- Destination
- Beaches
- Folklore and traditions
- Commune of La Maddalena
- Excursions
- How to reach us
- Climate
The Archipelago of wonders: the island of infinity
La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club is the pearl of the Maddalena Archipelago. One of the most stunning locations in the whole of the Mediterranean, this constellation of 62 islands boasts pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. This uniquely beautiful environment is now a National Marine Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vision, immersion, rebirth. The Maddalena Archipelago speaks of infinity, of the purest, most ancient time. Only here does nature return to the origins of the world. Only La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club offers you the spectacle of a land as light as the sky.
Freedom of choice
Thanks to its position at the centre of a 62-island archipelago, La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club offers guests the freedom of choosing a different beach every single day. Starting with the stunning best beaches a few minutes from the Hotel, which guests can reach via a fast shuttle service.
A short boat ride away lies Spargi island with its breathtaking coves: Cala Corsara, where the rocks have been shaped by the wind, and Cala Soraja, a tiny unspoilt bay surrounded by turquoise waters. Budelli island is home to the incomparable Pink Beach (Spiaggia Rosa), made famous as the set for Michelangelo Antonioni’s film “Red Desert”. Further north there is the Spiaggia del Cavaliere, a narrow strip of white sand lapped by a mantle of turquoise blue. Another boat ride away lies Razzoli island and the enchanting Cala Luna, a deep cove with the palest white sands and bluest waters. Back on board and off to Porto della Madonna, a spectacular natural pool the colour of celestial blue, then finally to Santa Maria island and its breathtakingly beautiful beach.
A change of direction takes us to Caprera island, which is joined to La Maddalena by a road bridge. As well as its beautiful natural surroundings, Caprera offers visitors the chance to discover more about the life of a famous figure from Italian history. Giuseppe Garibaldi made Caprera his home a number of times between 1849 and 1882, the year of his death. It was here that Garibaldi nurtured his dream of a united Italy with Rome as its capital. The museum dedicated to the Hero of Two Worlds is not to be missed.
La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club runs spectacular excursions around the Archipelago on original wooden yachts, magnificent cruisers and inflatable boats. To crown the perfect experience, enjoy a delicious fish lunch on board or sip on an ice-cold cocktail as you admire the breathtaking sunset.
Where the past talks of the present
Sardinia has maintained its historical roots and links to tradition. La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club is the perfect place to begin discovering the island’s folklore and heritage. The ideal destination is Gallura in the northern part of the island. Visitors can explore Gallura throughout the year by choosing one of the exciting day trips to the area.
February is Carnival time in Tempio Pausania. Celebrations include a procession of floats and the traditional burning of the effigy of King George, the peasant and dissolute sovereign who symbolises the festival.
In May, don’t miss the festival of Santa Reparata in the tiny medieval village of Luogosanto, when the faithful join a pilgrimage in ox-drawn carts. The Virgin Mary is honoured with special celebrations during the month of September. The “festa manna de Gaddura” is Gallura’s best-known festival, with concerts by polyphonic choirs and performances of age-old traditional songs. The ceremony is held in the beautiful Sanctuary of the Natività di Maria, built in the 13th century by the first Franciscan monks to reach the island.
La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club offers guests the chance to spend a day at the wonderful Cantina Surrau winery in Arzachena, where the vineyards cover more than 50 hectares. The visit includes a chance to taste typical Sardinian wines and foods. In the afternoon, the excursion moves on to the Ethnographic Museum in Aggius, where there is a stunning collection of costumes, rugs and crafts dating from 1600 to modern-day times.
Walking through history
La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club runs a fast shuttle service to the island’s main town, just a few minutes away. With its charming late 18th–century architecture, the Commune of La Maddalena offers every possible modern service while retaining wonderful traces of its past. Enjoy a stimulating walk around the narrow lanes of the ancient town, once the haunt of Horatio Nelson and Giuseppe Garibaldi. Don’t miss a trip to the Lamboglia Archaeological Museum, home to the wreck of a Roman ship and its cargo of amphorae that sank near Spargi island. A stroll along the seafront and port, taking in the superyachts anchored at Cala Gavetta, makes for an enchanted evening.
The heart of the Mediterranean
Set at the heart of the Maddalena Archipelago, La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club is the ideal starting point for many exciting excursions over land and sea.
First and foremost, a cruise. Choose a wonderful tour of the Archipelago by inflatable boat, stopping off in Corsica for a drink at one of the bars in Bonifacio. Or take an excursion on a traditional wooden yacht, visiting Cala Corsara beach on Spargi then on to Santa Maria island, with a romantic stroll to the lighthouse at Punta Filetto.
Time for a change of perspective. Take off on a helicopter ride and discover the ever-changing colours of the sea, from midnight blue to sky blue, purple to cobalt.
Cars, scooters, bicycles and quad bikes are also available to rent.
A step away from paradise
Guests at La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club can make use of the hotel’s fast shuttle service from Olbia airport and port. The journey to La Maddalena takes around 45 minutes by car from Olbia and 35 from Porto Cervo, plus a ferry ride from Palau to the island. Alternatively, La Maddalena Hotel & Yacht Club offers a private shuttle service by sea, with luxury yachts departing from Poltu Quatu. If you are sailing to La Maddalena, the coordinates for the island are 41° 12’,57 N 09° 24’,57 E
Endless summers
The island of La Maddalena basks in a true Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and refreshing breezes. Winters are mild, with temperatures never falling below zero.
