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When individuals dream of island paradises, it appears rather a lot like La Maddalena, Italy — an island archipelago off the northeast coast of Sardinia.
Whereas most individuals come to La Maddalena for the seashores and boat journeys — the primary attracts for Sardinia as an entire! — La Maddalena gives a pleasant stability of metropolis, tradition, and eating, too.
Right here you’ll be able to take pleasure in stunning seashores and discover the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena and its many protected islands.
However what I beloved about La Maddalena is that you may additionally go to museums, go on hikes, stroll by town middle, and bask in some scrumptious Sardinian meals.
The archipelago of La Maddalena is made up of seven most important islands and plenty of smaller islets. The primary island is known as La Maddalena, the nationwide park is known as La Maddalena, and the city on the primary island is ALSO referred to as La Maddalena. It may be a bit complicated, however I’ll consult with La Maddalena archipelago, island, nationwide park, or city when vital.
Whilst you might park your self in La Maddalena city and eat Sardinian snacks to your coronary heart’s content material, the actual treasures come whenever you go exploring. The 2 largest islands, La Maddalena and Caprera, are linked by a causeway and greatest explored by automotive.
For the harder-to-reach islands, leap on a ship tour! There are many boat excursions in La Maddalena, taking you to a number of the prettiest components of the archipelago.
Between the seashores, the appeal, and the straightforward 45-minute drive from the hub of Olbia to the ferry port in Palau, La Maddalena is the proper place to begin a Sardinian highway journey. I beloved my time right here.
Listed here are the perfect issues to do in La Maddalena, Italy!
This submit was printed in April 2025 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.
Issues to Do in La Maddalena, Italy
Go on a ship tour
If there’s anyone factor you must do in La Maddalena, it’s taking a ship tour! We did this on our first day and it began our go to off so properly.
There are numerous totally different boat excursions obtainable right here, with a wide range of itineraries, worth factors, and inclusions. Take your time trying by them to seek out the most suitable choice for you.
On this Day on a ship within the archipelago of La Maddalena tour, you’ll sail by the archipelago on a motorboat exploring the islands and coves of Spargi, Budelli, Razzoli, Santa Maria, and Caprera. As a result of this can be a personal tour simply in your group, you even have the choice to discover the close by islands of southern Corsica. And an area lunch is included!
As an alternative of a motorboat, you possibly can do that Catamaran tour of Archipelago Maddalena. Alongside your skipper and fellow passengers, you’ll resolve on an itinerary that features a number of time for swimming, snorkeling, studying native historical past, and taking within the views. Your catamaran tour additionally features a Sardinian appetizer and lunch.
Or take a look at Boat journeys on the La Maddalena Archipelago, which is a barely shorter journey than those above and doesn’t embody lunch. Nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless be taught all in regards to the islands, swim at seashores on Budelli, Spargi and Santa Maria, plus cease for photograph ops at Cala Corsara cove and Spiaggia Rosa (the well-known pink sand seashore on Budelli Island).
Loosen up on the seashores
After getting a style for the totally different seashores and coves round La Maddalena in your boat tour, you’ll undoubtedly need to dedicate a number of hours (or a full day!) of your itinerary to seashore hopping.
Spiaggia di Cala Corsara is without doubt one of the most stunning seashores not solely within the La Maddalena archipelago, however in all of Italy. It’s recognized for its comfortable sand, endlessly altering blue waters, and the huge granite rock formations that make up its shoreline. Some say it was once a pirate lair, because of the entire coves and hide-out spots obtainable. This seashore is positioned on Spargi Island and accessible solely by boat.
On Santa Maria, you’ll discover the island’s most important seashore, Grande Cala di Santa Maria, or Spiaggia di Santa Maria. The water right here is vivid blue, the sand is silky and your entire seashore is framed in luscious vegetation. Elsewhere on Santa Maria you’ll discover protected seashores, schist rock formations, and the previous website of a Benedictine monastery.
Spiaggia Testa del Polpo is understood for its rocky outcrops, gorgeous inexperienced and blue waters, and wonderful snorkeling spots. Although be warned — this seashore can get very crowded throughout La Maddalena’s busy summer season vacationer season. It’s additionally a bit tough to get to. Whilst you can drive, many individuals will park their automobiles and stroll the final 10-Quarter-hour to the seashore, because the highway turns into too treacherous.
Whereas Spiaggia Rosa is without doubt one of the most well-known seashores within the Maddalena archipelago, because of its pink sand, it truly isn’t open to the general public. Years of poor conduct by guests — together with individuals stealing the sand — led authorities to shut the seashore. It’s now a protected space and you may solely view it from a ship or on cliffs excessive above.
