Over 10 km long, the rugged Emerald Coast is renowned for its magical nature, many coves and small beaches with fine white sand. The warm, clear sea and the green hilly shores enhance the Caribbean atmosphere.
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The main resorts on the Costa Smeralda are the small, beautifully landscaped towns of Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo, which have the hallmark of luxury summer resorts. The marinas are home to the yachts of the world's celebrities, actors, businessmen and politicians and the best restaurants.
Beaches and swimming
Swimming on the Emerald Coast is some of the best in Europe and it is thanks to the Costa Smeralda that Sardinia is known as the "European Caribbean".
The beaches here are beautiful, the sea extremely clean and calm with a very gradual entrance.
However, be prepared for higher prices in the beach restaurants and bars, as well as, for example, the price of umbrellas and sunbeds, which you can get around 25 eur to 30 eur per day for a set of two sunbeds and an umbrella.
TOP 5 most beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda
- Spiaggia di Capriccioli - a beautiful sandy beach in a bay with shallow and very calm water is divided in two parts by photogenic cliffs. It is popular among families with children for its tranquility but also good accessibility by car.
- Spiaggia di Marinella - a wide and spacious sandy beach in the south of the Emerald Coast, it is also best accessible by public transport, the Marinella train station is only 150 metres away
- Cala Liscia Ruja - the longest beach on the Costa Smeralda is located in a quiet area outside the main resorts, but is easily accessible by road
- Spiaggia del Grande Pevero - a favourite among celebrities, this beach is set in beautiful surroundings of green hills, rocks and crystal clear water. The beach is also a hub for water fun, where you can rent a sea kayak, pedal boat or water ski
- Spiaggia Principe (Portu li Coggi) - this small sandy beach, divided into two parts by pinkish rocks, is regularly included in lists of the world's top beaches for its untamed nature and clear blue sea.
- Map of the best beaches on the Emerald Coast
Accommodation Costa Smeralda
Hotels and apartments on the Emerald Coast are among the most expensive in all of Italy.
The lowest price in high season for a night for 2 is around 180 eur, with prices from 300 eur upwards being standard, although often for a whole apartment for several people, which brings the price per person down.
Check out accommodation in the main Costa Smeralda resorts, ideally book several months in advance!
If you don't mind living inland and commuting by car to the sea, then considerably cheaper accommodation from 70 eur per night for 2 can be found in Arzachena, 10km away, or in Olbia, one of Sardinia's tourism hubs.
How to get there
To discover all the hidden beauties of the Emerald Coast, it's definitely best to have a rental car. This will get you everywhere, even to the most secluded beaches there is a road or a road with parking, which is usually free.
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You can only get to beaches near towns by bus. Porto Cervo is reached by line 604 from Arzachena, but there's better transport to the resorts of Porto Rotondo, which is served by line 5 of the Olbia public transport system.
From Olbia, all the resorts are easily reached by private carrier Sun Lines line 20.
There are also buses from Porto Cervo to Olbia operated by the private carrier Caramelli Tours.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Sardinia.
