Discovering one of the most evocative places in Italy, the Maddalena Archipelago.
We are going to introduce you to one of the most beautiful places on the Italian peninsula, the Arcipelago di La Maddalena, located in the Bocche di Bonifacio, the stretch of sea between northern Sardinia and Corsica.
A national park since 1994, the archipelago consists of more than 60 islands, the most important of which are La Maddalena, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Caprera. An enchanting place that covers an area of more than 20 thousand hectares and stretches along about 180 kilometres of coastline.
Uncontaminated sea, spectacularly beautiful landscapes and a wealth of flora and fauna make the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena one of the key nodes in the European network of environmental excellence. A place whose name is linked to historical figures of a certain importance such as Napoleon, Admiral Nelson and Garibaldi.
All the more reason to undertake this interesting journey, in which you will not be alone. Elena Tour Navigazioni will accompany you.
Indeed, Elena Tour Navigazioni is based on the island of La Maddalena (Sassari) and offers its clients two complete itineraries that will allow you to get to know the islands of the Sardinian archipelago in depth, departing from the ports of Palau and La Maddalena. Ready to sail?
4. La Cala di Coticcio on the island of Caprera: the Italian Tahiti
Caprera is the second-largest island in the archipelago and offers its visitors spectacles of rare beauty. The greatest expression of the island's wild and unspoiled nature is Cala Coticcio, located in the northeast of Caprera, opposite Scoglio Murru.
The white colour of its sand, almost blinding with the reflections of the Sardinian sun, and the limpid purity of its waters have earned the beach the name of Tahiti. Cala Coticcio is ideal for scuba diving lovers, but also for trekking enthusiasts, who can reach the beach by following a special dirt path.
3. The island of Budelli: the Spiaggia Rosa and the Piscine Naturali
On the island of Budelli, however, two other scenic wonders await you. The first is the so-called Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach), a unique sight. Its particular colour, in fact, is due to the presence of a pink micro-organism that nests in the numerous shells that populate the Posidonia Oceanica meadows on the seabed.
When the micro-organism dies, the shell is transported to the shore to be crushed by the corrosive action of the sea and the wind, thus giving the sand its characteristic pigmentation. This unique natural phenomenon can only be admired from afar, as passenger disembarkation has been prohibited to protect the integrity of the precious beach, which was once plundered by visitors.
For a refreshing swim, on the other hand, there is the second wonder of the island, the so-called Piscine Naturali, a marine lagoon enclosed between the islands of Budelli, Razzoli and S. Maria, described by many as "the most beautiful place in the world" for its crystal-clear waters and shallow waters with light-coloured sand.
2. Cala Corsara on the island of Spargi
The island of Spargi is the third largest in the Arcipelago di La Maddalena. Among its many attractions, the Cala Corsara stands out for its extraordinary beauty. As its name suggests, it was once believed to be a pirate hideout.
Cala Corsara is a true paradise on earth, with its four beaches of fine white sand, its characteristic rocky formations, including the Roccia della Strega (Witch's Rock), and its adamantine sea, ideal for snorkelling.
Also of interest is the so-called Spargi wreck, an ancient Roman vessel from the 2nd century A.D. that ran aground in the shallows of Cala Corsara, an emblematic monument of the pleasant Sardinian island.
1. A walk through the historic centre of La Maddalena
.jpg "Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena")
La Maddalena is the main island of the entire archipelago and, with around 11,000 inhabitants, makes up almost the entire population.
Here, a walk through the historic centre is an unmissable ritual for any self-respecting tourist. Start from Palau, where ships and ferries dock, and walk along the beautiful seafront towards Piazza Garibaldi, the crossroads of nightlife, with its cafés and bars.
Then visit the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, which houses a crucifix that once belonged to Admiral Nelson, and head down to the small port of Cala Gavetta for a magnificent seascape view.
To complete your visit, then, you must absolutely visit the picturesque Moneta suburb, where a very pure Sardinian dialect is spoken, and, once you have passed the characteristic district, the Dam Bridge, the structure that connects the island of La Maddalena to Caprera.
