Alghero

Alghero is a beautiful town on the north-western shore of Sardinia, Italy. It is best known for its beautiful beaches, unique food, and also for its Catalan heritage; in fact, it was known in the past as la Barceloneta sarda, little Sardinian Barcelona. This historic town is one of the most popular destinations for Sardinia's visitors.

Understand
In Alghero's, Catalan: L'Alguer atmospheric narrow lanes you'll find numerous bars and cafés. Its restaurants are renowned for excellent seafood. The surrounding area brings many delights for those who venture out of the city. These include the famous beaches at La Pelosa - Stintino, the eerily abandoned mining town of Argentiera and the ancient palace complex at Nuraghe di Palmavera.

By plane


Connections by regional buses to Alghero (every hour, 20-minute trip), Sassari (9 per day, 30-minute trip), Bosa, Nuoro, Macomer, Oristano, Cagliari. In Jun-Sep there are also buses to Stintino & Santa Teresa Gallura. Tickets can be bought at the ARST ticket vending machine.

By car
Alghero is easily accessible by road from Sassari, passing the airport near Fertilia. Another way to get to Alghero is from Bosa, by the sea-side road, which is quite narrow and winding but has incredible views.

If staying in the old town, free parking can be found in and around the Piazzale della Pace.

By train
The railway station is about fifteen minutes walking distance from the centre of town and marina.

By car
The city centre has a limited traffic zone (ZTL) (map and hours). Most vehicles are prohibited from accessing it most of the time. Cameras are in operation and fines apply, even if you're in a rented car.

See


Religious architecture:

Secular architecture:

Liberty villas along the Lungomare Dante and the Lungomare Valencia:

Beaches
The coastal road south of Alghero is beautiful, an unspoilt and protected panorama of sparkling sea, lush vegetation, and rocky mountains. It leads to Bosa, a small medieval town, which has a distinctive and living historic center and many points of interest.

Near Alghero, accessible by car, is the spectacular Capo Caccia/Porte Conte Bay, well worth a visit.


 * Scuba diving - The area with the Marine Reserve Capo Caccia/Isola Piana is one of the best dive destinations in Europe.
 * Caving
 * Climbing
 * Mountain Biking
 * Bird watching
 * Hunting
 * Archaeology
 * Botany

Buy
Alghero is famous for its red coral jewelry and silverware. All coral jewelry is unsustainably harvested from living wild coral reefs that form important ocean habitats. Ethical travellers should avoid buying any sort of coral jewelry.

Eat
As in most parts of Italy food in Alghero is an important thing. The town's fishing port provides seafood fresh from the sea. Make sure that you try Catalan lobster, lobster salad with raw tomatoes and onion. Ricci (sea urchins) are also very popular in Alghero with a festival being held in their honor around February during the "Sagra del Bogamarì".

Basically, anywhere in town is good, as long as you avoid the tourist restaurants with "il menu turistico".

Budget
All these are in the city centre:



Drink
Take in the beautiful views at cafe Latino located on the battlements overlooking the harbour. There are also lots of late night bars on the Lungomare Valencia that get going at around about midnight. Local drinks are limoncello, mirto and some local wines that they serve in all restaurants.

Also you should not miss the Bar La Perla in Viale Sardegna. It serves great cappuccino.

Sleep
There are a whole number of possibilities for accommodation in Alghero from bed and breakfasts to Agroturismos (farm stays) and hotels. You can pick up a list of B&Bs at the friendly Tourist Information office.

In the offseason, rates range from for one person. Expect prices to double in July and August.



Capo Caccia
See Neptune's Grotto, which includes the "Goat's Staircase" and under water the limestone cliffs continue creating the most vaste underwater marine cave system, Nereo Cave is the bigger and famous with its huge halls and tunnels.


 * Tourist agencies organise boat excursions to the other caves: Grotte Navisarda and Attilio Regolo.
 * Tourist agencies organise boat excursions to the other caves: Grotte Navisarda and Attilio Regolo.



Other destinations

 * Sassari is a good destination for a pleasant half day trip
 * Bosa is a quaint old town further to the south