Palau is a lovely coastal town located in the northern part of Sardinia which offers a combination of stunning sea views and beaches, as well as acting as a gateway to the beautiful La Maddalena archipelago.
With its rugged granite landscape and scenic beaches, Palau is an ideal base for discovering the natural wonders of northern Sardinia and the Costa Smeralda (Sardinia’s famous ‘Emerald Coast‘).
Where is Palau?
Palau is situated on the north-east coast of Sardinia, in the province of Sassari. The town is located in a protected cove between rocky promontories.
Palau lies a short distance across the water from La Maddalena island and the smaller island of Santo Stefano, both part of the La Maddalena National Park.
How to get to Palau
Nearest airport to Palau
The nearest airport to Palau is Olbia Airport to the south-east. It offers domestic flights within Italy and international connections to various European cities.
Distances:
Palau to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport: 44 km (27 miles)
Palau to Alghero-Fertilia Airport: 146 km (91 miles)
Palau to Cagliari Elmas Airport: 296 km (184 miles)
Ferry travel
Palau has its own port with regular ferry connections to La Maddalena island. The nearest major ferry port is Olbia (44 km/27 miles south-east), with connections to mainland Italy and other Mediterranean destinations.
Driving to Palau
Palau is accessible by car via the SS125 and SS133 highways. The scenic coastal road offers beautiful views of the Gallura region’s granite landscapes and turquoise waters.
History of Palau
Although Palau is a relatively new town compared to some of the historic coastal sites around Sardinia, the area around Palau has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The hills to the south-west of Palau contain remains of Bronze age tombs and structures built by the Nuragic civilisation on the island.
The Napoleonic era saw both the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte himself and the British admiral Lord Nelson in the area around Palau. Bonaparte, at this point still a relatively junior officer, was part of a French force who had settled on the island of Santo Stefano and which was eventually chased out by local Sardinians.
Nelson used the islands and channel as a mooring for his fleet in the early 1800s before the famous naval battles elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
The farmers who lived in the hills remained mostly inland to protect themselves from raiders, but slowly family houses on the coast started to appear in the 18th century to allow the sea breezes to give a little respite from the heat of the summer.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Palau developed as a small fishing village and port. The town’s strategic location had made it an important military outpost, with fortifications built to defend against potential invasions. And road and rail improvements on the island connected the area to other important population centres.
Palau’s transformation into a tourist destination began in the Fifties and Sixties with the development of resorts along the coastline of north Sardinia.
Porto Rafael, just a few kilometres north of Palau near Punta Sardegna, was a project developed by Spanish count Rafael Neville in the early 1960s which became popular with artists.
The better-known Costa Smeralda (the renowned ‘Emerald Coast’) has become a loosely-defined stretch of coastline in northern Sardinia to the north of Olbia. It was originally centred on Porto Cervo, which was a resort developed by, amongst others, the Aga Khan.
These days it is more generally understood to stretch around the coast starting just to the south-east of Palau from Baja Sardinia through Porto Cervo down to Porto Rotondo.boat trips or simply watching the sunset.
What’s Palau known for?
- Gateway to the La Maddalena archipelago
- Beautiful granite rock formations like Capo d’Orso
- Long sandy beaches and clear waters
- Excellent wind and kite surfing conditions
- Traditional Sardinian cuisine and local wines
Top things to do in Palau
Explore the La Maddalena archipelago
Take a boat tour or ferry to discover the stunning islands of La Maddalena National Park. With their pink granite beaches, turquoise waters, and unique flora and fauna, these islands offer a paradise for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts.
Visit Capo d’Orso
Don’t miss the iconic Roccia dell’Orso (‘Bear Rock’), a granite formation shaped by wind erosion into the form of a bear. The short hike to the rock offers panoramic views of the coastline and La Maddalena islands.
Relax on Palau’s beaches
The Palau district includes 25 kilometres of coastline and 21 different beaches, such as those at Porto Faro, La Sciumara, and Porto Rafael. These stretches of sand offer clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
Try wind and kite surfing
Palau is renowned for its excellent wind conditions, making it a popular destination for wind and kite surfing. Several schools offer lessons and equipment rental for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Explore the Fortezza di Monte Altura
Visit this 19th-century fortress perched on a hill overlooking Palau. The restored complex offers insight into the area’s military history and boasts spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Visiting the La Maddalena archipelago
A trip to the La Maddalena islands is one of the highlights of a stay in the Palau region. However you choose to see them, some form of transport across the short channel from Palau will be necessary. The regular ferries transport both foot passengers and cars on the 20-minute journey over the water.
Taking a car across to La Maddalena island allows you to visit some of the more out-of-the-way beaches and even head over the bridge to the neighbouring island of Caprera to see the memorial and museum dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, one of Italy’s great heroes.
However, there is also a local bus service to a number of the beaches (and to Caprera) so those arriving on foot are not limited to staying in La Maddalena town itself. Accommodation is available in La Maddalena for those who want to spend a few days exploring the National Park.
Finally, for those whose time is limited or who just want a quick overview of the islands, a boat tour from Palau may be the perfect option. There are plenty available to choose from, depending on whether you are interesting in swimming and snorkelling or would rather spend some time exploring each stop.
An excellent guide to exploring the La Maddalena islands is available from a Sardinian local here.
Palau Information
Palau Tourism: www.palauturismo.com (Italian only)
Discover Gallura: discovergallura.it
Sardinia Tourism – Palau: www.sardegnaturismo.it
