Spiaggia della Pelosa (Punta Giglio)

Spiaggia della Pelosa at Punta Giglio is a small, hidden cove at the foot of the Punta Giglio headland inside the Porto Conte Regional Natural Park, near Alghero in the Sassari province of north-western Sardinia, Italy. It should not be confused with the famous La Pelosa beach at Stintino further north — this is a far wilder, quieter spot reached on foot. The shore is made of pebbles and rock rather than fine sand, set beneath the limestone cliffs of Punta Giglio, and the water is the main draw: exceptionally clear and deep, shading from turquoise to dark blue, with rocky drop-offs that make it a fine place for snorkelling and, for the experienced and careful, cliff jumping. The cove is small and exposed to the open Capo Caccia waters, so conditions depend on the wind and it offers no surf but can have swell on breezy days. It is entirely undeveloped, with no bars, sunbeds, toilets or shade, so visitors must bring water, food and sun protection. Access is the defining feature: there is no road to the beach, only a walking trail of roughly 45 minutes each way from the Punta Giglio area through Mediterranean macchia scrub and pine, on uneven ground, so sturdy shoes and an early start are advisable. The park setting, rich in birdlife and dotted with First and Second World War coastal fortifications on the headland above, adds interest to the walk. Because the approach deters casual crowds, the cove stays peaceful even when the Alghero beaches are busy, rewarding those who make the effort with solitude, clear water and dramatic cliff scenery within the protected landscape of Porto Conte.