Hours ashore in Olbia (Sardinia): cruise port guide

Good to know

Olbia is mainly a ferry port, so the Isola Bianca quays can be busy with cars and lorries on ferry arrivals. Follow the marked walkways.
Boats to Tavolara and many beach services are seasonal (roughly spring to early autumn). Out of season, check locally before you set off.
The Archaeological Museum was closed for floor works at the time of checking (October 2026).
Buy town bus tickets before boarding where you can; they may not be on sale inside the terminal.

Where ships dock

Cruise ships berth at Isola Bianca, the port's passenger island. A free internal port shuttle links the berths with the Stazione Marittima building. From there the centre (Corso Umberto) is about 1.6 km, a flat 20–25 minute walk along Viale Isola Bianca, or take town bus line 9 (ASPO) or a taxi from the rank outside. Some cruise lines also run their own shuttle into town.

Ready-made days

4hours

Molo Brin waterfront → Church of San Paolo Apostolo → Corso Umberto I → Basilica of San Simplicio

6hours

Pittulongu beach → Corso Umberto I

8hours

Tavolara island boat trip → Corso Umberto I

Things to do

Sights 2 Food & drink 1 Beaches & parks 2 Boat & day trips 3 Practical 1

Add your ship's times above to see what fits in your time ashore.

Practical

Port infopoint (Stazione Marittima)

The port authority's information point in the Stazione Marittima, where you can ask about buses, taxis and the town.

⏱ 10 min visit🚶 3 min walk from the Isola Bianca

Sights

Basilica of San Simplicio

A simple, beautiful Romanesque church built of granite in the 11th–12th centuries, dedicated to Olbia's patron saint. Free to enter; may close at lunchtime.

⏱ 30 min visit🚶 18 min by taxi or public transport from the Isola Bianca

Beaches & parks

Pittulongu beach

The town's main beach, a long stretch of pale sand about 6 km north of the centre, with bars and sunbed hire in season.

⏱ 2 h 00 visit🚶 20 min by taxi or bus from the Isola Bianca

Beaches & parks

Molo Brin waterfront

An open waterfront square by the old harbour, between the centre and the cruise port, with benches and views over the bay.

⏱ 30 min visit🚶 22 min walk from the Isola Bianca

Boat & day trips

Porto Rotondo

A small, stylish marina village on the coast north of Olbia, with an open-air amphitheatre and boutique-lined piazzas.

⏱ 1 h 30 visit🚶 25 min by taxi from the Isola Bianca

Food & drink

Corso Umberto I

Olbia's pedestrian main street, lined with cafés, gelato and shops selling Sardinian food and crafts. Try local pecorino, bottarga or seadas.

⏱ 1 h 00 visit🚶 27 min walk from the Isola Bianca

Sights

Church of San Paolo Apostolo

The church at the top of the old town, recognisable by its colourful tiled dome, just off Corso Umberto.

⏱ 15 min visit🚶 28 min walk from the Isola Bianca

Boat & day trips

Porto Cervo (Costa Smeralda)

The heart of the Costa Smeralda, a purpose-built resort village with a marina of superyachts. Most visitors combine it with a beach stop.

⏱ 2 h 00 visit🚶 45 min by taxi from the Isola Bianca

Boat & day trips

Tavolara island boat trip

A dramatic limestone island inside a marine reserve. Boats leave from Porto San Paolo, about 30 minutes' drive south, and take around half an hour. Seasonal.

⏱ 2 h 30 visit🚶 65 min by taxi + boat from the Isola Bianca

Map

Your ship's times

Type your ship's arrival and departure times at the top of this page and everything here is marked for your day. Your times are on your cruise documents or in the cruise line's app.

Olbia (Sardinia) publishes its cruise calendar: see the port's schedule ↗

Guides

Within 20 minutes of the ship

For short stops and lazy days.

Sources we checked on 2026-10-21: adspmaredisardegna.it adspmaredisardegna.it portodiolbia.it helloolbia.com helloolbia.com helloolbia.com

Your hours ashore in Olbia (Sardinia)

Where ships dock

Ready-made days

Things to do

Map

Your ship's times

Guides