Insider Tips for Your Stay

Welcome to Emma's Downtown — your home in the heart of Olbia. Not a tourist brochure, but a collection of genuine insider tips from people who live and breathe this city every day. Everything you need for a great stay, in one place.

The Emma's Downtown team

What's in this guide

🚕 Getting to and from Olbia Airport

🅿️ Parking in Olbia

🍽️ Food & Drink in Olbia ☕ Breakfast · 🥂 Aperitivo · 🍕 Pizza · 🍝 Restaurants · 🍦 Gelato

🎒 Luggage Storage

🌤️ Things to Do in Olbia (and Beyond)

🏖️ Best Beaches Near Olbia

🚕 Getting to and from Olbia Airport

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is just 4 km from the city centre — which means you'll be dropping your bags at In Centro da Viola before you know it.

1) 🚌 Public Bus — €1

ASPO urban lines 2 and 10 connect the airport to the city centre, running approximately every 30 minutes. The bus stop is just outside the arrivals area, about 50 metres from the terminal.

The closest stop to us is Corso Vittorio Veneto / Via Mameli — a short walk from Emma's Downtown.

Buy your ticket at the machine in the arrivals hall, on the MooneyGo app, or by SMS. Line 2 runs on weekdays; Line 10 covers weekends and public holidays.

📍 Full timetables: www.aspo.it

2) 🚕 Private Transfer — Our Recommendation

For a stress-free arrival — especially with luggage or late at night — we recommend Raffaella, our trusted local driver.

💶 €25 daytime

🌙 After 10:00 PM — confirm rate directly with Raffaella

📅 Book at least one day in advance

📱 WhatsApp: +39 349 391 0103

When you write, mention you're staying at Emma's Downtown.

3) 🚗 Rental Car

All major car rental companies have desks inside the terminal. That said, our location in the heart of Olbia means you won't need a car for the city — beaches, restaurants and the port are all within walking distance.

🅿️ Parking in Olbia

Please note that Emma's Downtown is located within the ZTL zone (restricted traffic area). We recommend parking in one of the options below and reaching us on foot — it's just a few minutes' walk from all the car parks listed.

1) 🟢 Free Parking

Molo Brin — LINK MAPS The most central free option, right by the port. Open 24/7, with spaces for campervans too. (Note: availability may vary due to ongoing works — check on arrival.) 

Piazza Francesco De Rosa —  LINK MAPS Another free option close to the city centre, convenient for reaching us on foot. 

Parcheggio Anfossi —  LINK MAPS Free, open 24/7, convenient for the city centre and ferry terminals. 24-hour limit. 

2) 🔵 Paid Parking

On-street — Via Garibaldi (blue lines): Paid from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at around €0.80–€1.00/hour. Pay at the nearest meter or via the ASPO app.

Car parks managed by ASPO:

Bardanzellu — LINK MAPS 20 minutes free, then €1.50/hour 

Piramidi — LINK MAPS €1.00/hour, EV charging available

Stazione — Via Milano —  LINK MAPS €1.00/hour, 5 minutes on foot from the lungomare

All ASPO meters have a 15-minute free courtesy button — just press the green button. Manage payments: www.aspo.it

💡 Once you've parked, you won't need your car again. Everything in Olbia is within walking distance.

🍽️ Food & Drink in Olbia

Take your time and enjoy the Dolce Vita — Olbia's food scene is one of its best kept secrets.

☕ Breakfast

Start your morning the Italian way — a proper espresso, a fresh cornetto, and no rush.

Cafè Matteotti — LINK MAPS A wide selection of sweet and savoury pastries, excellent espresso, and the choice of sitting inside or out on one of Olbia's most iconic little squares. Open from 7:30 AM, Monday to Saturday.

Cafè Principe Umberto — LINK MAPS A great selection of sweet and savoury options, with a view over the panoramic wheel and part of the Gulf of Olbia. Open daily from 6:30 AM. 

Zenit — LINK MAPS Famous for its cornetti and American coffee, with cosy sofas and a terrace overlooking the new lungomare. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 AM. 

🥂 Aperitivo

Spirits Boutique Cocktail Bar — LINK MAPS Exceptional cocktails — alcoholic and non-alcoholic — plus a wide range of distillates and something to eat. They make their own vermouth, gin and bitters in-house. Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM. Piazza Matteotti.

The Wine Club — LINK MAPS A carefully curated wine list celebrating the best of Sardinia and beyond, with something to eat alongside. Open Tuesday to Sunday, lunch and evening. Piazza Matteotti. 

Zenit — LINK MAPS Head to Zenit on the new lungomare and watch the sunset over the water with a drink in hand. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 AM. 

