Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, or Costa Smeralda, is known for being home to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. A drive along the winding coastal road, stopping occasionally to take in the wind-sculpted rocks that emerge from the glittery turquoise sea, is a great way to see the coast.
Linger at Spiaggia del Principe, a white-sand bay sandwiched between pink granite rocks and divided into two sheltered beaches by a rock wall. The beach may have become an exclusive holiday spot, but it remains relatively hidden, accessible only by a 10-minute walk down a dirt track.
The Costa Smeralda is a coastal area and tourist destination in northern Sardinia, Italy, with a length of some 20 km, although the term originally designated only a small stretch in the commune of Arzachena. With white sand beaches, golf clubs, private jet and helicopter services, and exclusive hotels, the area has drawn celebrities, business and political leaders, and other affluent visitors.
Development of the area started in 1961, and was financed by a consortium of companies led by Prince Karim Aga Khan. Spiaggia del Principe, one of the beaches along the Costa Smeralda, was named after this Ishmaelite prince. Architects involved in the project included Michele Busiri Vici, Jacques Couëlle, Savin Couëlle, and Vietti. Wikipedia