Italy

Architecture of Sardinia and the best beaches of the Gulf of Cervo

Day 1. Porto Cervo

On the first day we stay to explore Porto Cervo, the center of social life of the Costa Smeralda, 55 km long north-eastern coast of Sardinia and a favorite vacation spot for the wealthiest people of&nbsp;the world. The word cervo is translated from Italian as &ldquo;deer&rdquo;, so Porto Cervo is Deer Bay. This place is named because the winding relief of the local coast resembles deer antlers. Porto Cervo was conceived and designed by the famous Italian architect Luigi Vietti most recently&nbsp;in the 1960s for Prince Aga Khan IV.

The family restaurant Hivaoa Ristorante Pizzeria has been serving Porto Cervo residents and visitors in a delicious and satisfying way for more than 20 years. Italian classics and regional specialties are masterfully prepared here: Sardinian pasta gnocchetti sardi, spaghetti with shellfish, homemade culurgiones pasta with tomato and pecorino sauce and a special Sardinian delicacy, dried mullet caviar sedano e bottarga.

Hivaoa Ristorante Pizzeria

The Clipper Porto Cervo fish restaurant is run by the Volpi sisters, who create real masterpieces from the seafood for guests. As starters, it serves oysters with truffle, langoustines and shrimps, Siberian caviar, Sardinian smoked products and cheeses, then guests will be offered pasta with clams and mullet caviar, baked squid or tuna with mint and almonds.

Clipper Porto Cervo

Confusion is the first Michelin-starred restaurant on the Costa Smeralda. Legendary chef Italo Bassi creates a culinary art using ingredients from around the world and unusual flavor combinations: red prawns with sturgeon caviar and mango and lime sauce, octopus with Sicilian vegetable ragout caponata and spicy Japanese yuzokusho sauce, and finally a lobster with Sardinian tomatoes, artichokes and chia seeds.

Confusion

Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo is home to many architectural masterpieces with elements of the signature Sardinian style. The most important attraction and must-see is the Stella Maris Church, built in 1968. The exterior of the temple refers to the extraordinary style of the architect Antonio Gaudí. The main wealth in Stella Maris is considered to be an organ of Neapolitan origin.

Stella Maris Church

Piazzetta is the tiny heart of Porto Cervo, where life does not stop even for a minute. Fine restaurants, home cafes, trendy clubs, boutiques and artisan shops peacefully coexist here.

Piazzetta

Liscia Ruja is a crescent that covers fine pinkish-white sand and is framed by thickets of juniper, citrus trees and flowers. The beach is preferred by lovers of relaxing holidays and diving fans, the azure waters of Liscia Ruja are an ideal place for underwater walks. The long beach includes inflatable water attractions, parking, rent of sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as several bars and restaurants with views.

Liscia Ruja Beach

Romazziono Beach is a paradise bay famous for its white sand, azure waters and postcard views, where the vibrant nature of Sardinia is combined with first-class resort service. Tourists are greeted by restaurants, bars, children's play clubs and water activities from diving to sea cruises.

Romazzino Beach

Charming villa Casa Smeralda offers an authentic experience. Imagine real Sardinian life, full of sun and flowers, long breakfasts on the outdoor terrace overlooking the garden and boat trips. The rooms are decorated with wicker furniture, and the pastel colors in the interior are conducive to a serene rest in an Italian resort.

Casa Smeralda

Luci di la Muntagna is a traditional Mediterranean style hotel. It offers comfortable, bright rooms with balconies offering panoramic views of the azure sea. Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving Italian delicacies. Order an Aperol and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets on the Costa Smeralda.

Hotel Luci di la Muntagna

Hotel Balocco is a piece of paradise in Liscia di Vacca, a hill overlooking the new Porto Cervo Marina and the coast. The interior repeats the architectural traditions of Sardinia: arches, terracotta, an abundance of white and greenery. The Balocco rooms are simple yet cozy in design: nothing superfluous, only light colors, huge windows and open terraces.

