Olbia
temperatur
25°
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22:15
Olbia
Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.Hitta resa
Olbia’s top sight is this medieval Pisan-Romanesque church, hewn out of Galluran granite. In the apse there are two 13th-century frescoes, the left-hand one depicting San Simplicio, the patron saint of Olbia. The Festa di San Simplicio, Olbia’s biggest festival, is celebrated for three days in mid-May.
If you want to play a game of golf in stunning surroundings you can visit Pevero Golf Club. The Golf Club is located north of Olbia and is claimed to be one of the most beautiful courses in Italy. Here you can find everything you need including a club house and recommended accommodations.
Corso Umberto I is one of the main shopping streets in Olbia. Every night from 7pm this street is closed off from traffic and becomes the perfect place for strolling among shops, restaurants and beautiful architecture.
Right on Olbia’s waterfront, you can find The National Archaeological Museum. The museum exhibits various objects dating back to the Romans, like ship fragments. Because of it being the biggest museum in Olbia, concerts and grand openings are also hosted there.
Just outside Palau you can find Fortezza di Monte Altura. This fortress has seen many wars, but has remained largely intact. From the fortress you will have a stunning view over Palau, Corsica and La Maddalena. It is highly recommended to go on a guided tour.
Moving away from the coast you can discover megalithic stone circles in the prehistoric remains honeycombing the woods and fields around Arzachena. The Nuraghe Albucciu, 2 kilometres southeast of Arzachena, is one of Gallura’s best preserved nuraghi. About 4 kilometres south of Arzachena lies Coddu Vecchiu, one of the island’s most complete 'giants’ tombs'. Nearby you can also find another giant's tomb, Tomba dei Giganti di Li Lolghi, and the Li Muri Necropolis. Regarded as Gallura’s finest example, the "Necropoli di Li Muri" is estimated to date back to 3,500 BC.
The town of Santa Teresa Gallura is situated on the northernmost tip of the island and has stunning views over the straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica. Rena Bianca is the town’s beach, and you can find it only a stone’s throw from the centre, with turquoise water and flour-fine sand. Just to the west, on the headland Capo Testa, there are two beaches. The left hand side is beautiful and ideal for children, and the beach on the right is also beautiful with amazing rock formations. Ferries leave daily for a 50 minute trip to cross the Straits to the town of Bonifacio, in Corsica. This is perfect for a great day out, having French lunch and doing some shopping.
Isola Tavolara is a little island located southeast of Olbia and is dominated by an imposing stone towering at over 564 metres. This is the perfect spot for nature lovers, divers and for soaking-up the rays on the beach of Spiaggia Spalmatore.
Olbia’s top sight is this medieval Pisan-Romanesque church, hewn out of Galluran granite. In the apse there are two 13th-century frescoes, the left-hand one depicting San Simplicio, the patron saint of Olbia. The Festa di San Simplicio, Olbia’s biggest festival, is celebrated for three days in mid-May.
If you want to play a game of golf in stunning surroundings you can visit Pevero Golf Club. The Golf Club is located north of Olbia and is claimed to be one of the most beautiful courses in Italy. Here you can find everything you need including a club house and recommended accommodations.
Olbia's Old Town (in Italian, "centro storico") offers a pleasant and memorable shopping experience, housing over 100 boutique shops in its historical buildings, open squares and narrow alleyways, also crowded with restaurants and cafes. Corso Umberto I can be a good starting point for a shopping trip in this area.
Glitzy Porto Cervo is a popular place to go shopping for high fashion and designer brands. Names include top international options like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Versace. You can also find shoes from Italian Tod's, and jewellery and watches from Bulgari, Cartier and Rolex, among others.
Located just 10 minutes away from Olbia, the village of Porto Rotondo is another popular shopping destination, offering brand name clothing, accessories, shoes, jewellery and even fur. Many visitors enjoy the handmade sandals, available in many shops in town.
If you're not into restaurants and street-food, then this organic food shop might be just what you are looking for. Bio-Food is also a great spot for buying high-quality oil and other specialities from the region.
