Visiting Costa Smeralda: the best restaurants, hotels, beaches and local dishes

Next stop: Sardinia. A natural paradise and the undisputed setting for an exclusive, authentic Italian summer. Leave the city behind and head towards this famed isla of turquoise waters. Heading north through vivid landscapes of lush greenery and white or golden sand, you will spot on the horizon one of the most exclusive corners of the island: the geographic area of Costa Smeralda. Here you will find gourmet addresses serving fresh fish with a crisp glass of local white wine, idyllic beaches where azure meets sky blue, hotels and resorts made for pure relaxation, and local treats to round off your meal, not least the famous mirto, Sardinia’s very own nectar of the gods.

Sapore di sale, sapore di mare: this is the quintessential mood for a holiday in Costa Smeralda, accompanied by gently lapping waves and sea breezes brushing across stunning beaches. Let yourself be won over by the colours, flavours and scents of an island where time stands still. FLAWLESS has rounded up the best restaurants, hotels, beaches and local specialities to bookmark for a perfect summer escape.

Beaches

Whether you love turquoise coves or golden sandy beaches, Costa Smeralda will win you over with a generous choice of beaches to discover, opening onto striking sea views and an incredible marine palette of sky blue and turquoise. A few kilometres from Arzachena, you can reach Piccolo Pevero and Grande Pevero, set among sand dunes, lush greenery, deep sands and emerald-hued inlets. Nearby you will find Phi Beach, the coast’s famous all day & night long club, where you can sip an aperitivo at sunset to the latest hits. With splendid views across to the island of Mortorio, la spiaggia di Romazzino welcomes you with the scent of rosemary across an expanse of ochre sand, while exclusive Cala di Volpe charms with white sand meeting turquoise waters. Spiaggia del Principe, near Porto Cervo, is a celebration of marine colours: shades of turquoise, blue, green and pink define this stretch of sand, named after an Ismailite prince who landed here in the 60’s. From the shore of Cala Capriccioli you can admire two wind-sculpted rocks that resemble little goats, while the crystal-clear waters of La Celvia are perfect for a refreshing swim. Liscia Ruja is surrounded by greenery, juniper groves and Mediterranean scrub, dotted with pretty bays of turquoise water; take a break here at the tables of Big Sur Beach Bar, amid relaxed hippie vibes and lounge music. Rena Bianca, Cala Brandinchi and La Cinta are the place to be for sunbathing on fine white sand where the sun reflects off the turquoise sea. To each their own corner of the sea – or rather, their own beach!

Restaurants

Costa Smeralda is also about world-class dining: from fresh daily catches capturing the pure taste of the Mediterranean to hearty dishes from the land, focused on seasonal, wholesome produce. There are plenty of standout tables across this Sardinian haven, spanning the coast and the verdant hinterland. Expect regional recipes alongside international influences, backed by attentive service and wine lists celebrating remarkable local whites, reds and fizz—all you need to do is book a table for an unforgettable lunch or dinner. An elegant terrace overlooking the Porto Cervo marina sets the stage for Quattro Passi al Pescatore, ideal for a candlelit seafood dinner from the à la carte menu created by Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino. Regional flavours and Sardinian tradition take centre stage at Frades La Terrazza, a panoramic spot run by the namesake local family, while at Il Portolano you can enjoy sweeping views of Tavolara alongside fresh seafood dishes. For a fashionable dinner, reserve a table at Fruits de Mer in Poltu Quatu, where raw seafood and the day’s catch are served in a sleek, designer setting, or head to Milanese transplant Fishbar de Milan, which brings its crowd-pleasing seafood dishes straight to the coast. For a quick inland escape, make for the charming village of San Pantaleo and dine under chic white parasols at Giagoni in Piazza, savouring refined local fare. In the countryside between Arzachena and Cannigione, Agriturismo La Colti offers authentic Gallurese cooking in a relaxed country-chic setting. Japanese flavours take the lead at Finger’s, guided by the expertise of Chef Okabe, alongside the vibrant Ibiza-style atmosphere of Lío, a taste of Brazilian warmth at Aruanà Churrascaria for prime grilled meats, and a cosmopolitan turn at Natura by Art Academy, balancing Mediterranean roots with global flair. For an unforgettable excursion, hop on a short boat trip to the spectacular setting of restaurant La Corona for a glass of wine pieds dans l’eau on Tavolara beach.

Hotels

Relaxation, exclusivity and striking scenery: the key ingredients for a stay in Costa Smeralda. Fall for hotels and resorts set in evocative landscapes, where Sardinian greenery tumbles down towards crystal-clear waters, across golden, white and ochre sands; designer rooms with every comfort, attentive service, Arabian Nights-worthy spas and swimming pools with breathtaking views make for a five-star stay. Hotel Cala di Volpe is an icon of the coast’s most glamorous hospitality: designed in the 60’s by Jacques Couëlle, this property offers panoramic suites overlooking turquoise waters, a SHISEIDO spa, the exclusive Cala Beach Club and vibrant dining. In Porto Rotondo, Abi D’Oru welcomes guests into a meticulously designed setting suited to families too, blending Mediterranean style with contemporary touches, while Hotel Palumbalza, complete with a private marina offering 45 berths, is an oasis of calm. In the beautiful setting of Baja Sardinia, Grand Relais dei Nuraghi is ideal for a romantic escape, with comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and a private terrace overlooking Arcipelago della Maddalena; Paradise Resort & Spa in San Teodoro will charm you with its dedicated relaxation area, ideal for unwinding before dipping into the sea. If you prefer the inland countryside, just outside San Pantaleo you will find Petra Segreta, a relais chateaux set in lush Mediterranean macchia fragrant with myrtle, complete with an open-air spa, rooms and suites in refined Gallura style and an elegant clubhouse with views stretching all the way to the sea.

Local specialities

A trip to Costa Smeralda is the perfect chance to explore the authentic flavours, aromas and colours of an island with countless nuances, where sky, sea and unspoilt greenery meet in harmony. From ultra-fresh fish to porceddu, from Sardinian pecorino to colourful fruit and vegetables, right through to traditional sweets such as seadas drizzled with local honey. And to round off a meal in proper local fashion, you cannot miss a glass of mirto, served ice-cold. Zedda Piras, founded in 1854, makes an authentic liqueur capturing the scents of the Mediterranean maquis: made solely with natural ingredients following an ancient recipe without added colourings or flavourings, in accordance with the standards of the Consorzio Produttori di Mirto Sardo, of which Zedda Piras has been a member since 1994. It is a story told sip by sip, honouring Sardinia’s land and heritage. The wild myrtle berries grow in the rugged interior of the island, harvested by hand and bagged before heading to the production facility in Alghero. There they are sorted, washed and steeped in alcohol, then separated from the liquid, which matures for another three months in steel vats. After blending with water and sugar, this Sardinian “nectar of the gods” is filtered and bottled in its classic dark-amber guise. Here is to your Sardinian holiday, cheers!

Note: The term ‘Costa Smeralda’ is used solely as a geographical reference to an area in north-eastern Sardinia. There is no link, endorsement or affiliation with the Consorzio Costa Smeralda®.