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A Jet2 holiday deal to Sardinia, staying at Club Baja in the Baia region. 4th – 10th May 2025
Baia Sardinia is a seaside resort located in the Gulf of Arzachena on the northeast coast of Sardinia, near the renowned Costa Smeralda. We opted for this area because It offers a good blend of natural beauty, vibrant local life, and recreational opportunities, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and activities by the sea.
Key Features of Baia Sardinia
- Picturesque Location: Nestled between the vivid Mediterranean Sea and the rugged hills and valleys of Sardinia’s Gallura region, Baia Sardinia enjoys stunning natural landscapes on both land and sea sides.
- Small Resort Town: The town is small with a few hundred residents, featuring villa complexes, hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and boutiques mainly arranged around a central square by the beach.
- Beaches and Water Activities: Baia Sardinia is known for its beautiful beaches, ideal for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, and various water sports due to its sheltered bay. The beaches appeal to visitors looking for clear waters and scenic coastlines.
- Nightlife and Social Scene: The main square has several restaurants, shops, hotels, and clubs, making it lively particularly in the evenings. Phi Beach Club is a notable venue for sunsets, VIP lounges, and vibrant DJ sets, catering well to nightlife enthusiasts.
- Accommodation with Amenities: Luxury resorts such as Ea Bianca offer high-end stays with spacious rooms featuring traditional Sardinian décor combined with modern technology, plus wellness centers with spas, gyms, and saunas, providing a relaxing holiday experience.
Best Places to Visit in and Around Baia Sardinia
- Spiaggia Delle Vacche: A top-rated beach known for its beauty and calm waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- Spiaggia della Cala Li Mucchi Bianchi: Another stunning beach near Baia Sardinia, prized for crystal-clear waters and scenic views.
- Spiaggia Libera Baja Sardinia: A free beach offering a relaxed atmosphere close to the town center.
- Chiesa di S. Antonio di Padova: A peaceful church near the beach, worth visiting for its quiet ambiance and charming altar.
- Phi Beach Club: Famous for impressive sunset views and lively nightlife on the beach, providing a vibrant social venue for evening entertainment.
- San Paolo: The town is situated on the coast, with views of Tavolara Island and the smaller Molara Island, both part of the Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine. Throughout the year, a weekly market is held every Thursday morning. The market provides a vibrant atmosphere where locals and tourists can browse a variety of stalls. During the peak summer season, from June to September, an additional weekly market takes place on Sunday mornings. There is also an occasional evening market during the summer months. Well worth a visit for the abundance of restaurants serving local produce and seafood.
- Porto Cervo (see below)
Porto Cervo
Porto Cervo, the renowned seaside resort in northern Sardinia, boasts a fascinating history, largely shaped by the vision of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the early 1960s. Prior to its transformation, this stretch of the Gallura coastline, known as Monti di Mola, was a sparsely populated and undeveloped area.
The Vision of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV
Captivated by the raw beauty of this Sardinian landscape, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, along with a group of international investors, embarked on an ambitious project to create an exclusive, high-quality tourist destination. In 1962, the Consorzio Costa Smeralda was established to oversee the development of the area, which was aptly named the “Emerald Coast” (Costa Smeralda) for its stunning turquoise waters. Porto Cervo was envisioned as its main centre.
Architectural Harmony and Development
A key aspect of the development was a deep respect for the natural environment and local architectural traditions. Renowned architects such as Jacques Couëlle, Luigi Vietti, and Michele Busiri Vici were commissioned to design the village. They created a distinctive style characterized by low-rise buildings, irregular angles, pastel-colored stucco, and the use of local materials like granite and wood, aiming for an aesthetic that appeared to have emerged organically from the landscape. A prime example of this architectural philosophy is the iconic Stella Maris Church, designed by Busiri Vici and completed in the late 1960s.
The development was not merely about constructing hotels and villas. It involved creating an entire infrastructure, including roads, a modern marina, and even an airline. The Old Port (Porto Vecchio) dates back to the initial development phase in the 1960s. In the 1980s, a new, larger and better-equipped marina was constructed, solidifying Porto Cervo’s status as a premier destination for luxury yachts. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, founded in 1967 by the Aga Khan, quickly became a prestigious institution, hosting glamorous international regattas. To facilitate access for international visitors, the Alisarda airline (later Meridiana and then Air Italy) was established in 1963, and the Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport was built in 1969.
A Playground for the International Jet Set
Porto Cervo rapidly gained a reputation as an exclusive playground for the international elite. Its picturesque piazzas, high-end boutiques, luxurious hotels such as the Cala di Volpe (featured in the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me”), and vibrant nightlife attracted celebrities, royalty, and wealthy industrialists from around the world. The village was designed to offer a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, fostering a unique social scene.
Ancient Roots
While the modern iteration of Porto Cervo is a 20th-century creation, the surrounding Gallura region has a much deeper history, with archaeological evidence of the ancient Nuragic civilization dating back to the Bronze Age.
Arzachena
Arzachena stands as a prominent hub for exploring Sardinia’s unique Nuragic civilization. The landscape is dotted with impressive archaeological sites that offer a glimpse into a mysterious and fascinating past. Among the must-visit locations are:
- Nuraghe La Prisgiona: This well-preserved Nuragic complex features a central tower (nuraghe) surrounded by a village of approximately 90 huts. Its intricate structure and strategic location provide valuable insights into Bronze Age society.
- Tomba dei Giganti Coddu Vecchiu: One of the most iconic “Giants’ Tombs” in Sardinia, this collective burial site boasts an imposing central stele and a long corridor tomb, evoking a sense of ancient rituals and reverence for ancestors.
- Tomba dei Giganti Li Lolghi: Another significant example of Nuragic funerary architecture, Li Lolghi features a distinctive horned entrance and a long burial chamber, showcasing the remarkable stonework of the era.
- Nuraghe Albucciu: Situated near the main road, this easily accessible nuraghe offers a different architectural style compared to La Prisgiona and provides further understanding of the diverse building techniques employed by the Nuragic people.
- Necropoli di Li Muri: Dating back to the Neolithic period, this site features a series of “circular tombs” offering insights into even earlier inhabitants of the region.
Exploring Arzachena Town and Beyond
The town of Arzachena itself holds its own unique charms:
- Roccia del Fungo (Mushroom Rock): This distinctive natural rock formation, shaped like a mushroom, is a symbol of Arzachena and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- Scalinata di Santa Lucia (St. Lucia’s Staircase): A vibrant and colorful staircase leading up to the Church of Santa Lucia, offering picturesque photo opportunities and a pleasant walk.
- Corso Garibaldi: The town’s main street, perfect for a leisurely stroll, with a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- There is a vibrant weekly market every Wednesday, all year round, from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
- The market sets up in the heart of the town, along the main street that connects its two principal churches. Visitors and locals alike can browse a variety of stalls laden with fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses and sausages, Sardinian olive oil and wine, traditional “Carasau” bread, and an assortment of homemade spirits.
- Beyond the food offerings, the market often features stalls selling clothing, household goods, and local handicrafts, making it an excellent opportunity to find unique souvenirs and experience the lively atmosphere of a traditional Italian market.
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