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Costa Smeralda
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Costa Smeralda

Emerald Water, Granite Coves and the La Maddalena Islands

Plan this trip
3 daysIdeal stay₹17,040From / night₹4,260Food / dayFreeEntry

North-east Sardinia's resort coast round Porto Cervo: granite coves with turquoise water, superyachts, and boat days to the La Maddalena archipelago national park. Olbia airport is 30 km away, with flights from Rome and Milan and ferries from Civitavecchia and Livorno. Very dear in July and August; the resort hotels, beach clubs and boats close from late October to April.

Highlights

  • Boat day to the La Maddalena islands
  • Spiaggia del Principe
  • Porto Cervo marina at night
  • San Pantaleo market village
  • Cala Brandinchi
  • Snorkelling in granite coves

Things to do

  • Boat day round the La Maddalena archipelagoMorning · 7h
  • Beach-hop: Capriccioli and Spiaggia del PrincipeMorning · 5h
  • Porto Cervo marina eveningEvening · 2h 30m
  • San Pantaleo villageAfternoon · 2h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Costa Smeraldavia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Costa Smeraldavia Klook

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When to go

Best time: May – June, September

Worth knowing

August Peak: Italians on Holiday

August, and the week of Ferragosto (15 August) above all, is the busiest time on the coasts, lakes and islands: rooms cost the most of the year and sell out, beaches and beach clubs fill, ferries and trains to the coast are booked solid, and roads jam. Book rooms, ferries and trains months ahead, or come in June or September.

  • Ferragosto — The Assumption holiday and the peak of the Italian summer holiday: beaches, lakes and islands are at their fullest and dearest, many city shops and restaurants close for the week either side, and there are fireworks and beach parties on the coast. Book everything well ahead.