Things to do and to see on La Maddalena island: the 5 best places

This is one of the must-do excursions during a holiday in Olbia: sea, nature, history and culture, protected within the homonymous national park. But you have to know which are the main attractions, the unmissable places. Not surprisingly, therefore, you are wondering what to do and to see on La Maddalena island.

These are the most beautiful places. That can be seen even in one day.

What to see in one day

• Old town centre. The first idea is a pleasant walk along the oldest part of La Maddalena municipality: Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Umberto I and Via XX Settembre are the main areas. The fish market, the marina and the town hall are the places that complete the walk.
• Beaches. La Maddalena is also a renowned tourist destination. Especially for a holiday dedicated to sea and relaxation. Among the most beautiful beaches of the island, we must mention Testa del Polpo and Cala Spalmatore.
• Porticciolo di Cala Gavetta. Here, you must stop. Stop and admire one of the most suggestive views that this island can offer you. You will not forget this landscape, we can assure you.
• Sobborgo Moneta. You will get lost in the most authentic atmosphere of La Maddalena. You will discover a dialect, or rather a language that is like a chant and that will enchant you.
• Passo della moneta. This is the small bridge that connects La Maddalena to Caprera. It is a six-hundred-meter walk surrounded by the sea: spectacular.

Enjoying la Maddalena

For the following ideas, you need more time; just one day is not enough.

A little bit of fun

The liveliest part of the island is the aforementioned Piazza Garibaldi. Where you will always find so many people, shops and cafes.

La Maddalena national park

The entire archipelago is protected within the homonymous national park, an inestimable marine and terrestrial area; certainly, an unmatched landscape. Every day, the park organizes several excursions, both on foot and by boat. For more information, visit Lamaddalenapark.it official website.

Panoramic road

There is a panoramic road that will allow you to get around the island walking along the coast. More than a walk, it is an authentic sensory experience between the colours of sea and sky and the intense aromas of the Mediterranean scrub.

Pink beach

Among the beaches, this is really special. The Pink beach is located on the small island of Budelli. The name comes from the characteristic colour of the sand. It is a beach included in the maximum environmental protection area, and is famous (also) because it was chosen to shot some scenes of Michelangelo Antonioni’s Il deserto rosso (Red desert).

Caprera: what to see

The six hundred meters of the Passo della moneta will bring you to the second main island of the archipelago. To see on Caprera there is so much and the places not to be missed are: Cala Coticcio, Compendio of Garibaldi (the house of Garibaldi), spiaggia del Relitto (a beach), Museo del mare e delle tradizioni marinaresche (a picturesque museum), spiaggia dei Due Mari (a beach), Museo geo-mineralogico naturalistico di Stagnali (a geo-mineralogical museum), Cala Andreani (a beach).

Tips for a holiday on La Maddalena

• Bus. The best way to get around the island, so you can easily reach all the beaches: timetables and lines are available on Comunelamaddalena.gov.it website.
• Excursions. They will make you discover the real beauty of La Maddalena island. For further information, visit Lamaddalenapark.it.

How to get

Reaching La Maddalena is very easy: every day, several ferries depart from Palau, on the north coast of Sardinia.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/br1dotcom