Palau (in Gallurese Lu Palau) is a Municipality of about 4,300 inhabitants, near the shore overlooking La Maddalena island.

In Palau there are indented granite coasts, but some striking beautiful beaches come up, such as “Sciumara”, “Palau Vecchio”, “L’Isolotto”, the little beaches of “Porto Faro” and the long beach “Isola dei Gabbiani”, a sand strip adjacent the River Liscia outlet. Behind the beaches, a flourishing typical Macchia Mediterranea vegetation can be admired (oleaster, maritime pine, myrtle, broom, rosemary, lavender, strawberry tree, mastic, cistus, helichrysum). Two flourishing pine-woods arise near the beach of “Palau Vecchio” and on the hills around the village. The mouth of the River Liscia is very significant for its environment and its frail ecosystem. Near the village there is the “Roccia dell’Orso” (the Bear Rock) a granite hill 122 m. high, imaginatively shaped by atmospheric agents and very appreciated by tourists.

In spite of an evocative legend that connects Palau to the myth of Ulysses, its territory began to be inhabited just near the end of the XVIII century by Corsican fishermen. Today’s village has begun to develop since 1800 around the harbour, a strategic base to get to La Maddalena, and near the railway station along the Sassari - Tempio line.

Palau’s economy is based on summer tourism. The receptive and recreational structures granting a high-quality offer addressed to demanding tourists are several indeed. Number of visitors who frequent this part of Gallura coast is increasing year after year. Palau is provided with an operational and well-equipped tourist port, together with the ferries that every 15 minutes head off to La Maddalena. Agriculture (fruit and horticulture) and farming (bovine, swine) have a modest economic relevance.

In the territory of Palau there’s plenty of archaeological sites available: the Giants’ Graves (Tombe dei Giganti) of Li Mizzani, dating back to Middle Nuragic Age, and those of Sajacciu near the Gothic-Catalan church of San Giorgio (XV – XVI century).

Not too far from the village there is the Fortress of Monte Altura, a military fortress with a scenic view on the surrounding sea area, tourist open and built between 1887 and 1889, set of concerts and cultural manifestations in the summer.

In the area of Punta Sardegna there is also the holiday village of Porto Raphael, an exclusive and elegant centre adjoining a yacht port and surrounded by thick Macchia Mediterranea shrubs. The village was founded in 1960 by the Spaniard Raphael Neville in competition with Costa Smeralda