Olbia (puerto Cervo), Sardinia is really a tiny port town that's considered the entryway towards the surreal Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). Olbia in Sardinia is not a place suited to cruise ship passengers, there is nothing to do or see except go into a local bar for a coffee or beer, the region’s seaside waters change from emerald to blue and also the beaches are extremely popular in Europe. Near the coast is the Tavolara Island, a character preserve with spectacular, unspoilt beaches. Further afield would be the Maddalena Islands, four granite covered small islands with distinctive flora and fauna. The biggest, Maddalena Island, includes a tiny little port and it is the only place with permanent citizens. A great spot to get up close and personal with the region’s nature, either hiking or within the balmy water. Scuba diving and snorkeling are particularly popular adventure pursuits within the islands

 

An uncut jewel of the island, Sardinia remains unique and enigmatic. Would-be conquerors have remaining their marks, but inland, a proud Sard culture and language flourish. Sardinia has a number of Europe's most costly resort locations, but it is also the place to find areas as rugged and undeveloped as anywhere around the region. Mud and clean waters draw sun searchers to beaches which are unquestionably one of the better within the Mediterranean.

 

Most widely known are individuals across the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), in which the super-rich have moored their yachts because the sixties. But the majority of the coast is unsettled, a jagged number of extremely beautiful basins accessible only by ocean. And inland, Sardinia remains shepherd's country, quiet and stark. Spaghetti Westerns were once shot here and you can imagine why: the desolate mountainous terrain appears the right frontier set. From this landscape would be the striking and mysterious stone nuraghi (ancient defensive structures), which offer clues towards the life styles from the island's prehistoric peoples.

 

The main harbor of Olbia Sardinia is split into three parts. Part one from the port may be the pier of Isola Bianca, using its eight quays, that is good at unloading lots of people every day. It offers a brand new cruise terminal station, with a substantial position for waiting people, a coffee shop along with a bar, various administrative office and medical services. The 2nd area of the port of Olbia Sardinia may be the inner port, which is centered on small cruise ships and pleasure yachts. The 3rd area of the port of Olbia Sardinia may be the port of Cocciani, which is often used for transport of items and commercial ships.

 

There's only one method to the middle of the town, The cruise port is situated about 2km from the city. It is simple to walk around. When the cruise line company doesn't give a passenger bus, you may also choose a taxi or public bus. The couple of sights in Olbia are within easy reach.. The town of Olbia itself has couple of landmarks. Most people go for an excursionto Porto Cervo or choose a relaxing day on Pittulongu Beach. Cruise companies for example Regent Seven Seas Cruise ships, Silversea Cruise ships, Costa Cruise ships, MSC Cruise ships, AIDA and Thomson Cruise ships all result in the journey for this isle of untouched splendor.

 

The cruise port of Olbia is a very important port along the Mediterranean. Every year Olbia welcomes up to 5 million passengers. The Port is divided into 3 main areas: Cocciani Port, Isola Bianca’s wharf and the Internal Port. The Maritime Station (Cruise Terminal) is located on Isola Bianca’s wharf.

 

Most cruise ships dock either in Porto Cervo in the northeast, Alghero in the northwest or Cagliari, the southern capital. The larger lines such as Costa, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Carnival dock at Cagliari. Smaller lines such as Silversea and SeaDream dock at Alghero. Porto Cervo is for smaller luxury yachts.

 

Porto Cervo, also known as the Old Port, is part of the village of Porto Cervo, with shops, stores, restaurants, ATMs and Internet access.You arrive at Porto di Alghero, adjacent to the historic walled city. After you tender ashore, you walk directly into the city, which features shops, restaurants, Internet cafes and ATMs. Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, has the largest port in the country. The center of the city is located just across the wide avenue from the Port of Cagliari.

 

From Olbia cruis eport ASPO bus number 9 connects the port with the town; cruise ship passengers may find special free shuttles provided. Some long-distance ARST buses and some trains serve the port island, called Isola Bianca. More ferries sail from Golfo Aranci, a port to the north of Olbia.

