Pittulongu is the beach Olbia calls its own. Eight kilometres from the city centre, fifteen minutes from the airport, and spread across four distinct stretches of sand, this lido is where northeast Sardinia begins and ends for thousands of visitors every year. The view of Isola Tavolara alone is worth the trip. This guide covers what to see, what to do in Pittulongu, and what nobody tells you unless they actually live here.
What is Pittulongu? Location and how to get there
Pittulongu sits in the municipality of Olbia, in the province of Olbia-Tempio, along the SP82 road that runs between Olbia and Golfo Aranci. The distance from Olbia city centre is roughly 8 kilometres; from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) you can be here in about 10 to 15 minutes by car.
By car is the natural phrase, because Pittulongu does not reward passive travel. A bus does exist: ASPO Olbia line 4 connects Olbia centre to the beach strip and runs regularly in summer. It will not help much if you want to continue toward Golfo Aranci or Porto Rotondo later in the day, and frequency drops sharply outside peak season.
Parking is the variable that defines your morning. On La Playa and along the seafront there are both paid and free zones. In June and September, arriving by 10am is usually enough. In July and August, aim for 8.30am or accept that you will be parking 15 to 20 minutes’ walk from the water. Some spots require a card or coins; bring both.
The beaches of Pittulongu: four different moods
Most visitors arrive thinking there is one beach. There are four, each meaningfully different, and all walkable in a single afternoon by following the shoreline north.
| Beach | Vibe | Best for | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Playa | Wide, lively, classic | Families, sunbeds, Tavolara views | Full |
| Lo Squalo | Clear, compact, social | Swimming, aperitivo | Partial |
| Il Pellicano | Quieter, sheltered | Couples, calm water | Partial |
| Mare e Rocce | Wilder, granite edges | Snorkelling, boat tour departures | Limited |
| Bados | Livelier, grey-ochre sand | Beach bars, surfboard rental | Full |
La Playa
La Playa is the heart of Pittulongu. This is the wide crescent of very fine white sand between Punta Muriscinu and Punta Filiu, still called “Puntale Lungo” by older Olbiesi. The seabed slopes gradually: you can walk 30 metres out and still have the water at your waist, which is why families with young children gravitate here. Isola Tavolara sits directly in front, and on clear days the limestone cliff turns pink in the late afternoon light. Sunbed and umbrella hire is available; free beach is plentiful at both edges of the bay.
Lo Squalo
Immediately north of La Playa, Lo Squalo takes its name from the beachside restaurant. The water is marginally deeper and noticeably clearer, and the stretch is more compact. A solid backup when La Playa is at full capacity, which happens by mid-morning in August.
Il Pellicano
Moving further north, Il Pellicano is smaller and calmer. Hotel Stefania and The Pelican Beach Resort sit nearby. A few rocky sections at the edges make it slightly less family-facing, but the reduced noise level makes up for it. This is the sensible choice if you value quiet over activity.
Mare e Rocce
Here the scenery changes. Granite cliffs punctuate the shoreline, the water colour shifts into deeper greens and blues, and beach services are minimal. It is also the departure point for some of the best dinghy and snorkelling tours into the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area. If you are here to swim seriously or to board a boat, this is your beach.
Bados
Technically just north of the Pittulongu strip but walkable, Bados has darker grey-ochre sand, two beach bars, surfboard rental, and a younger social crowd. Best at sunset when the music softens and the day slows down.
Isola Tavolara: what you see from shore and how to visit it
Isola Tavolara is the vertical limestone massif visible from every beach in Pittulongu. It rises nearly 500 metres out of the sea, sits roughly 12 kilometres offshore, and gives its name to the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, one of the largest and most biodiverse marine parks in the Mediterranean. The park stretches from Capo Ceraso to San Teodoro and encompasses Tavolara, Molara, and several smaller islets.
There is a documented local story about Tavolara being recognised as a kingdom by King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia in the 1800s. It survives because it is verifiably rooted in historical records, not just legend.
The view from shore is free and always available. Actually visiting the island requires a boat. Organised tours depart from Olbia Marina and directly from the Mare e Rocce beach. Seasonal ferries also run from Porto San Paolo, about 15 to 20 minutes south by car. See the activities section below for specific options.
Things to do in Pittulongu: top activities
Tavolara Half-Day Dinghy Tour
Small rubber dinghy groups depart from Olbia Marina and make at least three stops inside the marine protected area: the granite coves of Capo Ceraso, the natural pools of Molara, and the sheer cliffs of Tavolara. An expert skipper guides the route based on conditions. Water clarity on calm days is exceptional. The most affordable way to get inside the park.
