Why Visit Olbia?
Visit Olbia to combine a compact, lived‑in port city with immediate access to Costa Smeralda beaches, island boat trips and granite Gallura countryside.
Stroll the medieval Basilica of San Simplicio and the compact old town, then drop into the archaeological museum to see Phoenician and Roman finds. Corso Umberto offers cafés, seafood trattorie and practical services without the tourist theatre.
From the harbour and nearby Costa Smeralda airport you can board boats to La Maddalena, or make short drives to Porto Rotondo, Porto Cervo and sandy bays like Pittulongu and Porto Istana.
Sample fresh seafood and Vermentino di Gallura, then head inland to granite hills and vineyards — all easily reached from a single, convenient base.
Just south of town, the Tavolara–Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, established in 1997, safeguards roughly 15,000 hectares of sea across the municipalities of Olbia, Loiri Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro.
Comfort & Practicalities
If you want a simple, dependable base and a few local conveniences, Olbia delivers. For short stays and attentive hosts choose B&B La Casa di Pier for homemade breakfasts and a central location, or drop your bags at B&b St joseph Olbia for spotless rooms and a peaceful courtyard. Pick up fresh produce or pantry essentials at NaturaSì before heading out. When you need to reset after sightseeing, book a treatment at Garra Rufa Beach — a modern, professional spa that leaves you ready for dinner. These options put comfort, convenience and local service within easy reach of Olbia’s main sights, so you can plan each day with fewer logistics and more time for what matters.
The Nuragic fortress of Riu Mulinu crowns Cabu Abbas at about 250 meters; its megalithic ring wall runs for roughly 220 meters to command views over the Gulf toward Tavolara.
Historic Centre & Sights
Start where Olbia began: material traces and public places that explain the city. Walk from the atmospheric layers of the past in the Necropoli San Simplicio — compact, well-signposted and a good primer on Phoenician-to-early-Christian Olbia — then cross into the quiet grandeur of the Basilica di San Simplicio with its 11th‑century granite and subtle frescoes. At its heart the open space of Piazza San Simplicio lets you slow down and watch local life. For a lighter note, the waterside carousel nearby offers a short, charming stop that children and adults both enjoy. Taken together these sites form a compact walking loop that explains Olbia’s past and present in an hour or two.
Olbia’s granite Basilica of San Simplicio was built between the late 11th and early 12th centuries and honors Bishop Simplicius, traditionally martyred on 15 May 304; locals mark the patron’s feast each May.
Sardinian Plates & Seafood
If you’re looking for a clear path to regional flavours, head to the restaurants that centre local produce and seafood. For contemporary seafood dishes and polished service choose Mere Ristorante Olbia , where plates are lively and well executed. For traditional, home-style cooking pick Ristorante da Paolo with its relaxed outdoor seating and Sardinian staples. For decades of local character there’s Ristorante La Lanterna Olbia Italy since 1980 , a dependable choice for regional favourites. For small plates and a piazza atmosphere try Rosinita - Experience Local Food — inventive tapas-style dishes that make good shared meals. These four spots together give a practical roadmap to Sardinian ingredients, coastal fish and relaxed, local dining.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport links to the center via ASPO bus lines 2 and 10 about every 20 minutes; the stop sits roughly 50 meters from Arrivals.
Evening Bars & Grills
For lively nights and straightforward, well-cooked grills, Olbia has a compact set of dependable options. Choose DON CARLOS when you want generous steaks and a convivial atmosphere. For cocktails and inventive small plates try mint julep cocktail bar, food&shop , an intimate bar where the menu feels like a map and the bartenders guide your choices. If you prefer a relaxed pub with hearty portions and a friendly crowd, head to Red Lyon Irish Pub steak house . These places are practical choices for a confident evening: clear menus, solid service and flavours that match the mood of a busy night out.
Vermentino di Gallura is Sardinia’s only DOCG wine, recognized by ministerial decree on 11 September 1996; its production zone includes Olbia and the wider Gallura area.