Forget the Amalfi Coast: Here’s how to visit Italy’s equally stunning Costa Smeralda
The Amalfi Coast has come to symbolize "la dolce vita," but it’s by no means the only gorgeous coastline in Italy. Sardinia — and in particular, the Costa Smeralda — has its own particular kind of glamor.
In summer, yachts dot the marina at Cala di Volpe, with millionaires and celebrities coming on shore to savor spaghetti with clams at Hotel Romazzino’s beachfront barbecue or sushi by Nobu Matsuhisa at Hotel Cala di Volpe before partying at exclusive clubs like Billionaire and Phi Beach. Designer stores by Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Prada line the streets just off the main piazza in Porto Cervo.
Yet the foremost reason the region keeps drawing people back is its rugged natural beauty. As Giorgio Armani himself said in an interview with Costa Smeralda Hotels Magazine about his first visit to the Costa Smeralda, “The lasting memory is the emerald green of the sea. I remember thinking that a name had never been more of a perfect fit for a place.”
This year, the Costa Smeralda is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a series of concerts and events, as well as the release of a new tome by Assouline. The book, simply called "Costa Smeralda," tells the story of how Prince Karim Aga Khan IV fell in love with this wild, untamed part of Sardinia and decided to transform it into a seaside paradise for jetsetters.
To visit the Costa Smeralda for yourself and see why this breathtaking region has captivated travelers like Aga Khan for decades, here's all you need to know.
Related: 9 under-the-radar destinations in Italy you need to visit
How to get there
The closest airport to the Costa Smeralda is Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), which is one of three airports on Sardinia. Unfortunately, there are no nonstop flights to Olbia from the U.S., and the flights to Olbia currently cost more than $1,500 round trip. As a result, your best bet will likely be to fly to a major city on the mainland like Rome, Milan or Venice and then book a separate ticket on board a low-cost carrier such as EasyJet.
Once you arrive at Olbia’s airport, it'll take about 35 minutes to drive to Porto Cervo, the main town on the Costa Smeralda. Technically, the Costa Smeralda covers 34 miles of coastline between Portisco and Liscia di Vacca, but there are other places nearby that are worth visiting, too, including Palau and the Maddalena Archipelago. If you want to move around a lot and explore the area, it’s a good idea to rent a car, as taxis in this part of Sardinia are notoriously expensive and public transit isn’t very efficient.
Related: Planning a trip to Italy? Here's how to get there on points and miles
What to do
The main reasons to visit the Costa Smeralda are the beaches and the lifestyle. Some of the top hotels in the area have fully equipped beaches with sun beds and umbrellas, but there are also beach clubs you can check out.
If you’re looking for a fun yet laid-back vibe, Nikki Beach Costa Smeralda is a good choice. Book a beach bed and a table for lunch and a boat will whisk you off from Cala di Volpe to the club’s location on a secluded strip of sand. At lunchtime, indulge in fresh seafood like grilled lobster or octopus with potatoes while a DJ spins tunes. Staff shuttle back and forth between the restaurant and beach beds, keeping the rosé flowing all day.
There are many free beaches where you can simply lay a towel down on the sand and hang out as long as you want. The Spiaggia del Principe in Arzachena was supposedly Aga Khan’s favorite beach. Meanwhile, the Isola dei Gabbiani in Palau is a hot spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing because of the mistral wind that blows from southern France into the Mediterranean.
Of course, a trip to the Costa Smeralda wouldn’t be complete without a boating excursion. Book a full-day outing with Enjoy the Island and one of the skippers will take you around the Maddalena Archipelago, which was home to a U.S. naval base until 2008. Along the way, you'll stop at secluded coves where you can dive into the azure sea to swim and snorkel. The boat docks at Maddalena island for a lunch break, giving you the chance to grab a bite on this charming island — the largest in the archipelago — before continuing on to more beautiful bays in this stunning national park protected from development.
Related: What you need to know about European beach etiquette
Where to stay
Aga Khan’s development plan in the 1960s included four luxury hotels, all of which are now managed by Marriott. Crucially, the hotels were designed to blend into the landscape, spreading out horizontally rather than vertically to preserve the views and borrowing inspiration from the local vernacular, as well as elements from Mediterranean countries including Greece, Spain and Morocco. As such, the properties are stunning and are still the best places to stay on the Costa Smeralda.
Hotel Cala di Volpe
Hotel Cala di Volpe is the most iconic of the four, with a sinuous architectural form designed by Jacques Coüelle, a friend of Picasso and Dalí who referred to himself as an architect-sculptor. Stepping into the lobby with its tall archways and views of the Mediterranean, you can feel the sense of grandeur.
Part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, the hotel is fresh off a four-year renovation that preserved Coüelle’s design, including details like colorful stained-glass windows and stairs painted a rainbow of pastel colors. The refurbishment also brought new restaurants like Le Grand, Beefbar and Matsuhisa to the property. A scene in the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me" was filmed here, so don't be surprised if you feel like a dashing spy while riding the hotel’s Riva yacht.
Rates start at $523 or 98,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Hotel Pitrizza
Another member of The Luxury Collection, Hotel Pitrizza is more of a tucked-away refuge with stone cottages inspired by ancient nuraghe structures found in the area. It’s also home to what may be the world’s first infinity pool, which looks out over the Mediterranean Sea, and gently sloping paths lead down to a private beach.
Expect to pay at least $513 or 98,000 points per night to stay here.
Hotel Romazzino
At Hotel Romazzino, you'll find the same whitewashed stucco architecture commonly associated with Greece, but the details (embroidered cushions and hand-painted wall decorations) are pure Sardinian.
This Luxury Collection property is on one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in the area, where you can lounge on plush sun beds all day. When hunger strikes, simply walk up to the open-air barbecue restaurant for a lunch of spaghetti with clams or grilled seafood. The bar also makes a fabulous Bellini.
Nightly rates start at $485 or 98,000 points.
Cervo Hotel
A Sheraton-affiliated property, Cervo Hotel is the most centrally located of the four hotels. It sits right on the main piazza of Porto Cervo, so if you want to be in the middle of the action, this is the place to stay.
The hotel is surrounded by designer stores, chic restaurants and a summertime pop-up called the Waterfront, a sort of boardwalk lined with art galleries, bars and restaurants, including an outpost of Nikki Beach.
Additionally, it's the most affordable hotel of the bunch, with rates starting at $266 or 70,000 points per night.
Related: These are the best hotels in Italy for every type of traveler
Bottom line
The Costa Smeralda is a great alternative to the Amalfi Coast. Though it mainly attracts a jet-setting crowd, there are plenty of gorgeous free beaches budget-savvy travelers can enjoy.
What the region lacks in pretty pastel buildings clinging to dramatic cliffs it makes up for in sheer natural beauty, with sandy beaches, wild landscapes full of Mediterranean scrub and a sea that shimmers in a thousand shades of blue, turquoise and green.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.