La Maddalena – More Than Just a Summer Destination

The Islands

Nature has gathered three gems — the islands of Razzoli, Budelli, and Santa Maria — and set them together to form one of the most breathtaking corners of the Mediterranean. At their meeting point lies Porto Madonna (a “port” being, in Sardinian tradition, a natural haven for boats). Today, everyone knows it simply as “Le Piscine” — “the pools” — for the incredible, shimmering shades of its water.

The Spiaggia del Cavaliere on Budelli, opening onto Porto Madonna, is the most admired lagoon in the La Maddalena Archipelago — though every one of these dreamlike islands abounds in enchanting beaches.

The Beaches

Looking for sand so fine it feels like powdered gold? Head to Spargi and its coves, starting with Cala Soraya, named after the queen of Persia. Craving a swim in emerald-green waters with an exotic flair? Stop at Caprera, in the incomparable Cala Coticcio, affectionately nicknamed Tahiti.

Between Cinema and Nature

Film lovers cannot miss the famous Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) of Budelli, where Michelangelo Antonioni shot his first color film, Deserto Rosso, starring the legendary Monica Vitti. This extraordinary pink hue came from countless crushed shells and coral fragments accumulated over centuries — though, sadly, it was diminished decades ago when visitors took handfuls of sand home as souvenirs. Even so, the magic of the Pink Beach remains undimmed.

La Maddalena

The main island, La Maddalena, also offers spectacular scenery — like the tiny Giardinelli Beach, soon nicknamed Testa di Polpo (“Octopus Head”), after the shape of a rock on its shore. Legend has it that a young Aga Khan once sought refuge there, escaping the glitz of Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda.

These are just a few examples of the archipelago’s wonders, made easily accessible thanks to an efficient system of tours and eco-friendly navigation options developed over the years by local operators.

A Bit of History

Many of the archipelago’s beaches can only be reached by sea, but on Caprera — connected to La Maddalena by a bridge — hiking trails allow visitors to reach even the most secluded coves.

Caprera is home to two of Sardinia’s most significant landmarks: the Casa di Garibaldi, the residence and tomb of Italy’s national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the Centro Velico di Caprera, founded in 1967. The Garibaldi Memorial Park welcomes thousands of visitors every year, while the sailing center at Punta Coda is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious sailing schools, with tens of thousands of students trained over its fifty-year history.

Like the other islands in the archipelago, Caprera has no urban settlements. The exception, of course, is La Maddalena, which began developing in the eighteenth century — though traces of human presence near Cala Spalmatore date back to the Neolithic period.

Today, ferries from Palau bring visitors to the island year-round. Fishing remains a key part of local life, and visitors can join fishing tours, learning the traditional art of setting traps and enjoying freshly caught fish cooked directly on board.

The Island of Santo Stefano

Between the two largest islands — La Maddalena and Caprera — lies another jewel: Santo Stefano. Not to be confused with other Italian islands of the same name, Santo Stefano hosts a well-known resort and is covered with lush Mediterranean vegetation that overlooks a sea of dazzling transparency.

These crystal waters, shifting colors, and pristine clarity are the hallmarks of all seven islands of the archipelago — a natural wonder capable of leaving visitors speechless and offering moments of pure, unforgettable connection with nature.

Cover photo credits: La Maddalena Archipelago National Park