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In the last decades Alghero became a famous holiday destination in Sardinia which offers not only beach and sun but also culture and beauties of nature like the Nuraghe di Palmavera or the Neptune’s Grotto.
The best things to do and to see in Alghero
Alghero, a charming small town with more than 40.000 inhabitants and Spanish influence, is located on the northwest coast of Sardinia in the province of Sassari. The town with its remarkable seafront, its wall of fortification and its centre with narrow lanes and old houses still retains its distinctive Catalan character which is seen for example in the bilingual road signs and the cuisine of the place.
Interesting spots in town fort sightseeing are The Cathedral of St. Mary, the churches of St. Michael and St. Francis, Palazzo Carcassona and Palazzo D’Albis, the Torre dello Sperone and last but not least the impressive walls of fortification on the seaside. To take a sunbath we recommended the nice beach Spiaggia delle Bombarde.
Alghero is famous for the processing of the red coral which is transformed by craftsmen mainly in beautiful jewellery.
Neptunes Grotto, Wine and more
Who wants to explore the immediate vicinity of Alghero can visit for example the famous and beautiful Neptune’s Grotto located about 15 km away from town on the peninsula of Capo Caccia. The cave complex is reachable by boat from Alghero or on foot via staircase.
Some important archeological sites nearby are the nuraghic complex of Palmavera and the necropolis Anghelu Ruju with its several burial chambers.
Also in the north one can visit Sella & Mosca, a famous winery which was incorporated in 1899 and produces red and white premium and prizewinning wines exclusively from estate-grown grapes. The total area of the estate is about 650 hectares.
Bosa in the south and Asinara in the north of Alghero
A winding coast road which offers beautiful panoramic views connects Alghero with the small village of Bosa in the south. Bosa is located at the estuary mouth of the river Tirso and is dominated by an impressive castle ruin. Approx. 3 km away from the town is the beach Bosa Marina.
In the north of Alghero: Stintino and Asinara National park
Stintino on the northwestern tip of Sardinia is renowned for the stunning coastline and beautiful beaches like La Pelosa with its white sand and turquoise waters. Stintino a fishing village only recently converted to tourism is located on the narrow strait which separates the islands of Asinara from the mainland. Her is one of the most beautiful beaches of Sardinia, La Pelosa Beach, with the Torre di Pelosa and its crystalline water and very fine white sand. Others beaches nearby which deserve a visit are La Pelosetta, Le Saline, Ezzi Mannu. A must for nature lovers is the rocky coastline of Capo Falcone.
The museum of the Tonnara shows the history and technique of the tuna capture and is located on the new harbour.
On the island of Asinara with an area of 51 km² predominates due to a lack of fresh water a low scrub vegetation. Asinara has recently been converted to a wildlife and marine preserve. In former times the island was notorious for its high security prison where mafia members and terrorists were jailed until 1997 when the prison was declared closed.
The best places to stay and explore the region are some comfortable Agriturismo in Alghero or a charming Hotel in Alghero.
Text and photo: SardiniaNatour
