Location: La Maddalena
Top Things to do in La Maddalena
What to do and see in La Maddalena, Italy: The Best Places and Tips
Napoleon tried to occupy La Maddalena, and who could blame him? The largest town on the largest island of the Maddalena Archipelago, La Maddalena is renowned for its beautiful beaches and its national park. Hire a private boat to explore the surrounding uninhabited islands, or just relax on the café au lait sands of Spalmatore Beach.
Restaurants in La Maddalena
1. Isola di Spargi
Overall Ratings
5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Ann T - Melbourne, Australia
We visited this island when talking one of the many boats out of Palau to visit the archipelago. Therefore, one is always dealing with a beach and space that is suddenly full of people when the boat/s arrive. Nevertheless, we still a pleasant hour or two swimming in beautiful clear water and relaxing on the beach.
2. Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a geomarine protected area consisting of a group of Islands situated in the north-east of the coast of Gallura, in the stretch of sea between Sardinia and Corsica known as Bocche di Bonifacio. These Islands – except for La Maddalena Island housing the homonymous town and characterized by a significant human presence – are entirely deserted or scattered with small human settlements, like in Caprera and Santa Maria Islands.
Reviewed By ChrisB090 - UK
Took a boat excursion to this parc. Stopped at 3 Islands and the tranquility was wonderful. Lunch was served by some turquoise sea admiring the views. Wonderful day which I will remember forever.
3. Spiaggia di Cala Coticcio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 745 reviews
Reviewed By Vasilka T
This beach is truly something special. Amazing waters, surrounded by interesting cliffs, with a stunning contrast between bright blue and yellow. Water is crystal clear, and with lots of fish to see if you enjoy snorkeling. Definitely recommend!
Keep in mind that to visit it you will have to go through a hike which is about 30mins on the way down, and about 45 on the way back. If you feel like it's too hard for you when going towards the beach, you shod know it is harder when climbing up.
4. Spiaggia Testa di Polpo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
Reviewed By chocdikrab - Frankfurt, Germany
spiaggia testa di polpo was without question one of the most spectacular Beaches we visited at the archipelago di maddalena. it was easily fantastic. the wonderful beach is located at the small island giardinelli, which is connected with the main island maddelena by a dam. the bay is easy reachable by car, although the road gets very rough and dusty at the end. we arrived at a big parking place nearby the Main Beach...we didn´t pay anything for parking.
after a smal few minute walk we reached this enchanted place. beautiful Rock Formations were located there...two of them look like the heads of occtopuses...the reason because of the name of the bay.
the beach itself has a few beachsections. which are distributed all over the bay. some are bigger...some are smaller...but everyone is a jewel for itself.
the water of spiaggia testa di polpo is clean and transparent and shines in every presentable shade of green and blue till milky white. we had an absolute splashing fun there. all the beach sections slope gently to the sea and the bay is perfect for families with small children.
the vegetation in the backland of the beach is wild and lush, but nevertheless a parasol and sunprotection is absolutely nessecary....also cold drinks, because there is no Beach Bar or kiosk to buy something.
spiaggia testa di polpo is realy spectacular...the beach was without question a highlight during our one week stop in the archipelago di maddalena...a paradise, which we will visit again when we are back next time. the atmaosphere was quiet and peaceful and we had an extraordinary beachday we do not forget.
5. Spiaggia Spalmatore
Overall Ratings
4 based on 466 reviews
Reviewed By Wonderful270 - London, United Kingdom
I liked this beach the best. It was the first beach stop from the town but so easy to walk down to. Water good and cafe very nearby, but umbrellas and beach loungers were about 10 euros.
6. Porto della Madonna
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By chocdikrab - Frankfurt, Germany
the natural piscine of the archipelago di maddalena is located between the Islands budelli, razzoli and stanta maria. it is without question the most visited area of the archipel and a lot of speedboats, catamarans, sailingboats and yachts lied in anchor inside this huge natural pool.
the colours are unbelieveble and shine in every shade of green and blue till milky white were the water is extremely flat and the ground is sandy. because the natural pool is so huge the reflections of the water are very big and various.
we came here for snorkeling, but because of the high frequentation the underwater wildlife was not so various like expected. nevertheless porto della madonna is a wonder made by nature and it is ubelieveble what natural circumstances created on this enchanted place.
we stayed there for a while to watch all these fantastic views...the small pisinas which are located in narrow tiny bays...the bocca di bonifazio...all was like a dream.
we had a lot of fun inside this spectacular natural pool. it was a pleasure to swim and snorkel there and the beautiful views of the area are unforgettable.
the whole time it was extremely lively...boats were leaving...other ones were comming, but on our boat we had tranquillity, cold drinks and the beauty of this place.
we can recomment porto della madonna very much. the place was without question a highlight during our stay in the archipelago di maddalena. we had a very special time there...a time we don´t forget.
