The town of Olbia is situated on a plain, in the farthest point inland of the Gulf of Olbia, on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, in front of the island of Tavolara. It is an important town in this area and has a busy port and airport. In fact, the Olbia port is the busiest on the whole island with thousands of visitors arriving every day, particularly in summer.
The town is believed to have been founded in Punic times (6th century B.C.) and became an important trading settlement during the Roman Era. The many archaeological remains to be seen are testimony to this flourishing Roman period.
In the 1960s Olbia experienced a genuine demographic boom linked to the rapid development in the tourist industry of the whole Gallura region. The economy is based on tourism, but also boasts a healthy food industry and an important fishing and mussel farming sector.

	Country:	Italy
	Location:	Northwest Sardinia
	Country Code:	+39
	Population:	45,366
	Language:	Italian
	Currency:	Euro (€)
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Train Station:	Olbia Station
	Tourism:	Olbia Tourism

By Car There ia an expressway to Nuoro and Cagliari (SS131) and national roads to Sassari (SS199-E840), Tempio Pausania (SS127), and Palau (SS125). All connected to Olbia.

By Train You can catch a train to Olbia from Porto Torres and Cagliari.

By Air There are a number of airlines offering regular scheduled service from the UK and a range of tour operators also organise charter flights to Olbia from a wider selection of airports and often at highly competitive rates.

By Ferry Olbia is the main port for tourism on the island of Sardinia where the passenger ferries from Italy (operated by Moby Lines) arrive daily.

• Nuragic complex of Cabu Abbas
• Defence Wall
• Thermal Baths
• Medieval Castle of Pedres
• Church of San Simplicio

he territory has been inhabited by man since Neolithic times and there is fascinating testimony to the Nuragic civilisation. The Nuragic complex of Cabu Abbas is particularly interesting, as is the Sacred Well of Sa Testa. Visitors can admire numerous remains from the Roman Era, such as the town's defence wall and the thermal baths. The remains of the Medieval castle of Pedres lie to the west of the town. The castle stands in a strategic position on a granite hill and is visible from all over the surrounding plain. Visitors should not miss the church of San Simplicio, the oldest, most artistic and important religious monument in the Gallura region, and clear testimony to the diffusion of Christianity in Sardinia.