Olbia Area Holidays

There’s a reason this stretch of shore is named after a gemstone. Sardinia boasts some of Europe’s most sought-after beaches, and around Olbia you get the best of a good bunch. With hourglass-fine sand and sparkling see-through waters, they rival those in the Caribbean.

This coastline is so beautiful, in fact, that it’s a firm favourite among international superstars. The likes of Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Anne Hathaway have all been spotted holidaying around Porto Cervo. Show-stopping yachts drop anchor at the town’s harbour. And your regular souvenir shops are replaced by Prada and Gucci boutiques.

Set off into the countryside and it’s a very different scene to Porto Cervo’s glitz and glamour. In teeny, tucked-away villages, life is much more laid-back. Expect markets selling locals wines and cheeses, lobster linguine served at al fresco cafes, and rugged mountain scenery.

This region is the launching point for daytrips to the island of Corsica. Just under an hour’s ferry ride away, it’s a place to explore pretty seafront villages, hike through scenic national parks, and practise your French. Elsewhere, the Maddalena Archipelago is home to the pastel-pink Spiaggia Rossa Beach.