The Maddalena archipelago (Italian: arcipelago di La Maddalena or arcipelago della Maddalena) is a group of islands in the Straits of Bonifacio between Corsica (France) and north-eastern Sardinia (Italy) just next to the shores of the famous Costa Smeralda.
The largest island is Isola Maddalena, on which sits the archipelago's largest if only town, La Maddalena. The other six islands, in order of size, are: Caprera, Spargi, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Budelli and Razzoli. The islands of Maddalena and Caprera are connected by a bridge. Only Maddalena, Caprera and S. Stefano are inhabited.
It is a popular tourist destination especially among boaters. In 2006 it was placed on the tentative list for consideration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The archipelago's territory is a designated national park, the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena (see also at the parks.it). Permits issued by its managing body to enter protected zones of the park and exercise various recreational activities, like sailing, sport fishing, scuba diving, etc. (check for the visitor's information).
The archipelago have a strategic value and were the object of a dispute between the maritime republics of Pisa and Genoa in the 13th century and subsequently were abandoned for a long period before being colonised again by Corsican shepherds and by Sardinian settlements in the 18th century. Napoleon Bonaparte, Admiral Nelson and Giuseppe Garibaldi all have historical links with the area.
Nowadays Santo Stefano still hosts a NATO naval base, but US ships departed in 2008.
A product of India slamming in to Asia and Europe millions of years ago, these islands are mainly jagged rock that form steep cliffs and high peaks with amazing views all around.
The island of Budelli is particularly renown for its Spiaggia Rosa (Cala di Roto) with pink sand which were featured in the film Il deserto rosso (Red Desert) by Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni. Tourists used to bottle up the sand and over years it began to disappear, so the local government marked it off limits, only to be seen from a boat.
Windy relatively cold winters, amazing autumns and springs, hot summers.
- Informazioni Turistiche Città di La Maddalena, Via XX Settembre (centro storico, +39 0789736321. Tu Th F 08:30-13:30, M W 08:30-13:30, 15:30-19:30.
Informazioni Turistiche Città di La Maddalena, Via XX Settembre (centro storico, +39 0789736321. Tu Th F 08:30-13:30, M W 08:30-13:30, 15:30-19:30.
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La Maddalena is a small charming town.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena. The church dates from the 18th century. It's current neo-classical façade was rebuilt in 1993 after alterations made in 1952.
- Museo archeologico navale "Nino Lamboglia", Strada panoramica, loc. Mongiardino, +39 0789 790633. 9:30-12:30, 15:30-18:30 (by appointment only). A collections of artefacts from the wreck of a Roman cargo ship found near the island of Spargi.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena. The church dates from the 18th century. It's current neo-classical façade was rebuilt in 1993 after alterations made in 1952.
Museo archeologico navale "Nino Lamboglia", Strada panoramica, loc. Mongiardino, +39 0789 790633. 9:30-12:30, 15:30-18:30 (by appointment only). A collections of artefacts from the wreck of a Roman cargo ship found near the island of Spargi.
The island known for being the final resting place of the Hero of Two Worlds Giuseppe Garibaldi, who built there his famous Casa bianca (White House) during his last years in exile. Today the house is a museum and open to the public.
- Compendio Garibaldino di Caprera. including the tomb of Garibaldi and the Casa di Garibaldi.
- Memoriale Garibaldi.
- Museo del mare e delle tradizioni marinaresche.
- Museo geo-mineralogico naturalistico "G. Cesaraccio".
Compendio Garibaldino di Caprera. including the tomb of Garibaldi and the Casa di Garibaldi.
Memoriale Garibaldi.
Museo del mare e delle tradizioni marinaresche.
Museo geo-mineralogico naturalistico "G. Cesaraccio".
- Costanzo Ciano statue. At the eastern side of the Cala di Villamarina (small inlet at the southern shore of the island) there is an abandoned granite quarry with an bust of an Italian fascist activist Costanzo Ciano left unfinished there in 1943.
Costanzo Ciano statue. At the eastern side of the Cala di Villamarina (small inlet at the southern shore of the island) there is an abandoned granite quarry with an bust of an Italian fascist activist Costanzo Ciano left unfinished there in 1943.
There are many beautiful beaches and coves, the best ones being usually off road and only accessible via unpaved trails. The closest one to the village is that of Tege, about 2km west of town.
The best beaches are usually on La Caprera (cala Coticcio, Testa di Polpo) and will require a 5-10 minutes easy hike to reach. On Maddalena, Trinita is definitely worth a look.
There is a Dettori supermarket next to the Admiralty, on via Principe Amedeo.
It worth trying a su zimminu (aka zuppa alla maddalenina) -- a spicy seafood soup, a roasted wild rabbit, fainé pancakes made of chickpea flour, sebadas -- a roasted pastry (close to ravioli) with sweet melted cheese and lemon peel.
- Il Ghiottone is a tiny restaurant on the harbour with a set menu that consists of the day's catch. With ten tables only, it is best to book in the morning and see what will be on offer.
Club Natica, Re Artu, and Bar 54.
The island is very safe, and theft is not a serious concern.
Unless you have a private boat, take a ferry back to Palau.