 Introduction
Olbia is a town of approximately 40,000 inhabitants in northeastern Sardinia, in the Gallura sub-region. Called Olbia in the Roman age, Civita in the Middle Ages (Giudicati period) and Terranova Pausania before the 1940s, Olbia was again the official name of the town after the period of Fascism. It is the economic centre of this part of the island (commercial centres, food industry) and is very close to the famous Costa Smeralda tourist area. The area around the port has many bars and restaurants, giving credence to the town's name, which means happy town. Olbia is located on the Costa Smeralda, one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the Mediterranean. It is therefore a popular holiday destination for the rich and famous, but this fantastic area has much to offer the budget traveller also. A wild and rocky coast on the one hand, catering for the more active holidaymaker ? excellent opportunities for hiking and climbing. On the other hand there are beautiful sandy beaches, ideal for long lazy days by the sea.
 Arrival
Plane
Olbia closest airprt is Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport which has one passenger terminal . Bus line 2 travels twice an hour (on weekdays) into Olbia town centre. On Sundays and holidays this bus leaves once an hour.
Train
You can catch a train to Olbia from Porto Torres and Cagliari.
Sea
Olbia is the main port for tourism on the island of Sardinia where the passenger ferries from Italy arrive daily. From Genoa takes 9 to 10 hours, Civitavecchia takes 4/5 hours and the same from Livorno.
Car
There are an expressway to Nuoro and Cagliari (SS131) and national roads to Sassari (SS199-E840), Tempio Pausania (SS127), and Palau (SS125). From Alghero follow the signs to Sassari and then take the SS127 following the signs for Olbia.
 History and Culture
Olbia (the name is of Greek origin) is very ancient and was possibly founded by the Greeks, according to a local legend. It contains ruins from prehistoric times (Phoenician settlement) to the Roman Era, when it was an important port, and the Middle Ages, when it was the capital of the Giudicato of Gallura, one of the four independent states of Sardinia. Although the area around Olbia has been inhabited since the 8th century BC, the town was not actually founded until the 6th century BC. The Carthaginians decided on the location because of the natural harbour which created excellent access to Italy. The area's export of corn served to make it economically very viable, and was its main source of income. The harbour is today used as the main access point to Sardinia for the many Italians who spend their holidays here.
 Churches and Museums
The Basilica of San Simplicio.
This granite building is set back from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the town and is reputedly the most important historical building in Gallura. The church was contructed in the 11th and 12th centuries, and features columns that were rescued from destroyed Roman buildings.
 Places of Interest
Costa Smeralda
To the north of Olbia, extending along the shores of a large peninsula, is the beautiful Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), whose beaches of fine sand are being developed as a holiday area by the construction of new roads and the provision of tourist facilities.
 Events
Festa di San Simplicio - May
The Patron Saint of Olbia is celebrated in the basilica in his honor. On the day's eve, a parade promoted by the organizing committee, takes place along the roads of the historic center.
Sant’Antonio abate / St. Anthony's Day - - 17th January
St. Anthony Abbot is celebrated with a fire ritual: after being lit, the logs became the aggregation point of the population, that revolved around the bonfire, spending the night eating, drinking and happily singing.
 Links
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