Emerald Coast®: the indisputable beauty of Sardinia's shores

Emerald Coast Sardinia (Costa Smeralda®): did you know that this is not a tourist destination but an iconic registered trademark?

Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda®) corresponds to a territory in the northeast of the island, in Gallura, famous worldwide for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches and it is usually identified as a high-level tourist destination.

But few people know that this is a brand with a fascinating history, registered in 1963, which brings together and distinguishes the quality services provided in the tourism and real estate sector to the members of the Smeralda Coast (Costa Smeralda®) consortium.

Born from the vision of Prince Karim Aga Khan, Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda®) is a symbol of luxury and one of the most exclusive destinations in Italy thanks to its entertainment venues, resorts, sumptuous villas high fashion boutiques, art studios and the liveliness of its nightlife. 

A real paradise for those are looking for natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, but at the same time an exclusive atmosphere and luxury services.

It is no coincidence that the Smeralda Coast (Costa Smeralda®) is one of the favorite destinations for celebrities from all over the world, which especially during the summer months choose it as a destination: in this period in fact the resorts of the coast are full of parties, events and dream yachts moored at the docks.

Emerald Coast Sardinia (Costa Smeralda®) and its surroundings are certainly among the most beautiful things to see in Northern Sardinia.

We are located in the largest area managed by  private sector in Europe, in the historical and geographical subregion of Gallura: Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda®) develops in the municipal territory of Arzachena, while only a small portion falls within the boundaries of the Municipality of Olbia.

To be more precise, the territory of the Consortium extends from the area of Pitrizza, located just north of Porto Cervo, until the beginning of the municipal territory of Olbia, at the beach of Rena Bianca.

The most important place is certainly Porto Cervo: frequented by billionaires and jet-set international celebrities, was the nucleus of the first constructions of the sixties and an example of modern architecture that reinterprets the Sardinian style integrating perfectly into the surrounding  environment.

Also worth a visit are Baja Sardinia, a seaside resort with beautiful white beaches and a lively nightlife, and Poltu Quatu, located in an enchanting natural inlet surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.

But the real attraction of this area are definitely the beaches: do not miss Capriccioli Beach, Principe Beach and Liscia Ruja.

If all this is not enough and you want to go hiking in the surrounding area, you can visit a very popular luxury resort, Porto Rotondo, or some more picturesque villages that retain the charm of the past, such as San Pantaleo and Cannigione.

Arzachena is the ideal destination if you want to know the culture and history, exploring archaeological sites and ancient nuraghi, the typical stone buildings of Sardinia.

If you love boat trips, you can plan a visit to the  Maddalena Archipelago, famous for its natural beauty, its beautiful beaches and its history. 

Smeralda Coast (Costa Smeralda®), contrary to popular belief, is not the name of a geographical area but a trademark that was registered in 1963.

It corresponds to specific territorial areas and real estate properties that belong to the members of the Consortium, and extends along a stretch of coast located in the north-east of Sardinia, within the territory of the municipalities of Arzachena and Olbia. 

Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda®) is famous for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, and it was originally a sparsely inhabited land of wild beauty.

An English financier, John Duncan Miller, was the first to glimpse the enormous potential of this stretch of coast: he involved Prince Karim Aga Khan and other foreign investors in a pioneering project for those years.

With significant investments they realized the first structures, like the village of Porto Cervo and the first prestigious hotels, giving the task of designing to the best architects of the moment.

Today Emerald Coast (Costa Smeralda®) has become a symbol of luxury and one of the most exclusive destinations in Italy: a real magnet for wealthy tourists and celebrities of the international jet-set.

The first settlements in this area of Sardinia date back to prehistoric times: the numerous archaeological areas and the typical Sardinian buildings, the Nuraghi preserved until today are the precious testimony of the historical and cultural richness of this region.

The Nuraghe la Prisgiona, the Necropolis Li walls, the Nuraghe Albucciu, the tomb of the giants of Moru, the temple of Malchittu are the most important sites, and are located in the municipality of Arzachena.

Most of these archaeological sites were built for the purpose of worship and have articulated and unusual structures, both from the point of view of the shape and the place where they were built: visiting them is a very impressive experience and not to be missed.

Porto Cervo is an iconic village known all over the world, the work of renowned architects who conceived the project following a style that respects the natural beauty of the place, thanks to the use of local materials such as granite and wood.

Its Stella Maris Church was built in 1968 by the architect Michele Busiri Vici in Mediterranean style with a panoramic view that embraces the entire inlet. Inside there are valuable paintings including a Madonna of El Greco.

Porto Cervo with its streets and squares has the size and atmosphere of a village with all the necessary services for holidaymakers.

Here you will find luxury boutiques, hotels, restaurants and a marina equipped for large yachts and sailing boats. The most luxurious pleasure boats in the Mediterranean dock in this bay.

There are many beautiful and famous beaches here: Cala Petra Ruia, Mannena Beach, Liscia Ruia, Capriccioli, Piccola Romazzino, Il Pevero and Piccolo Pevero beaches, l'Ulticeddhu beach, Poltu di li Cogghj beach (also known as 'del principe'), which can only be reached on foot, to name but a few.

If you don't want to miss out on all the wonders of this coast, the ideal thing to do is to visit a different beach every day and then make your own personal list of favourites.

The beach of Liscia Ruja, for example, is the largest in the municipality of Arzachena and its size makes it unique in the coastal landscape.

The sea of Arzachena is in constant movement: favorable currents and winds regenerate it continuously creating shades that enchant anyone who arrives in this heavenly place.

The absolute protagonist is the sea that draws in an unmistakable way the coast, framed by fine sandy beaches with jagged cliffs and typical Mediterranean vegetation.

The village of Cannigione, on the western side of the coast, in recent decades has become an important holiday resort, abandoning the typical structure of the fishing village and developing mostly on the seafront with modern facilities and services for tourists.

In Cannigione, the Delphina collection Resort Cala di Falco, is in a strategic position for anyone who wants to enjoy the wonders of the most famous coast of Sardinia.