San Pietro a Mare, Valledoria: where the river meets the sea

Two blues side by side

Valledoria's shoreline is about seven kilometres of soft, golden sand, and San Pietro a Mare is its most celebrated stretch. The beach runs from La Ciaccia in the west to the mouth of the Coghinas in the east, passing the little church that gives the place its name and the hamlet of San Pietro a Mare, around two kilometres from Valledoria's centre.

What makes it special is the contrast: on one side the open sea, on the other the calm water of the river. Before it reaches the gulf, the Coghinas spreads into a lake-like area of more than 50 hectares, home to herons, ducks, mallards and — in the reeds along the banks — coots and moorhens.

What to do

• Kitesurfing and surfing: the steady wind makes this one of the favourite spots on the coast.
• Across the river: boats leave from the area called Imbarcadero to the beach of Alta Bhanda on the other side of the river mouth — you can also explore by kayak or pedalo.
• Nature walks: stroll, cycle or ride along the river mouth, part of a special protection area for birds.
• Sunsets: the evening light colours the sea, the dunes and the shores of the lagoon.

Facilities

Near the beach there are bars, restaurants, beach clubs and a large car park. A long wooden boardwalk runs along much of the shore towards the river mouth. In high season the car park is paid, and a free shuttle has run from the town centre in recent summers — check locally for this year's timetable.