The charming La Maddalena archipelago, consisting of 7 larger and several small islands, is scattered just a kilometre off the northern coast of Sardinia and within sight of Corsica.
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The archipelago is particularly popular for its rugged coastline, small coves, sandy beaches with beautiful rocks, turquoise and clear sea, whose reefs are inhabited by many animals, making it ideal for snorkelling and for its peaceful atmosphere.
Only the islands of La Maddalena and Caprera, connected by road, are permanently inhabited. The largest town is La Maddalena with its romantic narrow streets full of cafes and restaurants and Renaissance architecture.
Beaches and swimming
It's not for nothing that the La Maddalena archipelago is nicknamed "the European Seychelles" or "the European Tahiti". The local romantic small beaches with their pitorexic rocks and green surroundings are truly reminiscent of these two exotic archipelagos.
Most beaches can be found on the main island of La Maddalena, where they are available in all the coves, as well as on the neighbouring island of Caprera, which is easily accessible.
Most of the smaller beaches are without facilities, but that's rather a plus in the local beautiful natural environment. So remember to bring plenty of refreshments with you.
Accommodation at La Maddalena
Accommodation is available directly on the island of La Maddalena, where you will find many smaller apartments and guesthouses. Normal prices in high season are around 120 eur per night for 2.
Hotels and accommodation - La Maddalena
Of the other islands in the archipelago, you can only stay on San Pietro at the Santo Stefano Resort & Spa hotel complex.
Richer, but usually more expensive, offerings can be found in Palau on the mainland and Sardinia respectively.
How to get there
There are no bridges to the archipelago and you can only get there by boat.
Palau - La Maddalena ferry
La Maddalena can be reached from Palau by the numerous Delcomar ferry services, which run every half hour during the day and about once an hour throughout the night. The cruise from Palau to La Maddalena takes 20 minutes.
Ticket booking and timetable: booking.delcomar.it.
Prices are as follows:
| Low season (October-May) One way |
Low season (October-May) Return |
High season (June-September) One-way |
Season (June-September) Return |
|
| Walking passengers | 4,10 eur | 7,80 eur | 4,70 eur | 8,70 eur |
| Car | 10 eur | 19,60 eur | 10,20 eur | 20 eur |
Buses on the islands
There are a pair of bus lines that run around the islands about once an hour during the summer season, taking passengers from the centre of La Maddalena to the beaches on the islands of La Maddalena and Caprera.
You can find timetables on the website of Turmo travel, which operates the lines. The price per ticket is around 1 eur from the newsagent or 1,50 eur from the driver.
For the other uninhabited islands, you can only use the services of private companies organising half-day or full-day cruises from Palau or La Maddalena. Prices are around 50 eur per person.
What to see around
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