The capital of the Archipelago

La Maddalena is the biggest island of an archipelago consisting of seven main islands (La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli) and other smaller islands, which develops off the coast of Gallura. The small city of La Maddalena developes in the south coast of the main island in front of Palau which is just 15 minutes by ferry.

Founded in 1770 in the area where there was a fishing village, this orderly and sunny city attracts every year a good number of visitors, representing one of the top travel destinations in Sardinia. The military base has lost much of its strategic importance considering that the U.S. support base located on the island of Santo Stefano, which has represented the main economic resource for at least a century, has been finally divested in January 2008. The tourist vocation of the area is being relaunched.

The charm of the sea permeates every corner and streets of La Maddalena. The old town is a fascinating combination of stairs and alleys and pleasant stroll amoung buildings and nineteenth century paved alleys. The village is spread around Piazza Garibaldi framed by caffes, locals and the City Hall. Near Via Vittorio Emanuele developes the fishing port and tourist resort of Cala Gavetta. Then along the waterfront, you reach the district of Moneta, a bustling fishing village. From here through the homonymous bridge that connects the island of Caprera, where it is worth visiting the home of Garibaldi.

The beaches, real pearl of the archipelago, and the island of La Maddalena in particular, are numerous. Driving along the scenic road that runs along the coast, for about 20 kilometers, you discover amazing landscapes that melt the blue sea to the Mediterranean green vegetation. From Cala d'Inferno to Cala Frances, the beach of Cardellino to the beach of Testa del Polpo and so on, you discover real corner of paradise: pink sand beaches lapped by a clear water sea all surrounded by sculptures of pink granite and Mediterranean vegetation.