Olbia
Olbia is the port and airport city for Sardinia's northeast coast, with the Costa Smeralda less than 30 km away.
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Olbia is a port city on the northeast coast of Sardinia, Italy, in the historical region of Gallura. It shares provincial seat status with Tempio Pausania and is the main economic center of northeast Sardinia. Its harbor is one of the main links between the island and the Italian mainland, and Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport is the main air link for the city and the resort coast. The Costa Smeralda lies less than 30 km away, and Olbia serves as its main service center.
The name Olbia comes from a Greek word meaning happy or fortunate, and the Romans made it an important port and naval base. The Romanesque church of San Simplicio, built in the 11th and 12th centuries, stands outside the old walls, and the National Archaeology Museum displays finds from the Nuragic, Punic and Roman periods. Plan beach time for late spring to early autumn, when summers are hot and dry. Give the town a night or two before heading to the coast.
Olbia in five
- Rent a car before you land in summerPublic transport to beaches is limited and cars sell out in July and August. Compare prices early, and check what your insurance covers on unpaved beach roads.
- Book mainland ferries and a car space earlyFerries from Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia dock near Olbia, and summer crossings with a car fill. Compare operators, and check check-in times and cabin options.
- Take the short ferry to La Maddalena from PalauThe archipelago is reached by a short ferry from Palau, about 40 minutes by car north. Check operators for timetables and car rules.Palau travel guide
- Land at Olbia from outside Schengen? Plan the borderIf Olbia is your first Schengen stop, expect passport control and EES registration at the airport. Read how EES works before you book a tight onward connection.EES, explained
- See San Simplicio on a layoverThe Romanesque church of San Simplicio in the old town is worth a short stop between flights or ferries. Check its official site for opening hours.
Need to know
- Airport
- Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB), close to town
- Getting there
- Fly or take a ferry from Genoa, Livorno or Civitavecchia
- Getting around
- A car; buses and taxis cover a few routes
- Best base
- Olbia for the ferry; beach towns for longer stays
- Time needed
- 1 night as a gateway
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, windyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, closed beachesAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, closed beaches
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low21°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Peak, bookedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, booked
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°WetNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°MildDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
Average daily high and low in Olbia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Olbia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 27 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Olbia
01:54 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°11°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed19°10°10%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu19°16°79%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri20°14°53%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat18°12°16%Saturday: Fog. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun20°10°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 11:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–FebCarnival of MamoiadaSardinia, a day trip
Before you go to Olbia
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Olbia, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport on the Italian foreign ministry site before you book. Italy is part of the Schengen area.Source
- Declare cash above the EU limit on the customs form when you enter or leave the EU. Confirm the current amount with the Italian customs agency (Agenzia delle Dogane).
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Many Italian old town centers are ZTL traffic zones where cars need a permit. Look for the signs before you drive into a centro storico.
Plan around Olbia
The Costa Smeralda's yacht harbor
Read the guidePalauFerry to La Maddalena and the north
Read the guideCala GononeDramatic east coast cove and cliffs
Read the guideAlgheroCatalan-flavored old town on the west
Read the guideAll of ItalyCities, coasts, lakes and the Alps
Read the guideEES, explainedPassport checks at Schengen borders
Read the guideOlbia FAQ
Is Olbia worth visiting?
Only briefly. It has a small old town and a Romanesque church, but the draw is the coast nearby. Most visitors spend one night, then drive to the Costa Smeralda or the north.
Do you need a car in Olbia?
For the beaches, yes. Buses serve some towns, but they are sparse in the off-season and slow in summer. Rent a car early, and plan a small stop at the airport or port when you collect it.
How far is Olbia from Porto Cervo?
About 30 to 40 minutes by car. Buses run in summer, but a car is more flexible. Beach roads can be narrow, so allow extra time.
How do you get to Olbia from the mainland?
By plane from many Italian and European cities, or by overnight or day ferry from Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia. Compare operators, and book summer sailings and car spaces early.
Where should I stay near Olbia?
In Olbia for a ferry or flight, in Porto Cervo or Palau for the north coast, and in San Teodoro or Cala Gonone for the east. Decide by beach and road time, not distance on the map.