Picture your perfect Mediterranean holiday hideaway and you’d be hard pushed to imagine somewhere better placed than Porto Istana Seaview Villa. Off the beaten track, this sprawling property – once a traditional farmhouse – oozes rustic charm and the comforts of home surrounded by lush vegetation and lapped by the glistening waters of the sea below.
Perfect for large families and small groups of friends, the good-sized house showcases casual elegance and attention to detail. It’s an impressive blend of traditional Mediterranean architecture with thick walls and a design influenced by its surroundings – Sardinian rock, chestnut wood and colourful linens. Although fully equipped inside with four bedrooms and a full kitchen, it’s the exterior that really beckons. The villa is enveloped by lush gardens, fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers. Lawns provide ample space for relaxation, with multiple sun loungers and shaded seating areas offering a tranquil setting for breakfast, lunch, afternoon siestas, al fresco dinners and sunset cocktails as the light goes down over Tavolara Island opposite. Just a stone's throw away, there’s the stunning (and quiet) Sas Enas Appara beach (and two others are within walking distance); the villa's prime location also grants easy access to the picturesque nearby village of Porto Istana for your daily needs, as well as the larger bustling town of Olbia and glitzy Costa Smeralda, a few kilometres away.
Highs
- Magnificent sea views from the shaded al fresco terrace
- A completely secluded location, yet near enough to local villages and towns when you want a taste of Italy
- The beach is glorious. Three little sandy coves merged into one, it's also known as Le Tre Sorelle (the three sisters). It's not privately owned but is hidden away from the tourist hordes, so you’ll often be the only people on its soft white sands
- So many fun things to do nearby, much of it centred around the sea; the guest book details local eateries as well as activities
- The housekeeper and gardener Monica and Martin live close by and are on hand for any query; they can supply organic vegetables and eggs too
Lows
- No pool although the beach and sea are just a short stroll away
- The water isn’t drinkable so stock up on bottles, and some guests have noted there is no oven except a microwave (but there are ample pots and pans)
- No twin bedrooms or extra beds, but there is a set of bunks for kids; note that the owners stipulate a maximum of 6 adults and children
- Interiors are simply charming rather than super chic
- Note there's a refundable security deposit, and you're charged for heating and gas in the winter (consumption calculated on check-out)
Best time to go
Porto Istana is an ideal destination at any time of year but naturally July and August tend to be the hottest and busiest months (temperatures frequently get up to around 35ºC). Late spring and early autumn are more temperate but still pretty warm with average temperatures hovering around 20-25ºC. The villa is open year-round.
Our top tips
The villa sits opposite the island of Tavolara, a protected marine park that has some fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving. There are official tours available but check with your hosts and they can arrange a private trip in an old wooden boat. It’s also got fantastic beaches and nature walks but do note that it isn’t fully accessible as half the island is a militarised zone belonging to NATO!
- Boutique Villa
- 4 bedrooms
- Self-catering, walk to restaurants
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Cleaning every 3 days
- English-speaking caretaker
Rooms
This former farmhouse has been reimagined as a villa with four bedrooms sleeping a total of seven people. The largest bedroom is on the garden level of the property; its ensuite bathroom has both shower and tub. In the garden, in a separate cabin shrouded by vegetation, is a second bedroom with a small ensuite shower bathroom. On the terrace level of the house, with access from the kitchen, are a pair of rooms (a double and a twin room for the kids) sharing a shower bathroom. All three double rooms come with kingsized beds.
The feeling throughout is clean, spacious and comfortable – whitewashed walls and exposed beams adding to the Italian rustic atmosphere – while the large floor-length windows let in plenty of sunlight and a cooling breeze. There’s also air-con for the hottest summer months.
