Chia: 4x4 Mountain Drive & Famous Beaches Day Trip

Summary

Chia’s wild mountains meet famous beaches with a quick offroad ride and time to just float

You’ll ride through Chia’s rugged hills by 4x4 with a local guide, spot pink flamingos from your window, then spend hours relaxing between Su Giudeu and Cala Cipolla beaches. Expect plenty of time for swimming or snorkeling (gear included), plus stops for food or photos along the way. It’s all about soaking up Sardinia’s wild edges without any rush.

What’s the experience like?

We jolted out of Cagliari in a dusty 4x4, windows cracked just enough to let in that salty Sardinian air. Our guide — Paolo, I think? — pointed out the pink flamingos as we zipped past the lagoon. No stopping for photos (he warned us ahead), but honestly, seeing them all clustered in that pale blue water felt almost dreamlike anyway. The road twisted closer to Chia, mountains getting chunkier and green. I kept trying to catch the sea between the trees — you could smell it before you saw it.

The offroad bit was shorter than I expected (Paolo grinned and said “just one hour, not more!” like he’d been asked too many times). Still, bouncing along those rocky tracks with both mountain and sea views was kind of perfect — not too long to get tired of it. We stopped twice for photos; at one point the wind whipped up and my hat nearly took off down the cliff. Someone else tried to film but got mostly their own thumb. There’s this moment when you’re standing there, sun on your neck, cliffs dropping away below — I still think about that view sometimes.

Afterwards we rolled down a panoramic road right by the sea (windows down again), then Paolo pulled over at a mini market so people could grab snacks or drinks. That part felt very local — everyone chatting in Italian around us while we debated which chips looked least weird. By midday we hit Su Giudeu beach: wide sand, turquoise water, umbrellas already dotting the shore. Cala Cipolla was just five minutes’ walk away through some scrubby pines; I wandered over barefoot and nearly burned my feet on the sand (rookie mistake). Four hours went by in a blink — swimming, lazy snorkeling (gear included), half-hearted attempts at hiking that ended at the beach café for cold drinks under patchy shade. Nobody rushed us.

It wasn’t about secret coves or empty stretches — these are Chia’s main beaches, busy but beautiful in their own way. I liked watching families set up whole camps under umbrellas while locals chatted over espresso at the café bar. On the drive back I realized how much of Sardinia you can feel just by letting yourself drift between mountains and sea for a day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 4x4 tour of Chia mountains and beaches

• Drive by pink flamingos habitat
• Approach Chia mountains area
• 1 hour offroad around Chia
• Drive panoramic coastal road
• Stop at first main beach
• Walk 5 minutes to second beach

Top questions

How long is the 4x4 offroad part of this tour?

The offroad section lasts about one hour around Chia’s mountains.

Do you stop to see pink flamingos?

No photo stop; you’ll see them from the vehicle as you drive past their habitat.

Which beaches do you visit on this tour?

You’ll spend time at Su Giudeu and Cala Cipolla beaches near Chia.

Is food included on this day trip?

No meals are included but food and drinks are available at mini markets and beach cafés.

Can I snorkel during this tour?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is provided for use at the beaches.

Are secluded or hidden beaches visited?

No, only Chia’s main famous beaches are visited on this tour.

How long is spent at the beach?

You’ll have about four hours split between Su Giudeu and Cala Cipolla.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour includes pickup; check details when booking for your location.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup with a driver-guide from Cagliari or nearby areas, all necessary fees and taxes covered, plus use of snorkeling equipment once you reach Su Giudeu or Cala Cipolla beach. Food isn’t included but there are plenty of options at local mini markets or right on the beach if you get hungry between swims or walks along the shore.