Porto Cervo: Top 1 Luxury region in Sardinia

A few days after we pushed our limits on the cycling trip to Conca e su Mortu, the wanderlust hit me again. This time, I went solo – just me, my bike, and the endless road ahead. The goal? The wealthiest region in all of Sardinia. Think of it as the Sardinian version of Monaco – a place where it’s not the wind that brushes your face, but your credit card that gets blown away. Welcome to Porto Cervo.

According to what we’d heard from the agency, this was originally where we were supposed to work. Sounds fancy, right? But honestly? I have zero regrets that we ended up in the town of Orosei instead. It was a blast – stunning nature, peaceful vibes, rocks straight out of Mars, and evening concerts with carnival rides. What more could you ask for? But curiosity never sleeps. So I decided to check out Porto Cervo after all… under my own power, of course.

Sardinia’s Monaco on the Horizon

I just couldn’t help myself. I had to find out what all the fuss was about with Porto Cervo. You might be thinking, “Wait a second – isn’t that over 100 kilometers from Orosei? How did you even get there?” And here comes my favorite plot twist – yes, I did go there by bike. The whole way? Nahhh, I’m not that much of a pro. But still, it was one hell of a ride… and I’ll tell you exactly why. Welcome to Porto Cervo.

First, I had to figure out how to get to Olbia, the second-largest city in Sardinia. I wanted to try taking the bus there since I’d be flying out of Olbia later – but more on that another time.
For now, let’s rewind and see how I got from Orosei to Porto Cervo.

How to Get from Orosei to Olbia – and Then to Porto Cervo

You can get from Orosei to Olbia by bus, but it’s not a direct ride. The route first takes you to the town of Siniscola, but you’ll need to transfer in the nearby town of La Caletta to catch a direct bus to Olbia.
The whole journey takes around three hours – of course, that depends on how well the connections line up. In general, though, it’s nothing too crazy.

One thing to note: buses don’t run very often, so if you don’t want to end up stuck somewhere in the middle of Sardinia, plan ahead. (You can check current timetables on ARST Sardegna.) My original plan sounded simple enough – visit Porto Cervo, explore a bit, and catch the 14:00 bus back to Orosei. But of course, plans are one thing and reality is another.

The ride was tougher than expected, and once I arrived in Porto Cervo, I realized I really wanted to soak it all in. So I went all in, took my time, and ended up taking the last evening bus from Olbia at 21:30.

So, What Was the Day Really Like? From Orosei to Olbia and Then Porto Cervo

I’ll drop a photo of the bus schedule below – just keep in mind, it’s almost two years old, so the departure times might have changed since then. You can always double-check on the website I mentioned above (ARST Sardegna).

First, you need to get to the bus stop in Orosei, which is right by the school – across the street from the “Chinese shops” (you’ll know what I mean). From there, a bus heads to Siniscola, and back then it left around 7:03 AM. But don’t go all the way to Siniscola – you’ll need to get off in La Caletta, a peaceful little town with a small park. That’s where the transfer stop is.

The great thing was that the connection to Olbia was timed perfectly, so I didn’t have to wait long. The second bus arrived on schedule, I jumped in, and just like that, I was on my way – heading straight toward luxury and yachts.

After almost two hours on the bus, I finally arrived in Olbia. And suddenly – freedom! Time to explore the city… but I had a clear plan. I needed to find a bike. Because really, what kind of adventure would it be without one?

Bike Rental and a Climb-Filled Ride to Porto Cervo

Let me recommend the rental service I used myself – Sea Bounty Tourist Services. It’s located right in the center of Olbia, and everything went smoothly. The staff was friendly, the paperwork was quick, and before I knew it, I was ready to roll. Renting the bike cost me around €40 for the day, plus a refundable deposit of about €100 (if I remember correctly). Maybe things have changed a bit since then, but the main point remains: bring some cash, and you’re good to go.