Outside, there’s a large shaded terrace with plenty of additional seating.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
The villa is self-catering with a large open-plan kitchen and seating area inside. On arrival you'll find a bottle of wine for booking through i-escape, as well as milk, coffee, sugar, water, organic tomatoes or whatever is in season as an extra treat (as the housekeeper has a vegetable garden). The shaded alfresco dining area has a barbecue. The local village Murta Maria (3km) has a little supermarket that offers good local produce such as meat, ham, wine, cheese, and bread, as well as a fruit and veg grocer and a bakery. There's also a coffee shop just down the road.
Your guest book details plenty of local restaurants. Although fairly small, Porto Istana itself has a number of well-regarded eateries serving up seafood and the catch of the day as well as local specialities such as panadas and malloreddus. There are pizza and burger outlets in Murta Maria, and other recommended options in Porto Taverna.
For a night out, however, Olbia is your best bet. It’s about 10km and there is a direct bus service. The seafront thrives with bars and restaurants serving everything from grilled fish to porceddu (roast pig) and agnello (lamb stews). There are also Argentine, Japanese, Mexican and Mediterranean fusion restaurants. In the nearby village of Porto San Paolo, there’s even the Michelin-starred Il Portolano, serving up sea bass and grilled octopus on its romantic terrace overlooking the bay.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Lots of activities centre around the sea; you can hire kayaks, sailboats (with or without a skipper and lunch on board) and windsurfs. The clear water makes for excellent snorkelling, and the sea is shallow so ideal for young families
- Discover the paradisiacal beaches with turquoise waters lapping white sands. Cala Biccheddu, Spiaggia del Pescatore and Sas Enas Appara are all within walking distance; there's also a beach in Porto Istana itself, Lo Spiaggione. To the south, La Cinta, famous for kitesurfing, is about 20 minutes' away; on the north side of the Gulf of Olbia, more strands of white sand await, including Spiaggia Pittulongu
- The area around Porto Istana is also popular with hikers. The local flora and fauna is typically Mediterranean, with lots of pine, olive and oleander trees, and the terrain is reasonably accessible for most walkers
- Olbia is a great shopping and wandering destination. From its historic centre, you can amble around the old town, exploring its many artisan shops, high-end boutiques and renowned patisseries. Also check out San Simplicio cathedral and the archaeological museum. There's also a good market in San Pantaleo on Thursdays
- If you’re in the mood for a day/afternoon trip there’s the cobblestoned town of Alghero with its Cathedral of Santa Maria, the medieval centre of Castelsardo, and Sassari, Sardinia’s second largest city with its famous Ducal Palace
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Canyoning
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Kitesurfing
- Plantlife / flora
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
Kids
All ages are welcome. Kids will love exploring the garden, and the proximity to the beach, which is just a ten minute walk away. Baby cots are free of charge.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The fourth bedroom is a twin room, which has a fun kiddie-friendly design including a cute marine wall mural.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cot
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Toys, books and board games
- Garden
Kids Activities nearby:
- World class coves and beaches, kids especially love exploring the fish-filled rock pools
- Boat trips
- Watersports
Families Should Know:
There's no pool. The owners stipulate a maximum of 6 adults and children plus a baby to stay at any one time
Distances:
- Airport: 20 minutes
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Shops: 6 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Porto Istana Seaview Villa is based just outside Porto Istana, near Olbia, on the north-eastern tip of Sardinia.
By Air:
Sardinia has three airports. The nearest is Olbia, just 12km to the north, which is about a 2.5-hr flight from the UK (several airlines fly direct), but flights are seasonal. Alghero Airport is 140km to the west across the island, and has more flights year-round.
From the Airport:
Car rental is available at the airport, but it’s only a 15 min cab ride and there’s also a direct bus route. Most will want to hire car to explore the local area and coastline.
By Ferry:
You can reach Olbia or Golfo Aranci from mainland Italy (Genoa, Livorno, Piombino, Civitavecchia) or France (Corsica, Marseille).
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport 12.0 km OLB
- Alghero Airport 140.0 km AHO
Other:
- Beach 0.6 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km