- 4,058residents in a town that hosts 200,000 daily visits at peak
- 122 mheight of Bear Rock above the sea
- €7combined ticket: Bear Rock, Fortezza and museum
- 20 minferry crossing to La Maddalena
- From $51full-day archipelago boat tours from Palau Marina
A Working Harbour That Happens to Sit on the Best Water in Sardinia
If you are searching for what to do in Palau, Sardinia, the short answer is that this is northeast Sardinia's most authentic gateway town and the single best base from which to explore the La Maddalena Archipelago. The list is longer than most first-timers expect: a wind-sculpted granite bear that has guided sailors since antiquity, a camouflaged 19th-century fortress, a string of underrated Blue Flag beaches, one of the Mediterranean's great windsurfing bays — and, the reason most people come, boat tours that slip out of Palau Marina to islands no car ferry can reach.
Palau is cheaper than the Costa Smeralda but on the same turquoise water: 20 minutes from La Maddalena by ferry, 35 minutes from Porto Cervo, 45 minutes from Olbia airport.
The town sits on Sardinia's northeast tip in the Gallura region, directly across the water from the national park, with a population of around 4,058. It was founded in 1875 and became an autonomous comune under Sardinian Regional Law no. 2 of 6 February 1959. The dialect is Gallurese. Tourism peaks dramatically — the municipality reports over 200,000 daily visits at the height of summer. The bear, from Roccia dell'Orso, appears on the municipal coat of arms.
From Palau: La Maddalena Boat Tour, 4 Islands in One Day
Why we recommend it: four island stops in a day aboard the newest boat in the Palau fleet, with live guide translation in four languages — and it boards at Palau Marina, a walk from the town centre rather than a drive.
Boat days sell out weeks ahead in July and August. Check live dates and book below.
Things to See and Do in Palau
Both of Palau's landmark sights are run by the same municipal operator, and the combined ticket is the obvious buy.
Bear Rock (Roccia dell'Orso / Capo d'Orso)
Palau's number-one attraction, and a genuine navigational landmark: a granite formation wind-eroded over roughly 300 million years into the unmistakable shape of a seated bear, 122 metres above sea level on the Capo d'Orso headland, about 4.3 km from town. It was declared a Regional Natural Monument in 1993. On a clear day the view runs across the whole La Maddalena Archipelago to Corsica.
Entry: adults €3.00; ages 11–18 €2.00; under 10 free; groups €2.50 per person. Combined ticket (Bear Rock + Fortezza + Ethnographic Museum): adults €7.00, ages 11–18 €4.00. Opening: daily from 9:30am, closing around 18:30 in April and up to about 20:30 in peak summer; closed 3 November to 31 March except for pre-booked groups. Winter booking on +39 347 091 3032 or info@museipalau.com. Closed shoes are mandatory, bring a hat and water, and it is not suitable for anyone with severe mobility restrictions.
Fortezza di Monte Altura
A granite fortress built between 1887 and 1889 and deliberately designed to disappear into the rocky hillside — which it does, almost completely, until you are on top of it. The visit takes you through warehouses, munitions depots, officers' quarters, underground tunnels and artillery positions.
Entry: adults €5.00; ages 11–18 €2.50; groups €3.50. Visits are guided, on fixed slots — typically 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15 — with English tours available. Closed 3 November to 31 March. Contact +39 347 091 3032 or info@museipalau.com.
Porto Pollo — windsurfing and kitesurfing capital
One of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots in the Mediterranean, on a sandy peninsula about 7 km west of town that splits the water into two bays: the eastern side is windier and belongs to experienced windsurfers, the western side is the kite beach and where beginners learn. The schools are MB Pro Center / Windsurf Village (founded in 2009 by the Dutch windsurfer Michiel Bouwmeester, RRD gear), Sporting Club Sardinia (FIV and VDWS affiliated, three decades on this beach, and the famous “Rupi's” bar) and Wind Porto Pollo (kite, windsurf and wing-foil). SUP and kayak rental too. The bay hosts stages of the Freestyle Pro Tour.
