Table of Contents:
When to travel to Costa Smeralda
How to get to Costa Smeralda from Olbia
Where to stay in Costa Smeralda
When to travel to Costa Smeralda
The Costa Smeralda is 55 kilometers of Sardinian sandy shoreline at the very north-eastern tip of the island. The famous resorts of Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, Bahia Sardinia and several other smaller ones are located here. The resorts of the Costa Smeralda are famous for their developed infrastructure and stunningly beautiful surroundings, which sounds like “Emerald Coast”.
The swimming season lasts from May to October here. During the summer months, especially in July and August, it can be quite hot. Sardinia is a sunny island so you will find good weather conditions there at any time of the year. Besides swimming and sunbathing, you can also try hiking, mountaineering, sightseeing on the island. Unique local gastronomy and various types of entertainment are also advantages of Sardinia. You never get bored here whenever you like sea, warm climate and inspiring countryside.
How to get to Costa Smeralda
Where do you fly into to get to Costa Smeralda? The easiest way to get to the Costa Smeralda resorts is from Olbia airport, the largest town in Northern Sardinia. The distance from Olbia to the shore is just approximately 30 km. There are several direct flights a day to Olbia from inland Italy in the summer. You can also fly to Olbia with a change in European cities on any day of the week. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others.
How to get to Costa Smeralda from Olbia
By public transport: Public transport is not very well developed on the island, but if you are determined to get to the Costa Smeralda in the most budget way, then buses run between Olbia airport and the sea resorts, although you will need to make a change. First, you will need to get from the airport to Olbia town. Then from the Olbia Stazione ARST stop, regular buses run directly to the resorts of the Costa Smeralda. Transportation is carried out by the company ARST. On their website you can check the current bus timetable. Buses on the island do not run very often, so this is not the most convenient way to get around.
By taxi: Most often, tourists arriving in Olbia use taxis or individual transfers to get to the desired hotel on the Costa Smeralda. This is the fastest way to get there. The travel time is about half an hour versus an hour and a half by bus. You can find a taxi upon arrival, or order transfer services (individual or group) in advance. Information on transfers can be found on the Kiwitaxi booking platform and other similar ones. The travel time by car is about 30 minutes.
By rented car: Another convenient option for getting from Olbia airport to the Costa Smeralda is to rent a car upon arrival. A car will be useful not only to get to the desired hotel, but also to move around the island, because public transport is poorly developed there. In addition, a car is almost the only way to see all the beauties of the Costa Smeralda, because hotels are often located a fair distance from the beaches. Olbia Airport and the Costa Smeralda resorts are connected with highways No. SP73 and SP94. The approximate travel time is about half an hour (see on the map). You can book the desired class of car in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
Where to stay in Costa Smeralda
You can stay on the Costa Smeralda at various resorts. The most popular are Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, Bahia Sardinia, La Maddalena, where the resort infrastructure is most developed. However, if you want privacy and a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle, then smaller resorts on the shore are also suitable.
Popular accommodation options on the Costa Smeralda include hotels of all-star categories, apartments, bed and breakfasts; there are also more exotic options like holiday homes, guest houses, villas, etc.
For example, the following hotels get consistently high ratings and good reviews:
Grand Hotel Poltu Quatu 5* is located in a picturesque area, surrounded with Mediterranean countryside. The hotel offers a free shuttle bus to the private beach. Guests can also enjoy a seasonal outdoor pool, a sauna, and a gym. There is a restaurant and a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories or apartments. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in public areas free of charge. Public parking is provided nearby. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Currency exchange and luggage storage options are also available at the hotel;
Bagaglino I Giardini di Porto Cervo 4* is located on the first beach line. There is a beach volleyball court, a football pitch and surfing and windsurfing equipment rentals. There is an à la carte restaurant. Guests can stay in apartments of various categories. Breakfast is included upon request. Free public parking is provided on site. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Hotel Cala Lunga 4* is located in a picturesque place, on the rocks. The hotel features a private beach area, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a relaxing terrace. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast or half board is included upon request. Some rooms have sea views. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and are free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. The front desk is open 24 hours a day;
Hotel Piccolo Pevero 3* is located just 50 meters from the beach and has its own garden and terrace for relaxing. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories; breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking is provided nearby. Luggage storage services are available at the front desk;
Hotel Villa Gemella 3* is located in a picturesque place, on the first beach line. It features an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Some rooms have sea views. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk.
What to see in Costa Smeralda
Costa Smeralda is a 55 km long shoreline on the north-eastern tip of Sardinia. Several famous resorts are concentrated here, such as Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, Bahia Sardinia and others. All of them have developed infrastructure, not only hotel, but also entertainment. If you wish, you can always do active sports here including diving, golf, horseback riding and hiking, or go on excursions to neighboring resorts or even islands. But the main component of a holiday in Sardinia, and on the Costa Smeralda in particular, are the amazing long beaches. The beaches here are white sand, mainly concentrated in the stunning Gulfs.
The beaches of Piccolo Pevero and Grande Pevero are a shoreline of pure beauty, consisting of fine white sand, surrounded with stone boulders and Mediterranean countryside. The water in the local gulf has an emerald color (it’s not for nothing that Costa Smeralda is translated as “Emerald Coast”). On the beaches you can often see snow-white yachts and boats floating in the distance. The beaches are located in the Gulf of Pevero, 3 km from the resort of Porto Cervo, and can only be reached by car.
8 km from Porto Cervo there is also a beach of amazing beauty, which is called Capriccioli. Its distinctive feature is picturesque rocks that go straight into the sea, while the shore is shallow with crystal clear water. At a distance, the beach is surrounded with pine and olive trees. From the shore there are views of the nearby islets of Camere and Soffi. You can get there by car along highway No. SP59.
Calo di Volpe beach is located in a secluded gulf, 7 km from Porto Cerve. The area is also dominated with white sand, framed by juniper bushes and other Mediterranean plants. Nearby is the luxurious hotel Cala di Volpe 5*.
Other equally picturesque beaches of the Costa Smeralda include Cala Granu, Celvia, Dolce Sposa, Piccolo Romazzino, Mortorio and others. All of them stretch along the shore from the resort of Porto Cervo to the resort of Porto Rotondo, i.e. you can reach them by following road No. SP94 (see on the map).
At the resorts of the Costa Smeralda you can find many other attractions, for example, ancient monuments or state-of-the-art water parks, not to mention such traditional Sardinian entertainment as golf courses, sailing, horseback riding, and water sports. For example, in the resort of Bahia Sardinia there is a water park called Aquadream, where you can find various slides and pools, incl. and extreme, children’s corner, relaxation area and much more.
- A standard visit ticket costs 25 euros.
- The water park is open in the summer every day from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm (the season starts on June 17 and ends on September 10).
Porto Rotondo is worth going to if you want to explore historical monuments. Thus, there is an ancient amphitheater and several medieval churches. Porto Cervo is more suitable for shopping and partying; for this purpose, an entire pedestrian street, Piazzetta degli Archi, is open here. The old port of the resort is also picturesque. Many attractions can be found in Olbia, including archaeological sites, St. Paul’s Cathedral, a Romanesque church and much more.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: SignorDeFazio
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