7. Traghetti Delcomar
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 576 reviews
Reviewed By SlabbyBelgium - Bornem, Belgium
Most of the people book a ferrytrip from Palau to La Maddalena. We did the opposite while we staying in La Maddalena. This ferry runs the whole day and the service is very good. The journey takes about 20 minutes before arriving in Palau. You can go for a walk in the little village of Palau, have a drink and then return to La Maddalena. All in all a comfortable experience.
8. Gelatissimo la Maddalena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Cobus B
We went to Gelatissimo twice and both times it was pack with people. Despite it being so busy the staff was friendly and helpful and the gelato was delicious. The second night we tried cotton candy gelato and it was just amazing. Definitely worth a visit if you like good ice cream.
9. Cala Carlotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By chocdikrab - Frankfurt, Germany
cala carlotto, located at the deepest point of cala francese is a beautiful small beachsection in the middle of the mediterranian nature of the westsidecoast of maddalena island. the beach is easy reachable by car. the rest of the road is unplained and dusty, but with low gear the road it to drive without problems.
we arrived at cala carlotto in the later morning time on a hot and sunny day and already already a lot of cars were parked beside the uncomfortable road. so we went to look at first if there is still enough space for us at the beach. after a small walk we arrived there. the sandy section was ready tiny and we saw by the first view, that it is not possible to stay for a couple of hours relaxed there. nevertheless cala carlotto is a beacutiful and very colorful place. cala carlotto is finesandy and slopes gently to the sea, the water is crystalclear and shines in every shade of green and blue. shadowzones are rare and a parasol and sunprotection should be in the beachluggage...also cold drinks, because there is no Beach Bar to buy something.
the beach is surrounded by beautiful Rock Formations and lush maccia...a lot of them are flat and it possible to lie down comfortable there. on our way back we saw a small hidden path on the right side. we walked maybe 20 meters thru big rocks and maccia and arrived on a realy secret place...big flat rocks were located on the waterfront....to move into the water was very easy...the ground pure sandy with spreaded rocks distributed in the water...a little paradise. we went back to the car to take our beachbelongings to this enchanted hidden place. we stayed a couple of hours there...no one arrived.
we can recomment cala carlotto very much. the whole bay offers great views and many comfortable space tlie down and let dangle the soul. we had a perfect and peaceful time there.
10. Spiaggia Monti d'Arena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By chocdikrab - Frankfurt, Germany
we arrived at monti dell arena on an early afternoon of a hot and sunny day. the parkingplace is directly behind the beach, which is easy reachable by car. there were still enough spaces for cars availabele...so we hoped that the beach was not crowded and we had fortune. we took our parasol and the rest of our beachlugguge and went to the Halfmoon Bay, which has two beachsections seperated by a small monutain. at the East End a cliff of red granite is located...behind the cliff a small but high dune was built up. near the cliff we found our place to spread out the towels.
the beach itself has cremecoloured fine sand and slopes gently to the sea. so monti dell arena is perfect for families with small children. the water is crystalclear and because of the vary depth of the sea the water shines in every shade of blue and green. rocks are only located at the East End and at the base of the small mountain in the middle of the bay. the rest is pure sand and very comfortable for wild water games.
the vegetation is very rare at monti dell arena. directly behind the beach a huge flat area is locatedon the level of the beach, on which gras or graslike plants are growing only...maybe to salty, because of the winterstorms, which bring high tides and waves. a little bit of maccia grows near the cliff and the other mountain, but that was all.
a Beach Bar is located in the second beachsection at the West End, about the prices we cannot give any information
we can recomment monti dell arena very much. the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful and we enjoyed this afternoon in the sinking sun very much. a perfect place to relax or let dangle the soul.