Hotel Balocco

Day 2. Tavolara

The emerald sea and green vegetation attract tourists from all over the world to Tavolara. There are no roads and hotels, and the coast is the only inhabited part. The island is ruled by the real King Antonio or &quot;Tonino&quot; Bertoleoni. The monarch is a direct descendant of the Bartoleoni dynasty, which has ruled Tavolara since 1700. Today, Tonino and his family are the only inhabitants of the island.

If there was an award for the most romantic views, La Corona would definitely win it. The sea view and the amazing cuisine are what tourists come to semi-wild Tavolara again and again for. To the delight of guests, La Corona treats not only seafood, but also juicy meat. We recommend you order beef tagliata with arugula, parmesan and butter, or lamb chops with seasonal vegetables.

La Corona

King Tonino Bertoleoni runs the restaurant, feeds tourists with fresh seafood with great pleasure, and each time he enthusiastically tells the story of his family with rapture. Try grilled fish, mussel soup, fish tartare and be sure to complement your meal with a glass of Sardinian wine.

Ristorante da Tonino Re di Tavolara

Tavolara

Spalmatore di Terra is the most popular beach in Tavolara. Here you can stretch out on a sun lounger, sip a cocktail at the bar and watch the sailboats swaying on the waves.

Spalmatore di Terra Beach

For lovers of privacy, we recommend staying at Cala Tramontana beach in the west of Tavolara. The wild bay, surrounded by a massive rock cliff and rocky coast, breathes tranquility and sets you up for relaxation. The shore is covered with pebbles, which, however, does not prevent tourists to relax on the polished stones.

Cala Tramontana Beach

The principle of Esmeralda's Rooms is the independence and comfort of guests. Make yourself at home in the bright design rooms with a private veranda. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, shops and Porto San Paolo Beach.

Esmeralda's Rooms

Relais del Borgo took the best of country life and the comfort that residents of modern metropolises are used to: from breakfast in the garden to orthopedic mattresses. The hotel offers double rooms as well as rooms with extra beds, so it is suitable for tourists with children.

Relais del Borgo | Luxury Rooms

Don Diego enchants travelers with its authentic interior with beamed ceilings and ethnic decor, excellent service and a stunning location in the heart of a Mediterranean oasis. It inspires you to watch the sunrises on your private balcony overlooking the sea, stroll along the coast and relax without the hustle and bustle.

Hotel Don Diego

Tourist port and Sardinian Baroque

Day 3. La Maddalena

La Maddalena is a national park of the protection of flora and fauna, which has become the treasure of Italy. The archipelago has more than 60 islands, seven of them are supposed to be the main ones: Caprera, Budelli, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, Razzoli and, of course, La Maddalena, the largest and the only inhabited island of the chain. Get to know the colorful Sardinian life as you walk along the cobbled streets of the 18th century, listening to the cries of seagulls, the chiming of church bells and ship horns.

Blue Bay Marina is a restaurant with a view, remote from the tourist center of La Maddalena. We advise you to book a table on the outdoor terrace to admire the sea panorama and scarlet sunsets, discovering the aromas and flavors of northern Sardinia. Here you will be offered octopus salad, tuna tartare, caponatina vegetable stew with spicy Italian herbs and the classic Sardinian culurgiones pasta with fish.

Blue Bay Marina

L'Aventura restaurant knows a lot about excellent fish. For more than 30 years, the freshest seafood has been prepared here according to traditional recipes of the inhabitants of La Maddalena. On the menu you will find squid and shrimp in batter, risotto with Sardinian grananglon cheese, fisherman's soup from local fish, tuna steak and many more incredibly delicious dishes.

L'Avventura

La Maddalena

We start our walk around the city from the tourist port of Cala Gavetta. The space is decorated with a granite column depicting the great Italian commander Giuseppe Garibaldi. The monument was built at the beginning of the last century.

Port of Cala Gavetta

The parish church in the Baroque style is one of the main attractions of the city, which was erected in honor of the patron saint of the island, St. Mary Magdalene. There is a museum at the temple, where they will tell about the history of the settlement, cultural and religious traditions.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene

The highest point of La Maddalena is Guardia Vecchia, which reaches a height of 146 meters. The mountain offers a panorama of the surrounding fields, the city and the coast. You can climb Guardia Vecchia by car or on foot. The walk will take no more than half an hour.

