La Maddalena: the 22 most frequently asked questions (ferries, beaches, boat trips and transport)

Are you planning a visit to the La Maddalena Archipelago and have a thousand questions? You are in the right place.

This guide collects and answers the 22 most searched questions on Google related to La Maddalena. You will find information on ferries, costs, beaches, boat trips, transport and much more. All in one article, clear and direct.

Transport and ferries

1. How do you get around La Maddalena?

You move around in different ways depending on which island you want to visit:

On the island of La Maddalena, you will find paved and well-maintained roads. Scooter or bicycle hire is widespread and convenient.

2. Is it possible to get around La Maddalena on foot?

Yes, but only the town centre and its immediate surroundings.

What you can do on foot:

• Historic Centre and Cala Gavetta

• Church of St Mary Magdalene

• Nino Lamboglia Museum

• Walks along the waterfront

What you CANNOT do on foot:

• Reaching the most beautiful beaches (car, scooter or boat needed)

• Visiting Caprera (several km from the centre)

• Exploring the entire island (it has an area of over 18 km²)

Tip: to see the island at its best, rent a scooter or a bike. It costs little and gives you freedom.

3. How to get around La Maddalena by car?

Getting around La Maddalena by car is easy. The roads are paved and well signposted.

What to know:

• You can take the car by ferry from Palau (additional cost)

• On the island you will find scenic roads that run along the coast

• Parking in the city centre can be difficult in high season (use park-and-ride lots)

• From La Maddalena you can reach Caprera by crossing the bridge (free, no ferry required)

Travel times:

• From the centre of La Maddalena to Punta Tegge: 15 minutes

• From the centre of La Maddalena to the bridge to Caprera: 5 minutes

• Crossing Caprera from south to north: 20-25 minutes

4. How can I get to La Maddalena by car?

Getting to La Maddalena by car is only possible by ferry from Palau.

Procedure:

1. Reach Palau by car (from Olbia: 45 minutes, from Santa Teresa: 30 minutes)

2. At the port of Palau, you board your car on the ferry

3. Approximately 20 minutes' crossing

4. Disembark directly in La Maddalena with your car

Important: in high season (July-August) book the ferry well in advance, especially if you are travelling with a car. Places for cars are limited.

5. Where does one take the ferry to La Maddalena from?

The ferry to La Maddalena leaves exclusively from the port of Palau.

Palau is located on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, in:

• 45 minutes from Olbia (airport)

• 30 minutes from Santa Teresa Gallura

• 1 hour from the Costa Smeralda

There are no direct ferries from other Sardinian ports (Cagliari, Porto Torres, Golfo Aranci) to La Maddalena.

6. Where do ferries leave for La Maddalena?

Ferries to La Maddalena depart from port of Palau.

There are two companies operating the route in Palau:

• Delcomar (generally cheaper)

• Magdalena Lines (more frequent in high season)

Both depart from the same main pier. Embarkation is well signposted. In high season, arrive early (at least 30-40 minutes before departure).

7. How long is the ferry to La Maddalena?

The ferry crossing from Palau to La Maddalena takes about 20 minutes.

In calm sea conditions, it can last 15-18 minutes. In rough seas or strong winds, it can last 25-30 minutes.

It is one of the shortest ferry routes in the Mediterranean.

8. How long does it take to get to La Maddalena from Palau?

The travel time is approximately 20 minutes of navigation.

Add:

• 10-15 minutes for boarding (arrive early)

• 5-10 minutes for disembarkation once arrived

Total time from arrival at the port of Palau to disembarkation in La Maddalena: about 40-50 minutes.

9. Do I have to book the ferry to go to La Maddalena?

It depends on the period:

Without a reservation in high season, you risk finding the ferry full and waiting for hours (even 2-3 hours in a queue).

Where to book: on the official websites of Delcomar and Maddalena Lines.

10. Which day of the week do ferries cost the least?

Ferries to La Maddalena cost less in weekdays (Monday to Thursday).

Higher prices:

• Friday (beginning of weekend)

• Saturday and Sunday (tourist peak)

Tip: if you can, travel from Tuesday to Thursday. You save money and find fewer queues.

In low season (October-May), prices are uniform throughout the week.

11. How much does a ferry ticket to La Maddalena cost?

Indicative prices for a single ticket (one way):

Prices vary according to:

• Season (high vs. low)

• Day of the week (most expensive weekend)

• Company (Delcomar often cheaper)

12. How much does the ferry to La Maddalena cost by car?

The cost of the ferry to La Maddalena by car consists of:

• Driver's ticket (5-7 euro)

• Car ticket (depending on length)

Approximate prices (one way):

Example: average car (4.2 metres) + driver = approximately 20-30 euro one way. Round trip = 40-60 euro.