From Olbia, I set off straight toward Porto Cervo. And if you’re imagining a chill ride on a flat road – sorry to disappoint. Sardinia clearly decided to put me to the test. The entire route is just one hill after another. Up, down, then up again… and repeat.

On the round trip, I climbed roughly 700 meters of elevation, which is quite the workout – especially when you’re riding a standard mountain bike from a rental shop and not cruising on an e-bike. The route was just over 65 kilometers, and while there were definitely moments that burned like hell, the feeling at the end? Absolutely epic.
That pure mix of exhaustion and satisfaction that makes you smile even while your legs are on fire.

After about two hours of pedaling – maybe a bit more or less, depending on how well you handle hills – I finally rolled into Porto Cervo. And it was instantly clear that this town doesn’t live like the rest of the island. Built on cliffs and carved into the coastline, the entire area feels like one massive luxury resort – stunning seafront, flashy sports cars, mega-yachts docked in the marina… Simply put: Sardinia in high definition.

Lighthouse Views and the Island of Snakes

But I didn’t come all the way to Porto Cervo just to stroll down the promenade and window-shop in designer boutiques. I kept going, heading northeast toward Vecchio Faro, an old lighthouse perched on the edge of a rocky cape. And here’s a little insider tip – you can actually go inside. Climb up the steep stairs and take in the view from above.

Just a heads-up – the entrance isn’t officially open to tourists, so if you decide to go, you’re doing it at your own risk. Also, watch your head (the staircase is low), and mind the railings – I walked away with a “souvenir” in the form of some greasy grime. Still, the view was totally worth it. In front of you stretches the turquoise sea, and luxury yachts drift slowly between the main island and a smaller one called Isola della Bisce.

Isola della Bisce (which translates to Island of Snakes) is an uninhabited islet that belongs to the Maddalena Archipelago. It mainly serves as a navigation point for sailors, and the surrounding waters are a hotspot for divers – down below are coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks.
It’s a peaceful, wild-feeling place, where nature still holds its ground – even though you’re just a few kilometers from where the rich come to unwind.

A Random Encounter, a Porsche, and the World of Luxury Watches

After I’d explored the area and soaked in the views around Porto Cervo, I figured it was time to recharge. I found a small shop, grabbed some chocolate and a few protein bars, and just sat down in front of the entrance – relaxing, people-watching, and taking in the vibe. And then it happened – a Porsche 911 GT3 RS pulled up and parked right in front of me. You bet that got my attention.

The kind of car that looks like it was ripped straight from a video game – sharp lines, an aggressive stance, and a sound that shakes your ribcage. As the owner walked by, we exchanged a few words. Nothing major – just a casual chat. Turns out the car belonged to his uncle, and he himself was one of the founders of Chrono24.

In case you’re not familiar, Chrono24 is a globally recognized online platform where you can buy or sell luxury watches– think Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and even rarities you’ve probably never heard of. It’s basically like the Amazon of high-end timepieces, with a strong focus on authenticity, certification, and secure transactions.

The company was founded in Germany and is now based in Karlsruhe. The site features over 500,000 listings from more than 120 countries, and is visited by millions of watch lovers every month.

Chrono24 uses an escrow payment system – your money first goes to a secure holding account, and the seller only gets paid after you confirm the watch arrived safely. They also offer authenticity checks and expert services. In short, it’s a go-to destination for anyone who takes watches seriously.

As for me… for now, a simple one is enough – but let’s just say I’ve already got my eye on a few future pieces.

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Sweet Break and the Journey Back to Olbia

After that chocolate-and-Porsche break, I took a short walk over to the marina I mentioned earlier. Massive yachts, crystal-clear water, and total calm in the pedestrian zone. In that moment, I was really feeling life – after all the pedaling, finally a moment of peace. Sit down, breathe in, and just be.

