Roccia dell'Orso, the Bear-Shaped Rock above Palau

On the cape that closes Palau's bay to the east, the wind has carved a block of granite into the shape of a bear looking out to sea. The Roccia dell'Orso gives its name to the whole headland, Capo d'Orso, and is one of the clearest viewpoints over the archipelago: below you are the La Maddalena channel, Caprera and Santo Stefano, and the boats coming and going from Palau.

The climb

From the visitor centre, at Via Roccia dell'Orso 8, a path among myrtle, broom and mastic climbs to the rock. There are many steps, so a good part of the route is not practicable with reduced mobility. Allow an hour for the way up, photos and the way back. Local legend says the cape could be the land of the Laestrygonians, the giants who frightened Odysseus in the Odyssey.

2026 hours and price

It is open from 1 April to 2 November, from 9:30. Closing time changes with the month: 18:30 in April, 19:00 in May, between 19:30 and 20:30 in June and July, 22:30 in August, 20:00 or 19:30 in September, and 18:30 or 17:30 in October. Last admission is about 45 minutes before closing. From 3 November it closes for winter.

Admission costs €3, €2 for ages 11 to 18, and is free up to 10. The joint ticket with the Monte Altura fortress and Palau's Ethnographic Museum costs €7. It is bought online or at the visitor centre. Animals are allowed.

When to go

At the end of the afternoon, with low light over the islands. In August it is open until 22:30, so you can climb after the excursion boat, which returns to Palau around 17:00. At midday, in summer, there is no shade on the rock.