The city and commune of Olbia is situated in the Sassari province, the northeast of the island of Sardinia, Italy. Its picturesque landscapes, geographical location, and proximity to major naval forces during the centuries account for the city's eventful history.

Olbia was given several names in different periods. Sardinians today call it Terranoa, which means "the new land". 'Olbia' is Greek, although it comes from the Roman period. In the Middle Ages, it was named Civita. Before it regained its present-day name in 1940, the city bore the name of Terranova Pausania. Olbia is inhabited by approximately 60000 people as of May 2018. 

Locals in Olbia and the surrounding area, the northeastern part of Sardinia, speak not a dialect, but a Romance language, Sardinian, also referred to as Sardu. Sardinians are usually bilingual, having adopted Italian in the 18th century when the process of Italianization began. 

UNESCO classified Sardinian as an endangered language.

What to eat in Olbia

Fresh fish and seafood dominate Olbiese cuisine without overpowering it. Traditional Sardinian dishes that you must at least sample are: zuppa gallurese (Gallura soup), once a sign of poverty, now a much-appreciated dish made with cheese and sheep broth; seafood fregola with saffron (pea-sized pasta in a sauce); porcheddu, Sardinian for "suckling pig", a slow-cooked dish with aromatic myrtle leaves; spaghetti with ricci di mare (sea urchins); bottarga, dried mullet roe served as a starter or as an ingredient in pasta recipes; culurgiones, pasta in the form of dumplings filled with potato and mint-flavoured; octopus salad and its street food version, octopus sandwich, made with local octopus which is more delicate in taste and size than the oceanic one; lamb with artichokes, an Easter special.

If you are looking for local desserts, you can choose from seadas (pastries with honey and cheese filling), aranzada (candied almonds and orange peel), pardulas (also known as casadinas, based on ricotta, saffron, and lemon zest), gueffus (balls of ground almonds and sugar, usually gifted in colourful wrapping paper), pastissus (special occasion almond-based cookies with royal icing) and tiliccas (grape must and semolina cookies).

Tipping

In general, tipping is not expected in Sardinia, so don't feel obligated to leave the change on the table. However, if you want to tip to say "Thank you" for good service, the hosts won't mind.

Transportation around Olbia

The least expensive way to get around Olbia is by public transport, namely by bus. For increased comfort and mobility, visitors usually opt for renting a car.

What To See In Olbia

Corso Umberto

The main street in the city centre, Corso Umberto makes for a pleasant walk among beautiful architecture and shops for every taste.

The Church of San Paolo

For a long time, it was the main church in Olbia. Its distinctive exterior feature is the majolica dome, while the interior offers a display of relics and paintings.

San Simplicio Cathedral

Built in the 11th century, this Romanic cathedral is the oldest in northern Sardinia, which justifies the numerous rebuilds and restores over the years. Beneath it lies an extensive necropolis found accidentally, that is now open for visitors. Approximately 450 martyrs' bodies were unearthed along with various objects and tools. Some found a new home at the Archaeological Museum of Olbia, while others remained in the necropolis.

Olbia Archaeological Museum

The two-floored museum has a vast collection of artefacts and aims to reconstruct the image of Olbia as one of the main Mediterranean ports. It features two Roman ships destroyed in the mid 1st century. Admission is free.

Olbia Ferris Wheel

The 36-metre attraction is located in front of the Archaeological Museum and has 26 cabins. You can see the Gulf from up there.

Pedres Castle

The castle was built in the 13th century on top of a nearby hill and had defensive purposes. It originally had four towers and was completely surrounded by a wall.

San Giovanni e Madonna del Mare

This celebration takes place every year on June 24th and is dedicated to Saint John and Mary. The port welcomes a boat procession from which flowers are thrown in the water.

Festa di San Simplicio

It is an event held in honour of the Patron Saint San Simplicio on May 15th, and it is among the most important religious festivals in Sardinia. It showcases acrobatic performances and traditional games on horseback.

Water World Music Festival

Important names in the music industry come to Olbia every summer to perform at the festival, which is why this is one of the most highly anticipated events for locals and tourists alike.

Olbia Film Network and Olbia Figari Film Fest

The two events serve as the launching pad for new artists, so much preparation is done in wait for the screenings.

Dolphin Watching

If dolphin watching is on your Bucket list, Olbia is the place to do it. A boat trip along the coast with a guided expedition makes for an unforgettable experience.

Le Saline Beach

Reddish sand on a long coast, perfect water for surfing and sailing, and free parking await you a few minutes from Olbia. How could you say no?

Best time to visit Olbia

The Mediterranean sea creates a pleasant climate in Olbia, with warm springs and autumns, hot summers, and mild winters. Average high temperatures in spring are around 18 degrees Celsius, while in summer they go up to 30 degrees. Autumn highs range from 27 degrees Celsius (September) to almost 18 (November). In winter, thermometers register up to 15 degrees. 

As far as precipitation goes, the number of rainy days per season is eight in spring (though only four in May), three in summer, five or six in autumn, and up to nine in winter.

The most crowded months in Olbia are July and August, perfect for enjoying the beach. If you prefer quieter trips around the city while the weather is still good for sunbathing, the months of June and September meet the requirements.