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You are at:Home»Italy»Sardinia»Northern Sardinia’s Luxurious Coast: A Guide to Porto Cervo and Beyond
Sardinia

Northern Sardinia’s Luxurious Coast: A Guide to Porto Cervo and Beyond

Walter SchaererBy Walter SchaererDecember 2, 202305 Mins Read
Isola Maddalena on Sardinia's north coast
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The luxurious jet-set hotspots Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are located in the north of Sardinia on the Costa Smeralda. The prettiest boutique hotels in Sardinia are also located in the north. Here are my travel tips including excursion destinations for the rugged north coast.

You can fly to the north of Sardinia via Olbia or drive your own car via ferry from Genoa (11-hour night crossing), Livorno or Civitavecchia near Rome.

In the north-east of the island on the Costa Smeralda is the famous jet-set resort of Porto Cervo with its designer stores and, a little further south, the yacht harbor of Porto Rotondo.

Sophisticated and picturesque Porto Cervo

Empty piazza in Porto Cervo
Empty piazza of Porto Cervo in the low season from October to May

 

Porto Cervo is a small “designer village”, picturesquely situated on a bay with a jetty for large and even larger yachts.

On a walk along the bay, you can watch the rich and beautiful. If they are there at all, because Katja and I prefer the quieter and cheaper low season. At best, you’ll only spot a few influencers there ;-)

The actual marina, the Marina di Porto Cervo, is about a 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the northwest. Even there, there are no “huge” yachts to be seen in the low season.

The reason I call Porto Cervo a “designer village” is because all kinds of designer brands such as Gucci, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton & Co. have a branch in this artificial retort village. The most important jewelry and watch brands such as Chopard and Rolex are also represented.

If you get tired or hungry from shopping, take a seat in one of the many restaurants on the large piazza. But if you want to protect yourself from surprises, study the menu and Google reviews first: The prices are steep depending on the season and the average ratings on Google are not particularly high…

Only the Restaurant Cervo of the 5-star Cervo Hotel Costa Smeralda Resort by Marriott Bonvoy (link to Booking.com) seems to do very well with guests according to Google.

Terrace of the Nuna al Sole restaurant
Restaurant Nuna al Sole on the Piazza
Influencer in Porto Cervo
Influencer in the bay of Porto Cervo

 

In the low season from around mid-October to around May, most stores and restaurants are closed.

Closed Chopard shop window in Porto Cervo
Chopard shop window refers to the next season
Restaurant QuattroPassi al Pescatore in Porto Cervo with influencer
Restaurant QuattroPassi al Pescatore with influencer

The yachts of Porto Rotondo

Porto Rotondo is a little smaller than Porto Cervo and it’s more about the yachts than the shops

And on the pier it can also be about motorcycles if you want to reach your yacht in style.

Motorcycle on the pier at Porto Rotondo
Stylish motorcycle on the pier of Porto Rotondo
Yachts in Porto Rotondo
Yachts in Porto Rotondo
Piazza della Darsena in Porto Rotondo
Piazza della Darsena with wooden bridge for a walk along the shore
Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Porto Rotondo
Modern Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Excursion destinations in the north of Sardinia

Picturesque island of Maddalena

If you are looking for an active vacation, the neighboring island of Isola Maddalena north of Sardinia (short crossing by car ferry from Palau) is an attractive destination for a half-day or day trip.

If you look back to Sardinia from the ferry, you can spot the rock­formation “Roccia dell’Orso” in the shape of a bear on the top of the hill.

The island is quickly circumnavigated: The coastal road offers beautiful views of rocky bays with small sandy beaches. You can also reach the neighbouring island of Caprera by car bridge.

Excursion destination Isola Maddalena Sardinia
Destination Isola Maddalena

Water sports in Porto Pollo

In Porto Pollo water sports enthusiasts (windsurfing, kitesurfing) will find strong winds on beautiful beaches. At the “Tiki” beach bar, we recommend the “Tiki Café” (with Nutella!).

Destination windsurfing in Porto Pollo
Windsurfing in Porto Pollo
Tiki-Caffé
Tiki-Caffé at the Tiki Beachclub of Porto Pollo

 

Busy Santa Teresa Gallura

Santa Teresa Gallura has a beautiful stretch of beach in a bay with a small cliff walk.

If you are hungry, you should visit the gourmet restaurant “Da Thomas”.

The pretty market takes place on Thursdays.

Excursion destination Roccia dei Maccini rocky path near Santa Teresa Gallura
Roccia dei Maccini rocky path near Santa Teresa Gallura

Beautiful pedestrian zone of Alghero

The small town of Alghero in the northwest of Sardinia is very picturesque with a pretty pedestrian zone.

Depending on the hotel location, however, it is a little further away, as it is about 2 hours by car from Olbia via country roads along the sea.

Coastal town of Alghero
Picturesque coastal town of Alghero with pedestrian zone

Pevero Golf Club – golfing on the Costa Smeralda

Golfers enjoy a challenging round on the Pevero Golf Course, a 30-minute drive north of Olbia. Golf course architect Robert Trent Jones has laid out the 18 holes with great variety in the Costa Smeralda. The clubhouse is very dignified, the food is good.

By the way, Sardinia is not a golf destination: although there are numerous golf courses, only 4 of them have 18 holes. Of these, Pevero Golf is the only one that meets international standards.

Green and fairway of Tanka Golf near Villasimius

Playing golf in Sardinia – only conditionally recommended

Hotel tips for the north of Sardinia

In keeping with the upscale destination, there are numerous chic boutique hotels in the north in the corresponding price range.

Prices are somewhat lower in the pre- and post-season, while breathtaking rates are charged in the high season.

If you don’t want to stay in the famous 5-star luxury hotels Romazzino or Pitrizza in Porto Cervo, you might find what you’re looking for in these slightly smaller hotels nearby (all links to Booking.com):

  • Li Finistreddi elevated in the interior
  • Stazzo Lu Ciaccaru in the interior
  • Cascioni Eco Retreat Baja Sardinia
  • Grand Relais dei Nuraghi Baja Sardinia
  • 7Pines Resort Sardinia Costa Smeralda

The beautiful hideaway Grand Hotel & SPA Ma & Ma – Adults Only is located a little off the beaten track on the northern island of La Maddalena.


Blue hour at the pool of the Li Finistreddi Boutique Hotel
Pool of the Li Finistreddi boutique hotel

Enjoy your trip!

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Walter Schaerer
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Walter’s extensive background in the travel industry, passionate enthusiasm for photography and a firm belief that luxury destinations can also be affordable; were some of the main factors that motivated him to create the travel blog travelmemo.com. In his day job, Walter is an online marketing manager based in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Welcome to our travel blog! Katja & Walter are passionate about one-of-a-kind travel experiences.



We aim at inspiring you to travel, too, and see your own world with new eyes. Check out more about us here!

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Katja and Walter are passionate travel bloggers that care about design and boutique hotels and the personalised experience they offer. Their travelogues cater to discerning couples interested in a stylish atmosphere and romantic hideaways.

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