Playa del príncipe, Sandy beach in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy.
Playa del Príncipe is a sandy beach on the northeastern coast of Sardinia, within the municipality of Arzachena and the Costa Smeralda area. Granite rock formations divide it into two separate coves, both enclosed by rocky shores that keep the water relatively sheltered from open sea winds.
The Costa Smeralda was developed in the 1960s by a consortium led by the Aga Khan IV, who purchased large stretches of this then-remote coastline and built a network of roads, ports and resorts. That project turned this beach, along with the surrounding coast, into a destination that attracted visitors from across Europe.
The name "Playa del Príncipe" mixes Spanish and Italian, a nod to the cosmopolitan world that grew around Costa Smeralda from the 1960s onward. Visitors today still find the cove shaped by the same granite outcrops that naturally divided it into two sandy pockets, each used slightly differently depending on the swell.
From the parking area, a rocky path of about a 15-minute walk leads down to the beach, so sturdy footwear is useful. Arriving early in the morning is a good idea in summer, as the path and both coves tend to fill up by midday.
The granite outcrops between the two coves form natural rock pools at the waterline, where sea urchins and small fish gather in the shallows. These pools are easy to explore with just a mask and no fins, making them popular with children and snorkelers alike.
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