Book via Viator: Half-Day Dinghy Tour in the Tavolara MPA
Tavolara Full-Day Catamaran with Lunch
A full-day small-group catamaran from Olbia harbour, covering Tavolara, Golfo di Marinella, and multiple swimming stops. Snorkelling equipment, paddleboards, and kayaks are included, as is lunch prepared on board. A good choice for families or anyone who wants to spend a complete day at sea rather than a half-day.
Book via Viator: Full-Day Catamaran to Tavolara Island
Tavolara and Molara Snorkelling Tour with Marine Biologist
A half-day guided snorkelling experience inside the protected area, led by a qualified marine biologist. Reviewers consistently highlight the quality of the guide and the variety of marine life encountered, including a submerged shipwreck. If the educational element matters to you, this is the right option.
Book via GetYourGuide: Tavolara and Molara Snorkelling Boat Tour
Golfo Aranci Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif
About 10 minutes north of Pittulongu, the waters off Golfo Aranci host a resident bottlenose dolphin colony that frequents the offshore fish farm at Cala Moresca. This guided kayak tour (2.5 to 3 hours) departs from Spiaggia dei Baracconi, passes Figarolo island, includes a snorkelling stop, and ends with a Sardinian aperitivo on the beach. Rated 4.9 out of 5 with over 1,700 reviews: one of the best-reviewed activities in all of northeast Sardinia. Considerably more affordable than a full boat tour and a completely different kind of experience.
Book via GetYourGuide: Golfo Aranci Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif
Olbia Private Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pittulongu Beach Stop
For visitors arriving in Olbia by ferry or cruise who want to cover both city and coast in a single morning, this private tuk-tuk tour visits the historic centre (Basilica di San Simplicio, Corso Umberto, Fausto Noce park) before driving out to Pittulongu for a beach stop. A practical option for cruise stopovers with limited time ashore.
Book via GetYourGuide: Private Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pittulongu Stop
La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Boat Tour from Olbia
A minibus transfer from Olbia to Cannigione port, then a full-day boat trip through the La Maddalena Archipelago, with stops at Spargi and Santa Maria islands, free time in La Maddalena town, and pasta lunch on board. This is the most requested organised excursion for visitors based in the Olbia area, and for good reason. It covers some of the most spectacular water in the Mediterranean. See also our full guide to La Maddalena.
Book via GetYourGuide: La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour from Olbia
Getting around: car rental near Pittulongu and Olbia
A car is not optional if you want to explore beyond the beach strip. Porto Rotondo is 15 minutes north. San Teodoro is 25 minutes south. The Costa Smeralda is 30 minutes north. None of these are realistically served by public transport.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) is one of the most convenient pick-up points in Sardinia for a rental: you land, clear arrivals, and you are on the SP82 within minutes. Booking in advance matters, especially in July and August when availability drops fast and prices peak.
Compare and book car rental at Olbia Airport via Discovercars
Where to eat in Pittulongu
The beach strip has a short list of restaurants worth knowing. None of them require you to go anywhere.
Lo Squalo is the seafood benchmark. Large windows, a direct view of Tavolara, and honest cooking with fresh fish. Reserve for weekend lunches from late June onward.
Sa Joga stays open year-round, which is the best signal of a genuine local following. Worth knowing in June and September when most beach restaurants have closed for the season.
Mama Beach Club works best in the evening when the heat drops and the music picks up. Not the place for a quiet family lunch; exactly the place for a sunset drink with your feet in the sand.
Costa Sarda is the practical choice: consistent plates, cold beer, no pretension.
Where to stay in Pittulongu
Accommodation in Pittulongu ranges from beachfront boutique hotels to private apartments that work well for families or longer stays.
Hotel Stefania Boutique Hotel (4 stars, premium) is 100 metres from the main beach, directly facing Tavolara. Pool, jacuzzi, and the well-regarded Ristorante Nino’s on site. Consistently praised for staff attentiveness and the overall quality of the stay. One of the strongest hotel options in northeast Sardinia for a beach-based holiday with full hotel services.
Book Hotel Stefania on Booking.com
The Pelican Beach Resort & SPA (4 stars, adults only, premium) sits directly by the sea near Il Pellicano beach. Full spa, outdoor pool, private beach area, and restaurant. The right choice for couples or adult groups who want the resort experience without children around.
Browse The Pelican Beach Resort on Booking.com
Hotel Mare Blue (3 stars, mid-range) is a minute’s walk from Pellicano Beach, with garden, terrace, free parking, and breakfast included. A reliable mid-range base that delivers on location without the premium rate of the hotels above.
