Podcast Summary: Strictly Sardinia

Episode: How To Visit La Pelosa Beach
Host: Claudia Tavani
Date: February 26, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Claudia Tavani, a Sardinia local and expert travel blogger, provides a comprehensive and practical guide to visiting La Pelosa Beach—the island’s most famous and picturesque beach. Claudia covers essential details about regulations, how to book your visit, getting there, what to pack, and alternative options if La Pelosa is fully booked. Drawing from firsthand experience, she offers candid advice to help listeners avoid common pitfalls and make the most of their visit.

Key Points & Discussion Breakdown

1. Introduction to La Pelosa Beach

La Pelosa ("Spiaggia La Pelosa") is renowned as the most beautiful and most photographed beach in Sardinia, located at the northwestern tip of the island in Stintino.
The beach is characterized by fine white sand, very shallow, transparent waters, and a stunning scenic setting.
High popularity in recent decades has led to overcrowding and environmental damage, prompting strict regulations to protect the beach.
[00:42] Claudia: “Its conformation makes it a perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day. However, popularity caused considerable damage to this beach in the last couple of decades.”

2. Visitor Restrictions & Booking Process

Since 2018, the number of daily visitors is capped at 1,500 (down from pre-2018 numbers of 4,000+).
Mandatory online reservation for entry between 15 May and 15 October, especially crucial during July and August due to high demand.
Reservations are made through the official portal (available in Italian and English):
- Click ‘prenota’ (book), switch language if needed, select the date, and number of visitors (max 4 per booking, kids under 12 not counted).
- Check real-time availability on the sidebar.
- Complete with names, email (for QR code), and pay €3.50 per adult (kids enter free).
- Print or screenshot the QR code, which must be scanned at entry.
Special reservation system:
- 700 spots per day are available for advanced booking.
- 700 released within 48 hours of the visit (for last-minute bookings).
- No need for a QR code or reservation after 6pm, or between October 15 and May 15. [02:40] Claudia: “You have to save the the QR code and screenshot it just in case you have no connection at the beach. And once you access the beach, a worker will scan your QR code.”

3. Essential Rules at La Pelosa

Straw Mat Rule:
- All visitors must use a straw mat under towels to prevent sand loss. Rangers enforce this and fines are given for non-compliance.
- Mats are available at supermarkets or the info center.
No Smoking:
- The beach is non-smoking except in designated areas.
- Smoking under umbrellas or outside reserved spots results in fines.
No littering:
- Trash cans are available, and fines for abandoned trash are strictly enforced.
No taking sand or shells:
- Prohibited by law across Sardinia, and fines are common for those who try to take natural materials.
No pets:
- Pets are banned between 8am and 8pm.
Rinse your feet:
- Public fountains at exits are provided and must be used before leaving. [06:40] Claudia: “There are rangers that patrol the beach and find anyone that is caught without a straw mat... You cannot collect sand or shell. If you're caught with sand in your luggage... you will get a fine.”

4. Getting There: Transport & Parking

By bus:
- From Stintino, take bus 727 (tickets at local kiosks or via the DropTicket app).
By car:
- 6-minute drive from Stintino, about 1 hour from Alghero.
- Parking is expensive (€2/hr, up to €20/day). Spaces fill up quickly, so arrive early or around lunchtime for turnover.
- Roadside or unpaid parking is strictly controlled and fined. [08:13] Claudia: “La Pelosa parking fee is very expensive... plan to be very early at the beach or go around lunchtime when some people may be leaving.”

5. Packing List & On-the-Beach Advice

Bring: straw mat, shade (no vegetation available), microfiber towel, at least 2L of water per person, lunch/snacks (kiosks on the beach are pricey), small trash bag, and beach toys for kids.
There are food kiosks at the beach but they are expensive. [09:19] Claudia: “At least two liters of water. Trust me, it gets hot here in Sardinia...”

6. Alternatives if La Pelosa is Sold Out

Pelozetta Beach: Smaller, next to La Pelosa, with similar views and no booking needed.
Other Stintino beaches: Saline, Ezzi Mannu, Pazzona.
Beaches near Alghero: Porto Ferro, Lazaretto, Bombarde.
Further afield: Arena Majore della Nurra—one of the most secluded beaches in Sardinia, requiring effort but worth the trip.
Boat tours: Full day tours to Asinara National Park departing from Stintino. [10:10] Claudia: “My top recommendation is Pelozeta beach, which is really next door... Otherwise you can go on a boat tour to Asinara National Park... absolutely stunning.”

7. Fast Facts & Additional Tips

Size: La Pelosa is about 300 meters long and up to 60 meters wide—a small beach, making crowding an issue.
Orientation: Faces Isola Piana and Asinara National Park.
Wind: Exposed to the Mistral wind—great for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing but also a consideration for beachgoers.
Historic Landmark: The Torre della Pelosa, a 1578 Spanish defensive watchtower, is on the northern side and accessible for views (rock shoes recommended).
Tourist Boats: Many sailboat tours stop briefly at La Pelosa.
Fee: €3.50 per adult, children under 12 free.
Accessibility Recommendation: Only visit if you’re staying in the area; not worth a long journey as there are many equally beautiful, less crowded beaches across Sardinia. [12:15] Claudia: “Is La Pelosa the most beautiful beach in Sardinia? Well, you know it definitely is gorgeous, but unless you're staying in the area, I don't recommend going…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On popularity and limitations:
[01:17] “Before limits were placed on the number of visitors, there were days when 4,000 people accessed the beach… now capped at 1,500.” — Claudia
On penalties for ignoring rules:
[07:00] “If you're caught [smoking or with no mat], you will be fined and trust, I have seen that happen in front of my eyes.” — Claudia
On making the most of your visit:
[12:45] “Unless you are staying in the area, so within an hour drive from La Pelosa, do not attempt to go there. There are many, many other incredible beaches in Sardinia…” — Claudia

