Palau in brief – information and more

Palau with its 4.000 inhabitants is located in the north of Sardinia between Santa Teresa di Gallura and Arzachena and is nowadays one of the popular sea resort of Sardinia thanks to the beautiful sea and the nice sandy beaches. Olbia with its international airport and ferry harbor is about 30 km away.

We recommend the Porto Faro beach to the west, which is also great for walking, and the beaches of Porto Puddu, which are close to Cape Punto Sardegna in the north, and have become a popular surf spot in recent years.

From Palau there are daily ferries to the islands of Caprera and La Maddalena. Around the island of la Maddalena runs a road that leads to secluded coves and beaches. The island of Caprera is known by the fact that the Italian freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi retired here and finally died there in 1882. The Garibaldi di Caprera Museum commemorates him and his life’s work.

The offshore Caprera and Maddalena islands are connected by regular ferry service from the harbor of Palau. At Caprera one can visit for example the Garibaldi museum which is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian freedom fighter. Garibaldi retired at Caprera and died there in 1882.

La Maddalena gives its name to an Archipelago which includes seven islands (Maddalena, Caprera, Spargi, Budelli, S. Maria and Razzoli) and some islets. Because of its beauty – crystal clear waters and eroded granite coastlines – and its haven for wildlife the archipelago became a geomarine national park with approx. 180 km of coast.

To explore the surroundings we recommend to vist Capo d’Orso, a wind blown granite rock which has substantial similarity in a bear. Another place to go is the village of Porto Rafael, located directly on the sea. The road leading to Porto Rafael is windy and offers some fantastic panoramic views on the archipelago La Maddalena.