La Maddalena Beaches: The 14 Most Beautiful Beaches in the Archipelago

Full List of the Best Beaches in La Maddalena

La Maddalena has some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, here is the top 14 of the archipelago:   

1. Cala Coticcio
2. Cala Napoletana
3. Spiaggia I due Mari
4. Spiaggia del Relitto
5. Cala Garibaldi
6. Cala Serena
7. Testa del Polpo
8. Spalmatore
9. Bassa Trinita
10. Cala Francese
11. Spiaggia Monti d’a Rena
12. Punta Tegge
13. Cala Corsara
14. Spiaggia Rosa

Alright, now keep reading to learn more about each of these beaches including photos and tips. 

1. Cala Coticcio, Caprera

Although Cala Coticcio is one of the most secluded coves in the archipelago, it is arguably one of the most beautiful.

Also known as Tahiti because of the color of its waters and the magnificent rocky setting, this cove located at the very north of Caprera island is only accessible by boat trip or guided tour. 

If you choose to hike, be aware that it is a stony path of about 1 hour of medium level. Most of the hike is under a blazing sun, so make sure to wear good walking shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. But this small corner of paradise is worth the effort a billion times over!  

2. Cala Napoletana, Caprera

Located on the northwestern part of the island of Caprera, it will take about 35 minutes of hiking from Becco di Vela to reach this small picturesque cove typical of the island.

The hike is through a Mediterranean marquis with some shade and offers very nice views of the archipelago. If you are lucky, you might meet one of two goats! 

On the beach, pinky granite rocks fall into crystal clear water and a white sand beach, all surrounded by golden rocks and greenery. In short, the ideal place to spend a great moment in peace, snorkeling, and reconnecting with nature. 

Want to hike to Cala Napoletana? Get all the hike details in this post.

3. Spiaggia I due Mari, Caprera

Located south of Caprera, Spiaggia I due Mari is the most family-friendly beach in La Maddalena due to its layout.

In fact, the beach is quite large, and you can also rent umbrellas and sunbeds. There is also a restaurant with a terrace offering a nice view of the surroundings. Of course, turquoise waters and golden sand await you!

Spiaggia I due Mari, “beach with two seas” in English, owes its name to its particular position on a piece of land barely 100 meters wide with the sea both in front and behind. You can admire this unique situation when you arrive by car, overlooking the beach.

4. Spiaggia del Relitto, Caprera 

Carlo Pelagalli / CC BY-SA

Spiaggia del Relitto is located east of Spiaggia I due Mari, about 15min walk or 5 min drive. It is famous because of the still visible remains of a wooden ship that was wrecked here long ago.

The sand on this beach is exceptionally white and the shoreline is very shallow, making it one of the beaches with the clearest water. It is an unmissable place in the archipelago for snorkeling and you will be able to admire lots of small fish, just a few meters after entering the sea.

Here too, you will find everything you need to spend an excellent day on the beach, as there is a restaurant and beach equipment rental.

5. Cala Garibaldi, Caprera

Cala Garibaldi is a large beach with white sand and crystal clear blue waters located northwest of Caprera island. It is very easy to reach it, but the road to the beach and the parking are dirty so be careful with your car. 

In the back, there is dense vegetation with big trees, which is great if you need to relax in the shade and rest from the burning sun. But the beach gets quickly crowded during the peak season due to its easy access, so not sure you will find a spot in the shade. 

6. Cala Serena, Caprera

Cala Serena is located west of Caprera and can be reached from Cala Garibaldi via an easy 15-minute walk along a somewhat rocky path. It is definitely one of the best beaches La Maddalena has to offer. 

Cala Serena is a small cove of white sand surrounded by rocks and vegetation with water that will dazzle you with its variations of blue.

If you are lucky (and depending on the season), you may see goats or wild boars.

7. Testa del Polpo, Giardinelli

Like all the other beaches of La Maddalena, Spiaggia Testa del Polpo offers peaceful turquoise water with a beautiful view of the archipelago.

It is a very small cove without sand strips that stands out due to the big rounded rocks scattered everywhere. It looks like a rain of rocks fell on this beach! In fact, the beach owes its name to the shape of the rock which looks like an octopus head.

Located on the island Giardinelli, it is reached via a small bridge over the sea, where the car hardly passes. Prefer to park your car in the first parking lot, unless you have a 4WD or at least a car high enough. In this case, you can go to the last parking. From the first parking lot, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the beach.

8. Spalmatore, La Maddalena

Located in the north of the main island, Spiaggia di Cala Spalmatore is quite easy to reach. If you do not have a car, the bus will take you there directly.

On the beach, you can rent deck chairs and umbrellas. There is also a small snack bar open for lunch. So it’s a great option for families.

As everywhere in the archipelago, the water is crystal clear and turquoise, and you will find many coves to explore. It is also a great beach for snorkeling, it is full of life near the rocks.

9. Bassa Trinita, La Maddalena

Located northwest of the main island, Bassa Trinita is one of the most popular and biggest beaches on La Maddalena. The beach owes its name to a small 18th-century church overlooking the beach.

