Costa Smeralda

In 1959, when Prince Karim Aga Khan came for the first time to Sardinia, he found before him an unprecedented natural spectacle. The emerald sea, the granite sand, the vegetation and rocks created a unique landscape. He decided to invest in this corner of Sardinia implementing a tourism development plan that involved the construction of roads, accommodation and commercial facilities, villas and so on, all in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.

And so the Costa Smeralda was born - approximately 20 km of coastline between Rena Bianca, and Poltu Quatu. The Costa Smeralda resort immediately became known all over the world. The most famous architects were involved in the design and development of this area, enriching and enhancing the natural beauty of this enchanting place.

With time, small towns and residential areas sprung up which, besides hosting the many tourists who regularly choose the Costa Smeralda for their holidays, are now home to many residents who have moved there permanently.

Liscia di Vacca, three kilometres from Porto Cervo is one of the oldest villages in this area. In addition to the Hotel Pitrizza, whose famous building faces one of the many outstanding beaches that characterize this region, there are residences, a commercial area with a supermarket, bars and restaurants, and numerous villas, houses and apartments.

The natural bay where Porto Cervo is situated is home to the Marina Nuova, which has always been one of the best equipped marinas in the Mediterranean with its berths for yachts up to 100 meters in length and a shipyard, a supermarket, restaurants and bars that are very popular with the world of international yachting, which gathers here every year for the many regattas organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

A few hundred meters from the centre of Porto Cervo Marina is the bay of Cala Granu. With its crystal clear sea surrounded by characteristic vegetation, it is one of the most suggestive beaches of this area.

Porto Cervo, instead, is the historical centre of the Costa Smeralda. The most famous names in fashion have their boutiques there; the international jet-set gathers every summer in its narrow streets for shopping; from dusk till dawn its bars and the nearby discos are packed with people; and the Porto Vecchio welcomes the world's most famous and spectacular yachts.

Pantogia is a residential area a few kilometres from the centre of Porto Cervo. It is located on a spectacular hillside overlooking the beautiful beaches of Porto Paglia, and the Piccolo and Grande Pevero. This is one of the most scenic locations in all of northern Sardinia, and is characterized by beautiful villas and residences immersed in nature but cared for with an attention to every detail.

The village of Abbiadori is primarily a commercial area: here you will find supermarkets that cater to the needs of even the most demanding, a pharmacy, a beauty centre and many small shops. Not far from here are the most exclusive beaches of the region: Capriccioli, Liscia Ruja-Long Beach, the Spiaggia del Principe, the Celvia and others. The area also hosts 5-star hotels like the Cala di Volpe and the Romazzino, villas designed by the most famous architects in the world who appear frequently in interior design and art magazines, and a prestigious golf course immersed in the greenery typical of this part of Sardinia which is the setting for competitions and tournaments on an international level. All this blends into lush scenery, protected and curated, that frames the emerald sea.

The Consorzio Costa Smeralda upholds and guarantees the highest standards for the area. It provides a permanent security service, gardeners who take care of the many green areas, and a first-rate medical service, in addition to safeguarding the peace and nature that have made this area one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world.

This corner of paradise is within easy reach of the major national and international airports, and thanks to its wonderful facilities and it is the ideal place for an unforgettable holiday.