Your deep-dive guide to medical care, trusted drivers, and navigating the city like a local.
Welcome to Olbia. While we hope your holiday is purely about beaches and relaxation, it is always smart to understand how the local city infrastructure works. Italy's systems for healthcare and transport can be quite different from what you are used to.
We have created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate Olbia like a local. Whether you need a late-night pharmacy or need to understand how to validate a bus ticket to avoid a fine, you will find it here.
Olbia has a dual healthcare system that often confuses visitors. It is crucial to know the difference between the Public and Private hospitals, as going to the wrong one in an emergency can cost you valuable time.
If you have a medical emergency, go here. This is the only facility in Olbia with a fully equipped ER ("Pronto Soccorso") operating 24/7. It handles everything from trauma to urgent illnesses.
Call ER (+39 0789 552200)Mater Olbia is a world-class private facility partnered with the Qatar Foundation. It is modern and clean, but it is NOT an emergency hospital. Go here only for scheduled specialist appointments (MRI, orthopedics, cardiology).
Call ReceptionFor non-life-threatening issues at night or on weekends (when regular doctors are closed), Italians use the Guardia Medica. This is a walk-in clinic for things like high fever, ear infections, or urgent prescriptions. It is much faster than the hospital ER.
📞 Call +39 0789 552441In Italy, the Farmacia (indicated by a green neon cross) is usually your first stop for health advice. Pharmacists are highly trained and can recommend medicines for common ailments without a doctor's visit.
Most pharmacies close for lunch (13:00-16:30) and on Sundays. However, one pharmacy is always open 24/7 on a rotating shift called "Farmacia di Turno". Google this phrase to find tonight's open location.
Getting a taxi in Sardinia is different from big cities. You cannot simply "hail" a cab from the street corner; they will not stop. You must either go to a designated Taxi Stand or call a driver directly.
Is there Uber? Uber has technically launched, but availability is very low. We strongly recommend relying on established local drivers or the official stands at Corso Umberto I or the Airport. Always ask for the meter ("Tassametro").
Olbia's public transport (ASPO) is surprisingly excellent. It is clean, safe, and punctual. The most important bus for tourists is Line 4 (Spiagge), which runs from the City Centre directly to Pittulongu and Bados beaches.
This is where most tourists get into trouble. Buying a paper ticket is not enough. You MUST insert your ticket into the yellow machine on board to "stamp" it. If using the app, "activate" the ticket 2 minutes before boarding.
While buses are great for local beaches, a car unlocks the true magic of Sardinia—the Costa Smeralda, San Pantaleo, and hidden coves. We recommend RENTSMART24 because they are transparent and don't add hidden "counter fees".
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