Sardinia, Italy All photos by Hetty
We stayed in OLBIA for 4 nights, 5th to 8th September 2019, near the old centre, train and bus stations and the harbour.
My map of Olbia Link to my interactive map of Sardinia
We passed this fountain in Piazza Matteotti on the way to the buses and trains
We explored different bits of Olbia each day.
San Simplico church had a model of it outside
Some ancient walls from the Punic Era (before the Romans came)
Church of St Paul the Apostle with a colourful dome roof
The Town Hall
Ancient paving revealed, out side the Town Hall
In the Archaeology Museum at the harbour-side are the remains of Roman boats which were burnt in the harbour by the Vandals in 450 AD. We were surprised how big the boats were.
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Link to my interactive map of Sardinia
The Emerald Coast – Cala Sabina to Marinella 6th September 2019
A walk from bay to bay admiring the lovely views and colours of the sea
Our first trip was by train from Olbia (10.17) to Cala Sabrina (10.36). It is a tiny station – just a platform, minutes from the beach, where there were lots of white sand daffodils.
First we wandered north-east to look across the bay
then we wandered along the beach to the west and looked back
Following a track east we cross the headland and came to the next bay
This was a good place to have a paddle as we could sit on a rock to make trousers into shorts, remove shoes and socks and put them all in a bag. Then we walked in the water along the shore-line for a bit until we came across a rock that was part in the water, to step onto without getting sandy. We sat there to eat a sandwich while our feet dried, so we didn’t use the towels we were carrying.
We are heading towards the boats on the island
Now we have arrived at Marinella, with its port and little church
View from the breakwater
Lots of oleander bushes
Inside the little church at Marinella
View from Blu Beach
We were fascinated by the colours in the sea
It wasn’t far to walk to the Marinella station for the 14.00 train to Olbia (14.13). We had plenty of time for a wander in Olbia and a visit to the archaeology museum at 5pm (see above)
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The Emerald Coast – Palau 7th September 2019
We took a bus north from Olbia (8.30) to Palau (ferry terminal 9.45), where ferries cross to La Maddalena Island
First we walked north along the coast
to the lighthouse
then back to the marina
and around to Punta Nera
There was a wooded area – Pineta di Punts Nero – which was a shady place to sit for a while, then we went back into Palau for the 14.37 bus to Portisco (15.28).
It is a short walk from the bus stop down hill to Portisco port
We had an hour there, then walked back uphill to the bus stop for the 17.08 bus to Olbia (17.32)
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Costa Corallina – Porto Istana to Porto San Paolo 8th September 2019
This time we went south by bus from Olbia (9.30) to Murta Marina (9.50). We had to walk about 30 minutes to Porto Istana as it was the wrong day for a bus. Then we were on the coast, which we followed to Porto San Paolo.
We felt rather over-dressed with our trousers and walking shoes
View of Isola Tavolara
Walking from one sandy bay to the next, we soon lost the crowds
An old lime kiln
La marina di Costa Corallina
From the coast at Porto San Paolo it was only 10 minutes to the main road to catch the 13.12 bus back to Olbia, where we wandered around the historic centre and Parco Fausto Noce.
Next: Cagliari – city of views
Back to introduction to Sardinia