'Best-kept secret' summer destination has pink beach, turquoise sea and ancient ruins

Liam Gilliver

22 June 2024 at 5:19 am·2-min read

Pink beach — -Credit: (Image: Getty Images)

Italy's best-kept holiday hotspot has left Scottish tourists in awe.

Brits flock to Italy every summer in their masses, with the historic city of Rome and the stunning island of Capri among favourites. Flights to this incredible country are relatively cheap and take just a few hours, making it perfect for families or those wanting a quick break on a budget.

But even many of the most intrepid of explorers have yet to visit one of the country's most fascinating islands boasting ancient ruins, world-famous vineyards and even a Barbie-pink coastline – Sardinia.

Taking to TikTok, travel enthusiast Tanya showed off her highlights from her recent visit to the stunning destination. "Point of view: you visit Italy's best-kept secret," she captioned the post. With more than six million visitors each year, Sardinia (Sardegna) is hardly a hidden gem - but when you compare it to the annual number of tourists that flock to Rome (35 million) it's definitely not the most popular Italian destination.

Tanya wowed viewers with videos of turquoise water, secluded beaches, and lush mountain landscapes including the pink beach – which gets its colour from crushed fossils, crystals and coral.

However, it's worth pointing out that Budeli Pink Beach has been protected by environmental laws since 1994 and it is prohibited to actually set foot on the sand. Recently, an influencer from Dubai was fined £1,500 for trespassing there.

But it's not all bad news – Sardina is also well0known for its rugged landscape scattered with thousands of nuraghi. These are mystery Bronze Age stone ruins that are shaped like beehives, and date back to 15000 BC.

Hundreds of viewers flocked to the comments section in awe of the destination. "This is insanely beautiful," one user raved. Another agreed, commenting: "So beautiful, adding to my bucket list." A third added: "It's like a scene from a movie." While a fourth wrote: "So stunning."

Ancient ruins are scattered throughout the island -Credit:De Agostini via Getty Images

Flights to Sardinia from Edinburgh can cost as little as £66 one-way during the off-season of October and November. Alternatively it may be easier to travel to a hub in England such as Stansted and fly from there.

Accommodation on the island varies depending on your expectations. For example, you can stay in a four-star hotel with a private beach for £124 per night, including a free breakfast. But, if you wanted to visit the luxury Hyatt 7Pines Resort - you'd be forking out more than £1,000 per night.

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