Sardinian sunsets - where to get the best view.

Watersport fans: Maimoni Beach

One of numerous idyllic beaches in the gulf of Oristano, Maimoni Beach is the jewel in the crown. Its sandy shoreline glistening in rose quartz pebbles creates 13km of unforgettable, pink-tinged beach. Its gently sloping seabed makes it a family favourite for holidays in Oristano, though only when the mistral wind isn’t blowing.

When it gets too windy for swimming, swap your sun lounger for a kitesurfer, and catch some air. The area has become a mecca for watersports enthusiasts and the hub of Sardinia’s kitesurfing scene.

Maimoni Beach is bordered by a protected area of sand dunes covered in Mediterranean scrub and ponds. When the day’s activities draw to a close, kick back on the velvet sands and drink in the far-reaching golden sunsets that span the entire length of Maimoni’s uninterrupted horizon.

Party vibe: Architecture Beach

Architecture or S'Archittu Beach, north of Torre del Pozzo, earned its name from the rock arch that juts out from the shoreline. It’s one of the largest natural bridges in Sardinia and well worth a visit, whether to walk across or paddle board underneath. Stretching for 300m, it’s the perfect place from where to jump in the kayak and explore the island’s craggy shoreline.

Limestone cliffs and numerous smaller bays wait to be discovered. A handful of restaurants and bars create a buzzy early evening ambience, as diners ready themselves for the spectacular sunset show. Come nightfall, the natural arch lights up in a halo of illumination, creating a magical setting that lasts into the early hours.

Family time: Pirate Beach

Pirate Beach, or Spiaggia del Pirata Capriccioli, was once a haven for pirates looking to land their loot. Surrounded by rocky outcrops and cliff face, it is sheltered from view with a mountainous backdrop. Stay here a while to enjoy some of Sardinia’s best snorkelling.

Pirate Beach’s shallow waters play home to small fish and crustaceans who live in the sun-kissed rock pools. Anchor the yacht at the dock on the north side and make your way by tender to the beach’s inviting shores.

Sunset drops late in the evening in the summer months on Sardinia, meaning families can spend long, lazy afternoons making the most of this gorgeous beach before sitting back to enjoy the bronzed glow spread vast across the night’s sky.

Bring a picnic: Is Solinas beach

Is Solinas beach is just a few kilometres north of Porto Pino and widely considered to be one of the best beaches in south Sardinia. As one of the longest beaches in the country, it offers 1,200m of fine white sands set apart from the busy crowds - especially if you come ashore once the afternoon sunbathers have left.

Its lack of restaurants or bars adds to its beauty, but be sure to come prepared for a beach BBQ or champagne picnic. Facing due west, it overlooks the azure waters of the Golfo di Palmas and Sant'Antioco island. It’s another of Sardinia’s popular kitesurf spots and a favourite location to swim in the cool clear waters. When the pink-hued sun lights up the evening sky before dipping below the skyline, the vast shoreline will make you feel like the only people in the world.

Local secret: Porto Pinetto Beach

This moon-shaped beach is a favourite with the locals, prized for its hidden off-the-beaten track location in the south west. It offers views of the headlands near Punta Menga to the south, and Sant'Antioco, the second largest island of Sardinia, to the south east. Explore the thick stretches of pine forests behind the sand dunes or simply lie back on the golden sands.

Those who aren’t averse to a few pebbles will enjoy the nearby rocky terrain of a smaller, even more undiscovered unnamed beach to the south of Porto Pinetto. Surrounded by little inlets and reefs prime to explore by foot or tender, the beach has earned a reputation for being a family-friendly spot at which to enjoy sundowners together.

Clear night skies: Santa Reparata Beach

Santa Reparata is a stunning location to enjoy an Italian sunset, thanks to little light pollution. Here white sands are twinned with lush Mediterranean vegetation. The west-facing beach can get breezy at times, with prevailing winds coming from the west for excellent windsuring conditions. The cool air is often a welcome relief from the Mediterranean midday heat.

If you can stand the occasional gust, you’ll be rewarded with memorable views over the waters of the Baia La Colba. The rugged coastline of the Capo Testa promontory, situated 1.5km off the Santa Reparata coast, is awash with ancient Roman stone quarries. Come evening, the only lights in the night sky are the setting sun and the Capo Testa Lighthouse.