Are you in Sardinia and want to discover one of its most beautiful treasures? You’ll find all our advice in this article dedicated to visiting the Maddalena archipelago!
Italy is home to countless and varied treasures. From Turin to Palermo, an exceptional diversity of discoveries and unsuspected beauties. Among these wonders, the island of Sardinia is known to all.
The second largest island in the Mediterranean reflects this Italian diversity, with its beautiful towns, magnificent beaches and pleasant hiking trails. The Maddalena archipelago is one of these magical places in Sardinia.
The aim of this article is to give you all the information you need to visit the Maddalena archipelago, as well as ideas for original and unforgettable excursions.
The Maddalena archipelago, a paradise on Earth
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Gabriele Maltinti
Heaven on Earth is perhaps one of the most subjective expressions of all. It’s a divisive subject, with everyone having their own opinion. However, every paradise on Earth shares common criteria: dreamy landscapes, a certain tranquility and a magical discovery. It’s fair to say that the Maddalena archipelago combines all three.
Comprising seven main islands and a total of some sixty islets, islets and rocks, the Maddalena archipelago is a veritable jewel located between Corsica and Sardinia. Only three islands are inhabited: the eponymous La Maddalena, Caprera and Santo Stefano. Spargi and Budelli are also famous for their dreamy landscapes.
To visit the Maddalena archipelago is to discover one of those famous paradises on Earth. Its beaches are exceptionally beautiful, some even protected from human intrusion. Such is the case of the famous Spaggia Rosa at Budelli. You’ll also discover an exceptional panorama with the Grande Bleue as a backdrop. A true moment of escape from everyday life.
What to see and do on a visit to the Maddalena archipelago?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – D.Bond
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when visiting the Maddalena archipelago is the beach! Leaving aside Spaggia Rosa, the most beautiful beaches are to be found on the island of Caprera, to the east. The most admirable is undoubtedly Cala Coticcio, a veritable natural swimming pool. Other dream beaches include Cala Andreani and Cala Serena.
The second activity is hiking, and it’s Caprera that comes out on top again. There are beautiful pine forests and you can reach the island’s highest point for a dreamy panorama! To find out more, go to the very last paragraph.
Finally, a visit to the Maddalena archipelago also means taking part in a wide range of activities in the town and on the island of the same name. This is where travellers disembark, where almost all the bars and restaurants are to be found, and where small local boutiques are to be found.
How to visit the Maddalena archipelago?
Long boat cruise
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Steve Allen
- 💰 F rom €45 per person, Available from April to October
- 👍 The activity’s little extra: a full cruise to admire all the archipelago’s treasures
It’s hard to visit the Maddalena archipelago without taking a boat cruise! And this one is undoubtedly the best of all. For 7 hours, departing from Palau in Sardinia or directly from the town of La Maddalena, you’ll discover the magical islands of this grandiose archipelago.
First of all, you’ll have the opportunity to visit or get close to the islands of Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and La Maddalena. The first stop is, of course, on the large island of La Maddalena, where you can enjoy all it has to offer: restaurants, local boutiques, shopping and beaches.
Then on to Spargi, where you can swim in the famous turquoise waters and visit the famous Witch’s Rock. The next stop is well away from the protected island of Budelli and the pink beach. The boat drops anchor at a safe distance and you’ll have the chance to take some great photos and take a dip. Finally, your dream cruise ends on Santa Maria Island, where you can also enjoy its natural pools, before returning to Palau or La Maddalena.
Catamaran cruise
Photo credit: Shutterstock -Matej Kastelic
- 💰 F rom €80 per person, Available from April to October
- 👍 The little extra: discover an archipelago paradise aboard a magnificent boat
Looking for an original way to visit the Maddalena archipelago? Then opt for this catamaran excursion! Departing from Palau, you’ll spend around 10 hours sailing along the northern coast of Sardinia, before exploring the most beautiful panoramas and beaches of the Maddalena.
The main advantage of a catamaran for visiting the Maddalena archipelago is that you’ll be able to discover places where even the biggest boats can’t go. You’ll discover wild, untouched islands and islets where nature reigns supreme. It goes without saying that it’s close to these places that biodiversity and the ecosystem are best preserved. The beaches are sublime and the panorama unforgettable!
