Olbia, gateway to north-east Sardinia
Olbia is the gateway to north-eastern Sardinia: an international airport, a ferry port, the economic capital of Gallura and a practical base from which to explore the Costa Smeralda. Propertize manages holiday homes in the city of Olbia; Pittulongu, Lido del Sole, Bados, Marinella and Porto Istana are served coastal destinations, with availability to be checked for the requested dates.
The declared Olbia portfolio includes city apartments convenient for the airport, port and business stays. If you want to stay on the coast, use the live catalogue and check the exact address: availability in Pittulongu and the other hamlets changes over time and is not presented as a permanent portfolio.
If you are flying into Olbia, the guide on getting from the airport to the beaches and the Costa Smeralda covers buses, taxis, distances and real times.
The seaside hamlets: Pittulongu, Lido del Sole, Bados
Pittulongu is the town beach of Olbia: 6 km from the centre, fine white sand, turquoise water, seafront restaurants and sailing schools. It is the favourite choice for those who want the sea on their doorstep without giving up the city's amenities. Lido del Sole, just north of Pittulongu, is a sheltered bay with pale sand and shallow water, ideal for families with children. Bados, further north still, is less well known to tourists but much loved by locals for its tranquillity. Marinella and Porto Istana, still within the municipality of Olbia but to the south, look out over the Tavolara Archipelago: long beaches, shallow sea and views of the islands. Porto Rotondo is 20 km away, Porto Cervo 30 km: the whole Costa Smeralda is within a half-hour drive.
This whole shoreline is served by a single city bus line and parking is free, which makes Olbia one of the few bases in Sardinia where you can reach the sea without a car. The details, stretch by stretch, are in our guide to Pittulongu beach.
Monti: the Gallura hinterland and Vermentino
Monti is a village in the Gallura hinterland, about 30 minutes from Olbia, at the heart of the Vermentino di Gallura DOCG production area. This is Sardinia away from the coast: vineyards on granite, cellars to visit, a slower pace and often lower prices. Check live availability if you want to stay here; this page introduces the destination and does not claim current Propertize-managed properties in Monti.
Things to do in Olbia and around
The centre on foot, San Simplicio, boat trips towards Tavolara, the Costa Smeralda half an hour away. What is worth the time and what is not is in our guide on what to do in Sardinia.
Gallura cuisine
Gallura cooking sits between the sea and the interior: zuppa gallurese, cheeses, and Vermentino di Gallura drunk a few kilometres from where it is made. In the house you will find our addresses, including the ones open out of season.
Getting to Olbia
Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport (OLB) is the main air hub for north-eastern Sardinia: 4 km from the city centre, with direct flights from across Italy and Europe. The port of Olbia receives ferries from Civitavecchia, Livorno, Genoa, Piombino and La Spezia. For those travelling by car across Sardinia: Olbia is around 100 km from Sassari, 120 km from Nuoro and 270 km from Cagliari (3 hours by car). To get around we recommend hiring a car, essential for reaching the more secluded coves of the Costa Smeralda and the Tavolara Archipelago.
Propertize homes in Olbia
Here are the homes we manage in Olbia, bookable directly with up to date availability and rates:
The reason guests choose Olbia over the Costa Smeralda is always the same: you land and you are already there. The airport is a few kilometres away, and with tired children after an evening flight those twenty minutes saved are worth more than a view.
The examples listed here are in the city, where it is easy to get around and many services stay open outside summer. If you want the coast, check live availability and the individual location; we do not present the coastal hamlets as a permanent part of the managed portfolio.
Tech, Mediterranean apartments with self check-in
Our Olbia homes are cosy (welcoming and well cared for), tech (smart lock, home automation, fast Wi-Fi), boutique (selected for design and standard) and often in a Mediterranean style. Every apartment offers self check-in: you receive the access code on the day of arrival and let yourself in whenever you like, even after midnight. It is the ideal solution if you land at Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport on an evening flight or arrive by ferry in the small hours: no waiting, no pressure over timings. For those who prefer it, we also arrange a check-in with the local team.
A complete service and fast 24/7 assistance during active stays
Self check-in doesn't mean being left to your own devices. During active stays, our team in Gallura is reachable 24/7 via WhatsApp in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and other languages. Every apartment is fully equipped with a kitchen, washing machine, hotel-quality linen and a welcome kit with Sardinian products. Booking direct with us gives you the best available rates, with no external portal commissions and greater flexibility over the length of your stay.
For owners of homes in Olbia
If you own a home in Olbia, Pittulongu or the seaside hamlets and are looking for professional management for your short-term rentals, we offer a free assessment: Propertize currently publishes a historical portfolio range of +30% to +140% versus previous management; it is neither an average nor a guarantee.
