Bèrchida, Sardinia's cow-filled beach
A jewel of Sardinia's northeastern coast, Bèrchida beach is a five-kilometer crescent of soft white sand dunes, lapped by a crystalline sea and covered with centuries-old juniper trees that form curious natural huts. This pristine pearl is consistently recognized for its environmental excellence and water quality. Indeed, it is among the cleanest and most pristine in the Mediterranean . And the Blue Flag and Green Flag awards, international symbols of environmental excellence, sustainability, and beach safety, including for children, are a guarantee of this.
Many tourists call the spectacle offered by this beach a Sardinian marvel, capable of offering ever-changing emotions depending on the sunlight, from dawn to dusk. The Sun has called it "impossibly beautiful." So much so that out of season, herds of white Sardinian cows come to relax on the warm, white sand. And it's not uncommon for bathers to coexist peacefully with the grazing animals.
Where is Bèrchida Beach and how to get there?Bèrchida is a magnificent beach, long and spacious, considered (and voted) one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. It is located in the Siniscola area, in Baronìa, in the province of Nuoro, a sparsely populated area characterized by a predominantly natural landscape. It extends for approximately five kilometers and is bordered by sand dunes, centuries-old junipers, and Mediterranean scrub; the morphology of the area, which also includes the mouth of the Berchìda River, contributes to making it a favorable habitat for numerous animal species.
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The care taken over the years to ensure relaxation, safety, authenticity, and privacy for its guests has attracted visitors from all over the world , including high-profile personalities who have visited the place with complete discretion. Bèrchida is more than just a beach; it is an environmental and cultural heritage worthy of protection, a place where natural beauty blends with silence, the sky, and the sea, offering a unique experience in every season.
Beach featuresBèrchida is never very crowded, making it the ideal destination for relaxation. The waters are shallow, the sand is fine, and the sea's colors range from green to turquoise. Guests can enjoy numerous amenities, including kiosks and bars, beach clubs, canoe and pedal boat rentals, and a large parking lot, located remotely to preserve the dune environment, which is also under full community protection. Reaching the beach requires driving the last 3 km on a dirt road, as concrete and asphalt are strictly prohibited here. This careful attention has helped preserve the scenery.
Bèrchida is also under full environmental protection at the European level (including classification as a Site of Community Importance – SCI). There's no concrete here; every structure, from small kiosks to refreshment stands, is removable and made of wood and metal, aiming to minimize visual impact as much as possible.
But Bèrchida, beyond its exceptional setting, offers unexpected surprises. Space, silence, and a starry sky, even on peak days like August 15th. The expansive beach guarantees tranquility and privacy. Furthermore, at sunset and under a starry sky, the beach is even more spectacular. The area is free from light and noise pollution , offering, as evening falls, a rare spectacle: the Milky Way visible to the naked eye , the constellations, and even dozens of Starlink satellites aligned in stationary orbit. It's a place that also enchants radio astronomy enthusiasts, as the passage of the ISS, the International Space Station, can be clearly seen.
The beach of the cowsIn autumn, winter, and spring, Bèrchida beach becomes the domain of herds of white cows , the undisputed masters of the land and a symbol of the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. During this time, local farmers release their animals for transhumance, allowing them to reach the coastal areas, where the climate is milder and the vegetation is more lush. The animals take advantage of the wide sandy expanses to rest, often in the shade of the juniper trees or near the shore, in complete tranquility.
Although sightings are more frequent in spring, tourists and Sardinians report them at other times of the year as well. It depends on the weather and the choices of the farmers, who continue to practice traditional agriculture. In these areas, the coexistence of rural activities and seaside tourism is an integral part of the landscape.
Not subject to heavy tourist traffic or development, the beach maintains a natural balance that allows for peaceful coexistence between people and animals . There are no regulations explicitly prohibiting the presence of herds, but their movements are monitored and controlled to avoid risky or uncomfortable situations.
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Near the beach, there are also two archaeological sites where the remains of the Conca Umosa and Paule e' Luca nuraghes emerge. A long, pleasant walk along the shore northward takes you to the splendid dunes of Capo Comino and s'Ena e sa Chitta, three kilometers of fine white sand, enclosed by rocks near an old lighthouse, off which lies the small Isola Rossa. Behind it lies a pine forest of Aleppo and stone pines about half a century old. Further north lies the small fishing village of Santa Lucia , built around an Aragonese tower. Behind it lies a beautiful white-sand beach and the renowned tourist resort of La Caletta, with all amenities and a five-kilometer stretch of beach.
South of Bérchida, however, lies the Biderosa Oasis , another magical place. It is a coastal forest spanning over a thousand hectares, where it's easy to spot migratory birds and resident species, the pride of Siniscola for the variety of flora and fauna it preserves. The coastal forest encompasses five coves, including the magnificent Biderosa beach, behind which lies a pond home to splendid flamingos and herons.
