Olbia Car Hire

Olbia is a very attractive and good looking place. Olbia is not more than a 2 hour drive away from the beautiful city of Alghero. After landing in Olbia, you can easily hire a car from Pronto car hire in Olbia and go to the other places and visit Olbia. Olbia is one of the most beautiful and attracting ports in Sardinia. Pronto car hire in Olbia makes it easier for you to drive in Olbia and enjoy your stay in Olbia. Olbia is full of some great tourist attractions and ancient places.

Olbia is a place of architectural treasures. San Simplicio is a very famous and ancient church and it’s a real treat to visit this church. San Simplicio church was made of granite and it was build way back in the 12 century. San Paolo church is another very old church. Museums, traditional villages and mountains are the other places to visit in Olbia. Olbia reflects a very beautiful picture of some stunning landscapes along with the real and natural wildlife. Olbia also contains a touch and flavor of fashion, style and modern world with some high quality boutiques, restaurants and hotels as well. There are so many little Islands are situated around Olbia that makes a real treat for you. Pronto car hire in Olbia provides its services at some very reasonable rates and affordable cost. Pronto car hire in Olbia helps you a lot in your stay in Olbia, enjoy the most and make the best of your stay in Olbia.

The Church of San Paolo in Olbia

Olbia constitutes a hidden gem in this most scenic corners of Italy, presenting as it does a perfect stopping-off point for anyone touring the area by hire car.  Taking advantage of the freedom afforded by car rental, this is the kind of idyllic small town the accidental tourist dreams of. 

And in the heart of this beautiful town stands the church of San Paolo, one of Olbia’s most compelling sights:  Dating back to the mid-18th century, it is an architectural delight in an area of undeniable charm.  Characterized by a rectangular body and three spires, the building itself was designed to take on the appearance of a cross. While the bell tower was constructed entirely from granite, the dome, added in the 1930s, is made from a variety of local stone, lending it a more colourful hue.  The building interior is no less captivating, containing as it does several impressive 18^th century statues as well as an imposing altarpiece crafted entirely from marble in the venetian style. The church of San Paolo’s walls also carry vivid frescoes of Christ’s journey to the cross, while other fascinating exhibits include silverwork and clothing from as early as the 17^th century.

The Church of San Simplicio in Olbia

Olbia’s romantic centrepiece is the Church of San Simplicio, perhaps the most important monument in the entire area of Gallura. Located in the very heart of Olbia’s vibrant town centre, it is built entirely from granite, and is surrounded by a square dotted with a variety of other fascinating Roman stonework. The building itself was erected in three distinct periods: the first during the second half of the 11th century (comprising the impressive outer walls, the apse and pillars, and the interior columns), the second during the early 12th century (the roof, ceiling, and ornate arches upper arches), while the building was finally completed during the late 12^th century, when the outer facing and roofwork was finally completed.

Just as impressive as the surrounding area, best explored by hire car, the city itself, the church, ,

Any visitor touring the region in their hire car should certainly include Olbia on their itinerary, and in doing so must pay this beautiful and significant church a visit.  Even the statue of San Simplicio himself, from whom the church takes its name, makes this one of the most noteworthy churches of its kind in Italy.

Olbia: Beaches and people watching

As the gateway to the “millionaire’s playground” of Costa Smeralda, Olbia is the definite place to spend countless hours seeing and being seen.  Once a quaint fishing village, it has transformed into a bustling port with an equally active international airport.

The influx of jetsetters and celebrities have made evenings in Olbia a cosmopolitan affair, with beautiful characters strutting about in their best preening behaviors. Whether you’re having some food over drinks at various piazzas in Corso Umberto or chilling with a cocktail at a beachfront bar, you’re sure to find thrills among the town’s varied cast of locals and visitors alike.

The hub for excursions to the northeast coast, buses and car hires often leave from Corso Umberto to various destinations.  Chief among the hotspots, of course, are the exclusive and high-priced beaches lining Costa Smeralda’s seemingly endless coast.  Equally enticing are the nearby beaches of Lido del Sole and Pittulongu, if you’d rather stay in town and not wander too far off.

Olbia - A (very) short history of tourist expansion

The area of Olbia has been inhabited since the beginning of the 8^thCentury by the Cartagenas. From the very beginning the port has been at the very heart of the economy of the city, especially the exportation of corn which made up the lion share of the GDP.  The origins of the word ‘Olbia’ roughly translates to the meaning of “happy town” despite its history suggesting something to the contrary. For instance the city of Olbia has been completely destroyed and reconstructed during its history. Now I am sure you would agree there is nothing to happy about having your home destroyed J

Things really started to change during the 1960’s and this is when we can start to chart the modern evolution of Olbia.  This is when people started flocking to Olbia as a bona fide tourist destination.  Nowadays the city boasts a population of over 50 000 people and is in fact bigger than the city of Sassari– the capital of province. This has continued in modern times partly thanks to low cost airlines like easyJet and Ryan air but also that the port is still very significant in terms of international shipping.   Combine this with the number of car hire companies in the city alone (Hertz, Avis, Holiday Autos etc) and it is easy to see why people fly here, hire a car and discover the whole area in a few days or a couple of weeks. 

Olbia Guide

Culture is abound in the Italian city of Olbia and there is truly something for every taste and interest. With plenty of museums and attractions ranging from armory collections to military history visiting Olbia is truly a unique learning experience. The city has several unique points of interest including, the Romanesque former cathedral of San Simplicio, The Church of St Paolo, dating from the 17th century, boasts its Gallurese style and is worth visiting.

 

The best way to see the city of Olbia is by car. Getting a car hire and traveling from one attraction to another gives you the freedom to travel at your leisure and explore this beautiful city. Olbia is abound with beautiful architecture that you can stop and see whilst traveling by car. The beautiful scenery, interesting attractions and magnificent architecture make Olbia an ideal city to plan a car trip. Use our car hire search form to locate and book a car so that is ready and waiting for you upon your arrival in this unique Italian city.