Nestled in northeast Sardinia on the Tyrrhenian sea, Olbia is known as Sardinia’s third city and gateway to the Costa Smeralda. Its charming setting, including a cute historic center and some heavenly beaches nearby, makes it a lovely stopover destination.

So whether you have chosen to visit Olbia for a few days or you are only in transit, you will want to take a look at the best beaches near Olbia and beyond, which I have selected for you. 

Let’s go! 🚀

 

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Full List of the Best Beaches in Olbia & Around

Unlike Cagliari or Alghero, the town of Olbia doesn’t have its own beach, although its located seaside. But there are lots of beaches that are really easy and quickly reachable from Olbia, the nearest one being Pittulongu. 

I’ve listed below the 10 best beaches around Olbia, sorted by distance from the closest to the farthest. 

Much easier, I’ve gathered all the best beaches in a custom map you can download right here for free: 

 

golf of olbia in sardinia

The Golf of Olbia

Alright, now let’s see each of these Olbia beaches in more detail! Keep reading below for more info on the beaches including photos and tips for accessing them properly. 👇

 

1. Pittulongu

Spiaggia Pittulongu is often referred to as Olbia’s main beach due to its proximity. In fact, it’s the main beach of the town of the same name, Pittulongu.

This long stretch of fine white sand is bordered by clear and shallow waters, perfect for kids who will be able to play safely. With Tavolara island as a backdrop, Pittulongu beach is also a wonderful place for walking with amazing views.

 

pittulongu is among the best beaches in olbia sardinia

 

However, its closeness with Olbia also makes it very popular among both locals and tourists who often come for the day or even for a few hours only. So if you are looking for quiet beaches near Olbia, Pittulongu may not be the best, especially on weekends.

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 8 kilometers / 5 miles northeast

🚗 By car: 15min drive 

🚌 By public transport: 25min with bus line 04 Via San Simplicio 6

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (sunbeds, umbrellas, snorkeling gear), many restaurants and cafés nearby

 

2. Le Saline

Of all the beaches in the area, Le Saline is the one closest to Olbia airport. Not to be confused with the very famous beach of the same name, which is located northwest of Sardinia in Stintino.

Due to its strong winds and coarse sand, this beach is not much appreciated by tourists. But it has the advantage of being an ideal place to enjoy peace and quiet or to practice water sports. Kite surfing, sailing, canoeing, or snorkeling, you can do it all!

The bay of Le Saline, with its crescent moon shape and its lush vegetation, also offers a perfect setting for walkers.

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 10 kilometers / 6.2 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 15min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 15min with bus line 05 Mameli Casermette

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Snack bar, beach equipment rental (umbrella and sunbeds)

 

3. Porto Istana

The beach of Porto Istana is a real postcard. With its fine white sand, its turquoise sea, and its breathtaking view of the island of Tavolara, this beach will delight young and old.

 

Its easy access, its facilities, and its shallow, calm and transparent water make it indeed a very popular place for visitors.

With lots of multicolored fishes swimming in schools, Spiaggia di Porto Istana is a great beach to snorkel in Sardinia, so don’t forget your gear to watch them! 

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 13.7 kilometers / 8.5 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 20min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 25min with bus line 05 Mameli Casermette

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (umbrella and sunbeds), kayaks, sailboats, windsurfers + snack bars, and restaurants nearby

 

4. Doctor’s Beach

Doctor’s Beach, or Spiaggia del Dottore, is a small spectacular beach surrounded by crystal-clear water, pink granite rocks, and beautiful green Mediterranean scrub. It’s one of the beaches located behind Porto Istana. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KiA3H918RI

 

However, it is a beach to be earned since you have to walk for about 15 minutes on a path in the middle of the scrubland to get to a first beach (Tre Sorelle) from where you have to keep walking for another 10 minutes along the sea to get there. The path is not too difficult, but wear proper shoes and bring sun protection.

Facing the beautiful islands of Tavalora and Piana, Spiaggia del Dottore is simply a paradise on earth.

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 14.8 kilometers / 9.2 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 24min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 50min with bus line 05 Mameli Casermette

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: None. If you plan on spending some time there, make sure to bring enough water, snacks, and an umbrella.

💡 Whatever you choose to come by car or by bus, you will need to walk for about 25min to reach it after parking or getting off the bus. 

 

5. Porto Taverna

Spiaggia Porto Taverna is definitely one of the most amazing beaches in northeast Sardinia. Like a postcard, this beach displays exceptional fine white sand and azure transparent water like nowhere else. But above all, it’s the beach with the greatest views over Isola di Tavolara. 

 

porto taverna is one of the best beaches olbia region has to offer

 

Located almost halfway between the seaside resorts of San Teodoro and Porto San Paolo, this beach appeals to everyone, young and old, but also to water sports lovers. 

This beach offers as a bonus a kind of atoll, a pond that hosts plenty of birds as well as flamingos that you can observe from the wooden walkway that crosses it.

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 19 kilometers / 11.8 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 27min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 45min with bus line 514 Nuoro Stazione ARST

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (umbrella and sunbeds), pedal boats, food kiosks, and restaurants

 

6. Cala Moresca

Cala Moresca is a picturesque beach typical of Sardinia located on the Golfo Aranci, a peninsula northeast of Olbia famous for its pretty hiking trails. 

