Portisco Destination Guide - Sardinia's Most Charming Marina

The must know about Portisco

Portisco is a small coastal village, located on the Costa Smeralda in the north-eastern part of the Italian island of Sardinia. Situated between Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo, in the province of Olbia-Tempio, Portisco has been gaining a reputation among sailing enthusiasts as one of the must-see destinations when visiting the Sardinian coast. The popularity of the area is most evident by the high number of marinas found in the area around Portisco, offering plenty of berths and amenities.  

Portisco village is located 200 km north of the island's capital of Cagliari, and just 13 km north from the town of Olbia, the fourth-largest city on the island of Sardina. Olbia is the transportation hub on the northern part of the island with an airport and a ferry connection with the Italian mainland, making the nearby Portisco easy to reach.

Top things to do in Portisco

The wonderfully indented coast of northern Sardinia houses a never-ending stream of beautiful sandy beaches and peaceful coves, attracting sailing enthusiasts from all over Europe. Portisco is a typical village, offering spectacular beaches, charming restaurants and plenty of accommodation options.

In Portisco you can enjoy a wide selection of water-based activities and even play a round of golf at the Pevero Golf Club, located some 15 km north of Portisco. If that doesn't sound like your kind of plan, then you could drive to the nearby town of Olbia, take a walk on the town's promenade and visit the Olbia Archaeological Museum. 

If you venture inland, you will be met with unspoiled natural beauty, ideal for hiking trips and visiting local wineries and restaurants. You will also find several archaeological sites presenting important findings from the island's Nuragic, Punic and the Roman eras.

Portisco things to do

The wonderfully indented coast of northern Sardinia houses a never-ending stream of beautiful sandy beaches and peaceful coves, attracting sailing enthusiasts from all over Europe. Portisco is a typical tourist village, offering spectacular beaches, charming restaurants and plenty of accommodation options.

Here you can enjoy a wide selection of water-based activities and even play a round of golf at the Pevero Golf Club, located some 15 km north of Portisco.    

Those looking for a little bit more active vacation should drive to the nearby town of Olbia, take a walk on the town’s promenade and visit the Olbia Archaeological Museum. 

Venturing inland, you will be met with unspoiled natural beauty, ideal for hiking trips and visiting local wineries and restaurants. You will also find several archaeological sites presenting important findings from the island’s Nuragic, Punic and the Roman eras.

Where to stay in Portisco

Being a typical tourist village, Portisco offers plenty of accommodation options, varying from four-star hotels to privately-owned apartments and rooms.

• Hotel Le Sirene - is a rustic three-star hotel located at the Portisco waterfront, adjacent to the Marina di Portisco. The hotel's central position within the village ensures that the main attractions in Portisco are all just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Spend your days relaxing at the nearby beaches or try the local delicacies in the restaurants found around the hotel and the marina.
• Hotel Rocce Sarde - is a four-star hotel situated on a hilltop overlooking the Cugnana Bay, a short drive away from the coast. Guests can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this charming hotel, featuring a beautiful veranda from which to enjoy peaceful meals. The hotel offers extensive amenities, including a swimming pool and a tennis court, ideal for remaining active while staying here.
• Hotel Sporting - is located just 2 km east of Portisco, in the village of Porto Rotondo. This five-star luxury hotel offers extensive amenities including a private beach, saltwater swimming pool, gym, tennis court, gourmet restaurant and a piano bar. The hotel is located near the Porto Rotondo Marina with plenty of restaurants and cafes in the vicinity.

Other accommodation options in Portisco include several private apartments and rooms for rent like the Luxury Apartment Sardegna, San Pantaleo Residence, Costa Ruja Residence, Villa Milmeggiu and the Smeralda Holiday Cottage.

Portisco beaches

• Portisco beach - (Spiaggia di Portisco) is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation. The beach lies just north of the village of Portisco, on the southern side of the Costa Smeralda, nestled between Marina di Portisco and Spiaggia di Rena Bianca beach. There are umbrellas and beach chairs for rent here, and several beach bars and restaurants in the surrounding area offer refreshments.
• Rena Bianca beach - (Spiaggia di Rena Bianca) lies between Razza di Junco beach and Portisco beach, just 10 km south of Porto Cervo. This 250 meters long sandy beach is one of the smaller beaches in the area. However, it offers plenty of activities to enjoy including windsurfing, canoeing, and various other water sports. If you want a more relaxed holiday, then you can take advantage of the beach beds and umbrellas available for rent. You should also find it easy to park as there are plenty of parking spaces by the beach.
• Razza di Junco beach - (Spiaggia Razza di Junco) sits in the southern part of the Costa Smeralda and is easily accessible by car. This beautiful sandy beach is located between Petra Ruja beach and Rene Bianca beach, only 7 km away from San Pantaleo. You can find beach beds and umbrellas available to rent, as well as windsurfing equipment.
• Petra Ruja Beach - (Spiaggia di Petra Ruja) lies between Portisco and Capriccioli, just south of Liscia Ruja beach. This secluded beach offers no amenities but is one of the most visually appealing beaches in the area due to the crushed seashells that give Petra Ruja Beach a pinkish hue. The beach is about 500 meters long, surrounded by striking red rocks.

