Olbia

Travel Guide

Le Saline Beach featuring a beach, swimming and landscape views
Le Saline Beach
Olbia featuring street scenes
La Marinella Beach which includes general coastal views, landscape views and a sandy beach
Le Saline Beach featuring a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as an individual femail

On the Mediterranean island of Sardinia off Italy’s western coast is a city known for its beaches, archeological ruins and ancient churches.  

Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Olbia has an appealing assortment of attractive beaches. The coastal setting offers surfing, diving and a variety of other water-based activities. The sea may be the center of activities, but Olbia also features numerous cultural pursuits including museums, ancient churches and shipwreck treasures.

Within a few minutes’ drive of the city center are miles of white-sand beaches. Surf, snorkel and scuba dive at Porto Istana. Canoe, windsurf or rent a sailboat at Lo Squalo. Other beaches with a variety of watersports include Mare e Rocce, Spiaggia dei Sassi and Il Pellicano. Bados Beach is ideal for families with children because of its shallow sea bed.

When you want a break from the beach, explore the city. Visit the archeological museum to learn about Olbia’s early Greek foundations and to see exhibits from Roman and medieval shipwrecks. Study frescoes at the 11th-century Basilica of San Simplicio and the 18th-century Church of St. Paul. To discover more of Sardinia’s past, travel 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Olbia for the Nuraghic monuments of Arzachena. These ancient towers, burial sites and building ruins are between 3,000 and 4,000 years old.

Stroll along the narrow lanes of the city center that lead to Piazza Regina Margherita and Piazza Matteotti, two attractive squares bordered by shops, cafés and restaurants. Savor the delicious smells and tastes of Sardinian cuisine with its meats spit-roasted over herbs, mussel stew, roasted lobster and other local specialties.

Many visitors arrive into the busy port of Olbia by ferry or cruise ship. Alternatively, fly into the international airport that’s approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) southeast of the city center. The city is compact and easily walkable. Alternatively, use taxis or rent a car or scooter, good options if you want to travel farther afield.

Olbia is also about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Maddalena Archipelago National Park, a group of islands that host rare animal and plant species.

Where to stay in Olbia

Olbia featuring street scenes

Olbia City Centre

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Unique features of Olbia City Centre include the coffeehouses and waterfront views. Make a stop by Piazza Matteotti or Church of San Paolo while you're exploring the area.

Olbia City Centre
Jazz Hotel
Jazz Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Degli Astronauti, 2, Olbia, SS
$286 nightly
The price is $323 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$323 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Olbia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (989 reviews)
Great hotel
"Great hotel only issue I had was AC was not working well. Otherwise a very nice, clean place very helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Jazz Hotel
Cala Cuncheddi - VRetreats
Cala Cuncheddi - VRetreats
4 out of 5
Localita Capo Ceraso, Olbia, SS
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Olbia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (280 reviews)
"Property was immaculate. The front desk staff were awesome, Bar staff Mario And his sidekick were great. Mario makes a killer whiskey sour. The restaurants on site were on point and kept the food interesting by shaking up the menu daily. Breakfast was always exceptional and lots of options from American ..."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Cala Cuncheddi - VRetreats
Luna Lughente
Luna Lughente
4 out of 5
Viale Pittulongu Olbia, 2, Olbia, SS
$267 nightly
The price is $302 total per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
$302 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Olbia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (174 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Luna Lughente
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
OlbiaLoft
OlbiaLoft
Via delle Terme Vicolo A 1, Olbia, SS
Stay at this apartment in Olbia. Enjoy free WiFi, bicycle rentals on site, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Port of Olbia and Pittulongu Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (12 reviews)
"So new and clean . Very comfortable with a kitchenette to cook a meal. Lovely welcome. A little noisy with local traffic though."

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2025

OlbiaLoft
Residence Stella di Gallura
Residence Stella di Gallura
Via La Caletta, 3, Porto Rotondo, Olbia, SS
Stay at this aparthotel in Olbia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Pittulongu Beach and Port of Olbia are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (9 reviews)
"Terrible facility with false advertising, I booked the facility for three nights, but the first night was so painful that I requested a refund which was refused by the front desk. I booked the 4-star hotel for the same price for the rest of the two nights I stayed in Sardinia. There is no walking ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2022

Residence Stella di Gallura
Resort Cugnana al Mare
Resort Cugnana al Mare
Località Cugnana Verde, Cugnana Verde, SS
Stay at this condo in Olbia. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a garden, and balconies or patios. Popular attractions La Marinella Beach and Capriccioli Beach are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"Tranquilla serena e accogliente"

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

Resort Cugnana al Mare
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Olbia

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 26%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 32%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

This place seems dirty run down and not kept to the standard it should be. What a shame there is so much graffiti

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Olbia was very nice , great starting point for other areas

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Having lived around the world, one of my top vacation and cultural experiences. Island life with Sardinian hospitality. Fantastic water and sailing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Friendly people ..a car is a must !

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

I was in Sardinia for a walking holiday so Olbia and visiting historical sites or going to beaches was not on my agenda.

Cities near Olbia