Fountain in Olbia — historic charm in the heart of the old town
Planning a holiday in Sardinia? This is the only guide you need. Everything from beaches and costs to family holidays, car hire and day trips. From RENTAL12, owner-operated since 2014.
Browse our 34 verified apartments in Olbia — book directly, personal support, secure payment.
Search PropertiesMost travel guides mention Olbia only as an arrival point — land, pick up your rental car, drive away. That's a mistake, and locals know it.
Olbia is a town of over 60,000 people with a history stretching back to Phoenician times, a compact old town full of character, and a location that puts everything in reach. The best beaches in north Sardinia are 10–30 minutes away. The Costa Smeralda starts just up the coast. La Maddalena is a boat ride away. And unlike the resort towns, Olbia has a real life that continues long after the summer crowds leave.
From Olbia, you can reach Pittulongu beach in 10 minutes, the white sands of Golfo Aranci in 20, Porto Cervo in 30, and San Teodoro in 35. The airport is 4 km from the centre. The ferry port connects to mainland Italy. No other town in Sardinia offers this kind of connectivity.
We didn't move to Olbia to build a business. We moved here because we fell in love with this place — the piazzas, the neighbours who bring you homemade cheese, the rhythm of life here. Hosting guests in our apartments is a privilege, not a transaction.
Floriana, CEO & Co-Founder, RENTAL12What sets Olbia apart from typical holiday destinations: the bakeries open at six for locals, not tourists. The restaurants cook whatever the morning market provided. And if you visit in October or March, you'll find the town just as alive — without the queues.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is the best-connected airport in Sardinia, sitting just 4 km from the town centre. In summer 2026, 35 airlines fly from 86 cities to Olbia — more connections than ever before.
This year brings a milestone: Delta Air Lines launches direct flights from New York JFK to Olbia starting 20 May — four times weekly. It's the first-ever nonstop transatlantic service to Sardinia. British Airways makes Olbia its biggest route from London Stansted. easyJet opens Lyon–Olbia. TUI Fly adds Dresden and Erfurt.
From the UK, you can fly direct on easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2 and Wizz Air from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Birmingham. Flight time: around 2.5 hours.
Off-season (October–May): return flights from £40–80. Peak season (July–August): £150–300. Book 3–4 months ahead and fly midweek for the best prices.
The airport is so close that a taxi costs €10–15. There's a regular bus service into the centre for about €1.50. All major car hire companies have desks at the terminal.
Sardinia has a reputation for being expensive. The truth is more nuanced — it depends on when you go, where you stay, and how you eat.
| Category | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €60–90 | €100–160 | €180–400 |
| Food (per day, 2 people) | €40–60 | €70–100 | €120–200 |
| Car hire (per day) | €30–45 | €45–65 | €70–120 |
| Activities | €0–20 | €30–60 | €60–150 |
| TOTAL PER DAY (2 people) | €130–215 | €245–385 | €430–870 |
Save on food: Supermarkets (Conad, Eurospin) are 15–20% cheaper than the UK. A good bottle of local Vermentino costs €4–8. Street pizza: €3–5.
Don't save on accommodation. A cheap rental with bad reviews will ruin your holiday faster than anything. Invest in a clean, well-equipped apartment with genuine guest reviews and a real person to contact if you need anything.
May, June, September and October offer the sweet spot: warm weather (22–28°C), swimmable seas, uncrowded beaches, and prices 40–60% lower than peak season.
For a Sardinia holiday, a self-catering apartment is almost always the better choice — and not just because of the price.
Your own kitchen means shopping at the weekly market, buying fresh fish at the harbour, and cooking dinner on your terrace. With children, an apartment is priceless — washing machine, space to play, no breakfast schedules to keep.
Not all holiday rentals are equal. Look for: genuine guest reviews (across multiple platforms), honest photos (no wide-angle tricks), a real local contact person, and a legal registration number (CIN) — mandatory in Italy since 2025.
Our rule is simple: every apartment must be one we'd happily stay in ourselves. If the mattress isn't right, we replace it. If the shower takes too long to heat up, we call the plumber. We know every corner of every apartment because we furnished, renovated and equipped them ourselves.
