Alghero is a famous city and seaside resort in Sardinia in the province of Sassari, delights tourists with its amazing nature and beautiful beaches. This place with a rich history and Catalan influence offers a unique combination of cultures and historical events. One of the main attractions of Alghero is the historic Old Town, also called “Little Barcelona”. Walking through its narrow cobblestone streets, you can admire beautiful architecture from the Middle Ages. The 16th century defensive walls offer great views of the wonderful sea and surrounding area.
Alghero located on the north-western edge of Sardinia by the turquoise sea. This a city and comune in the province of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy.
The best beach in Alghero:
- Cala Dragunara
- Spiaggia del Lido di Alghero
- Bombarde Beach
- Spiaggia del Lazzaretto
- Spiaggia di Maria Pia
- Spiaggia di Las Tronas
- Spiaggia del Lazzaretto
- Calette del Quintilio
Main Attractions:
Neptune’s Caves
Grotta di Nettuno, or Neptune’s Grotto, is one of the most spectacular natural tourist attractions in Sardinia, located close to the city of Alghero. This limestone cave delights tourists with its majestic interior, full of stalactites and stalagmites that have been formed underground for thousands of years. Discovered in the 18th century, Neptune’s Grotto is accessible from both the sea and the land. Visitors can reach it by boat, admiring the picturesque cliffs of Capo Caccia along the way, or deciding to descend the steep staircase called “Escala del Cabirol”, with over 650 steps.
Capo Caccia Lighthouse
Capo Caccia Lighthouse is a working 19th century lighthouse located on the tip of Capo Caccia, 3.7 km from Tramariglio a frazione Alghero on the west coast of Sardinia. The lighthouse was built in 1864 on the top of the promontory of the same name, overlooking the sea, just above Neptune’s Grotto, connected by a 656-step staircase called the Escala de Cabirol.
Punta Giglio Alghero
Punta Giglio is a limestone promontory located north of Alghero, which, together with Capo Caccia, encloses the bay of Porto Conte. It is incorrectly called “punta” because it actually has the characteristics of a “cape” due to its height above sea level. It owes its name to the presence of numerous lily plants.
Isolotto della Maddalena Lighthouse
Isolotto della Maddalena Lighthouse is a working lighthouse located on a small 84-meter-long islet located 800 meters north of the southern pier of the port of Alghero in the Sardinian Sea.
Charakteristic Towers:
In the historical parts of the cities, on the coast and in many places in Sardinia you will see characteristic towers (I call them fortresses). There are seven such large, waltz-shaped towers preserved in Alghero. The towers served as fortifications, a lighthouse, a prison, gunpowder warehouses and even an animal shelter. The most impressive towers are: Torre di Sulis o de l’Esperò Reial, Torre San Giacomo, Torre di San Giovanni, Torre di Porta Terra, Torre S. Elmo, Torre Della Polveriera, Torre della Lanterna, Torre della Maddalena.
Religious buildings:
The town center is truly impressive. The most characteristic are the tower of Chiesa di San Francesco and the colorful dome of the church. The patron saint of the city of Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. As you enter the city through the gate from the port, you will find the Parrocchia Cattedrale dell’Immacolata Concezione. Another example is Chiesa del Carmelo and the church of Misericordia.
Corals:
The depths in its area are rich in precious coral, considered one of the best in the world. It is not without reason that the coast of Alghero is called the Coral Coast (Riviera del Corallo). Noble coral, also called red coral (Corallium rubrum), is a species of coral from the Coralliidae family.
Especially made of red corals, you will see many jewelry products here and as a motif for artistic installations, e.g. on historical towers in the city. It is a real and unique treasure on a European scale.
