Olbia (in Gallurese Tarranóa ) is a city of 55,250 inhabitants situated 15 m. a.s.l. near the Gulf of Olbia. With Tempio Pausania it is the capital city of the Province of Olbia-Tempio. It was the ancient Capital of Giudicato di Gallura and the first Gallura Bishop’s See (Civita – Ampurias Diocese until 1839).

During the last few decades, the city has experienced a relevant increase in population and a rapid economic boom, as well. Thus Olbia has become one of the most important cities of the Region.

The Port of Olbia “Isola Bianca” guarantees daily sea links towards the rest of Italy and it is the main Italian harbour with regard to the passenger traffic, while Olbia airport “Costa Smeralda”, recently widened and modernized, is considered one of the most important and modern Italian airports.

The municipal area, including the boroughs of Bechineddu, Murta Maria, Pittulongu, Rudalza – Porto Rotondo and San Pantaleo, extends by an indented granite coast, where some amazing sand beaches come out: worth mentioning among them are those in the area of Pittulongu (Bados, Mare e Rocce, Lo Squalo), Porto Istana, Razza di Iuncu, Sa Rena Bianca, Marinella, Le Saline, Cugnana, destinations of thousands of tourists in the summer holidays. On the contrary, Olbia inland area is characterized by a hill landscape, while the city is located within a plain dell.

The first attestations of the presence of Man in this territory date back to Middle Neolithic (4,000 – 3,500 B.C.) and to Eneolithic, while during the Old Bronze Age, human presence is corroborated by the Tomba dei Giganti (Giants’ Grave) in Su Monte de S’Ape. There is also plenty of nuragic settlements available (more than fifty): one-towered nuraghi, villages, sacred pits, megalithic burials. Among the most important monuments: Nuraghe Riu Mulinu in Cabu Abas, Nuraghe Putzolu, traditionally called Lu Nuracu, the nuragic village Belveghile, Nuraghe Mannazzu or Mannacciu, in Maltana, Nuraghe Siana or Zucchitta, the sacred pit of Sa Testa.

Olbia was then inhabited by Phoenicians, by Greeks, by Punics. The latter provided the city with walls, towers and temples, so the centre experienced a period of prosperity. During the Roman Age, Olbia kept on being a strategic trade centre in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and also an important military naval base.

During the Middle Age, the city became capital of Giudicato di Gallura with the name Civita. Afterwards, it switched its name to Terranova Pausania according to Pisa’s will, and it experienced a very long period of decadence. During the first few decades of 1900, after the growth of the freight depot and the migrations of fishermen (above all from Ponza) and shepherds from the inland areas (Alà dei Sardi and Buddusò), the capital of Gallura, that regained in 1939 its ancient name Olbia, started with a demographic and economic boom, that is still going on.

Nowadays, Olbia is the main economic centre of Gallura and of Northeastern Sardinia. During the last few decades, middle and little industry (food, nautical, mechanical, granite mining) trading and large-scale retail trading and service industry experienced a rapid growth. All in all, agriculture, farming and fishing still play an important role. Worth mentioning is mussel breeding, a particularly flourishing activity, thanks to the high-quality standard of the product.

Olbia is 30 Km far from Costa Smeralda, a world-famous tourist zone, and within its territory there is plenty of world-famous tourist resorts as well, such as Porto Rotondo, Portisco and Poltu Quadu.

Apart from the above mentioned and interesting archaeological and seaside attractions, Olbia owns a valuable environmental and naturalistic legacy, located in the River Padrongianus Park, in the Protected Sea Area of Tavolara – Punta Capo Coda Cavallo (shared with Porto San Paolo and San Teodoro), within the area of Monte Pinu (shared with some other neighbouring municipalities), Monte Plebi (shared with Arzachena) and Monte Cugnana.

Among the historical and artistic monuments, worth mentioning are the Basilica of San Simplicio (XI-XII century), the church of San Paolo (XIII century), the medieval rural churches of Nostra Signora di Cabu Abbas, San Vittore and San Michele Arcangelo. In the countryside around Olbia there are also the spoils of the castle of Pedres, fortress of the Giudicato.

Olbia and Gallura Patron Saint’s day, San Simplicio, is on 15 May. The religious celebrations are particularly fervent and participated by worshippers. They start praying nine days in advance; in the meanwhile culture, sport and music festivals are organized.

Since 2004, in May, Olbia has been hosting the Rally of Italy – Sardinia, a World Rally Championship race. This greatly spectacular event takes place along the country roads of Gallura and of Monte Acuto. In July, in the island of Tavolara, the Film Festival “Una Notte in Italia” takes place, with the participation of high-profile Italian and international actors and directors.