Photo: Mikołaj Kirschke · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Olbia
Ferry port to Tavolara, the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena islands.
Sardinia's main ferry port, a lively town with an old basilica, and the gateway to the north-east coast: the island of Tavolara, the glitzy Costa Smeralda and boat trips to the Maddalena islands. Ferries arrive from Civitavecchia, Livorno and Genoa.
Places to see
- Tavolara islandWalk · A huge limestone block rising 565 m straight out of the sea, with white beaches and very…≈ A$44
Maddalena islands boat tripViewpoint · A day on a boat from Palau around the national-park islands of La Maddalena: pink sand,…≈ A$79
Basilica of San SimplicioChurch · A plain, beautiful Romanesque church of grey granite in the town centre, dedicated to…Free
When to go
- Jan14° / 5°Some rainQuiet
- Feb14° / 5°Some rainQuiet
- Mar17° / 6°Some rainQuiet
- Apr19° / 8°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 12°Mostly dryBusy
- Jun28° / 16°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul31° / 19°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug31° / 19°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Olbia centre. Corso Umberto, the basilica and the port; the practical base.
Pittulongu. The beach north of town.
Porto San Paolo. The village where boats leave for Tavolara.
Palau. The harbour for the Maddalena islands.
Flying in
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB): City bus to the centre, about 20 min, ≈ A$4.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Olbia; check times and fares before you fly.
By ferry
Olbia is reached by ferry from Civitavecchia port. Ferries from Civitavecchia (near Rome) to Olbia, about 5–8 h, some overnight; also from Livorno and Genoa; flying into Sardinia is often quicker and as cheap (check)
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. Olbia's centre is walkable. City buses about €1.50; ARST buses run along the coast to Porto San Paolo, Palau and Porto Cervo, more often in summer (check).
