La Maddalena, Italy is both the name of a single island and of an entire archipelago just off the northeastern coast of Sardinia, and it’s one of Sardinia’s absolute highlights. La Maddalena is known for crystal-clear, turquoise water and dreamy white sandy coves. The ferry crossing might sound like a hassle at first, but you should never skip this island on your road trip.
We visited La Maddalena ourselves in October 2026, and in this guide we’ll walk you through its biggest highlights, which beaches you shouldn’t miss, and exactly how the ferry works.
Last updated: November 2026
Facts about La Maddalena
Best time to visit: May–June & September–October
Ferry: from Palau, every 30–60 min, about 20 min crossing
Main islands: La Maddalena & Caprera
More info: Sardinia Road Trip | 7-Day Itinerary
Highlights
Beach hike on Caprera
Dreamy coves & beaches
Sardinia’s first national park (since 1994)
Boat trip to the neighboring islands
La Maddalena, Italy at a Glance
History & General Facts
The La Maddalena archipelago lies in the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica, and consists of more than 60 large and small granite islands shaped by wind and waves over millennia. Since 1994, the area and its roughly 180 kilometers of coastline have been protected as Sardinia’s first national park.
La Maddalena itself is the only island in the archipelago that’s been continuously inhabited since 1770 – which is why it’s home to the archipelago’s only town, complete with an old quarter, harbor, and fortifications. Thanks to its strategic location, the island was long a base for the Italian navy, and at times the US Navy too, and it even caught Napoleon Bonaparte’s interest back in the 18th century.
Where to Stay on La Maddalena
- Quiet location, great reviews (4.6★)
- Its own boat & scooter rental, including trips around the archipelago
- A 5-minute walk from the center, rooms with pool views
- Generous breakfast buffet included
- Apartments with a pool, sea views & free parking
- Quiet, green setting just outside the center
What Makes La Maddalena Worth Visiting?
Even though the archipelago in northeastern Sardinia is tiny, it’s home to some of the most beautiful La Maddalena beaches and the most dramatic coastline in all of Sardinia. The water here shimmers in a turquoise blue that you’ll only find in a handful of other bays on Sardinia.
Like everywhere on Sardinia, the beaches on La Maddalena get fairly crowded in peak season, but the detour is still worth it. The nature is so untouched, and the two main islands (more on that in the next section) are barely developed, if at all, so nature really takes center stage here. For us, La Maddalena is simply one of Sardinia’s biggest highlights!
La Maddalena & Caprera: The Archipelago’s Two Main Islands
Only two of the archipelago’s islands can be reached by car. La Maddalena is the bigger one and the only inhabited island, with the main town, hotels, and campsites. The town of La Maddalena (on the island of the same name) is the archipelago’s economic and cultural center, with around 12,000 residents, and it’s the only place with a sizeable year-round population. The historic old town is full of narrow alleys, colorful facades, and buildings from different eras. Plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops keep things lively, while the Cala Gavetta marina serves as the island’s maritime hub and draws sailboats from across the Mediterranean.
A narrow causeway, the Passo della Moneta, connects La Maddalena to Caprera – the smaller, completely uninhabited neighboring island. Accordingly, there are no shops or hotels on Caprera and only a handful of roads, but it does have fantastic beaches and a beautiful coastal hiking trail that links up several dreamy beaches, some of which can only be reached on foot. What it lacks in infrastructure, though, it makes up for with lush greenery, free-roaming goats, and untouched nature that draws you in right away.
All the other islands in the La Maddalena archipelago can only be reached by boat, so on a 1–2 day visit, most people won’t have time to add them to their itinerary.
The Archipelago’s Other Islands
The La Maddalena archipelago has 5 more main islands in total, some of which you can visit on boat trips. If you only have a few days, though, it’s best to stick to the two islands you can reach by car, La Maddalena and Caprera.
Spargi
Spargi is an uninhabited island west of the La Maddalena archipelago and one of the most popular destinations for boat trips. It’s known above all for its fine white sand beaches and exceptionally clear, turquoise water. The best-known bay, Cala Corsara, offers a striking backdrop of pale sand, flat rock slabs, and spectacular granite formations shaped by wind and sea over thousands of years. Since the island is uninhabited and largely untouched, it has kept its original character to this day.
