Olbia – Sardinia’s Gateway to the Costa Smeralda

  • Olbia Sardinia

Olbia is situated in the north of Sardinia . Its international airport and ferry terminal make it one of the major gateways to and transportation hubs of the island. Olbia is an ideal point of arrival for all journeys to the beaches of the Costa Smeralda , to the nature reserve of the Isola Tavolara or further into the south of the island. With its beautiful pearly white beaches and crystal clear water Olbia can be an attractive alternative to the Costa Smeralda.

How to reach Olbia - Transports and travel tips

The airport of Olbia is the best destination for all flights to Sardinia if you are planning to spend your holidays in the north of the island. EasyJet has six flights a week from London-Gatwick for prices starting from £76.66 . During summer EasyJet is offering two additional flights from Bristol to Olbia. Please note that the company adds a surcharge of £25 for every piece of luggage.

There are several major car rental agencies right at the airport. Expedia has deals for midsize cars staring from £89.73 per day.

Two Busses per hour connect the airport with the city centre of Olbia. The Italian Railway company is operating services from Olbia to Porto Torres in the northwest and Cagliari in the South of Sardinia.

Olbia - Hotels, Restaurants and Nightlife

Olbia is right within one of the main tourist areas of Sardinia and has a multitude of hotels and other accommodation options for all tastes and budgets for you to choose from.

  • Thomas Cook has great deals for the elegant Four-Star- Hotel Doubletree by Hilton right in the centre of Olbia. The hotel’s amenities include a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a fitness club and a spa. Facilities for children, a business centre or wedding arrangements are all available. Prices for June start at £583.87 for seven nights including breakfast in a double room.
  • A charming budget option within Olbia is the Three-Star- Hotel Abbaruja . The hotel is right at a beach and equipped with a bar, a beautiful garden, a tennis court and an on-site-car-rental. The Price for a double room is £396.12 per week in June.
  • An excellent Restaurant in Olbia is the Antica Trattoria in Via Pala 4. The menu is typically Sardinian and features a wide selection of antipasti. 
  • A good nightlife choice on weekends is the Club Pascia in Via Catello Piro.

Olbia - Beaches, Activities and Attractions

Costa Smeralda Sea Top beaches in close proximity to Olbia include the Lido di Pittulongu , the Sos Aranzos and the Lido del Sole . Olbia’s beaches combine fine white sand with crystal clear water. Therefore Olbia can be an alternative to the Costa Smeralda.

The city of Olbia has a small but well preserved historical centre with lively Piazzi and great restaurants. A major sight is the Chiesa di San Simplicio . This Romanesque church was built in the 11th century and is considered to be one of the most important medieval monuments of northern Sardinia. The Chiesa di San Paolo is also worth a visit. During the L’Estate Olbiese in July and August a series of concerts and other cultural events is being held in Olbia.

Interesting places for excursions are the Costa Smeralda with Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo in its centre as well as the nature reserve of Isola Tavolara . The island reserve can be reached by boat from Porto San Paolo 14 km south of Olbia. On the island you can relax on the beach of Spalmatore and enjoy the stunning view or participate in an organized diving excursion of the Centro Sub Tavolara .

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