Sardinia, Cala Goloritzè most beautiful beach in the world. Also awarded for anti-overtourism choices

Italy takes back the scepter of the most beautiful beach in the world. At least according to the site The World's 50 Best Beaches that for years has elected the best sites around the planet. Cala Goloritzè , with its pebbles in front of an expanse of crystalline water without equal, has been placed in first place. Which certainly contributes to making Sardinia one of the most sought-after destinations for next summer too.

The Ogliastra location preceded some of the most iconic places in the tropical strip of the planet, such as Entalula Beach, in the Philippines, and Bang Bao, in Thailand. The top 10 also includes Greece (Fteri Beach, Kefalonia), French Polynesia (Pk 9), the Dominican Republic (Canto de la Playa), the Seychelles (Anse Source d'Argent), Madagascar (Nosy Iranja), American Samoa (Ofu Beach) and Turks & Caicos (Grace Bay).

The list of the top 50 beaches also includes another representative of the tricolor and the four Moors: La Pelosa di Stintino, another masterpiece of nature in the province of Sassari. This ranking is the result of "countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and the World's 50 Beaches team exploring beaches in every corner of the planet", as stated on the website.

The judges' reasons

According to the judges, Cala Goloritzé is much more than a simple beach: "its wild beauty manages to touch you deeply from the first glance. Whether you observe it from above, from the famous belvedere, or you find yourself on the shore with your feet in the crystalline water, the scene is truly breathtaking".

The website highlights how "the entire coast of Baunei is a true spectacle, but Cala Goloritzé stands out above all others, thanks also to its iconic 143-meter-high limestone pinnacle, which seems to have emerged from a cathedral sculpted by nature". Beach, sun, climate... but also location, context, scenery. In short, a picture painted over the years but today available to all those who love beauty. And then there is her, the water, the queen of summer. "It is incredibly clear, it is perfect for swimming".

Environmental protection measures

But what makes this beach "truly unique" are the "strong environmental protection measures" that protect it, the judges wrote, applauding the choices made by Sardinia to protect its heritage.

Declared a natural monument in the 1990s,

Cala Goloritzé has remained remarkably intact over the years. Access is reserved for those who follow the hiking trail — with a limited number of daily entries — or those who arrive by sea, with boats that can anchor only 200 meters away, behind a protective barrier that keeps the beach free from nautical traffic. It is the perfect combination of unspoiled natural beauty and a bathing experience that is second to none.