Kristina, COO, RENTAL12RENTAL12 manages 34 holiday apartments across Olbia and Golfo Aranci — from studios for couples to 3-bedroom villas with pools for families. All registered (IUN: F1530 / CIN: IT090047B4000F1530), owner-operated, and professionally cleaned between every guest.
Sardinia has over 1,800 km of coastline. Around Olbia, you'll find some of the island's most beautiful beaches — most within 15–30 minutes by car.
Just 8 km north of Olbia, Pittulongu is a wide crescent of fine sand with shallow, gently shelving water — ideal for families. The striking silhouette of Tavolara island fills the horizon. Sun loungers, pedalos, and several beachside restaurants.
On the road from Olbia to Golfo Aranci, this postcard-perfect beach has white sand and turquoise, crystal-clear water. Less crowded than the Costa Smeralda beaches, but every bit as beautiful.
A small, sheltered cove with golden sand and emerald water, framed by pines and rocks. Perfect for snorkelling. Slightly harder to find — which is exactly what makes it special.
17 km from Olbia, over a kilometre long, with the famous view of Tavolara. One of the finest beaches on the Costa Smeralda coast, but with the relaxed charm of a fishing village rather than the jetset atmosphere.
Further south near San Teodoro, this is the beach the Sardinians themselves call "Little Tahiti." Incredibly shallow, transparent water — like a natural lagoon. Busy in high season, paradisically empty in the shoulder months.
Tavolara Island — the landmark of north Sardinia from the beach
The old town of Olbia isn't a museum — it's the beating heart of a living city. Narrow lanes, colourful facades, hidden piazzas, and a café or enoteca on every corner.
Corso Umberto I runs from the train station to the harbour and is the old town's lifeline. By day, locals and visitors stroll past boutiques, gelaterias and cafés. By evening, the street becomes one long terrace — the Sardinians eat late and always outdoors.
The Basilica di San Simplicio is a Romanesque granite church from the 11th century — austere, powerful, and one of the oldest buildings in Sardinia. The Church of San Paolo dazzles with its colourful Baroque ceramic dome. The Archaeological Museum by the harbour tells Olbia's story as one of the Mediterranean's most important trading ports — from the Phoenicians through the Romans to today.
Between Via Acquedotto and Via Torino you can still see the remains of the Punic city walls — over 2,500 years old, right in a residential neighbourhood.
Piazza Regina Margherita is the culinary hub: fish restaurants, pizzerias, wine bars. Don't miss: Porceddu (suckling pig roasted over wood), Fregola con arselle (Sardinian pasta with clams), Seadas (cheese pastry with honey), and a glass of Vermentino di Gallura.
Carousel in Olbia — nostalgic charm for the whole family
Sardinia might be the most family-friendly destination in the Mediterranean. The beaches have shallow, warm water. The Sardinians adore children — everywhere. And the short flight time from the UK (under 3 hours) makes the journey manageable even with toddlers.
The best family beaches near Olbia: Pittulongu (shallow, sun loungers, restaurants), Spiaggia Bianca (calm, clear water), and Cala Brandinchi (lagoon-like, knee-deep water for 50 metres). All have parking and are easy to reach.
A kitchen means breakfast on your schedule, pasta for fussy eaters, and no hunting for high chairs at restaurants. A washing machine is priceless with small children. And when the kids are asleep, parents can sit on the terrace with a glass of wine instead of whispering in a hotel room.
Boat trips to Tavolara island (dolphins included), snorkelling in the coves of Golfo Aranci, waterparks nearby, the weekly market in Olbia (Tuesdays and Fridays), donkey trekking in the hills, and of course: endless sand and sea.
Honest answer: for most visitors, yes. Olbia's old town is wonderfully walkable, but to reach the best beaches, villages and restaurants, you'll want a car.
A small car costs €25–40/day in low season, €50–80 in high season. Always book full insurance with zero excess — Sardinian roads are good but narrow, and parking spaces can be tight. Fuel is slightly cheaper than in the UK.