 

 

Tourist Sights

Sardinia's east coast is fringed with low coves, basins, and small bays. It has become an trendy vacationland, with glossy resorts for example Baia Sardinia and Porto Rotondo just outdoors the confines from the famous Costa Smeralda, produced by the Aga Khan (born 1936), who in 1965 accidentally discovered the coast's charms-and potential-when his yacht required shelter here from the storm. Within the late sixties and '70s the Costa Smeralda, using its heart in Porto Cervo, was the area to summer time. The points of interest remain targeted to individuals who are able to measure themselves through the yardstick of Khan's fabled riches. Italy's most costly hotels are here, and also the world's most opulent yachts anchor within the waters of Porto Cervo.

 

Courses, yacht clubs, and various alfresco bars and restaurants focus on individuals who wish to see and become seen. All across the coast, carefully tended lush plant life surrounds vacation towns and discreet villas which have popped up in the last decade in spurious architectural styles best referred to as "bogus Mediterranean." The popularity is to bare this an enclave of the extremely wealthy. Outdoors the high season, however, prices plunge and also the majesty from the natural surroundings stands out through, justifying all of the hype and also the Emerald Coast's fame among the truly romantic corners from the Mediterranean.

 

In the port of Palau you can go to the archipelago of los angeles Maddalena, seven granite islands adorned with lush eco-friendly scrub and wind-bent pines owed towards the Olbia-Tempio province. Vehicle ferries result in the 3-km (2-mile) trip about every 30 minutes. A number of sites to determine include ancient Roman ruins and squares. Explore the village then mind to one of many picture-postcard coves, the right place to bring along a have a picnic and refresh after your trip towards the region.

 

In the mouth from the Gulf of Olbia, Golfo Aranci is really a small-scale resort and major arrival point for ferries in the landmass. Tour the village to unwind with an outside terrace or shop in one of several quaint shops. There is a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, and bars.

 

The rough headland west of town continues to be left undeveloped like a character reserve. Drive a couple of miles across the breathtaking route to Olbia. You'll achieve the enchanting waters of Cala Moresca, Cala Greca, Cala Sabina, and Whitened Beach, ideal for swimming, diving, and then any other water sport imaginable.

 

Olbia. Among the resorts of Sardinia's east coast, Olbia, an urban area of approximately 60,000, is really a lively little seaport and the avenue for call for landmass ferries in the mind of the wide bay.

 

Olbia's important tourist sights are quickly enumerated: two churches and an archaeological museum. The town lies on the shore of a large bay, with a road separating the town from the harbour. Olbia's historic port, in use since pre-Roman times, was in this area, but nowadays the main ferry port is on an island in the bay, connected by a causeway to the town. Olbia's central core is based around Corso Umberto, a lively shop-lined street leading uphill from the waterfront. At the top of a low hill, it opens into Piazza Margherita, a kind of low-key hub of the city. Around this heart there are several attractive narrow lanes lined with old stone buildings, and a few yards from Piazza Margherita, another attractive little square, Piazza Matteotti.

 

Archaeological museum, Olbia
Olbia's important archaeological museum - Museo Archeologico - was first conceived in the 1980s, but has been a work in progress ever since. When we visited, it still felt rather incomplete, but there was a fair quantity of interesting exhibits, and admission was free. The museum and adjacent mainland roads are on the site of the Roman harbour of Olbia. At the beginning of the twenty-first century the remains of 24 Roman and medieval ships were found here, some probably vessels sunk during the sacking of Olbia by the Vandals. Restoration is a slow business, but when we visited two of the ships and a smaller medieval vessel were on display on the museum's ground floor, the relics including an 8m high Roman mast - a rare survival. Accompanying videos explain ancient ship construction techniques and provide a dramatic, film-trailer-style account of the Vandals' arrival. If the ships are not visible when you visit the museum, ask at the information desk - we were allowed in on an escorted tour. Other highlights in the museum include a small bronze boat from the Nuraghic era, a head of Hercules which was found in the sea, some fine Roman decorated glassware, an incense burner depicting musicians riding a camel, and a small gold cross. Check the museum's latest opening times on your arrival in Olbia - you may find it closed for several hours in the afternoon, and at weekends.