The first stop on board is near the island of Spargi, where you can enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Cala Soraya beach. The rest of the program takes you to Razzoli, a little-known island in the archipelago overlooked by its lighthouse, Santa Maria and the island of La Maddalena. On the latter: a visit to the town of La Maddalena, restaurants, local boutiques and shopping!
During one of your many stops, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel and admire the archipelago’s marine biodiversity. Drinks, including wine for those who wish, and lunch are included in the price. So there’s no need to bring your own snacks!
How do I get to Sardinia to visit the Maddalena archipelago?
If you want to visit the Maddalena archipelago, of course you have to go to Sardinia! From France, you can choose between air and sea.
By plane
There are three airports in Sardinia: Olbia, Cagliari and Alghero. Olbia is the closest to the Maddalena archipelago, and is well served from France by low-cost airlines… in high season.
That’s a bit of a problem with flying, since, as far as we know, there are no direct low-season flights for the whole of Sardinia. But after all, why not stop off in Rome in winter?
Don’t hesitate to consult the website of our partner Ulysse to find the right combination.
By boat
Photo credit: Shutterstock – lorenza62
The main advantage of the boat is that you can visit the Maddalena archipelago and Sardinia in complete peace and quiet.
Ferries depart from Toulon, Marseille, Nice or Genoa in Italy for Porto Torres, Olbia or Cagliari.
Whether you disembark by plane or by boat, you’ll need to go all the way to the north of the island, to the port of Palau. This is where the ferries depart for the town of La Maddalena.
Are combined tours available?
La Maddalena is an archipelago, and while the main island is always visited, the other islands are not. So choose an excursion to suit your preferences.
For example, if you want to discover an exceptional, unspoilt beach, find out in advance whether the excursion includes a detour to Spaggia Rosa. For those wishing to visit a place as iconic as an abandoned prison, the tour should include a stop at Santo Stefano. Also, the island of Caprera is often overlooked because it’s too big, and you’ll just have to stop off at one of its beaches.
Good addresses
Accommodation
To visit the Maddalena archipelago, your choice of accommodation depends on whether or not you’d like to spend a night on the archipelago. If you prefer to stay in Sardinia, there are plenty of Airbnb accommodations available, and you’re bound to find something to suit you! You can also use a hotel comparator to get the best deals.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to spend one or more nights on the archipelago, here are two selected accommodations for you.
Nice tavern in La Maddalena
Photo credit: Airbnb
This small tavern is located in the main town of the archipelago. It’s on the seafront and is a private outbuilding of the owners’ house. Very well located, it’s close to the town center.
The interior is simple and unpretentious, perfect for a pleasant stay. The accommodation can accommodate up to four travelers.
Small, functional apartment in La Maddalena
Photo credit: Airbnb
This apartment in La Maddalena is located very close to the previous one. It’s much appreciated for its modern yet ancient feel, with its beautiful stone walls. In terms of facilities, there’s nothing to complain about – everything you need for a successful stay.
Ideal for a couple, this apartment has a lovely terrace overlooking the rooftops of La Maddalena.
Restaurants
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Stefy Morelli
Almost all of the archipelago’s restaurants are located in La Maddalena. If you want to venture to another island, your taste buds will thank you if you stop for lunch at I Mille Bar Paninoteca on the island of Caprera. It’s perhaps the most famous restaurant on the archipelago! As well as unbeatable prices and excellent local dishes, there are even hammocks and a little shade for a summer siesta!
In La Maddalena, there’s so much choice that it’s hard to find your way around. For pizza lovers, Sergent Pepper’s is the place to go. For those who want freshly caught fish, opt for lunch or dinner at Puffer Fish.
Spotlights
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Massimo Campanari
You’ll find dozens of spots when you visit the Maddalena archipelago. Here are the three best, according to Génération Voyage.
First, the beach of Cala Coticcio, a hidden cove on the island of Caprera. A real marvel of a natural swimming pool, like few others! Impossible to miss if you’re there.
The second spot is another beach, Spiaggia Rosa. As previously mentioned, the island of Budelli is protected and the beach is inaccessible, which makes it even more beautiful. The only drawback is that Budelli is an outlying island and not all cruises go there.
At last, you’ve been waiting for it since the introductory paragraph! The third spot is none other than the view from the tower of Monte Tejalone, La Maddalena’s famous highest point at 212 metres above sea level, on the island of Caprera. From the top, the panorama is superb, and you can see most of the islands that make up the archipelago!