# Two nights on the Costa Smeralda, 40 minutes from Olbia: Arzachena nuraghi and vermentino, coves, snorkelling and Porto Cervo

A night on a country estate beside the Arzachena nuraghi and another above Porto Cervo harbour, with granite coves, boat snorkelling and Gallura vermentino.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/sardinia/costa-smeralda/itineraries/two-nights-among-nuraghi-and-coves · Revisado: 2026-11-13

Dónde: Olbia and the Costa Smeralda

On a day trip from Olbia, the Costa Smeralda is a beach and back. With two nights you can see its two faces: the Arzachena countryside, with giants' tombs, nuraghi, farms and wineries, where you sleep on a 150-hectare estate; and the coast of granite and turquoise water, with a boat for snorkelling and a night above Porto Cervo harbour. Everything is less than an hour from the airport.

## How do you get there from Olbia?

Fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB): from Spain there is only a direct flight from Barcelona. Hire a car at the airport. Capichera, the first stop, is about 40 minutes away on the SS125 and the SP14; Porto Cervo, about 45. The car is essential: the nuraghi, the winery and the beaches are scattered along provincial roads.

## Where to stay

AccommodationAreaWho it suits

Tenuta PilastruArzachena countryside, 5 km from the townThose who want a pool, spa and Gallura cooking on an estate beside the Li Muri necropolis

La Tiara di CervoLiscia di Vacca, above Porto CervoThose looking for a suite with a kitchen, infinity pools and a shuttle to the beach

Jazz HotelOlbia, near the airportThose who arrive late or leave early

## Where to eat

In the countryside, Agriturismo Rena, with a Gallura set menu and its own produce, or the restaurant at Tenuta Pilastru. On the coast, Lu Pisantinu for the special dinner. In Olbia, Bacchus is open every day, at midday and in the evening: it is the fallback for arrival or departure day.

## What if I have one more day?

Spend it on the beach and in Olbia: a morning at Capriccioli or at Liscia Ruja and, before the flight, the basilica of San Simplicio and the archaeological museum. Or go south to the Gulf of Orosei, a couple of hours away.

## El plan

### Day 1 · 10:00 · Leave Olbia
Along the SS125 towards Arzachena and the SP14 towards Luogosanto.

### Day 1 · 10:45 · Coddu 'Ecchju and La Prisgiona
The giants' tomb with the four-metre stele and, a kilometre away, the nuraghe with its village. €7 for both, free for under-12s.

### Day 1 · 13:00 · Brunch or tasting at Vigne Surrau
Eleven minutes away. The Brunch, €55, works as lunch; I Colori del Territorio, €45, if you prefer just wine. By reservation.

### Day 1 · 16:00 · Tenuta Pilastru
Enter the estate, go down to the pool or book the spa. The Li Muri necropolis is a few metres away.

### Day 1 · 20:00 · Dinner in the countryside
At the Tenuta restaurant, with its own meat and wine, or at Agriturismo Rena, with its Gallura set menu, always by reservation.

### Day 2 · 08:30 · Spiaggia del Principe
Leave early: the car park has 25 spaces. Two arcs of white sand and pink granite. If the mistral blows, switch to Capriccioli.

### Day 2 · 15:00 · Snorkelling from Poltu Quatu
Orso Diving Club sails to the Monaci lighthouse from 15:00 to 17:30, for €55, with all the equipment.

### Day 2 · 18:00 · La Tiara di Cervo
Check-in from 15:00. Leave the car and go down to Porto Cervo on the hotel shuttle.

### Day 2 · 18:30 · Porto Cervo and Stella Maris
The Piazzetta, the harbour and Busiri Vici's church, with its Mater Dolorosa attributed to El Greco.

### Day 2 · 20:00 · Dinner at Lu Pisantinu
A terrace by the sea, chijusoni and fish of the day. Tuesday to Saturday.

### Day 3 · 09:00 · Free morning
Infinity pool, Cala Granu with the hotel's sunbeds or the morning snorkelling towards Caprera, from 9:15 to 12:30.

### Day 3 · 13:00 · Back to Olbia
About 35 minutes to the airport. If you have time to spare, eat at Bacchus, open every day.

## Consejos

### Book what fills up
The tasting at Surrau, the snorkelling and dinner at Lu Pisantinu.

### Beach early, boat in the afternoon
By mid-morning the car parks at the coves are full; at that hour it is better to be on the water on the boat.