 

There's a tourist information point on the roadside by the harbour near the archaeological museum; we picked up some useful information about Olbia and the surrounding area - especially its archaeological sites - at the information desk in the museum. One map which was freely available contained useful Italian and English descriptions of sites, beaches etc. along with bus route numbers for those reachable by public transport.

 

Just off Corso Umberto, the Chiesa di San Paolo, a church built on the site of an ancient temple, has an attractive multi-coloured dome and a handsome stone exterior belying its relatively recent date (1700s). Modern frescoes inside celebrate popular recent saints and religious figures including Padre Pio and Pope John Paul II.

 

Olbia's other significant church is just outside the heart of town, a short walk beyond Via Mameli. The Basilica minore di San Simplicio (unreliable opening times) is a Romanesque granite church dating back to the eleventh century, which contains some historic frescoes.

 

Other spots worth seeing as you stroll around Olbia are the town's market square, Piazza Mercato, covered by a modern roof, and a couple of traces of Olbia's ancient past: a stretch of the town's Punic walls, in a housing area between Via Aquedotto and Via Torino, and an exposed stretch of ancient paving outside the Municipio (Town Hall) at the harbour end of Corso Umberto, optimistically identified as the Roman Forum.

 

Church of San Simplicio, Olbia
After these tourist sights, Olbia's main charms lie in its laidback squares and its evening passeggiata, the good choice of reasonably-priced restaurants and pizzerias on the central streets and the opportunities for excursions. The town's setting too, is an attraction if you find a good viewpoint (we appreciated the view from the roof terrace of our hotel, the Panorama). The irregular bay, islets and the dramatic steep island of Tavolara offshore, along with the distant hills around the city, make a lovely setting. In the summer months it is possible to explore the coast and Tavolara island on day-long boat excursions from nearby resorts. Enterprising daytrippers could travel as far as the Maddalena archipelago off the northern coast, travelling by bus to Palau and then taking a ferry.

 

Sassari. The island's second biggest city is comparatively chaotic with cars, but it is also an essential college town and administrative center noted for its bohemian student culture, a luxuriant old cathedral, along with a good historical museum. Search for downtown suppliers of fainè, a pizzalike chickpea-flour pancake sparkling with essential olive oil, that is a Genoese and Sassarese niche. Sassari's the hub of countless freeways and secondary streets resulting in various seaside resorts including Stintino and Castelsardo.

 

Duomo. Essential-see in Sassari, the elegant stone structure from the city's Duomo devoted to Saint Nicolas of Bari required just below 600 many years to build. The fundamentals were laid within the twelfth century and also the facade, in Spanish colonial style, was carried out in the 18th. Of particular curiosity about the inside would be the ribbed Medieval vaults, the 14th-century painting from the Maddona del Bosco around the high alter, and also the early-19th-century tomb of Placido Benedetto di Savoia.

 

Museo Sanna. This phenomenal museum has got the best historical collection outdoors Cagliari, spanning nuraghic, Carthaginian, and Roman histories, including well-maintained bronze statues and household objects in the second millennium BC. Via Roma 64. Admission billed.

 

Alghero is also called "Barcelonetta" (little Barcelona). Wealthy wrought-iron scrollwork embellishes balconies and tested home windows Spanish language motif seems in stone sites and bell towers. The city was built and lived on within the 14th century through the Aragonese and Catalans, who built seaside ramparts and durable towers encompassing a welcoming nucleus of narrow, winding roads with whitewashed palazzi.

 

The native language spoken this is a form of Catalan, not Italian, even though you most likely need to attend among the Public carried out in Algherese (or hear on tales swapped by older anglers) to listen to it. To achieve Alghero, mind in to the Sassari province within the northwestern region of Sardinia. Besides its historic architectural gems like the Alghero Cathedral and Palazzo d'Albis, the prepared city is really worth a trip to simply stroll and uncover local culture on narrow cobblestone roads. The town also offers a status for everyone great food at inexpensive price points.

