Cheap flights to Olbia
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Quick summary
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
Airport
OLB
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 during summer time)
Deals already spotted to Olbia
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
An airport south of the city, linked by bus and many regional lines
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB)
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport sits on the southern edge of the city, a little south of the port (Wikivoyage EN, DE). Urban bus lines 2 and 10 link it with the centre about once an hour from 6:00 (Wikivoyage EN). Several bus companies run direct services from the airport to Sassari, Nuoro, Cagliari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Palau, Arzachena, Porto Rotondo, the Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro and Alghero (Wikivoyage EN). Olbia station is linked with Cagliari, Sassari and Golfo Aranci, and the Isola Bianca port handles ferries from the mainland (Wikivoyage EN; Wikipedia ES). Car rental is very handy for exploring the coast.
Distances and times are approximate, from Wikivoyage (EN, FR, DE, ES); timetables change, so check them before you travel. We do not quote fares.
Olbia is Sardinia's fourth-largest city according to Wikipedia (DE) and Wikivoyage (EN), with around 60,000 residents according to Wikipedia (FR, EN, DE, ES, IT); figures vary slightly. The historic capital of Gallura in the island's north-east, it is mostly a gateway: visitors arrive by air or ferry and then head for the Costa Smeralda (Wikivoyage EN). Its Greek name means "the happy" or "the prosperous" (Wikipedia FR; Wikivoyage DE).
Landmarks
Beaches, the Tavolara islands, San Simplicio basilica and the old town
Gallura is a land of indented coastlines, pale-sand coves and turquoise water. Olbia sits at the centre of a gulf, with beaches to the north, towards Porto Rotondo, and to the south, and a protected archipelago offshore. The places below are illustrated; San Simplicio basilica, the Nuragic sites and Corso Umberto I are covered at the end of the section.
Beaches around Olbia
Wikipedia (IT) lists, north of the city, the beaches of Cugnana, Rena Bianca and Marinella between Porto Rotondo and Portisco, and several sandy beaches at Pittulongu. To the south lie Lido del Sole and Le Saline. Clear water and fine sand draw crowds mostly in summer, and each beach has its own services: we do not list addresses.
Tavolara and the marine protected area
Most of the islands of the Tavolara archipelago, including Tavolara, Molara and Molarotto, belong to the municipality of Olbia (Wikipedia DE). Together with Punta Coda Cavallo they form a marine protected area, popular with boaters (Wikivoyage DE). Offshore, Tavolara's plateau-like silhouette stands out from the sea, clearly visible from the capes of the gulf.
The Costa Smeralda next door
North of Olbia, the Gallura coast alternates coves, rocks and scrub up to the Costa Smeralda, which most visitors reach from the city (Wikivoyage EN, DE). Direct buses leave the airport for Arzachena, Porto Rotondo and Palau. To explore the coast, a car is the most flexible option.
The old town and San Paolo
The tiled roofs of the old town spread at the foot of the mountains. The church of San Paolo, completed in the mid-18th century, is recognisable by its dome of polychrome tiles, added in 1939 (Wikivoyage EN). The main street, Corso Umberto I, links the port with San Simplicio basilica; it is pedestrian and lined with shops and restaurants (Wikivoyage DE).
The waterfront
The promenade with wavy paving runs along the inner gulf, where local mussels are farmed in basins held under concession (Wikipedia IT). It is a quiet place for a stroll, with views of the mountains of the hinterland. The city also has the largest urban park in Sardinia, Parco Fausto Noce (Wikipedia EN, ES).
San Simplicio basilica, Nuragic sites, Corso Umberto I
San Simplicio basilica, an austere Romanesque building in grey granite from the 11th-12th centuries, is one of the most important monuments in Gallura (Wikivoyage EN, DE; Wikipedia EN, ES). Around Olbia you will find Nuragic remains: the sacred well of Sa Testa, the Cabu Abbas nuraghe and the giants' tomb of Su Monte 'e S'Abe, one of the best preserved on the island according to Wikivoyage (EN), plus the 13th-century Pedres castle and traces of a Roman aqueduct.
Museums and culture
Underwater archaeology, Nuragic remains and local festivals
The archaeological museum
It stands on the Peddone islet in the old port and displays, among other things, remains of ancient shipwrecks, of particular interest according to Wikivoyage (EN). We do not quote prices or opening times.
Nuragic and Roman sites
The sacred well of Sa Testa (Wikipedia IT: between 1200 and 950 BC) and the giants' tomb of Su Monte 'e S'Abe (about 1800 BC) testify to very early settlement; the city also keeps remains of the Roman forum and Punic walls (Wikipedia EN, ES).