 

It’s a small cove of white sandy beach and fine, compact sand with some rocks at the ends of the bay and the beach. Here, the sea has several shades of emerald green, with a shallow seabed full of fish to watch.  

The surrounding nature is almost untouched and makes this beach a real show, and the view of the island of Figarolo is truly magnificent.

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 20 kilometers / 12.4 miles northeast

🚗 By car: 26min drive northeast + 15min walk from the parking lot

🚌 By public transport: 30min train using REG 5922 Golfo Aranci + about 35min walk 

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: None, so bring enough water, snacks and/or lunch, and an umbrella.   

💡 Available tours: Golfo Aranci – Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Boat Tour

 

7. Spalmatore Beach

We have mentioned the island of Tavolara several times since the beginning of this article, it is finally time to talk about it and about its most iconic beach: Spalmatore Beach. 

Tavolara island is a huge limestone rock standing off the Olbia coast that dominates the horizon at more than 500 meters above the sea. Whatever the beach or the coastline you are in the Olbia area, you will see it.  

Spalmatore Beach, its most popular beach also known as Spalmatore di Terra, is a long stretch of white fine sand on the west side of the island. This place is an absolute pleasure to swim as the island is listed as a natural park.   

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 18.2 kilometers / 11.4 miles southeast

🛳 How to get there: You need to get to Porto San Paolo to take the ferry (about 15min to reach the beach) 

💡 Tours departing from Olbia: 4-hours Tavolara Boat Tour with Snorkeling

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: None, so bring enough water & whatever you would need for the time you will spend there.   

 

8. Cala Brandinchi

San Teodoro’s Cala Brandinchi is often listed as one of Sardinia’s best beaches. It’s even called Tahiti by the locals, and it’s easy to understand why. 

 

cala brandinchi is one of the best beaches near olbia italy

 

The beach’s sand is so white and the water so transparent with colors ranging from light blue to turquoise is a treat for the eye. On dozens of meters, the sea is very shallow so it is perfect for families with young kids and for those who like snorkeling. It is like a natural swimming pool! 

But Cala Brandinchi is also about panoramas: again, Tavolara rock offers incredible sights that will make you feel in paradise. It’s definitely a must-stop if you’re traveling through Sardinia! 

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 23.7 kilometers / 14.7 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 30min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 40min to Lutturai with bus line 514, then 30min walk. I don’t recommend this option as the 30min walk is on dangerous roads for cars.  

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (sun beds, umbrellas, SUP), bar 

⚠️ Limited entrance: Entry is restricted to 1,500 people/day from June to September and costs 2€/person. Book your visit 24 hours prior to your visit here.

 

9. Lu Impostu

Spiaggia di Lu Impostu is located right behind Cala Brandinchi so you can easily walk from one to the other (10min walk).  

 

lu impostu is a great beach near olbia

 

It’s a thin and long stretch of sand bordered on both sides by water, so you can access it either from Cala Brandinchi as said before, or by a small walkway called Paradise Sentiero (which literally means “Paradise trail”).   

Even if the entrance is limited and the beach long, prefer coming early to avoid the crowds in the peak season. 

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 28.3 kilometers / 17.6 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 33min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 40min to Lutturai with bus line 514, then 40min walk. I don’t recommend this option as most of the walk is on dangerous roads for cars.  

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (sun beds & umbrellas), bar 

⚠️ Limited entrance: Entry is restricted to 1,500 people/day from June to September and costs 2€/person. Book your visit 24 hours prior to your visit here.

 

10. La Cinta

Like the 2 previous beaches, La Cinta is located near the village of San Teodoro. It’s a long bay of white sand of about 5 kilometers that is very popular.

 

la cinta counts in the best beaches around olbia

 

On the seaside, the water with azure reflections is crystal clear and full of fish. On the other side, behind the beach, a protected lagoon hosting colonies of pink flamingos that periodically come to breed.

Rather quiet and peaceful, Spiaggia La Cinta is for all travelers: nature lovers, families, couples, and outdoor people!

🛣 Distance from Olbia city center: 29 kilometers / 18 miles southeast

🚗 By car: 30min drive southeast

🚌 By public transport: 45min with bus line 514 + 20min walk

🏄‍♂️ Beach amenities: Beach equipment rental (umbrella, sunbeds, watersports), snacks, and restaurants

 

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So, this was my list of the best beaches in Olbia Sardinia and around! Keep scrolling to get the map 👇

And if you want more beach options in North Sardinia, click here to discover our Top 20 (some are not so far from Olbia 😉).  

 

list of the best beaches near olbia

 

Free Olbia Beaches Map

 

Visit Sardinia

Going to Sardinia? Here are further readings that will help you plan your trip to Sardinia:

👉 Here is the main travel guide: 7 Days Itinerary in Sardinia (with free map)

If you are looking for Sardinia’s best beaches, here are other dedicated guides:

Also, find below my guides to discovering some of Sardinia’s best attractions: 

Finally, if you’re looking for a home base in Sardinia, you will find my best accommodation recommendations below:

 

I hope you could choose the right beach near Olbia for you through this post; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.

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