Easily accessible through a wooden path, Bassa Trinita is made up of 3 fine sandy coves, bathed in transparent water where you can splash around for hours. All around, Mediterranean vegetation-covered dunes create a beautiful landscape.  

It is one of the few beaches where you will find a snack bar nearby.

10. Cala Francese, La Maddalena

Cala Francese is located on the southwest coast of the main island and is easy to reach by car. Protected from the wind by pink granite cliffs, it is a quite wide beach with several small coves.

The small chapel overlooking the beach, the emerald-colored waters, and the Mediterranean scrub create a magnificent panorama. Don’t hesitate to climb up to the chapel to discover a magnificent and clear view of Cala Francese and its surroundings.

At the entrance of the beach, you will find a cafe to have a snack or a drink if needed.

11. Spiaggia Monti d’a Rena, La Maddalena

Spiaggia Monti d’A Rena is located in the north of the island of La Maddalena, easily accessible from the panoramic road that offers a spectacular view of the coast. This place, which is one of the best beaches on La Maddalena, features a big sand dune from which it takes its name.

The shallow, clear water along with the sand dune and the presence of lifeguards make this beach particularly suitable for families with children.

12. Punta Tegge, La Maddalena

The beach of Punta Tegge is located in the south of the main island, west of the town of La Maddalena, at only 20 minutes walk.

Very easily accessible with 2 restaurants near the parking lot, this small cove is very rocky with shallow turquoise water ideal for exploring the sea life.

Punta Tegge is one of the few beaches in La Maddalena that is accessible to the disabled as it has a ramp for wheelchair bathers.

13. Cala Corsara, Spargi

If you decide to stop on the island of Spargi, Cala Corsara totally deserves a visit. It is a real corner of paradise made up of 4 small beaches featuring very white fine sand and surrounded by dunes, varied vegetation, and granite rocks.

Cala Corsara is remarkable for its rock formations: the 4 beaches are separated from each other by rocks with unusual shapes, the most famous being the “Head of the Witch”, at the west of the cove.

14. Spiaggia Rosa, Budelli

On the tiny island of Budelli above La Maddalena, there is this famous beach whose sand takes on a pinkish color due to fragments of coral, granite, and shells.

Made famous by a scene in the 1964 film Deserto Rosso, Spiaggia Rosa, or Pink Beach, unfortunately started to lose its color because too many tourists were leaving with a little sand as a souvenir. 

Even though the beach is closed to the public since the 1990s to protect it (it is not possible to walk or swim there), we couldn’t not mention Spiaggia Rosa. Besides, it is still possible to admire it and take pictures of it from a wooden footbridge. 

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Well, these were La Maddalena best beaches, I hope you have found what you were looking for.

But wait before leaving: below, you will find more info & tips about visiting La Maddalena that will certainly be helpful to you, so keep reading! 👇

Map of La Maddalena Best Beaches

To get the free map of the best beaches in La Maddalena, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.

The Best Boat Tours to La Maddalena

Choosing a boat tour to discover La Maddalena is a great and unique experience. Especially if you only have limited time there, as you will be able to discover several of La Maddalena top beaches in a short time.

It is also best for those who are not really into walking. Because yes, if you decide to visit by car or any other way, walking is unavoidable, particularly if you want to reach a hidden spot. 

So, here are the 3 best boat tours of the island: 

1. Catamaran tour from Palau: Climb aboard a fabulous catamaran at Palau, north of Sardinia. For a whole day, it will take you to the archipelago’s best spots to snorkel and swim. Lunch & drinks included.  
2. Boat tour from Palau: Starting from Palau, you will spend the whole day aboard a comfortable boat and discover the best sights of La Maddalena. Only 2 differences from the first tour: it is a regular boat and lunch is not included. 
3. Boat tour from Olbia: The main benefit of this tour is that it starts in Olbia. So if you don’t have a car, this may be a very good option. Lunch is included but the boat can be crowded. 

FAQ about Visiting La Maddalena

This section gathers all the answers & tips to the questions you may have about visiting La Maddalena. 

How to get to La Maddalena?

The only way to get to La Maddalena is by boat! Indeed, there is no airport on the archipelago, so you will first need to get to Sardinia’s main island.

Sardinia has 3 airports: Olbia, Alghero, and Cagliari. The closest airport to La Maddalena is the one located in the northern part of the island, Olbia airport. From Olbia, it will take about 1-hour drive to Palau from where you can take a 20-minute ferry ride to the archipelago. If you don’t have a car, you can also take a bus from Olbia airport to Palau. 

Of course, you can choose to arrive in Sardinia by boat from the coastal cities of the area such as Genoa, Marseille, or Nice for example. But whether you land by plane or by boat, it is necessary to go to the north of the island to the port of Palau. This is where the ferries leave to reach the town of La Maddalena.

Tip: Book your ferry ticket Palau – La Maddalena on this website. You can choose the time of your ride (ferries leave Palau every 30 minutes) and add a car or camping car if you need to. It is not very expensive, Nesrine and I paid 60 euros round-trip for 2 tickets + 1 regular car during peak season. 

