Dreaming of shimmering turquoise waters and a relaxing beachside vacation? There’s no better place then La Maddalena Italy! Whether you’re planning your honeymoon, a family friendly trip or just want a few days of total rest and relaxation when you’re in Europe, this is for you. This archipelago is located just off the top of Sardinia and guarantees gorgeous beaches and wonderful weather. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know when you visit La Maddalena.
When we visited La Maddalena Sardinia last year, it was really difficult to find information online. There’s a few blog posts and outdated magazine articles but that’s about it. With this in mind, I thought it might be helpful to write about our experiences to help you plan a wonderful holiday there. If you’re into a heap of sightseeing, this probably isn’t the right place for you. But if you want to swim at incredible beaches and totally unwind, then I can’t think of a better location.
La Maddalena – How to get there
The best way to get to the archipelago is to fly into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport . From the airport you can either drive, get a transfer or catch the bus to the Palau Ferry Terminal.
The drive takes around an hour from the airport otherwise the bus takes the same time but can be a bit difficult to match to your flight time. From the ferry terminal in Palau, it’s a short 15 minute ride over to La Maddalena.
La Maddalena – What to do?
La Maddalena is paradise for beach lovers! Some of the best things we did on the island include:
- Explore the island’s pristine beaches for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Embark on a La Maddalena boat tour and discover hidden coves, rugged cliffs, and emerald waters
- Visit Caprera Island and the Museo Nazionale Garibaldino
- Wander through the charming La Maddalena town
- Hike the scenic trails of Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena to witness panoramic vistas that reward your efforts. We didn’t do this, but hiking enthusiasts should explore!
Best beaches in La Maddalena
Our favorite beaches in La Maddalena were Cala Spalmatore and Bassa Trinita! Different to the rest of Italy, in Sardinia it’s pretty much all ‘free beach’ which means you don’t need to pay for the lido but you do need to bring your own umbrella/chair if you want one. We were able to access both of these beaches using the reliable and cheap local bus.
1 Week Itinerary for La Maddalena Island
Whilst it is possible to do a La Maddalena daytrip from Palau, I think it’s so much nicer to spend at least a few days soaking up the relaxed vibes here. We spent a week and it was the perfect amount of time to unwind and see everything we wanted to.
Day 1 – Arrival
Depending on your flight time, it’ll probably take you a while to arrive on the island. The best thing we did was book an evening flight into Olbia and then got the night ferry across to La Maddalena at midnight! It meant that we went straight to bed but woke up the next morning with the entire day ahead of us rather than losing any valuable daylight hours to travel time.
Day 2 – Beach day at Spalmatore
After setting into your accommodation, wander down to La Maddalena town for breakfast. Refuelled with caffeine and cornetti at the local bar, you can catch the local bus for your first beach day at Spalmatore.
Relax on its soft sands, swim in the clear waters, and explore the nearby coves. Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy beachside dining at one of the restaurants. In the afternoon, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard to explore the coastline from a different perspective.
3. Full day boat tour
The absolute best thing we did on this vacation was our boat tour with Natour Sardinia. It was recommended to me by one of my Instagram followers and I’m so glad we took their advice! It was a small boat with a few other couples and we all had so much fun. We got to visit Spargi Island for some snorkelling and swimming time, as well as see the famous pink beach (spiaggia rosa) from the boat.
Next we hit the Natural Pools which is this amazing area of the sea with white sandy ground between Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli. Our final stop was at Cala Santa Maria. Lunch and white wine was included too and it was just a wonderful relaxing day.
4. Visit Caprera Island
This was the only day we hired a scooter as it meant we could head out to Caprera and really explore! We were nearly able to visit the Garibaldi Compendium to see the house where Garibaldi lived and the adjacent museum. Except that when we arrived it was closed! Let this be a warning that Mondays are always closed, so don’t make the same mistake we did.
Instead, we cruised around the island and stopped at a few different beaches for a wonderful swim before returning to La Maddalena for dinner.
5. Beach Day at Cala Trinita
Another day, another beach! You can take the local bus once again to reach Bassa Trinita beach. It’s a long stretch of sandy coast with incredibly clear waters. Once again it’s BYO (bring your own) everything here but you can pick up umbrellas from one of the many little shops in town. In the evening, head to dinner at one of the restaurants mentioned below.
6. Beach day at Spiaggia Testa di Polpo (octopus head!)
Indulge in another wonderful day of relaxation. We liked Spiaggia Testa di Polpo and highly recommend it. Unwind with a good book or simply soak in the sun. Another option could be Cala Coticcio too.
Day 7 Farewell
Savor your last morning on La Maddalena with a final stroll through the town, collecting souvenirs or local crafts. Depending on your departure time, you might have the chance for a quick dip at the beach. Bid farewell to this Mediterranean paradise, taking with you cherished memories and the beauty of La Maddalena’s landscapes.
Where to stay on La Maddalena?
We stayed in a wonderful La Maddalena apartment with a kitchen and terrace. This meant we had access to a kitchen and didn’t need to dine out for every meal which we enjoy. That said, there are lots of different options on the island to consider like these:
This gorgeous 1 bedroom apartment is perfect for a couple and conveniently located in La Maddalena old town. There’s a modern kitchen and wonderful terrace for meal times or relaxing as you gaze out over the sea.
If you’re looking for a holiday home for 6 people then this is a great option! There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an outdoor patio perfect for long dinners outside. The house is stylish and spacious too!
Our 2 Favorite La Maddalena Restaurants
We are big foodies and whilst there are tons of restaurants on the island, there weren’t many that didn’t scream ‘overpriced and touristy’. That said, we did find two restaurants (both a taxi ride away from La Maddalena town) that we really enjoyed:
- Locanda del Mirto
- L’agriturismo La Maddalena
The thing to try at both of them is the porceddu or suckling pig which is a specialty of Sardinia in general. Don’t miss local pasta dishes like malloreddus and culurgiones! End your meal with a digestive glass of mirto.
Looking for more Italian beach holiday content? Take a read of my guide to Salina Sicily, Cinque Terre and weekend in Ponza.