Alghero
Temperature
7°
Time
4:38 AM
Alghero
The narrow, cobbled streets of Alghero’s medieval citadel, packed with boutiques, bars and restaurants, slope towards the harbour and sweeping bay. Built in a buttery sandstone that glows a soft apricot shade in the setting sun, it’s Sardinia’s most picturesque Old Town. Spanish-style palazzos and street signs in Italian and Catalan reflect its proud heritage: 300 years of Aragon rule. Fringed by pine forests, long sandy beaches, hotels and bars curve away towards green headlands. It’s an idyllic setting.Find your trip
The 16th-century Duomo is mainly Catalan-Gothic and Renaissance, although you wouldn’t guess that from its Doric-columned frontage. Inside are peach-coloured walls, 18th-century chapels, and impressive Baroque marble balustrades before the statue-filled high altar.
This art museum is located in the former Rosario church, next to the Cathedral, and it is the ideal setting for an array of priceless religious art. They also showcase African sacred paintings and art works.
The tower – the remains of the main land gate entrance into the old city – houses a bookshop on the ground floor. Upstairs, touch screens provide a virtual journey through Alghero’s history, and a top floor terrace offers panoramic city and harbour views.
Chiesa de San Fransesco is an enchanting, restored 14th-century church with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and late Renaissance style. It also provides a tranquil cloister where summer concerts are held.
If you walk through the Port a Mare (Sea Gate) from the harbour you will end up at this oblong, and often very crowded, piazza. It is overseen by the grand, late-medieval Catalan façade of the Palazzo d’Albis.
Tour boats leave the harbour for Capo Caccia and the amazing Neptune caves, with 20m-long stalagmite and stalactite formations decorating a cave lake. Alternatively, take the bus to Capo Caccia and negotiate the steep and dramatic 656 steps down to the caves, and then climb back up again!
This is the ruins of a nuraghe (stone tower) village dating from 1500 BC. This is one of the most important historical sites on Sardinia and here you can see the central limestone tower and remnants of circular dwellings.
This necropolis from pre-nuragic times is located 9 km from the town of Alghero. 37 tombs, some of them decorated with bull's heads can be visited here. Just 1 km from the ruins, you can visit a small museum, Museo e Tenuta Vitivinicola, which shows replicas of some of the findings.
The 16th-century Duomo is mainly Catalan-Gothic and Renaissance, although you wouldn’t guess that from its Doric-columned frontage. Inside are peach-coloured walls, 18th-century chapels, and impressive Baroque marble balustrades before the statue-filled high altar.
This art museum is located in the former Rosario church, next to the Cathedral, and it is the ideal setting for an array of priceless religious art. They also showcase African sacred paintings and art works.
Il Pavone is a superb and charming Alghero restaurant famed for its imaginative menu and signature squid ink pasta. Make sure you ask for the list of specials which are presented on the side of large medicine bottles. Service is impeccable.
A feast of fish - see the lobster tank as you walk in - all priced by the l’etto (100g). The restaurant is located in the old city, with a fantastic view of the sea. Don’t forget to try the Tiramisu; it is one of the best on the island.
Enjoy a traditional Sardinian meat feast on a farm near the airport. This place is very popular so you need to book well ahead, but it is definitely worth the effort. During the winter season the restaurant is only open on weekends.
The Mirador has an ideal location on the city ramparts. Enjoy all areas of the restaurant: the upstairs terrace for sunset watching, the stylish interior decor, the candlelit outdoor tables in the evening. They offer great fish, delicious spaghetti with lobster and friendly service.
On three floors of a 15th-century building, this lively trattoria specialises in the fresh fish Catalan-style, and fine pasta dishes. It is particularly popular with the locals.
Built along a sunny Mediterranean lunch spot with a menu that should please vegetarians is Trattoria Maristella. This restaurant is lively and popular among locals, who highly recommend the pasta with mussels, and don't miss the chance to try one of their wonderful homemade desserts.
Les Arenes, with its large terrace near the sands of Lido beach, is the premier spot for pizza by the metre in Alghero. But it would be a mistake to ignore the rest of the varied menu, as it offers some of the finest Italian cuisine in the Sardinian tradition.
This small but very popular restaurant is owned and run by two sisters who serve up traditional meat-based Sardinian cuisine. Crowds fill the welcoming space to enjoy their homemade desserts, such as tiramisu and crema catalana.
