What is there to see near Palau?

In addition to the beaches and islands, there’s a clutch of small fishing villages. Choose from many different hikes, either along the coastal path or into Sardinia’s green interior. Then there’s the Green Train, a traditional steam engine that winds its way across elaborate bridges and through Mediterranean scrubland. It’s a fine way to get a true sense of the island. Or you can visit the Tombs of the Giants, a set of striking Bronze Age burial chambers just 20 minutes’ drive from Palau.

When’s the best time to visit Palau?

Palau is most popular in the summer when visitors pour onto the island in search of beautiful beaches and sunshine. But the weather is warm from April until the end of October. Visiting outside of July and August, you’ll still have plenty of sunshine and there’ll be fewer visitors. If you’re interested in coming to Sardinia to admire the scenery and explore the archaeological sites, think about planning a holiday in the winter months. Palau may be a lot quieter and some of the restaurants may well be closed, but it makes a great base for local explorations and hikes.

What are the beaches like near Palau?

Situated on the northeast Emerald Coast of Sardinia, Palau has some of the finest beaches on an island packed with award-winning stretches of sand. Most of the beaches are soft white sand beside turquoise seas. Their sheltered location makes them good for snorkelling or swimming with small children. The beaches furthest north are windy and popular if you want to windsurf or kiteboard.

Is Palau family-friendly?

It’s a small, safe, colourful town on the coast and perfect for family holidays. Many of the sandy beaches lead out to shallow, safe waters. Exploring the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago makes for a fun adventure with a family and, in summer evenings, Palau’s main square is filled with family-friendly entertainers. Take boat trips, hang out on the beach and eat in little Italian restaurants; this is an easy place to take a family holiday.

What’s the nightlife like near Palau?

The nightlife in Palau itself is charming rather than wild. In the hot summer, there’s a night market in the main square. Concerts and cabarets are put on throughout the little town. Bars line the old harbour and you can expect romantic, intimate evenings looking out at beautiful views. In nearby towns, there are some trendy nightclubs, though, and you can grab a cocktail and dance until the sun comes up.

What’s Palau’s food like?

You’re right on the coast, so expect to find a lot of freshly caught fish. There’s an ample supply of restaurants, from the charming to the glamorous, serving pizza and pasta – look out for the sea urchin pasta for something a little different. Culurgiones are little dumplings stuffed with mint-flavoured creamed potatoes, and octopus salad is another favourite. If you want to try something other than gelato for dessert, check out seadas. This traditional Sardinian fried pastry is filled with lemon-scented cheese and topped with honey.

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Isolotto Beach
Situated right in Palau, near the small port, is pretty Isolotto Beach. As with many of the beaches in this region, it’s all about golden sands and turquoise seas. The shallow water is safe for swimming and its incredible clearness makes for good snorkelling. While there are no facilities on the beach itself, you have plenty of restaurants and bars nearby. It’s a popular choice for families staying in the town but rarely becomes over-crowded.
La Sciumara Beach
Only a few minutes’ drive, or a 25-minute walk from Palau is the sweep of golden sand at La Sciumara. Isolated and peaceful, and with stunning views, this is the perfect place for you to unwind. It’s possible to hire little dinghies to paddle out to the nearby islands and explore, or just float above the ripples and snorkel in the protected bay. Backed by colourful foliage, the 500-metre beach is nestled in a beautiful corner of Sardinia.
Maddalena Archipelago
If you’re after something a little different, escape to the islands of the Maddalena Archipelago. You can either hire a boat in Palau and explore them yourself, discovering endless tiny white-sand coves, or take a ferry across to the larger islands and walk around. It’s even possible to hire scooters and bikes on La Maddalena itself and spend a dedicated day discovering what for you makes the perfect beach. Head down dirt trails to find the finest of them all.