Things to do and see in Palau in 2024: 5 unmissable tips

On the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, famous for its wonderful and romantic beauty, rises the pretty town of Palau, that has grown from a small fishing village to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Gallura. Presumably, the name Palau comes from the term parago used in ancient times by the fishermen to indicate a shelter from the strong winds that affect this coastal region.

The town is right in front of the enchanting La Maddalena Archipelago, nestled in a natural inlet and surrounded by an incredibly charming setting.

Inhabited by just over 4000 people, Palau offers many places of attraction - both scenic and cultural - and a magnificent coastline with crystal-clear waters. If you want to discover the best things to do and see in Palau, following you'll find 5 tips you absolutely cannot miss on your next trip to North Sardinia!

The fascinating natural scenery in which Palau rises is rich in several beaches and coves surrounded by spectacular crystal clear waters. Here, in fact, wind and wave have carved out a jagged rocky coastline over the centuries. 

The inland landscape is coloured by thick pine forests and dense Mediterranean woods, where broom, lavender, myrtle, rosemary and much more grow wild. Alongside the lush nature, the landscape hosts spectacular granite sculptures modelled by Mother Nature over the centuries. In addition, there are several archaeological sites of great historical and cultural interest, testimony to the ancient roots of these places. Moreover, it is possible to behold landscapes of rare beauty by reaching the heights of the hills.

Finally, by a pleasant walk along the promenade in the old town, visitors can reach the central square, where a suggestive market of handicraft creations is set up every summer evening. Then, along the Via Nazionale, visitors get to the touristic port from where they can easily reach the beautiful island of La Maddalena.

Palau also offers plenty of opportunities for leisure and entertainment. For lovers of hiking, the surrounding landscape is full of paths that lose themselves in the Mediterranean vegetation. Photography enthusiasts can find plenty of vantage points to build the perfect shot, such as the Barrage viewpoint. From here, the view is truly magical because it overlooks the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago.

As for nightlife, visitors in Palau will have the possibility to enjoy a vast range of choice between sunset aperitifs, lively evenings on the beach, parties and live music. Palau is indeed the setting for some of the most beautiful events in North Sardinia: these include the International Festival Isole che Parlano, which takes place every year in September all over the territory of the north-eastern coast of Gallura.

Festival Isole che Parlano is a cultural event of great importance that takes place every year in Palau and other beautiful locations in Gallura, Sardinia. Established in 1996 from the passion of brothers Paolo and Nanni Angeli and today organized in collaboration with the project Salude & Trigu promoted by the Chamber of Commerce of Sassari, the festival aims to create a bridge between the ancient traditions of Sardinia and new forms of contemporary artistic expression.

During the event, which always takes place in the first days of September (this year from August 31 to September 8), there will be concerts, photographic exhibitions (until October 6), theatrical performances and workshops for children, all set in a breathtaking natural landscape that includes the beaches, archaeological sites and urban spaces of Palau and its surroundings, among which the wonderful Punta Palau lighthouse undoubtedly stands out, overlooking the sea of La Maddalena.

The festival hosts both local and international artists promoting an intercultural dialogue through art in all its forms, an unmissable event for lovers of music, photography, culture and nature, consolidating its reputation as one of the most evocative and innovative events in the cultural panorama of Sardinia and the entire Mediterranean.

The Gulf of Palau offers a rich local gastronomy based on fish products had as a second course or as a condiment for first courses based on fresh handmade pasta. However, many typical dishes of Gallura are also based on meat.

We recommend the famous Suppa Cuata (literally hidden soup), also known as Gallura Soup. It is one of the traditional sardinian recipes based on meat broth (usually sheep or lamb), stale bread and pecorino cheese. If you are a dessert lover, you can not miss the unique flavour of puligioni dulci, a classic 'ravioli' (fresh pasta) stuffed with ricotta cheese and lemon zest and seasoned with a super sweet sauce of tomato. These and much more exceptional local delicacies are sided by the wines of the historical cellars of Gallura.