Guardia Vecchia

The main treasure of the archipelago is nature, indented coasts and bays of extraordinary beauty. You can and should enjoy these magnificent curves right from the yacht. And if you want to swim, we recommend the tiny beach of Spalmatore with the sand of color of coffee with milk.

Spalmatore Beach

Residenza Mordini is an elegant boutique hotel not far from Piazza Umberto I. During the reconstruction, the owners used environmentally friendly materials, retained antique furniture and decor elements, so each room has a unique character and atmosphere. At the Residence Mordini tourists will find a mini spa, sauna, Turkish bath, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Residenza Mordini

Tourists will find a homely warm welcome at Petite maison 300 meters from the city center. The guest house offers three brightly designed rooms and a patio filled with fragrant Mediterranean flowers. Every morning, guests gather at a common table and enjoy breakfast, which was carefully cooked by the hostess Mariam. In Petite Maison it is allowed to check in with a small pet.

Petite Maison

Seems like Resort Ma & Ma is an extension of the cliffs surrounding the five-star hotel.
In the design of the rooms, modernity and comfort prevail, and the restaurant's repertoire, on the contrary, gives back to the gastronomic traditions of the region. Guests of Resort Ma&Ma enjoy daily access to the spa with Turkish bath, heated pool and sauna.

Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma

Viewpoint at the lighthouse, the best beaches of Sardinia and the valley of the moon

Day 4. Capo Testa

Capo Testa is the northernmost point of Sardinia. At one time, the Romans mined granite on the rocky shores of the cape, and the columns of the Pantheon in Rome were built from Capo Testa stone. You can completely bypass Capo Testa on foot, it will take three to four hours.

The family-run restaurant focuses on classic recipes and simple home-cooked dishes made from local ingredients. Guests are treated to fried fish, langoustines, shellfish, pasta, risotto with seafood and minestrina soup. If you are traveling in the summer, we advise you to book a table in advance.

Albergo Ristorante Bocche Di Bonifacio

Capo Testa

The lighthouse is the decoration of the cape, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and the sea. The observation deck is open to tourists, but you cannot climb the tower, because the lighthouse is a NATO facility.

Lighthouse Capo Testa

A fantastic stone valley stretches in the southwest of the cape. The rocky shore is indented by picturesque bays, which are connected by footpaths. If you're lucky, you'll see sea turtles hiding between the boulders. We recommend that you bring comfortable shoes and be sure to take a walk in the  Valle della Luna.

Moon Valley

The beach is located near the village of Capo Testa on the shores of Santa Reparata Bay, protected from the wind by natural rocks. On the coast, you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas and boats, and you can also drink prosecco or aperol in a beach bar. Zia Culumba is one of the best snorkeling beaches in Sardinia.

Zia Culumba Beach

Capo Testa is connected to the island by a thin isthmus, on both sides of which there are amazing beaches. One such piece of paradise there is Rena di Ponente, which has received the prestigious Blue Flag award. Tourists are expected by an equipped recreation area and crystal clear water, the signature of Rena di Ponente.

Rena di Ponente Beach

Palace Colonna Grand The Hotel is located on the isthmus between Capo Testa and the island. The design of the rooms is from the classic room to the deluxe and suite, combining elegance and distinctive Mediterranean style. The five-star hotel has two restaurants and bars, a spa, a kids club and outdoor pools opposite the beautiful Rena di Ponente beach.

Colonna Grand Hotel Capo Testa

The beaches of Sardinia have been the most beautiful in Italy for several decades. The nature of the region is a matter of national pride and it's hard to argue with this. To fully enjoy the beauty of these places, you should go on a yacht trip. The purest clear water and a huge number of bays create ideal conditions. We have prepared a short four-day itinerary in the north of the island, the most picturesque part of it.

4 Days on a Yacht