Browse Hotel Mare Blue on Booking.com
Punta Sirenella B&B (budget-friendly) is 200 metres from Lo Squalo beach and 300 metres from Il Pellicano, with strong reviews for location and host warmth. The most affordable option for staying inside the Pittulongu strip itself.
Browse Punta Sirenella on Booking.com
The local perspective: what Sardinians think
Pittulongu in August is not the Pittulongu of the photos. The strip is genuinely beautiful, but by late July the car park behind La Playa fills before 9am, the water has motorboats and jet skis moving through it, and the free beach becomes a puzzle of towels and chairs laid out before sunrise. This is not a disaster; it is the reality of the most accessible quality beach next to a major port city and a busy international airport.
The wind pattern is dominated by the Maestrale, the northwest wind that governs much of Sardinian coastal life. On most summer afternoons it picks up and drops the temperature significantly. That is actually a feature: what feels oppressive at midday becomes very comfortable by 4pm. The downside is that the sea surface chops up and La Playa, being wide and exposed, can become uncomfortable for casual swimmers in the afternoon. Il Pellicano and Mare e Rocce, partially sheltered by the headland, often stay calmer.
Logistically, Pittulongu beats the Costa Smeralda beaches for accessibility. A bus from Olbia runs in summer; free beach areas exist; parking is available even if constrained in August; restaurants are within walking distance. Most Costa Smeralda beaches require a car, a hotel beachfront service, or a private boat. If you land at OLB on an afternoon with no fixed plans, Pittulongu is the sensible first stop. Most Olbia residents will tell you to come in September, when the sea is still warm, the crowds have gone, and Sa Joga has a table free for lunch. They are right.
Day trips from Pittulongu
Golfo Aranci (10 minutes north on the SP82): A fishing port with a harbour promenade and some of the best dolphin-watching kayak tours in Sardinia departing from Spiaggia dei Baracconi. Worth visiting at sunset for the light over the headland.
Porto Rotondo (15 to 20 minutes north): An upscale marina town with a well-designed piazza, boutiques, and some of Sardinia’s best beach clubs in the surrounding bays. Evenings here are worth the drive. See our full Costa Smeralda guide.
San Teodoro (25 minutes south): A livelier, more accessible beach town with Spiaggia La Cinta, a 3-kilometre sand strip separating the open sea from a protected lagoon. A completely different mood from Pittulongu and worth combining on a two-day itinerary. Full details in our San Teodoro guide.
Also: complete Olbia travel guide and top beaches in Sardinia, chosen by a local.
FAQ about Pittulongu
How far is Pittulongu from Olbia airport?
About 8 kilometres by road via the SP82. By car, 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. It is one of the closest quality beaches to any major Sardinian airport, which is part of why it is so popular.
Is Pittulongu beach good for families with children?
Yes. La Playa has a very gradual seabed, with shallow water over a long distance, and full facilities including beach equipment hire and restaurants within walking distance. The Maestrale wind in the afternoon can create surface chop, but the shallow depth makes the water manageable for children even then.
Can you walk between all the Pittulongu beaches?
Yes. La Playa, Lo Squalo, Il Pellicano, and Mare e Rocce are connected along the shoreline and walkable in a single afternoon without any climbing. Bados is a longer walk north but reachable on foot.
How do you get from Olbia to Pittulongu without a car?
ASPO Olbia line 4 operates between Olbia centre and Pittulongu. Service is more frequent in summer. Check current timetables at the ASPO Olbia website, as schedules change between seasons.
When is the best time to visit Pittulongu?
September is the practical answer: the sea remains warm well into October on this coast, crowds drop sharply after the Italian summer peak, restaurants are still open, and parking is not a problem. June is excellent for the same reasons. July and August are busy but functional if you arrive early.
Is parking available at Pittulongu beach?
Yes, with conditions. There is a large car park behind La Playa and spaces along the seafront road. In June and September, arriving by 10am is comfortable. In July and August, plan for 8.30am or earlier on weekends. Some areas require payment in high season; bring a card and some coins.
Can you take a boat trip to Tavolara from Pittulongu?
Yes. Organised tours depart from Olbia Marina and from the Mare e Rocce beach directly. Options range from half-day dinghy trips to full-day catamarans. Seasonal ferries also run from Porto San Paolo, about 15 minutes south by car. See the activities section above for specific options and booking links.
Sources
- Area Marina Protetta Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo (official park authority): https://www.amptavolara.it/
- SardegnaTurismo, Regione Sardegna: https://www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/node/15080
- Comune di Olbia: https://www.comune.olbia.ot.it/it
