Hotels in Loiri-Poltu Santu Paolu/Loiri Porto San Paolo

Loiri Porto San Paolo

Loiri Porto San Paolo sits on Sardinia's northeastern coast, roughly 20 km south of Olbia along the SS125 road. The municipality combines two distinct settlements: the inland village of Loiri and the seafront hamlet of Porto San Paolo, which faces Isola Tavolara — a limestone monolith rising 565 metres from the Tyrrhenian Sea and one of the largest such formations in the Mediterranean. The island anchors the view from every beach in the area and sits within a protected marine reserve, making it a reference point for the entire micro-region.

Most visitors arrive between June and September, drawn by clear shallow water, granite-backed coves, and direct ferry access to Tavolara for snorkelling and hiking. The harbour at Porto San Paolo retains a working-fishing character, with daily catches sold at the quay and a handful of trattorias serving bottarga di muggine — cured grey mullet roe — a Sardinian staple tied to this stretch of coast. The Costa Smeralda resorts of Porto Cervo lie about 35 km north, making Loiri Porto San Paolo a quieter and more affordable base for exploring the same coastline.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport handles scheduled and charter flights year-round and sits approximately 18 km from Porto San Paolo by road, giving the area reasonable off-season access for visitors targeting the shoulder months of May and October.