Italy, Sardinia, Province of Olbia-Tempio, Santa Teresa Gallura, Capo Testa, granite peninsula

Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM

Northeastern Sardinia

The Costa Smeralda evokes Sardinia’s classic images: pearly-white beaches and weird, wind-whipped licks of rock tapering into emerald seas. The dazzling coastal strip that the Aga Khan bought for a pittance is today the playground of millionaires and A-listers. Come summer, scandal-hungry paparazzi haunt the marinas, zooming in on oligarchs cavorting with bikini-clad beauties on yachts so big they eclipse the sun.

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

  • Landscape of the crystal clear waters of the main beach in Tavolara Island.

    Isola Tavolara

    Northeastern Sardinia

    Rising from the sapphire sea like some kind of giant sea creature, this rocky island is a sight to behold. The main draw is splashing about in the…

  • Rocky shore in Valle della Luna near Capo Testa, near Santa Teresa di Gallura, Sardinia.

    Valle della Luna

    Northeastern Sardinia

    A few kilometres northwest of Aggius towards Trinita d’Agultu, you reach the Valle della Luna. It’s a surreal and evocative landscape, where huge granite…

  • Pink sand beach on Budelli Island

    Isola Budelli

    Northeastern Sardinia

    This small island near the northwestern corner of the Maddalena archipelago is best known for its Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach), so-called because of the…

View more attractions

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Northeastern Sardinia with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Go Beyond

Northeastern Sardinia and beyond

Beyond Northeastern Sardinia