In Olbia itself you can manage without a car — the old town, supermarkets and Pittulongu beach are walkable or a short bus ride. For day trips, boat tours cover the coast beautifully, and there's a bus to Golfo Aranci.
Olbia is the perfect base for day trips — north, south, out to sea, and into the mountains.
Seven islands, crystal water, pink sand. Boat tours depart from Cannigione or Palau (45–60 min from Olbia). Full-day tours with lunch on board from around €50–80 per person. The highlight: the famous pink beach on Budelli.
The dramatic limestone island directly opposite Olbia. Boat tours from Porto San Paolo (15 min from Olbia). Snorkelling in the marine reserve, lunch at the island's one restaurant. Perfect for a half-day escape.
The legendary Emerald Coast starts 25 km north of Olbia. Porto Cervo is the epicentre of Sardinian glamour — worth seeing even if you arrive by Fiat rather than yacht. Porto Rotondo is quieter and equally beautiful.
An hour inland lies a different world: granite villages, cork forests, sheep farms, and agriturismi serving the best Sardinian food you'll ever eat. Drive to Tempio Pausania or Arzachena and discover the Sardinia most tourists never see.
Sardinia in winter? Sounds unusual — but it's one of the best travel tips we can give.
November to March, temperatures in Olbia sit at 12–18°C. It rains occasionally, but between rainy spells there are brilliantly blue days when you can sit on the beach in peace — no reservations, no crowds.
Flights from £25–40 return. Apartments 40–60% cheaper than summer. Car hire from €20/day. Restaurants often have better menus in winter because the kitchen isn't running at peak-season pace.
Hiking ancient shepherd trails, wine tasting at Vermentino cellars, the November olive harvest, village sagra festivals, thermal springs at Fordongianus, and carnival season (Sartiglia in Oristano, Mamuthones in Mamoiada) — some of the most remarkable folk culture experiences in Europe.
Penthouse Via de Filippi — premium luxury in old-town location
Sardinian apartment owners are proud of their homes and often share local tips you won't find online — best restaurants, hidden beaches, when the markets are on. At the same time, you have a kitchen, so you can live like a local, not like a tourist.
When is the best time of year to take a holiday in Sardinia — for beaches, hiking, families, and the best value?
The best time for a Sardinia holiday is May–June and September–October — warm weather (22–28°C), quiet beaches, lower prices; July–August are hot and busy; November–March offer mild weather (12–18°C) and off-season rates.
For most travellers, the sweet spot is May/June and September/October. The sea is warm enough for swimming (22–25°C), the beaches aren't crowded, and flights and accommodation cost significantly less than in peak season. July and August are perfect if you want Sardinia at full energy — every restaurant is open, the festivals are in full swing, but beaches and roads are correspondingly busy. Families tied to school holidays should book early. For hikers, culture-seekers and those wanting peace, winter (November–March) is a genuine hidden gem with mild temperatures and empty landscapes.
How much should I budget per day for a holiday in Sardinia in 2026, including accommodation, food, car hire and activities?
A Sardinia holiday in 2026 costs two people between €130 (budget) and €400 (comfortable) per day — including apartment (€60–160/night), food (€40–100/day), car hire (€30–65/day) and activities.
Costs vary significantly by season and style. A well-equipped holiday apartment in Olbia starts from €60/night in low season, rising to €100–160 in summer. Eating out is surprisingly reasonable: pizza costs €7–10, pasta €10–15, a three-course dinner for two with wine €50–80. Supermarkets are 15–20% cheaper than the UK. Car hire runs €30–65/day depending on season. The single biggest money-saving tip: travel in the shoulder season — same enjoyment, 40–60% lower costs.
Do I need to hire a car for a holiday in Olbia, Sardinia, or can I manage with public transport?
In Olbia's old town you can reach restaurants, beaches and supermarkets on foot or by bus; for day trips to the best coves, mountain villages and La Maddalena, a hire car is recommended — from €30/day in low season.
It depends on what you want to do. Olbia's old town, Pittulongu beach and the main supermarkets are all accessible without a car. But for the best experiences — secluded beaches, hill villages, the Costa Smeralda, day trips — a car is the way to go. Public buses exist but run infrequently and don't serve most beaches. Alternatively, boat tours cover the coast beautifully, and taxis work for one-off trips. Our tip: always book full insurance with zero excess.
