Camper Sardegna Rental company category:Standard
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Traversa di via Limbara, 07020 Porto San Paolo (OT)View map
Hiring a campervan in Olbia opens up north-eastern Sardinia straight away: the turquoise coves of the Costa Smeralda, the La Maddalena archipelago, the granite boulder fields of Gallura and, further south, the cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei. As the arrival port for ferries from the mainland and an airport that is very busy in summer, the city is the most convenient starting point on the island. 3 partner companies offer motorhomes, campervans and converted vans there: Camper Sardegna, Indie Campers and Motorhomes Italy.
Indie Campers is located on the SS125 road, the Orientale Sarda, and Camper Sardegna in Porto San Paolo, facing the island of Tavolara, south of Olbia.
2 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Olbia?
Motorhomes Italy Rental company category:Standard
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Motorhomes Italy OlbiaOlbiaView map
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Olbia
1 Gallura and the La Maddalena archipelago
- Olbia
- Porto Cervo
- Palau
- La Maddalena
- Santa Teresa Gallura
- Capo Testa
- Tempio Pausania
- Olbia
North of Olbia, the Costa Smeralda strings together Porto Rotondo, the beaches of Capriccioli and Liscia Ruja, then Porto Cervo and Baja Sardinia. In Palau, a ferry takes the vehicle to La Maddalena and Caprera, linked by a bridge; Budelli and Spargi can be explored on a boat trip. Santa Teresa Gallura and the sculpted rocks of Capo Testa come before the return via Tempio Pausania, at the foot of Mount Limbara, among cork oaks and granite villages.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 The Gulf of Orosei and the Supramonte
- Olbia
- San Teodoro
- Orosei
- Cala Gonone
- Dorgali
- Baunei
- Arbatax
- Olbia
Heading south, the SS125 runs along the beaches of San Teodoro and Budoni before Orosei and Cala Gonone, where boats leave for the Bue Marino cave and the coves of the Gulf of Orosei, such as Cala Luna. From Dorgali, the road climbs into the Supramonte, near the Gorropu gorge, then crosses the Genna Silana pass to Baunei, the Golgo plateau and Arbatax.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
3 Across the island to Alghero and Cagliari
- Olbia
- Castelsardo
- Stintino
- Alghero
- Bosa
- Tharros
- Cagliari
To the west, Castelsardo and its citadel overlook the sea before Stintino and La Pelosa beach. Alghero, another departure city of our partners, keeps its ramparts and its Catalan heritage; the coast road then leads to Bosa and its colourful houses on the Temo river. After the Punic and Roman ruins of Tharros, on the Sinis peninsula, the Carlo Felice road speeds on to Cagliari, the end of this one-way trip.
- Distance
- about 450 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Low-profile motorhome or camper van
Weather and seasons
When to go in Olbia?
Best time
Spring and autumn
April to June, September to October
highs 19 to 30 °C, lows 11 to 19 °C
The best seasons to set off from Olbia: the maquis in bloom in April, the sea warm enough for swimming from June and still warm in September and October. The coves of the Costa Smeralda and the boats to La Maddalena can be enjoyed without the August crowds, and campsites have space. May can be rainy: plan a few days inland.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 32 to 33 °C, lows 22 °C
Heat, almost no rain and peak crowds: ferries arrive full, beach car parks on the Costa Smeralda are packed and often paying, and campsites are fully booked around 15 August, Ferragosto. Book crossings, vehicle and pitches very early, and head to the beaches first thing in the morning.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 13 to 17 °C, lows 6 to 11 °C
Winter is mild on the coast but windy and wetter, especially in November and January. Many campsites and tourist services in Gallura close out of season: check opening dates. On the other hand, it is a good time for hiking in the Supramonte, inland villages and the nuraghi, without the heat.
Climate in Olbia, month by month
Most pleasant months: April to June, August to November.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14 °C | 7 °C | 73 mm | 8 h/day | 14 °C |
| Feb | 15 °C | 7 °C | 45 mm | 9 h/day | 14 °C |
| Mar | 16 °C | 8 °C | 60 mm | 10 h/day | 15 °C |
| Apr | 19 °C | 10 °C | 53 mm | 11 h/day | 16 °C |
| May | 23 °C | 14 °C | 72 mm | 12 h/day | 19 °C |
| Jun | 29 °C | 19 °C | 19 mm | 14 h/day | 23 °C |
| Jul | 32 °C | 22 °C | 5 mm | 14 h/day | 26 °C |
| Aug | 32 °C | 22 °C | 14 mm | 13 h/day | 27 °C |
| Sep | 27 °C | 19 °C | 44 mm | 11 h/day | 24 °C |
| Oct | 23 °C | 15 °C | 60 mm | 9 h/day | 22 °C |
| Nov | 18 °C | 11 °C | 82 mm | 7 h/day | 19 °C |
| Dec | 15 °C | 8 °C | 53 mm | 7 h/day | 16 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Stock up in Olbia before leaving
Olbia has the large supermarkets, petrol stations and outdoor equipment shops of the island's north-east; on the Costa Smeralda, shops are few, expensive and often seasonal. Buy your food, water and gas before leaving the city, and fill up with fuel before the mountain roads of the Supramonte.
Slow, winding roads
Apart from a few fast roads, Sardinia is travelled on narrow, twisting roads: the Orientale Sarda between Dorgali and Baunei, the descent to Cala Gonone or the coastal road between Alghero and Bosa. Average speeds remain low; plan short stages and watch out for goats, sheep and cows roaming free inland.
