Olbia (Sardinia Italy)

Olbia is a major port city on Sardinia Island (Italy). The port is located on the island's northeastern coast, inside the well protected Olbia Gulf (Tyrrhenian Sea).

After docking next to the ferry piers, cruise tourists need a shore excursion or taxi to visit the town, beaches or the island's interior.

Olbia is fairly small. It features few bars, restaurants and tourist shops. There are traces of Roman and Phoenician tombs in the area, and Pisan Romanesque Church of San Simplicio in the city is worth visiting. Try Porto Rotondo for local beaches. Further beyond Olbia, remember to visit the resort of Porto Cervo which rests on the island's rugged northeast corner, known as Costa Smeralda ("Emerald Coast") - holiday playground of Aga Khan and the jetset. The beaches along this coast are beautiful but lack facilities.

Olbia initiated as a Greek colony. Later it was the scene in 259 BC of Roman victory over Carthaginian general Hanno. It was rebuilt by Pisan colonists in 1198 and became a centre of Gallura's medieval giudicato (judiciary circuit). Olbia was called Terranova Pausania until 1939.