Is Sardinia and Olbia suitable for a family holiday with babies, toddlers and young children?
Sardinia is excellent for families — shallow sandy beaches with calm, warm water (Pittulongu, Spiaggia Bianca, Cala Brandinchi), under 3 hours' flight from the UK, child-friendly restaurants, and a culture that welcomes children everywhere.
Sardinia is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the Mediterranean. The beaches around Olbia have shallow, warm water that stays knee-deep for dozens of metres — perfect for toddlers. The Sardinians are genuinely child-friendly: in restaurants, children aren't just tolerated but welcomed with open arms. The flight from the UK is under 3 hours, making the journey manageable even with babies. A self-catering apartment with kitchen and washing machine is the ideal family base. RENTAL12 offers several family-friendly apartments with cots, high chairs and enclosed gardens.
How do I get from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport to the old town in 2026, and what does the transfer cost?
Olbia airport is just 4 km from the town centre — a taxi costs €10–15, the regular bus runs for about €1.50, and all major car hire companies have desks at the terminal.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is one of the closest airports to a town centre in Italy. A metered taxi to the old town costs €10–15 during the day. The ARST bus line 2 runs regularly for about €1.50. If you've booked a hire car, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt and local providers are all at the terminal. RENTAL12 guests can also arrange a private transfer — just message us before you arrive.
Is Olbia worth staying in for a few nights, or is it just an arrival point to pass through on the way to the Costa Smeralda?
Olbia is far more than a transit point — its historic old town with Romanesque basilica, archaeological museum, excellent restaurants and access to north Sardinia's best beaches makes it an ideal holiday base.
This misconception persists — and it's wrong. Olbia has a charming old town with Corso Umberto as its pedestrianised heart, the 11th-century Basilica di San Simplicio, a modern Archaeological Museum, outstanding fish and meat restaurants, and an authentic Sardinian atmosphere without tourism staging. The location is unbeatable: the best beaches are 10–30 minutes away, the Costa Smeralda 25 km north, La Maddalena a boat trip away. Staying in Olbia gives you everything within reach — without the Porto Cervo price tag.
What kind of holiday apartment in Olbia is best for someone visiting Sardinia for the first time — old town, beachside or with parking?
For a first Sardinia holiday, an apartment in the Olbia old town with parking access is ideal — walkable restaurants, markets and nightlife, with a hire car for beach trips; RENTAL12 offers 34 vetted apartments in various locations.
For first-time visitors, we recommend the old town — you're in the thick of it: restaurants, cafés, aperitivo bars, the weekly market and evening passeggiata are all on your doorstep. With a hire car, the beach is 10 minutes away. If you're travelling with children, an apartment with a garden and parking outside the centre might suit better — for example our AZULIS apartments on Via Pisano, which all have private gardens and parking spaces. For couples seeking luxury and quiet, our villas in Golfo Aranci with pools and sea views are the premium option. Browse all 34 apartments: Search All Properties.
Is a holiday in Sardinia worth it during winter, and what can you do from November to March?
Winter in Sardinia offers mild temperatures (12–18°C), 40–60% lower prices, empty beaches, hiking, wine tasting, olive harvest, traditional carnival festivals and authentic Sardinian village life without summer crowds.
Winter Sardinia is the island's best-kept secret. Temperatures rarely drop below 10°C, and between rainy spells there are brilliant sunny days when you can walk on the beach or sit in a street café. Olbia stays lively — restaurants are open year-round, and without peak-season pressure the cooking is often better. Culturally, winter is the most interesting time: carnival traditions (Mamuthones in Mamoiada, Sartiglia in Oristano) are among the most striking folk culture experiences in Europe. Add olive harvest, Vermentino wine tastings, and the famous village sagra festivals. And the prices? Flights from £25, apartments from half the summer rate.
Olbia is waiting — with beaches that leave you speechless, an old town that smells of espresso and fresh bread, and holiday apartments that feel like your second home.