Olbia

Olbia is a port town in north-eastern Sardinia, Italy, known for its international harbour offering ferry connections to mainland Italy and France. Serving as a gateway to the renowned Costa Smeralda, it provides easy access to well-known beaches and the turquoise waters typical of the area. Boat trips around the islands are a popular activity from Olbia, allowing visitors to explore the Maddalena archipelago with its coves, pink granite coastline and Mediterranean scrubland. The old town, more understated than the neighbouring resorts, is home to the Romanesque Church of San Simplicio, dating back to the 11th century and reflecting the town's Pisan-era history. Olbia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, making it well suited to water-based activities and coastal exploration by boat. The town also serves as a convenient base for venturing into Sardinia's hinterland, with its hills and traditional villages, while remaining a strategic point for reaching nearby islands and secluded coves that are only accessible by sea.