Discover La Maddalena city
La Maddalena is the identify of the archipelago, the identify of the primary island inside that archipelago, and the identify of the primary city on that most important island. Confused? I used to be a bit, at first! However whereas on the island, I like to recommend spending a while exploring the middle of La Maddalena city.
The focus of the city is Piazza Umberto I, a pedestrian space good for having fun with a snack and people-watching. Off of this sq. you’ll discover cobblestone streets lined with eating places, retailers and cafes.
From the piazza you’ll be able to stroll right down to the harbor the place you’ll be able to watch the boats are available in, absorb views of the shoreline, or take pleasure in some contemporary seafood.
You can too go to the Parrocchia Santa Maria Maddalena church, see the Garibaldi Column and take a look at an area seashore, Spiaggia di Punta Tegge, all whereas in La Maddalena city.
Strive Sardinian delicacies
You assume you recognize Italian meals? Welcome to Sardinia — the place all the pieces goes out the window. If each micro-region of Italy has its personal signature specialties, all contemporary and scrumptious you’ll be able to think about it will get a bit bizarre on an island removed from the mainland!
La Maddalena was my first cease in Sardinia, and the primary place the place I attempted Sardinian specialties. I like to recommend beginning with two signature Sardinian pastas: culurgiones (crammed pasta that is sort of a cross between ravioli and stuffed shells, usually full of potatoes, pecorino, and mint), and fregola (a small, spherical, toasted pasta with textured little dots on it that may be ready in some ways).
Seafood, as you’d guess, is big in Sardinia. Ask for what’s contemporary and scrumptious and also you’ll be shocked at how good a merely ready piece of fish is right here.
One in every of my favourite methods to pattern the native delicacies in Italy is to exit for aperitivo and get a tagliere (a plate of meats and cheeses) and a few native wine. Right here in Sardinia there might be loads of pecorino on a tagliere!
One other factor that stunned me in La Maddalena is that there have been so many Ligurian eating places, with a number of pesto and focaccia. It seems that Sardinia and Liguria have shared robust cultural ties for hundreds of years. Who knew?!
Listed here are a number of eating places in La Maddalena city that I loved:
- Ristorante Caprera: Every little thing at this restaurant is scrumptious, particularly their Sardinian pastas, culurgiones and fregola. If you wish to attempt a little bit of all the pieces, they’ve a four-course set menu of Sardinian specialties.
- Vineria Ninì: This wine bar is a good spot to attempt the Sardinian model of tagliere, and so they have a sturdy number of Sardinian wines. They’ve stay music some nights.
- Taverna Barò: In the event you’re within the temper for cocktails or craft beer, focaccia, appetizers, and a lovely view of the harbor, this informal pub is a good choose.
Go to the Garibaldi Museum and Home
Situated on Caprera Island, and accessible by bridge in case you have a automotive, is the Garibaldi Museum. If, like me, you didn’t develop up in Italy, you might not know a lot about Giuseppe Garibaldi.
A nineteenth Century Italian common, Garibaldi contributed vastly to the unification of Italy and is named one of many “fathers of the fatherland.” He retired to Caprera within the mid 1850’s and spent the final nearly 30 years of his life there. Now, his former house is Sardinia’s most well-known museum.
Exploring the museum advanced is a good way to study this slice of Italian historical past and one among its most necessary characters. The Garibaldi Compendium consists of his residence (often called the White Home), farm buildings, gardens, and the household cemetery.
When you’ve got a wet day when you’re in Sardinia — like I did — this can be a good place to go to.
Hike the Caprera Island Trails
Moreover the Garibaldi Museum, Caprera Island can also be an excellent place to get in some mountain climbing!
Cala Coticcio is without doubt one of the most stunning seashores on Caprera, usually referred to as the Tahiti of Sardinia because of its clear waters. The one technique to attain Cala Coticcio is by way of hike. You may be a part of this guided hike with aperitivo, led by a certified information from La Maddalena Archipelago Nationwide Park.
Along with your information, you’ll hike over the rocky terrain, taking within the unbelievable coastal views, till you attain the seashore. As soon as at Cala Coticcio, you’ll spend a while swimming, snorkeling, and eating on Sardinian snacks and drinks.
Observe that as a result of Cala Coticcio is a protected a part of the nationwide park, it is just accessible with a certified information and by paying the nationwide park entrance price (included within the tour above). Every day spots on the path are restricted with a view to protect the pure panorama.
One other mountain climbing possibility on Caprera is the hike as much as Monte Tejalone, the best level on the island. This hike is steep, however not too lengthy, and gorgeous views over the archipelago await you on the prime. Or attempt the hike from the Garibaldi Museum to Cala Garibaldi, the seashore the place Garibaldi moored his boats, alongside the island’s east coast. From there, you’ll be able to proceed onto different Caprera seashores.
