the italian island sardinia in mediterranean sea

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Costa Smeralda

Back in 1962, flamboyant millionaire Karim Aga Khan established a consortium to buy a strip of unspoiled coastline in northeastern Sardinia. Each investor paid roughly US$25,000 for a little piece of paradise, and the coast was christened Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) for its brilliant green-blue waters.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Spiaggia Capriccioli

    Spiaggia Capriccioli

    Costa Smeralda

    Dotted with granite boulders and backed by fragrant macchia, this gorgeous half-moon bay has water that goes through the entire spectrum of blues and is…

  • Li Muri

    Li Muri

    Costa Smeralda

    This necropolis is a curious site made up of four interlocking megalithic burial grounds, possibly dating to 3500 BC. Archaeologists believe that VIPs…

  • Coddu Ecchju

    Coddu Ecchju

    Costa Smeralda

    Taking the Arzachena–Luogosanto road south, you can follow signs to one of the most important tombe dei giganti in Sardinia. The most visible part of it…

  • Tempio di Malchittu

    Tempio di Malchittu

    Costa Smeralda

    Accessible via a 2km track from the Nuraghe di Albucciu ticket office, this temple dating back to 1500 BC is one of only a few of its kind in Sardinia…

  • La Prisgiona

    La Prisgiona

    Costa Smeralda

    Covering an area of several square kilometres, the partially excavated nuraghic ruins of La Prisgiona are among the most extensive in northeastern…

  • Spiaggia del Principe

    Spiaggia del Principe

    Costa Smeralda

    Also known as Portu Li Coggi, this magnificent crescent of white sand is bound by unspoiled macchia and startlingly clear blue waters. Apparently it's the…

  • Chiesa di Stella Maris

    Chiesa di Stella Maris

    Porto Cervo

    Perched above Porto Cervo is Michele Busiri Vici’s surreal white church with a funnel-shaped bell tower. The church hosts classical-music concerts in the…

  • Nuraghe di Albucciu

    Nuraghe di Albucciu

    Costa Smeralda

    This is the nearest nuraghe to town, and certainly the easiest to find, on the main Olbia road, about 3km south of Arzachena. It’s unusual for several…

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Costa Smeralda and beyond

Beyond Costa Smeralda
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