Thanks to the nearby airport and the growth in budget flights from all over Europe, Alghero has become a busy and popular tourist destination. The historic old town demonstrates the influence of Catalan culture on the locality, so much so that street signs are in both Italian and Catalan, with the Catalan language still widely spoken in the town. There are are numerous good hotels, restaurants, cafes and excellent shopping facilities in the centre, and several resorts on the outskirts of town, with lovely beaches and crystal clear sea. Alghero is ideal for those who seek the authentic buzz of Italy mixed with the local Catalan influences.
Once a sleepy farming village a few kilometres inland from the coast, Arzachena is now at the centre of the world famous tourist resort of Costa Smeralda with luxury properties dotted along the coastline, all designed to harmonise with the rugged Sardinian landscape. There is a superb selection of beaches, hotels and restaurants in the vicinity.
Located just a short distance to the north east of Castelsardo, the village of Badesi has a genuine local atmosphere, largely undisturbed by development. There are a number of small apartment blocks which attract both locals and foreigners, and the magnificent 12km beach of Badesi Mare is only 2 km from the village centre. The village offers all important amenities, including restaurants, bars, shops and banks. In the summer, a number of restaurants and cafes operate on the beach.
Badesi was founded in the 18th century by the Galluresi shepherds but today it is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the area. Badesi has spectacular panoramic views of the Gulf of Asinara and one of the longest sandy be aches in Sardinia, which stretches from Isola Rossa to Castelsardo.
Badesi is situated as a central point of connection between many tourist destinations, including, Santa Teresa Gallura, Porto Torres and Stintino. Anyone staying in Badesi will find an enjoyable mix of: sun, beaches, fun, sport, art, history, archaeology and culture, without undervaluing the importance of the local fine foods and wine typical to the area, which has lately become more and more appreciated by international tourists.
Badesi can be reached by comfortable ferries arriving at Olbia, Golfo Aranci or Porto Torres. Fast ferries are also available along with cheap flights to Alghero and Olbia, which are both no more than 50 minutes drive from Badesi.
A small tourist village on the north east coast, Budoni is blessed with a series of nearby magnificent beaches and a lovely marina. The village has all necessary amenities and is a centre for sailing. Well located for Olbia airport.
On the Gulf of Arzachena, Cannigione has all the benefits of the Costa Smeralda, with yachting marinas, fabulous beaches, shops, restaurants and cafes.
On the Gulf of Arzachena, Cannigione has all the benefits of the Costa Smeralda, with yachting marinas
 Sardinia's best kept secret can be found in Costa Paradiso on the Paradise Coast. The name says it all, dramatic rock formations and crystal clear waters characterise the very nature of what this unspoilt retreat has to offer, and with something for everyone young or old you won't be disappointed.
Nestled on a spectacular coastline with breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean, the dramatic landscape and surrounding natural vegetation, Costa Paradiso is the epitome of Italian beauty.
If long lazy days and peaceful evenings spent eating at a local pizzeria or sipping a cocktail in one of its many relaxed bars are what you had in mind then you really couldn't pick a more perfect place.
For the more adventurous you couldn't be better placed, Costa Paradiso houses one of the island's best Diving facilities, with regular dives throughout most of the year, and a small marina to provide boat access to the many secluded beaches and your preference of marine activities. Be it diving, hiking or fishing, Cosa Paradiso really has it all.
With access to Costa Paradiso's sporting centre, a wide range of sporting facilities are offered for all the family, including: Two swimming pools, two tennis courts, a multi-purpose sports field, and beach volley ball court. A mini-club area and club house with amphitheatre for evening shows mean that children can be entertained in a supervised safe environment.
Costa Paradiso is located approximately an hour between two of the islands major airports Alghero and Olbia making transfer time easy. The location lends itself well to exploring other parts of the island with relative ease while providing all the amenities you would need to remain self sufficient such as local shops and supermarkets.
The ancient fishing village has turned into a picturesque tourist village protected by an impressive coastline, where beaches and inlets of white sand lined by red granite rocks adopt various shades of red, as the light changes throughout the day.The village has all amenities and is a centre for water sports.
A short ferry trip from Palau lies the beautiful island of La Maddalena, the most important of seven islands making up the Archipelago. Some of the islands are uninhabited and have wonderfully clear seas and secluded beaches, which are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Life in La Maddalena town centres around the two main piazzas, where all amenities can be found. The harbour there offers boat trips to all the neighbouring islands.
The beach resort of Lu Bagnu lies just to the west of the walled town of Castelsardo. Its proximity to the town makes it an ideal spot for those who seek life by the beach, with all the ameneties of a bustling small town within walking distance.There is also a marina at the edge of Castelsardo.
