What to see in Olbia in 2 days: Nuragic history, lively centre and dream beaches
Discover what to see in Olbia in 2 days: the old town with Romanesque churches and pedestrian streets, Gallura beaches and little-known Nuragic sites.
Why visit Olbia in 2 days
Olbia is often seen as just a gateway to the Costa Smeralda, but the city has a strong identity of its own: a lively old town with Romanesque churches, a renewed waterfront, Nuragic archaeological sites within easy reach and wonderful beaches just minutes away. Two days will reveal an authentic, accessible Sardinia.
Day 1: old town and waterfront
Morning - The heart of the city
Start from Corso Umberto I, the pedestrian street cutting through the old town. Lined with shops, cafes and Liberty-style buildings, its side streets lead to small hidden squares. Reach the Basilica of San Simplicio, the most important Romanesque monument in Gallura: grey granite, bare interiors and an atmosphere of great power. It was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and is dedicated to Olbia's patron saint.
Nearby, the Archaeological Museum of Olbia houses the wrecks of Roman ships found in the old port: a sensational discovery that tells of the city's strategic importance in antiquity. The ships, displayed in cross-section, are the collection's centrepiece.
Afternoon - Waterfront and Old Port
Stroll along the renewed waterfront to Molo Brin, where colourful fishing boats and seafood restaurants create a relaxed atmosphere. The Old Port, now a pedestrian area, is where locals gather for aperitivo.
If time allows, visit the Church of San Paolo with its polychrome majolica dome, visible from all over the city and unusual for Sardinia.
Evening
Dine at the port with zuppa gallurese (bread, broth and baked cheese), fregola with clams and a Vermentino di Gallura DOCG. Olbia's nightlife centres around the Corso and the waterfront.
Day 2: beaches and Nuragic archaeology
Morning - Beaches
Devote the morning to the beaches north of the city. Pittulongu, just 5 km away, offers white sand and transparent sea without the Costa Smeralda crowds. For a wilder experience, continue to Porto Istana, with a view of Tavolara island rising imposingly from the sea.
Tavolara itself is reachable by boat from the port: the climb to the highest point is for the more adventurous, but Spalmatore di Terra beach on the western side is an accessible paradise.
Afternoon - Nuragic sites and hidden gems
Return to explore the area's Nuragic heritage. The Sacred Well of Sa Testa, a few kilometres from the airport, is a Bronze Age underground temple dedicated to water worship. The staircase descending into the earth is evocative and the site is almost always deserted.
Further north, the Tomb of the Giants of Su Monte de s'Ape is a Nuragic funerary monument with its central stele still standing. The silence of the surrounding Gallura countryside adds solemnity to the place.
Hidden gems
Before heading back, detour to the village of San Pantaleo inland: a granite hamlet with art studios and an antique market on Thursday mornings. The atmosphere is bohemian and far removed from coastal glamour.
Evening
Finish with a sunset aperitivo on Bados beach, where the sun sets behind Tavolara island creating spectacular silhouettes.
Practical tips
- **When to go:** May-June and September for warm sea without crowds
- **Getting around:** a car is essential for beaches and archaeological sites
- **Airport:** Olbia Costa Smeralda, 3 km from the centre
- **Ferries:** connections from Civitavecchia, Genoa, Livorno and Piombino
- **Vermentino:** always ask for Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Sardinia's finest white
- **Sunscreen:** the Sardinian sun is intense even in September
