Strictly Sardinia – Episode Summary

Podcast: Strictly Sardinia
Host: Claudia Tavani
Episode: Villasimius or Costa Rei – which one to pick?
Date: March 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, local Sardinian expert Claudia Tavani dives into a frequent question among Sardinia travelers: should you choose Villasimius or Costa Rei for your holiday base? Drawing on personal experience—her family has a holiday home in Costa Rei and she spends every summer there—Claudia breaks down the unique character, beach options, services, and atmosphere of each destination. She ultimately reassures listeners that thanks to their proximity, you don’t actually have to pick just one.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Proximity & Comparability

• Claudia emphasizes that Villasimius and Costa Rei are only 15 minutes apart by car, making it easy to visit both even if you stay in one.
  • "You don't have to pick... If you base yourself in Costa Rei, you can still visit Villasimius and vice versa." (02:00)

Community & Atmosphere

• Villasimius: An actual small town with a year-round resident population that grows in the summer.
  • "Villasimius is more of an actual small town... there is a permanent resident population year round, which swells a lot during the summer months." (02:30)
• Costa Rei: Primarily a holiday hub with few winter residents and less infrastructure off-season, but fully equipped during the summer.
  • "Costa Rei... is more of a holiday hub... They lack services and they lack the structure of a proper town during the winter months... in the summer months, all services are in place." (03:00)

Accessibility

• Both destinations are easily reached from Cagliari by bus (about two hours) or by car (less than an hour). (04:00)

Beaches (Costa Rei)

• Main Beach: Monte Nai
  • Long stretch of golden sand, transparent waters, fully serviced, accessible for disabled visitors.
  • At the end lies Santa Giusta, a smaller cove famous for Scoglio di Pepino (Pepino’s Rock).
  • "Monte Nai is a long, very sandy, golden sand, fine golden sand beach with incredibly transparent waters..." (05:00)
• Family Suitability
  • Both Monte Nai and Santa Giusta are ideal for families with children due to shallow water and sandy stretches, though exposed to winds at times.
• Other Beaches:
  • Cala di Monte Turno: Smaller, protected cove, kiosk available, free entry except for parking.
    • "Monte Turno... is a nicely protected cove, again, with really fine white golden sand and shallow waters that are super transparent." (07:00)
  • Cala Pira: Beautiful, sheltered, historic Spanish watchtower, limited facilities.
  • Cala Sinzias: Wider, kiosks with restaurants (e.g., Maclas—host’s favorite for meals), deeper but safe waters for families.

Beaches (Villasimius)

• Punta Molentis:
  • Protected, requires advance booking and a small entrance/parking fee. Shallow, white sand, kiosks, toilets, available beach beds.
    • "Not a summer goes by without me making a visit to Punta Molentis... It's just special." (10:00)
• Porto Sa Ruxi:
  • Also protected—advance booking needed, no facilities (plan accordingly), clear water, perfect for snorkeling, scenic rocks.
• Porto Giunco:
  • Most popular, long white sand, Aragonese watchtower, shallow blue water, well-serviced and family-friendly.
• Other Notables: Cala Caterina, Spiaggia del Riso (Rice Beach), Campus, Campus Longu, Simius Beach.

Activities & Boat Tours

• Available in both destinations, with trips departing directly from main beaches or harbor (especially in Villasimius).
  • Boat tours often include snorkeling, stops at Marine Protected Area sites like Serpentara (no landing) and Isola dei Cavoli, famous for clear water and marine life.
  • "In both cases, you have the chance of getting on a boat tour..." (18:30)

Accommodations & Suitability

• Costa Rei:
  • Best for families wanting self-catering holiday homes close to the beach, “forget the stress of daily life.”
  • Limited restaurants, but gems like Chaplin (family favorite—informal trattoria atmosphere) and S’Agradiga e Su Bicci (fancier).
• Villasimius:
  • Broader range of restaurants and shops—livelier, more options, permanent population means more services off-season.
  • Supermarkets, craft markets, lively band and concert scene in summer.

Events & Entertainment

• Costa Rei:
  • Hosts summer festivals like a street food festival, rock bands, live family entertainment.
• Villasimius:
  • Frequent concerts, street bands, nightly craft markets in the streets.

Summary Guidance

• Both are accessible, family-friendly, stunning. You don’t really have to choose; each offers something special and you can easily visit both during your stay.
• "To sum it up, you don't really have to choose between Villasimius or Costa Rei. You can stay in one and drive to the other very easily." (27:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On choosing between the two:

  • "You don't have to pick... If you base yourself in Costa Rei, you can still visit Villasimius and vice versa." – Claudia (02:00)

• On Costa Rei Monte Nai beach:

  • "It's a long, very sandy, golden sand, fine golden sand beach with incredibly transparent waters..." – Claudia (05:00)

• On Punta Molentis:

  • "Not a summer goes by without me making a visit to Punta Molentis... It's just special." – Claudia (10:00)

• On family-friendliness:

  • "Both places are very suitable for families with children. Children can play with sand, they can swim in the water. It usually is a safe place." – Claudia (06:00)

• Summary advice:

  • "You can stay in one and drive to the other very easily. If you are staying in Costa Rei, you can go for dinner in Villasimius very easily and the other way around." – Claudia (28:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – Do you have to pick just one? Proximity explained
• 03:00 – The character of Villasimius vs Costa Rei (resident population, infrastructure)
• 05:00 – Detailed breakdown of Costa Rei’s beaches
• 08:00 – Guide to local eateries (Chaplin, Maclas)
• 10:00 – Highlighting Punta Molentis and the importance of booking
• 13:00 – Porto Sa Ruxi and Porto Giunco in Villasimius
• 16:00 – Boat tour options and protected marine areas
• 19:00 – Recommendations for families and best types of accommodation
• 22:00 – Local dining and lively markets
• 24:00 – Overview of family-friendly events, summer entertainment
• 27:30 – Final summary: Don’t overthink it, enjoy both!

Structure: Costa Rei vs. Villasimius at a Glance

| Feature | Costa Rei | Villasimius | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Community | Holiday hub, mostly summer | Small town, year-round population | | Beach variety | Monte Nai, Monte Turno, Pira, etc. | Punta Molentis, Porto Giunco, others | | Family suitability | Holiday homes, quiet family vibes | More restaurants, markets, entertainment | | Restaurants | Select few; highlights: Chaplin | Broader selection, more varied cuisine | | Liveliness (summer) | Family events, some festivals | Craft markets, concerts, bands daily | | Accessibility | 1 hour from Cagliari, bus/car | Same |

Bottom Line:
Claudia’s local expertise paints a clear picture: whether you seek a peaceful family retreat, lively summer nights, or the flexibility to explore both, there’s no need to stress about choosing between Villasimius and Costa Rei. Enjoy the best of both with easy proximity and world-class beaches either way.