
Encounter with Beauty: The Life of Rafael Neville Rubiu
In the heart of Gallura, among crystal-clear waters, majestic rocks, and lush Mediterranean vegetation, lies a place of timeless magic and beauty: Porto Rafael. This village is characterized by sophisticated understatement and holds a history that began even before that of the Costa Smeralda. Behind this splendid seaside village is the captivating story of Rafael Neville Rubiu, Count of Berlanga y del Duero, an Andalusian from Malaga, a man of great vision and passion, shrouded in legend, just as his name suggests.
A Dream Realized: The Foundation of Porto Rafael
Born into a noble Spanish family, Rafael grew up in an environment of culture and refinement. After the Spanish Civil War, he embarked on a journey that took him around the world, but it was only in the 1950s that he discovered his true passion: Sardinia. An adventurous man with great artistic sensitivity, passionate about architecture and urban planning, Rafael fell in love with the beautiful, unspoiled lands of Gallura and decided to realize his dream there: to create a seaside village where the beauty of nature would blend with art and culture.

Between Myth and Reality: the Birth of an Icon
Legend has it that after traveling all over Europe, one night Count Rafael had a dream of a place so enchanting it seemed like a vision. After crossing Corsica and finally reaching Sardinia, he recognized that magnificent and secluded corner of Gallura as the place he had seen in his dream: “This is the place I saw in my dream.” It was love at first sight: here, in front of the La Maddalena Archipelago, on the stretch of coast from Palau up to Punta Sardegna and Capo Faro, he made his chosen refuge and built his home. Three hectares of paradise, a triumph of Mediterranean scrub, myrtle, lentisk, asphodel, and juniper, smoothed granite menhirs, and a turquoise sea. From the dream, Porto Rafael arose.

Life in Porto Rafael: The Evocative Piazza and the Vibrant Culture
In the following years, Porto Rafael became a meeting place for artists, intellectuals, and travelers from all over the world, attracted by its beauty and unique, original atmosphere. The famous motto “Sognare è Vivere,” coined by Rafael, is sealed by a commemorative plaque in his memory in the heart of the Piazzetta.
Today, that corner of Sardinia pays homage to its founder by bearing his name: Porto Rafael. A nearly dreamlike landscape, where a small beach and its Piazzetta represent the heart of the place, framed by the greenery of the Mediterranean scrub, dotted with the white of wonderful villas, and the warmer colors of the ancient granite rocks sculpted by the winds; all overlooking the intense and crystal-clear blue of one of the most beautiful seas in the world.

An Authentic Community’ Spirit
Gradually, Porto Rafael has transformed into a true small community, almost familial, an oasis of calm, discretion, silence, and love for beauty. Porto Rafael is managed by its Consortium, and it is a place where all members feel they belong and actively participate in the interest of the community. Indeed, it is not just a place to live, but a way of understanding life, prioritizing family, authentic relationships, serenity, privacy, and safety. A place where time seems to stand still, where you feel “at home,” where the beauty of nature blends with art and culture, making this village an unmissable destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable experience in Sardinia.
Life revolves around the Piazzetta, a meeting place among outdoor cafés and lounges, exclusive restaurants, elegant boutiques, and splendid villas immersed in greenery, places that, while renewing themselves, have maintained all the charm of Count Neville’s times. Here, every summer, refined cultural events and lively social evenings illuminated by the stars and the sky take place.

Iconic Architecture
The architectural peculiarity of Porto Rafael’s villas contributes to making the location an iconic and sophisticated place. Many of the villas can be attributed to some of the most important architects in the history of the entire Costa Smeralda: primarily Michele Busiri Vici and Luigi Vietti. The houses are white, sinuous, and delicate, orderly and secluded, charming in their simplicity, hidden in the Mediterranean scrub to ensure relaxation and privacy but with an unmistakable style, scattered on a natural promontory overlooking the La Maddalena Archipelago. The villas of Porto Rafael are places of serenity and well-being designed to host families and their guests for long stays, choosing this location for its refined, simple, and authentic lifestyle.
The Archipelago and Beyond
The beaches of Porto Rafael, small, reserved, little frequented, and well sheltered from the mistral wind, are reachable on foot in a few minutes from the houses. The Piazzetta beach is just one of many. Among the most renowned are Nelson’s Bay and Cala Inglese, just a few minutes from the village, not to mention the proximity of the fantastic islands of the Archipelago itself, reachable in a few minutes by boat: Santo Stefano, Caprera, Lavezzi, and the Island of the Cappuccini.

The islands of the Archipelago and all its wonders and the incredible inlets of the Costa Smeralda are accessible in a few minutes by boat from the Marina of Porto Rafael and the Punta Sardegna Yacht Club in front of the islands of Spargi and Budelli. Nestled among granite rocks and Mediterranean scrub, the Yacht Club has been a fashionable and popular meeting place since the 1960s and today is a reference point for sea and nautical lovers and Porto Rafael’s guests. Although of limited size, it is still capable of hosting up to 80 prestigious and significant boats.
Here, every year, the Mario Formenton Trophy, a renowned regatta in the waters of the La Maddalena Archipelago, takes place. It is organized in collaboration with the Yacht Club Punta Sardegna and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and this year marks its 33rd edition.

A Timeless Journey
Unspoiled landscapes, majestic tranquility, authentic moments to live and share. These are the inspirations of Porto Rafael, a place that, almost 60 years after its founding, continues to be the preferred destination for those seeking a deep connection with nature, particular architectures that offer maximum comfort while respecting the surrounding environment, authentic human relationships, and, above all, that sense of peace and unperturbed serenity that only the sea can instill.
A journey that continues over time, drawing inspiration from nature, culture, the very soul of the place, and those who live there.
Discover the Villas of Porto Rafael of Immobilsarda – Christies’