— La Maddalena Island-ENG-NEW
The largest island in the La Maddalena Archipelago, in Sardinia. Known for its old town, the Fortress, the Church and a history that stretches back centuries.
La Maddalena, an island full of surprises
La Maddalena is the largest and the only continuously inhabited island in the Archipelago. With 45 kilometres of coastline – coves, cliffs and beaches – and an old town that stays alive all year round, it is unlike any of the other islands we visit.
Just 15 minutes by ferry from Palau, La Maddalena Island is the final stop on our Lady Luna 3 tour: a historic and lively ending to a day spent at sea.
Exploring a town with centuries of history
Founded in 1770, the town of La Maddalena is the heart of this corner of north-eastern Sardinia. The old town is made for walking: narrow streets, pastel-coloured buildings, pavement cafés and small shops selling local produce.
In summer the squares fill with cultural events, music and art. But even outside the season, La Maddalena keeps its own rhythm, a town by the sea that doesn’t empty out when September arrives.
The coastal panoramic drive
The 20 kilometres of road that circle La Maddalena Island are one of the best ways to get a feel for the place, where granite, Mediterranean scrub and sea take turns, with views over cliffs and beaches that you’d never see from the old town.
Punta Tegge
A lunar landscape of wind-smoothed rocks, with one of the finest sunset views in the Archipelago and a clear sightline to the nearby island of Spargi.
Cala Spalmatore
One of the La Maddalena beaches most loved by locals, sheltered from the maestrale wind and with calm water. Not the easiest to find, which only adds to its appeal.
Spiaggia Bassa Trinita
Surrounded by dunes held in place by fragile vegetation, the beach has wooden boardwalks that allow access without disturbing the ecosystem.
Spiaggia Monti d'Arena
On the eastern side of the island, more exposed to the wind and less crowded. The sand dunes that frame it set it apart from the other La Maddalena beaches.
The history of a strategic island
La Maddalena has played a significant role in the history of the Mediterranean. Its position between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the western Mediterranean made it, for centuries, a key point of passage and control – an island courted by naval powers from across Europe.
Admiral Nelson
The British naval commander considered La Maddalena one of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, rating it above Malta for strategic position. He anchored here several times with the British fleet, leaving behind a crucifix that is still kept today in the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena.
Napoleon Bonaparte
In 1793, aged just 24, Napoleon attempted to seize La Maddalena at the head of a French expeditionary force. He was repelled, thanks to the resistance organised by local sailor Domenico Millelire, today considered one of the early heroes of Italian national identity.
Gallery
Explore La Maddalena Island aboard Lady Luna 3
La Maddalena is the final stop on our tour of the Archipelago. Board Lady Luna 3 from Palau or from La Maddalena itself, and let us show you this island as we have for more than 30 years.
What to see on La Maddalena Island
Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena
A historic and spiritual landmark of the island. The church holds candelabras and a crucifix donated by Admiral Nelson, who stopped at the island before the Battle of Trafalgar.
Fortezza della Vecchia Guardia
Perched on a hilltop, the fortress is a reminder of the defensive role La Maddalena played for centuries, with views over the harbour and the surrounding islands.
SS. Trinità
The oldest Christian place of worship on the island, built in 1768, and still a pilgrimage site today, with some worshippers walking the final stretch barefoot.
