Palau
Palau is a harbor town on Sardinia's northeast coast and the ferry port for the La Maddalena islands. The granite headland of Capo d'Orso lies nearby.
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Palau is a harbor town on the northeast coast of Sardinia, the large Italian island in the Mediterranean. It sits on the Strait of Bonifacio, the channel that separates Sardinia from Corsica. Ferries leave from the town's port for La Maddalena, the largest island in the La Maddalena Archipelago, which is part of a national park. Most visitors come for boat trips to the islands and coves, and for Capo d'Orso, a granite headland nearby whose name comes from the Italian word for bear.
Palau is best for a beach and boat trip. Plan at least two or three days: one day for a boat trip to the islands and another for the coast. Late spring and early autumn bring warm water and fewer crowds, while July and August are the busiest months. Olbia's airport is the nearest major airport, and a car makes it easier to reach beaches beyond the town.
Palau in five
- Take a boat trip to the archipelagoDay boats from Palau visit islands such as Spargi, Budelli and Santa Maria with swim stops. Park rules limit landing and anchoring, so book an operator licensed for the national park.
- Do not plan to land on Budelli's Pink BeachThe Pink Beach on Budelli is closed to landing and swimming to protect it. You can still see it from a distance on some boat routes, so check the park's official site for current access.
- Ride the ferry to La MaddalenaShort ferries cross from Palau to La Maddalena town and run through the day in season. Check the operator's timetable, and leave the car on the mainland if you only visit for the day.
- Rent a car for coves and Capo d'OrsoBeaches around Palau, the granite Capo d'Orso and the Costa Smeralda are easiest with a car. In July and August beach parking fills early, so start before 9am.Best time to visit Italy
Things to do in Palau
See all attractions in Palau
Need to know
- Airport
- Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB), about 45–60 min by car or bus
- Getting there
- Car from Olbia; ARST buses run in season, check timetables
- Getting around
- Car for beaches; ferry and boat for the islands
- Best base
- Palau town, with Porto Cervo as the upscale alternative
- Time needed
- 2–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Quiet, closedJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closed
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Quiet, closedFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closed
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Mostly closedMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mostly closed
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Easter, mildAprilClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, mild
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Boats startMayClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Boats start
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Warming seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming sea
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low23°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Peak seasonAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Rain, closedNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, closed
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Quiet, closedDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, closed
Average daily high and low in Palau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Palau
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 22 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Palau
10:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°13°98%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue18°14°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed18°13°15%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Thu18°17°88%Thursday: Rain. High 18°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri17°16°72%Friday: Rain. High 17°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Sat19°12°15%Saturday: Fog. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sun20°10°11%Sunday: Fog. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 07:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- La Maddalenaabout 20 min by ferryThe main island town with a harbor promenade and island beaches.
- Porto Cervoabout 40 min by carThe Costa Smeralda's marina village, with beaches along the road.Read the guide
- Olbiaabout 45–60 min by carThe airport and ferry port, with a small old center.Read the guide
Before you go to Palau
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Rules for Palau, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport before you book, and confirm them on the official site linked here.Source
- Book ferry tickets ahead for July and August, when the boats are busiest.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Keep to marked paths and leave stones, plants and shells where you find them.
Plan around Palau
Regions, cities and how to link them
Read the guidePorto CervoThe Costa Smeralda marina village
Read the guideOlbiaAirport town and ferry port for north Sardinia
Read the guideAlgheroCatalan-style old town on Sardinia's west coast
Read the guideBest time to visit ItalyWhen Sardinian beaches and boats are running
Read the guidePalau FAQ
What is Palau, Sardinia best for?
Boat trips to the La Maddalena islands, beaches on the granite coast and sunset views toward Corsica. It is quieter and cheaper than Porto Cervo, and it is a practical base for island-hopping by boat.
How do you get from Olbia airport to Palau?
By car, in about 45–60 minutes, or by bus or taxi. Check the bus operator's timetable before you fly, because services are fewer outside summer.
Is it worth visiting La Maddalena?
Yes for the swim stops and clear water. A day trip by boat or ferry is enough for most visitors. Park rules limit where you can land, so booking a licensed operator helps.
Is Palau better than Porto Cervo?
Palau suits boating and a lower budget. Porto Cervo is a polished marina village with expensive restaurants and shops. Many visitors base in one and visit the other for an afternoon.
When does Palau start to shut down?
Many hotels, shops and restaurants close from late autumn to spring, and boats run less. Check dates before you book, because May and October can be mixed.