The Best Coves in the World

The way down

Every cove here is reached by a staircase or a path, unless visitors come by boat. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia in Arraial do Cabo has a long wooden staircase. Pasjača Beach in Konavle has a steep railed path of about ten minutes, and Fakistra Beach in Pelion a cobblestone and dirt path of 10 to 15 minutes that is slippery. The longer walks are in Sardinia: about 3.5 to 4 km with roughly 500 m of elevation to Cala Goloritzé, and about an hour on a rocky trail to Cala Coticcio on Caprera.

Limits on numbers

The beaches are small, and several restrict how many people come down. Cala Goloritzé sells a €7 ticket that is booked three days ahead, and Cala Coticcio is open only with a booked park guide. Baía dos Porcos on Fernando de Noronha admits timed groups of 50, with helmets, at low tide. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia has a quota for cars.

On the beach

Several of the coves are pebble or rock under cliffs. Stones occasionally fall at Pasjača Beach. Fakistra Beach and Cala Goloritzé have no facilities, and Baía dos Porcos has no toilets, food or shade, so water and food come down in a bag. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia is crowded by mid-morning and Pasjača Beach by noon.