Arcipelago di La Maddalena - Photo courtesy of Stahlkocher/Wikimedia

Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park is a geo marine park that covers both land and sea. The park covers over 12,000 hectares and 180 km of coasts, including all the islets and islands within the Municipality of La Maddalena, Italy. This national park is an essential part of the Sardinian region and not to be missed by visitors in the area. 

The Location

The Arcipelago of La Maddalena is widely considered to be a true piece of natural art. The major islands of the area include La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli. Admiral Horatio Nelson, Napoleon Bonaparte and Giuseppe Garibaldi are just some of the famous names associated with these islands. 

Arcipelago di La Maddalena - Panorama - Photo courtesy of Stahlkocher/Wikimedia

Natural Importance of the Park

The Arcipelago di La Maddalena is located in the northern region of Sardinia and has a combination of islets and islands offering interesting environmental features and landscapes. According to the European Union, Caprera is one of the most important places on the continent for preserving nature.

One of the most appealing features of this coastal region is the shape of these islands, which are of granitic origin and freatured indented developments with frequent cliffs and rias. 

The beaches of these islands are truly something to behold, protected by their status from overdevelopment. Santa Maria has a gorgeous cove as well as a beautiful lighthouse, while Spargi's Cala dell’Amore is private and unspoiled enough to be perfect for lovers. The uninhabited Budelli's world famous Spiaggia Rosa or Pink Beach has achieved its distinct color through small pieces of coral and shells among the grains of sand.

Arcipelago di La Maddalena - Vegetation - Photo courtesy of Marcozampini/Wikimedia

Flora and Fauna

The Arcipelago of La Maddalena is rich in flora and fauna and many sea creatures that have made the area their home. The chief vegetal formations come from the Mediterranean coastline and there are various trees and plants in this region.  Sandy surfaces and soggy places allow psammophious vegetation and a large number of strawberry trees, juniper, lentisk, phillirea, heather, myrtle, cistus, thorny broom and euphorbia can also be found in the area.

Because of the protection of the state the sea water of the archipelago is largely unpolluted compared to other areas making it a haven for sea life. Some rare species native to the area include the Greater Shearwater, the Mediterranean Shearwater, the Audouni's Gull and the Storm Petrel. 

La Maddalena - Town Center - Photo courtesy of Stahlkocher

Points of Interest

The archipelago offers visitors tons of interesting things to see and do. Along with the marine and plant life the islands offer interesting small villages and hamlets full of history and culture, as well as gorgeous beaches made for sun and relaxation.

La Maddalena is the capital and the main island of the archipelago and is considered the gateway to the Park. There is evidence that the island was inhabited as early as prehistoric times, although its written history began with the Romans. Today the town, with a population of about 13,000, has much to offer visitors. The place where Mussolini was once held prisoner also boasts an array of churches, great architecture, and museums, not to mention its immense natural beauty.

Caprera is Garbaldi's island and is the second largest in the Park. It is thought that the plants on the island's beaches and shores are the most amazing in the archipelago. Visitors to the island will be surrounded by holm oaks, pinewoods, junipers, Mediterranean maquis and the concentrated scents of myrtle and strawberry trees.

If visiting the archipelago don't miss the island of Budelli, located to the north of Spargi and famous for the above Pink Beach, featured in Michelangelo Antonioni's Deserto Rosso. The coral sand on the coast, the deep colors of the sea and the granite of the land make up a gorgeous natural monument, best reflected on silently.

Budelli - The Pink Beach - Photo courtesy of Aldo Ardetti/Wikimedia

In Santa Maria look for the old monastery built in the Middle Ages by the Benedictines. The island's beautiful seaside, Cala San Maria, is considered to be the largest in the archipelago.

The archipelago is filled with smaller villages, coastal towns and other beautiful places just waiting to be explored by visitors. In addition to be being blessed with a variety of flora and fauna the natural beauty and history of the area will ensure that visitors will continue to flock to the archipelago for years to come.