La Maddalena is undoubtedly one of those places that has remained engraved in our memory after visiting it. We remember our stay in the islands with a special affection that I hope you also feel. In case you still don't know, the Maddalena archipelago is an incredible group of islands located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, in the region of SardiniaItaly.
This area of islands is a true paradise for nature lovers, with its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery unlike anything we have ever visited before. If you are interested to know what to see in La Maddalena where stay at or where eat read on because we'll tell you all about it.
How to get to La Maddalena
La Maddalena can be reached by ferry from Palau in the northern part of Sardinia. Ferries depart regularly and the trip takes about 20 minutes. It is possible to bring your own car on the ferry, which can be useful for exploring the islands but we recommend that you go with your clothes on and there rent a motorcycle or a bike to move around as the distances are not too long.
The best time to visit La Maddalena is during the months of summer when the weather is warm and dry. However, if you prefer avoid the crowds the months of spring and autumn are also a good option, with milder temperatures and fewer tourists.
Some areas of the islands are protected and require a permit to visit them or can only be seen from a boat as is the case with the famous Budelli pink beach. For example, to go to this beach you will need to rent a boat or an excursion to take you to see it as this is the only way to get close enough to enjoy it. Be sure to read all the recommendations We will explain below before your visit to avoid any inconvenience.
What to do in Maddalena
The archipelago of La Maddalena is composed of seven islands: Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Spargi, Budelli and Razzoli:
- La Maddalena The main island, the main island, is known for its charming old town, with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful houses and a lively nightlife. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the harbor, a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena and visit some of the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago.
- Caprera The second largest island, much wilder than the Maddalena. It is famous for being the home of the Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi: you can visit the Garibaldi House and the Garibaldi Memorial Museum. In addition, Caprera is a very frequented by lovers of hiking, with numerous routes that offer breathtaking panoramic views.
- The other islands Although smaller, they are no less impressive with their "Caribbean" beaches of white sand and turquoise waters. Below we explain what for us were the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago.
Maddalena Island
La Maddalena The main island of the archipelago where all the ferries arrive. The old town is the first thing we find when we get off the boat: a maze of narrow cobbled streets, flanked by pastel-colored houses with iron balconies. We recommend a stroll and enjoy the atmosphere of the area, visit some local craft stores or try the delicious Sardinian cuisine in one of its restaurants.
The best thing to do is to get lost in the streets of the center of La Maddalena where you will find some of the main points of interest such as: Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, an 18th century baroque church dedicated to the patron saint of the island with free entrance, the piazza Umberto I and the port of Cala Gavetta.
Once you have explored the historic center, we recommend you to visit the best beaches of the island of Maddalena, which are the ones that make this archipelago famous throughout the world. Some of the ones that we liked the most are along the Maddalena panoramic road As you walk around the island, you will see that you will see several signs to access the island's beaches:
- Spalmatore Beach We start the list with a trio of beaches located in the Gulf of Spalmatore. Tranquility, good vibes and crystal clear waters, what more could you ask for?
- Spiaggia di Monte di Rena Secondly, we have a piece of beach that is a highlight. Although it is usually crowded in high season, there is always a little corner to put the towel. Also, right next door, there is a lesser known beach that is usually quieter.
- Spiaggia di Tegge This beach is amazing, it has a lot of rocks in the water which makes it perfect for a good photo with the sunset in the background. In fact, the spiaggia di Tegge is one of the most famous places in the Maddalena for watch the sunset.
- Lunga Cove This is for those looking to relax with all the comforts at hand. A hotel complex within walking distance and a small and coquettish beach.
- Bassa Trinita Beach With its fine white sand and turquoise waters that will make you think you are in the Caribbean.
- French Cove A real marvel. Surrounded by pink granite rocks, we promise you that it is a spectacle not to be missed.
- Spiaggia del Cardellino If you are looking for a place to disconnect, this is your beach. Most people usually go to other beaches near this one that are better known, so if everything is full you can take advantage and go here.
- Carlotto Here you will find the chapel of the Madonnetta A magical corner in the middle of practically deserted coves. Of course, bring booties to get into the water because there are many stones.
- Capocchia du Purpu or Testa di Polpo The "Octopus Head" awaits you at the end of a path on the island of Giardinelli. We guarantee that the route under the sun is worth it. And don't worry about the car, there is a parking lot close by.
📍 Route map to see the Maddalena in one day.
If you want to see all the sites that we have told you above you only have to follow the google maps route that we leave below. However, you will have to set your starting point beforehand by adding one more point.
2. Caprera Island
After spending a wonderful day in La Maddalena, the following day we went into Caprera to discover that it was quite different from its neighbor Maddalena, with a more authentic, wild beauty and landscapes that take your breath away. The island is so available at that almost seems unbelievable, we only had to cross a bridge and we were there in 10 minutes.