A few minutes of relaxation later, I started wandering through town, but I knew time was ticking. I had to get back to Olbia in time for the evening bus to Orosei – and hopefully grab something to eat while I was there. The ride back took around two hours, but to be honest, in my exhausted state, it could’ve been double that and I wouldn’t have noticed.

Once back in Olbia, I walked around a bit, but truthfully – it was more surviving than exploring. My phone was nearly dead, my power bank was toast, and I felt like a video game character with the health bar flashing red. The only photo I managed to take was of a fountain in a small square – Piazza Giacomo Matteotti. Total random snap, but in that moment, I was just glad I had something to prove I’d been there.

That one photo – the random fountain at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti – ended up being the only digital proof I had of being in Olbia. After that, I wandered a bit more and stumbled upon a small pastry shop nearby. I grabbed something sweet, a well-deserved cold beer for the road, and – miracle of miracles – the shop owner let me plug in my phone to charge. Absolute legend.

And just before the end of the day, with a little battery life restored, I managed to catch a glimpse of a Porsche Cayman 718 Boxster. Priorities, right?

The Bus Lottery and a Nighttime Return

And then came the return to reality. I slowly made my way toward the bus stop. Or rather… the “bus stop.” See, Olbia doesn’t really have a central bus station (at least I couldn’t find one) – instead, all the departures are scattered along a long street called Corso Vittorio Veneto, where each route stops somewhere along the sidewalk. Every bus has its own unofficial spot somewhere along that stretch, and if you’re not local, figuring it out – especially at night – can be a real challenge.

I went with the classic approach: ask the locals. I was looking for the bus back to Siniscola, from where I’d transfer to La Caletta and then finally back to Orosei. So if you ever decide to repeat this route, remember this: all buses leaving Olbia depart from somewhere on Corso Vittorio Veneto, and the one to Siniscola stops roughly in the middle of that street.

I arrived early, just in case – the bus was supposed to leave around 9:20 or 9:30 PM, but I was there by 9, fully braced for anything. In the state I was in, I wasn’t taking any chances.
And let me tell you – riding the bus in Sardinia is an experience all its own. Something you do once… and then think twice about doing again.

Not that it’s horrible – but the uncertainty, the constant “will it actually show up?”, “did they change the stop?”, or “what if the driver decides to take a detour to a completely different town?”… it’s a different kind of adrenaline. I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like when I one day try something like India or Bangladesh. From what I hear, over there you don’t worry about being late – you pray the bus arrives at all.
(Kind of like in Slovakia… but only sometimes.)

In the end, I waited there for over an hour. Finally, just after 10 PM, a bus showed up with “Siniscola” written on the front. Of course, the adventure wasn’t over yet – the route was extended on the fly, and instead of stopping in Siniscola, the bus went all the way to Nuoro. Lucky for me, that meant I didn’t have to transfer anymore. I simply hopped off again in Orosei.

But that ride… that was a whole story of its own.

The Kind of Experience You’ll Remember – Whether You Want To or Not

When I tried to buy a ticket from the driver, he didn’t understand a single word I said. He just waved me off and mumbled something like “later, later.” So I kept going. At the next stop, I asked again how much the ride cost – still nothing. So basically… free ride. A little Sardinian goodnight gift, I guess.

After more than three hours of bumpy bus travel, I finally dragged myself back home. It was past 2 AM, I was beyond exhausted, but my head was spinning with memories. And that’s really what it’s all about – the best stories are born when you find yourself in a country where no one understands you, you have no idea where you’re really going, and the only thing keeping you alive is the hope that somehow, you’ll make it home.

Those are the kind of trips you’ll never forget. Whether you want to… or not. Like, say… figuring out how to get to and from Porto Cervo.

In the next chapter, I’ll tell you about an adventure with local public transport – a story that took me to a town I’ve only briefly mentioned so far. And let me tell you – what I discovered there seriously caught me off guard. I never expected to stumble upon that in that place.

So stay tuned – if you don’t want to miss it, make sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter!

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner