Chia

Chia is a series of beaches at the southern end of Sardinia, Su Giudeu, Sa Colonia, Campana and others, backed by dunes held by juniper and looking out on shallow water that produces strong colour, with a small islet reachable by wading at Su Giudeu. Behind the beaches lie brackish lagoons where flamingos, herons and stilts feed, sometimes within a few hundred metres of the sand. A Spanish watchtower stands on the headland above the ruins of the Phoenician and Roman town of Bithia, part of which lies underwater. The dunes are protected and walking on them is restricted to marked paths.

What you actually see

• The dune beaches - a run of shores backed by juniper-held dunes.
• The lagoons - flamingos and waders feeding behind the sand.
• The Spanish tower - a watchtower on the headland above Bithia.
• The wading islet - a small island reached on foot at Su Giudeu.

When to go

May to September; August is very busy with paid parking filling early. Spring and autumn are better for the lagoon birds and much quieter on the sand.

Honest expectations

Parking is paid and limited, filling early in summer. Dune access is restricted to marked paths. Facilities are basic outside the resort hotels.

Nearby

Nora lies east; Teulada is west.