Caprera is famous for being the home of the hero of Italian unification, Giuseppe Garibaldi. Here you can visit the Garibaldi House which is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The house, where Garibaldi spent the last years of his life, has been preserved as it was in his time, offering a fairly faithful picture of how he lived his life there.
The island is also known for its wonderful beaches and hiking trails. The Spiaggia del Relitto The beach, with its crystal clear water and the remains of a burned ship, is one of the most popular beaches on the island, although it is not easily accessible. For those who love hiking, the Garibaldi Trail is a good recommendation, this 15 km trail runs along the island, passing by Garibaldi's house, ancient military fortifications and offering a very nice panoramic view of the archipelago. If you enjoy hiking, you can also try the Path of the Forts, although we anticipate that whether you like it or not, you will have to walk to enter the beaches as they are not as prepared as those of the Maddalena, as we have already said, everything is wilder.
As it is very easy to move around the island you can see everything in one day, here are the best beaches and coves in the area:
- Napoletena Cove: A very famous beach, perhaps too crowded with excursion boats.
- Caprarese Cove: A little piece of paradise easily reached on foot. It has a river mouth and a postcard landscape.
- Coticcio Cove: A rocky path led us to this amazing cove, but be careful not to go in flip-flops!
- Spiaggia del Relitto: Here we found a shipwreck.
- Serena Cove: We walked from Garibaldi Beach to this wonder, one of our favorites.
- Brigantina Cove: This little cove surrounded by nature is worth the walk from Batteria Poggio Rasu.
- Cala Portese: A family beach with shallow waters and more accessible.
- Spiaggia Due Mari: Perfect for the little ones in the house.
- Andreani Cove: A quiet corner with white sand and crystal clear waters.
If you are looking for a place to appreciate the views of the place, or maybe a sunset at Caprera you can go to viewpoint of the Teialone Tower the highest point of the island or the ancient military fortress of the Batteria Poggio Rasu Superiore.
📍 Route map to see Caprera in one day.
3. Minor islands
The other islands of the archipelago are a bit smaller, but no less spectacular for that. In fact, they are protected territories, which means that they are practically untouched. And, best of all, the only way to visit them is... by boat! Can you think of anything cooler than sailing through the Mediterranean Sea discovering paradisiacal islands?
- Santa Maria is famous for its main beach, one of the largest and best rated for snorkeling.
- Spargi is known for its Corsara Cove A secluded beach surrounded by impressive rock formations.
- Budelli is famous for its Spiaggia Rosa a one-of-a-kind pink sand beach.
- Razzoli offers breathtaking views of the Strait of Bonifacio and the island of Corsica.
Tourist agencies offer day trips to these islands from the port of La Maddalena or from Palau. Of course, book in advance because they fill up fast. We did the ones below and the truth is that we were very happy, they even fed us with typical food on the boat. We told you all about it in our post about what to see in Sardinia in seven days.
3.1 Budelli: Home of the Famous Spiaggia Rosa
Our first destination was Budelli, an island known throughout the world for its Spiaggia Rosa A beach that owes its name to the pink color of the sand that is created from fragments of coral and seashells. To maintain this wonder, the island is protected and access to this beach is prohibited. But, although we only saw it from the boat, the views were absolutely breathtaking.
3.2 Santa Maria: Crystal Clear Water Diving
Then we headed to Santa Maria, where we were able to dive into the clear waters of the Santa Maria Cove. We assure you that this is an experience not to be missed, don't forget your snorkel gear and your underwater camera! We saw a lot of fish.
3.3 Spargi
Our next stop was Spargi, home to the majestic Corsara Cove. This beach left us speechless, with its natural beauty and blue waters. It is the perfect place to disconnect and simply enjoy the surroundings.
3.4 Razzoli: Exploring Lunga Cove
Razzoli was the next island on our route. Here we encountered the famous Lunga Cove A dream beach that looks like something out of a postcard. We spent a good time there, enjoying the tranquility of the place.
3.5 Santo Stefano
Finally, we visited Santo Stefano. Although some guidebooks say there is not much to see here, we found a special charm in its simplicity. There are no luxurious resorts or crowds, just nature in its purest form.
Where to stay in La Maddalena
The Maddalena archipelago, despite being quite small, offers a lot of hotel options, most of them concentrated in the port area of the main island. Our recommendation is that you choose a hotel near this area, not only for the convenience of arriving from the ship directly to your accommodation, but also because there is a wider choice of hotels and prices are usually a little more competitive.
