Alghero: la piccola Barcellona e le sue bellezze

Alghero: ‘Little Barcelona’ and its attractions

Alghero is a real gem of Northern Sardinia, a beautiful ancient town also known as ‘Little Barcelona’.
Indeed, amongst the picturesque narrow streets of the town centre, the imposing ramparts and the marvellous monuments, you’ll recognise all the hallmarks of Catalan culture.
It has long influenced this town in Sardegna. Even the locals speak Catalan as their dialect, and the Spanish spirit is still very much alive and palpable.
You’ll be enchanted by the natural surroundings of this splendid Sardinian town: beaches, the sea and cliffs offering breathtaking views.

Not to be missed:

The Caves of Neptune: one of the most fascinating places in the Mediterranean basin. Don’t miss the chance to visit the caves and venture into a landscape that seems straight out of a fairy tale, entirely created by the power of nature.
The Palmavera Nuraghe: the complex dates back to the Nuragic period and is situated in a bay that the ancient Romans called Porto delle Ninfe. There are currently around 50 huts, but the remains suggest a very significant village from the Nuragic era, one of the most important sites in the Sardegna.
The bastions: each bastion is dedicated to the great navigators of the past (Columbus, Marco Polo, Pigafetta and Magellan). The Catalan-Aragonese walls and fortifications have remained virtually intact and bear witness to the city’s glorious past.
Shopping: wander through the city’s streets and you’ll find plenty of interesting shops. Alghero is also a major fashion hub, having been the birthplace of the designer Antonio Marras, who brings a touch of Sardegna to Italian fashion.
Fine dining: seafood takes centre stage in Alghero’s cuisine. You can sample the delicious Catalan-style lobster, enjoy a flavourful sea urchin dish or the tasty Alghero-style paella, made with rice instead of fregola. There are plenty more dishes to discover, which you can enjoy at the excellent restaurants and agritourism establishments in the surrounding area.
Porto Conte: The Porto Conte Nature Park covers 5,000 hectares of Alghero’s coastline and hinterland.