What to expect from Protisco weather

The coastal climate of the island of Sardinia is predominantly Mediterranean, with hot and sunny summers and mild and rainy winters. Located in the northern region of the island, the village of Portisco sees plenty of sunshine and warm weather during most of the year. Average summer temperatures sit around 30 °C with little or no rain during that period, making it ideal for a summer vacation. Sardinia is known as a windy island, especially from October to April when the north-western Mistral wind blows in from France. Another significant impact on the island's weather is the south-eastern Sirocco wind, bringing African heat to the coastal parts of Sardinia.

When to visit Portisco

The best time to visit if you are looking to avoid the heat is during May and October. You are most likely to experience good weather in that period with pleasant average temperatures sitting between 20 °C and 25 °C. Those looking to spend their vacation enjoying water activities or sail should aim to visit during the summer months.

Get the most from Portisco's nightlife

Portisco offers plenty of bars and restaurants, but there are no nightclubs in the village itself. Your best bet for late-night entertainment is a visit to the nearby Porto Cervo, bursting with colourful, lively nightclubs. Some of the most popular nightclubs here are the Billionaire Porto Cervo and the Sottovento Club. Other options include a drive to the town of Olbia where you will find clubs like the Harem Night Club, Night Club La Fenice and the Club La Nuite.

Our favourite restaurants in Portisco

Sardinia is known for its food, and Portisco does the island proud. Below our some of our favourite restaurants you should try if you are in Portisco.

• Aquamarina - is located in the marina in Portisco, offering a wide selection of local seafood and traditional Mediterranean specialities. As a result of being found in the marina, the restaurant is trendy among sailing enthusiasts. It can get quite busy most nights, so be sure to make a reservation beforehand.
• Matt's - is situated in the very centre of the Portisco marina and consists of a separate bar and a restaurant. During the summer months, the restaurant hosts outdoor concerts and art exhibitions, making it an extremely popular destination. They serve a diverse menu, offering seafood, barbecue and pizza. Dining on the beautiful terrace with a spectacular view of the waterfront creates an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere.
• Su Cubone - features a beautiful terrace and some of the best seafood dishes in Portisco. They serve traditional Sardinian dishes that are best accompanied by a bottle of local wine. This rustic restaurant takes pride in the freshness of its ingredients, elevating the dishes to a new level.

Portisco marinas to dock your yacht

Across Sardinia there are a number of Marinas for you to chose from. Below we list a few that make for the perfect break.

• Marina di Portisco - is located in the centre of the Portisco village, in the Gulf of Cugnana. The marina is well protected by a three-arm breakwater wharf, offering 589 moorings for vessels up to 90 m in length with a draught of up to 10 m. The marina boasts the Blue Flag certificate for clean and uncontaminated waters. Guests of the marina can enjoy moderate amenities including power and water connections at every berth, free wi-fi, fueling station and 24-hour security. 
• Cala dei Sardi - is an eco-friendly floating marina situated in the Gulf of Cugnana between Portisco and Porto Rotondo, offering 140 berths for boats up to 60 m in length. Here you will find a combination of breakwater pontoons and Seaflex anchorages, a system designed by the Finnish Marinetek company that combines stability and respect for natural marine currents. 
• Marina di Porto Rotondo - is located north of the town of Olbia and is a large marina offering 650 berths for vessels up to 90 m in length and a maximum draught of 5.5 m. It is one of the most popular sailing destinations when sailing the coast of Sardinia. The marina offers moderate amenities like water and electricity at every berth and is the perfect stop to explore the nearby beaches. 
• Porto Cervo Marina - is located on the northern coast of the island of Sardinia and is one of the most popular and secure stops when sailing this part of the Mediterranean. The marina's position ensures protection from all winds and is one of the most secure moorings on the island of Sardinia. The Porto Cervo Marina is divided into two parts: the East Pier, also known as the Old Port, and the Marina Nuova, situated in the Marina Village where you will find newly-constructed piers. Porto Cervo Marina has a berthing capacity of 700 and can accommodate mega yachts up to 120 m in length and a maximum draught of 7 m.