Caprera is a beautiful unspoiled and wild island, part of the Maddalena archipelago and included in the national park of the same name, which is a natural reserve. It is the second largest island of the archipelago, located in front of the coast of Sardinia (northern part of the island).

There are no hotels, no stores, no supermarkets on Caprera, and its inhabitants number is less than a hundred, mostly residing in Stagnali, which is the only real village on the island.

What is Caprera famous for?

Certainly Caprera is well known to tourists for its dreamy beaches, surrounded by Mediterranean maquis and pink granite rocks. In addition to its natural beauty, however, its name is famous because it is linked to Giuseppe Garibaldi, who lived here in exile for 26 years and died here.

>>> Read also: The best boat tours in the archipelago of La Maddalena (Sardinia) – 2024

How do you get to Caprera?

To get to Caprera you can travel by sea or by land.

By land

Caprera is connected to the island La Maddalena by a 50-meter bridge called the Passo della Moneta. You can travel it by car, scooter, or take a bus from La Maddalena.

By sea

From Palau or La Maddalena, you can rent a boat or join a guided boat tour that will take you to some of Caprera’s most beautiful beaches.

How to get around Caprera

Definitely the best way to get around Caprera is by car. However, if you are sporty, a mountain bike is also a nice way to visit the island. Be aware, however, that there are several fairly tough climbs and various dirt roads to reach the beaches.

Alternatively, you can get to Caprera by bus that leaves from La Maddalena and stops at the most popular areas and beaches. Only caution to be taken: the last run is around 7 p.m. so take that into account, otherwise you will then have to call a cab to get back.

Download Caprera bus schedule HERE.

Best things to do in Caprera

Caprera is definitely popular for its beaches, however, it is also a great place for hiking and walking, or biking or horseback riding. In addition, thanks to the beauty of its waters, snorkeling is possible here, and some spots are also particularly good for scuba diving.

Nature trails and trekking

If you like walking in unspoiled nature, Caprera is the place for you. In fact, here you will find a wide variety of trails, well marked by special signs, on which the estimated walking time is also indicated. 

There are on the island trails of great beauty that will take you through pine forests and panoramas with immense views of the sea of the archipelago.

To get a map of the routes, you can stop by the tourist office in La Maddalena, Via XX Settembre, or consult the La Maddalena app, which you can download for free to your phone.

The Caprera sailing school

Another activity that can be practiced in Caprera, for those who love the sea, is sailing. In fact, here you can find one of the most important sailing schools in Italy, Centro Velico Caprera, active since 1967. Here you can choose both initiation courses for beginners and consolidation and refresher courses if you are already an expert.

What to see in Caprera besides beaches

Besides beaches and outdoor activities, there are also several things to see in Caprera. 

Consider that over the centuries the archipelago has been a strategic place for military defense from attacks by France, so more than 30 military fortifications were built here.

Some of these can also be found on Caprera.

In addition, Garibaldi’s life on the island left a mark, still visible in the museums dedicated to him.

Garibaldi’s house

To get an idea of what Garibaldi’s life was like on the island, I recommend visiting the Garibaldi House Museum. Here you can visit the rooms of his house, the garden and see his bed, his clothes and various objects of daily life. Garibaldi was buried in Caprera, so here you will also find his grave.

If you reach the museum by bus, there is a bus stop right in front.

Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial at Fort Arbuticci

By paying extra to the house-museum ticket you can also visit the Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial located at Forte Arbuticci, from where you also have an exceptional view of the island of Caprera from above.

Here there is an interactive exhibit dedicated to Garibaldi’s life and his military works.

Viewpoints of Caprera

To admire the most beautiful views of the island and take some unique photos, I recommend heading to these viewpoints:

-Batteries Poggio Rasu Superiore

-Monte Tejalone

-Opera di Punta Rossa

Caprera’s best beaches

Caprera for me has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Maddalena archipelago, sandy beaches, clean water and most of them with blue flag. 

