No booking required.

Isuledda Beach

Less famous but gorgeous. A great choice if you want to escape the crowds. It sits south of San Teodoro’s center.

🅿️ Free parking.

🍴 Facilities: Simple, with a beach bar.

📆 No booking required.

Boat Tour in San Teodoro

This San Teodoro boat tour is simply unmissable. Getting close to the islands, seeing the vast Tavolara archipelago, and swimming in spots with water so clear it looks unreal is incredible. We also passed some impressive cliffs, just amazing!

We chose the San Teodoro Boat Tour: Grand Circuit of the Tavolara Archipelago.

The price was €75 per person for a 6-hour tour. The guide spoke Italian, English, and Spanish.

Here’s the route:

• Brandinchi Beach: Photo stop, guided visit, free time (40 minutes)
• Isola di Proratora: Photo stop, visit, guided tour (15 minutes)
• Molara Island: Photo stop, guided tour, free time, swim stop, snorkeling (45 minutes)
• Tavolara Island: Break, visit, lunch, free time, short hike, swim stop (1.5 hours)
• Cala Girgolu: Photo stop, visit, guided tour, free time, swim stop, snorkeling (40 minutes)

We brought a cooler with snacks, water, and beer. It was a very pleasant day, and we believe the experience is well worth the price.

When to Visit San Teodoro

The best time to visit is between June and September, when the weather is warmer and the sea is perfect. July and August are the busiest months. For a quieter experience, choose June or September. We visited in June — it was great, though already quite hot. July and August are tougher due to the heat and crowds.

How to Get to San Teodoro

By plane:

The best options are flights from Milan or Rome. The nearest airport is Olbia (OLB) with direct flights from major Italian cities and other European hubs.

By ferry:

Ferries depart from Civitavecchia (near Rome), Livorno, and Genoa to Olbia. Main companies include Moby Lines, Tirrenia, and Grimaldi Lines. Boarding with a car is possible, which helps a lot for beach access and is convenient if you have lots of luggage, since low-cost airlines often charge high baggage fees. Note that the ferry can take 7–12 hours depending on departure port. Book in advance, especially in summer.

By bus:

There are lines connecting Olbia to the main beaches, but frequencies are limited.

By car:

Renting a car is the best option in Sardinia. It gives you freedom to explore, the roads are good, and the scenery is beautiful.

The distance from Olbia Airport to San Teodoro is 28 km and takes about 22 minutes.

We flew from Milan to Olbia and rented a car at the airport with DiscoverCars. If you plan to rent, we recommend this site we use in Italy — you can compare prices and read company reviews.

🚗 Link: DiscoverCars

Valuable tips for drivers Driving in Italy: Essential Tips for Car Rental, Tolls, Parking, and ZTL Zones and How to Rent a Car in Italy: Complete Guide for Travelers

Where to Stay in San Teodoro

San Teodoro has options for every style and budget — from sea-view resorts to cozy B&Bs and downtown apartments. A few good picks:

Hotel Il Viandante: Right in the center, great value for money.

Residence Liscia Eldi: Ideal for families or anyone needing extra space.

Resort Grande Baia: Upscale, with stunning sea views.

More options: Top-rated hotels

We stayed downtown and found it super convenient. The center is lively, especially late afternoon and evening, with a craft market, clothing and souvenir shops, and buzzing bars, plus lots of great restaurants. In summer, the vibe is energetic but still family-friendly. Staying central lets you walk to dinner — parking can be tricky at night.

Where to Eat and What to Try

Restaurants in San Teodoro

You’ll eat very well in San Teodoro. Our suggestions:

Agriturismo Li Mori: Authentic experience with homemade dishes and local ingredients.

Ristorante Le Terrazze: Italian cuisine and seafood.

SOS Ammentos Ristorante Pizzeria: Pizzeria.

Rankings: San Teodoro Restaurants and San Teodoro Gelaterias

Typical dishes to try

Fregola with seafood: A semolina pasta typical of Sardinia.

Porceddu: Traditional roasted suckling pig.

Gnocchi alla Sarda: Gnocchi with small sausage meatballs and fennel seeds.

Culurgiones: Ravioli-style pasta stuffed with potato and mint.

Seadas: Fried pastry filled with cheese and drizzled with honey — surprisingly delicious.

Other Useful Tips

Always bring a sun umbrella, sunscreen, water, and snacks, especially for boat days or beaches with limited facilities.

Watch the beach booking rules and book 48 hours in advance. Generate your QR code on the website and show it at check-in to receive a wristband.

Wear comfortable shoes for trails and more remote beaches.

Parking payment: You can pay with coins or use the EasyPark app to pay via PayPal or card. We recommend the app — it’s widely used in Sardinia, lets you add time remotely, and helps you avoid queues. We used it at almost every beach.

Our Final Thoughts

San Teodoro wins you over right away. With paradise-like beaches, a lively town center, and a welcoming vibe, it’s perfect for those who want beauty, convenience, and a relaxed pace. If you’re building your Sardinia itinerary, you can count on it — San Teodoro will be a highlight of your trip. And with this guide in hand, your experience will be even better.

Buon viaggio! ✈️🧳🏖️🩵

Also check out these posts to plan your trip to Sardinia, in Italy:

La Maddalena Sardinia: Best Beaches & Travel Guide

Costa Smeralda Sardinia: Best Beaches, Travel Tips & Where to Stay

Costa di Baunei Sardinia: The Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy

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