The small fishing harbour of Palau lies 4 km away. Here you will find a large choice of shops as well as a post office, bank and newsagent.

Villa dell’Orso is situated on the northern tip of Sardinia on a white sandy beach overlooking a large bay with the islands of the national Park La Maddalena in the background.

It lies within the famous headland of Capo d’Orso, an unspoiled and protected stretch of coast known for its crystal clear water and perfectly smooth granite rocks in the most extraordinary shapes. The surrounding countryside has no equal in Sardinia or even in the Mediterranean area as a whole. To be seen from the house is the huge rock sculpted by the wind into a shape which resembles the silhouette of a bear (orso). The scenery is so dramatic that Homer had Odysseus lay his ship at anchor in the bay in front of Villa dell’Orso.

Villa dell’Orso is situated on the northern tip of Sardinia, whithin the famous promontory of Capo d’Orso, an unspoiled and protected stretch of coast known for its crystal clear sea water and perfectly smooth granite rocks in the most extraordinary shapes. The surrounding countryside that has no equal in Sardinia or even in the Mediterranean area as a whole.

Only a few km away lies the fishing harbour Palau, just in front of the National Park of the Arcipelago della Maddalena. Here you will find a good choice of shops and restaurants.

At Palau, it is simple to hire small boats; the smooth waters of the sea at Palau are considered to be a yachtsman’s paradise.

A short sea journey aboard the town’s ferry deposits visitors on the stunning island of La Maddalena, where Italian freedom fighter Garibaldi lived. The group of islands (Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, La Vezzi and Cavallo) around la Maddalena is renowned for its beauty and was turned into a National Park not long ago.

Only five kilometres from Palau are Punta Sardegna and Porto Rafael, elegant resorts for understated people in the know.

The millionaires' playground Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are thirty to forty kilometres away, here you can while away hours gazing at hundreds of yachts or browsing exclusive boutiques.

Just a quarter of an hour’s drive from the house are magnificent beaches, such as the Isola dei Gabbiani, a much sought-after destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Ferries link Palau to La Maddalena, Genoa and Naples.


Palau 10km
Porto Cervo 35 km
Porto Rotondo 40 km
Olbia (airport) 50 min
Bonifacio (in Corsica) 1 hour 15 minutes
Sassari 2 hours
Alghero 2 hours 20 minutes

Porto Rafael: the village was built in the ‘60ies by count Rafael Neville, a member of the international jet-set. Following his footsteps a number of villas were built around the small port by people in search of unspoilt coasts and cristal clear water.
The Costa Smeralda and the jet-set seaside Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo are at a distance of 35 to 40 km from Punta Sardegna. Porto Cervo was named after its enchanting cove, which looks like the antlers of a deer (cervo).
Catch a ferry from Palau to Isola della Maddalena, the main island of an archipelago of seven islands and 40 islets, classified as a national park: Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena.
They can be visited by boat over the day. The village of La Maddalena is the oldest settlement of the area. You can cross the channel by ferry, even for dinner in one of the restaurants of La Maddalena.
Important archaelogical stone age tombs are within 20 kms
The Trenino Verde (079 24 57 40; www.treninoverde.com in Italian) is an old-world train that runs from Palau twice daily to the hilltop town Tempio Pausania.

Activities in the area:
- sailing boats
- windsurfing
- scuba diving, snorkeling, open-ocean-kayak, tennis, mountain biking and beach volley
- mountain biking
- opportunities for walks or proper hikes