What to see on the Costa Smeralda, a journey to the most exclusive paradise in Sardinia

A collection of coves, beaches and small villages, silent in winter and full of life in summer: it is the Costa Smeralda , that place where the borders extend to the water, stretches of sea inhabited for a few months a year that transform into a floating city with hundreds of boats, yachts and super yachts. For the Sardinians it is a love-hate relationship that is woven with this stretch of coast, where the authenticity of the island is difficult to find, but whose beauty is equally difficult to ignore.

What was once a rugged stretch of coast, softened by a dream sea, took on this appearance starting in 1958 , when Prince Karim Aga Khan IV fell in love with this area, giving life to what, by many, is considered an exclusive theme park, but designed with good taste . In fact, everything has been designed to fit harmoniously into the environment, starting from Porto Cervo .

In the summer, billionaire jet-setters, Russian oligarchs and celebrities vacation here, along with curious tourists who gaze at the boats, the windows of the luxury boutiques and the sky-high prices of the restaurants. Why come here if you don't own a boat worth half a million? The answer is to be found in the beaches , splendid, and in the surrounding areas, among villages and archipelagos .

The beaches of the Costa Smeralda

The turquoise waters of the Costa Smeralda are made to be enjoyed in relaxation, but also with a mask and snorkel to explore the incredible seabed . If you are planning a vacation in this exclusive area of ​​Sardinia , these are the beaches not to be missed.

Poltu di li Cogghj – Principe Beach

The real name is Poltu di li Cogghj , but everyone knows it as the Prince's Beach . This is because it was Karim Aga Khan's favorite and, seeing it, you will have no difficulty understanding why. After walking along a short path immersed in the Mediterranean scrub, for which closed shoes are required, a perfect crescent of white sand will open up before you, with reddish rocks on both sides and crystal clear waters, always calm.

In high season it is almost always crowded, so we recommend discovering it early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds. At the entrance there is a paid parking lot, while on the beach there is a small kiosk where you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas.

Capriccioli Beach

One of the most famous and appreciated bays of the Costa Smeralda is the beach of Capriccioli. This strip of granite land is divided into several main coves , protected from the mistral. There is La Celvia , characterized by shallow and sandy seabeds, ideal for families with children, the cove 'del Pirata' , where a small wooden pier facilitates the docking of dinghies, canoes and pedal boats, and the beach called 'delle Tartarughe' , a natural oasis frequented by sea turtles during the egg-laying period, protected by dunes and a grove of juniper trees.

Cala Capriccioli is equipped with all services : in addition to being easily accessible to the disabled, it has a large car park located a few steps from the beaches, toilets and showers, bars and restaurants.

White Sand

From the name you can already imagine the scenery you will see: Rena Bianca, in fact, is famous for the white color of its very fine sand and for the transparency and colors of the sea , which takes on turquoise shades from the very early hours of the morning. Here too, as in other beaches of the Costa Smeralda, the landscape appears wild and uncontaminated, with two small cliffs at the two ends, but there is no lack of comfort and services.

The beach is both free and equipped , there are some refreshment points and you can rent sunbeds, deckchairs, umbrellas, pedal boats and canoes. Arriving with your car, you can leave it in the convenient paid guarded parking .

Smooth Ruja

The largest and best equipped beach on the Costa Smeralda is Liscia Ruja , characterised by very white sand with golden reflections, a turquoise sea and scented Mediterranean scrub. Here too there are equipped beach resorts offering the rental of umbrellas and deck chairs as well as kayaks, canoes and dinghies.

On the left you will also find Cala Volpe , a bay shaped by juniper groves and myrtle hedges, while on the right the profile of Capo Figari , considered an “open-air natural museum” of the Golfo Aranci coast and, opposite, the islands of Mortorio and Soffi , two jewels set in the blue.

Big Pevero

Those who want to breathe in the glamorous atmosphere for which the Costa Smeralda is so renowned should stop at Grande Pevero. Located a few kilometers from Porto Cervo, it takes its name from the gulf of the same name and boasts an arched expanse of soft, white sand , about three hundred meters long, lapped by colors whose shades vary from green to blue. The seabed is shallow, perfect for those traveling with children or for beginner swimmers.

A short distance away is Piccolo Pevero , less than half the length, nestled in a solitary and wild context. Golf enthusiasts will find in Grande Pevero the ideal setting to practice this discipline thanks to the presence of modern and well-kept clubs.

Port Cervo

Finally, among the things to see in Costa Smeralda you can't miss Porto Cervo . During its foundation, it represented an avant-garde in terms of building development in harmony with the natural landscape, a very specific style developed in the 60s . There is not much to do here, except stroll through the streets of the center, full of boutiques and luxury shops, stop in the pretty little square for an ice cream or eat in one of the restaurants.

In the port area, large yachts parade and, in the summer, various stands are set up, some as bars, others as exhibition spaces for the nautical or design sectors.