Porto Cervo (Costa Smeralda)

Introduction

On the granite coast of north-east Sardinia, Porto Cervo is the heart of the Costa Smeralda — a marina and village conjured from empty maquis in the 1960s, now one of Europe's most prestigious harbours.

What You'll Feel

Low stuccoed buildings in organic, hand-shaped curves step down to emerald water; everything — the piazzetta, the yacht club, the superyachts — feels designed to disappear into the landscape rather than dominate it.

What Makes It Unique

It is a coastline invented as a vision: the Aga Khan's low-impact architecture, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and its regattas, and water of a colour that named the whole coast "Emerald".

The Story Behind

In 1962 Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and partners formed the Costa Smeralda Consortium and founded Porto Cervo on the then-empty Monti di Mola, building a 700-berth marina, hotels and the Porto Cervo Shipyard; he established the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in 1967.

Local Life

Porto Cervo is a summer society capital — designer boutiques, the piazzetta and famous nightlife — at its busiest in August around the great YCCS regattas.

Best Time to Visit

The Costa Smeralda season is high summer, June to September, peaking in August; the granite coves and emerald water are the reward, the crowds the cost.

Fun Facts

• Founded in 1962 by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the Costa Smeralda Consortium.
• Built on the then-empty coast of Monti di Mola.
• Around 700 berths, with superyacht facilities.
• Buildings were modelled in wire first for a low-impact, organic design.
• Home of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, founded in 1967.
• The emerald water gave the whole "Costa Smeralda" its name.