Capo d'Orso, Palau
Perched on a granite headland north of Palau in the Gallura region, Capo d'Orso is named for a wind-sculpted rock formation that really does look like a crouching bear — and the panorama from its feet takes in the entire La Maddalena Archipelago spread across a sea that cycles through every shade of green and blue.
The Viewpoint
The short walk up from the car park takes about 20 minutes along a path through twisted juniper and pink granite boulders; the bear itself is about 12 metres tall and sits at roughly 122 metres above sea level.
On clear days — which is most days in summer — you can see Corsica's southern tip, the island of Caprera, and the busy Strait of Bonifacio threading between Italy and France.
When to Visit
Sunset is the magic hour: the granite turns amber, the sea goes molten copper and the lights of La Maddalena town begin to flicker on across the water.
Early morning visits in July and August beat the tour groups; the site opens at 09:00 and the path is never crowded before 10:00.
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