Olbia
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9:24 PM
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 tons of 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.Find your trip
Olbia’s top sight is this medieval Pisan-Romanesque church, hewn out of Galluran granite. In the apse there are two 13th-century frescos, 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 giants' 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 3500 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 frescos, 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.
Boasting a privileged location on Tavolara Island, Ristorante Re di Tavolara prepares absolutely wonderful seafood, grilled dishes and typical Sardinian cuisine, all served in style. The dining area is on a vast veranda right on the beach, offering unbeatable views.
La Taverna is an atmospheric sea tavern in the centre of Palau, very close to the port. Set menus are available for fishy feasts of freshly-caught delicacies. It is an off-the-beaten-track family restaurant, so expect hearty portions and traditional home cooking.
This restaurant opened in Porto Cervo in 2002, but has now continued its story in Cala di Volpe. Here you can find inexpensive pizzas and good salads as well as fish dishes on offer in the stylish dining room.
Il Mattacchione describes itself as a 'modern traditional restaurant', because it keeps a strong relationship with the land's culinary legacy and genuine products, while always striving to revisit this tradition and present it in a modern way. Fresh ingredients and high quality standards are guaranteed in every meal they prepare.
Whether you're in the mood for an innovative interpretation of typical Sardinian dishes, an authentic Neapolitan pizza, or some live music and good wine in the outdoor veranda, at Mediterraneo you'll find a cozy atmosphere, genuine ingredients and attentive, friendly staff.
The creative menu, nice decor and friendly service are highly appreciated among guests of this family-run restaurant, which offers Ligurian or Sardinian specialties in a relaxed atmosphere. Dolceacqua is located in the centre of Olbia and serves various types of dishes including meat, pasta and seafood, all with Sardinian influences.
Located right next to a park and close to the waterside, this friendly restaurant is truly a favourite among both locals and visitors in Olbia. Ristorante Barbagia serves large and delicious Sardinian dishes, including a whole piglet, pizza, roe, and for dessert, home-made tiramisu.
La Lanterna is a small restaurant and pizzeria in the centre of Olbia, almost hiding in plain sight. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but offers excellent dishes made from fresh produce and seafood. The pizzas also come highly recommended.
Boasting a privileged location on Tavolara Island, Ristorante Re di Tavolara prepares absolutely wonderful seafood, grilled dishes and typical Sardinian cuisine, all served in style. The dining area is on a vast veranda right on the beach, offering unbeatable views.
La Taverna is an atmospheric sea tavern in the centre of Palau, very close to the port. Set menus are available for fishy feasts of freshly-caught delicacies. It is an off-the-beaten-track family restaurant, so expect hearty portions and traditional home cooking.
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 home made 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.
ComixWorld is a pretty unique shop in Olbia, showcasing everything from the world of comics, video games, anime, fantasy, science fiction, and more. Find rare collectibles and memorabilia for your collection, or look for some special gift.
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. +39 0789 553 800 www.aspo.it The taxi rank is open 24 hours and can be found in front of the arrivals terminal. +39 0789 227 18 / +39 0789 691 50 Renting a car at the airport is easy. You can find car rentals near the arrivals terminal. Contact one of the car rental companies at: www.hertz.com +39 0789 693 89
Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their 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 beachlife, 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 by 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. Contact at:
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 are rather slow and the rail network is limited. Trenitalia runs most of the network and the longest trip is from Olbia to Cagliari. The train station in Olbia, in Via Giacomo Pala 10, is easy accessible with buses 2 and 10 from the airport.
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. Taxi Antonello Sergnesi +39 335 438 236 www.taxiolbiaportorotondo.it
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). Post Office:
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. +39 0789 553 800 www.aspo.it The taxi rank is open 24 hours and can be found in front of the arrivals terminal. +39 0789 227 18 / +39 0789 691 50 Renting a car at the airport is easy. You can find car rentals near the arrivals terminal. Contact one of the car rental companies at: www.hertz.com +39 0789 693 89
Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
