# Two nights in the La Maddalena archipelago from Olbia: a boat day around the islands, Caprera and a night on each shore First night in Palau beside the port, a boat day via Spargi, Santa Maria and Budelli, second night on La Maddalena and a day for Caprera, the old town and the coves. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/sardinia/la-maddalena-archipelago/itineraries/two-nights-from-olbia-maddalena · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Dónde: La Maddalena Archipelago La Maddalena offers two journeys: the sea one, among the islands without roads, and the land one, around La Maddalena and Caprera. With two nights you do both without rushing. The first you spend in Palau, beside the port, to leave on Saturday on the ten o'clock boat to Spargi, Santa Maria and the Budelli pools. The second, on the island of La Maddalena, to devote Sunday to Caprera, Garibaldi's house and the coves. ## How do you get there from Olbia? From Spain, fly to Olbia (OLB), with a direct flight from Barcelona. Hire a car at the airport: Palau is 45 minutes away. On Saturday you do not need it, because the boat leaves from the port of Palau. On Sunday morning you take it across on the Delcomar or Maddalena Lines ferry, twenty minutes to La Maddalena, to get around the island and Caprera. ## Where to stay? AccommodationWhereWho it suits Hotel La Vecchia FontePalau, 150 m from the portTo go out on the boat without moving the car Hotel MiralongaLa Maddalena, 800 m from the ferryRooftop pool and a view of the channel Abbatoggia Camping VillageNorth of La MaddalenaMobile homes by the sea, with the diving centre next door The first night, at the Hotel La Vecchia Fonte, a four-star with a garage in the centre of Palau. The second, at the Hotel Miralonga, on the panoramic road of La Maddalena; with their booking you get a 20% discount on the return Maddalena Lines ferry. If you prefer the sea at your door, swap the Miralonga for the Abbatoggia Camping Village. ## Where to eat Three different tables. La Gritta, in Palau, is the terrace dinner with Sardinian wine, in the Michelin guide. La Grotta is the seafood house of La Maddalena's old town, opened in 1958 by a family from Pozzuoli. And Sergent Pepper's is the simple pizza, open all day. ## What if you change a day? Cala Coticcio. From June to September, the Maxi Tour swaps the Budelli pools for a swim at Cala Coticcio, on Caprera. Underwater. With Argonauta, an introductory dive of about three hours costs €130, and guided snorkelling €65. ## El plan ### Friday · 17:00 · From Olbia to Palau Three-quarters of an hour by car. Leave your luggage at La Vecchia Fonte. ### Friday · 18:15 · Monte Altura fortress The last guided visit leaves at 18:15 from June to early August and in September; in May and October, at 17:15. €5. ### Friday · 20:00 · Dinner at La Gritta Seafood on the terrace at Porto Faro, facing the islands. Book by phone. ### Saturday · 09:00 · Boat around the archipelago Check-in from 8:45 to 9:15 at the ferry terminal. Cala Corsara, Cala Santa Maria and the Budelli pools, with the Spiaggia Rosa from the boat. From €52.50, plus the landing tax. Bring your own lunch. ### Saturday · 17:30 · Roccia dell'Orso Ten minutes by car. An hour for the climb, the view and the descent. €3. ### Saturday · 19:30 · Ferry to La Maddalena With the car. Leave your bag at the Miralonga and go down to eat pizza at Sergent Pepper's, open until 23:00. ### Sunday · 09:30 · Old town and Cala Gavetta A stroll before the excursion boats arrive. ### Sunday · 11:00 · Compendio Garibaldino On Caprera, a quarter of an hour away. Booking compulsory; €8, free for under-18s. ### Sunday · 13:30 · Lunch at La Grotta Fish by weight or the house lobster, in the centre since 1958. ### Sunday · 15:30 · Coves on the panoramic road Or, from mid-June to September, guided snorkelling or an introductory dive with Argonauta at Abbatoggia. ### Sunday · 19:00 · Ferry to Palau and back to Olbia You arrive around 20:30. ## Consejos ### Book the boat and the Compendio beforehand Both fill up in summer, and the Compendio requires a booking. ### Check the wind on Friday If the mistral cancels Saturday's boat, swap the days. ### Travel light You change accommodation and cross by ferry. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How many nights do you need on La Maddalena? Two to see the islands by boat and Caprera; with three or four you add coves and diving. ### Where is it better to sleep, in Palau or on La Maddalena? In Palau for the boat day; on La Maddalena for Caprera and the coves. This getaway does one night in each place. ### Do you need a car? To get to Palau and for Caprera, yes. For the boat day, no. ### When should you go? From May to October, when the boats run; best in May, June and September. