Cinque Vele 2026: Sardinia's Most Beautiful Beaches According to Legambiente
Every year, Legambiente and Touring Club Italiano publish the guide *Il Mare più bello*: a survey of Italian coastal and lakeside municipalities that excel in both beauty and sustainability. The highest distinction awarded in the guide is the *Cinque Vele*—five sails. Of the thirty municipalities nationwide that received this honor this year, six are located in Sardinia. No other region scores higher.
What exactly do the Cinque Vele mean?
Unlike the better-known Bandiera Blu, which focuses primarily on water quality and beach amenities, Legambiente takes a broader approach. It considers how a municipality manages its coastal area as a whole: water transparency, quality of services, and concrete measures to protect biodiversity from the effects of climate change. One important criterion, for example, is membership in the network of municipalities actively committed to protecting the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
So it’s not just a beauty contest, but recognition for municipalities that take the management of their coastline seriously.
The six Sardinian municipalities
Santa Teresa di Gallura — the northern tip of the island, known for Rena Bianca
San Teodoro — northeast coast, including Cala Brandinchi and La Cinta
Baunei — Ogliastra, famous for its cliffs and hidden coves such as Cala Goloritzè
Posada — a medieval village on the east coast, praised for its urban renewal and estuary management
Cabras — West Coast, management of the marine protected area around the Sinis Peninsula
Domus de Maria — south coast, with the golden dunes of Chia
Domus de Maria and Chia: The South on the Map
For those who, like me, are interested in southern Sardinia, this last one is the most interesting. Domus de Maria was recognized for the golden sand dunes of Chia and the protection of the local flora surrounding them—precisely the dunes that make Chia so distinctive among the other beaches on the south coast.
I’ve been to Chia myself, and it’s immediately clear why this place deserves an award: the dunes are still truly wild, not trampled or built up, and in the background you can see mountains rising up—a combination you don’t find on every beach in Sardinia. The water has that almost surreal turquoise color you’d normally only expect to see in photos.
What This Means for Your Visit
An award like this is more than just a ribbon. It’s a practical indication that a municipality is investing in what lies behind the pretty picture: clean water, well-managed beaches, and the protection of what makes the area unique. For those who are torn between the better-known north coast and the quieter south, this is an objective sign that the south is certainly just as good.
Insider tip: Visit Chia during the off-season. The beaches are large enough that they don’t feel crowded even in July and August, but in May, June, or September, you’ll get the peace and quiet this place deserves without sacrificing space. Just be mindful of the wind—Chia can experience strong gusts from time to time, so check the forecast beforehand if you’re planning a relaxing day at the beach or swimming.
Are you torn between northern and southern Sardinia for your next trip? I'd love to tell you why the south deserves serious consideration.