Bajaloglia Resort

Italy is practically covered with beaches and villages and wineries that you’d happily go a bit out of your way for. But it’s also got more than its share of attractions so striking, so magnificent, that you’d plan a whole trip around it. Castelsardo is one of these. The medieval village was built on a rocky promontory rising up out of the Mediterranean on the northern coast of Sardinia. It’s majestic to behold at dusk, when all the lights in the town start flickering on, and perhaps even more so at night, when the entire village is aglow, appearing to float on the sea. It’s a place you have to see for yourself, ideally while relaxing on one of the terraces at Bajaloglia Resort.

With just 24 rooms, Bajaloglia is more of a boutique hotel than a traditional resort. It’s set on a hill across the water from Castelsardo, strategically positioned to offer spectacular views of the region’s star attraction from most of its guest rooms and public spaces. The Classic rooms are just that: classic, done up in a cheerful blue, white, and gold color scheme, with the standard amenities you’d expect and sliding glass doors that lead to a private patio furnished with a table and chairs. Suites offer more space, both indoors and out, and privileged views of the sea and Castelsardo.

Either way, you’ll want to be beside the hotel’s lovely aquamarine swimming pool at sunset: the breezy terrace is the best place to take in the scenery while sipping a spritz. Wander around the grounds before dinner at the hotel’s Ristorante L’Incantu. Stone-lined pathways carved into the hilltop grounds, fringed with myrtle trees and prickly pear, lead to natural alcoves and white linen-draped gazebos where you can get a minute to yourself.

Not that there’s ever much of a crowd at Bajaloglia — which is more or less the point. You’re trading off the peace and altitude for proximity to the beach and to the historic sights themselves: you can’t be up high and down low at once, you can’t be right next to the centro storico and also enjoy views of it from afar. But once you’ve had your fill of peace and quiet, Bajaloglia is an ideal jumping-off point to explore this beautiful stretch of the Emerald Coast.