Corso Umberto I

Olbia’s top sight is this medieval Pisan-Romanesque church, hewn out of Galluran granite. In the apse there are two 13th-century frescoes, the left-hand one depicting San Simplicio, the patron saint of Olbia. The Festa di San Simplicio, Olbia’s biggest festival, is celebrated for three days in mid-May.

If you want to play a game of golf in stunning surroundings you can visit Pevero Golf Club. The Golf Club is located north of Olbia and is claimed to be one of the most beautiful courses in Italy. Here you can find everything you need including a club house and recommended accommodations.

Corso Umberto I is one of the main shopping streets in Olbia. Every night from 7pm this street is closed off from traffic and becomes the perfect place for strolling among shops, restaurants and beautiful architecture.

Right on Olbia’s waterfront, you can find The National Archaeological Museum. The museum exhibits various objects dating back to the Romans, like ship fragments. Because of it being the biggest museum in Olbia, concerts and grand openings are also hosted there.

Just outside Palau you can find Fortezza di Monte Altura. This fortress has seen many wars, but has remained largely intact. From the fortress you will have a stunning view over Palau, Corsica and La Maddalena. It is highly recommended to go on a guided tour.

Moving away from the coast you can discover megalithic stone circles in the prehistoric remains honeycombing the woods and fields around Arzachena. The Nuraghe Albucciu, 2 kilometres southeast of Arzachena, is one of Gallura’s best preserved nuraghi. About 4 kilometres south of Arzachena lies Coddu Vecchiu, one of the island’s most complete 'giants’ tombs'. Nearby…

The town of Santa Teresa Gallura is situated on the northernmost tip of the island and has stunning views over the straits of Bonifacio to the island of Corsica. Rena Bianca is the town’s beach, and you can find it only a stone’s throw from the centre, with turquoise water and flour-fine sand. Just to…

Isola Tavolara is a little island located southeast of Olbia and is dominated by an imposing stone towering at over 564 metres. This is the perfect spot for nature lovers, divers and for soaking-up the rays on the beach of Spiaggia Spalmatore.

Costa Smeralda lies between Golfo di Cugnana and Golfo di Arzachena, and boasts an extraordinarily beautiful 56-kilometre coastline. This is a real billionaire’s playground, but everyone is welcome to enjoy its spectacular beaches, views and water. There are so many beaches ("spiagge") to choose from on Costa Smeralda, including Spiaggia del Principe, Liscia Ruja and…

Porto Cervo is the only real town and the Smeralda’s ’capital’, disguised as a Mediterranean fishing village with a curious mix of Moroccan style buildings. This is a pleasant place to stroll, people-watch and to go window-shopping.

Dreamy islands with Caribbean-blue seas make up this archipelago on the northeast coast, near the Costa Smeralda. Rocks hewn over thousands of years characterise the landscape. The only inhabited island is La Maddalena, linked with a causeway to Garibaldi’s island, Caprera. You can go on a boat trip and see five of the other main…

Stroll around this town full of character, cobbled streets and piazzas, and enjoy the decorous passeggiata along the main street, Via Garibaldi. There are also some good restaurants around the squares and pleasant bars in which to linger over a cool drink. The Diocesano Museum is located in the heart of town and has some…

A causeway links La Maddalena to the pine-covered, macchia-scented Caprera Island. This is an idyllic spot for walking and cycling, as well as visiting the Garibaldi museum.

Olbia is the hub for excursions to the northeast and its fabled coast. Buses leave just off the Corso Umberto I in all directions, all within easy reach for just a few euros. The town beach is the Lido del Sole, but far better is the white beach of Pittulongu, located 5 kilometres away, with…