What to Do in North Sardinia: Costa Smeralda & The North East

The Costa Smeralda was conceived, planned and built to a standard that has ensured the region retains its character decades on. Electric in its atmosphere, the high-end resorts, buzzy marinas, and spirited nightlife serve as a magnet for vacationers seeking sun-drenched glamour. Elsewhere, the north is teeming with archaeological depth, island escapes and a lesser-travelled wildland for those willing to look beyond the marina lights.

• Explore the Glamorous Villages of the Costa Smeralda
• Discover Porto Cervo and Its Marina
• Swim at North Sardinia’s Most Beautiful Beaches
• Charter a Boat Along the Emerald Coastline
• Admire the Costa Smeralda’s Distinctive Architecture
• Venture Inland to Gallura’s Rugged Landscapes
• Experience Sardinia’s Sporting and Yacht Culture

The Costa Smeralda does not appear on any official map. Before the 1960s, it did not appear in any guidebook either, because in any meaningful sense it did not yet exist. The name was registered as a trademark at the Central Patent Office in 1963, and the territory it describes stretches roughly 20 kilometres along Sardinia's northeastern coast, from Liscia di Vacca in the north down to Capriccioli in the south.

The story of how it came to be begins with a young Prince Karim Aga Khan, who arrived in the area at the close of the 1950s and found shores of remarkable, unperturbed beauty: rock formations, vivid turquoise water, saltwater lagoons, pink-tinged sands and dense aromatic scrubland. He assembled a consortium of investors, acquired thousands of hectares of coastal land, and set about developing it with a clear set of principles in place.

Today, there are endless opportunities for adventure and fun at the Costa Smeralda. From the area's exclusive beach clubs to its megalithic constructions, you'll have everything needed for a varied, enriching trip.

At the heart of the Costa Smeralda sits Porto Cervo, a town built entirely from nothing to a coherent architectural vision. A group of distinguished architects, including Luigi Vietti, Michele Busiri Vici and Jacques Couëlle, were commissioned to design its buildings, and the aesthetic they developed became something entirely its own.

The architecture echoes the ancient blackened masses of the Sardinian landscape and the curved profiles of Nuragic stone towers. The palette drew on local earth tones: soft whites, faded ochres, warm pinks and muted terracottas. Buildings were kept low, never rising above a prescribed height, and appeared to grow naturally out of the maquis rather than impose upon it. Even without a guided tour, you'll be transported to the time of their inception, appreciating the craftsmanship of the infrastructure as it stands before you.

The earliest buildings remain the most instructive examples of this approach. The Stella Maris church, designed by Busiri Vici, the original home of the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, and the hotels of Cervo, Pitrizza, Luci di La Muntagna and Cala di Volpe all bear the hallmarks of this distinctive style. Walking through Porto Cervo today, the influence of those early decisions is still legible in the streetscapes, the squares and the way the town sits within its surroundings

Between Liscia di Vacca and Capriccioli, the coastline holds some of the most captivating beaches in the Mediterranean. Grande Pevero and Romazzino are among the more sought-after stretches in this part of the coast, while Poltu Di Li Cogghj, known locally as the Spiaggia del Principe, carries a particular distinction: the Aga Khan reportedly favoured it above all others, and you can certainly see why. 

The sand is silken, the water morphs between green and blue hues, and the boulders that frame the bay give it a sense of natural theatre. Further along the coast, the northeastern shoreline beyond the Costa Smeralda boundary has its own allure, with whisper-quiet recesses and lesser-known stretches accessible to those who venture off the main circuits.

One of the best ways to experience North Sardinia is from the water. The coastline is filled with hidden coves, secluded beaches and tiny inlets that are difficult, if not impossible, to access by land.

Private boat charters and day cruises allow visitors to discover quieter corners of the Costa Smeralda while taking in uninterrupted views of the coastline’s granite cliffs and emerald waters.

Many itineraries also include nearby islands and marine reserves, where the sea becomes impossibly clear and the crowds quickly disappear. Whether you choose a sleek yacht or a smaller local boat, exploring by water offers a completely different perspective on the region.

Away from the coast, the Gallura region offers a peaceful contrast to the vigour of the marinas. The landscape here is dominated by wind-sculpted granite outcrops, cork oak woodland and small agricultural towns that have changed little in pace or character over generations. Arzachena, the inland town closest to the Costa Smeralda, hosts polo matches in-season and provides a useful base for exploring the area's Nuragic heritage, including the Li Muri megalithic necropolis and the Coddu Ecchju giants' tomb nearby.

Whether you are drawn by the singular story of the Costa Smeralda, the sailing, the beaches or the simple pleasures of the Gallura interior, there are plenty of things to see in north Sardinia to suit almost every kind of traveller. For those planning a stay in the region, explore our collection of luxury villas in the Costa Smeralda or browse the full Sardinia villa collection to find the right base for your northern adventure.