13. How much does the ferry from Palau to La Maddalena cost for a car?

Same as the previous point. The price for a standard car (length up to 4.5 metres) is between 15 and 30 euro each way depending on the season.

Delcomar is generally cheaper than Maddalena Lines for car transport.

14. How much does it cost to bring the car to La Maddalena?

Bringing the car to La Maddalena costs between 30 and 60 euro return for a standard car (driver included).

Concrete example (August 2025, Delcomar):

• Car up to 4 metres + driver round trip: approx. 45 euros

• Car up to 5 metres + driver round trip: approx. 55 euros

If you travel in the low season (May or October), you can spend even 10-15 euro less.

15. How much do you pay for the car ferry?

You pay according to the length of the vehicle. The fare includes the driver.

Practical example:

• 4.2 metre car + driver = 25 euro one way

• Additional passengers = 5-7 euros per person (one way)

At check-in, measure the length of your car (from the vehicle documentation). You do not pay for height or weight (unless you are a camper or caravan).

Beaches

16. What is the most beautiful beach on Maddalena?

There is no single answer, but here are the most voted by tourists:

If you only have one day and you want the best, choose a boat trip that includes Cala Corsara (Spargi) and the sighting of Spiaggia Rosa (Budelli).

17. La Maddalena beaches reachable by car?

On the island of La Maddalena (the inhabited one), you can reach by car:

The most beautiful beaches (Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, south-western Caprera) cannot be reached by car. You need a boat (for the smaller islands) or trekking (for some of Caprera's coves).

Boat trips

18. What is the best way to visit La Maddalena?

The best way to visit the La Maddalena Archipelago is to combine:

1. A one-day boat trip (to see Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and the Natural Pools)

2. A day on dry land (to visit the village of La Maddalena, Caprera and Garibaldi)

With 2 days you see the best. With 3 days you add trekking and snorkelling.

The boat trip is the only way to see the smaller islands (Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria) because there are no regular ferries. There is no other way.

19. How much do boat trips to La Maddalena cost?

Average prices for a day trip (7-8 hours) departing from Palau or La Maddalena:

Tip for saving money: Choose a group excursion such as Petagus (50 euro adults, 30 euro children). It offers the same itinerary as the more expensive trips (Spargi, Budelli, Piscine Naturali, Santa Maria).

I recommend the quality: Book in advance online. The best tours sell out days in advance, especially in July and August.

Travel Planning

20. What is the nearest airport to La Maddalena?

The nearest airport to La Maddalena is the’Olbia - Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) .

Distances and times:

• From Olbia to Palau (ferry port): 45 km, about 45 minutes by car

• From Palau to La Maddalena: 20 minutes by ferry

Other (more distant) alternative airports:

• Alghero Airport (AHO): about 130 km, 2 hours' drive to Palau

• Cagliari Airport (CAG): approximately 280 km, 3 hours and 30 minutes by car

Tip: fly to Olbia. It is the most convenient and closest airport.

21. How long does it take to shoot La Maddalena?

To turn all La Maddalena (inhabited island + Caprera + boat trip to the smaller islands) requires at least 3 days.

Here is a recommended itinerary:

If you only have two days: skip the trek to Caprera or reduce your visit to the Garibaldi Compendium.

If you only have 1 day: choose between boat trip (sea) or island tour (land). You cannot do both.

22. Why is the island of La Maddalena famous?

The island of La Maddalena is famous for five main reasons:

1. Spectacular beaches - White sand and turquoise water, especially the Pink Beach of Budelli and Cala Corsara at Spargi.

2. The La Maddalena Archipelago National Park - Italy's first marine protected area, established in 1994, with over 60 islands and islets.

3. Giuseppe Garibaldi - The Hero of the Two Worlds lived the last 26 years of his life in Caprera, where his home and tomb are located.

4. The Pink Beach of Budelli - A unique natural phenomenon caused by the shells of the foraminifera Miniacina miniacea. It is so famous that the landing ban (from 2020) has increased its aura of exclusivity.

5. The strategic location between Sardinia and Corsica - The archipelago is located in the Bocche di Bonifacio, one of the most beautiful and wild stretches of sea in the Mediterranean.

Quick summary (answers in one sentence)