Sardinia’s Emerald Coast
The Costa Smeralda® or the Emerald Coast, as it’s known in English, is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations in northern Sardinia. Its gorgeous white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush golf courses and stunning hotels and yachts attract visitors from all over the world.
The name Costa Smeralda® is tied to the vision behind its creation. In the 1950s, northern Sardinia, particularly the Gallura region was still a wild and secluded place, not unlike the rest of the island. Visionary magnates like Giuseppe Mentasti and Prince Karim Aga Khan, who were so enchanted by this vast and untouched coastline, bought and transformed the land into a tourism, luxury and beauty haven. As the project developed, a new name was needed for the coast. Mentasti suggested naming it after his daughter, Esmeralda. However, architect Luigi Vietti noted that Esmeralda sounded a bit too Spanish for Sardinia. He simplified the name to Smeralda, perfectly capturing the essence of the coast’s emerald waters.
It’s precisely this distinct combination of crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches that makes the Emerald Coast one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe. The incredibly soft white sand found on the paradisiac beaches of Pevero, Romazzino, and Capriccioli create a sensation of having flour under your feet and serves as a perfect backdrop to the sea’s pristine waters, giving it a clean and pure aspect. One can even see the fine details of the seabed and its vivacious marine life.
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This clarity is the result of both human effort and natural occurrences. Since the inception of the Costa Smeralda project, the Costa Smeralda Consortium has focused on protecting and enhancing these beaches by meticulously preventing pollution and environmental degradation to preserve the beauty and quality of the coastal waters. Complementing these efforts, Posidonia oceanica, a sea plant forming ecologically vital underwater meadows, purifies the water and supports the health of the entire marine ecosystem. Exploring this marine life is an absolute must. I love discovering the vibrant colours of the sea bottom and spot various fish, shells and corals through snorkelling.
Fun fact: Traditional Sardinian jewelry is made of red coral and features intricate filigree patterns. I highly recommend stopping by a local artisan jewelry store to check out these beautiful and unique pieces.
For a day of exhilaration, Orso Diving in beautiful Poltu Quatu offers thrilling open-sea excursions to the Canyon of Caprera where you might see dolphins, sunfish, fin whales and sea turtles. Boat trips to the island of Tavolara, the Maddalena Archipelago, and Golfo Aranci are also available.
For a taste of local culture, visit the towns of Arzachena, Porto Rotondo or Poltu Quatu. Arzachena, in particular, is a burst of colour with charming squares, pink granite and white-stone facades, flower-filled views and green spaces adorned with boutiques and artisanal products. The nearby archaeological sites of Necropolis of Li Muri, Nuraghe Albucciu and Tomb of Coddu Vecchiu are known to captivate the soul with their magical aura.
Also try some of our traditional foods. Among my favorites are culurgiones (ravioli filled with potatoes, pecorino cheese, and mint), malloreddus (durum pasta served with rich tomato and sausage sauce), seadas (deep-fried pastry filled with fresh pecorino cheese and drizzled with honey), fregola (a couscous-like pasta often cooked with clams or seafood) and, of course, zuppa gallurese (a hearty bread and cheese soup).
Tourism brings a fresh breeze of diversity to the island every summer. The Emerald Coast is a jewel Sardinia is proud of. I recommend you explore as much of it as you can. When I forget how fortunate I am to hail from such a unique place, I remember my roots and feel grateful to have been born and raised in a region where the sea is like a dream and traditions are woven into the island’s fabric.
TEXT BY MARTINA BOI