Go to La Maddalena’s army fortifications
Due to its strategic positioning for protection alongside the coast, quite a lot of army fortifications had been constructed round La Maddalena all through the 18th and nineteenth centuries. Not solely are these forts fascinating to go to from a historic perspective, however lots of them supply nice views over the island and archipelago.
Essentially the most well-known fort on La Maddalena is Fort San Vittorio, or Guardia Vecchia, because it’s seen from wherever on the island and has a definite black and white checkered sample. One of the vital necessary websites was Punta Tegge, as this artillery base was hidden from the ocean, good for astonishing any enemies. Different fortifications embody I Colmi, Forte Santa Teresa, Forte Sant’Andrea, and Forte Carlo Felice.
Observe that not all of those fortifications are open to the general public and a few have restricted opening hours.
How A lot Time to Spend in La Maddalena, Italy
In the event you’re going to take the time to come back all the way in which to La Maddalena, I believe you must spend a number of days right here. Three days in La Maddalena can be good, supplying you with sufficient time for a ship journey and a little bit of island exploring earlier than testing a brand new a part of Sardinia.
Since La Maddalena is comparatively small and solely a number of the islands within the archipelago are accessible, you might get bored should you attempt to spend every week or extra right here. Until all you need to do is chill out on the seashore for every week, then you definately’re all set!
And I do assume that having a automotive right here will add to your enjoyment of the islands. The additional you discover, the higher (and fewer crowded!) it will get.
How To Get To La Maddalena, Italy
One of the simplest ways to get to La Maddalena is to fly into town of Olbia on Sardinia, which has a world airport, after which drive or bus to the Palau ferry terminal (about one hour away). The ferry from Palau to the Cala Gavetta marina on La Maddalena takes about Quarter-hour. You may test costs for the ferry right here.
An alternative choice is to take a ferry to Olbia. Once I visited Sardinia, I used to be coming from Liguria, so I made a decision to take an in a single day ferry from Genoa to Olbia. The ferry expertise was terrific! Our room was easy however comfy, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it once more if I used to be going to Sardinia from mainland Italy. Tickets for that route may be booked right here.
Whereas there are a number of bus strains on La Maddalena, Sardinia generally is just not the simplest place to navigate by public transit. I extremely suggest renting a automotive, which you’ll be able to choose up in Olbia and drive onto the ferry in Palau.
As soon as on La Maddalena island, driving is simple and there are many locations to park, together with parking tons in La Maddalena city. You’ll be capable of attain a number of the different islands by bridge.
The place to Keep in La Maddalena, Italy
Because the large draw of La Maddalena is the water, you might need to prioritize a location close to the seashore or within the metropolis. Relying on how far you need to discover, you must also test that your lodge gives free parking or is inside strolling distance of what you need to see and do.
- Prime Luxurious Resort in La Maddalena: The Grand Resort Resort & SPA Ma&Ma is an adults solely resort that encompasses a gorgeous outside pool and themed decor on each ground. Each room has a balcony, good for having fun with views of the archipelago.
- Prime Mid Vary Resort in La Maddalena: Residenza Mordini is a heat and welcoming lodge in an excellent central location on the island. It has an out of doors pool, backyard and shared lounge.
- Prime Funds Resort in La Maddalena: Casa Ilva is a clear and cozy possibility with bigger apartment-style rooms and inside strolling distance of the seashore, although there’s no pool or water views.
Discover offers on locations to remain in La Maddalena right here.
Finest Time to Go to La Maddalena, Italy
Being a seashore vacation spot, summer season is the busiest time to go to La Maddalena and all of Sardinia. Each crowds and costs might be at their peak in July and August. Count on sold-out excursions and packed seashores.
In the event you nonetheless need to take pleasure in heat climate however with barely smaller crowds, shoot for the shoulder season simply earlier than and after summer season. Early June or late September can be my suggestion for when to go to La Maddalena with fewer crowds.
As for the low season, as a result of La Maddalena is a smaller space that primarily caters to beach-going vacationers, most locations might be closed should you go to within the winter. In the event you had been coming to Sardinia within the winter, I’d prioritize staying in a metropolis that has extra occurring year-round, like Alghero or Cagliari.
Is La Maddalena Value It?
Sure, La Maddalena is value it! This was my introduction to Sardinia, and it had me falling in love with the seashores and the meals so rapidly!
A couple of days right here is a superb technique to spend a part of your time in Sardinia. I hope you may have a beautiful time right here!
Extra on Sardinia:
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Have you ever been to La Maddalena? Share your ideas!