💡 Piazza Matteotti is just a few minutes' walk from Emma's Downtown — perfect for a spontaneous evening out.

🍕 Pizza

Giropizza Triku — LINK MAPS High-quality pizza driven by a genuine passion for ingredients and culinary experimentation. Also a full restaurant. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 PM (Saturday also at lunch). 

Pizzeria Dadino —  LINK MAPS A much-loved local favourite with an unbeatable quality-to-price ratio. Generous portions, quick and friendly service. Open for lunch and dinner daily (closed Tuesday lunch). 

🍝 Restaurants

La Tasca Restaurant & Cocktail Bar —  LINK MAPS On Via Cavour, close to us. The perfect spot for a break from Sardinian cuisine: try the pinsa romana — the Roman version of pizza, lighter and more digestible — or classic Roman dishes like cacio e pepe and carbonara. Ask for Gabriele — he'll make you feel right at home. Open daily from 5:00 PM (closed Sunday). 

Da Paolo — LINK MAPS  A benchmark for dining in Olbia for over 40 years. Located in Via Garibaldi — fresh fish, honest Sardinian cooking, and a warm welcome that never changes. Ask for Maria Grazia — she'll look after you like family. Open Monday to Saturday, lunch and dinner. 

Anticas Licanzias Bistrò —  LINK MAPS The flavours of central Sardinia, brought to the coast. Handmade pasta, local cured meats, and recipes rooted in tradition. A must for anyone who wants to taste the real soul of Sardinian cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner (closed Tuesday). 

Ittiturismo "Sapori di Olbia" 4B — LINK MAPS At the beginning of Viale Isola Bianca, right in front of the panoramic wheel. The fish farmers themselves welcome you to their open-air kiosk. If you love mussels, this is your paradise — you'll find them cooked every possible way. Don't miss Olbia's famous octopus sandwich — a local street food institution. Open daily from 7:00 PM. 

🍦 Gelato

Gelateria Da Brivido — LINK MAPS We'll be honest: Michela is a friend of ours, so we're a little biased. But the gelato speaks for itself. Built on a constant search for high-quality, natural ingredients — crafted daily from scratch. 100% natural, gluten-free cones, vegan options available. Open from 11:00 AM daily (Monday from 4:30 PM). 

Gelateria Villi — LINK MAPS  Right on Corso Umberto I, known for the extraordinary creaminess of its gelato and a constantly rotating selection of flavours. Open daily from 10:00 AM. 

🎒 Luggage Storage

For security reasons, we are not able to store luggage at Emma's Downtown. The services below are reliable, affordable and just a short walk away.

Olbia Bags — LINK MAPS  Open 24/7, with the added bonus of a laundry service — handy if you need to freshen up your clothes mid-trip. Via Porto Romano. 

Baggy Lockers Olbia — LINK MAPS Automatic self-service lockers available 24/7, right off Corso Umberto in the historic centre. Book online, drop off and collect with ease. Multiple locker sizes available. LINK MAPS

🌤️ Things to Do in Olbia (and Beyond)

Rain or shine, Olbia and its surroundings always have something to offer.

A walk along the lungomare to Isola Bianca — One of the most enjoyable walks in Olbia: stroll along the seafront all the way to Isola Bianca, with views over the gulf and the boats. Along the way, stop at Piazza Cossiga — a perfect spot for a rest and a drink. LINK MAPS

Basilica di San Simplicio — One of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Sardinia, remarkably well preserved. Built in the 11th century from local granite, with a quiet, timeless atmosphere. Free entry. Open daily from 7:00 AM. LINK MAPS

Museo Archeologico di Olbia — A deep dive into the ancient history of the city, from Phoenician origins to the Vandal invasion. Features the remarkable reconstruction of ancient boats recovered from the gulf. Free entry, free audio guide available in English. LINK MAPS

Take the train to Golfo Aranci — One of Sardinia's most scenic and underrated journeys. Board the train in Olbia and travel through the wild landscape of Gallura, passing hidden coves and granite hills, until you reach the charming seaside town of Golfo Aranci. LINK MAPS

San Pantaleo — A short drive from Olbia, this tiny village will stop you in your tracks. White-washed houses nestled among enormous granite monoliths, a charming weekly market, and an atmosphere completely removed from the tourist trail. You'll fall in love with it — we guarantee it. LINK MAPS

🏖️ Best Beaches Near Olbia

We've put together a dedicated guide to the best beaches near Olbia — from hidden coves to family-friendly shores, all just minutes away.

👉 Discover our full beach guide

These are our suggestions — but the best part is still to come. The most beautiful discoveries will be yours alone to make.

If you have any suggestions or feedback, we'd love to hear from you — we're always happy to learn from our guests.

— The Emma's Downtown team