Kayaking, snorkelling and diving
Camping Village Capo d'Orso at Golfo delle Saline hosts a diving centre (Blue Zone), a sailing school (Centro Nautico di Levante) and the Dolphin water-sports centre. The dive sites between Caprera and the outer islands are rich in groupers, barracuda and moray eels. Kayak and SUP rental is available at the campsites and from 189 Garage in town.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
Two days in Palau is land and water. Three is land, water and the Costa Smeralda.
Nearly everyone who stays in Palau gives one day to a La Maddalena Archipelago boat tour out of Palau Marina — a swim at Cala Corsara on Spargi, the Pink Beach viewpoint at Budelli, the Porto della Madonna natural pools and a sunbathing stop at Santa Maria. A catamaran or sailing trip adds a Sardinian lunch on board — our picks from Palau are From Palau: La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Tour with Lunch (from $188, 4.9 stars across 2,271 reviews) and From Palau or La Maddalena: Archipelago Sailing Ship Tour (from $75, 4.5 stars across 1,100+ reviews). A small-group RIB tour reaches the quieter coves around Razzoli, and a late-afternoon sunset run swaps the swimming for an aperitif on deck.
On land, the Costa Smeralda beaches are 35 minutes east, Santa Teresa Gallura and Capo Testa 28 minutes north, and the Arzachena nuraghi 15 minutes south. For a day on La Maddalena and Caprera instead, take the car ferry — see our guide to things to do in La Maddalena.
Palau's Beaches
Two are walkable from the port. The rest are a short drive, and quieter for it.
Porto Faro
A sheltered cove near the lighthouse with fine sand and calm water — the family default when the wind is up elsewhere.
La Sciumara
Around 500 metres of sand backed by Mediterranean scrub, with calm shallow water, wheelchair access and a kiosk.
Spiaggia delle Saline
Roughly 350 metres of golden sand looking towards Capo d'Orso, good for snorkelling and the obvious base for watersports.
Cala Capra
A scenic granite cove on the Capo d'Orso peninsula. Sheltered, good snorkelling, and no facilities at all — bring everything.
L'Isolotto
Just beyond the port and Blue Flag continuously since 2012, with a disabled access ramp. The closest proper swim to the ferry terminal.
Porto Pollo / Isuledda
The windsurfing and kitesurfing peninsula seven kilometres west — two bays, one for experts and one for learners.
Day Trips from Palau
One of these is the reason the town exists as a tourist base. The rest are why you can stay a week.
La Maddalena Archipelago by boat
The headline day trip — the outer islands on a small-group or full-day tour from Palau Marina. There is no other way to reach them.
La Maddalena island by car ferry
About 15–20 minutes with Delcomar or Maddalena Lines. See our Palau–La Maddalena ferry guide for timetables and fares.
Costa Smeralda
Porto Cervo is about 35 minutes east, with Spiaggia del Principe and Capriccioli south of it.
Santa Teresa Gallura
About 28 minutes north for Capo Testa, Rena Bianca and the clearest views across to Corsica.
Arzachena nuraghi
Roughly 15 minutes south — Bronze Age nuraghi and tombs of the giants, and the best rainy-day plan in the area.
Our pick for the Costa Smeralda without the drive: Palau: Hybrid Eco Boat Tour in Costa Smeralda with Aperitif — from $136, 4.8 stars across 43 reviews, so a small review base: read the recent ones. Bear Rock, the Fortezza, Capo Testa and the Arzachena nuraghi are all ticketed or visited independently rather than through GetYourGuide, so there is nothing for us to link on those — book Bear Rock and the Fortezza direct on +39 347 091 3032.
Boat Tours from Palau
Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli have no roads and no ferry. Palau Marina is where the boats that reach them leave from.
The Palau Departure We Recommend Starting With
The lowest-priced full-day archipelago tour leaving Palau, and one of the most-booked on the platform — from $51, with free cancellation.
