On Sardinia’s north-eastern coast, between Orosei and Siniscola, stretches a beach several kilometres long, with fine light sand and a sea shimmering in every shade of blue and turquoise. Berchida is often named among the most beautiful beaches on the island, yet even in high season you won’t find the crowds you’d see at Sardinia’s better-known spots.
One of the reasons is the access road. The last few kilometres run along a dusty, unpaved track that puts off some visitors. But the reward for a little adventure is a view of unspoiled countryside, a wide beach and crystal-clear water that feels more like the Caribbean than the Mediterranean.
Berchida has kept its wild character to this day. You won’t find big hotel complexes or busy promenades here. Behind the beach lie dunes covered in Mediterranean vegetation, and the surrounding landscape looks much as it did decades ago. This closeness to nature is one of the main reasons visitors keep coming back.
The sea here is exceptionally clean and the water deepens gradually, which is why the beach is a favourite with families with children as well as keen swimmers. On windless days the surface is so clear that you can watch fish even several metres from the shore. The most beautiful show comes in the morning, when the sun lights up the turquoise shades of the water and creates a scene you won’t forget.
Berchida is the perfect place for anyone seeking peace, space and the authentic face of Sardinia. Just walk a few minutes along the shore and you’ll easily find your own stretch of beach, with nothing but the sound of the waves and the scent of Mediterranean nature for company.
If you want to discover Sardinia away from the crowded tourist hubs, Berchida definitely deserves a place on your list. It’s a spot that reminds you that the island’s most beautiful corners often lie at the end of a dusty road – and that sometimes it’s worth turning off the main route and going in search of Sardinia’s true treasures.
Berchida has one more quirk that has made it famous across Sardinia. Besides the white sand and crystal-clear sea, you may come across white cows roaming freely on the beach or resting just a few metres from visitors. This is no tourist attraction staged for photographers, but part of a local tradition tied to herding. Especially in spring and autumn, the herds often move closer to the coast, where temperatures are milder. The sight of cows lounging on white sand with the turquoise sea in the background is one of the most unique experiences Sardinia has to offer. Although the animals are used to people, it’s important to respect their space, keep away from the calves and not disturb them while they rest.
