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A Source-Faithful Two-Day Ferry Escape to La Maddalena

This two-day plan follows the supplied guidance for traveling from Palau to La Maddalena and staying overnight. The ferry crossing takes about 15–20 minutes. Delcomar and Maddalena Lines operate the route; if you buy a…

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Travel inspiration for A Source-Faithful Two-Day Ferry Escape to La Maddalena

Source videos

Travel inspiration behind this plan

⛴️ How to Take the Ferry from Palau to La Maddalena Island | Tickets, Prices, Tips | Sardinia Travel Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This two-day plan follows the supplied guidance for traveling from Palau to La Maddalena and staying overnight. The ferry crossing takes about 15–20 minutes. Delcomar and Maddalena Lines operate the route; if you buy a return ticket, return with the same company. Foot-passenger tickets are usually about €5–€10 one way, while the cited example for two adults and a small car was €16.60 return with Delcomar. Tickets can be bought online or at the harbor offices. In July and August, arrive around 20–30 minutes before departure when bringing a vehicle, and consider an early ferry to avoid crowds. During summer, ferries generally run every 15–30 minutes. Keep the ferry company logo and return departure time visible, and bring a camera for the turquoise water, rocky islands, and coastline views. The ferry has an outdoor passenger deck, bathrooms, and a small café serving cappuccino and cornetto.

Resources for this plan

Shared by the source creators. These are not VibePlanit endorsements and may be affiliate links.

Book Delcomar ferry · Geriatric Influencer ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link
Book Maddalena Lines ferry · Geriatric Influencer ↗ Creator link · may be an affiliate link

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Day 1 — Palau Ferry Terminal and Scenic Crossing

Use Palau as the departure base. The terminal is about an hour by car from Olbia Airport, depending on traffic. Buying in person provides flexibility outside busy summer holiday weekends. If driving, complete the ticket purchase before joining the vehicle boarding lane; foot passengers can simply walk aboard.

  1. Palau Ferry TerminalPalau Ferry Terminal, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    Begin at the Palau ferry terminal, the departure point for La Maddalena. The terminal is easy to find, and travelers commonly arrive by rental car or bus from Olbia.

  2. Delcomar Ticket Office PalauDelcomar Ticket Office Palau, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    Use the Delcomar ticket office at the port when you want maximum flexibility. The cited example was €16.60 return for two adults and a small car; foot passengers usually pay about €5–€10 one way depending on season.

  3. Palau Ferry TerminalPalau Ferry Terminal, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    Compare Delcomar and Maddalena Lines at the port. Both operate essentially the same route, while Delcomar is described as slightly cheaper and usually more frequent.

  4. Palau Ferry TerminalPalau Ferry Terminal, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    If bringing a vehicle, buy the ticket first and then line up in the marked boarding lane. In July and August, allow about 20–30 minutes before departure for vehicle boarding.

  5. Palau–La Maddalena FerryPalau–La Maddalena Ferry, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    Take the outdoor passenger deck for the short crossing. The ride lasts about 15–20 minutes and offers views of turquoise water, rocky islands, and the northern Sardinian coastline.

  6. Palau–La Maddalena FerryPalau–La Maddalena Ferry, Palau, Sardinia, Italy

    Use the small onboard café for the cappuccino and cornetto mentioned in the source. Bathrooms are also available for passengers during the crossing.

Day 2 — La Maddalena Harbor, Town Access, and Island Drive

The La Maddalena ferry docks beside the town center, making the arrival area a practical base for an overnight stay. From the harbor, the source specifically highlights nearby restaurants, cafés, shops, the waterfront, beaches around the island, and the option to drive across to Caprera Island.

  1. Porto di La MaddalenaPorto di La Maddalena, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy

    Arrive at the main harbor in La Maddalena. The dock is directly beside the town center, so you can begin exploring immediately after disembarking.

  2. Delcomar Ticket Office La MaddalenaDelcomar Ticket Office La Maddalena, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy

    If you need flexibility for the return journey, use the Delcomar ticket office near the La Maddalena port. Confirm the company logo and departure time before boarding, because a round trip must return with the same company.

  3. Porto di La MaddalenaPorto di La Maddalena, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy

    Walk from the harbor toward the nearby restaurants after arrival. The source specifically notes that dining is immediately accessible from the dock.

  4. Porto di La MaddalenaPorto di La Maddalena, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy

    Use the harbor area as the starting point for cafés and shops. These are described as being within easy walking distance of the ferry arrival point.

  5. La Maddalena IslandLa Maddalena Island, Sardinia, Italy

    Drive around La Maddalena to explore the island’s beaches. The source presents driving around the island as one of the standout experiences in northern Sardinia, without naming individual beaches.

  6. Caprera IslandCaprera Island, La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy

    Continue by car across to nearby Caprera Island, which the source specifically identifies as an extension of the La Maddalena drive.