Tourism

From Cala Mariolu to Cala Goloritzè, here are the Italian beaches in the world's top 50. But they have a limited number of visitors

In the 'Worlds 50 beaches' ranking Trunk bay in the US Virgin Islands takes first place overall

by Redazione Roma

7 May 2024

3' min read

Key points

Pearls of the Mediterranean
Caribbean primacy
Number of closed beaches in Sardinia

3' min read

Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzè in Sardinia and the Beach of the Rabbits in Lampedusa are among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world. This was certified by the American website worlds50beaches.com, which, in the new edition of its survey resulting from the judgement of over a thousand "travel professionals" and "beach ambassadors", assigned second place in the world ranking to Cala Mariolu and 19th place to Cala Goloritzè, both pearls on the Sardinian east coast of Baunei, in Ogliastra, while Conigli beach is in 50th place. For all three beaches mentioned, access is restricted. In last year's edition, there were only two Italian beaches included in the list of the best 50 and both were in Sardinia: there was already Cala Goloritzè (also in 19th place) and Capriccioli (one of the most famous bays of the Costa Smeralda) in 38th place.

The Pearls of the Mediterranean

In Europe, only Greece can boast two beaches in the rankings: Voutoumi in Antipaxos (fifth position) and Fteri in Kefalonia (29th position). Spain appears in 11th place with Calo des Moro in Majorca, Portugal with Praia da Marinha in the Algarve (25th place). Another pearl of the Mediterranean is Kelebekler Vadisi beach on the coast of Turkey (36th), also known as the 'Valley of the Butterflies beach': a name derived from the many species of butterflies that inhabit the surrounding area. 'Being isolated at the bottom of majestic cliffs,' is the description of the American website, 'the beach is only accessible by boat or via a challenging route'.

Caribbean primacy

In first place overall in the ranking - based on eight criteria, from the landscape that surrounds the beach and makes it unique to the condition that it is never too crowded - is Trunk bay in the US Virgin Islands, while the bronze medal goes to another Caribbean beach, Meads bay on the island of Anguilla.

"Our 2024 list is the culmination of countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors and the World's 50 Beaches team exploring beaches around the world," the US website's presentation of the result reads. "We hope this list provides the inspiration you need to plan your next beach holiday.

The closed number for the two Sardinian beaches

"For Baunei," says a satisfied Stefano Monni, the mayor of the town in the province of Nuoro, "this is an important recognition that brings the town and our beaches into the limelight worldwide. For us, the duty to safeguard these beaches grows, as we have been doing for a long time, having been the forerunners of the need to preserve an ecosystem that is dreamy but at the same time fragile".

For some years now, the municipal administration has introduced a closed number on the two beaches: at Cala Mariolu, 700 people can stay on the beach, arriving either by sea or land. At Cala Goloritzè (which can only be accessed by land) a maximum of 250 people can stay at the same time and only by reservation.

"Although Sardinia has many spectacular beaches," reads the American website's blurb, "Cala Mariolu stands out for its extraordinary beauty everywhere you turn and for the sense of privacy and adventure it offers. Located along the east coast of Sardinia, it can only be reached by boat or hiking trails, which ensures that visitors experience the natural beauty of the area in a very personal way'. Cala Mariolu in Sardinian is also known as is pùligi de nie ('the snow fleas') for the round pebbles mixed with sand that make it up. It owes its name to the monk seal that, it is said, 'stole' the catch from the nets of fishermen from Ponza (hence it was called the 'mariolo', i.e. thief).

A protected monument since 1995, Cala Goloritzè was formed in 1962, following a landslide that detached from the sandstone wall. 'Cala Goloritzé,' stresses Worlds 50 beaches, 'is well preserved, with a limited tourist impact that keeps it pristine and quiet for visitors.

Rabbit Beach, restricted access

Access to the Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbits' Beach) during the summer period is also 'in a contingent manner, on two shifts and with reservations,' reads the Lampedusa Nature Reserve website. There are two shifts (in the morning from 8.30 to 13.30 and in the afternoon from 14.30 to 19.30) for a maximum number of 550 people per shift. "What makes the beautiful Spiaggia dei Conigli," reads The World's 50 Best Beaches, "so peaceful and perfect is that the beach and islet have been part of a protected nature reserve since 1995, which means that sailing and scuba diving are prohibited.