Europe Guides
Where to Stay in La Maddalena
A 2026 Local Guide to Sardinia’s Northern Archipelago
The first thing that struck me wasn’t the beaches.
It was the water.
I’ve spent much of my life around the ocean, and I still found myself stopping just to look at it. Shades of blue that don’t seem real, granite islands rising straight out of the sea, coves where the only sounds are the wind and a boat drifting past.
La Maddalena isn’t just another stop in Sardinia.
It’s one of the most beautiful cruising grounds I’ve ever seen.
Arrive by sailboat or step off the ferry from Palau for the first time, either way, it’s the kind of place that quietly convinces you to stay another day.
If You Only Read One Paragraph
| Stay in La Maddalena town if you want to walk to restaurants, cafés, and the ferry. | La Maddalena Town |
| Stay near Cala Lunga or Punta Tegge if you’re looking for a quieter resort experience. | Cala Lunga & Punta Tegge |
| Rent a scooter or a car, spend a day exploring the main island and Caprera, and then book at least one full day on the water. | Caprera |
| The outer islands, including Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and Razzoli, are where this national park truly earns its reputation. | The Outer Islands |
Fast Facts
La Maddalena in 30 Seconds
Best for
Island hopping, hidden coves, sailing, romantic getaways, and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean
Skip if
You want nightlife or a large resort town. La Maddalena is wonderfully relaxed.
Airport
Fly into Olbia (OLB), then it’s about 45 minutes by car to Palau followed by a 20-minute ferry to La Maddalena.
Rental car?
Yes. Or better yet, rent a scooter if there are just two of you.
Ferry access
Frequent ferries connect Palau and La Maddalena year-round in about 20 minutes.
Average hotel cost
€80 per night for guesthouses to €1,000+ for luxury resorts.
Best months
May through October, with June and September offering the best balance of weather and fewer crowds.
Should You Rent a Scooter?
Absolutely.
If there are only two of you, I’d choose a scooter over a car.
Roads are quiet, parking is easy, and riding between beaches with the Mediterranean on one side and granite hills on the other became one of my favorite parts of the trip.
One hour you’re swimming at Cala Spalmatore. Thirty minutes later you’re wandering the harbor in town. By late afternoon you’re crossing the bridge to Caprera for another swim before dinner.
Here, the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.
Flying into Olbia? Renting a car is the easiest way to explore northern Sardinia before catching the ferry from Palau.
The Harbor Town
La Maddalena Town
The colorful harbor town is where I’d recommend most first-time visitors stay.
Restaurants, cafés, gelato, the ferry terminal, and the marina, all within walking distance. Lively in the evenings, never crowded.
Best for: First-time visitors, restaurants, and exploring the archipelago.
The Wild Side
Caprera
Connected to La Maddalena by a short causeway, Caprera ended up being one of my favorite surprises.
Pine forests, quiet roads, hidden swimming coves, hiking trails, and almost no development. It feels wonderfully untouched.
This is also where you’ll find Cala Coticcio, often called the “Tahiti of Sardinia.”
Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, and anyone wanting a quieter side of the islands.
The Quiet Coves
Cala Lunga & Punta Tegge
If your idea of a perfect vacation is a quiet cove and a full day swimming in crystal-clear water, this is where I’d stay.
It’s only a short drive from town but feels completely removed from it.
Best for: Couples and anyone looking for a peaceful resort stay.
The National Park
The Outer Islands
Budelli, Spargi, Santa Maria, and Razzoli are what most people picture when they imagine La Maddalena.
White sand, impossibly clear water, secluded anchorages, and protected beaches.
You can’t stay here overnight, but you absolutely should spend a day exploring them by boat.
Best for: Day trips and unforgettable swimming.
Where I’d Stay
Photo courtesy Amimir.com
La Maddalena Town • Value (€80–140/night)
La Siesta B&B
I’d stay here because it’s simple, welcoming, and a short walk from the harbor, restaurants, and ferry. If you plan to spend your days exploring rather than sitting by the pool, it’s excellent value.
Stay here if: You’re looking for an affordable base in town.
Skip it if: You want resort amenities or beachfront accommodations.
Photo courtesy Villa del Parco Hotel & Residence
Near Punta Tegge • Mid-Range (€150–250/night)
Hotel Villa del Parco
I’d stay here because it’s quieter, close to some of the island’s best beaches, and still an easy drive into town.
Stay here if: You’re looking for a peaceful couples getaway.
Skip it if: You want to walk everywhere.
Photo by Garry Cihak, from my stay at Hotel Cala Lunga in June 2026
Cala Lunga • Upper Mid-Range (€200–350/night)
Hotel Cala Lunga
I’d stay here because it’s built around three beautiful coves, with a private pier, pool, and swimming right outside your room.
Stay here if: You want to spend your days by the water without constantly getting back in the car.
Skip it if: You’d rather be in the middle of town.
Photo courtesy Hotel Nido d’Aquila
Main Island • Upper Mid-Range (€180–320/night)
Hotel Nido d’Aquila
I’d stay here because it’s tucked away, with sea views and a quieter atmosphere than most hotels on the island.
Stay here if: You’re looking for peace and beautiful scenery.
Skip it if: Restaurants and nightlife are important.
Photo courtesy Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma
Punta Tegge • Luxury (€500–1,200+/night)
Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma
I’d stay here because it’s the island’s flagship luxury resort, with an outstanding spa, beautiful pools, and excellent Sardinian cuisine.
Stay here if: You’re celebrating something special or planning a honeymoon.
Skip it if: You’re traveling with children, as it’s adults only.
Coming by Boat?
As a sailor, I couldn’t help imagining spending an entire summer cruising these islands.
Protected anchorages, crystal-clear water, short passages between islands, and enough secluded coves that every day could end somewhere completely different.
Even if you aren’t arriving under sail, make time for a full day on the water.
La Maddalena makes more sense from a boat than it does from land.
Don’t Miss
- Rent a scooter and spend a full day exploring La Maddalena and Caprera. There isn’t a wrong turn.
- Swim at Cala Spalmatore. It ended up being one of my favorite beaches anywhere in the archipelago.
- Spend an afternoon at Cala Lunga. Calm water, beautiful scenery, and an easy place to lose track of time.
- Take a full-day boat excursion to Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and Razzoli. The water gets even clearer once you leave the main island.
- Visit Cala Coticcio on Caprera. They call it the “Tahiti of Sardinia” for a reason.
- Walk the harbor at sunset with a gelato or an aperitivo before dinner.
- Slow down. La Maddalena isn’t a destination to rush through. Leave room for spontaneous swims, long lunches, and pulling over because the water looks too inviting not to.
My Take
Some places impress you. Others slow you down. La Maddalena does both.
It isn’t flashy like Costa Smeralda, and it isn’t trying to be.
Life revolves around the sea here. Morning swims, lazy lunches, afternoons in hidden coves, quiet harbors, evenings watching the light fade across granite islands that glow at sunset.
I arrived expecting beautiful beaches.
I left wondering when I could come back.
If you’re looking for one of the Mediterranean’s great island escapes, especially if you love the water as much as I do, I can’t think of many places I’d recommend more highly.
Written from La Maddalena, Sardegna.
41° 15.450′ N, 009° 25.482′ E
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