Olbia
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Latest page update: 19 August 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Olbia
Olbia, the main transport hub of north-eastern Sardinia, has a wide selection of established hotels that cater to both leisure and business travellers. Many of the best options are located close to the port, airport and town centre, providing easy access to the Costa Smeralda and the surrounding area.
Jazz Hotel is a modern property near the airport, featuring stylish rooms, a pool and a restaurant, with reviews often highlighting its convenience and comfort (€€). In the centre, Hotel Panorama offers a rooftop terrace with views over the city, alongside comfortable rooms and strong feedback for service (€€). Another well-regarded choice is DoubleTree by Hilton Olbia – Sardinia, which provides contemporary facilities, a pool and easy access to both the port and the main roads leading into the Costa Smeralda (€€).
Jazz Hotel is a modern property near the airport, featuring stylish rooms, a pool and a restaurant, with reviews often highlighting its convenience and comfort (€€). In the centre, Hotel Panorama offers a rooftop terrace with views over the city, alongside comfortable rooms and strong feedback for service (€€). Another well-regarded choice is DoubleTree by Hilton Olbia – Sardinia, which provides contemporary facilities, a pool and easy access to both the port and the main roads leading into the Costa Smeralda (€€).
Where is
Where is Olbia?
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The city of Olbia is located within the Province of Sassari and has a population of 60,731 inhabitants.
Situated on Sardinia's east coast, it lies 240 kilometres north of Cagliari, the regional capital of Sardinia. An important travel hub, its port ferries passengers to and from mainland Italy while just outside the city, its airport is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda. |
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Comune di Olbia
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Province: Sassari
Region: Sardinia Population: 61,495 (in 2024 - source) Size: 383 km² Highlights: Basilica di San Simplicio, ferries to mainland Italy Close by: Tavolara, Liscia Ruja Beach, Porto Cervo Fly to: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport - 6 minutes by car (4 km) |
What People Ask About Olbia
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Related links
Discover
Discover Olbia
Olbia is a coastal city in the Province of Sassari, set on the northeastern shore of Sardinia along a broad natural gulf facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its centre is arranged on low ground between the waterfront and the granite hills behind, with wide streets, lively squares, and a modern port-city layout. The surrounding landscape is shaped by Mediterranean scrub, rocky heights, and stretches of coastline that open towards the islands and headlands of Gallura, giving Olbia a strategic position on one of Sardinia’s most travelled routes.
The city is an important transport hub, with a major commercial port and airport providing links to mainland Italy and beyond. Landmarks such as the Basilica di San Simplicio reflect its long history, while beaches, coastal paths, and nearby resorts connect it closely to the Costa Smeralda. Positioned between Golfo Aranci and San Teodoro, Olbia serves as a gateway to northeastern Sardinia, linking island traditions and archaeological sites with some of its most renowned coastal landscapes.
The city is an important transport hub, with a major commercial port and airport providing links to mainland Italy and beyond. Landmarks such as the Basilica di San Simplicio reflect its long history, while beaches, coastal paths, and nearby resorts connect it closely to the Costa Smeralda. Positioned between Golfo Aranci and San Teodoro, Olbia serves as a gateway to northeastern Sardinia, linking island traditions and archaeological sites with some of its most renowned coastal landscapes.
Things to Do
Things to Do in Olbia
- Basilica di San Simplicio is Olbia’s most important Romanesque monument, built from granite in the 11th century. The church is dedicated to the city’s patron saint and contains ancient inscriptions, fresco fragments and a crypt beneath the altar. It stands slightly outside the historic centre.
- Corso Umberto I is the main street in the old town, lined with cafés, boutiques and local restaurants. It leads to small piazzas and side streets filled with artisan shops. The area is pedestrian-friendly and especially lively during evening passeggiate and summer events.
- Museo Archeologico di Olbia is located on the islet of Peddone, near the port, and showcases finds from Phoenician, Greek and Roman times. Highlights include shipwrecks, amphorae and medieval artefacts. The museum offers a timeline of the city’s development through maritime history.
- Ferry and boat access to Tavolara Island makes Olbia a convenient base for day trips into the protected marine park. Tours include swimming stops, nature walks and views of the island’s limestone cliffs. Departures leave from the nearby port of Porto San Paolo.
