Hotels near Costa Smeralda

Stretching along the northeast coast between Olbia and Palau, the Costa Smeralda is what put Sardinia on the international map. Developed in the 1960s by the Aga Khan, this 20-km stretch of coastline is named for its emerald-green waters and has become synonymous with Mediterranean luxury. Porto Cervo sits at its heart - a manicured village of designer boutiques, superyacht marinas, and exclusive clubs that attracts the European elite every summer.

But the best part of the Costa Smeralda is free: the beaches. Spiaggia del Principe (Prince's Beach) is a perfect arc of white sand lapped by shallow turquoise water. Capriccioli has twin coves separated by granite outcrops. Liscia Ruja is one of the longest sandy stretches on the coast. Arrive early in summer - by 10am, the car parks fill and the sands get crowded. Outside of July-August, these beaches are blissfully quiet.

Pro Tip: Skip Porto Cervo's overpriced restaurants and eat in nearby San Pantaleo instead - a charming hilltop village with authentic Sardinian trattorias at a fraction of the coast prices. Thursday morning market is excellent.