Santa Maria
Santa Maria is the northernmost island in the La Maddalena archipelago and is only seasonally inhabited by a handful of people. Compared to the other islands, it’s flatter and greener, known for its calm swimming coves, fine sandy beach, and crystal-clear water. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a popular spot for visitors looking for nature and solitude. Most boat tours make a short stop here too.
Budelli
Budelli is best known for the famous La Maddalena pink beach, the Spiaggia Rosa, whose sand gets its rosy shimmer from tiny fragments of coral and shells. To protect this unique natural area, the island is under strict environmental protection. The beach can’t be walked on or used for swimming, and can only be admired from a distance.
Santo Stefano
Santo Stefano lies south of La Maddalena and is only sparsely populated. The island is known both for an exclusive holiday resort and for its military past: until 2008, it was home to a US Navy submarine base used under NATO. Today, it’s mostly peace and natural scenery that define the island. You usually can’t visit this island on a regular boat trip.
Razzoli
Razzoli is the northwesternmost island in the La Maddalena archipelago, known for its rugged, rocky granite landscape. A distinctive lighthouse stands on its rocky high ground and is one of the island’s landmarks. Tour operators visit this island only very rarely.
Travel Tips for La Maddalena
Getting There: The Ferry from Palau to La Maddalena
To get to La Maddalena, you first need to drive to Palau in northeastern Sardinia. There’s a large ferry port there, served by 2 ferry companies – Delcomar and Maddalena Lines – at almost identical prices. The ferries run year-round, on average every 30-60 minutes, and you don’t need a reservation.
You can simply drive to the ferry port, buy a ticket at the counter (ideally for the round trip right away), and board the next boat. The crossing only takes 15-20 minutes, and you can either stay in your car or head up on deck to enjoy the view of the sea. You can also grab a few snacks or use the restroom on board.
Prices vary by season and vehicle; the table below gives you a good overview. Prices are for a round trip:
| Vehicle | Low season | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 Car up to 4 m long | approx. €25 | approx. €45 |
| 🚙 Car over 4 m / SUV | approx. €30 | approx. €65 |
| 🚐 Motorhome / camper up to 6 m | approx. €40 | approx. €85 |
| 🚶 Pedestrian | approx. €7 per person | approx. €12 per person |
Where to Stay on La Maddalena: Hotels & Campsites
Since La Maddalena is the archipelago’s only inhabited island, it’s also the only place with accommodation. Almost all the hotels are in or around the town of La Maddalena, which makes it a great base for exploring the rest of the archipelago. You’ll find the best hotels on Booking.com*
If you’re traveling with a camper van or motorhome, you only have a choice of 3 campsites on the main island. If you’re visiting in the low season like we did, the choice is even smaller, since some only open during peak season. Whether it’s high or low season, we can recommend the following campsite in the north of La Maddalena: Abbatogia Village (Google Maps)
Wild camping, by the way, is not a good idea on La Maddalena. Since the island is a national park, the police here are strict and will move you along if you try to camp outside designated campsites.
That’s quite different from the rest of Sardinia. You can read more in our article on wild camping in Sardinia.
Best Time to Visit
La Maddalena and its beaches are beautiful, but in peak season they get correspondingly crowded. In the low season – May, June, or between September and October – the crowds are far more manageable.
Do factor in the wind, though: the mistral (a cold, dry & often gusty downslope wind over the western Mediterranean) can pick up noticeably over the archipelago and create noticeably stronger waves, especially along the more exposed stretches of coast – something worth keeping in mind when planning a boat tour or stand-up paddling.
| Period | Air | Water | Wind | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 9–15 °C | 13–16 °C | High | Completely quiet, often very windy |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 11–23 °C | 14–18 °C | Moderate | Ideal for hikes, nature and day trips |
| Shoulder |
21–28 °C | 22-24 °C | Moderate | Perfect mix of sunshine, fewer crowds & warm sea |
| Peak |
24–32 °C | 24–25 °C | Low to moderate | Best swimming weather, but very crowded |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | 13–24 °C | 19–22 °C | Moderate to high | Often still sunny, much quieter |
Parking on La Maddalena
Here’s a genuinely useful tip for La Maddalena: parking. While practically every beach on mainland Sardinia only has paid parking, almost every beach car park on La Maddalena is free.