### Choose your days well
Lu Pisantinu is closed on Sunday and Monday.

## Cuándo no ir

### Driving to every cove
Each has its small car park and its walk. Two well chosen are worth more than five in passing.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Do you need a car?
Yes. Without a car you only reach the centre of Olbia; in summer the beach bus stops at some coves, such as Capriccioli.

### How much does it cost?
The activities, about €120 per person: €7 entry at Capichera, €55 for the brunch and €55 for the snorkelling. Plus accommodation, dinners and car.

### Which months?
June to September for swimming and snorkelling; May and October for the countryside, with colder water.

### Why two accommodations?
One in the countryside, near the nuraghi and the winery, and another above Porto Cervo, near the boat and dinner.

## Dónde dormir if you're flying
- **Tenuta Pilastru, Countryside Estate with Spa beside the Li Muri Necropolis, in Arzachena**: Tenuta Pilastru is the other face of the Costa Smeralda: the Gallura countryside, among junipers, wild olive trees, dry-stone walls and granite boulders. The estate has 150 hectares five kilometres from Arzachena and between twelve and fifteen from the sea, according to the page, and grew up around a stazzo, the traditional Gallurese farmhouse, dating from 1840. It is run by the Filigheddu family, who began raising livestock in 1980 and in 2005 commissioned the architect Savin Couelle to design the buildings that now stand around the old house. It is the base for anyone who wants beach in the morning and silence at night, without the coastal prices.
The rooms
There are 49, of stone and wood and with country-style furniture, spread among the greenery and in the shade of old trees. The Classic rooms, 20 to 25 m², were the first and face the garden with their veranda; the Superior, about 25 m², have a terrace over the countryside; the Superior Comfort, 28 m², large terraces with sofas under the wild olive trees. The Family Rooms, about 30 m², have a double bed and single beds. The Suites are 50 m² with a living room, and the three Lodge Deluxe, detached, up to 55 m². There are also apartments with kitchens, such as the Quercia, with two bedrooms with bathroom.
The restaurant and the spa
The restaurant occupies the old stazzo, among granite boulders. It cooks dishes from the Gallurese tradition with meat and wine from the estate itself and pasta rolled by hand every day, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. In the morning, a breakfast buffet with home-made sweets; in the evening, à la carte. It is also open to those not staying on the estate, at lunchtime and in the evening, always by reservation. The house also runs fresh pasta cookery classes.
The wellness centre offers massages, face and body treatments and a room with fitness equipment, and has its own telephone for booking: +39 0789 83354. The pool is outdoors, among wild olive trees.
Getting there and what is nearby
The estate is in the locality of Pilastru, at kilometre 5 of the road from Arzachena. From Olbia it is about 45 minutes by car, and to Spiaggia del Principe, about 35. A few metres away is the Li Muri necropolis, one of the sites of the Arzachena archaeological park, and a few minutes by car the giants' tombs and nuraghi of Capichera.
- **La Tiara di Cervo, 25 Suites with Kitchens and Infinity Pools above Porto Cervo Harbour**: La Tiara di Cervo is a hotel of 25 large suites at Liscia di Vacca, on the hillside facing Porto Cervo marina. It occupies ten hectares of Mediterranean scrub, among centuries-old olive trees, junipers and granite, inside a protected natural park. It is the luxury option on this page, designed for stays of several days as a couple, a family or a group: each suite has a kitchen, and the hotel works more like a set of serviced residences than a hotel of corridors.
The suites
