La Maddalena Archipelago

Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip

The Arcipelago di La Maddalena is a group of seven main islands and numerous smaller islets off the northeastern tip of Sardinia, forming a national park and marine reserve of extraordinary natural beauty. The archipelago is famous for its pink granite beaches, sculpted by wind and waves into fantastical shapes, and waters that rival the Caribbean in their clarity and colour palette — ranging from deep cobalt to pale turquoise. The main island, La Maddalena, is connected to nearby Caprera by a causeway and features a charming town with pastel-coloured houses, lively piazzas, and excellent seafood restaurants. Caprera is famous as the final home of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of Italian unification, whose house is now a museum. The smaller islands — Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and Razzoli — are largely uninhabited and home to pristine beaches, including the legendary Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) on Budelli, whose unique colour comes from fragments of pink coral, shells, and marine organisms. Boat trips through the archipelago offer snorkelling in crystalline waters teeming with marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and colourful Mediterranean fish.

Planning the wider trip? The Sardegna planning guide covers how to get there, how to move around, where to stay, realistic costs and a day-by-day itinerary that includes La Maddalena Archipelago.