Well, after this little taste of local gastronomy, we're finally ready to discover together the best things to do and see in Palau, here are our top 5!

Sardinia is a land rich in ancient history. The remains on its territory testify to the passage of numerous populations and cultures. In the hinterland of Palau, there are several archaeological sites of great historical interest.

Among the most important, we point out the so-called Tombs of the Giants, dating back to the Bronze Age and still partially shrouded in mystery. The most famous in the area are Li Mizzani and Sajacciu, imposing funerary structures composed of monolithic stone blocks. A peculiarity of these typical constructions of ancient Sardinian civilisation is that, observed from above, they outline a bull's head, an animal venerated as a symbol of strength and power.

For an immersion in history, it is worth visiting the Fortress of Monte Altura. The XIX century military fortress offered a panoramic view of the entire surrounding area to allow the control and defence of the northern coast of Sardinia from external attacks. Given its architectural and historical value, the Fortress is often counted among the most beautiful fortresses in Europe.

The peculiarity of this construction lies in the use of the principal material, the local granite, which makes the Fortress of Monte Altura fit perfectly into the landscape. The imposing granite building is located on the road that leads to the picturesque village of Porto Rafael, famous for its narrow streets built of Sardinian granite and for its chic style.

Still, for wild hiking lovers, it is worth reaching the remote Punta Don Diego on the extreme northern coast of the island to visit the Talmone Artillery Battery, perfectly camouflaged between granite rocks and Mediterranean scrub.

Right next to the seaside which separates Sardinia from the unpolluted Spargi Island (in La Maddalena), The Talmone Battery is part of a defensive system built towards the end of the eighteenth century. This site represents a place of immense historical value, as it had a key role in the battles for the Unification of Italy and the World Wars.

Visiting Palau, it is inevitable to see the Bear Rock, the symbol depicted on the town’s coat of arms. The rock is a granite hill that stands over 100 meters above sea level.

Shaped over time by atmospheric agents, the Roccia dell'Orso is famous for its particular shape reminiscent of this big mammal. Given its majestic dimensions and its peculiar shape, the rock was used as a natural reference point for sailors since ancient times.

In addition to the famous rock, visitors are always amazed by the spectacular panoramic view looking at the nearby La Maddalena Archipelago.

Palau is a paradise for those who want to practice sailing sports, a place which often hosts competitions for such disciplines. You don't need to be a professional to try something new: here in Palau you can engage in sailing sports such as windsurf and kitesurf even if you are an amateur!

In Palau, you will find many schools and specialized facilities to request personalized lessons from highly qualified instructors. Palau is also an absolutely unmissable stop for an adventurous trip to Sardinia by sailing to discover the most beautiful and shining gems of this region.

Palau's coastline stretches 24 km from the Gulf of Saline to the mouth of the River Liscia, offering around twnty sandy beaches and several amazing coves and inlets. If you are wondering what to see next (because Palau is too beautiful to have enough) here are some must-sees:

• The Sciumara (west of Palau) has a sandy and shallow seabed. Here, the contrast between the green Mediterranean maquis surrounding the beach and the blue crystalline waters is breathtaking. Also, it is possible to see the Island of La Maddalena in the distance.

• The peninsula of Isuledda (or Isola dei Gabbiani - Seagulls Island) is a sandy strip of 50 meters formed by the mouth of the river Liscia. Isuledda is a paradise for windsurfers and all other sailing sports. Moreover, it is a natural habitat for many marine mammals. The spectacular turquoise sea is divided between the two beaches of Arenaria and Porto Pollo.

• The most adventurous visitors can reach Cala di Trana with a hiking path of about 45 minutes. The route leads through spectacular rocks and dense bushes and reaches the top of the magnificent pink dunes. The crystal clear waters makes this one of the most beautiful locations in Sardinia, but the challenging accessibility makes the location less frequented and contaminated.

Do not forget: from Palau is possible to make boat excursions to the nearby and stunning La Maddalena Archipelago.