Costa Smeralda

The Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast, runs for some 55 kilometres along the granite-fringed north-eastern tip of Sardinia around Arzachena, and is the island's most glamorous stretch of shore. Developed from the early 1960s by a consortium led by the Aga Khan, it pairs a string of stunning beaches and sculpted granite headlands with exclusive resorts, marinas, and villas. Visitors come above all for the coves: Spiaggia del Principe, Liscia Ruja, Capriccioli, and Romazzino are among the most celebrated, each a curve of pale sand meeting water in extraordinary shades of green and blue, often sheltered by wind-smoothed pink granite boulders and fragrant Mediterranean scrub. At the social heart sits Porto Cervo, a purpose-built marina village of designer boutiques, yacht berths, and high-end bars and restaurants where superyachts and the international jet set gather in summer. The beaches themselves are public and free, but sun-loungers, beach clubs, and dining are expensive, and parking can be limited and costly. Activities range from swimming and snorkelling in the clear shallows to boat trips out to the nearby Maddalena archipelago. A visit can fill a single day or stretch across several, and Olbia's Costa Smeralda airport lies about 30 kilometres away. June and September bring warm water and emptier sands, while July and especially August see soaring prices, crowded coves, and busy roads, so an early start helps secure beach space and parking. Access varies: some beaches such as Liscia Ruja have parking close by, while many of the prettiest coves are reached by short paths over rock and sand that are difficult for wheelchairs. With its sheltered, shallow bays, the coast suits families as readily as the yacht crowd, provided the high summer prices are planned around.