Sunset aperitivo on the granite
The island’s western tip. Bring a bottle and watch the sun drop behind the archipelago from the low rocks.
Seven granite islands and a protected sea, off the north-east coast of Sardinia.
A national park of seven granite islands — ringed by some fifty uninhabited islets — in clear, shallow water between Sardinia and Corsica. Caprera and the Garibaldi house, the pink sand of Budelli, the sheltered coves of Spargi. La Maddalena is the only one with a town: the place you arrive, eat, and set out from.
Each island keeps its own character — a beach you reach only by boat, a hike to a hidden cove, a harbour table at dusk. Choose one.
The only island with a town — a working harbour, naval history and the everyday life of the Maddalenini. Where you arrive, sleep and eat.
Pink sand at Budelli, turquoise at Cala Coticcio, the white bays of Spargi, sunset from the granite at Punta Tegge. Hike it, paddle it, or anchor and swim.
Fish landed that morning in the caruggi, Vermentino and island cheese, Slow Food springs and the artisans of the old town. Eat where the boats come in.
The island’s western tip. Bring a bottle and watch the sun drop behind the archipelago from the low rocks.
Where the boats land and the kitchens follow the catch — then Vermentino in the narrow lanes after dark.
A turquoise cove reached by trail. Access is regulated to protect it — go with an authorised guide.
A Slow Food spring of growers, tastings and workshops — the season the island opens its larder.
Paddle the channels to Spargi and Santa Maria — SUP, sail and swim stops where the water turns clear.
Quiet houses tucked into the granite, a short walk from the water — the island at its most unhurried.
For most of its history this was a place of shepherds and fishermen — a scatter of granite islands at the mouth of the Strait of Bonifacio. Commanding one of the Mediterranean’s busiest passages, the archipelago kept company far above its size: Napoleon, Nelson and Garibaldi all left their mark here.
A French expedition guided by a young artillery officer named Napoleon Bonaparte shelled the town from Santo Stefano. The Maddalena helmsman Domenico Millelire scattered the flotilla and forced its retreat — and became the first man ever awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour.
Admiral Horatio Nelson made the sheltered sound between La Maddalena and Santo Stefano his forward base against the French fleet at Toulon. In thanks for the islanders’ welcome he sent silver to the parish church, where it remains today.
Giuseppe Garibaldi made neighbouring Caprera his home and his last resting place. His house is now the Compendio Garibaldino, reached by boat from the harbour — and the town still carries the Lion of Caprera on its coat of arms.
Napoleon, Nelson, Garibaldi — for a scatter of granite islands, La Maddalena has kept remarkable company, and remembers all of it.
The seven islands keep their own calendar — slow-food springs, the midsummer feast for the patron saint, sailing trophies, festivals of theatre and memory, and a winter race up the granite steps of the old town. Here is what is taking shape across 2026.
Dates marked Confirmed are published by organisers or the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago di La Maddalena. Dates marked To confirm are funded or recurring events whose 2026 programme is not yet public — the slot shown reflects the previous edition. Verify with the organiser before travelling. Sources: Ente Parco (2026 funded-events list), Slow Food / Giugno Slow, La Maddalena TV, Barbuti Team. Compiled June 2026.
North Sardinia's gateway — now with new 2026 nonstops from New York (JFK) and Dubai, alongside the European network.
A coast road north through Gallura to the little ferry port of Palau, facing the islands across the strait.
Delcomar ferries run day and night, 30+ times each way — roughly every 20 minutes. From €4.10 on foot.
Concept prototype — facts, figures and imagery to be verified before publication. Placeholder photographs via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).