5 things to see and do in Palau. Culture and sport in Gallura

You’ve chosen the North of Sardinia for your holidays and now you want to know more about things to see and do in order to make the most of the island. Here are a few ideas.

You’ve planned your well-deserved holidays in the North of Sardinia. You’ve booked a hotel and would like to spend your days on the beautiful beaches around Palau … but it’s not enough! You’re on the magical island of Sardinia so you want to fully enjoy the area, visit unique places and get to know the people and customs of the place!

If you are in or near Palau, this short tourist guide will give you 5 of the best things to see and do in the North of Sardinia, ranging from excursions, to sport and party places that will all go to make your holiday unique.

Roccia dell’Orso for a 360° view & Porto Rafael for a walk around the town

No doubt you will already know the renowned Roccia d’Orso, or Bear Rock: the famous tafonata rock overlooking the Capo d’Orso promontory of the same name almost as if it was the guardian of that breathtaking landscape painted with colours from the La Maddalena Archipelago to the high cliffs of Corsica. A pleasant 30 minute walk through delightful Mediterranean maquis and other plants will take you to the top and once there you may wonder what the real attraction is: the unique rock itself or the view?

The small but elegant tourist village of Porto Rafael, 4 km from Palau, is a little gem located in the north of Punta Sardegna. Built by the Spanish billionaire Count Rafael Neville de Berlanga de Duero, the village is perfectly inserted in its natural setting with its marina, shops and the characteristic “discesa del conte”, a picturesque cobbled street of Sardinian granite that passes between houses and gardens full of flowers until it reaches Porto Rafael’s little square. The perfect place for a romantic sunset aperitif by the Palau sea!

Upper Palau: sea view aperitifs looking out over the port of Palau

The fun in Palau continues after sunset. The best of North Sardinian nightclubs and restaurants open their terraces overlooking the sea while the DJs start playing good music. Starting with aperitifs, a stop at ‘Upper Palau’ is a must; this exclusive terrace overlooking the marina in front of the La Maddalena Archipelago also has a lounge bar and sushi bar. A reserved spot in the heart of town to dance under the stars and have fun while enjoying a breathtaking view!

Li Mizzani Tomba dei Giganti (Giant’s tomb) & Porto Pollo: windsurf e party on the beach

If you are a sports enthusiast and you like to do windsurf, kitesurf and SUP in Sardinia or spend time on the coolest beaches around Palau, we recommend the beach at Porto Pollo, near the Isola dei Gabbiani. A must-see in the North of Sardinia, where windsurfing schools and qualified kitesurfing instructors are on hand for hiring equipment and personalized lessons. This place attracts plenty of tourists every day who liven up the beach until sunset, while the bars on the Porto Pollo beach serve delicious refreshing fruit cocktails.

For those who are both passionate about and fascinated by the ancient Nuraghic civilization, you can visit the Li Mizzani Tomba dei Giganti by taking the road that goes from Palau to Santa Teresa di Gallura. This is one of the countless collective tombs built in accordance with nuraghic culture in Gallura and Sardinia in general. An interesting visit for those who want to learn the history of this unique and extraordinary Mediterranean civilization.
What more is there to say, with sports, culture and entertainment you’ll never get bored in Palau!