The myth of Porto Cervo between luxury, nature and sustainability

From the wild beauty of the landscape to the international glamour of celebrities, via iconic hotels and cutting-edge environmental initiatives

What makes this Coast such a unique and sought-after destination? Beyond the marvellous Mediterranean scenery and a sea of spellbinding hues – a palette of emerald, sapphire and tourmaline, dazzling sandy beaches and waters of unmatched clarity – a legend was born in this pristine corner of Sardinia, scented with myrtle, that has become global mythology over six decades of history.

An early habitué, director Lina Wertmüller, once wrote: “The seekers of paradise landed here, forsaking the absolute queens of the Mediterranean, from Saint-Tropez to Positano and Sorrento, from Capri to Portofino.”

Magic is the password. A sense of discovery, briny breezes and ancestral traditions, a petrified bestiary of bears, elephants and turtles, islets and headlands set in a sapphire sea. Vast beaches almost tropical in scale, spectacular coves, a vocation for sailing, sport and fragrant maquis.

A plot as compelling as a novel, weaving beauty and passion, visionary moods, rites of social life and a sense of belonging that vibrates undiminished in this paradise, despite all media exposure – even in times as tumultuous as those we are living through.

The iconic view from the arches of the Hotel Cala di Volpe over the bay

The secret lies in a harmonious and varied cocktail of intimacy and flamboyance, a fusion of class and bohemian spirit, eccentricity, a breath of freedom and elegance. An oxymoron of essential simplicity and glittering society life. Very high standards and extreme luxury, constantly updated to suit the needs of a sophisticated international clientele. There’s a harbour equipped to accommodate vessels of enormous size, and a Yacht Club renowned worldwide. Shopping offers as broad a panorama as the restaurant scene, catering for every taste – from Beef Bar and Matsuhisa, Japanese and fusion, to Cala di Volpe, Quattro Passi al Pescatore on the old pier, and Novikov, beloved by younger visitors and perfect for lunch.

Among the essential components of this unique alchemy is the seal of privacy, a code of discretion that wards off intrusion and curiosity from paparazzi, who are firmly banished from Costa territory.

Celebrities can relish the simple pleasure of walking barefoot along shores of pearly, powder-fine sand, immersed in the splendour of nature.Hollywood royalty, with George Clooney at the helm, as well as Orlando Bloom with his former partner, pop queen Katy Perry, Anne Hathaway, and Barbie actress and producer Margot Robbie, have never ceased to favour this corner of Sardinia – even off-season. Regular visitors include Sir David and Victoria Beckham, who are a constant presence every summer. The recent wedding of Jeff Bezos, founder and chairman of Amazon, to Lauren Sánchez in Venice began with a warm prelude right here, far from the controversies and protests that erupted in the Lagoon. In August 2024, the most high-profile couple of the moment lingered for several days in emerald waters aboard the 127-metre, high-tech sailing superyacht Koru, launched in 2023 from the Oceanco shipyards.

The Hotel Romazzino swimming pool

This destination has always been the perfect backdrop for love stories with explosive media voltage. Like that between Leonardo DiCaprio and Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti, who have been spotted several times on the quay in Porto Cervo and glimpsed in tête-à-tête at ex Billionaire, now Leonardo Del Vecchio’s Twiga dinner club, at Cala’s Beef Bar or at Phi Beach.

Yet Porto Cervo is not merely about luxury, exclusivity and privilege. Above all, it’s an eco-sustainable enclave with an exceptionally low environmental impact. The Consortium rigorously protects this extraordinary natural setting and preserves its unspoilt lifeblood, safeguarding the founding imprint of the territory – something that was almost unthinkable at the time when this virtuous settlement first came to life. Every single aspect is meticulously monitored so as not to disturb the scenic and architectural context or compromise sustainability.

Hotel Pitrizza

This dimension, too, is synonymous with a unique legacy, a heritage not merely preserved but enhanced over time. In partnership with Smeralda Holding, the One Ocean Foundation, an organisation dedicated to ocean reforestation, has just planted a meadow of Posidonia oceanica – a native marine plant that produces oxygen and keeps waters clear by preventing sediments from rising – in the bay of Cala di Volpe. A separate chapter belongs to the allure of hotels with enduring prestige and legendary service, constructed largely from organic materials sourced locally: Hotel Romazzino, a perfect vision in green and blue; Hotel Luci di la Muntagna; the intimate charm of Hotel Cervo; and the futuristic, landscape-camouflaged design of Pitrizza, now under renovation. Cala di Volpe, designed in 1961, draws inspiration from ancient native architecture, in a dialogue of granite and wood shaping floors and ceilings, with abstract arcades, soaring verticals, dreamlike pinnacles and brutalist fireplaces. The imposing walls are punctuated by textures of large coloured glass and brilliant white plaster. Cala di Volpe’s sinuous profiles blend seamlessly with the coastline, connecting to the bay’s waters.Three years ago, the French architectural duo Moinard et Betaille undertook a skilful and respectful restoration. These hotels have become iconic landmarks, constantly renewed without ever betraying their spirit, as testified by the radiant sunlight captured in Slim Aarons’ photographs.

Yet the true soul, the most authentic meaning of this Coast, remains its intrinsic and indissoluble bond with the sea. As Carlo Giovanelli once said, it is the most marvellous, precious and ever-changing sea one could imagine.