Itinerary from the Gulf of Asinara to the Costa Smeralda®

We start from Porto Torres, in the Gulf of Asinara: it is the main port of call in north-western Sardinia and the reference point for excursions to the beaches of Platamona, which are surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees. In the town, must-sees include San Gavino (1080), the largest and oldest Romanesque basilica in Sardinia, and the Roman archaeological site, with its baths and the Roman Bridge, which is also the largest and oldest on the island. We recommend two detours: one to the west to see the beautiful sea at Stintino, which ranges from azure to light blue to deep blue, the Asinara National Park, and La Pelosa, a stunning white-sand beach with very shallow waters; the other detour leads to the pre-Nuragic altar of Monte d'Accoddi, a megalithic monument dating back to the mid-4th century BC. Returning to the coast, perched on a rocky promontory, lies Castelsardo: founded in 1102 by the Genoese Doria noble family, it has remained unchanged ever since, with its city walls, narrow, cobbled alleyways, and the castle perched on the rock. Four kilometres from the town, we come to the Elephant Rock: one of those boulders that wind, rain and salt have shaped and sculpted into the form of the large mammal that gives it its name.

The pristine beaches of the Costa Paradiso line the route to Santa Teresa di Gallura: along the way, you will come to Isola Rossa, an island named for its granite-coloured rock. Capo Testa, where the wind never fails, is an entirely rocky peninsula: here, the Romans quarried granite, and in the ancient quarry, there are still remains of roughly hewn columns. Santa Teresa, one of the most popular resorts in Gallura, overlooks the Strait of Bonifacio, from where ferries depart for Corsica and the Maddalena Archipelago. Next comes Palau, the gateway to La Maddalena, whose rocky coastline, also shaped by the wind, has formed highly evocative formations, such as the gigantic Bear, directly opposite Caprera. Nearby is Porto Raphael, from which a flight of steps leads up to the old military lookout point, which offers the most spectacular view of La Maddalena and the coastline.

The road then continues towards Arzachena, with its iconic landmark: the granite Mushroom Rock. In Baja Sardinia, one of the area's main tourist resorts, the glamorous Sardinia of luxury hotels and dream villas tucked away among the vegetation begins. Next comes the Costa Smeralda®: rocky headlands, deep coves and stunning beaches.

Porto Cervo is the most stylish and glamorous resort, the summer playground of the international jet set: just look at the yachts and sailboats moored there.