Even in the main town, there are plenty of free parking spots.
Highlights on La Maddalena
La Maddalena is the archipelago’s main island, home to wonderful beaches and dreamy coves. Here are the ones we think are the most beautiful.
Spiaggia Testa del Polpo
For us, Testa del Polpo is by far the most beautiful and spectacular beach on La Maddalena. It gives you a bit of a Seychelles feeling, with meter-high rounded boulders on the beach and sand that’s genuinely powder-soft.
You do have to earn this view, though: the Testa del Polpo beach is on the tiny island of Giardinelli, connected to the main island of La Maddalena by a small bridge. And once you reach Giardinelli, there’s still at least 10 minutes of very bumpy, tiring gravel road ahead of you. At the end, a large gravel car park awaits, where you can park for free.
Just north of it is Spiaggetta Isabella, and south of it an unnamed beach – both genuinely nice, but no match for Testa del Polpo. So take the narrow path between the large boulders, and in less than 3 minutes you’ll be standing on powder-soft sand with sea on both sides of the beach.
In peak season, you should get here really early, since the beach is naturally extremely popular, despite the tough approach.
Spiaggia Bassa Trinità
Bassa Trinità beach is in the north of La Maddalena, at the end of a dead-end road with limited parking. So it can get tight here in peak season, both at the car park and on the beach. In the low season, though, you can enjoy the beach to the fullest.
What makes Bassa Trinità special are the lovely wooden boardwalks over the large dunes, the impressive granite formations, and the gentle entry into the water.
In peak season, there’s also a small bar here serving snacks and drinks.
Spiaggia dello Strangolato
Near the almost northernmost point of La Maddalena, close to the Abbatogia Village campsite we recommend, you’ll find the two fairly secluded beaches Spiaggia dello Strangolato and Spiaggia di Abbatoggia. Not many tourists make it out here, so (at least in the low season) you can often have these beaches entirely to yourselves.
These beaches might not give you quite the same Seychelles feeling as some others on the island, but their unspoiled, peaceful character more than makes up for it.
If you feel like a bit of a hike after swimming, we’d recommend the small Punta Abbatogia peninsula just to the north. A few trails lead across this rugged, rocky stretch, and there’s more of Sardinia’s wonderful nature to discover around every bend.
Punta Marginetto Spiaggia
A small, beautiful bay with crystal-clear water and easy access to the sea, perfect for families with young children. Snorkeling is worth it here too, so bring your mask. A word of caution: there are also those little fish here that nibble at your feet while you’re standing in the water.
Parking is available along the access road to the beach.
The Town of La Maddalena
Admittedly, the town isn’t one of the island’s biggest highlights, but we still found it worth seeing. It’s perfect for a quick stop before the ferry back to Palau. The old town has colorful architecture, and it’s lovely to wander through the narrow alleys.
There are plenty of restaurants here, plus a top-notch gelato shop (Gelateria La Finestrella) right across from the ferry port.
Boat Tour to the Other Islands of the Archipelago
As mentioned, you can only reach La Maddalena and Caprera by car. For all the other islands, you’ll need a boat, or rather, you’ll need to book an organized boat tour. If you have more than just 1-2 days and want to see some of the less-visited islands, a La Maddalena boat tour could be exactly right for you.
Depending on the weather and season, the boat stops at 2-4 coves or beaches you wouldn’t otherwise reach. Most boat tours depart from the mainland in Palau; we only know of one operator that also departs from La Maddalena itself. Here are the operators we researched for you:
▶ The best operators
- Delfino Tours (also departs from La Maddalena)
- Dalù Boat (max. 12 people per boat)
- Book a boat tour via GetYourGuide* (incl. lunch and drinks)
Highlights on Caprera
Caprera is the uninhabited neighboring island, bursting with wild nature. Here’s what you should do and which beaches are the most beautiful.
Spiaggia di Cala Garibaldi
At the end of a long gravel road lies the beautiful Spiaggia di Cala Garibaldi. The last stretch of road is quite washed-out and bumpy, but you can always find a spot to park along the roadside. Otherwise, you can drive all the way to the end, where there’s a small, free car park.
The beach itself isn’t made of fine powder sand, but rather grainy sand and pebbles, which can be a bit uncomfortable to walk on. On the plus side, the sand doesn’t stick to you everywhere after a swim.