There are suites of one, two and three bedrooms and a penthouse, La Tiara Penthouse, with large spaces inside and out. They are spread over four zones named after precious stones: Paraiba, Acquamarina, Citrino and Smeraldo. The materials are local stone, Sardinian granite and marble and reclaimed pieces, with private gardens and terraces facing the sea. All have a living room and a kitchen with a pantry of Sardinian produce, and breakfast, à la carte from 7:30 to 11:00, is served in the suite or in the restaurant below the lobby.
All stays include daily cleaning, a welcome basket, soft drinks in the fridge, two infinity pools, a gym of about 52 m² open 24 hours, private parking, concierge and security day and night. For an extra charge there is a private chef, transfers, a nanny, laundry, boat hire and massages in the suite.
Beach, Porto Cervo and children
The hotel has reserved sun loungers on Cala Granu beach, five minutes away, with a free shuttle, and another shuttle to Porto Cervo and the harbour from 8:00 to 20:00. For children there is a supervised area from 9:00 to 19:00. It accepts dogs of up to 10 kg and cats of up to 3 kg, with a €50 supplement per night and animal.
The hotel's local-cuisine restaurant is Lu Pisantinu, the Gallurese restaurant of the Orecchioni family, open Tuesday to Saturday evenings, and beside the pool there is another restaurant open all day.
Getting there
From Olbia airport it is 33 km, about 35 minutes along the SS125 towards Liscia di Vacca. The hotel arranges private transfers for an extra charge. Porto Cervo is five minutes away, and Poltu Quatu, where the snorkelling boat trip departs, less than ten.
Booking and conditions
Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00, with late check-out on request. All rates require a deposit or prepayment, and cancellation depends on the rate. The website does not publish prices or an official star rating.
- **Jazz Hotel, a Four-Star with a Pool between Olbia's Airport and Centre**: The Jazz Hotel is a four-star hotel in Olbia on via degli Astronauti, in the area of hotels and shops between the airport and the centre. It is not a beach hotel or one for long holidays: it is the practical bed for the night you land late or the last one before the flight, with a pool for free time and a restaurant open every day on the ground floor.
The rooms
There are four types: standard double, superior with balcony, junior suite and suite with a whirlpool bath. The standards measure 24 to 27 m² and have a queen bed, adjustable air conditioning, wifi, minibar, safe, television, desk and hairdryer. The style is modern, with bright colours, in keeping with the hotel's name: the meeting rooms are called Jazz, Blues and Fusion. The website does not publish how many rooms there are or the check-in and check-out times, but it offers early check-in and late check-out on request, subject to availability, which is useful with flights at odd hours.
Pool, relaxation and restaurant
The hotel has an outdoor pool with sun loungers and parasols and a relaxation area; the website does not say in which months the pool is open. In the same building is Bacchus, the hotel restaurant, which according to the Michelin Guide is open every day at lunchtime and in the evening and has a veranda facing the pool. At lunchtime it serves a simple menu; in the evening, Sardinian fish and meat dishes. The website mentions a half-board rate.
Getting there and what is nearby
The website itself gives the distances: 50 metres to the bus stop for the airport, 500 to the airport taxi rank, 2 km to the centre of Olbia, 3 km to the train station and 1 km to the Marina di Olbia marina. There is a shopping centre 700 metres away. If you arrive without a car, you can go from the airport to the hotel by bus or taxi and hire the car the next day.
From here, the centre of Olbia, with the basilica of San Simplicio and the archaeological museum, is a short step away. Porto Cervo and the beaches of the Costa Smeralda are about 40 or 45 minutes by car.

