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Costa Smeralda
Tickets: book ahead or walk in?
Costa Smeralda is a coastline and resort area with free public beaches.
Timed entry
No
Typical price
Free
Busiest
July and August
Quietest time
May, June, September
Best time to visit
Late May through early June or September through early October. Summer crowds retreat and sea temperatures remain warm enough for swimming, while hiking trails stay pleasant without July's scorching heat.
Budget tips
Public beaches like Spiaggia del Principe and Capriccioli are free, while private lidos charge 15-25 euros for umbrella and lounger rentals. Save by renting a car and packing picnics rather than eating at the seaside restaurants, where a simple lunch can exceed 80 euros per person.
Plan your visit
2-3 days minimum
About
Quick facts: Costa Smeralda's 55 kilometers of coastline were shaped not by nature alone, but by a consortium of international investors led by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the 1960s. Strict building laws require all structures to follow traditional Sardinian architectural styles, using only local granite and cork stone.
Highlights: Pevero Golf Club, carved directly into the granite hillside, features fairways that change color throughout the day as the sun shifts across the Mediterranean. Afternoon rounds at this 18-hole course reveal hidden coves and beaches accessible only by foot or boat, invisible from the fairway above.
Where to Stay in Sardinia
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
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