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Palau is located on the northern coast of Sardinia, near the renowned Costa Smeralda, in Gallura; it is also the main harbour of La Maddalena Archipelago.
All the beaches here are full of typical Mediterranean scrub vegetation, including wild olive trees (Olea europea “olivaster”), maritime pine (Pinus pinea), rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum), myrtle (Myrtus communis), spiny broom (Calycotome spinosa), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lavender (Lavandula officinalis), strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo), mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), Montpellier cistus (Cistus monspeliensis), and helichrysum.

A large pine forest can be found on the beach of “Palau Vecchio” and another one of roughly the same size is located on the hills overlooking the town. Near the latter, there is Capo d’Orso (the “rock of the Bear”), a 400-ft high granite hill shaped like a bear facing the sea by the atmospheric agents. Known since ancient times, this spectacular granite formation has given its name to the very promontory on which it is found. The “bear” is also shown in the municipal coat of arms of the city of Palau.

Not far away, there’s Costa Paradiso, one of the best-known tourist attractions in northern Sardinia – established in the late 1960s. A stretch of coast feature impressive and majestic pink granite cliffs eroded by the wind, also featuring crystal-clear waters and Mediterranean scrub panoramas.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)