One of the quiet luxuries of staying in the centre of Olbia is how 

effortlessly the sea finds you. Step outside Emma's Downtown, catch a 

bus, and within minutes you're somewhere that looks like a postcard — 

crystal-clear water, soft sand, almost no one around. No car, no stress, 

no compromise.

This is our guide to the best beaches near Olbia — written by people who 

actually live here, and who happen to run the most central place to stay 

while you explore them.

How to Get There Without a Car

Olbia's urban bus network, run by ASPO, is reliable, affordable and 

genuinely useful — and from Emma's Downtown, the nearest stop is just a 

few minutes' walk. Tickets cost just €1, available on board or at any 

local tobacconist. In summer, buses run every 20–30 minutes. And if 

you're heading to Pittulongu, the seasonal Beach Express runs directly 

from the city centre for just €5 return — arguably the best value in 

Sardinia.

🏖️ Pittulongu — The Classic Choice  LINK

The undisputed favourite. A long stretch of pale sand, transparent water 

that shifts from turquoise to deep blue, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, 

beach bars, and small restaurants right on the waterfront. Pittulongu is 

the kind of beach that earns its reputation every single day.

But here's the thing most visitors don't know: the kiosks at Pittulongu 

stay open all year round. Even in November, with the low winter sun and 

almost no one else around, you can sit facing the sea with a warm coffee 

in hand. A quiet privilege — reserved for those who choose to travel 

off-season.

🚌 ASPO line 4 towards Pittulongu — approx. 15–20 min, €1

💛 Staying centrally makes all of this easy — Emma's Downtown is just 

steps from the bus stop. Check availability → LINK

🏖️ Bados — The Local Secret LINK

More intimate, more genuine, more Olbia. Bados doesn't try to impress 

anyone — and that's exactly why locals love it. The water is calm, the 

atmosphere is unpretentious, and time slows down in a way that feels 

completely natural. If you want to see the Sardinia that actually exists 

when the tourists go home, this is a good place to start.

🚌 ASPO line 4, stop at Bados — approx. 20 min, same ticket as Pittulongu

🏖️ Porto Istana — Tavolara Island on the Horizon LINK

Open, luminous, slightly wild. Porto Istana faces the dramatic silhouette 

of Tavolara Island — one of the most recognisable views in the whole of 

Sardinia. The colours of the water here are extraordinary, especially in 

the early morning when the light is low and everything glows. Come 

early. Stay longer than you planned.

🚌 ASPO line 5 towards Porto Istana / Murta Maria — approx. 25–30 min

🏖️ Cala Sabina — The Wild One LINK

No sunbeds, no noise — just a couple of beach bars for a cold drink, 

Mediterranean scrubland, crystalline water, and the feeling of having 

found something real. Cala Sabina is the beach you come back from 

slightly sunburned, slightly sandy, and completely satisfied.

Getting there is half the adventure: take the train from Olbia station 

to the Cala Sabina stop — about 25 minutes, through some of the most 

beautiful landscape in Gallura.

🚂 Train from Olbia station, Cala Sabina stop — approx. 25 min

🏖️ Porto Rotondo — When You Want Something a Little More LINK

25 km from Olbia, Porto Rotondo is worth the trip when you're in the 

mood for something elegant. A sheltered bay, crystal-clear water, 

high-end facilities and a marina that rewards an early evening stroll. 

Best reached by car.

🚗 Approx. 30 min by car or bus

When to Come — Including Off-Season

This is perhaps the most useful thing we can tell you: Olbia's beaches 

are beautiful from April through to November. The water is warm enough 

to swim, the light is extraordinary, and the whole experience feels more 

genuine — more like the Sardinia that actually exists when the high 

season crowd has gone home.

April, May, June and September–October are our personal favourites. 

Quieter beaches, lower prices, and a quality of light that July never 

quite manages.

July and August are spectacular — but they're also crowded and 

expensive. If you have flexibility, choose the shoulder season. You 

won't regret it.

And in winter? The beaches near Olbia are still worth a visit. A long 

walk on a clear January morning, with the outline of Tavolara on the 

horizon and the sand entirely to yourself — that's a different kind of 

beauty. Still. Wide. Unforgettable.

Around Christmas, we often take long walks along the shore — and when 

the sun is out, a beach picnic isn't unusual, even in December. That's 

the real charm of autumn and winter here: the sea doesn't disappear when 

summer ends, it just becomes more intimate. Fewer people, softer light, 

and a closeness to the water that's hard to find in August.

Ready to Make This Your Base?

All of these beaches are minutes away by bus — and you'll come back each 

evening to the heart of Olbia, just steps from restaurants, shops and the 

waterfront. Stay central, stay direct. 

👉 Check Availability & Book Now  your room LINK

FAQ

Which beach is closest to the centre of Olbia? 

Pittulongu — 15 minutes by ASPO line 4 or Beach Express (€5 return).

Can I reach the beaches without a car? 

Yes. Pittulongu, Bados and Porto Istana are all served by ASPO buses. 

Cala Sabina is reachable by train.

Are the beaches crowded in summer? 

Pittulongu can get busy in July and August. For a quieter experience, 

arrive before 9am, head to Bados or Cala Sabina — or visit in June or 

September.

When can I swim? 

Comfortably from April through to November. Water peaks between June and 

October, but spring and autumn are perfectly swimmable by any European 

standard.

-------------------------------------------------------

Want the Full Picture?

Beaches are just one part of the story. Our complete Olbia Travel Guide 

covers everything else — where to eat, how to get from the airport, 

parking, and our favourite spots in town.

👉 Read the full Travel Guide → LINK