- 1770town founded under the House of Savoy
- 10,476residents — the archipelago's only inhabited island
- 45 kmpanoramic coast road around the island
- €8adult ticket, Compendio Garibaldino on Caprera
- From $60boat tours to the outer islands
One Island, Three Very Different Days
The best things to do in La Maddalena split cleanly into three. Wander the pastel-coloured 18th-century town around Cala Gavetta. Drive, scooter or cycle the 45 km panoramic coast road to the island's white-sand beaches — Bassa Trinità, Cala Spalmatore, Punta Tegge. Cross the free bridge to Caprera for Garibaldi's house, Spiaggia del Relitto and Cala Coticcio.
It is the only inhabited island of the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, a 15–20 minute ferry from Palau, which makes it both an easy day trip and a very good 2–3 night base. What it cannot give you is the wild outer archipelago: Spargi, Budelli's Pink Beach, the Porto della Madonna natural pools and Santa Maria have no roads and no ferries, so the only way there is a boat.
La Maddalena is the largest island and the administrative centre of the archipelago — part of Italy's first national park in Sardinia, established in 1994. The town was founded in 1770 under the House of Savoy and today has around 10,476 residents. Its history is denser than its size suggests: Napoleon's failed invasion in 1793, Admiral Nelson's fleet based here in 1804, and Garibaldi's 26 years on neighbouring Caprera.
Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Trip by Boat
Why we recommend it: it boards at Palau or La Maddalena town, so if you are staying on the island you do not have to cross back on the ferry to start your boat day. The route covers the outer islands you cannot reach any other way.
A 4.5 average across nearly 3,000 reviews — solid rather than spectacular, and the trade for boarding on the island. Check live dates and book below.
Things to Do in La Maddalena Town
The whole centre is walkable in an afternoon, which is exactly why it rewards a slow one.
Walk the historic centre
Two squares anchor the town. Piazza Garibaldi is the social hub; Piazza Umberto I holds the Palazzo dell'Ammiragliato and the town's monuments. The main shopping street, Via Garibaldi, runs between them. Above the town, Colle Guardia Vecchia gives the panoramic view over the whole archipelago — the one that explains the geography better than any map.
Cala Gavetta harbour
The natural harbour, and the place the town walks to in the evening. Fishing boats and pleasure craft moored side by side, a statue of Garibaldi, and aperitivo culture at its best. If you do one thing at dusk, do this one.
Parish Church of Santa Maria Maddalena
The church houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, and inside it the silver crucifix and two silver candlesticks donated by Admiral Nelson in 1804, along with his autograph letter. Nelson based his fleet in these waters that year, and this is the physical trace he left behind.
Museo Navale “Nino Lamboglia” — currently closed
The naval archaeology museum is dedicated to the Roman shipwreck found off Spargi — a vessel that went down around 120 BC carrying more than 200 amphorae. It is currently closed for restoration: a €2 million restoration tender was published in early 2026, with no confirmed reopening date. Worth checking before you build an afternoon around it. The wreck itself lies offshore from Cala Corsara on Spargi.
Shopping and local specialities
Along Via Garibaldi: coral jewellery, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Cannonau reds, bottarga, mirto liqueur, Sardinian ceramics and sweets. The wine and the bottarga travel well; the coral is the local craft.
What to eat, and where
The dishes to look for are zuppa gallurese (a layered bread-and-cheese casserole), culurgiones (hand-pleated ravioli), fresh seafood, spaghetti with bottarga, and seadas — fried pastry with cheese and honey.
Where to eat them: Trattoria Dal Genovese (family-run since 1973), La Locanda del Mirto (garden setting, roast suckling pig), Sottovento (upscale Sardinian), Puffer Fish (seafood only, no reservations), Zi Antò (near Punta Tegge, with the sea view), Civico 49 (the best pizzeria in town) and Taverna Barò (wine and aperitivi by Cala Gavetta).
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
The island fills two or three days on foot and by scooter. The water fills the rest.
Most people base themselves in La Maddalena town and give one full day to a La Maddalena Archipelago boat tour — a swim at Cala Corsara on Spargi, the Pink Beach viewpoint at Budelli, the Porto della Madonna natural pools and sunbathing at Santa Maria. A catamaran or sailing trip adds a proper Sardinian lunch on board — our picks are From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch (from $188, 4.9 stars across 2,271 reviews) and Maddalena Archipelago: Island-Hopping Sailing Tour and Lunch (from $104, 4.9 stars across 1,700+ reviews), which boards on La Maddalena itself. A small-group RIB tour from Palau or La Maddalena is the format most likely to reach the quieter coves around Razzoli.
Closer to home, Caprera is a half-day in itself, and the kayak and snorkelling trips that leave from La Maddalena cover the coastline the road never touches. For the full rundown of swimmable coves across the park, see our guide to the best beaches in Sardinia and the archipelago.
The Island's Beaches and the Panoramic Road
Every beach worth the detour sits on the panoramic road. You need wheels, or a bus timetable.