Compared to the island of La Maddalena they are perhaps more inconvenient to reach (almost all of them have dirt paths and need some walking) however they are really worth it.

Most of the beaches are not equipped and have no bars, so bring everything you need with you before you leave.

PS: Since islands in the La Maddalena archipelago can often be windy, I recommend that you inquire about wind conditions before choosing a beach. I use the La Maddalena app. Here, in the “weather” section, there is a section on “repaired beaches

Spiaggia del relitto (wreck beach)

One of the most famous and beloved beaches on Caprera. It is located at the end of a dirt road that can be reached by car or on foot. The sand is white and fine and the sea beautiful and shallow, with crystal-clear waters.

It takes its name from a part of a boat wreck (relitto) that lies on the shore of the beach.

For me it is beautiful but since it is not too big, it is often very crowded, so the best time to get there is early in the morning.

It also has an equipped part where you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas and a free one, and behind it is a bar-restaurant where you can eat overlooking the sea.

If you arrive by bus you have to get off at the terminus, which is the Due Mari stop and from there walk about 20 minutes to reach the wreck beach.

Cala Coticcio

One of the most beautiful beaches perhaps in the world. When you get there, it is a vision: the very white beach, the blue, shallow sea, and the pink granite rocks all around.

When I was there it was limited entry by reservation fee and could only be reached with a guide, however when you go inquire at the tourist office about the rules at the time. 

To reach it by land there is a nice rocky walk (not very easy in places) of about 40 minutes, while if you come by sea you cannot go ashore but only stay in the water.

The beach is small and to preserve the environment you should not put towels or anything else on the sand.

Read my complete guide to Cala Coticcio here.

Cala Serena 

When I was there, in early May, I was practically alone and felt like I was in a dream. The sea was flat, the water shallow and the sand very fine. This beach, besides being very beautiful, is also less crowded than others, so I always recommend it.

To reach it, once you get to Cala Garibaldi, you will have to walk to the right for about 20 minutes.

Spiaggia dei 2 mari

Another of the most beautiful beaches in Caprera and one of the busiest is Due mari beach. It owes its name to the fact that it is on a tongue of land and therefore has two beaches washed by two different stretches of sea. A smaller one on the right and a larger one on the left, also known as Cala Portese. Both have fine sand and shallow waters, so they are very suitable for families with children.

Cala Portese beach is often very busy, especially in high season, so if you can’t find a place, I recommend continuing past the Cala Portese beach bar and getting to the end of the coast, crossing some rocks. Here is another small beach, protected by Mediterranean scrub, where there are usually fewer people.

If you arrive by bus you have to get off at the end of the line, walk downhill for about 5 minutes and then you will have arrived.

Cala Andreani

Not far from the wreck beach is one of my favorite beaches on Caprera: Cala Andreani. Here too you will find white sand, spectacular water and pink granite rocks.

It is also usually less crowded than the wreck beach, so I prefer it.

Cala Caprarese

A beautiful beach near the Garibaldi memorial, from which several paths begin leading to other wonderful coves, such as Cala Napoletana, otherwise accessible by sea.

Cala Garibaldi

This beach owes its name to the fact that Garibaldi moored his boats right here, in the very still existing. Cala Garibaldi is located opposite the island of Giardinelli and is a beautiful sheltered beach with golden sand and rocky seabed, where some natural pools are formed.

To the side is a large pine forest and the remains of what was the Clud Med, which has been closed for years now.

Cala Brigantina

A beautiful beach surrounded by nature and sheltered by vegetation. There are both sand and rocks here, so it suits all tastes, and thanks to its crystal clear waters it is particularly suitable for snorkeling and scuba diving.

You can reach it by land via a path from Punta Raso or by sea by boat.

Spiaggia degli inglesi

Small bay surrounded by high cliffs and Mediterranean scrub, which is located not far from the beach of the two seas. Not very easy to reach, but for that reason less crowded than others, it has sandy bottoms and beautiful turquoise water.

