I have a personal idea about Olbia and I would like to share it with you. This splendid city unites a little all tourists and travelers, first of all it represents an important center for arrivals on the island both by sea and by air. Secondly it has an important history and it is worth visiting the historical part at least in a day, third but no less important it is surrounded by an incredible landscape both in the inner part of the island and on the coast, with beautiful and unique beaches with white sand . Olbia as well as being beautiful is therefore a HUB and we personally have included it numerous times as the beginning and end of an on the road itinerary in Sardinia. At this point, let's take a look at what to see in Olbia and its surroundings .
What to see in Olbia
INDEX
1) OLBIA
Let's start with nature. I have been to Olbia several times (also because we have many relatives) and one of the last times I was impressed by the beauty of a green area in the city, the Fausto Noce park . Fiorito, equipped with benches and areas for sports activities, has a play area for children and during my visit I found it extremely tidy and clean. Surely it could be an excellent stop in case of waiting to get the ferry, also because its position is very close to the port of Olbia . What to see in Olbia also means where to go, without a doubt in this splendid city I would also take a walk in the historic center , among historic buildings such as the Town Hall and boutiques of all kinds. It will be exciting to take a break in one of the many local craft shops, bars, restaurants with excellent seafood and ice cream parlors.
A few hundred meters from the historic center you will find one of the sites of interest that is worth visiting, especially for its artistic and architectural value, the Basilica of San Simplicio . An important spread of the Catholic religion on the island, this basilica is certainly one of the most important Romanesque churches in the north-east of Sardinia and beyond, it is also the oldest in Olbia. The external part is devoid of decorations and in some sectors of the internal part there are the remains of frescoes. Under the square of the basilica of San Simplicio, during the renovation excavations of the square, a Necropolis of 400 Roman tombs came to light, an incredible discovery. Another site of interest and worth seeing in Olbia is the Pedres Castle , positioned slightly on the outskirts of the city and near the airport, it was used as a defensive fortress by the Giudicato of Torres.
2) THE BEACHES IN THE AREA
Olbia = Costa Smeralda, should this be the right combination? Not for us, indeed it is much more. We do not question the extreme beauty of the Emerald Coast which in the early summer months of 2020 (the horrendous year of Covid-19) we were able to quietly explore while admiring the fantastic coves of golden white sand, its crystal clear sea with waters tending to emerald green (see Capriccioli) and the beauty of its rugged coastline. It was a real dream come true, given that in the months from May to October the coast is usually flooded with tourists who flock to the beaches, boats and yachts worth thousands of euros docked a few meters from the coast, the activities work a lot also considering the prices (1 coffee 5 € and a mussel 25 € for example) and the night is the best time for young people who really want to have fun. Despite my splendid visit to an empty Costa Smeralda, I do not wish this to happen again, it would indicate that the pandemic still exists.
In addition to the most popular and expensive area of Sardinia then, what to see in Olbia and which beaches? The coast offers beaches of enviable beauty such as Porto Istana , when I was on this beach my gaze focused on the crystal, that's right, the effect of lights and reflections that the waves created on the sea gave the impression of seeing a crystal. The beautiful beach is a paradise covered in pure white sand. Another locality is Lu Impostu in the La Cinta area, about 1 kilometer long and quite wide, it is characterized by very fine sand dunes. The water, but of this I had no doubts, reflects a color ranging from green to blue, a guaranteed spectacle. Just before Olbia, another beach that deserves a visit with a beach towel is Le Saline , a splendid tongue of golden sand, the shoreline is washed by transparent water and the area is also wonderful for snorkeling. Moving north, other interesting beaches are Pittulongu , famous and perfect for families with children and the beautiful beaches of the Golfo Aranci area.
These beaches just mentioned are not the only ones, on the contrary, they are the most popular. Below you will see a sequence of remote beaches that can be reached by car or by trekking and which are located in the immediate vicinity of Olbia. Don't forget us travel planner we absolutely encourage the discovery of remote and off the beaten track areas, but not only that, we also recommend choosing a beach based on the weather condition (may or may not be exposed to winds), based on kind of travellers (perhaps if you are a family I would prefer to recommend a beach with services rather than a remote one that can be reached after 50 minutes of trekking) and at your needs and passions. Choosing our service will be fundamental, before and during your vacation. Enjoy the show.
3) WHAT TO DO (OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES)
It is useless to deny it, Sardinia always gives great emotions. In addition to visiting the city, the archaeological sites, the beautiful beaches with white sand, in Olbia you can do many outdoor activities. From coastal and inland trekking to horseback riding in the water passing through wonderful mountain bike trails . You can book one of the many boat trips between boats in the Gulf of Olbia and direct excursions to the Maddalena archipelago. It is not over, this city does not cease to amaze, in addition to the "classic outdoor activities" it is possible to do romantic boat excursions with sunset aperitif, hiking with a guide in 4x4 discovering the Gallurese hinterland, the spectacular night cycling and also visits from natural and scientific perspectives to the renowned mussel farm. There is so much to see in Olbia, even more to do.
4) HISTORY AND TRADITION
A door between the world of the living and that of the dead, a place chosen to honor the gods of water, a real sacred well for our ancestors, the nuragics. I'm talking about Sa Testa , one of the most important archaeological sites in the north-eastern part of Sardinia. This ancient sanctuary is about 18 meters long, built with carefully worked blocks and consists of a circular courtyard, a vestibule, a small connecting space between courtyard and well and the steps leading to the well itself. I dedicated some time to this site, unfortunately there was no guide that would have been essential to explain traditions and cults to the nuragic period in order to learn more about the history of Sardinia. Beyond the necropolis of San Simplicio I mentioned earlier in the areas surrounding Olbia you can visit the nuraghe Rio Molinu, one of the most important in the northeastern part of the island and certainly the roman aqueduct, one of the legacies left behind by what is considered one of the most powerful empires in human history.
5) TYPICAL DISHES
What to see in Olbia and what to eat especially right ?! Seriously, Olbia offers a lot on a culinary level. It certainly has a lot about seafood but it also maintains the Gallura tradition with some splendid land dishes. In Olbia you cannot miss one of the dishes made with mussels raised in the area , for example Mussels alla marinara or hoe of mussels and clams. As a first course, a rich and tasty dish is fregula con cocciuta , a small and circular semolina pasta served with tomato and clams (in some cases clams). The same fregola is also served in a broth with fresh fish that comes from our sea. As a second course, the goodness of a fish from the Gulf in the oven or the different varieties of mixed grills with squid and crustaceans is indisputable. In any case, I reiterate my thoughts on mussels, to be eaten in any way both as an appetizer and with a first course of spaghetti.