Drive, scooter or cycle the panoramic road (~45 km). Scooters, e-bikes, cars and quads rent from operators near the port — Nicolsport, Megamotors, Rent For La Maddalena and 189 Garage. If you would rather not drive, two bus lines cover the island: the green “Linea Panoramica” loop and the blue La Maddalena–Caprera line.
Our pick if you want the road on two wheels with a guide: Caprera Island E-Bike Tour — from $72, 4.9 stars but only 27 reviews so far, so read the most recent ones before you commit.
Bassa Trinità
The most beautiful beach on the island: fine white sand, shallow turquoise water and an 18th-century church as a backdrop. It has a bar and a lifeguard, which on this island is unusual.
Cala Spalmatore
A sheltered fishing cove with a historic pier. When the Mistral is blowing and the exposed coast is unswimmable, this is where the island goes.
Monti d'A Rena
A sand dune running straight down to the beach — the one stop on the island that children remember more vividly than their parents do.
Cala Lunga
A narrow, deep inlet with swimming-pool-clear water striped in bands of turquoise. Small enough to fill quickly in August.
Punta Tegge
Granite slabs, low cliffs and good snorkelling, and the best sunset spot on La Maddalena — with the bar at Zi Antò right there to take advantage of it.
Snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. Maddalena Diving and 189 Garage rent kayaks and SUPs in town, and seasonal rental hubs open at Punta Tegge and Giardinelli through the summer.
Our pick for a guided paddle: La Maddalena Kayak Tour with Snorkelling and Italian Aperitif — from $68, 4.8 stars across 50 reviews. Renting your own board is cheaper; the guided trip gets you round headlands the rental hubs will not let you paddle to alone.
Caprera: The Must-Do Day Within a Day
Garibaldi's island, four of the archipelago's best beaches, and 16 marked trails — all reachable by car.
Getting there: cross the Passo della Moneta bridge — free, 600 metres long, built in 1958 — about a 10-minute drive from La Maddalena town.
Compendio Garibaldino. Casa Bianca, the house Garibaldi built in 1856–57, plus the windmill, the family cemetery, and the clock stopped at 6:20 pm — the moment of his death on 2 June 1882. An adult ticket is €8, or €12 combined with the Forte Arbuticci Memorial. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30–19:30, closed Mondays.
Spiaggia del Relitto
Named for the burnt motor-sailer that ran aground here in 1955. Blue Flag, fine white sand, easy car access and a beach kiosk — the most straightforward beach day on Caprera.
Cala Coticcio (“Tahiti of Sardinia”)
Zone A, maximum protection. Access only with a pre-booked authorised guide, capped at 60 visitors a day. Budget a €3 PagoPa fee plus roughly €25 for the guide, and 45–60 minutes on a rocky trail — proper shoes are mandatory, not advisory.
Cala Napoletana
An unrestricted hike to fine sand and clear water — the alternative if the Coticcio places are gone, and free.
Cala Portese (Due Mari)
Two back-to-back Blue Flag beaches on a sandy isthmus, so one side is always sheltered whichever way the wind is blowing. The most family-friendly stop on the island.
Hiking
Sixteen marked trails cross Caprera. The one to take is Monte Teialone — 212 metres, a 360° panorama over the whole archipelago, roughly 3.4 km out and back.
Our picks for Caprera: Caprera: Hiking to Cala Coticcio with Aperitif — from $68, 4.8 stars but only 28 reviews so far, so read the recent ones first; there is no legal way to walk to the cove without an authorised guide. For the coastline rather than the trails, Boat Tour to Caprera and La Maddalena Archipelago — from $81, 4.7 stars across 638 reviews.
Taking a Boat Tour: The Wild Outer Islands
Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli have no roads, no bridges and no scheduled ferries. A day boat tour from La Maddalena or Palau is the only way to see them.
The Archipelago Tour We Recommend Starting With
The most-reviewed La Maddalena tour on the platform: Spargi for a swim and a snorkel, the Pink Beach viewpoint at Budelli, the Porto della Madonna natural pools and Santa Maria — from $58, with free cancellation.
From Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Boat Tour
Why we recommend it: 4.6 stars across more than 6,100 reviews, a multilingual guide on board, and the four outer-island stops that the island's own road and ferry cannot give you — in a single day.
Departs Palau or La Maddalena, swims at Budelli's natural pools, sunbathes at Santa Maria, then snorkels at Spargi before free time in La Maddalena town.
- Swim and snorkel stop at Spargi (the Cala Corsara area)
- Pink Beach viewpoint at Budelli and the Porto della Madonna natural pools
- Sunbathing stop at Santa Maria
- Free time in La Maddalena's historic centre
- Multilingual guide commentary on board
National Park landing fee (€2.50–€5, cash) paid at check-in. Check live dates and book below.
Palau or La Maddalena: 4-Hour RIB Tour of the Archipelago
A fast, flexible half-day on a certified skipper's RIB, with swim stops chosen on the day — the format most likely to reach the quieter coves, and the one that fits around a town afternoon rather than eating the whole day. See our Razzoli and natural pools guide for this route in detail.
Boat Tour to Caprera and La Maddalena Archipelago
If Caprera is the part of the archipelago you came for, this one builds the day around it rather than treating it as a passing stop — useful alongside, or instead of, driving over the Passo della Moneta.