Best value for money hotels in La Maddalena
For those looking for a mid-range option, the Hotel Villa Marina is an excellent choice. This 3-star hotel offers comfortable rooms and a buffet breakfast included in the price. In addition, its location in the center of La Maddalena means that you will be just a short walk from the main areas of the city, close to bars and restaurants.
Budget accommodation in La Maddalena
If you are traveling on a budget, there are several options for budget accommodation in La Maddalena. The B&B La Siesta is a popular option, with clean, comfortable rooms and a home-cooked breakfast included in the price. You can also consider renting an apartment or a vacation home to save some money if you are traveling in a group.
Luxury hotels in La Maddalena
If you are looking for luxury and comfort, the Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma is one of the most recommended hotels for sleep in Sardinia. This 5-star hotel offers elegant rooms, a luxury spa and a gourmet restaurant. In addition, its location near the sea means that you can enjoy unforgettable views from your room.
If you are not convinced by any of these options you can take a look at the selection below. If you still haven't decided which areas of the Maddalena or which island you prefer to stay you can go to our article about the best places to stay where to stay in the Maddalena archipelago, that has all the detail.
Staying in Caprera or Isola Spargi
The hotel offer in these islands is practically null, it is true that you can find some apartments but we do not recommend it because they are usually very inflated in price and have a quality that leaves much to be desired. Besides, it will be very difficult for you to travel around the other islands since you will be farther away from the main port.
Where to eat in La Maddalena
La Maddalena, like the rest of Sardinia, is famous for its delicious Italian cuisine, although there are some dishes that are especially typical of this area. We tell you about them so that you don't leave the island without ordering them!
- Given its location in the middle of the Mediterranean, it is not surprising that seafood is an important part of La Maddalena's cuisine. You can't miss the fregola with arselle a kind of pasta similar to couscous served with clams, or the bottarga dried and salted fish roe served grated on pasta or in thin slices as an appetizer.
- Meat also has an important place in the kitchen Sarda. The porceddu Sardinian style roast suckling pig is a very curious dish. Also very popular is the agnello con finocchietto roast lamb with fennel.
- For those with a sweet tooth, Sardinia offers a variety of delicious desserts. The seadas is a dessert made of fried cheese with honey, while the amaretti are almond cookies that are perfect with coffee.
- Malloreddus or also known as 'gnocchetti sardi', is a small, elongated pasta commonly served with a spicy sausage sauce.
- Culurgiones. Sardinian ravioli stuffed with potatoes, pecorino cheese, garlic and mint.
In most typical restaurants they have these dishes, but if you are interested in our opinion on the best restaurants to eat in Maddalena you can go to see this article where we talk about some of the most recommended places to have lunch or dinner in the Maddalena as the Sergent Pepper's Pizzeria the Osteria U Campu du Pastori or the typical Sardinian restaurant Stazzo Il Rifugio dei Peccatori.
If you are going to Sardinia do not miss our complete travel guide.
Here we tell you what to see in Sardinia in 7 days and what not to miss on the island.
FAQs about the Maddalena Islands
Is it worth visiting La Maddalena?
Absolutely, La Maddalena is worth it. This archipelago is an unforgettable destination for nature lovers. With its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery, La Maddalena is a must-see if you are in Sardinia. In addition, the rich history and culture of the islands add extra charm to the experience.
How much time to spend in La Maddalena?
The time you decide to spend in La Maddalena will depend on your interests and the time you have available for your excursion. If your main idea is to see Sardinia, then we recommend you to you book this excursion which will allow you to see everything in one day. However, if you have more time and like the vibe of the area you can spend one to two days in the archipelago to explore the main islands, beaches and coves. If you have more time, you might consider spending three or four days to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the islands at your own pace.
How to visit the archipelago of La Maddalena?
La Maddalena is accessible by ferry from Palau, on the mainland of Sardinia. Ferries depart regularly and the trip takes approximately 20 minutes. Once in La Maddalena, you can explore the main island on foot or by car. To visit the other islands of the archipelago, you can take a boat or an organized tour. Some of the islands are protected areas and require a permit to visit them, so be sure to check before your visit.
What is La Maddalena known for?
La Maddalena is known for several reasons. First of all, it is famous for its stunning natural beauty, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. In addition, La Maddalena has a rich history, as it was the home of Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi for many years. Finally, La Maddalena is known for its delicious Sardinian cuisine, with dishes like the bottarga and the pecorino Sardinian that are famous all over Italy.
Where to see the sunset in the Maddalena?
The best place to watch the sunset is at Tegge Point, To get here you have to leave the spiaggia di punta Tegge on the left and walk along an area of dirt and stones. From here you will see the island of Sardinia and the sunset in the background.
👇 You may also be interested in:If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see in the Maddalena archipelago you can visit our posts about Sardinia.
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