What to do in Olbia in 3 days: short itinerary for the weekend

Three days in Olbia is enough to see the town, take a Costa Smeralda excursion and one to inland Gallura without rushing. Olbia is often viewed only as a "transit point" for those arriving by plane or ferry and immediately departing for better-known destinations, but it actually has a liveable old town, excellent restaurants, urban beaches reachable in 10 minutes, and a perfect location as a base. This itinerary is designed for a long weekend (Thursday evening - Sunday) or for those landing early before transferring to Costa Smeralda. All times are indicated for low-mid season; in July-August double them.

Logistics

• Where to start: Olbia OLB airport or Isola Bianca port, both 10 minutes from the centre
• Where to stay: old town (for those wanting everything on foot) or Pittulongu area (for beach + car combo)
• Transport: old town is pedestrian and walked. Beaches and excursions need a car. Urban bus available but limited frequencies
• Recommended vehicle: Fiat Panda Hybrid (€40-70/day, agile in centre) or Jeep Avenger (€60-110/day, if also planning inland Gallura excursions)

Day 1 — Old town and sunset at the port

Daily distance: 5-10 km · Time: all on foot

Morning: arrival, car pickup (free delivery at OLB airport or Isola Bianca port with KS Rent Sardinia), hotel check-in. Leave the car and walk to the centre.

To visit:

• Corso Umberto I: pedestrian shopping street. Boutiques, gelaterias, bookshops
• Piazza Margherita di Savoia with town hall
• Basilica di San Simplicio (XI century, Romanesque, free): the oldest church in Gallura
• Olbia Archaeological Museum (Via Sa Testa Punta, €5 entry): Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine artefacts, Roman ships recovered from the harbour
• Su Logu de S'Iscultura Necropolis (15 min walk): nuragic tombs

Lunch: "Da Paolo" in the centre (traditional Sardinian, mid prices €25-40/person) or "Su Rinconete" (more expensive, €50-70/person, excellent fish). For pizza: "Aragosta Blu" at the port.

Afternoon: walk along the seafront to the Olbia Old Port. View of Tavolara island. Aperitif at one of the pier venues (coffee and cocktails €8-12).

Dinner: "L'Essenza Bistrot" (creative cuisine, €60-80/person) or "Trattoria Lillicu" (generous portions, mid prices).

Day 2 — Olbia beaches + Tavolara

Daily distance: 30-50 km · Vehicle: any

Early morning (by 9:30): transfer to Pittulongu Beach (10 min by car). Light sand, shallow water, view of Tavolara island, free street parking. Lido Jenny is the reference point for renting loungers.

Quick lunch on the beach or back to Olbia for lunch at "Il Chioschetto" in Pittulongu.

Afternoon (for adventure-seekers): boat trip to Tavolara island. Embark from Porto San Paolo (15 min from Olbia), 4-5 hour tour, cost €35-50/person, includes stop at Spalmatore di Terra (white-sand beach with crystal water). Booking recommended in high season.

For those staying on the beach: continue to Bados (10 min from Pittulongu), urban beach but quieter. White sand, lido with rental.

Dinner: back to Olbia centre, try "Sa Mola" (fish, €50-70/person) or "Da Bartolo" (typical Gallurese cuisine).

Day 3 — Costa Smeralda mini-tour

Daily distance: 80-100 km · Vehicle: any

Morning: transfer to Porto Cervo (35 min). Park at P1 Shopping Centre (€5/hour) or in the upper zone side streets (free).

To visit: Old Port Promenade (boutiques, art galleries), Piazzetta, view of mega-yachts. Quick coffee, photos, atmosphere.

Move to Spiaggia del Principe (10 min by car + 200 m on foot via trail) or, if you have a city car not suited for dirt roads, to Capriccioli beach (10 min, paved parking).

Lunch: for sea-view pizza go to Poltu Quatu (5 min from Porto Cervo), the small "fjord" between Baja Sardinia and Porto Cervo. For high-end experience: Cala di Volpe (the iconic Mediterranean village-style hotel).

Afternoon: last beach. Options:

• Liscia Ruja: longest Costa Smeralda beach
• Romazzino: in front of Hotel Romazzino, exclusive
• La Celvia: small uncrowded cove

Sunset: head back to Baja Sardinia for aperitif at Phi Beach (cocktails €25-40, society atmosphere). Alternatively, return to Olbia for quiet dinner.

Variant: 1 day in inland Gallura

If you prefer to swap day 3 in Costa Smeralda with a "non-beach" day:

• San Pantaleo (30 min from Olbia): real Gallura village, square, art galleries, restaurants like "Giagoni"
• Tomba dei Giganti di Coddu Vecchiu: nuragic site near Arzachena
• Tempio Pausania (1h from Olbia): historical Gallura capital, grey-stone city, cathedral
• Cantina Surrau in Arzachena: Vermentino di Gallura DOCG tasting
• Cala Sabina (Golfo Aranci, 25 min): for one last quiet swim

Where to stay in Olbia

For 3 days, the best options are:

• Hotel Panorama (centre, 4 stars, €100-180/night): panoramic view, terrace restaurant
• Hotel President (centre, 4 stars, €90-170/night): convenient, Mediterranean cuisine
• Mercure Olbia Hermaea Hotel & Spa (Pittulongu, 4 stars, €130-220/night): near sea, spa
• B&B in centre (€60-110/night): "Casa Carlinu", "B&B Centro Storico"
• Camping/glamping at Pittulongu (€40-90/night): for families with kids

How much costs a long weekend in Olbia

Estimate for couple, 3 days and 3 nights, 4-star hotel, mid-range restaurants:

Practical tips

• Best season: May-June and September-October. Water already/still warm, lower prices, no crowds
• Avoid: 1-15 August unless you're a traffic masochist
• Ferragosto in Olbia: fireworks at the port, popular festival. Stay near the seafront
• Long weekend: book car with delivery at OLB airport and return at OLB airport. Dead time = zero

For a longer stay, read our 7-day Costa Smeralda itinerary. For vehicle delivery directly to Olbia OLB airport with flight-coordinated time, contact Francesco and Salvatore Milo via WhatsApp +39 344 6107071.