Alghero

Alghero is an interestingly varied town with a historic core, green outskirts where our properties are situated, a sweep of easily reached sandy beaches and some more modern areas perhaps of less interest in themselves until you need a supermarket or the children demand 'seaside attractions'.

First, the historic centre demands your attention. Walk around the fortified walls, with the sea breaking on the rocks at your feet and admire the great defensive towers. Turn into the tangle of cobbled lanes to visit the Duomo (cathedral) and other public buildings, most of which clearly display Catalan influences, as do many of the street names. When you have done your dutiful sightseeing, find a small restaurant or pizzeria and afterwards go shopping, window or real, in one of the many small but generally chic boutiques. Many older buildings in the centre have only recently been restored and you will still find an occasional fisherman mending his nets in a doorway, however the serious fishing activity has its centre in the harbour just to the north of the walls and you can find the accompaniments to your main fish course in the daily market a short walk further.