Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OLBIA, THE COSTA SMERALDA & THE
GALLURA
Costa Smeralda evokes Sardinia's classic images: pearly-white beaches, wind-whipped
licks of rock tapering into azure seas, and ageing oligarchs cavorting with bikini-clad beau-
ties on zillion-dollar yachts. In inland Gallura, you could be on another island entirely, with
vine-striped hills rolling to quaint villages, granite mountains and mysterious
nuraghi
.
Gallura's northern coast is wild, the preserve of the dolphins, divers and windsurfers that
splash around in the crystal waters of La Maddalena marine reserve.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Olbia
POP 54,833
Often ignored in the mad summer dash to the Costa Smeralda, Olbia has more to offer than
at first meets the eye. Look beyond its industrial outskirts and you'll find a fetching city
with a
centro storico
full of boutiques, wine bars and cafe-rimmed piazzas. Above all, Ol-
bia is a refreshingly authentic and affordable alternative to the purpose-built resorts to the
north and south.
Sights
Museo Archeologico
(Isolotto di Peddone; 10am-1pm Mon-Fri, 4-6pm Mon & Wed)
Architect Vanni Macciocco
designed Olbia's striking new museum near the port. The museum spells out local history
in artefacts, from Roman amulets to
nuraghic
finds. The highlight is the relic of a Roman
vessel discovered in the old port.
MUSEUM
Chiesa di San Simplicio
(Via San Simplicio; 7am-6pm Mon-Sat, 7am-9.30am & 11.30am-6pm Sun)
Considered to be Gal-
lura's most important medieval monument, this Romanesque granite church was built in
the late 11th century and is a curious mix of Tuscan and Lombard styles.
CHURCH