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:42 – Introduction to La Pelosa, location and features
01:17 – Visitor restrictions, reservations, and new policies
02:40 – Step-by-step booking process
06:36 – Essential beach rules (mat, no smoking, no sand/shells, no pets)
08:13 – Getting there: public transport and parking advice
09:19 – What to pack for your La Pelosa day trip
10:10 – Alternative beaches and activities if reservations are not available
11:52 – Extra beach facts, climate, and water sports
12:45 – Honest advice: Should you go out of your way for La Pelosa?

Conclusion

Claudia offers a thorough, honest, and practical guide for visiting La Pelosa Beach, balancing the beach’s undeniable beauty with the realities of its popularity and necessary regulations. She stresses responsible tourism, respect for local rules, and encourages visitors to consider alternative beaches. Her local perspective makes this episode essential listening—or reading—for anyone planning a Sardinian beach holiday.

For specific booking instructions and more detailed tips, Claudia recommends visiting her blog at Strictly Sardinia.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Now let the sea day I'll be doing. Hello, my name is Claudia. I was born and raised in Sardinia and I still call it home. I am the mastermind behind the Strictly Sardinia Travel Blog and now the Strictly Sardinia Podcast where each week I'll bring you the best Sardinia has to offer and share my most insightful tips that will help you plan and a memorable trip to my wonderful island. In the last episode I taught you about traveling from Cagliari to Alghero. This week I will share with you my tips on visiting La Pelosa beach, the most famous beach in Sardinia. Let me stress that you will find a more detailed version of today's episode on my blog streetlacerdinia.com as always, you will find the link to my blog post in the episode description, so don't forget to read that for more information. Also, let me remind you that if you ever need more help and more tips to plan your trip to Sardinia, you can book a one hour travel consultation with me. The link for that is in the episode description. Now today's topic La Pelosa beach or Spiaggia La Pelosa in Italian. This is one of the most beautiful and most photographed beaches in Sardinia. It's worldwide famous and people, locals and tourists love it. Needless to say, I have been there many times so I know everything you also need to know to plan, visit and have a great time. La Pelosa is located at the northwestern tip of Sardinia in Stintino, which is one of the prettiest coastal towns on the island. It's a small beach that has beautiful fine sand and very shallow, very transparent waters. It's incredibly scenic. Its conformation makes it a perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day. However, popularity caused considerable damage to this beach in the last couple of decades. Its surface has been receding and in an attempt to protect it, local authorities have implemented a set of rules, including having to book a spot at the beach ahead of your visit. But this is just one of the things you need to know before going. So continue listening because I will share everything you need to know to have a fantastic day. Now here's a quick pointers La Pelosa is one of the protected beaches of Sardinia. Since 2018, before limits were placed on the number of visitors, there were days when 4,000 people accessed the beach. The number of visitors that now can access La Pelosa beach is capped at 1500. If you ask me, that's still too many people and it still feels crowded. That means that in order to Access the beach between 5015 May and 15 October. You will have to make reservations and get La Pelosa tickets. The beach gets fully booked in the peak months of July and August. And so if that's when you intend to visit, book well ahead. So how can you book? You first of all have to visit the official booking portal. The website is in Italian and English. You have to click on prenota, which means book, in the top right corner of your desktop. This will open a new page which automatically opens in Italian, but then you can click on the globe symbol on the top right. To switch to English. You have to select the date and the number of visitors. It can be no more than four person per bookings and kids under the year the the age of 12 are not counted. On the left side bar there's a menu where you can see places available. Click on that to see the calendar with exact availability. Spots for unlimited reservations are marked in gray. Spots for reservations within 48 hours are marked in blue. You have to add your name and then confirm. Enter the full names for each adult. Make sure the email is correct because your QR code to access the BE arrives there and then you have to click on Confirm and Pay. Another page again opens up and says Click here to pay. And that's when you insert your credit card number and pay the €350 per person. Remember that kids can get in for free. You have to save the the QR code and screenshot it just in case you have no connection at the beach. And once you access the beach, a worker will scan your QR code. Now remember that only 1,500 visitors are allowed. Of these, 700 can only book within 48 hours of their intended day of visit. So for example, if you want to visit. If you want to visit in two days, you have to book right now. 700 spots are available to book ahead of time. So for example, you can book on 1st of May if you want to visit on the 1st of July. And if you're lucky enough to do to be able to do that, you can book for up to 31 consecutive days. Now, if your date is sold out, you can try the 48 hour tranche at release time or go after 6pm when there's no need to access the beach with a QR code. The website of La Pelosa Beach Reservations only works between May and October when access to the beach is kept. So you cannot make reservations for La Pelosa in April for May or in November for the following year. That's because the beach is free to visit from the 15th of October till the 15th of May. Just remember that. So if you try today to book Lapalosa tickets, the website will not be working.