Regulated overnight stays in Sardinia
Wild camping is banned in Sardinia, and many coastal municipalities ban overnight motorhome parking near beaches by local order, especially in summer, with fines. Sleep at campsites or in aree di sosta, equipped motorhome areas often close to the sea, and check the local rules in force.
Protected beaches and no sand souvenirs
To protect the busiest sites, some beaches require booking or a paid entry in summer, such as La Pelosa in Stintino or Cala Goloritzé, reached on foot from the Golgo plateau. Taking sand, pebbles or shells is forbidden and fined: checks take place at the port and the airport.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Olbia
Where can I pick up a campervan in Olbia?
Three partner companies are waiting for you: Indie Campers on the SS125 Orientale Sarda road in Olbia, Motorhomes Italy in Olbia, and Camper Sardegna in Porto San Paolo, a small seaside resort south of the city, facing the island of Tavolara. The exact address and the time of your appointment are in your booking confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Olbia?
The price depends first of all on the season: demand peaks in July and August, while spring and autumn are quieter. The length of hire, the type of vehicle and any one-way trip also count. Run a search with your dates to get real prices, mandatory fees included, and budget separately for the ferries to the islands.
Can I do a one-way trip from Olbia to Alghero or Cagliari?
Yes, Alghero and Cagliari are other departure cities of our partners in Sardinia: crossing the island one way avoids retracing your steps on the same roads. A one-way fee may apply depending on the rental company; it appears in the price as soon as you choose the return city when searching.
Can I go to Corsica with a campervan hired in Olbia?
Ferries link Santa Teresa Gallura to Bonifacio, in Corsica, in about an hour. As Corsica is in France, check in the offer conditions that the rental company allows leaving Italy and sea crossings, and that the insurance covers the vehicle on board. In summer, book the crossing: spaces for vehicles are limited.
Campervan or motorhome: which is best for Gallura and the Costa Smeralda?
A campervan or converted van goes everywhere: the narrow roads of Gallura, the car parks of the Costa Smeralda coves, the lanes of Castelsardo. A low-profile or over-cab motorhome gives families more space and suits campsites and main roads well, but parking near beaches in summer needs planning.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Olbia with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
The steps to reserve a motorhome are so easy, just follow your steps and you’re done!
S.
Italy · Apr 2024
Trustpilot
Serious platform that offers relatively advantageous rates compared to a direct rental. The follow-up and ordering process are planned and quick, and the little reminders before departure are welcome. And when there is a minor issue with the rental company, the Cooldrive team takes care of sorting things out (thank you Marlène for the refund) and finding a solution to ensure our customer experience remains the best possible...and that is more than cool! So, yes...I recommend Cooldrive!
(anonymous)
Italy · May 2023
Avis Vérifiés
Good and quick communication, easy to book and easy to follow all the instructions.
C.
Italy · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Olbia
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Sardinia?
For a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes, like most rental campervans, converted vans and motorhomes, a European category B licence is enough. Holders of a licence issued outside the European Union generally also need an international driving permit. The minimum age and years of driving required vary by rental company: see the offer conditions.
How do I get to the depots from Olbia airport or port?
Olbia Costa Smeralda airport and the Isola Bianca port are very close to the centre, a few minutes by taxi or city bus from the Olbia depots. For Porto San Paolo, to the south, a taxi or transfer is easier. Let your rental company know the arrival time of your flight or ferry to arrange the appointment.
Are roads tolled in Sardinia?
No, the island has no toll motorways. The fast road linking Olbia to Nuoro and then joining the Carlo Felice, the north-south route between Sassari and Cagliari, is free, as are the national roads. Road costs are limited to ferries, fuel and paying beach car parks in summer.
How do I get to Olbia from the mainland?
Olbia is one of Italy's major passenger ports: ferries link it to Genoa, Livorno, Piombino and Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, and its airport receives flights from all over Europe in season. If you hire in Rome instead, another departure city of our partners, the crossing from Civitavecchia is possible with the vehicle if the rental company allows it.
Which beaches are easy to reach from Olbia?
Pittulongu, north of the city, is the nearest beach. To the south, San Teodoro offers La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi, nicknamed little Tahiti; to the north, the Costa Smeralda lines up Capriccioli, Liscia Ruja and the Spiaggia del Principe. In summer, nearby car parks are often paying and fill up quickly: arrive early.
Does the mistral make motorhome driving difficult?
The maestrale, a north-westerly wind, often blows hard over Gallura and the Strait of Bonifacio, sometimes for several days in a row. On exposed roads and bridges, a tall vehicle catches the crosswind: slow down and hold the steering wheel firmly. Ferries to La Maddalena and Corsica may be disrupted; the more sheltered east coast is then a good fallback.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Olbia
Olbia is the natural gateway to Sardinia: you arrive by plane or ferry, and in less than an hour you are on the beaches of the Costa Smeralda or facing the islands of La Maddalena. The north-east brings together a rare variety of landscapes, from the sculpted granite of Gallura to the limestone cliffs of the Gulf of Orosei, by way of cork oak forests and inland villages.
Three partner companies offer campervans, converted vans and motorhomes there, one of them in Porto San Paolo, just south of the city. Alghero, Sassari and Cagliari, other departure cities of our partners on the island, make it possible to cross Sardinia one way, from one coast to the other. April, June, September and October are the most pleasant months to explore it, away from the heat and crowds of high summer.