- Local beaches such as Pittulongu and Bados are within a short drive and popular for their shallow waters and soft sand. These beaches are well equipped with seasonal bars, loungers and watersport options. They provide a good alternative to the more crowded Costa Smeralda spots further north.
Tours and Activities
Olbia Tours and Activities
Photo Gallery
Olbia Photo Gallery
Sardinia Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Sardinia
1. Bosa
2. La Maddalena Archipelago
3. Alghero
4. Su Nuraxi di Barumini
5. Santa Teresa Gallura
6. Asinara
7. Gulf of Orosei
8. La Pelosa Beach
9. Gennargentu National Park
10. Tavolara
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Sardinia
1. Bosa
2. La Maddalena Archipelago
3. Alghero
4. Su Nuraxi di Barumini
5. Santa Teresa Gallura
6. Asinara
7. Gulf of Orosei
8. La Pelosa Beach
9. Gennargentu National Park
10. Tavolara
👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Sardinia
How to Get to [Place Name]
How to Get to Olbia
By Road: Olbia is located on the north-east coast of Sardinia, with excellent road access via the SS131DCN dual carriageway. It is approximately 100 kilometres from Nuoro (1 hour 15 minutes by car) and about 280 kilometres from Cagliari (3 hours). Several car parks are available in the centre and near the ferry terminal.
Nearest International Airports:
Ferry Connections:
Livorno: Operated by Moby Lines and Grimaldi Lines, ferries from Livorno to Olbia run daily, with crossing times of around 8 to 9 hours. Both daytime and overnight options are available, with cabins and vehicle access.
Civitavecchia: This busy route to central Italy is served by Grimaldi Lines and Tirrenia, with several crossings per day. Journey times vary between 5 and 8 hours depending on the departure.
Genoa: Overnight sailings from Genoa to Olbia typically take 10 to 12 hours. Services run regularly during the summer months and offer full onboard amenities.
Nearest International Airports:
- Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport: Situated just 4 kilometres south of the town centre, the airport is less than a 10-minute drive from central Olbia. It provides extensive connections to major Italian and European cities.
- Alghero-Fertilia Airport: Located around 140 kilometres north-west of Olbia, the drive takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. The airport serves a number of domestic and international routes.
- Cagliari Elmas Airport: Roughly 280 kilometres to the south, the journey takes about 3 hours by car. This is the island’s busiest airport with year-round connections across Europe.
Ferry Connections:
Livorno: Operated by Moby Lines and Grimaldi Lines, ferries from Livorno to Olbia run daily, with crossing times of around 8 to 9 hours. Both daytime and overnight options are available, with cabins and vehicle access.
Civitavecchia: This busy route to central Italy is served by Grimaldi Lines and Tirrenia, with several crossings per day. Journey times vary between 5 and 8 hours depending on the departure.
Genoa: Overnight sailings from Genoa to Olbia typically take 10 to 12 hours. Services run regularly during the summer months and offer full onboard amenities.
Private Transfers
Olbia Private Transfers
A private transfer is a straightforward and comfortable way to travel to or from Olbia, removing the need to rent a car or navigate public transport. You'll be picked up at your preferred location and driven directly by a local driver, with no delays or detours.
Olbia is well connected to major destinations across Sardinia. The drive from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport into the city centre takes just 10 to 15 minutes (approx. 5 kilometres). Transfers to San Teodoro take around 30 minutes (approx. 30 kilometres), while Porto Cervo can be reached in about 40 minutes (approx. 30 kilometres).
For longer journeys, Alghero Fertilia Airport is around 2 hours 15 minutes away by car (approx. 140 kilometres), and Cagliari Elmas Airport takes about 3 hours (approx. 280 kilometres), depending on traffic and time of day.
To receive a personalised quote or check availability, simply complete the short request form below.
Olbia is well connected to major destinations across Sardinia. The drive from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport into the city centre takes just 10 to 15 minutes (approx. 5 kilometres). Transfers to San Teodoro take around 30 minutes (approx. 30 kilometres), while Porto Cervo can be reached in about 40 minutes (approx. 30 kilometres).
For longer journeys, Alghero Fertilia Airport is around 2 hours 15 minutes away by car (approx. 140 kilometres), and Cagliari Elmas Airport takes about 3 hours (approx. 280 kilometres), depending on traffic and time of day.
To receive a personalised quote or check availability, simply complete the short request form below.
