Cala Napoletana

Cala Napoletana is a group of three small coves on the north-western coast of Caprera, within the La Maddalena archipelago. Pale sand sits among rounded pink granite and clear water, with views toward the islands of the Bocche di Bonifacio.

Why it matters

The coves show the characteristic granite coast of Caprera within the La Maddalena National Park. Their small scale and rocky setting create a quiet contrast with the more developed parts of the archipelago. The island is also closely associated with Giuseppe Garibaldi, who spent the last 26 years of his life there.

What to notice

The beach divides into three sandy sections separated by granite slabs and boulders. The pale seabed and clear water make the shoreline's rocks visible below the surface. Mediterranean maquis, including myrtle, heather, helichrysum and strawberry tree, covers the ground behind the coves. From the northern coast, the view reaches across the Bocche di Bonifacio toward Budelli, Razzoli and Santa Maria.

Context and history

Caprera preserves both natural and military heritage. The route associated with Cala Napoletana passes the late-nineteenth-century Batteria Arbuticci, which remained in military use through the Second World War and later became the Memoriale Giuseppe Garibaldi, opened in 2012. The national park was established in 1994 to protect the archipelago's islands and surrounding environment.