Doggie beach

Let’s come to one of my favorite beaches: the doggie beach, or the dog beach where if you don’t have a dog you can’t go. It is one of the few beaches dedicated to dogs in Sardinia and is run by a volunteer association. It is free but for a fee you can rent a bowl, umbrella and hygienic bags.

The seabed is shallow and the bay very sheltered. The beach is also surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, so for me it is a little paradise. And Nikita, my dachshund, also loves it very much 🙂

Cala Crucitta

Spectacularly colored beach and one of the wildest on Caprera, surrounded by wild nature but difficult to reach by land. 

From the Arbuticci Memorial in fact, you will have to hike about 1 hour, so it is not for everyone. However, if you get there, you will enjoy incredible colors and beauty.

Cala Baccà

Beach generally sheltered from the wind, with first sandy and then rocky seabed, accessible by sea but also by land. Surrounded by vegetation and wilderness, it is usually uncrowded.

Where to eat in Caprera

If you are on vacation in the archipelago, surely the majority of restaurants are on La Maddalena island, as I told you in this article about the best restaurants in La Maddalena.

Even on Caprera, however, there are a few places where you can stop for something to eat.

Here are some of them:

Paninoteca i mille

During a trip to Caprera, I recommend stopping at this beautiful outdoor sandwich shop with tables scattered in a beautiful pine forest where you can cool off among hammocks and wooden tables during hot summer days. The sandwich menu is varied and interesting, but you will also find cold dishes and salads.

Il barone rosso

Kiosk nestled in one of Caprera’s pine forests offering sandwiches, burgers and also hot dishes and salads.

Cala Portese beach club

Elegant beach club on the beach of the two seas, open both for lunch and for aperitifs or dinner. Offers mainly Mediterranean seafood and sushi cuisine, but has a fairly extensive menu with plenty of choice. Ask for tables on the sand, where you can eat directly in front of the sea.

Relitto beach bar – ristorante

Bar – restaurant behind Relitto beach, with a sheltered terrace and a nice view of the sea. 

Where to sleep in Caprera

In Caprera, being a protected area, there are no hotels. However, since it is connected to La Maddalena by a bridge of only 50 meters, you can easily sleep on the nearby island and go on a day trip to Caprera.

Boat tours to Caprera

One of the best ways to enjoy the sea and discover Caprera’s most beautiful beaches is to take a boat tour. You can rent a dinghy, or if you prefer more comfort and less thought, join a guided boat tour. Below I recommend some of the best ones:

Boat tour of the archipelago and Caprera

Tour of the Maddalena archipelago with stops at Spargi, Santa Maria, the natural pools of Budelli and the beautiful Cala Coticcio, one of Caprera’s most beautiful beaches.

Departures from La Maddalena and Palau.

BOOK HERE

​

Caprera boat tour

Tours by 8-meter dinghy departing from Palau to the most beautiful areas of the archipelago. There are 5 stops but vary according to La Maddalena Park guidelines and weather.

Here are the possible itineraries:

La Maddalena Archipelago:

Possible stops at Cala Corsara, Cala Soraya, Cala Granara, Cala Connari, Spiaggia del Cavaliere, Passo del Topo, Passo degli Asinelli, Cala Santa Maria and Santo Stefano.

or

Caprera Island:

Possible stops at Cala Napoletana, Cala Serena, Testa del Polpo, Cala Coticcio, Porto Palma and a panoramic view of Punta Rossa.

The tour includes an aperitif with typical products on board and various stops where you can swim and snorkel.

of passengers.

BOOK HERE.

Cala Coticcio by Sea Shuttle

If you are in Santa Teresa di Gallura and want to visit some of Caprera’s most beautiful beaches, I recommend this tour with stops at La Maddalena, Cala Napoletana and Cala Coticcio.

BOOK HERE.

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