Olbia 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Olbia: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Corso Umberto I

Olbia's main pedestrian street, lined with shops, cafes, and granite-paved pavements. A lively stroll through the historic core ends at the waterfront.

🕐 Always open

Free entry

💡 Go in early evening when the street fills with locals doing the 'passeggiata'. Best light for photos is around 6pm in summer.

Hotels near Corso Umberto I →
Afternoon
Piazza Matteotti

Central square with a fountain, shaded trees and a few benches. Overlooks the port. Local kids kick footballs around, old men play cards.

🕐 24 hours

Free entry

💡 The gelato shop on the east side does a decent pistachio scoop for €2.50.

Hotels near Piazza Matteotti →
Evening
Where to eat

Renisola · ££

La Ruota · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Olbia

Morning
Porto di Olbia

Working ferry port with views of the Gulf of Olbia. Watch ferries from mainland Italy and Sardinia dock and depart. Benches along the quay, a few cafes nearby, and clean public toilets.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Best at sunrise (around 6:30am in summer) when the light hits the water and the port is quiet. Bring coffee.

Midday
Piazza Regina Margherita with pozzo sacro

Central square featuring a sacred Nuragic well from the 9th century BC, visible through a glass cover in the pavement. Odd but fascinating mix of ancient and modern.

🕐 24/7 (outdoor, always visible through glass)

💡 Look down near the fountain—the well is lit at night. Pair with a gelato from Gelateria Chiccheria across the square.

Afternoon
Chiesa di San Paolo

A 1930s church built over a medieval chapel, with a striking Art Deco facade and a dome decorated with Sardinian ceramic tiles. Inside, the simple whitewashed walls focus attention on the altar.

🕐 Daily 7am-12pm and 4pm-7pm

💡 Check if the crypt is open—it contains ruins of the earlier 12th-century church. Best light for photos is late afternoon.

Late afternoon
San Simplicio Basilica

A granite church built between the 11th and 12th centuries, blending Romanesque and Pisan styles. Inside, rough stone walls and a simple altar; outside, a quiet square with views of the old town.

🕐 Mon-Sat 08:00-12:00, 16:00-19:00; Sun 08:00-13:00

💡 Go around 5pm on a weekday when the afternoon sun lights up the pink granite blocks. No queues.

Evening
Dining tonight

Lu Stazzu

Cafe Nina

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Basilica of San Simplicio

A 12th-century granite Romanesque church, one of Sardinia's oldest. Quiet interior with rough stone arches and ancient fresco fragments.

💡 Check the crypt door – often unlocked on weekday mornings. The carved stone faces on the outer east wall are easy to miss.

Midday
Molo Brin & Port Walk

The old commercial pier and seafront promenade offering clear views of ferries, yachts, and the neighbouring hills.

💡 Walk to the very end of Molo Brin at sunset – you get a clear sightline to Tavolara Island. No tourists bother.

Afternoon
San Simplicio Basilica

Medieval granite church from the 11th-12th century, one of Sardinia's oldest. Plain exterior hides a calm interior with Romanesque arches and stonework.

💡 Morning light hits the apse windows best. No queues.

Before departure
Chiesa di San Simplicio

A 12th-century granite basilica and Olbia's most important medieval building. Simple, austere Romanesque design with original stonework.

💡 Free entry to the main church; the small museum attached costs €2. Light a candle in the quiet side chapel.

Final meal

Pizzeria Ichnos

Aquamarina Ristorante

Getting Around Olbia

Linea 1 (Urban Bus) From 1.20 5 min

Line 1 runs along Via Mameli, closest stop to the hotel. Buy a daily pass (€3) if you're exploring the town – cheaper than singles.

Olbia Railway Station From 1.30 5 min

Use Trenitalia's regional train for Golfo Aranci or Sassari. From the station, walk up Corso Umberto to the hotel—10 minutes on foot. Buy tickets at the machines or app; validate before boarding.

Linea 2 (ARST Airport Bus) From 1.50 20 min

Buy tickets at the airport tabacchi or on the bus (exact change). Get off at 'Piazza Crispi' – the hotel is a five-minute walk down Via Garibaldi. Beware: summer bus is packed.

Aspo Bus Line 02 From 2.50 20 min

Buy tickets at the airport tabacchi or via the Drop Ticket app. The bus stops a 5-minute walk from Hotel Centrale on Corso Umberto. Cash only on board, exact change needed.

Olbia Airport Taxi From 25 15 min

Book a fixed-rate taxi online from the airport to avoid surge pricing in summer. The rank outside arrivals is reliable but expect 30 euros for a short ride into town.

Airport Taxi From 25 15 min

Avoid airport taxis with fixed tourist rates – ask for metered fare or pre-book a driver through an app like myTaxi for about €18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Olbia?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Corso Umberto I and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Olbia?

See our full best time to visit Olbia guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Residence Rocce Sarde, Hotel Centrale, Hotel Martini. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.