Practical Information
Getting there, getting around, where to sleep, and how long to give it.
Getting to La Maddalena
Ferry from Palau, operated by Delcomar and Maddalena Lines. The crossing is 15–20 minutes, running every 15–30 minutes in summer, with foot-passenger fares around €8.50–€11. Full detail in our Palau–La Maddalena ferry guide.
Getting around
Walk the town. For the beaches and Caprera, take a scooter, an e-bike or a car — or the two island bus lines.
Best time
June and September. Warm sea, reliable weather, and a fraction of the August crowd on a 45 km road that gets busy.
How long
Ideally two to three nights. One day works as a day trip but forces you to choose between the boat, the beaches and Caprera.
Where to stay
Almost all accommodation is in La Maddalena town. Grand Hotel Ma&Ma — adults-only, top-end, spa and pool near Punta Tegge. Hotel Excelsior — four-star, two minutes from the ferry, panoramic breakfast terrace. Hotel Villa del Parco — relaxed, near Punta Tegge, kitchenette rooms. Clelia's Boutique Rooms — central, renovated, good value.
Itinerary Suggestions, and Four Things to Know First
One day forces a choice. Three days does not.
Day trip from Palau
Morning boat tour to the outer islands; afternoon walking the town, finishing with a Cala Gavetta aperitivo. You will not see Caprera or the island's own beaches — that is the trade.
The island properly
Day 1 boat tour to Spargi, Budelli, the natural pools and Santa Maria. Day 2 the panoramic road and the island beaches, ending with sunset at Punta Tegge. Day 3 Caprera — the Compendio Garibaldino, Spiaggia del Relitto and the Monte Teialone hike.
Cala Coticcio: the guide is mandatory
An authorised guide is required and it is enforced at the trailhead. There are no exceptions and no talking your way past it.
Museo Nino Lamboglia is shut
Closed for restoration with no confirmed reopening date. Do not plan a rainy afternoon around it.
Caprera's beaches have no facilities
Most have no bar, no toilets and no shade. Bring water, food and sun protection with you.
Never remove sand, shells or pebbles
It is illegal, and fines are enforced with checks at the ferry port and at the airport. Photograph it and leave it.
Things to Do in La Maddalena: Frequently Asked Questions
The bridge, the guide rule at Cala Coticcio, the ferry and the museum — answered.
What are the best things to do in La Maddalena?
They divide into three days' worth of island. Walk the 18th-century town around Cala Gavetta — Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Umberto I, Via Garibaldi and the viewpoint at Colle Guardia Vecchia. Drive, scooter or cycle the 45 km panoramic coast road to Bassa Trinità, Cala Spalmatore, Monti d'A Rena, Cala Lunga and Punta Tegge. Then cross the free bridge to Caprera for Garibaldi's house, Spiaggia del Relitto and Cala Coticcio. The one thing the island cannot give you is the outer archipelago — Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli have no roads and no ferries, so that is a boat day.
Can you drive from La Maddalena to Caprera?
Yes. The Passo della Moneta bridge, built in 1958, runs 600 metres between the two islands and is free to cross. It is about a 10-minute drive from La Maddalena town, and a blue bus line runs the same route.
Do you need a guide to visit Cala Coticcio?
Yes, and it is enforced at the trailhead. Cala Coticcio sits in Zone A of the national park — maximum protection — with a daily cap of 60 visitors and access only with a pre-booked authorised guide. Budget a €3 PagoPa park fee plus roughly €25 for the guide, allow 45–60 minutes on a rocky trail, and wear proper shoes. There is no legal way to walk in without a guide.
How do you get to La Maddalena?
By ferry from Palau, run by Delcomar and Maddalena Lines. The crossing takes 15–20 minutes and departs every 15–30 minutes in summer, with foot-passenger fares around €8.50–€11. Palau is about 45 minutes by car from Olbia airport.
How long should you spend on La Maddalena?
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. One day works as a day trip — a morning boat tour to the outer islands, then the town and a Cala Gavetta aperitivo — but three days lets you give a full day each to the boat tour, the island's own beaches along the panoramic road, and Caprera. June and September are the best months.
Is the Museo Navale “Nino Lamboglia” open?
No. The naval archaeology museum, which holds the finds from the Roman shipwreck off Spargi — a vessel that sank around 120 BC carrying more than 200 amphorae — is closed for restoration. A €2 million restoration tender was published in early 2026 and there is no confirmed reopening date.
Do you need a car on La Maddalena?
Not for the town, which is comfortably walkable. For the beaches and Caprera you want wheels: scooters, e-bikes, cars and quads rent from operators near the port including Nicolsport, Megamotors, Rent For La Maddalena and 189 Garage. Two bus lines also run — the green “Linea Panoramica” around the island and a blue line to Caprera.
Can you take sand or shells home from the beaches?
No, and this one carries real fines. Removing sand, shells or pebbles from the archipelago is illegal and checks are carried out at the ferry port and at the airport. Most of Caprera's beaches also have no facilities at all, so bring your own water, food and sun protection.