Palau: Explore La Maddalena's Wild Islands by Boat
Why we recommend it: it is the cheapest way to get a full day among the outer islands from Palau, on a big boat with more than 2,700 reviews behind it.
Be clear about the trade: at 4.3 stars this rates lower than the smaller boats further down this page, and the recurring theme in the reviews is scale — a busy vessel and a busy stop. If crowding matters more to you than price, book the 4-hour RIB or the four-island tour above instead.
Palau or La Maddalena: 4-Hour RIB Tour of the Archipelago
The best-rated Palau departure on this page, and a half-day rather than a full one — which leaves the afternoon free for Bear Rock. Swim stops are chosen on the day, and this is the format most likely to reach the quieter coves. Detail in our Razzoli and natural pools guide.
Palau: Spargi and Budelli Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitif
If your beach day is already spoken for, this runs late and swaps the swimming for the light — Spargi and Budelli with an aperitif on deck as the sun goes down over the Strait of Bonifacio. Full detail on our Palau departures page.
Food and Eating in Palau
The dishes here belong to Gallura specifically, and several of them do not appear on menus 100 km south.
What to order: suppa cuata (a layered bread-and-cheese casserole), li pulicioni (sweet ricotta ravioli), fresh seafood, bottarga, porceddu (roast suckling pig) and seadas.
Where: Da Robertino (seafood, near the port), La Gritta (family-run since 1987, garden terrace with a sea view), Pasta e Vino (sea-view tables, seafood risotto), Il Vecchio Pirata (Sardinian platters), Hostaria Cuppulata (72-hour leavened pizza), Il Porticciolo (fish soup, calamari) and Bar Ristorante Frizzante (spaghetti alle vongole).
Aperitivo: Upper Palau (seafront lounge bar and sushi), Il Molo Lounge Bar, and The One for cocktails. Provisions to take home: bottarga, Vermentino di Gallura, pecorino, pane carasau and mirto from the town shops.
Practical Information
Getting in, getting around, where to sleep and what changed in 2026.
Getting to Palau
About 45 minutes by car from Olbia airport on the SS125 via Arzachena, or 60–90 minutes on ARST bus line 601.
Getting around
The town is walkable. You want a car or scooter for the beaches and Bear Rock. Parking near the port is paid and fills fast in summer.
Ferry to La Maddalena
Every 15–30 minutes in summer, a 15–20 minute crossing, foot passengers from about €8.50, first sailing around 08:15.
Best time
June and September. July and August are peak — pre-book everything, including the boat tour.
Where to stay
Hotel Capo d'Orso Thalasso & SPA (5-star, Leading Hotels of the World, ~4 km from town). La Vecchia Fonte Boutique Hotel (4-star, central by the marina, from about €124 a night). Hotel Palau (4-star, ~95 rooms, two pools and wellness). Park Hotel Cala di Lepre (4-star Delphina family resort at Capo d'Orso, private beach). Hotel Piccada (3-star, family-run near the port, about €50–150 a night). Camping Baia Saraceno — the closest campsite to town and the ferry, and walkable.
Recent developments (2024–2026)
From 1 June 2026 the municipal tourist port is managed by the new Porto Palau S.r.l., and a seafront and marina redevelopment project worth over €1 million has been approved.
Why Palau Is the Perfect Base — and How to Plan the Days
Same water, lower prices, and the only marina the outer islands can be reached from.
From Palau: 20 minutes by ferry to La Maddalena, 35 minutes to Porto Cervo, 28 minutes to Santa Teresa Gallura, 15 minutes to the Arzachena nuraghi — at noticeably lower prices than the Costa Smeralda, on the same turquoise water. Most importantly: boat tours from Palau Marina reach Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, the outer islands the car ferry cannot serve.
If you only have a day
La Maddalena Archipelago boat tour in the morning; Bear Rock late in the afternoon, when the light is on the granite and the heat has gone out of the climb.
