Park near the pine grove and follow the short trail to the sand. The air smells of resin and salt; cicadas rasp in the branches overhead. Monte Cogoni unfolds below—a wide, welcoming crescent where families claim spots near the seasonal snack bar and couples wander toward quieter stretches at either end. The sand is soft underfoot, warm by midday but never scorching.
“Chia's most approachable beach, where easy access and luminous shallows bypass the cove-hopping required at nearby spots.”
Credit: UnsplashTropical island lagoon from above
Wade in and the sea floor reveals itself in shades of aquamarine. Small fish dart over patches of seagrass; you'll see ripples in the sand where flatfish bury themselves at the first shadow. The gradient is forgiving—you can walk thirty meters before the water reaches your chest. When the maestrale wind picks up in the afternoon, the shallows stay calm while whitecaps form farther out.
Behind the beach, low dunes anchor windblown grasses and the occasional sprawl of wild juniper. A handful of umbrellas dot the sand, but there's no heavy development—just a small kiosk selling cold drinks and arancini. By late afternoon, the sun angles low, backlighting the tower and casting long shadows across the beach. Families pack up, shaking towels and loading coolers, leaving the shore to a few lingering swimmers and the gulls.
