If you’re planning a trip to Sardinia’s beautiful Costa Smeralda, you won’t want to miss stopping in the charming town of San Pantaleo.
Nestled in the hills of northeast Sardinia, San Pantaleo is a picturesque town with scenic views, a charming piazza, shops and authentic Sardinian restaurants. This guide covers the best things to do in San Pantaleo, as well as the top hotels and places to dine.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting San Pantaleo, Sardinia!
About San Pantaleo
Costa Smeralda, which translates to emerald coast, is known for its insanely beautiful beaches and turquoise water. But a visit to San Pantaleo shows another side of Costa Smeralda and gives visitors the feel of authentic Sardinia.
→ Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Costa Smeralda
While many of the nearby port towns were more recently built for tourism, San Pantaleo is much older with its church dating back to the 12th century. Walking around town, there are numerous examples of historic architecture — it’s almost like stepping back in time!
How to Get to San Pantaleo
Set among beautiful rocky hills, San Pantaleo is an easy 10 minute drive inland from the coast.
The nearest airport is Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, which is about 25 minutes away. But if you’re visiting San Pantaleo as part of a larger Costa Smeralda trip, you may be coming from another coastal town in the area, most of which are within a half hour’s drive. For example, Porto Cervo is about 20 minutes away and Palau is around a half hour.
The best way to reach San Pantaleo is definitely by car — and having a rental car in Sardinia is ideal for exploring the rest of Costa Smeralda!
The Best Time to Visit San Pantaleo
Costa Smeralda is a popular summer destination since the weather is warm and sunny — perfect for enjoying the sparkling sea.
Summer is also a nice time to visit San Pantaleo since the weather will be beautiful and sunset is later (close to 9pm!) so you have more time to enjoy the village.
Of course, this will also be the most popular time of year to visit so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of late spring or early fall.
I visited San Pantaleo in mid-August and had a wonderful experience. The weather was beautiful and sunny and we loved that we had a few hours to explore the town before watching the sunset.
How to Get Around
The best way to get around San Pantaleo is on foot. The entire town is very small so you can walk all over in just a few minutes!
How Much Time Do You Need?
Most people spend the majority of their time in Costa Smeralda along the coast and just visit San Pantaleo on a day trip. My visit to this enchanting town was short and sweet. I spent a few hours enjoying the village, watching the sunset, and having a delicious dinner.
That being said, the town and its surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful and there are some spectacular hotels to stay at. I would definitely be interested in staying a few days in the area on my next visit!
Things to Do in San Pantaleo
Looking for the best things to do in San Pantaleo? While the town itself is small, there are a few must visit spots you won’t want to miss.
Piazza della Chiesa
With a quaint church and a couple of restaurants and shops, this piazza is the main hub of the village where everyone gathers. It’s very charming with beautiful trees, benches, and views of the mountains in the backdrop!
San Pantaleo Market
Starting at 8am on Thursday mornings, there is a little market that pops up selling local crafts, clothing, and other goods. While I wasn’t able to visit, I hear it’s worth checking out if you happen to be in the area on a Thursday!
Visit a Gelato Shop
There are two gelato shops in San Pantaleo…. and, yes I tried both of them! When in Rome Sardinia, right?
We visited on a hot summer day and gelato sounded like a great way to cool down. So we first tried Il buon gelato!
Il buon gelato is a cute little no-frills shop with a variety of delicious flavors and very friendly service. I’d highly recommend stopping by for a scoop!
After dinner, we decided to try SPUN Gelato. Wow… this was on par with some of the best gelato I’ve had! This gelato shop had more of a high-end gourmet feel and you could taste the high quality of ingredients.
In the end, I thought both gelato shops were wonderful… why not try both?
Aperitivo at Caffe Nina
“Aperitivo” is a pre-dinner drink and cultural ritual in Italy. And Caffe Nina is the place to be for aperitivo in town!
This bustling cafe is located right on the piazza and is a great place to soak in the charm of the city while enjoying a delicious cocktail.
Dinner at Pizzeria Ichnos
Ichnos is a casual pizzeria and trattoria and is the perfect spot for a delightful dinner. And it’s certainly one of the best San Pantaleo restaurants!
The margherita pizza was so delicious — I’m pretty much drooling now just writing this! Plus, this family run restaurant had such friendly service; we had a great experience overall.
Pizzeria Ichnos was recommended to us by a Sardinian local and we found the crowd to be a mix of both locals and tourists. Which makes sense because everyone enjoys tasty, authentic pizza!
Where to Stay in San Pantaleo
Looking for the best hotels in San Pantaleo? This stunning region is home to some gorgeous accommodations!
- Petra Segreta Resort & Spa: An ultra luxurious resort that looks more like a traditional Sardinian home than a hotel, Petra Segreta is dreamy. Plus, guests can enjoy a Michelin recommended restaurant, private heated salt-water pools, and stylish rooms.
- Li Neuli Country Club: This upscale resort has a stunning property with mountain views, an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant and beautifully appointed rooms.
- Antica Dimora La Corona: A quaint little hotel located right in the town making it easy to explore everything on foot.
- CA’ LA SOMARA: This highly-rated hotel is budget friendly and features an outdoor pool, impressive breakfast spread and… donkeys?! Yep, there are cute donkeys on property — really adds to the Sardinian charm!
- Antica Fonte Holiday Homes: This idyllic property features apartment style lodging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. The grounds are spectacular with mountain views, expansive pools and jacuzzis, plus an outdoor gym and sauna.
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