Porto Istana

Explore our Porto Istana accommodation

On AffittaSardegna: from € 86/night
On Booking.com: from € 112/night
5,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

BILO ISTANA

4 people
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
On AffittaSardegna: from € 129/night
On Booking.com: from € 168/night
3,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

COUPLE HOUSE 2

6 people
3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
On AffittaSardegna: from € 114/night
On Booking.com: from € 148/night
3,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

COUPLE HOUSE 3

5 people
3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
On AffittaSardegna: from € 57/night
On Booking.com: from € 74/night
5,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

MONO ISTANA

2 people
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
On AffittaSardegna: from € 100/night
On Booking.com: from € 130/night
5,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

TRILO BELLAVISTA 2

6 people
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
On AffittaSardegna: from € 93/night
On Booking.com: from € 121/night
4,5
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

TRILO BELLAVISTA 3

4 people
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
On AffittaSardegna: from € 100/night
On Booking.com: from € 130/night
5,0
Porto Istana
Holiday Homes

TRILO BELLVISTA 1

6 people
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
📍 AffittaSardegna — Porto Istana since 2011

Porto Istana: the Top Beach
near Olbia with Tavolara Views

“Porto Istana è la spiaggia che gli olbiesi tengono per sé — sabbia bianchissima, mare turchese, fondale degradante per centinaia di metri, vista sull’isola di Tavolara. A 12 km da Olbia, 30 minuti da Porto Cervo. Una delle migliori della Sardegna nord-orientale.”

🎯 2026 SEASON OFFER

Book Direct — Save up to 15%

Our rates are already lower than Booking and Airbnb. Write to us BEFORE booking and we will compare dates together — we will find you the right home at the best possible price.

✅ Reply within 1 hour (Mon-Sat 9-19) | ✅ Free cancellation up to 15 days before | ✅ Since 2011 — 300+ homes managed directly
📋 In this guide:

  • Cos’è Porto Istana
  • The beach
  • Tavolara views
  • Unmissable experiences
  • When to visit
  • How to get there
  • Surroundings
  • FAQ

📍 Cos’è Porto Istana

Porto Istana is a seaside hamlet of the municipality of Olbia, on the eastern coast about 12 km from the town centre. A residential and tourist area that grew up around what is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in north-eastern Sardinia — sabbia bianchissima, mare turchese, vista panoramica sull’isola di Tavolara.

It is a meno “scoperta” than San Teodoro or the Costa Smeralda: it draws mainly people from Olbia, northern Sardinians, and informed visitors looking for premium sea quality without paying Porto Cervo prices. A quiet atmosphere, excellent fish restaurants, well-equipped lidos but without the social excess.

We at AffittaSardegna directly manage 4 properties in Porto Istana since 2011 — a boutique selection for those who want a top beach + proximity to Olbia (airport/port) + quick access to the Costa Smeralda. It is the ideal base for those who want to combine urban comfort and sea of the very highest quality.

Porto Istana is where the people of Olbia go on Saturday afternoons. Incredible sea, no queues, no inflated prices. It is proof that north-eastern Sardinia still has top spots not yet ruined by mass tourism.

🏖️ The Beach of Porto Istana

The beach of Porto Istana is divided into 4 continuous stretches (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Beach) that extend for about 1.5 km. Pure, very fine white sand, a seabed that shelves gently for hundreds of metres (ideal for children), a sea with turquoise reflections that leave you in disbelief.

  • 1st Beach — the busiest, equipped with beach establishments
  • 2nd Beach — a mix of equipped and free, a family atmosphere
  • 3rd Beach — quieter, free parking nearby
  • 4th Beach — the wildest and most isolated, frequented by locals

The Tavolara backdrop makes the beach one of the most photographed scenes in north-eastern Sardinia. Monte Tavolara (565 m) rises from the sea like a theatrical set.

🏝️ L’Area Marina di Tavolara

Porto Istana è dentro l’, one of the largest and most protected in the Mediterranean (150 km² of sea)., one of the most extensive and protected in the Mediterranean (150 km²). The seabeds are among the richest in the Mediterranean — intact posidonia, abundant fish, exceptional biodiversity.

  • Snorkelling directly from the beach — colourful fish even in just a few metres
  • Diving with the dive centres of Porto San Paolo (10 minutes)
  • Trips to Tavolara — departures from the port of Porto San Paolo
  • Birdwatching — Audouin's gulls, cormorants, ospreys

⭐ Unmissable Experiences

The restaurant 'Da Tonino' on the island of Tavolara is a legend. Run by the island's 'ruling' family (yes, Tavolara has a king), it serves local fish in an out-of-this-world setting. Book weeks in advance in high season.

Il ristorante leggendario sull’isola di Tavolara, gestito dalla famiglia “regnante” dell’isola. Pesce locale del giorno in atmosfera fuori dal mondo. Da Porto San Paolo (10 minuti da Porto Istana) traghetti giornalieri. Prenotare settimane prima in alta stagione.

🥂 A Stylish Aperitif on the Costa Smeralda

Porto Cervo 30 minutes away, Porto Rotondo 20 minutes. An evening aperitif in the Piazzetta + return to Porto Istana for a quiet dinner — the best combo to enjoy the Costa Smeralda without paying to stay there.