Palau properly
Day 1 the boat tour. Day 2 Bear Rock and the Fortezza di Monte Altura on the €7 combined ticket, then Saline or Cala Capra. Day 3 Porto Pollo watersports, or the car ferry to La Maddalena and Caprera.
Opening hours shift every season
Bear Rock and the Fortezza change their hours and fees seasonally. Confirm on +39 347 091 3032 before you drive out.
Accommodation prices swing hard
Rates fluctuate enormously by season, and many properties are seasonal — May to October only.
Check the exact address
Some properties named “Hotel Palau” are different places entirely. Verify the address when you book.
Allow for peak traffic
Summer traffic on the SS125 and around the Costa Smeralda can add a lot to every drive time on this page.
All details current as of 2026. Fees, timetables and accommodation details are set by third parties and change — verify before you travel.
What to Do in Palau: Frequently Asked Questions
Bear Rock tickets, the airport transfer, the ferry and the case for Palau as a base — answered.
What is there to do in Palau, Sardinia?
Palau's headline sights are Bear Rock (Roccia dell'Orso), the Fortezza di Monte Altura and a cluster of Blue Flag beaches — Porto Faro, La Sciumara, Spiaggia delle Saline, Cala Capra and L'Isolotto. Porto Pollo, seven kilometres west, is one of the Mediterranean's best windsurfing and kitesurfing bays. The reason most people come, though, is the boat tours that leave Palau Marina for the La Maddalena Archipelago — the only way to reach Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli.
How much does Bear Rock cost to visit?
Adults €3.00, ages 11–18 €2.00, under 10 free, groups €2.50 per person. A combined ticket covering Bear Rock, the Fortezza di Monte Altura and the Ethnographic Museum is €7.00 for adults and €4.00 for ages 11–18. It opens daily from 9:30am, closing around 18:30 in April and up to about 20:30 in peak summer, and is closed from 3 November to 31 March except for pre-booked groups.
How do you get from Olbia airport to Palau?
About 45 minutes by car on the SS125 via Arzachena. By bus, ARST line 601 takes roughly 60–90 minutes. In peak season, traffic on the SS125 and around the Costa Smeralda can add significantly to the drive.
Is Palau a good base for visiting the La Maddalena Archipelago?
It is the best one. From Palau it is 20 minutes by ferry to La Maddalena, 35 minutes to Porto Cervo, 28 minutes to Santa Teresa Gallura and 15 minutes to the Arzachena nuraghi — at noticeably lower prices than the Costa Smeralda, on the same turquoise water. Most importantly, the boat tours that leave Palau Marina reach Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli, which the car ferry cannot serve.
Is Porto Pollo good for beginners?
Yes, on the right side of it. The sandy peninsula splits the water into two bays: the eastern side is windier and suits experienced windsurfers, while the western side is the kite beach and the one beginners learn on. Schools include MB Pro Center / Windsurf Village, Sporting Club Sardinia and Wind Porto Pollo, and the bay hosts stages of the Freestyle Pro Tour.
When is the best time to visit Palau?
June and September. July and August are peak — the municipality reports over 200,000 daily visits at the height of the season — and everything from accommodation to boat tours needs booking well ahead. Many properties are seasonal, opening May to October only.
How often does the ferry to La Maddalena run?
Every 15 to 30 minutes in summer, with a crossing of 15–20 minutes and foot-passenger fares from about €8.50. The first sailing is around 08:15. Parking near the port is paid and fills fast in summer.
What should you eat in Palau?
Gallura cooking: suppa cuata (a layered bread-and-cheese casserole), li pulicioni (sweet ricotta ravioli), fresh seafood, bottarga, porceddu (roast suckling pig) and seadas. Da Robertino, La Gritta, Pasta e Vino, Il Vecchio Pirata, Hostaria Cuppulata, Il Porticciolo and Bar Ristorante Frizzante cover the range, and Upper Palau, Il Molo Lounge Bar and The One handle the aperitivo.