Olbia Sardinia Italy Cruise Port Guide

Location:

The port of Isola Bianca which, with its eight quays, is capable of unloading lots of (ferry) passengers per day. It has a new cruise terminal station, inside of which are: a large waiting room, a restaurant and a bar, shops and free WiFi. Note you will only use this terminal on the way back to the ship as you have to pass the security check, prior to boarding.

The cruise ships dock at the Isola Bianca Pier. From there you can take a free shuttle service to the center of town, less than 2 km, every 10 minutes, a 10 minute ride. The buses are handicapped friendly.

Coming from the sea, the view of Olbia, surrounded by inspiring hills, is characterized by the imposing and majestic presence of the island of Tavolara, which today is in the center of the protected marine area of the same name. There is also the old Roman name of "Hermaea" in homage to the god of commerce and sailors. At the center of the splendid gulf, characterized by the typical mussel cultivation and the tens of shipyards for pleasure yachting, is found the functioning complex that is the modern maritime station of Isola Bianca.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Olbia Sardinia Italy

Sightseeing:

Olbia is the gateway to the Emerald Coast, one of Europe's most extravagant resorts. Olbia is a small town in Sardinia that has just a handful of tourist shops, bars and restaurants. There are traces of Phoenician and Roman tombs in here, and the Pisan Romanesque Church of San Simplicio is worth visiting. Just out of Olbia, is the resort of Porto Cervo in an area known as the Costa Smeralda. The Costa Smeralda is a well known playground for the rich and famous. Sardinia is an earthly paradise for people who love fine food, including fragrant bread fresh out of the oven, delectable skewered meats roasted over an open pit, spectacularly fresh seafood and countless varieties of Sardinian Pecorino cheese for example: Fiore Sardo.

Beaches nearby

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Olbia is a city which offers many possibilities for getting around. Small enough to get about on foot or by bicycle, it has an excellent public bus service, both inside and outside the city.

At the spot where the shuttle will drop you off you have the following choices:

You can try PittuLongu beach shuttle; it's about 15 min bus ride, 5 Euro. Every 30 minutes or so. Beach is excellent; water very clean and calm. Bring your ship's towels as sun beds are very pricey.

At the other side of the street at the city hall and tourist information, a "Trenino tourist train" will take you around town for 5 euro.

Or you can you can take a walk in the small town.

Be aware that between 1pm and 4pm most stores will be closed.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Porto Rotondo, Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda, for lovers of fine living, cosmopolitan tourism and the company of the elite, with their sensational yachts and breathtaking villas, which look out onto inspiring ports and natural bays. Porto Cervo is the main center and meeting point of the internationally renowned Costa Smeralda, one of the most prestigious tourist destinations in the world. Porto Cervo is in the Gallura region, on the northeast coast of Sardinia. Created by Prince Karim Aga Khan, at the end of the 1950s. As public transportation is for most cruises at inconvenient times, a cruise organized tour is recommended.

The surroundings are full of ruins of the Neolithic age, with important nuragic complexes, such as Cabu Abbas and the Holy Well of Sa Testa.

Beaches: about 10 kilometers from Olbia, along the state road 125 in Siniscola direction there are beaches of Lido del Sole, Le Saline, Murta Maria, Li Cuncheddi and Porto Istana. On the other side, towards Golfo Aranci, there are the beautiful beaches of la Playa, Pellicano and Bados.

Shopping and Food

If you plan to walk around: stores close for siesta in midday.

Shop for wood carvings, honey, beautiful lace and carpets.

In the central streets of the city, such as Corso Umberto, one can find clothes and shoe shops carrying the most famous brands, elegant jewelry and original craft shops, not forgetting famous restaurants, typical hotels and trattorias. This continues into via Regina Elena, with its host of businesses and crafts; in Piazza Regina Margherita, on the other hand, one can drop into bars, locales and cafes for cocktails and listen to music, sometimes live. Last, but not least, Viale A. Moro with all possible choices for clothes, furnishings, DIY, supermarkets, that is to say, everything you could possibly desire.

Restaurants near the sea or in town serve the simple Sardinian mixture of fresh fish, local Vernaccia wine and the island's special wafer thin bread, pane carasau , first made for shepherds heading into the hills needing something that stayed fresh for days on end.

Currency:

Euro

Currency Converter

Communication:

Language: Sardu (Sardinian) and Italian.

Free WiFi in the terminal building.

Emergency number: 112

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Most shops and businesses in Italy open from Monday to Saturday from around 8am until 1pm, and from about 4pm until 7pm, though many shops close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings, and in the south the day can begin and end an hour later. In the north some businesses work to a 9am-5pm day to facilitate international dealings. Traditionally, everything except bars and restaurants closes on Sunday, though most towns have a pasticceria open in the mornings, while in large cities and tourist areas, Sunday opening is becoming more common.

Holidays:
January 1 (New Year's Day)
January 6 (Epiphany)
Pasquetta (Easter Monday)
April 25 (Liberation Day)
May 1 (Labour Day)
August 15 ( Ferragosto ; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
November 1 ( Ognissanti ; All Souls Day)
December 8 ( Immaccolata ; Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
December 25 ( Natale ; Christmas)

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