Villasimius & Solanas Beaches Day Trip: Coastal Swim Drive

The road itself is the gift: a six-hour coastal drive that ends in the water

A day trip from Cagliari to Villasimius and Solanas beaches in Sardinia, traveling by van with a live English-speaking guide who narrates the geology, history and culture of the coastline. You'll see Devil's Saddle and the Molentargius Lagoon with its pink flamingos, then swim and snorkel at two beaches chosen daily based on sea conditions and crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Devil's Saddlepassing by
2. Molentargius - Saline Regional Park10m

Coastal drive and beach visits

• Drive past Bonaria church
• View Devil's Saddle and hear legend
• Stop at Molentargius Lagoon to see flamingos
• Visit Villasimius beach for snorkeling
• Relax and swim at Solanas beach

The experience

The drive south from Cagliari to Villasimius is structured around the coast itself: the guide weaves geology, history and culture into what you see through the window. Your first stop is the Sella del Diavolo, the Devil's Saddle, a granite silhouette that watches over the Gulf of Cagliari. The guide shares the legend of angels and demons and explains the forces that shaped it. Just beyond, the Molentargius Lagoon opens up, where pink flamingos live year-round. As the road winds further south, granite headlands, hidden coves and watchtowers appear along the shore.

You'll visit two beaches (one near Villasimius, one near Solanas) with time to swim, snorkel or simply rest on soft sand among granite rocks. The operator selects which beaches to visit each day based on sea conditions and crowd levels, so the choice changes with the weather and the season. The van is air-conditioned and seats your group. The guide speaks English and Italian.

What’s included

• Private transportation by air-conditioned van.
• a professional guide who speaks English and Italian.
• stops at Devil's Saddle, the Molentargius Lagoon and two beaches selected daily for sea conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Genna Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the coastal drive to be the main event, not just the way to get to the beach. The fixed six-hour schedule means all three landmarks fit inside one day from Cagliari, and the guide's narration of geology and history turns the road itself into the experience.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What is the Devil's Saddle and why does it have that name?

The Sella del Diavolo is a granite formation that rises above the Gulf of Cagliari. Your guide will explain the legend of angels and demons connected to it and describe the geological forces that shaped the rock.

Will I see flamingos on this tour?

Yes. The Molentargius Lagoon, a stop on the drive south, is home to pink flamingos. The guide shares the history of the birds and the lagoon as you view them from the road.

Can I swim and snorkel at the beaches?

Yes. You'll have time to swim, snorkel or relax at two beaches, one near Villasimius and one near Solanas. The operator chooses which beaches to visit each day based on sea conditions and how crowded they are.

How long is the drive from Cagliari to the beaches?

The full tour runs six hours. Most of that time is spent driving the coastal route and visiting the stops along the way. The remaining time is yours to spend in the water or on the sand.

What should I bring?

Bring a bathing suit, towel and comfortable walking shoes. The vehicle is air-conditioned, so a light layer is useful for the drive.