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 with 3 double bedrooms (plus an extra reading room/kids bedroom), a kitchen and a dining room, 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 sunloungers and shaded seating areas offering a tranquil setting for breakfast, lunch, afternoon siestas, alfresco dinners and sunset cocktails as the light goes down over Tavolara Island opposite. Nearby, there’s the stunning (and quiet) Sas Enas Appara beach, which you can walk to for an afternoon lounging by the sea; the villa's prime location also grants easy access to other secluded bays, the bustling town of Olbia and glitzy Costa Smeralda.
Highs
- Magnificent sea views from the shaded alfresco terrace
- A completely secluded location, yet near enough to local villages and towns when you want a taste of Italy
- The local beach is glorious; three little sandy coves merged into one, it's also known as 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 walkable
- The water isn’t drinkable, so stock up on bottles, and some guests have noted the lack of a full-size oven in the kitchen
- One of the bedrooms is in a garden cabin so is separate from the main house, though it's said to be the favourite
- Interiors are simply charming rather than super chic
- There's a refundable security deposit, and you're charged for heating and gas in the winter (calculated on check-out)
Best time to go
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
- 3 bedrooms
- Self-catering
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Walk to beach
- 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 three double bedrooms. The largest bedroom is on the garden level of the property, a few steps down from the rest of the house; its ensuite bathroom has both a shower and a tub. On the terrace level of the house, with access from the kitchen, are a pair of rooms: a double, and a reading room which can be set up as a single/double/twin for children if required. The two rooms share a family bathroom with shower. In the garden, in a separate cabin shrouded by vegetation, is the third double bedroom with a small ensuite shower bathroom - this one is the favourite among guests.
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 kitchen and adjoining dining room, both light-filled and with views of the sea. The kitchen has a dishwasher, hob, plenty of pots and pans, and a combi microwave oven, but not a full-size oven. On arrival, you'll find a bottle of wine, 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). Or you can eat outside on the terrace, or at a rustic wooden table under the shade of a pine tree. There's a barbecue for alfresco cooking, too.
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 that serve 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, 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
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 it's 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 Porto Istana beach nearby. 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 a good market in San Pantaleo on Thursdays
- If you’re in the mood for a day/afternoon trip, head to 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 a 10-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 reading room (which connects to the terrace bedroom) can be converted into a kids' room with either a single, double or twin beds, depending on requirements.
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 garden cabin bedroom is separate from the main house so isn't suitable for kids. The owners stipulate a maximum of 6 adults and 1 child or 1 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 close to Porto Istana beach, 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).
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
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests