Hotels in Lu Palau/Palau

Lu Palau/Palau

Palau occupies Sardinia's northeastern tip, in the Gallura region, facing the Maddalena Archipelago National Park across a narrow strait. The town is the main departure point for La Maddalena island, with ferry crossings taking roughly 15 minutes from the central harbour on Via Nazionale. On the headland west of town, the Roccia dell'Orso — a granite formation resembling a bear — rises 122 metres above sea level and remains one of Gallura's most photographed landmarks.

The Costa Smeralda lies approximately 25 km southwest along the SS125, putting Porto Cervo and Baja Sardinia within a short drive while keeping accommodation costs below those of the resort zone. Visitors include Italian families, sailing crews using the well-equipped marina, and travellers using Palau as a base for island-hopping through the 62-island archipelago. Restaurants along the waterfront serve Gallurese dishes such as suppa cuata, a baked bread-and-cheese broth tied to the region's shepherd traditions.

Most hotels and guesthouses sit within 500 metres of the ferry terminal. Peak season runs from mid-June to early September, when the archipelago's granite beaches and clear water attract the highest demand. Outside those months, rates drop and the town quietens considerably; ferry services to La Maddalena continue year-round but on a reduced schedule after October.