Spots in Chia

Much like Villasimius, the highlights in Chia are the beaches. As explained in the introduction, there is not even a town center here in the Chia area. That said, each of these beaches that I will recommend have unique qualities. We had three beach days to spend in this area, and I am happy that we experienced a different beach each day. I would go back to any and all of them in a heartbeat. Chia felt even more ‘rural’ or natural, undeveloped than Villasimius. Still, all of the beaches are ‘equipped’ as they say, with the opportunity to rent umbrellas and buy water and snacks. Some have a proper restaurant, and I will explain the specifics of each beach in the following descriptions.

Tuerredda

Tuerredda beach in the Chia area

Lunch break at Tuerredda, Poseidon Beach Club

I had the name Tuerredda pop up in my research multiple times before arriving in Sardinia. However, when we were having a drink at a little bar in Villasimius, we struck up a conversation with the waiter and told him that we were headed to the Chia area the following day. He said, unsolicited: “my favorite beach in all of Sardinia is Tuerredda.” His next comment stuck in my mind; I remember he described the water as ‘electric.’ Indeed, Tuerredda is stunning. We rented sun beds and umbrellas just down from the Ristorante Poseidon, where we had a simple and fresh lunch during the day. We spent a full beach day, in and out of the ‘electric’ waters with a break for lunch and an aperitivo at the close of the day.

Monte Cogoni

The stretch of Monte Cogoni beach at the start of the nature trail with the Tower of Chia in the distance

On the 1 KM path between Monte Cogoni beach and Le Dune restaurant

Our second beach day in Chia proved equally successful and beautiful with new wonders to behold. Monte Cogoni is lovely. There are a few blocks of sun beds to rent, which we did, but there is no true restaurant here, only a snack bar. From our position, there was a gorgeous view of the Torre di Chia. This tower was completed around 1592, and it was one of many that was built in this style around this time. Read more about the coastal towers here. As mentioned, there is no restaurant on this beach, so we were given the suggestion that we could walk on a nature path over to a restaurant, called Le Dune, which is part of the Chia Laguna Resort complex that I mentioned in the Introduction to Chia. This experience was perfect. The walk over was truly breathtaking, as the undulating dirt path allows you to see far down the coast in both directions. There are picturesque coves that you pass below on your way as well. If you want a truly exclusive experience, you could head down to the water’s edge and stay a while. The restaurant was perfect for our lunch needs. They had a good selection of fresh salads, and we enjoyed a break from the sun under an attractive wooden canopy. When we finished, we hiked back to Monte Cogoni, and spent the rest of the day refueled. As we were in beach attire and flip flops, just over 1 KM at about 15 minutes was the perfect ‘hike’ there and back.

A flamingo in the Chia Lagoon

When you drive to this beach, you will also pass by a true lagoon, complete with flamingos as inhabitants. The flamingos have more of a white shade than the pink you might be used to, and that is because the diet is different. They do not consume the brine shrimp that tint the flamingos in other parts of the world.

Campana Dune

Flat sandy area for great photo ops at Campana Dune

Our last beach day in Chia was spent at Campana Dune, and we had lunch at Le Dune restaurant again. This beach is in fact just in front of the restaurant, so we have the full hike a skip the second time around. As the name suggests, there are sand dunes behind the beach area. There are also unique sandy plains with rock formations to explore and take panoramic pictures of the beach area.

Campana Dune

The sand here had that perfect almost pink hue when contrasted with the shades of blue that become progressively darker.

Napping under an umbrella at Campana Dune

One thing that many of my friends have mastered is the glorious beach nap. I struggle to join the club, and patiently read my book, all the while hoping that I too might be able to drift off into the arms of Morpheus with the sound of the sea as my lullaby. Alas, it does not often happen. Don’t get me wrong, I was relaxed as I have ever been. However, on the last day, at Campana Dune, my friend Shelley snapped this picture of me. Beach nap success! …Just in time to depart from this heavenly isle.