Hotels in Olbia

Olbia: Gateway to the Costa Smeralda

Olbia sits on Sardinia's northeastern coast, 30 km south of the Costa Smeralda, and serves as the island's busiest entry point. The city's Roman-era origins show in the grid of the old town, anchored by the 11th-century Basilica di San Simplicio, Sardinia's most important Romanesque church. The port and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport handle millions of passengers each summer, yet the city itself remains a working Sardinian town — not a resort.

Where to Stay in Olbia

Hotels cluster around Corso Umberto, the pedestrian spine, and along the waterfront near the ferry terminal. Travelers heading to Porto Rotondo or Porto Cervo use Olbia as an affordable base, given room rates are significantly lower than the Costa Smeralda resorts. The Pittulongu beach strip, 6 km north of the centre, offers a secondary hotel zone with direct sea access.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Ferries from Civitavecchia, Genoa, and Livorno dock at the Olbia port, a 10-minute walk from the centre.
• Best season: May–June and September see lower prices than July–August peak.
• Day trips: Porto Cervo is 30 km north via the SS125; the Tavolara Marine Reserve is 15 km east.