Anticas Licanzias is a real gem in the city. It is the perfect little boutique for finding homemade Sardinian snacks such as bread, pasta, cheese and sweets. All products are made in-house using only fresh ingredients.
Frama Concept is a cutting edge fashion and design store that showcases innovative and daring items ranging from clothes and accessories for both men and women to homeware and decor. They feature some of the best contemporary design that Italy has to offer.
Profumerie Limoni offers high-quality fragrances, beauty and skin-care products right in the centre of Olbia on Corso Umberto. Here you will find a wide range of different brands, and knowledgeable staff.
Great weekly markets can be found in different locations throughout Olbia, where craftsmen, farmers and merchants sell their goods. On Saturdays there is a farmers market on Via Sangallo, on Via Belli and Piazza Cascella on Wednesdays, and on Via Milan on Tuesdays.
Olbia's Old Town (in Italian, "centro storico") offers a pleasant and memorable shopping experience, housing over 100 boutique shops in its historical buildings, open squares and narrow alleyways, also crowded with restaurants and cafes. Corso Umberto I can be a good starting point for a shopping trip in this area.
Glitzy Porto Cervo is a popular place to go shopping for high fashion and designer brands. Names include top international options like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Versace. You can also find shoes from Italian Tod's, and jewellery and watches from Bulgari, Cartier and Rolex, among others.
Aeroporto Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) is located 5 kilometres southeast of Olbia. The airport buses (numbers 2 and 10) will take you to the city centre and depart approximately every 20–30 minutes. The last departure is at 11:40pm on bus number 10. Tickets are available on board or from the ticket machine in the terminal. The journey takes about 10 minutes. The taxi rank is open 24 hours and can be found in front of the arrivals terminal.
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Italy, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Sardinia is probably at its best in Summer, when it offers beautiful days at the seaside and streets vibrant with events and street performers. July and August are the most popular months to go, and on August 15th huge celebrations are held for the religious festival of Ferragosto, so expect the beaches to be crazy crowded the whole week. June and the first weeks in September will probably be as pleasant, a little bit colder and less packed with people. If you're not a fan of beach life, visiting in April and May can be a great alternative: you won't risk super hot days, you'll enjoy the nature, and you'll find some interesting events dedicated to gardening and outdoor activities.
Olbia is easy to discover on foot, and the surrounding areas can be reached quickly by renting a car. Sardinia has an extensive network of buses that link villages, towns and beaches. The main operator, ARST, has good service covering routes between the major cities.
There are regular ferries from Palau to the island of La Maddalena, operated by the Delcomar shipping company. There are also frequent services between Santa Teresa Gallura and Corsica’s Bonifacio, operated by Moby Lines. Delcomar www.delcomar.it +39 0781 857 123 info@delcomar.it Moby Lines www.mobylines.it +49 0611 140 20 info@mobylines.de
Trains in Sardinia meander leisurely through the countryside, making the rail journey as much about the scenic voyage as the destination itself. Trenitalia operates the majority of this picturesque network, with the longest stretch running from Olbia to Cagliari. The train station in Olbia, located at Via Giacomo Pala 10, is conveniently reached by buses 2 and 10 from the airport. So sit back, relax, and let Sardinia's beauty unfold before your eyes.
Taxis are generally inexpensive. There are cab ranks in larger towns and villages, and your hotel will book a car for you if needed. The fare should be determined by the meter, and if it isn't, agree on the price in advance.
Look for the yellow and blue sign to find a post office in Olbia. Stamps can be bought at post offices, or at tobacconists, which are marked with a "T" sign.
Aeroporto Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) is located 5 kilometres southeast of Olbia. The airport buses (numbers 2 and 10) will take you to the city centre and depart approximately every 20–30 minutes. The last departure is at 11:40pm on bus number 10. Tickets are available on board or from the ticket machine in the terminal. The journey takes about 10 minutes. The taxi rank is open 24 hours and can be found in front of the arrivals terminal.
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Italy, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
