Costa Smeralda

#1 Cala Mariolu Reaching Cala Mariolu, a pebble beach segmented by large limestone rocks on Sardinia's east coast, takes some effort – but most travelers say the picturesque spot is worth the exertion ... Read more » Roberto Defraia / Getty Images

#2 Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena The Parco Nazionale dell'Archipelago di La Maddalena is a collection of islands scattered off Sardinia's northeastern coast. Established as a geomarine national park in 1994, the islands have ... Read more » Manuel Breva Colmeiro / Getty Images

#3 Capo Testa With its wind-whipped granite boulders, the rocky coves of Capo Testa on Sardinia's northern headland are almost sculptural in shape and begging to be hiked and photographed. The nearby ... Read more » Rafael Dols / Getty Images

#4 Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda is where the jet set land when they arrive in Sardinia. The 35 miles that stretch out over the Emerald Coast are some of the most beautiful in ... Read more » Getty Images

#5 Su Nuraxi To explore the past of the mysterious Nuragic civilization, you should head to Su Nuraxi in Barumini (southern Sardinia). Although very little is known about the Nuragic people, a lot ... Read more » kparis / Getty Images

#6 Museo Archeologico Nazionale The Museo Archeologico Nazionale tells a chronological history of the island through art and artifacts. Here, you'll see bronze figurines, or bronzetti, that date back to 1800 B.C ... Read more » Alessandro Cani / Flickr