Name: Hire Car
Rating: 4.6

Exploring Olbia by Hire Car

A Romanesque basilica of grey granite, a charming old town with small shops and excellent restaurants, and the charming surrounding countryside make Olbia a worthwhile holiday destination.

Sardinia’s fourth largest city is located in the northeast of the island. Many picturesque places nearby can be easily reached by hire car.

For rental and travel, we have compiled a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

At Olbia airport, you will find numerous hire car agencies just outside the arrivals terminal in the “Terminal Autonoleggi”. Just follow the signs or ask at the information desk. Before you book a hire car, however, you should make sure that your rental company is also located at the airport. If they are only near the airport, you may have to wait a long time for the shuttle service to take you there.

Booking the right hire car

Numerous hairpin bends and sometimes narrow local roads ensure that you’re best off with a small and manoeuvrable car in Sardinia. Before you book your car, just make sure the boot of the car is large enough to hold your holiday luggage.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Olbia are often in the mid-range. But when tourists flock to the island in high season, there can be a shortage of hire cars. And then the prices go up as well. You can usually get the cheapest deals by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Olbia

Insuring the car properly

On the sometimes narrow and difficult to see roads of Sardinia, an accident can happen quickly. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are well insured in case of damage. With liability insurance, it is important to make sure that the sum insured is not too low. It should be at least one million euros.

If people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes very expensive. If the sum insured of your rental company seems too low, you can provide further protection with a Mallorca policy. Don’t let the name fool you. A Mallorca policy is also valid in Sardinia. Your insurance company will be happy to advise you.

age limit

You must be at least 19 years old to hire car from most hire car companies in Olbia. And drivers younger than 25 usually pay an additional fee. Check the terms and conditions of your hire car company before hiring the car.

Accessories

Accessories such as a navigation device or child seat must always be ordered separately from your hire car company, even in Olbia. Since hire car companies always have a limited contingent of accessories available, you should book well in advance so that your desired equipment is also available on the day of rental.

Language barrier

Don’t expect all the staff at Olbia hire car agencies to speak perfect English. Instead, make a note of the phone number of the Italian head office of your hire car company so that you can call them for translation assistance if necessary.

Tank control

Make sure to book with a rental company in Olbia where you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank after your vacation. Then you don’t have to argue about the correct level of the tank when you return the car.

Bail

It is also important to make sure that you book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit due on your credit card. This is because if the amount is actually collected, it can take a long time for the money to be transferred back into your account. Before the trip begins, make sure your card’s credit line is sufficient to pay the deposit.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Although most customers are very pleased with the hire car in Olbia, some do complain about the external condition of the vehicles. Always get written confirmation of defects such as scratches or dents and keep the document safe. This way, when you return the vehicle, you can prove that it was not you who caused the damage to the vehicle.

Safety Hire Car

Most hire cars in Sardinia are perfectly safe to drive. But exceptions prove the rule. Therefore, check the complete lighting of the vehicle before the first trip. Do not forget the indicators and brake lights. Check whether the first-aid kit, warning triangle and high-visibility vests are on board.

Test the tread of the tyres. While you’re still in the rental company’s parking lot, do a little brake test. And check for proper tire pressure at the first gas station.

Sights in Olbia

Basilica of San Simplicio: Romanesque masterpiece
The Basilica of San Simplicio is a good point to start a city walk. It was built in the 11th century and is considered a prime example of the Romanesque architectural style. At that time, the ornaments were mostly renounced. And also in this church there are only two frescoes with the image of bishops who lived here at the time of the Middle Ages.

Chiesa di San Paolo: Fascinating dome
Significantly younger is the Chiesa di San Paolo. It was built in the 18th century and is located in the upper old town. Especially the colorful dome impresses the visitors. With it, the church was crowned after the Second World War.

Corso Umberto: Shopping Paradise
Now you have the opportunity to stroll along the Corso Umberto. The shopping street of the city courts with countless shops for the favor of the customers. Since many international chains have replaced the old-established shops on Corso Umberto, it is also worth turning right and left into the narrow alleys to discover original souvenirs. After your shopping spree, you’ll have the opportunity to sit down in a pretty street café, order a cool drink and enjoy Olbia’s lively atmosphere.

Find a good restaurant

All over Sardinia, Olbia is known for its excellent restaurants. We recommend the Ristorante Gallura. Especially the seafood and fish specialties, which couldn’t be fresher and more delicious, are worth even a longer journey.

Find a good hotel

Most holidaymakers are drawn to the island’s beaches. But good hotels can also be found in Olbia. Book your room at the Locanda del Conte Mameli. You will stay in a historic house from the 19th century, which has been lovingly restored. The service is cordial and leaves nothing to be desired. All rooms are individually and stylishly furnished and offer plenty of comfort.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Cala Gonone: picturesque fishing village
Direct the hire car to Cala Gonone. The picturesque village lies, framed by mountains, directly on the sea. Here you can stroll through the enchanting alleyways of the former fishing village or unwind on dreamy beaches, such as Spiaggia Palmasera.

But the highlight of the place can be reached by boat. From the port, you can join a guided tour to the Grotta del Bue Marino. The grotto got its name from the monk seals that lived here as recently as the 1980s. Unfortunately, the animals have not been seen for a long time. The cave with numerous stalactites and stalagmites, which are bathed in changing colours by the sun’s rays, can be visited over a length of 900 metres. In total, the cave system stretches for five kilometres.

On the return journey to the port, you will then have the opportunity to admire the varied coastline while planning which destinations around Olbia you would like to head to next in your hire car.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Palau: Mighty fort and beautiful beaches
A round trip with a hire car could lead you first to Palau. In three quarters of an hour you are there. In Palau, especially the Fortezza Monte Altura is worth the visit. The fort was built in the 19th century as a bulwark against France. After all, Corsica is only a few kilometres away. After visiting the fort, you still have the opportunity to enjoy an extensive sunbath on one of Palau’s beautiful beaches.

Castelsardo: home of the basket weavers
Continue your journey in about an hour and a half to Castelsardo. There you can stroll through the picturesque streets of the town and watch the women sitting in front of the houses weaving baskets. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the tradition of basket weaving on the island at the Museo dell'Intreccio.

Before heading back to Sassari in your hire car, you can stop off in Sassari. The lively provincial capital boasts a charming old town intersected by the Corso Vittorio Emanuele promenade. Sassari is a wonderful place to stroll and you can hunt for souvenirs in numerous small shops. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit the archaeological exhibition at the Museo Giovanni Antonio Sanna and learn a lot about the history of the island. A drive of about one and a half hours across the island still separates you from Olbia, where you can review the eventful day.

conclusion

Olbia with its numerous sights is ideally suited as a base for a trip by hire car. Many charming places in the area are easily accessible by car. And with our handy price comparison you can easily find a suitable car at good conditions.

Hire car Olbia