In the 60s The Aga Khan and a few friends bought a strip of paradise on northeastern Sardinia with the plan to turn it into a luxurious holiday destination. Thus the Costa Smeralda, named for its beautiful bluey-green waters, was ‘born’. Yachtie favourite Porto Cervo became the unofficial capital of the region, a place of blended culture and architecture which is very glossy, but not particularly Sardinian. Fashionable and exclusive as Porto Cervo still is, our pick of the best places to stay in Porto Cervo still contains some very affordable options, converted farmhouses and villas, chic hotels, vast beach resorts, and yes, some extremely luxurious properites too.

Porto Cervo’s beaches are exceptionally beautiful, its yacht marina is a sight to behold too — this is where some of the world’s most impressive and opulent mega-yachts spend some of the year. The town itself mixes a cocktail of architecture which includes Italian, Spanish, Greek and even North African styles, along beautifully kept streets, and fragrant gardens. And there’s the same architectural mix amongst the hotels. If all the luxury and gloss gets a bit much, head inland to Arzachena for the authentic Sardinian experience. Just a few kilometres behind the Costa this small rural village has a pretty centre and beautiful views over the coast.

There are plenty of great family-friendly hotels on our list of the best places to stay in Porto Cervo, hotels and resorts with kids clubs and loads of activities onsite, but this is also a great destination for couples. It’s glamorous, rather than romantic — though some of our recommendations are super romantic — and offers fun days in the sunshine, and lively nightlife. There’s a best beach to suit both types of holiday makers too, Cala Granu for families, and Spiaggia del Pevero for more of a cocktails at sundown vibe.

The Best Places to stay in Porto Cervo

For a Special Occasion

• Luxurious and intimate, the Hotel Pitrizza’s collection of rooms, suites and private villas is many people’s idea of the perfect honeymoon hotel. Not too big, but not too small, its expansive terraces, with incredible sea views, offer a myriad of opportunities for dreamy moments, and if you opt to stay in a villa you can have your own private pool and terrace too. The larger villas, those with two and three bedrooms, are ideal for families and groups too. There are three restaurants, an Italian restaurant, a barbecue restaurant, and a fine dining option, plus a number of bars, and a really beautiful stretch of private, golden beach.

For Luxury

• The Colonna Pevero began as a farmhouse, but is so much grander now that it’s hard to trace the original building. It now includes a hundred rooms and suites, romantic courtyards, five pools, an extensive spa, two restaurants specialising in Sardinian food, gym, spa, bar and library all set amid fragrant gardens, between two beautiful beaches.

For a Beach Break

• The Hotel Romazzino is a delightfully sprawling resort on the edge of a spectacular sandy bay. Its architecture is wonderfully Mediterranean, with rounded whitewashed shapes, large windows and many shaded terraces. The hotel has one hundred rooms, suites and private villas, the latter with three or five bedrooms. There are two main pools, one saltwater and one fresh, plus a whole raft of facilities, which includes a kids club. There are also two restaurants, and two bars, but just the one spa — though it is impressive in scale and reach.

For Families

• The Hotel Balocco is a classic white villa hotel, complete with palm trees, arched balconies and sea views over the pool. Its 40 rooms and suites are light and spacious, with the sort of terracotta flooring, beamed ceilings and chic, yet slightly rustic furniture that fits perfectly inside a Mediterranean villa. There’s a kids’ pool (separate from the adults’ pool), babysitting available, and easy access to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa Smeralda.

For Great Value

• The Dolce Vita Hotel is charming, traditional and affordable, which is a difficult to come by combination in such a prime Costa Smeralda location. Its 18 rooms and suites are light and airy, with large windows, tiled floors, and in some cases private balconies, and private hot tubs too. There’s also a self catering apartment, which sleeps up to six. The pool is on a huge terrace, and this is where guests will get the best sea views. No restaurant, but they offer a good breakfast, there’s a bar, and lots of places to eat and drink near by.

For a Private apartment or villa

• If you’re looking for a self-catering option browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Sardinia has three airports: Olbia Airport, which is about 40 minutes from Porto Cervo by car, or an hour and a half by public transport; Alghero Airport, which is on the northwest coast of the island, and a two and a half hour drive from Porto Cervo, and Cagliari Airport, which is on the southern coast of Sardinia, about four hours drive from Porto Cervo. Arriving by ferry is also a possibility. Olbia is the closest port, it has a ship and ferry terminal just a short bus or taxi ride from the centre of town.
• If you want to hire a car — which we strongly advise if you want to explore more of Sardinia — we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Sardinia’s Mediterranean climate means long, warm summers and short, mild winters, with most of the rain sandwiched between. It is known for being windy, and in some regions humid. in fact, for a small island, Sardinia has a number of microclimates. But generally speaking most of Sardinia is a pleasant destination almost year round. From the start of spring it starts to get pretty sunny, though of course summer is the most popular time to visit, when the water is warm, and temperatures are in the mid-twenties. The temperature averages 18°C in October, so if you prefer a quieter holiday then September/October is a good time to visit.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Sardinia
• Refine your search to just the dazzling beauty of the Costa Smerelda which runs from easily accessed Olbia to the Golf di Arzachena
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.