Olbia

Olbia is Sardinia’s holiday capital! Chaotic in summer and almost sleepy in winter, it is the island’s fourth-largest town after Cagliari, Sassari and Quartu Sant’Elena. For many, however, it is Sardinia’s most important city: this small port town in the north-east is a thriving industrial and commercial centre, home to the island’s busiest airport for holiday traffic and the main gateway to the Costa Smeralda.
Olbia is at its most charming in May, when the streets are colourfully decorated for the feast of the city’s patron saint, San Simplicio, and a large funfair opens. During the rest of the year, visitors can browse the small shops and stroll along Corso Umberto I. For more extensive shopping, several large shopping centres can be found on the outskirts of the city.
The beautiful beaches of Pittulongu, the mountain village of San Pantaleo and the sophisticated marina of Porto Rotondo also belong to the municipality of Olbia. Just a few kilometres outside the city are two archaeological sites from very different periods: Su Monte ’e S’Ape, a collective tomb dating back to the Nuragic civilisation, and Pedres Castle, a medieval defensive fortress.
Olbia’s long beaches also include a section reserved especially for dogs. To the south of the city lies the beach paradise of Porto Istana, with wonderfully soft sand and fantastic views of the island of Tavolara.