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Alghero (Catalan: L'Alguer) is a beautiful destination in Sardinia, Italy. It is best known for its beautiful beaches, very good food at reasonable prices, and also for its Catalan origin; in fact, it was known in the past as little Barcelona.

Understand

This historic town is one of the most popular destinations for Sardinia's visitors.

At it's atmospheric narrow lanes you'd numerous bars and cafés. It's 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.

Get in

By plane

  • 2 Aeroporto di Alghero (10 Km from the city). Alghero airport is serviced by several airlines including: Air One, Ryanair, Alitalia. (updated Feb 2016)

By car

Alghero is easily accessible by road from Sassari, passing by the airport near Fertilia. Another way to get to Alghero is from Bosa, by the sea-side road, which is quite small and steep but has beautiful views.

By train

Alghero railway station

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

  • 3 Stazione di Alghero Sant'Agostino (Railway station) (To get to the town from the station simply turn left out of the station on Don Minzoni, go straight for five blocks or so until you hit the beach and go left along Via Garibaldi.). Alghero station runs trains operated by ARST (former Ferrovie della Sardenia), not to be confused with Ferrovie dello Stato (Trenitalia). These are two separate companies, and you will have to take one of the many daily 35-minute trains from Alghero to Sassari in order to catch a connecting train operated by Trenitalia to another destination such as Cagliari. Tickets must be purchased separately at their respective stations. Alghero-Sassari: single €2.20, return €3.80 [1]. (updated Feb 2016)

By bus

  • 4 Intercity bus stop (near the SW corner of Giardini Pubblici). Buses to Cagliari (3.5 hours, fare €20), Sassari, Alghero airport and other destinations. There is a ticket booth with bus schedules, etc. For online schedules consult here (updated Mar 2015)

By Taxi

Get around

See

Palaces at the old town:

Palazzo d’Albis
  • 1 Palazzo d’Albis (Casa De Ferrera). A notable 16th century Gothic building. In 1541 the Emperor Carlos V was staying there. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 2 Palazzo Serra. 18th century Baroque building. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 3 Palazzo Lavagna. 19th century Neoclassical building. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 4 Palazzo Civico (Town Hall). (updated Feb 2016)
The coat of arms at the Palazzo Peretti
  • 5 Palazzo Peretti (Palazzo Guillot). 15th century Gothic-Catalan palazzo. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 6 Palazzo Carcassona. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 7 Palazzo Machin (Casa Doria). (updated Feb 2016)
  • 8 Palazzo Simon. Built in 1865 (updated Feb 2016)

Villas in Liberty style along Lungomare Dante and Lungomare Valencia:

  • 9 Villa Mosca, Lungomare Dante. currently a hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 10 Villa Las Tronas (Villa Arborio Mella di Sant'Elia), Lungomare Valencia. Yet another villa, currently a hotel. (updated Feb 2016)

Do

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. Bosa is an ideal spot for a relaxing holiday, as it is friendly and has a character and economy which is not based solely on tourism. Near Alghero, accessible by car, is the spectacular Capo Caccia/Porte Conte Bay, well worth a visit.

Learn

  • Pintadera is a language school offering a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for learning the Italian language and gaining a unique insight into Sardinian culture. The school is located in a picturesque alley in the heart of the old town. The group courses have between 3 and 6 persons and the four hours each morning are divided between two teachers - one is in charge of the grammar and the other of the communications. So, you learn the rules and regulations in the first part of the class and how to apply them in the second. It's a very effective method. For further information.

Buy

Alghero is famous with its red coral jewelery as well as silverware.

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".

  • Al Vecchio Mulino, Via Don De Roma, 3. A good restaurant where you can try typical dishes. The same management for 30 years. 
  • Embarcadero, Localita Portoconte. A very good restaurant in Portoconte, which serves fish dishes, meat dishes, and pizzas. It has a very nice view of the bay. 

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 E25 - E50 for one person. Expect prices to double in July and August.

  • B&B Ramblas (B&B Alghero), Lido San Giovanni Via Garibaldi, 79/M (Front of the sea), ☏ +39 347 1813100, . Check-in: 11AM, check-out: noon. B&B Alghero Euro: 60-100. 
  • Hotel Angedras Alghero, via Frank, 2, ☏ +39 079 9735034, . Check-in: 11AM, check-out: noon. Three star hotel in a quiet residential street close to the old town, has stylish modern rooms. Hotel shuttle bus to the beach, internet point, high-speed Wi-Fi internet connection, restaurant (on the Bastions in Alghero's Old Town, with sea view). $53-150. 
  • Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa (Hotel Villa Las Tronas - 5 star), Lungomare Valencia, 1, ☏ +39 079 981818, . Check-out: 12PM. Once the residence of Italian Royalty during their holidays in Sardinia, Las Tronas conserves the historic atmosphere of the aristocratic buen retiro, renewing the tradition and charm of the ancient residence.

A spectacular position, on the sea-shore. A peaceful, exclusive oasis on a private headland. Euro: 220-450. 

  • El Faro Hotel (El Faro Hotel), Porto Conte, 52, Alghero, ☏ +39 079 942 010. Check-in: 15PM, check-out: 12PM. Luxury seafront hotel strategically located in Porto Conte Bay. The 5-star hotel has the shape of an ocean liner, with its stern laid down on the rocks, enriched by Spanish-style arches and balconies. min €190 - max € 350. 
  • 2 Calabonia, Strada Provinciale 105, ☏ +39 079977343, . Restaurant, bar, swimming pool. The hotel has a small private beach with some rocks. €120. 

Go next

  • 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. See Alghero Tourism official website for boat excursions to other caves: Grotte Navisarda and Attilio Regolo.
  • 5 Neptune's Grotto (Grotte di Nettuno) (check with Tourist Information Office of Alghero). Apr-Oct daily 9:00-19:00; Nov-Mar daily 10:00-15:00. Guided tours (1/2 hour) are in Italian, English and German. €13 (guided tours only). 
  • Sassari is a nice destination for a half day trip


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