Most beautiful beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago

In the north-east of Sardinia there is the Maddalena Archipelago, a group of 63 islands and islets of various sizes among which are the island of La Maddalena, Caprera, Budelli, Spargi, Razzoli, Santo Stefano and Santa Maria.

It's difficult to find the right words to describe the beauty of these unspoilt places that with over 180 kilometers of coastline boast the presence of more than 300 beaches among the most beautiful of the planet.

This archipelago, which is also famous for being selected by the Hero of Two Worlds Giuseppe Garibaldi, as a home for the last days of his life, and a true paradise on earth made up of small bays, coves and inlets to explore.

With the exception of the two main islands, Maddalena and Caprera, connected via ferry to the port of Palau, all the other islands are reachable only by private boats. Sea lovers here really are spoilt for choice! As difficult as it can be to choose where to go, get aboard and follow us to the discovery of the most beautiful beaches of the Maddalena Archipelago!

TESTA DEL POLPO BEACH - ISLAND OF LA MADDALENA

On the eastern side of Giardinelli island, a small road leads to the beach of Giardinelli, better known as Testa di Polpo beach (Capocchia du Purpu in Sardinian - Head of Octopus in English), which takes its name from the form of a rock that is located close to the sand strand.

In this beach you will find very thin white sand bathed by a crystal clear sea, so much so that it will seem to be in a natural swimming pool. It is said that on this beach used to go young Aga Khan Karim when he wanted to escape the noisy and worldly Porto Cervo.

CALA DELLO SPALMATORE - ISLAND OF LA MADDALENA

Cala dello Spalmatore is a natural creek that opens in the north-east region of the island of La Maddalena and it is divided into two parts by a long brick bridge.

The beach, one of the most beautiful and frequented of the island, and characterized by golden sand, fine and coarse, crystal clear and transparent sea and magnificent blue green wide shallow waters. 

In 2012 this beach, which provides many services such as bars, restaurants, rental equipment such as canoes and surfboards, was awarded the title of Blue Flag.

BEACH OF MONTI DELL'ARENA - ISLAND OF LA MADDALENA

The beach of Monti dell'Arena (Sand Dune Hills) is located in the northern part of the island of La Maddalena, shortly before the tourist village of Punta Cannone, and it can be reached driving along the panoramic road.

The beach is distinguished by an evocative dune of white sand, after which the beach is named, and by a large clear sandy shore with coarse grains surrounded by rocks dotted by the green of the Mediterranean maquis.

Its crystal clear waters will leave you breathless! In addition, since this beach is provided with wide parking spaces, it is particularly suitable for families with children.

CALA FRANCESE - ISLAND OF LA MADDALENA

The beach of Cala Francese is located in the southern part of the island and it can be reached driving along the waterfront of Padule, past the towns of Punta Tegge and Nido d'Aquila.

The whiteness of the granite, the green of the Mediterranean maquis and the beautiful colors of the sea make this inlet one of the most beautiful of the island of the Maddalena.

Curiosity: south of the beach is the French Quarry, which in the second half of the 19th century they began to extract granite, used to build important works throughout the world such as the base of the Statue of Liberty, the monument to Ismailia in Suez Canal, the quay of several ports in the Mediterranean and the monument to Don Gusmão in Santos, Brazil.

Today it is possible to visit the quarry while admiring the old machinery worn out by time as the train, the crane, the rails, the trucks and much more for an impressive leap back in time.

CALA COTICCIO - CAPRERA

Cala Coticcio is a small beach located on the east coast of the island of Caprera, covered with fine sand and bathed by a sea of a thousand turquoise shades and it is sheltered by beautiful polished rocks among which grow plants of juniper, erica, rockrose and lentisk.

The extraordinary beauty of this beach and its exotic appearance have gained it the nickname of Tahiti and have made it one of the favorite destinations for bathers.

Attention: to reach this small paradise you have to walk at least half an hour along an impervious path, so we encourage you to take a couple of sneakers in addition to everything you need (food, water and various equipment) to spend a day at the beach.

CALA SERENA - CAPRERA

Cala Serena, famous for having been defined most romantic beach in the world, is located in the north-west of the island of Caprera, reachable on foot in about 20 minutes from Cala Garibaldi, the beach dedicated to the Hero of Two Worlds.

The beach is characterized by a small half-moon stretch of fine white sand, with the presence of rocks and cliffs, surrounded by blooming Mediterranean maquis. The sea looks like a wonderful crystalline expanse in blue, with shallow sandy water.

On average frequented during the summer period, the beach of Cala Serena is not equipped and there are no establishments, therefore we advise you to reach it organized with everything you need.

SPIAGGIA DEL RELITTO - CAPRERA

The beach of Relitto (Wreck), located in the southern part of the island, takes its name from the skeleton of an old cargo ship that ran aground here following a fire that broke out on board.

The presence of the semi-submerged wreck makes it even more impressive to bathe in these crystal clear waters of emerald, turquoise and blue shades.

All around the beach, naturally set among the rocks of the bay, extends the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation to make the landscape even more beautiful and wild.

SPIAGGIA ROSA - ISLAND OF BUDELLI

The Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) in the Island of Budelli is the true symbol of the Maddalena Archipelago. To preserve its delicate beauty, though, the access to this beach is limited: you can admire it only from the nearby beach of Cavaliere under the control of a guide.

But why is it pink? Famous worldwide, this beach takes its characteristic pink color thanks to the coral fragments, granites and shells of molluscs that with the ceaseless action of the waves and wind are constantly being chopped up and polished up to become small as grains of sand.

An amazing natural phenomenon that in 1964 also captured the attention of the director Michelangelo Antonioni, who decided to film right here some of the scenes of his movie "Red Desert".

CALA LUNGA - ISLAND OF RAZZOLI

The beach of Cala Lunga is located in a creek to the south of the island of Razzoli, at the Bocche di Bonifacio, and it is characterized by very thin white sand, and a crystal clear sea.

All around the beach, the landscape is composed of granitic rocks and mediterranean maquis that make wonderfully wild this small natural paradise.

Reachable only by sea, Cala Lunga is uncrowed also in summer. Its shallow waters rich in flora and fauna together with the particular shape of the inlet, surrounded and studded with rocks, make this bay perfect for snorkeling.

CALA CORSARA - ISLAND OF SPARGI

The beach of Cala Corsara is located on the southern coast of the island of Spargi in the wonderful archipelago of La Maddalena, in front of the west coast oft he island of La Maddalena in the heart of the protected area of the National Park of La Maddalena.

Characterized by a thin white sand and a crystal-clear sea, this bay of wild character is only reachable by sea, thanks to the service offered by boats that take tourists around  the archipelago.

Actually, this is not a beach, but an inlet with four small adjoining beaches. You must no doubt miss the pink granite rocks, which due to wind erosion, have formed some curious sculptures such as the Head of the Witch and the Boot.

La Maddalena Archipelago does obviously not end here! There are still plenty of other beaches all to enjoy, such as the splendid Cala di Santa Maria in the island with the same name or beach of Pesce in the island of Santo Stefano.

We have just suggested you the most beautiful and in part also the most famous beaches, places without time that have contributed to the fame of this earthly paradise.

Enjoy the sea and happy holidays!

Read also:

FROM OLBIA UPWARD: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

FROM OLBIA TO GOLFO ARANCI: BEST BEACHES

MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES OF ARBATAX AND TORTOLI'

BEACHES OF OGLIASTRA SOUTH TO ARBATAX

BEACHES OF NORTH OGLIASTRA