How to visit La Maddalena? 

There are several ways to explore the national park: 

🚗 By car – the most effective option: 

If you want to be free to move around and discover the island at your own pace, renting a car is the best option. Especially since it doesn’t cost too much to bring it with you on the ferry.

On the archipelago, the roads are generally in good condition. Some stony roads are waiting for you near some beaches, but nothing bad.

🛵 By scooter – the most lightweight option: 

Ok, this option is definitely not for everyone, but it is definitely the most practical solution as you will be able to access every little corner of the island with great ease. You will see lots of people on scooters there. 

It is a good option if you are only 2 max and if you are staying on the island so you don’t have too much to carry with you while exploring the island. 

🚌 By bus – the cheapest option:

La Maddalena has a good bus service, but it will only take you to the main beaches of Caprera and La Maddalena. Each trip costs less than 2 euros, and the bus frequency varies between 1 and 2 hours in summer. 

This option is best for those who have plenty of time (more than 1 day) and who are not looking for secret spots or hidden gems.

⛵️Catamaran cruise – the easiest & most unique option: 

During one whole day, you will sail along the northern coast of Sardinia and discover the most beautiful panoramas and beaches of La Maddalena. You don’t need to mind the itinerary, your meal, or anything else: everything is taken care of. 

But the main interest of the catamaran is to be able to discover places where the most imposing boats do not go and to live a unique experience at sea. You will discover wild islands and islets, without any visitors, where nature is king. It is near these places that the biodiversity and the ecosystem are the best preserved. The beaches are breathtaking and the panorama is unforgettable!

👉 Book your 1-day Catamaran cruise here. 

🛥 Boat cruise – the most complete option: 

This option will not only make you discover the islands of Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and La Maddalena, but also the picturesque old town.

The first stop is of course on the large island of La Maddalena where you can enjoy everything it has to offer: restaurants, local stores, shopping, and beaches.

Then, you can head to Spargi, where you can swim in its famous turquoise waters. The next stop is well away from the protected island of Budelli and Spiaggia Rossa. Finally, your cruise ends at Santa Maria island, where you can also enjoy its natural pools.

👉 Book your 1-day boat cruise here.

How many days do I need to visit La Maddalena?

1 day is enough to visit La Maddalena and Caprera, but if you plan to visit the other islands, you would need at least 2 days.

Nesrine and I visited the archipelago on a day trip, following a busy itinerary:

1. Morning on Caprera: hike to Cala Napoletana, Cala Garibaldi
2. Early afternoon at Spiaggia del Testa del Polpo
3. Afternoon on the panoramic road of La Maddalena (Spalmatore, Bassa Trinita, etc..)
4. Evening in the old town of La Maddalena

This itinerary can be tiring, so don’t hesitate to remove some stops or do it in 2 days instead of 1.

Also, check out this post if you need a complete Sardinia itinerary that includes La Maddalena.

Where to stay in La Maddalena?

Here is my best accommodation selection on La Maddalena. Choose the best one depending on your travel style and budget:

💰 Best Budget – Il Gabbiano: this hotel, the first on La Maddalena, provides nice rooms with great views of the other islands and serves a nice breakfast every day.

🚀 Comfy – Excelsior: this 4-star hotel is great especially because of its location right in the heart of La Maddalena city, close to the ferry. Rooms are very comfy, with all you could need, at an ok price.

⭐️ Luxury – Capricci di Vento Design Guest House: located inside La Maddalena city, this place is a wonderful modern guest house, beautifully furnished, and offers high-quality services and facilities.

If these options don’t suit your needs, you can find in this dedicated guide more great hotels in La Maddalena.

Visit Sardinia

Going to Sardinia? Here are further readings that will help you plan your trip to Sardinia: 

👉 Here is the main travel guide: 7 Days Itinerary in Sardinia (with free map)

If you are looking for Sardinia’s best beaches, here are other dedicated guides:

• All the Most Beautiful Beaches in Sardinia
• The Best Beaches in Northern Sardinia
• The Best Beaches in Southern Sardinia
• The Best Spots to Snorkeling Sardinia
• The Best Beaches Near Olbia

Also, find below my guides to discovering some of Sardinia’s best attractions: 

• The Best Things to Do in Olbia 
• Visit Cala Goloritze in the Gulf of Orosei
• Hiking Guide to Cala Napoletana, La Maddalena
• Visit Laveria Lamarmora
• Discovering Porto Flavia & Pan di Zucchero
• Visit the archeological site of Tharros 
• Hiking Capo San Marco
• Visit Neptune’s Grotto
• Complete Guide to di Cala Li Cossi Beach

Finally, if you’re looking for a home base in Sardinia, you will find my best accommodation recommendations below:

• The Best Areas to Stay in Sardinia
• The Best Place to Stay in Sardinia for Couples
• The Best Places for Nightlife in Sardinia

I hope you enjoy your trip to La Maddalena; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below. 

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