Festivals and traditions
On 15 May the feast of St Simplicius, patron of Olbia and Gallura, comes with a tasting of mussels, the main local product; on 24 June a sea procession celebrates St John and the Madonna of the Sea (Wikipedia IT). The Michelucci open-air theatre rounds out the cultural scene (Wikivoyage EN).
Food and drink
Gulf mussels, fish and pizzerias on Corso Umberto
Olbia's mussels
Mussels raised in the inner gulf, in basins held under concession, are the city's main typical product according to Wikipedia (IT). This is the dish to look for to taste the local sea.
Restaurants in the centre
Along Corso Umberto I and the neighbouring lanes there are many restaurants and pizzerias (Wikivoyage DE), with typical Sardinian dishes according to Wikivoyage (EN). We do not recommend specific addresses and do not quote prices.
Shopping
Next to the airport, a large supermarket and a shopping centre let you stock up before heading for the coast (Wikivoyage DE, EN).
Getting around
Urban buses, train and a car for Gallura
Buses and train
The ASPO urban bus network serves the city; tickets are sold at newsstands, tobacconists and cafes (Wikivoyage EN). The railway links Olbia with Cagliari, Sassari and Golfo Aranci, about 23 km to the north-east, where ferries also dock (Wikivoyage EN).
Driving
A large part of the centre is a limited traffic zone: avoid entering it, as the fine applies to rental cars too (Wikivoyage EN). For the Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro or the interior, a car is the most practical choice.
On foot
From the car parks near the old town, Corso Umberto I is a pleasant walk; a good idea for filling a few hours before a ferry departure (Wikivoyage DE).
Budget and precautions
A stopover city to approach with common sense
Price level
We give no figures because we could not cross-check them against two independent sources; prices for lodging, meals, car rental and ferries vary widely by season, especially in summer.
Precautions
As in any port city, keep your bag and papers safe. Parco Fausto Noce can feel deserted at some hours, and Wikivoyage (EN) advises staying alert. Autumn storms can be violent in Gallura, as in November 2013 according to Wikipedia (IT): follow local advice.
Flights and entry
SniperAir tracks prices to OLB and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Also watch Cagliari (CAG), in the south of the island. Italy is part of the Schengen area: check entry rules for your nationality and your government's official advice.
When to go
Hot dry summers, mild wet winters, rain mostly from autumn to winter
Winter (December to February)
Mild and wet, with most of the precipitation according to Wikipedia (FR, IT). The sea is not for swimming, but the city is quiet.
Spring (March to May)
Gently warm according to Wikipedia (EN); on 15 May the feast of St Simplicius enlivens the city.
Summer (June to August)
Hot and dry (Wikipedia FR, EN): the high season for beaches and the Costa Smeralda. Ferries and flights are in high demand, and prices can rise.
Autumn (September to November)
Temperatures stay mild, but rain returns from autumn; the coast is quieter.
Olbia has a Mediterranean climate (Csa) according to Wikipedia (EN), with mild winters, temperate springs and autumns and hot summers. We give no average figures because we have no cross-checked data.
By length of stay
What to do in Olbia depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Corso Umberto I, San Simplicio basilica, the church of San Paolo and the waterfront.
Beaches and remains
A beach north or south of the city, the sacred well of Sa Testa, the giants' tomb and Pedres castle.
Coast and islands
The Costa Smeralda by car or bus, a trip to the Tavolara archipelago, with Olbia as your base.
In pictures
Olbia in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Olbia
How do I get from Olbia airport to the centre?
Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) is south of the city. Urban bus lines 2 and 10 reach the centre about hourly from 6:00. Timetables change: check them before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Olbia?
From late spring to early autumn for beaches; summer is hot and dry, winter mild and wet.
What is there to see in Olbia?
San Simplicio basilica, the church of San Paolo, Corso Umberto I, the archaeological museum, the Nuragic sites and, offshore, the Tavolara archipelago.
Can I reach the Costa Smeralda from Olbia?
Yes, by direct buses from the airport to Arzachena, Porto Rotondo or Palau, or by rental car.
What should I eat in Olbia?
The gulf's mussels, the main typical product, and Sardinian dishes in the restaurants of Corso Umberto I.
How long should I stay in Olbia?
One day for the city; three days with the beaches and Nuragic sites; four days or more for the Costa Smeralda and Tavolara.
How much does a flight to Olbia usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Olbia drops below my budget?
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