La Maddalena is the largest of the seven
islands that make up the Archipelago Della Maddalena located
inside the Straits of Bonifacio along the north-east coast
of Sardinia and can be reached by ferry from Palau in only
15 minutes. The Archipelago consists of another six islands
that can be reached by private boats or by organised excursions
from La Maddalena, except Caprera that is connected to the
main island by a road built on a dam. Characterised by the
pink sand, the crystalline waters, a series of coves and
rocks of intense colours make the islands a fantastic holiday
destination. La Maddalena has something to offer to everyone,
divers can explore the most beautiful seabeds and some Roman
cargo ship recks; people who love spending their holidays
in isolated hotels or resorts, in private villas or apartments
will find absolutely everything here. For the shopholics
La Maddalena has lovely little shops, regular shops mixed
with others selling the most tasteful souvenirs, nice restaurants
and bars where to enjoy a plate of spaghetti vongole or
other seafood. The island has almost 45 kilometres of jagged
coastline and generally high rocks, and four main beaches,
the most famous is Spalmatore Beach, followed by Porto Massimo,
Monti d’Arena and Cala Coticcio. The other islands
in the Archipelago and their fantastic beaches can be reached
by boat from La Maddalena. On the island of Budelli, there
are some of the most beautiful almost deserted little beaches
in the Med. Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) is among the most
famous for the colour of its sand produced by the coral
shattered by the raging sea. Other beaches are Cala d’Arena,
Cala Piatto, Cala del Cavaliere and Cala Trana. A low but
rich vegetation covers this island, wich today is highly
protected and populated by wild rabbits. The transparency
of its water and the endless supply of fish and shellfish
in the countless granite ravines make it an excellent destination
for underwater photography.
The only other inhabited island is Caprera, that used to
belong to Giuseppe Garibaldi whose former house is now a
museum. Caprera is also a highly protected natural reserve
for the particular species of seabirds living on it (royal
seagull, cormorant and peregrine falcon). Razzoli is the
island closest to Corsica and together with the islands
of Budelli and Santa Maria it forms the lagoon of Porto
Madonna. Spargi is the third island in size but also the
most isolated one and has no tourist facilities. The wonderful
Cala Corsara, Cala Granara, Cala Caniccio and Cala d’Alga
have borne the fame won by the island of Spargi after a
Roman ship was found in Cala Corsara. The remains of the
ship are now visible at the Museum N. Labroglia of La Maddalena.
The island of Santo Stefano is halfway between Sardinia
and La Maddalena and is a favourite destination with Sardinians
as well as tourists.