 

Go towards the northwest of Alghero for broad sandy beaches and also the spectacular levels of the imposing limestone headland. The rugged promontory is near to the Porto Ferro marina, popular Lampianu beach, and remote coves and caves like the Grotte di Nettuno.

 

At the bottom of a sheer high cliff, the pounding ocean has created an entrance towards the huge fantastic cavern full of stunning water pools, stalactites, and stalagmites. You have to visit having a guide, but it's to achieve the caves by boat or by land. The dramatic cave and coves, discovered by anglers within the 1700s, are thought probably the most popular tourist points of interest around the island for his or her sheer natural splendor.

 

You are able to achieve the doorway towards the Grotta di Nettuno by climbing down the 654 dizzying "goat steps" from the appropriately named zigzagging stairs reduce the steep high cliff. Allow fifteen minutes for that descent by feet.

 

Located inside a thirteenth-century chapel made with Catalan Medieval architecture, this museum has got the usual range of religious treasures-works of art, wooden sculptures, and bronze statues-displayed search for the masterful 16th-century Catalan silverware, delicately forged with ancient motifs.

 

This old stone tower fortress could be rose permanently sights in the terrace. Visit the interesting city history display on the pc devices within the tower. Gleam rotating group of exhibits along with a miniature type of Alghero's Old Town. Via Mateotti 12. Admission billed.

 

The walled seaside citadel of Castelsardo is really a delight for craft enthusiasts, with small shops packed with a myriad of souvenirs, particularly woven baskets. The properly formed Roccia dell'Elefante (Elephant Rock) on the highway into Castelsardo was useless by primitive guy to become domus p janas (literally, "fairy house," actually a Neolithic funeral chamber).

 

Most visitors to Olbia will be travelling through town en route to or from other Sardinian destinations. This north-eastern part of Sardinia contains some significant tourist destinations, both on and off the beaten track. The Costa Smeralda, a chain of famously expensive modern seaside resorts, is just to the north, while beyond the glamour lie some less pretentious towns and islands, where you can still - outside August - find romantically empty sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Either by car or by bus it is easy to reach the north coast of Sardinia, with resorts like Santa Teresa Gallura and Palau, the ferry departure point for La Maddalena island.

 

Beaches round the Costa Smeralda are the most exclusive and stylish in Europe, with fine sparkling sand sheltered by red-colored coves and clear cerulean waters. Most are only accessible by boat, but tourists will find regular ferries from Porto Cervo.

 

The area around Olbia is most easily explored by car. Sites of interest include the ruins of a Roman farm at S'Imbalconadu, a 'Giant's Tomb' Nuraghic grave site at Su Monte de s'Ape and a ruined hilltop castle called the Castello di Pedres. Beaches are accessible both to the north and the south of Olbia, some connected to the town by public bus services 4 and 5.

 

Happily for visitors relying on public transport, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the area can be visited easily by local bus from Olbia. Bus number 4, from Via Mameli - near the level crossing, on the town centre side - runs out to the seaside at Pittulongu, a trip of approximately 20 minutes. This bus stops, halfway through the journey, right by a Nuraghic archaeological site, a sacred well known as the Pozzo Sacro di Sa Testa. Ask the driver to tell you where to get off. It's advisable to plan your visit around bus timetables as services are irregular and are heavily reduced in winter.

 

On Corso Umberto and signposted down smaller lanes nearby there are many welcoming, unpretentious places to eat. Although often aimed at tourists, with tourist menus and English translations, most of the restaurants are not expensive - walking a few yards down a side street will bring you to the better, cheaper options. Da Paolo is a welcoming trattoria serving local specialities on Via Garibaldi, and the Antica Trattoria Pizzeria on Via Terme is a very popular, lively restaurant-pizzeria with an outside patio and a marvellous antipasto buffet. Around Piazza Matteotti and down at the waterfront end of Corso Umberto there are some pleasant cafe-bar tables for sitting with a glass of local wine and watching the promenading locals and visitors during the passeggiata.