Il Pavone is a superb and charming Alghero restaurant famed for its imaginative menu and signature squid ink pasta. Make sure you ask for the list of specials which are presented on the side of large medicine bottles. Service is impeccable.
A feast of fish - see the lobster tank as you walk in - all priced by the l’etto (100g). The restaurant is located in the old city, with a fantastic view of the sea. Don’t forget to try the Tiramisu; it is one of the best on the island.
Botarfish is known for the production of bottarga (mullet and tuna). They sell it nationally and worldwide and provide fresh packs, in various sizes, of hams and cheeses. Their typical products include Vermentino di Sardegna, Sardinian wines, Specialty bottarga, and tuna roe.
Sweet Pan Bacchus Marongiu Emmanue is a bakery known for selling a wide selection of pastries and confectionery. They produce handmade and homemade chocolates, artisan breads, and other gift ideas. Go there to enjoy their traditional cakes, pastries and fine wines.
Maria Teresa Tangianu specializes in authentic leather goods. Items sold here are made of leather and include luggage, jackets, belts, bags and much more. They also offer repairs of old leather garments, fur and suitcases.
In order to enjoy the superb scuba diving on offer in the Alghero area, be sure to head to Nautisub. This dive shop offers equipment and expertise, for both beginners and experienced divers, as well as equipment for deep sea fishing.
Located on Via Simon there is a vintage clothing and accessories shop for men and women called "Frida - L'Angolo Vintage". They sell items such as vintage clothing, leather bags, knitted items and much more. They also offer free WiFi.
In Piazza Civica you can find a fashion designer boutique named Antonio Marras. The place opened its doors in 2005 and exposed its impressive interiors and fabrics. The brands found here include Alessandro Gilles, Antonio Marras, Daniel Fiesoli and many more. Services include personalized tailoring for clothing. Moreover, the boutique offers a free tax service for customers from the area outside the EU.
To enjoy good lasagne, gnocchi, or ravioli, you can visit Fantasia Pasta Fresca. They produce and sell pasta and supply the whole community, including many restaurants. The specialty Sardinian gnocchi is a must-try for any visitor to the island.
Conad Superstore is considered to be the largest supermarket in Alghero. It provides everything from drinks and snacks to everyday necessities. Departments here include Banco Meats and Cheese, Meat Free Service, Orchard Fruit Bulk, and many more. Prices are also budget-friendly with convenient services for everyone.
Botarfish is known for the production of bottarga (mullet and tuna). They sell it nationally and worldwide and provide fresh packs, in various sizes, of hams and cheeses. Their typical products include Vermentino di Sardegna, Sardinian wines, Specialty bottarga, and tuna roe.
Sweet Pan Bacchus Marongiu Emmanue is a bakery known for selling a wide selection of pastries and confectionery. They produce handmade and homemade chocolates, artisan breads, and other gift ideas. Go there to enjoy their traditional cakes, pastries and fine wines.
Alghero Fertilia Airport is located about 12 km from town. The public transport company A.R.S.T. has a bus leaving the airport about every 20 minutes. You buy the ticket from the ticket machine which is located inside the terminal. You can also buy the ticket on board the bus but then it costs slightly more. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Taxis from the airport to the city centre take about 15 minutes.
You can hail a taxi in one of the many taxi ranks or order one by phone. The prices tend to be high, even if the fares are controlled by law. One of the major taxi companies in town is Radio Taxi.
Mailboxes in Alghero are large and engraved metallic boxes that are red in colour. Stamps can be bought at the post office, tobacconists and at some internet cafés. The main post office is located at:
Alghero pharmacies operate a rotating system for out-of-hours openings. Information is posted in pharmacy windows. The signs are a green cross and the term is Farmacia. You find Fois Antonio Pharmacy at:
Country code: +39 Area code: 079
220V / 50Hz
Alghero Fertilia Airport is located about 12 km from town. The public transport company A.R.S.T. has a bus leaving the airport about every 20 minutes. You buy the ticket from the ticket machine which is located inside the terminal. You can also buy the ticket on board the bus but then it costs slightly more. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Taxis from the airport to the city centre take about 15 minutes.
You can hail a taxi in one of the many taxi ranks or order one by phone. The prices tend to be high, even if the fares are controlled by law. One of the major taxi companies in town is Radio Taxi.
