Su Giudeu Beach

Giudeu is the most famous and popular beach in Chia; it's the one with the small island and the beautiful dunes. To tell the truth, there are dunes in other beaches but no quite as spectacular. Be careful because they're protected and climbing on them is prohibited. You shouldn't have any trouble as the dunes are cordoned off and there are plenty of signs asking you to stay off. The sand at Giudeu is fine and golden and the sea is a nice shade of blue-green that stays shallow for many feet. It's ideal for children, but also for those who only want a relaxing dip in the shallows. More athletic types will have to go quite a bit further out to reach deep water.

As you drive along the flamingo-filled lagoon (typical in this park of Sardinia), you suddenly come up a pristine stretch of white sand. If you're traveling in the off-season, you'll have it practically to yourself.

One of the most striking parts about Su Giudeu is the contrast between the crystal-clear water and the surrounding landscape. In fact, if you turn your back to the sea, you'll realize that it's actually a lagoon surrounded and protected by mountains.

Another of Su Giudeu's trademarks are the two huge rocks in the ocean, both easily reachable in low tide. It's a great

Su Giudeu is a sandy beach located in Baia di Chia in southwest Sardinia. During the summer, it's one of the top tourist destinations in the area. I'm not a big fan of crowds, so I prefer to go in the off season (spring or fall) when the weather is warm and beautiful but there aren't so many people.

There are two islands off the coast that you can reach swimming or even walking during the low tide. There is also a coastal conservation project that aims to protect the sand dunes. There are several information panels about where you can learn about the project.