Visiting Olbia
The best beaches near Olbia, and how to reach them
Pittulongu to the north, Porto Istana to the south-east: Olbia's two coastlines, what each offers and how to get there. Based on official Sardinia tourism data.
The centre of Olbia does not sit on a beach. Swimmable water starts outside town, along two stretches of coast that run in opposite directions: north, the Lido di Pittulongu, which continues towards Golfo Aranci and the Costa Smeralda; south-east, the coast of Murta Maria and Porto Istana, facing the island of Tavolara.
They are two different worlds, and choosing really means choosing a direction. Below is what sits on each side, using the information published by the Regione Sardegna on its official tourism site.
You will not find a ranking of “the five most beautiful”. Those are opinions, and the right beach depends on what you are after — shallow water for small children, facilities, shelter from the wind, or solitude.
The northern shore: the Lido di Pittulongu
This is the stretch closest to town. La Playa, also known as Puntale Lungo, is described by Sardegna Turismo as the beach that symbolises Olbia and the one locals head for: it lies about eight kilometres from the town centre, on the road towards Golfo Aranci.
The official description is precise: a wide crescent of very fine, bright white sand, mixed in places with small shells near the water’s edge, set between the headlands of Muriscinu and Filiu. The seabed is shallow and shelves gently — the reason it is listed as suitable for families with children.
The beach has bathing establishments with the usual services, including facilities accessible to people with disabilities, ample parking, and equipment, pedalo and small-boat hire. From the sand you can see the island of Tavolara. It is popular with windsurfers, divers and snorkellers.
The other beaches on the same stretch
La Playa is the first of the Lido di Pittulongu, but not the only one. Carrying on, again according to the regional source:
| Beach | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Spiaggia dello Squalo | Next to La Playa, separated by a small rocky spur |
| Il Pellicano | Very similar to La Playa but much smaller, with small rocks breaking the surface |
| Mare e Rocce | Pale, fine sand, reachable on foot if you keep going |
| Bados | Further north, at the boundary: a very wide beach with soft grey-ochre sand |
The detail that matters: you can walk between several of these. If the first one is crowded, the next is often a few minutes away on foot, not by car.
Further north still, towards the Costa Smeralda, the Olbia coastline continues with Marinella, Porto Rotondo and Marina di Cugnana.
The south-east: Porto Istana and Capo Ceraso
On the other side, the bay of Porto Istana sits at the foot of Capo Ceraso, a granite headland in the hamlet of Murta Maria, inside the gulf and the municipal territory of Olbia. Sardegna Turismo puts it at roughly twenty minutes by car from town.
It is not a single beach: it is a set of four, separated by small rocky strips, edged with pink granite and framed by Mediterranean scrub — cistus, strawberry tree, heather, holm oak and wild olive. The four coves are numbered in order, starting from the north.
All four have very fine white sand that shelves gently, which is why they are described as particularly suitable for children.
Porto Istana marks the northern limit of the Capo Coda Cavallo marine protected area. You are inside a protected zone: the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area covers 15,357 hectares of sea and more than 76 kilometres of coastline, divided into zones with different levels of protection. Some activities — anchoring, diving, fishing — are regulated or prohibited depending on the zone. If you are thinking of arriving by boat or diving, check the official zoning on the Marine Protected Area’s website before you set off.
North or south: how to choose
| If you want | Head |
|---|---|
| The beach closest to town | North, Pittulongu: eight kilometres from the centre |
| Facilities, beach clubs, hire | North, the Lido di Pittulongu is equipped |
| Accessibility for people with disabilities | North, La Playa has dedicated facilities |
| Very shallow water for small children | Both have seabeds that shelve gently |
| Several coves close together | South-east, Porto Istana has four |
| The closest view of Tavolara | South-east |
| To walk between beaches | North, the Lido di Pittulongu is walkable |
Getting there
By car is the most direct option, and the only reliable one all year round.
By bus, in summer ASPO runs services to some coastal spots, Porto Istana among them. The service follows the season: outside the summer months it is reduced. Always check the timetable in force on the ASPO website before relying on it — we do not quote times here, because they change.
On foot from the centre is not an option: eight kilometres to the nearest beach is not a stroll.
Three rules that apply to all of them
The wind decides more than the sun does. Gallura is windy, and the mistral changes the day completely. The two coastlines react differently to the same wind: when one side is choppy, the other is often sheltered. Checking the forecast the night before, and having a second option in mind, is worth more than any ranking.
The middle of the day in July and August is the busiest, and car parks fill up. Early morning and late afternoon are a different experience altogether.
You are in a protected area to the south. The Marine Protected Area’s rules exist for a visible reason: seabeds and underwater meadows in good condition. Respecting the zoning is not bureaucracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach is closest to Olbia?
The Lido di Pittulongu, on the northern shore. La Playa, the first and busiest of the lido, is about eight kilometres from the town centre according to Sardegna Turismo.
Are there beaches near Olbia that suit young children?
Yes. La Playa di Pittulongu has a shallow seabed that shelves gently, and the four coves at Porto Istana have very fine white sand with a gently shelving bottom: both are described by the regional source as suitable for children.
Can you reach the beaches near Olbia without a car?
In summer ASPO runs services to some coastal spots, Porto Istana included. Outside the season the service is noticeably reduced. Without a car and outside the summer months, the beaches are hard to reach.
How far is Porto Istana from Olbia?
Sardegna Turismo puts it at roughly twenty minutes by car. It lies in the hamlet of Murta Maria, at the foot of Capo Ceraso, within the municipality of Olbia.
Do the beaches near Olbia have facilities?
The Lido di Pittulongu does: bathing establishments, ample parking, equipment, pedalo and small-boat hire, and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.
Can you anchor a boat at Porto Istana?
The area falls within the Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, which is divided into zones with different levels of protection where some activities are regulated or prohibited. Check the official zoning on the Marine Protected Area’s website before planning a trip.
Staying on the right side
If the sea is the reason for the trip, the direction you sleep in matters more than the distance from the centre. Stay to the north and Pittulongu is close; stay to the south-east and you have Porto Istana and Tavolara.
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AirAffitti editorial team