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hotel Miralonga**: A three-star above the harbour Hotel Miralonga is on La Maddalena's Strada Panoramica, about 800 metres from the harbour where the ferry from Palau arrives, on the slope facing the channel and the archipelago. It has three stars and 50 rooms, each with a separate entrance. It is a practical, family hotel, not a luxury one: what sets it apart is the view and the pool on the terrace. The rooms There are several types: Economy, Sea View with balcony and sea view, Family and Family Sea View for families, and triples. The Sea View rooms have a bathroom with shower and hairdryer, television, desk, fridge or minibar and free wifi. If you are going to spend time at the hotel, ask for a sea view: the balcony over the islands is the reason to sleep here. Pool, breakfast and services The panoramic terrace has a small pool and a sun deck. They serve breakfast, with cakes and sponges, according to their photos, and an aperitivo with a sea view at the end of the day. Reception is open 24 hours, there is a lift, a coin-operated laundry and free wifi. For the car they have covered parking and a garage, a rarity in the centre of the island. Opposite there is a supermarket, and next door, a tennis court and five-a-side pitch. The hotel organises guided diving and snorkelling, marine biology courses and boat trips round the archipelago. The website does not publish prices or check-in and check-out times: ask when you book. Getting there From the Palau ferry to the hotel it is 800 metres: with a suitcase, a short uphill walk or a minute by car. One advantage: by showing your booking confirmation you get 20% off a return ticket with Maddalena Lines, useful if you cross with your car. From the hotel, the old town and Cala Gavetta are a walk away, and the panoramic road starts at the door. - **Hotel La Vecchia Fonte**: A step from the boats La Vecchia Fonte is a four-star hotel in the centre of Palau, 150 metres from the tourist harbour and a few steps from the boarding point for the ferry to La Maddalena. If you are going to spend the day on a boat round the archipelago, here you get up, have breakfast and walk to the quay without touching the car. The nearest sandy beach is 350 metres away, two minutes' walk. The lobby reproduces the interior of an old sailing ship, with wood and ship's lamps, and sets the tone of the house: classic and well kept, more for couples than large groups. The rooms There are Classic and Superior doubles with sea view, Junior Suites and Deluxe Suites with sea view, and two suites with a private jacuzzi on a panoramic terrace: the Royal SPA Suite and the Presidential Wellness Suite. The decor is Sardinian in style, with wooden headboards and embroidery. Services Breakfast is a continental buffet, with gluten-free products. The bar The One has two terraces over the harbour, with aperitivi, local wines and breakfasts with home-made sweets. Reception is open 24 hours, and there is room service, laundry, beach towels and fibre wifi. They can arrange half board at a restaurant 50 metres away. For the car there is a ten-space garage at €19 a day, subject to availability. They arrange a taxi from Olbia airport, from €105 per trip, and have agreements for hiring a car, scooter, bike or boat and for excursions in the park. Dogs of up to 10 kg are allowed in the Classic doubles with outdoor space, with a cleaning supplement. Getting there Palau is about 45 minutes from Olbia, its harbour and its airport, and half an hour from the Costa Smeralda. The hotel is on Via Fonte Vecchia, in the centre. The website does not publish prices or check-in and check-out times; if you arrive early, the hotel recommends booking the night before to have the room, or it keeps your luggage. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Hotel Miralonga**: A three-star above the harbour Hotel Miralonga is on La Maddalena's Strada Panoramica, about 800 metres from the harbour where the ferry from Palau arrives, on the slope facing the channel and the archipelago. It has three stars and 50 rooms, each with a separate entrance. It is a practical, family hotel, not a luxury one: what sets it apart is the view and the pool on the terrace. The rooms There are several types: Economy, Sea View with balcony and sea view, Family and Family Sea View for families, and triples. The Sea View rooms have a bathroom with shower and hairdryer, television, desk, fridge or minibar and free wifi. If you are going to spend time at the hotel, ask for a sea view: the balcony over the islands is the reason to sleep here. Pool, breakfast and services The panoramic terrace has a small pool and a sun deck. They serve breakfast, with cakes and sponges, according to their photos, and an aperitivo with a sea view at the end of the day. Reception is open 24 hours, there is a lift, a