Behind the beach is a seemingly abandoned hotel complex, which gives the whole area an eerie, abandoned feel.
Cala Serena
This beautiful bay is about a 20-minute walk from the Cala Garibaldi car park. It’s framed by tall rocks and macchia bushes, and the water entry is very shallow, which makes the beach ideal for families with young children.
Cala Capranese
After about a 30-45 minute hike from the Cala Garibaldi car park, you’ll reach this secluded beach. Depending on the season, you may still need to cross a small stream before reaching the water.
Dramatic granite rocks frame this small beach, which, with a bit of luck, you can still have to yourselves in the morning. The water is crystal clear and shallow.
Cala Napoletana
At the northern tip of Caprera, this beach sits at the end of roughly an hour-long hike from the Cala Garibaldi car park. Toward the end, the trail climbs once more and then descends quite steeply, so we wouldn’t really recommend this beach with small children.
Still, this is one of the most beautiful La Maddalena beaches, and despite its remoteness, it’s popular and gets busy in peak season.
Hike Along Caprera’s Most Beautiful Coves
One of Caprera’s biggest downsides is also a nice upside. Most of Caprera’s beaches can’t be reached directly by car, only on foot. The upside is that there’s a really great coastal hiking trail in the north of Caprera that links all the beaches we mentioned above.
Hike Info
Length: approx. 7.2 km
Elevation gain: approx. 205 meters
Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate
More info: Route on Outdooractive
After Cala Serena, the trail turns east and leads you onto a wide, well-built path, which is the fastest connection between the car park and the beaches in the north.
After a while, though, the well-built path ends and you’re back to walking over rocks and roots. Shortly before reaching the northernmost point, you’ll pass Cala Capranese. Here you’ll need to take a short detour to reach the beach. If you keep going, the trail climbs a bit more and then drops quite steeply until you reach Cala Napoletana beach.
From here, you can continue a little further along the northern coast and loop back to the main trail, which then takes you back to the car park.
We did this hike with a dog and a toddler, and it worked out beautifully, although you will need to carry your child over a few tricky spots.
Spiaggia del Relitto
Honestly, the drive to Spiaggia del Relitto is pretty demanding. The last 2 km of gravel track are really bumpy and require decent driving skills. The car park is also fairly small, so in peak season you’ll need to arrive early in the morning to snag a spot.
The entry into the sea is really shallow, and the water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue. You can rent sun loungers here, and there’s a small beach bar too.
What makes this beach stand out is an old, rusty shipwreck lying on the sand. It’s not really pretty, though, and with its rusty nails it’s more of a hazard. So watch your step!
Frequently Asked Questions about La Maddalena
Do you need to reserve the ferry to La Maddalena?
No: you can simply drive to the port in Palau and buy a ticket there. In peak season, though, it’s worth building in a bit of extra time.
How much does the ferry to La Maddalena cost?
Depending on the season, a car costs €25–45 for a round trip. With a camper or motorhome, you’ll pay around €40–85.
Which islands in the archipelago can you reach by car?
Only La Maddalena, and via the Passo della Moneta causeway, Caprera. You can only reach all the other islands in the archipelago by boat.
Is La Maddalena a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
No, at least not officially yet: the archipelago is on the UNESCO tentative list, but it isn’t a confirmed World Heritage Site.
How much time should you plan for La Maddalena?
A day trip is enough for a first impression, but if you also want to see Caprera and several beaches, plan for at least two to three days.
Planning more than just a day trip to La Maddalena, Italy? In our Sardinia road trip itinerary, we show you how to fit La Maddalena into a bigger road trip around the island.
Can you wild camp on La Maddalena?
Since the island group is designated as a national park, wild camping is unfortunately not allowed here. Just “parking” overnight in nature isn’t tolerated here either, unlike in the rest of Sardinia (see our article on wild camping in Sardinia). Based on our experience and conversations with other campers, the police are very strict here and will move you along or issue a fine. So you should stick to the official campsites.
By the way, La Maddalena has 3 campsites in total, and in the low season only 2 of them stay open. We can recommend Abbatogia Village (Google Maps) in the far north. This campsite has a spectacular spot right on the coast and offers several hiking trails straight from the site.