Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Palau & Arcipelago
di La Maddalena
On Sardinia's northeastern tip, Palau is a well-to-do summer resort crowded with surf
shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants. From here, year-round ferries make the short cross-
ing over to
Isola della Maddalena
, the biggest of the more than 60 islands and islets that
of spectacular, windswept seascapes, La Maddalena is best explored by boat, although the
two main islands have plenty of charm with their sunbaked ochre buildings, cobbled piaz-
zas and infectious holiday atmosphere.
Sights & Activities
The main activity in these parts is beach-bumming or boating around the islands. Down at
from mid-May to mid-October, which include lunch and swimming time on well-known
beaches. On La Maddalena, operators congregate around Cala Mangiavolpe.
Windsurfers converge on
Porto Pollo
, about 7km west of Palau, for some of the best
wind conditions on the island. You can also try kitesurfing, canoeing, diving and sailing,
with kit and lessons available along the beachfront.
There's also some excellent diving in the marine park. In Palau,
Nautilus
(
0789 70 90
58;
www.divesardegna.com
;
Piazza Fresi 8)
runs dives from €50.
Linked to La Maddalena by a narrow causeway is
Isola Caprera
, a tiny island where Gi-
useppe Garibaldi once lived. His home, the
Compendio Garibaldino
(
0789 72 71 62;
9am-7.15pm Tue-Sun)
, is visitable by
www.compendiogaribaldino.it
;
adult/reduced €5/2.50;
guided tours (in Italian) only.
About 1.5km north of the Compendio, a walking trail drops down to the steep and se-
cluded
Cala Coticcio
beach. Marginally easier to get to is
Cala Brigantina
(signposted),
southeast of the complex.
Sleeping & Eating
It's strictly summer only in Palau and La Maddalena, where nearly everything closes from
mid-October to Easter.
