Secret islands three hours from the UK compared to a ‘rugged Caribbean’ with beautiful beaches and cheap villas

A GROUP of islands just a few hours from the UK are still a secret to most Brits – despite being compared to the Caribbean.

La Maddalena is an archipelago in Italy with the main route to the islands from Sardinia.

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La Maddalena is home to a number of beaches and islands in Sardinia[/caption]

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The archipelago is home to clear blue waters and Caribbean-style beaches[/caption]

The islands are only slowly becoming a tourist attraction, as most of their income came from a large NATO naval base based there.

However, this closed in 2008 – and more holidaymakers have been flocking there ever since.

The collection of islands is also home to one inhabited town, also called La Maddalena, which serves traditional Italian food and fresh seafood, pulled from the seas surrounding the islands.

What’s more, a lot of the people serving the delicacies speak great English, thanks to their history of dealing with American naval workers from the NATO base.

Among its highest rated beaches are the likes of Spiaggia di Cala Coticcio, which people claim has “three shades of blue” in the clear seas lapping at its shores.

There is also Cala Coticcio although that can also get quite busy.

Conde Nast Traveller called them La Maddalena the “secret islands” of Sardinia, even comparing them to the Caribbean.

They wrote: “In the translucent seas of the La Maddalena archipelago, you’re in another world. It doesn’t feel like the Mediterranean here.

“It feels like a more rugged version of the Caribbean.”

Tourists have raved about the islands too, with them saying there are “all kinds of blue”.

One wrote on TripAdvisor: “Look at the water. The first thing you will notice are three shades of blue.

“After that just dive in and enjoy it. There are times when you are swimming that the colour will not seem real – as if someone tipped blue dye in there.”

Strictly Sardinia also recommends visiting Cala Caprarese, which they say is one of the best beaches in La Maddalena and “well away from the crowds”.

They added: “This beach boasts pale turquoise seas, tall rock formations, and practically glowing white sand.

“It’s quiet and relaxed, too, making it a great spot to come if you’re looking for some real seclusion.”

Getting to La Maddalena is easy enough, with flights to Cagliari taking just two and a half hours.

From there it’s just a short journey to Poro di Palau, which has ferry connections to La Maddalena, which take just over half an hour.

A private villa can be booked from around £45 per night in La Maddalena, just a short walk away from beaches and restaurants.

That’s much less than a trip to the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, this tiny exotic paradise island has “Europe’s most beautiful sky“.

And this coastal town was named a top hidden gem for 2024.

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Some of the beaches have seas with three different shades of blue[/caption]

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La Maddalena village is home to plenty of English speaking locals[/caption]