One of the things that come to my mind when thinking of Palau are certainly the extraordinary landscapes that surround the port city; splendid granite rocks that over the millennia have been shaped by wind and water, I think of its splendid port and the strategic position to visit the Maddalena archipelago. Palau is a destination that many consider passing through especially to visit the beautiful islets in front of the city, but in this article we will show you what to see in Palau , what to do, some beaches and typical dishes.
What to see in Palau
INDEX
1) PALAU
I would certainly start with nature, since in Palau there is a natural monument visited by thousands of tourists and travelers every year, it is the Bear's Rock . This monument is nothing more than a granite rock of about 120 meters which over the millennia has been eroded and shaped by atmospheric agents giving it the shape of a bear. It was fantastic to discover this site that undoubtedly dominates the sea of Palau so much so that it was also chosen as the coat of arms of the country, moreover it was used in antiquity by navigators as a natural reference point.
Palau has also been the subject of numerous military constructions between batteries and walls, especially for defensive purposes, one of these is certainly the fortress of Many Altura , in an incredibly panoramic position and built with the same granite rocks among which it is surrounded. We took a guided tour and it was a good choice as it explained curiosities and historical aspects related to both this fortress and other military batteries positioned along the coast, such as the military battery of Talmone and the Barrage fortress . If you take a tour in the cute old town, as well as admire the beautiful murals , don't forget to pay a visit to the Ethnographic museum. You will discover something more about the history of Palau through objects found in the neighboring countryside or produced by the first local artisans.
2) THE BEACHES IN THE AREA
Palau is clearly popular also for the beautiful beaches that are located near the city, on the coast from one side to the other there is an alternation of beaches and granite rocks, all associated with the splendid color of the sea and the presence of dunes and scrub. Mediterranean. What to see in the west of Palau is definitely La Sciumara , characterized by a large and cream-colored beach, an area of absolute relaxation and particularly suitable for families with children.
Continuing along the coast and always in the direction of Santa Teresa di Gallura we can definitely recommend the Nelson bay , a strip of beach with very fine white sand and a rich and luxuriant surrounding vegetation. You are in the area, so it is inevitable to take a dip in the splendid cala Martinella , the turquoise color and the splendid transparency of the water will surely make you fall in love with the bay also for the incredible contrast of the surrounding green landscape. Another area of interest is Porto Pollo - Isola dei Gabbiani , a peninsula joined to Sardinia by a narrow isthmus of cream-colored sand and surrounded by the turquoise sea. A perfect location for camping lovers and a home for surfers.
These beaches just mentioned are not the only ones, on the contrary, they are the most popular. Below you will see a sequence of remote beaches that can be reached by car or by trekking and which are located in the immediate vicinity of Palau. Don't forget us travel planner we absolutely encourage the discovery of remote and off the beaten track areas, but not only that, we also recommend choosing a beach based on the weather condition (may or may not be exposed to winds), based on kind of travellers (perhaps if you are a family I would prefer to recommend a beach with services rather than a remote one that can be reached after 50 minutes of trekking) and at your needs and passions.
3) WHAT TO DO (OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES)
What to see and what to do in Palau? From beautiful horseback rides to mountain bike rides on the coast, but not only, in Palau, water sports and those related to the wind stand out above all. I have not had the opportunity to do any kind of water sport but we have several contacts concerning sailing schools, kite-surfing, wind-surfing and even SUP and kayaking , do not forget that this area is highly exposed to the dominant wind of Sardinia: the mistral . The outdoor activity in Palau, however, is another, the boat excursion towards La Maddalena (take a look at the special article about excursions to La Maddalena)
4) HISTORY AND TRADITION
What to see in Palau at the level of archaeological sites? A few kilometers from the sea and just outside Palau we find the most important archaeological site in the country: Li Mizzani . This site is nothing more than a tomb of the giants, small in size but of great historical importance. It is known in fact that the tombs of the giants were funerary monuments characteristic of the Nuragic civilization whose most spectacular element was, and is, the facade made up of stone slabs arranged in a vertical position. Definitely worth a visit, also because it stands in a very interesting environmental context, on the heights of Mount Canu. Another site in the area is the sacred area of S'Ajacciu but which is currently in a total state of decay (because of who?), Even some areas are totally covered by vegetation, too bad.
5) TYPICAL DISHES
There is certainly a lot to see in the neighboring areas of Palau, but there is also to be tasted through the most characteristic dishes. Although the town rises on the coast, it firmly maintains its Gallura origins, even at the gastronomic level. If you go to eat in a restaurant or farmhouse make sure you find the Gallura soup , or li fiuritti or handmade tagliatelle, Lu Pan'a Fitti with spianata or leftover bread boiled in meat broth and seasoned with local oil, pecorino cheese, parsley and cinnamon. The delights do not end here, the classic Sardinian porcetto , the faa and laldu (broad beans and lard with wild fennel) and the Acciuleddi , a fried pasta passed first in honey. Fish-based dishes are also clearly to be considered, such as grilled dishes and mixed soups with fresh fish from local seas.