Sunset from Punta Coda Cavallo

The highest viewpoint in the area, 15 minutes by car. 360° views over Tavolara, the coast, Cala Brandinchi. Memorable sunsets.

🦀 Dinner in the Old Town of Olbia

15 minutes by car, the pedestrian centre of Olbia with excellent fish restaurants at much more reasonable prices than the Costa Smeralda. Olbia mussels, bottarga, mixed fried fish.

🚗 Car Hire

Essential to make the most of the strategic location. We compare via Discover Cars — average saving 35%.

📅 When to Come to Porto Istana

Period Sea Crowds Prices Advice
May-June 🌊 21-23°C 🟢 Few 🟢 -30/40% ⭐ Top season
July 🌊 25°C 🟡 Moderate 🟡 Standard Book 3 months ahead
August 🌊 27°C 🟡 High 🔴 Peak Book 4-5 months ahead
September 🌊 24°C 🟢 Few 🟢 -20/30% ⭐ Top month
October-April 🌊 17-19°C 🟢 Zero 🟢 -50% Snorkelling possible

🚗 How to Get to Porto Istana

On Booking.com: from €167/night

15 km, 20 minutes by car. Among the most convenient in Sardinia.

⛴️ Port of Olbia

15 km. Moby, Tirrenia, Grimaldi, GNV lines.

🚌 ARST Bus

Seasonal connections from Olbia centre/airport.

🚂 Olbia Station

15 km. Regional trains Olbia-Cagliari.

Where to Stay: the 4 AffittaSardegna Homes

In Porto Istana we manage 4 selected properties, designed for those who want a top beach + proximity to Olbia:

  • Apartments near the beach — 5-10 minutes' walk from the sea (capacity 4-6)
  • Small villas with garden — larger options for families/groups (capacity 6-8)

Total capacity: about 20 guests. All with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, washing machine, sheets and towels included.

4 selected homes in Porto Istana, managed directly since 2011. Top beach + proximity to Olbia + quick access to the Costa Smeralda.

🏠 See the 4 Available Homes
💬 Write to us on WhatsApp

📍 Surroundings — Everything 15-30 minutes away

🏙️ Olbia

15 km. Airport/port hub, pedestrian old town, restaurants.

💎 Porto Cervo

35 km. Heart of the Costa Smeralda, piazzetta, marina, luxury boutiques.

🏝️ San Teodoro

20 km. La Cinta, Cala Brandinchi, evening life.

⛵ Palau

45 km. Porto per Maddalena, Capo d’Orso.

📖 Read more on the Blog

❓ FAQ — Porto Istana

How much does it cost to rent a home in Porto Istana?
Prices from €70/night for an apartment in low season up to €320/night for a small villa for 6-8 people in high season. Apartments for 4-6 guests: €130-180/night in July, €80-110/night in May-June.
Is Porto Istana suitable for families with children?
Yes, one of the best in the north-east for families. A seabed that shelves gently for hundreds of metres, pure white sand, a quiet atmosphere without nightlife, well-equipped lidos, nearby restaurants, a paediatrician in Olbia (15 minutes).
Is Porto Istana or San Teodoro the better choice?
Porto Istana = mare alla pari, atmosfera più tranquilla, più vicina all’aeroporto (15 minuti), prezzi 15-20% inferiori, vista Tavolara identica. San Teodoro = movida e vita serale, più scelta ristoranti. Per chi cerca solo mare top + comodità: Porto Istana vince.
Do the AffittaSardegna homes in Porto Istana have air conditioning and Wi-Fi?
All 4 properties managed in Porto Istana have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a washing machine, sheets and towels included.
Can you go snorkelling in Porto Istana?
Sì, l’Area Marina Protetta di Tavolara ha fondali tra i più ricchi del Mediterraneo. Pesce abbondante anche in pochi metri, posidonia integra. Maschera + boccaglio per snorkeling autonomo. Centri sub a Porto San Paolo (10 minuti) per immersioni guidate.
How many days do you need to visit Porto Istana?
For Porto Istana + Tavolara alone: 5-6 nights. To use it as a base for the Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro, Palau, La Maddalena: 10-14 days. A top strategic location in the north-east.
A Porto Istana c’è movida?
No, a quiet atmosphere. For nightlife: San Teodoro 20 km away, Olbia centre 15 km, Porto Cervo 35 km. Porto Istana is the choice for serious relaxation.
Are pets allowed?
Several of the 4 homes in Porto Istana are pet-friendly. Write to us via WhatsApp.
What typical food is there in Porto Istana?
Gallura seafood cuisine: Olbia mussels (typical), bottarga, sea urchins, spaghetti vongole, aragosta alla catalana. Restaurants near the beach or in the centre of Olbia.
📍 Geographic entities — Porto Istana and the Tavolara Area:
Porto Istana (40.8714°N, 9.6353°E) · Municipality of Olbia · Tavolara - Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area · Monte Tavolara (565 m) · Porto San Paolo · 1st-2nd-3rd-4th Beach · Punta Coda Cavallo · Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB, 15 km) · Port of Olbia (15 km) · Province of Sassari · Gallura · North-Eastern Sardinia
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We know every corner of Sardinia and select only housing that meet clear standards of comfort and reliability. From booking to on-site assistance, we follow you step by step.

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Each property is verified by our local team: real photos, checked equipment and really convenient locations for your holiday.

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