Olbia is a working ferry port about 1 km from a small, pleasant town center, linked by city bus line 9. Most people come for the Costa Smeralda beaches and Porto Cervo, which need a tour, taxi or rental car. Olbia town itself is a quiet half day.
Where Olbia lies
OlbiaAvignonBarcelonaRomeGenoaMarseilleRavennaSavonaVallettaAjaccioAlicanteAlmeríaAmalfi and PositanoBastiaBilbaoCadizCagliariCannesCartagenaCataniaGibraltarIbizaLa SpeziaLivornoMahón, MenorcaMalagaMessinaMonacoNaplesPalermoPalma de MallorcaPortoferraioPortofino / Santa Margherita LigurePulaRovinjSaint-TropezSalernoSèteŠibenikSorrentoTarragonaToulonValenciaVillefranche-sur-Mer and NiceZadarWhere your ship docks
Ships dock at the Isola Bianca port, Olbia's ferry and cruise harbor on a causeway into the gulf. Its 10 berths serve ferries and cruise ships, with a maritime station building (Hello Olbia).
Shuttle. Some lines may run a bus to town (not verified). Public bus line 9 serves the maritime station.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ASPO city bus line 9 to Olbia center (Corso Umberto) | Short | About 1 euro for 90 minutes; 1.50 euros on board; day pass about 2.80 euros (Wikivoyage, approximate) |
| Walk to Olbia center | About 15-20 minutes (approximate) | Free |
| Taxi to Olbia center or beaches | Varies | Not verified |
| Tour, taxi or rental car to Costa Smeralda / Porto Cervo | Not verified | Not verified |
ASPO city bus line 9 to Olbia center (Corso Umberto)
- Find the bus stop at the maritime station.
- Ride line 9 to the center.
Port's free shuttle runs between berths and the maritime station only, not to town (Hello Olbia).
Walk to Olbia center
- Walk along Viale Isola Bianca toward town.
Along a busy road; little shade.
Taxi to Olbia center or beaches
- Taxi phone listed by Hello Olbia: +39 0789 24999.
Tour, taxi or rental car to Costa Smeralda / Porto Cervo
- Book ahead; regional ARST buses run to Costa Smeralda but schedules are seasonal.
What to see
Olbia old town and Corso Umberto
Shopping street, cafes and the San Simplicio basilica (Romanesque).
- How
- Bus 9 or walk.
- Time
- 1.5-2 hours
- Tickets
- Free.
Costa Smeralda and Porto Cervo
Famous turquoise coves and yacht harbor.
- How
- Tour or car.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Free.
Tavolara island view / boat trip
Dramatic island in Olbia's gulf.
- How
- Boat trips from nearby harbors (not verified).
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Not verified.
Archaeological Museum of Olbia
Roman and Punic history, ancient ships.
- How
- Near the waterfront (not verified).
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Not verified.
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- 8:30 Off the ship; bus 9 or walk into town.
- 9:00 Tourist office (Piazza Terranova Pausania 1) for maps and bus times.
- 9:30 Corso Umberto and San Simplicio basilica.
- 11:00 Taxi to a nearby beach, or join a pre-booked Costa Smeralda tour.
- 14:30 Back to town; lunch.
- 15:30 Bus 9 back; be on board 1 hour before all-aboard.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Best beaches need a car or tour.
- Busy ferry traffic at Isola Bianca on summer days.
- Italy has frequent announced transport strikes (trains, buses, ferries), often on Fridays. Check the Italian Ministry of Transport strike list (scioperi.mit.gov.it) the week before your port day.
Do this
- The tourist office is open April 1-September 30 Mon-Fri 9:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00 (Hello Olbia).
- Try Vermentino di Gallura wine and seadas (sweet cheese pastry).
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- Some Sardinian beaches have visitor limits or booking rules in summer (not verified for 2026).
Accessibility
The port and town center are mostly flat. Beaches and coves can involve sand and steps.
Money
Euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard work in most shops, restaurants and museums; tap-to-pay is common. Carry 20-40 euros in cash for small cafes, toilets, markets and some buses. Use a bank ATM (inside or at a bank) and always choose to be charged in euros, not dollars, when a card machine or ATM asks.
More of the Western Mediterranean
Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
- Hello Olbia (official tourism): Isola Bianca port
- Hello Olbia (official tourism), home
- Port Authority of Sardinia (AdSP)
- Wikivoyage: Olbia (community travel guide, secondary source)
- Walking time port to center.
- ASPO fares (Wikivoyage only).
- Cruise line shuttles.
- Museum hours and price.
- Beach access rules in 2026.
- An independent check in November 2026 could not confirm this: Some Sardinian beaches have visitor limits or booking rules in summer (not verified for 2026).