Villa Bau Cannas

All alone on the dune – with the beach at your feet

Few locations are as extraordinary as this one: Villa Bau Cannas stands alone on a green dune, nestled amongst dense scrub, gnarled trees and sea daffodils – and Torre Salinas beach is just a few metres away. When you open the bright yellow shutters in the morning, you look straight out to the sea. The whitewashed cottage has the charm of a home that has been lived in and grown over the years – not a run-of-the-mill holiday rental, but a place with soul and a tranquillity that is increasingly rare to find.

Rustic charm and a terrace with a view

Villa Bau Cannas accommodates up to 6 people in three bedrooms spread over two levels. The heart of the house is the spacious living room with exposed wooden beams, warm terracotta floors and an open-plan fireplace – in the early and late seasons, it invites you to spend long evenings by the glow of the fire. Large patio doors open the living room onto the covered, thatched terrace, which features a large dining table and offers sweeping views across the coastal landscape and the sea. The fully equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher, oven and fridge; a serving hatch connects it to the living room.

The first bedroom is on the upper floor and has a double bed as well as a small balcony with a direct view of the beach – a sight that makes the day unique from the moment you wake up. The en-suite bathroom features both a shower and a bath. The second bedroom, with two single beds, and the third, a double room newly built in 2019 with its own garden access, each have their own en-suite bathroom, meaning all three sleeping areas are self-contained. Villa Bau Cannas does not have air conditioning, but thanks to its location above the beach, a gentle breeze often provides welcome relief from the heat.

In the unspoilt garden with mature trees and aromatic scrub, you can enjoy the absolute tranquillity of the location. In the evenings, the brick-built barbecue invites you to spend time together under the open sky. An outdoor shower, washing machine and two parking spaces are available; Wi-Fi is free, and pets are very welcome.

The surroundings

Torre Salinas beach is just under 75 metres away; simply walk down the dune: fine, light-coloured sand, clear water and a tranquillity that is rarely disturbed, even in summer. The coastline between Torre Salinas and Capo Ferrato to the north offers a number of other beautiful beaches, including the several-kilometre-long sandy beach at Feraxi, just a few minutes’ drive away. The Costa Rei, with its kilometre-long sandy beach, is about a 15-minute drive away.

The Colostrai lagoon is in the immediate vicinity, where flamingos rest all year round – a natural spectacle that delights children and adults alike. There is a restaurant-pizzeria in San Priamo, about a 5-minute drive away – there is also an exceptionally good fishmonger’s there, offering fish caught fresh from the lagoon every day. For a big shop, we recommend the town of Muravera, around 15 minutes by car; there is also a weekly market there on Mondays with fresh local produce, and there are many good restaurants serving local cuisine.

In the hinterland rises the granite massif of the Sette Fratelli, whose seven peaks are ideal for hiking and off-road tours. The journey to Cagliari and the airport takes about 1 hour by car.