The Maddalena islands are a collection of seven large and 55 tiny islands located between Sardinia and Corsica, off the coast of the Costa Smeralda.
Known for their crystal clear turquoise waters and stunning sandy beaches, these beautiful, untouched islands became a national park in 1994 and are best explored with a day trip. To reach the Maddalena islands, take a boat from Palau in North Sardinia.
The main island, La Maddalena, is home to all but five per cent of the archipelago's 10,000 inhabitants, and is well worth visiting.
Many of the Maddalena islands are totally uninhabited, and maintained by national park authorities.
We also recommend you visit Caprera, famous for hosting the Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi during his exile, and now home to his historic museum.
Explore Spiaggia Rosa, the pink beach, on the island of Budelli. Ferries frequently depart from the mainland during summer months, and the journey takes around 20 minutes. The beach gets its name from its unusual pink coloured sand, which is caused by broken coral.