## Dónde dormir if you're driving
- **Tenuta Pilastru, Countryside Estate with Spa beside the Li Muri Necropolis, in Arzachena**: Tenuta Pilastru is the other face of the Costa Smeralda: the Gallura countryside, among junipers, wild olive trees, dry-stone walls and granite boulders. The estate has 150 hectares five kilometres from Arzachena and between twelve and fifteen from the sea, according to the page, and grew up around a stazzo, the traditional Gallurese farmhouse, dating from 1840. It is run by the Filigheddu family, who began raising livestock in 1980 and in 2005 commissioned the architect Savin Couelle to design the buildings that now stand around the old house. It is the base for anyone who wants beach in the morning and silence at night, without the coastal prices.
The rooms
There are 49, of stone and wood and with country-style furniture, spread among the greenery and in the shade of old trees. The Classic rooms, 20 to 25 m², were the first and face the garden with their veranda; the Superior, about 25 m², have a terrace over the countryside; the Superior Comfort, 28 m², large terraces with sofas under the wild olive trees. The Family Rooms, about 30 m², have a double bed and single beds. The Suites are 50 m² with a living room, and the three Lodge Deluxe, detached, up to 55 m². There are also apartments with kitchens, such as the Quercia, with two bedrooms with bathroom.
The restaurant and the spa
The restaurant occupies the old stazzo, among granite boulders. It cooks dishes from the Gallurese tradition with meat and wine from the estate itself and pasta rolled by hand every day, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. In the morning, a breakfast buffet with home-made sweets; in the evening, à la carte. It is also open to those not staying on the estate, at lunchtime and in the evening, always by reservation. The house also runs fresh pasta cookery classes.
The wellness centre offers massages, face and body treatments and a room with fitness equipment, and has its own telephone for booking: +39 0789 83354. The pool is outdoors, among wild olive trees.
Getting there and what is nearby
The estate is in the locality of Pilastru, at kilometre 5 of the road from Arzachena. From Olbia it is about 45 minutes by car, and to Spiaggia del Principe, about 35. A few metres away is the Li Muri necropolis, one of the sites of the Arzachena archaeological park, and a few minutes by car the giants' tombs and nuraghi of Capichera.
- **La Tiara di Cervo, 25 Suites with Kitchens and Infinity Pools above Porto Cervo Harbour**: La Tiara di Cervo is a hotel of 25 large suites at Liscia di Vacca, on the hillside facing Porto Cervo marina. It occupies ten hectares of Mediterranean scrub, among centuries-old olive trees, junipers and granite, inside a protected natural park. It is the luxury option on this page, designed for stays of several days as a couple, a family or a group: each suite has a kitchen, and the hotel works more like a set of serviced residences than a hotel of corridors.
The suites
There are suites of one, two and three bedrooms and a penthouse, La Tiara Penthouse, with large spaces inside and out. They are spread over four zones named after precious stones: Paraiba, Acquamarina, Citrino and Smeraldo. The materials are local stone, Sardinian granite and marble and reclaimed pieces, with private gardens and terraces facing the sea. All have a living room and a kitchen with a pantry of Sardinian produce, and breakfast, à la carte from 7:30 to 11:00, is served in the suite or in the restaurant below the lobby.
All stays include daily cleaning, a welcome basket, soft drinks in the fridge, two infinity pools, a gym of about 52 m² open 24 hours, private parking, concierge and security day and night. For an extra charge there is a private chef, transfers, a nanny, laundry, boat hire and massages in the suite.
Beach, Porto Cervo and children
The hotel has reserved sun loungers on Cala Granu beach, five minutes away, with a free shuttle, and another shuttle to Porto Cervo and the harbour from 8:00 to 20:00. For children there is a supervised area from 9:00 to 19:00. It accepts dogs of up to 10 kg and cats of up to 3 kg, with a €50 supplement per night and animal.
The hotel's local-cuisine restaurant is Lu Pisantinu, the Gallurese restaurant of the Orecchioni family, open Tuesday to Saturday evenings, and beside the pool there is another restaurant open all day.
Getting there
From Olbia airport it is 33 km, about 35 minutes along the SS125 towards Liscia di Vacca. The hotel arranges private transfers for an extra charge. Porto Cervo is five minutes away, and Poltu Quatu, where the snorkelling boat trip departs, less than ten.
Booking and conditions
Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00, with late check-out on request. All rates require a deposit or prepayment, and cancellation depends on the rate. The website does not publish prices or an official star rating.
- **Jazz Hotel, a Four-Star with a Pool between Olbia's Airport and Centre**: The Jazz Hotel is a four-star hotel in Olbia on via degli Astronauti, in the area of hotels and shops between the airport and the centre. It is not a beach hotel or one for long holidays: it is the practical bed for the night you land late or the last one before the flight, with a pool for free time and a restaurant open every day on the ground floor.
The rooms
There are four types: standard double, superior with balcony, junior suite and suite with a whirlpool bath. The standards measure 24 to 27 m² and have a queen bed, adjustable air conditioning, wifi, minibar, safe, television, desk and hairdryer. The style is modern, with bright colours, in keeping with the hotel's name: the meeting rooms are called Jazz, Blues and Fusion. The website does not publish how many rooms there are or the check-in and check-out times, but it offers early check-in and late check-out on request, subject to availability, which is useful with flights at odd hours.
Pool, relaxation and restaurant
The hotel has an outdoor pool with sun loungers and parasols and a relaxation area; the website does not say in which months the pool is open. In the same building is Bacchus, the hotel restaurant, which according to the Michelin Guide is open every day at lunchtime and in the evening and has a veranda facing the pool. At lunchtime it serves a simple menu; in the evening, Sardinian fish and meat dishes. The website mentions a half-board rate.
Getting there and what is nearby
The website itself gives the distances: 50 metres to the bus stop for the airport, 500 to the airport taxi rank, 2 km to the centre of Olbia, 3 km to the train station and 1 km to the Marina di Olbia marina. There is a shopping centre 700 metres away. If you arrive without a car, you can go from the airport to the hotel by bus or taxi and hire the car the next day.
From here, the centre of Olbia, with the basilica of San Simplicio and the archaeological museum, is a short step away. Porto Cervo and the beaches of the Costa Smeralda are about 40 or 45 minutes by car.