The beautiful beach voted among the world’s best less than 3 hours from the UK

A sandy coastline in one of Italy‘s most beautiful holiday destinations has been named the second most beautiful beach in the world.

Cala Mariolu has been picked by travel experts who compiled this year’s World’s 50 Best Beaches list as it “stands out for its striking beauty everywhere you turn and the sense of privacy and adventure it offers”.

Cala Mariolu is a 196-foot-long beach located on the eastern coast of the island of Sardinia, near the municipality of Baunei.

Perhaps one of the reasons why it is so beautiful and clean, Cala Mariolu can be accessed only via sea or hiking and features no facilities, which means people who want to spend their days there must take with them any amenities they may need.

But the absence of bars, restaurants and lines of parasols provides the beach with a rare heavenly feel.

The lack of facilities also doesn’t mean there is nothing to do at this beach, which is instead a sought-after destination for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Some of the people who venture to Cala Mariolu also hike the surrounding cliffs to see the beach from above and admire the turquoise and calm waters washing it.

Many of those who have visited this stunning beach have praised its beauty, with one tourist writing on the travel advice website Tripadvisor: “A spectacular place on the east coast of Sardinia, unique in the world. Never seen such a wonderful coastline. There are no words!!” 

Another, who visited the area in June, said: “This hidden cove, nestled within the Baunei coastline, is a true gem waiting to be discovered. Our tour provided a convenient and enjoyable way to experience Cala Mariolu. Reaching the beach by boat allowed us to appreciate the beauty of the coastline from a different perspective.

“Cala Mariolu is a small beach, so it can get crowded during peak season. However, the limited accessibility helps to preserve its pristine beauty.”

The easiest way for British holidaymakers to reach the area where this beach is located is to fly to the airport in Olbia, on the northeastern side of the island, and then travel southwards for some 54 miles.