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…

  • 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…

  • Spiaggia del Grande & Piccolo Pevero

    Spiaggia del Grande & Piccolo Pevero

    Costa Smeralda

    This twinset of stunning bays, 3km south of Porto Cervo, fulfil the Sardinian paradise dream with their floury sands and dazzlingly blue, shallow water…

  • Spiaggia Liscia Ruia

    Spiaggia Liscia Ruia

    Costa Smeralda

    Though busy in peak season, this beach is a beauty – a long arc of pale, fine sand and crystal-clear water. It's close to the neo-Moorish fantasy that is…

  • 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…

  • 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…

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Costa Smeralda and beyond

Beyond Costa Smeralda
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