Porto Cervo vs Baja Sardinia vs Cannigione: Which Base Is Right for You?
Choosing where to stay in Costa Smeralda can make your whole trip feel either effortless or complicated. Porto Cervo, Baja Sardinia, and Cannigione are all excellent bases—but they suit different travel styles.
This practical guide compares the three, so you can pick the best base for your kind of holiday.
Quick answer (if you’re deciding right now)
Choose Porto Cervo if you want the most iconic setting, marina atmosphere, and easy access to restaurants, boutiques, and evenings out.
Choose Baja Sardinia if you want a lively beach-town feel with great sunsets and a more casual, walkable vibe.
Choose Cannigione if you want a calmer base, good value, and an easy starting point for boat days and exploring the coast.
If you’re staying longer than 5–7 days, many guests love doing a “split stay”: a few nights close to the marina (Porto Cervo) and a few nights in a private villa setting for full relaxation.
What matters most when choosing a base in Costa Smeralda
Before comparing locations, decide what you want your days to look like:
Do you want to walk to dinner and evening spots, or are you happy driving?
Are beaches your main focus, or do you want a mix of beach + town + boat days?
Do you want privacy and space, or a central location with convenience?
Are you travelling as a couple, family, or group?
With that in mind, here’s the honest breakdown.
Porto Cervo: best for iconic Costa Smeralda lifestyle + convenience
Porto Cervo is the “name” everyone knows—and it earns that reputation. It’s polished, scenic, and built around the marina, with excellent restaurants and a strong evening atmosphere.
Porto Cervo is ideal if you want:
A central, prestigious base with a classic Costa Smeralda feel
Restaurants, boutiques, and the marina close by
A holiday that mixes beach days + stylish evenings
A base that feels convenient (especially if you value being near the action)
Porto Cervo may not be ideal if you want:
Total quiet and seclusion every day
A “leave the car and forget it” trip (depending on where you stay)
Best for:
Couples
Friends travelling together
Guests who want to be close to Porto Cervo nights
Baja Sardinia: best for sunsets + a lively beach-town vibe
Baja Sardinia is known for its beautiful coastline, sunset views, and a more relaxed, beach-town energy. It can feel more casual and social compared to Porto Cervo.
Baja Sardinia is ideal if you want:
A place that feels lively and easy
A base where beach time is central
Sunset atmosphere and a fun evening vibe
Baja Sardinia may not be ideal if you want:
The “marina + luxury boutiques” feeling of Porto Cervo
A very quiet, private base (in peak season it can feel busy)
Best for:
Couples who want a fun, beach-forward trip
Friends who like evenings out but prefer a more casual setting
Cannigione: best for calm + boat days + exploring the coast
Cannigione is often chosen by travellers who want a calmer base and a more local, low-key feel. It’s also a practical starting point for exploring the coastline and planning boat days.
Cannigione is ideal if you want:
A base that feels quieter and more relaxed
A place that can be good value compared to the most famous spots
A trip focused on exploring (beaches, coves, day trips)
Cannigione may not be ideal if you want:
The “Porto Cervo” atmosphere and prestige
A high-energy evening scene
Best for:
Families
Travellers who want calm evenings
Guests planning multiple day trips and boat days
Where to stay based on your travel style (villa vs apartment)
Once you’ve chosen your base area, the next decision is how you want to stay: central convenience or private space.
If you want to be in the heart of Porto Cervo
A seafront apartment is ideal when you want to step out and enjoy Porto Cervo’s marina, restaurants, and atmosphere without planning your whole day around driving.
If you want privacy, space, and a true “switch off” feeling
A private villa stay is ideal when you want quiet mornings, sea views, and the kind of setting that makes you slow down—while still being close enough to Porto Cervo for day trips and evenings out.
Practical tip: consider a split stay
If you’re visiting for a week or more, a split stay can be the best of both worlds:
Start with a few nights in a central base (Porto Cervo) to enjoy the marina and explore.
Finish with a few nights in a private villa setting to fully unwind.
It’s a simple way to experience Costa Smeralda without feeling like you have to choose only one style of holiday.
Plan your stay
If you’d like help choosing the best base for your dates and travel style, you can reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Prefer marina convenience and a prestigious setting? Consider our Luxury Seafront Apartment in Porto Cervo.
Prefer privacy, sea views, and space to truly relax? Consider Lighthouse Villa Costa Smeralda.
Planning your dates? You can check availability and request your stay directly on our website.