Olbia has been the main point of arrival from the mainland for centuries, and with the local airport now serving the whole of the Costa Smeralda, it has developed into a modern town of some size and provides all amenities for the neighbouring resorts on the Costa Smeralda and a stop off point for the whole of the north east coast
Just 10 km south-west of Santa Teresa di Gallura, along the coast road leading to Castelsardo, is the lovely tiny resort of Rena Majore. There is a beautiful beach with a shoreline stretching about 1km along the coast, and close to the mouth of the river Cantaru. A favoured spot for surfing and other aquatic sports, the residential resort is set in the midst of the beautiful Mediterranean pine forests.
Located just 15kms from the airport at Olbia, Porto San Paolo is a delightful town with hillside panoramic views of the seashore, Tavolara Mountain and Marine National Park. There is a good selection of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes and many nearby sandy beaches, including some secluded ones. Activities include a golf driving range in Porto San Paolo and the famous 18-hole Pevero and PuntaAldia golf clubs nearby. Great walking opportunities inland in the mountains including the steepest gorge in Europe. 'Agriturismo' with locals food and wine are a feature. Numerous scuba diving shops, including a diving school in the town. Boat tours to nearby islands with swimming and a lunch stop make a great day-trip.
A well planned tourist village which grew from nothing during the development of the Costa Smeralda, Porto Rotondo has been designed so that the buildings, largely located around the yacht marina, blend in sympathetically with the natural surroundings.The quay and main piazza are lined with designer shops, cafes and restaurants and is very lively in the summer months.
The world famous heart of the Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo is based around two yacht marinas, where some of the most stupendous boats in the world are moored. The resort hosts a series of top sporting events in the summer, including golf tournaments and regattas. The quay is lined by exclusive designer shops on one side and luxury yachts on the other. The are several good beaches around Porto Cervo.
A very upmarket village, located slightly away from the main centres of the Costa Smeralda, Porto Rafael was built by Count Neville Rafael, who was part English, part Spanish. It is constructed around a marina, and is smaller than many other resorts with a pleasant, somewhat arty atmosphere. It is quite a distance from the other resorts, and consequently has a pleasant out of the way feel, but at the same time is well located to the nearby town of Palau.There are a number of wonderful secluded beaches in the vicinity.
A main centre for departures to the islands of La Maddalena,  Palau is a busy town with activity based around the ferry port and the yacht harbour. It is a good location from which to explore the many attractions along the coast, including the wonderful views of the coast and the islands at sunset. The town provides all amenities, including banks, restaurants, shops and cafes.
San Teodoro is situated in one of the most interesting parts of the coast of the Gallura, which is also considered one of the most beautiful of Sardinia. It is only 25 minutes by car from the airport of Olbia.
San Teodoro is a popular tourist resort and La Cinta beach is Sardinia's longest and widest and boasts the silkiest sand on the island. Behind the dunes lie Stagno di San Teodoro, a marshland area with a lake that is the habitat for many species of wildlife. La Cinta's three-kilometre long stretch of sand between the lagoon and the sea offers what seems like an infinity of space. Sand everywhere you look and the best in the world. And the water: as clear as glass. You can see right to the bottom from far away, and the fine, glistening white sand makes the sea seem all the lighter in colour. The bay is a popular gathering place for tourism where surfers can rent surfboards or sign up for a surfing course. And the bay offers some of the world's best scuba diving. Although, during the high season, La Cinta is not ideally suited for visitors in search of peace, quiet and solitude, the beach is a perfect setting for solitary pursuits in the off season.
A bustling town based on fishing and tourism, Santa Teresa is well located for Olbia airport. There is plenty of activity out of the main tourist season, and the town is well served throughout the year by all amenities, including good shops, restaurants and cafes. In the high season, there is a large influx of tourism attracted by the wonderful beaches in the vicinty. From the port you can see Bonifacio in Cosica, which is a short ferry ride away.
Directly north of Alghero on the north-western tip of the island, just before the road ends at Capo Falcone, is the pleasant fishing village of Stintino, with two ports providing all kinds of aquatic sports facilities. There are numerous secluded beaches on both sides of the peninsular and the town has all necessary amenities.
Hidden along Sardinia's northern coast and situated in the middle of the valley of the Coghinas River is the town of Valledoria. It is surrounded by gentle hills which have beautiful views looking out over the Gulf of Asinara; it's an ideal position from which to easily reach the most famous surrounding destinations including Castelsardo, Mimosa Bay, Isola Rossa and Costa Paradiso.Valledoria is an attractive Sardinian town with all year round facilities, including cafes, restaurants and good shops and, above all, a beautiful beach nearby at San Pietro.
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