coin-operated laundry and free wifi. For the car they have covered parking and a garage, a rarity in the centre of the island. Opposite there is a supermarket, and next door, a tennis court and five-a-side pitch. The hotel organises guided diving and snorkelling, marine biology courses and boat trips round the archipelago. The website does not publish prices or check-in and check-out times: ask when you book. Getting there From the Palau ferry to the hotel it is 800 metres: with a suitcase, a short uphill walk or a minute by car. One advantage: by showing your booking confirmation you get 20% off a return ticket with Maddalena Lines, useful if you cross with your car. From the hotel, the old town and Cala Gavetta are a walk away, and the panoramic road starts at the door. - **Hotel La Vecchia Fonte**: A step from the boats La Vecchia Fonte is a four-star hotel in the centre of Palau, 150 metres from the tourist harbour and a few steps from the boarding point for the ferry to La Maddalena. If you are going to spend the day on a boat round the archipelago, here you get up, have breakfast and walk to the quay without touching the car. The nearest sandy beach is 350 metres away, two minutes' walk. The lobby reproduces the interior of an old sailing ship, with wood and ship's lamps, and sets the tone of the house: classic and well kept, more for couples than large groups. The rooms There are Classic and Superior doubles with sea view, Junior Suites and Deluxe Suites with sea view, and two suites with a private jacuzzi on a panoramic terrace: the Royal SPA Suite and the Presidential Wellness Suite. The decor is Sardinian in style, with wooden headboards and embroidery. Services Breakfast is a continental buffet, with gluten-free products. The bar The One has two terraces over the harbour, with aperitivi, local wines and breakfasts with home-made sweets. Reception is open 24 hours, and there is room service, laundry, beach towels and fibre wifi. They can arrange half board at a restaurant 50 metres away. For the car there is a ten-space garage at €19 a day, subject to availability. They arrange a taxi from Olbia airport, from €105 per trip, and have agreements for hiring a car, scooter, bike or boat and for excursions in the park. Dogs of up to 10 kg are allowed in the Classic doubles with outdoor space, with a cleaning supplement. Getting there Palau is about 45 minutes from Olbia, its harbour and its airport, and half an hour from the Costa Smeralda. The hotel is on Via Fonte Vecchia, in the centre. The website does not publish prices or check-in and check-out times; if you arrive early, the hotel recommends booking the night before to have the room, or it keeps your luggage. - **Abbatoggia Camping Village**: A campsite between four coves Abbatoggia is in the north of the island of La Maddalena, on a small peninsula surrounded by four coves, inside the National Park. It is the accommodation closest to the sea on this list: the free beaches are 20 metres from the motorhome area, and from the front-row houses you see the water from the porch. The Argonauta diving centre has its information point in the same area. It is a beach-holiday place, simple and outdoors, for those who want to swim as they step out of the door and do not mind being far from the town. Mobile homes Fronte Mare: 32 m², for four or five people, with two bedrooms (one double and one with two beds, not bunks), kitchen with living area, air conditioning, private bathroom and porch. They are, according to the campsite itself, the least modern. Family and Family Prima Fila Vista Mare: 24 m², for three or four people, a few steps from the beach, with two bedrooms, kitchen and porch. Orizzonte: 21 m², for two, with a roof terrace with views. Animals are not allowed. All have free wifi, which warns that it may be slow with a lot of traffic. Tent and motorhome There is a large shaded area for tents, with electrical hook-up, toilets and free hot showers and a paid laundry. The motorhome pitches measure 8 × 6 m, with water loading and unloading at the service area; electricity is on request and you need a long cable. Bar, restaurant and activities The restaurant is open every day at lunchtime and in the evening, also to those not staying, with sea-and-land cooking and Sardinian dishes such as suckling pig or gnocchetti sardi. The bar serves breakfasts and sunset aperitifs. At weekends there are themed nights with live music. They hire pedalos, and have discounts on car, scooter, bike and boat hire, and on the motor vessel Città di Chiavari. Getting there From the commercial harbour it is about 5 km: follow the Strada Provinciale Panoramica to the Baia Trinità junction, turn right and continue about 800 metres. You need a car, scooter or bike. The website does not publish prices or opening dates: ask when you book.