ABOUT AREA
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. Starting to the north of the harbour and close to the built up areas, the beaches begin and stretch with a few breaks, right around the north of the bay and well beyond the town. In general, the further you go out of town, the more beautiful the beach and less crowded. At the furthest point west lies Capo Caccia, up to 300 metres high, a startling sheer silhouette in the sunset.
BEACHES
Maria Pia
The Maria Pia beach, still in Alghero is a beautiful sandy bay backed by pinewoods. More beaches are to be found as you journey further around the bay of Alghero and around Porto Conte bay and beyond it.
Lazzaretto
On the way to Porto Conte, just past Fertilia, try the beaches of Lazzaretto with superb views across to Capo Caccia and Le Bombarde, a strip of pure white sand bordered by crystal clear sea.
Bosa
To the south towards Bosa, the coastline tends to be more wild and rocky – a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers. There are a couple of sandy beaches including La Speranza which lies about eight kilometres south of Alghero.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Our Lady of Valverde - Alghero - Easter
Celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter. Devotees from all over the region flock to Alghero to take part in various traditional rituals, the most important of which is a pilgrimage to the magnificent 16th-century sanctuary dedicated to the Saint.
Festival Alguer and its Journeys - Alghero – April-June
The spring edition of the successful Festival Alguer, consisting of a series of concerts, literary meetings, exhibitions and other cultural events.
Cavalcata Sarda - Sassari - May
A colourful celebration of Sardinian culture with people from all over the island coming together. The town comes alive with colourful decorations, costumes, horse shows, poetry competitions, chants and traditional dances.
Festival Alguer - The Anfiteatro Maria Pia and The Forte della Maddalena in Alghero – June-September
A summer-long festival of culture including jazz, musicals, theatre and much more which is held at two of Alghero’s historical venues.
XXVI Summer Music - Alghero – July & August
Classical music concerts in the Chiostro di San Francesco.
Alghero Cup - Alghero - August
International Tennis Women’s competition
Fair of Candelieri - Sassari - August
Celebration of the Assumption – The Sassarese people renew every year a vow made in the XVI century to the Assumption to free the town from a plague. An event of profound and ancient religious meaning, the fair is nevertheless pervaded by a playful and spectacular atmosphere.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Vineyards of Sella and Mosca
The vineyard of Sella and Mosca makes an interesting afternoon's visit. Guided tours are available daily followed by wine tasting.
Alghero's Bastion
Get away from the hustle and bustle of lively Alghero, stroll along the fortified walls along the seafront and enjoy the sun setting over Capo Caccia.
Grotte di Nettuno
Take a boat trip to the Grotte di Nettuno, outstanding sea caves below a sheer cliff face. Accessible by boat, trips depart regularly from Alghero's port and the return journey takes approximately two and a half hours.
Bosa
Travel south down the coast road to Bosa, where some interesting rock formations are to be seen on the way. Bosa is a picturesque tangle of narrow streets and squares below the ruins of a medieval castle.
Archeological sites
Visit some of the important archeological sites, both near Alghero and further inland, including the Nuraghe di Palmavera and the impressive prehistoric necropolis of Anghelu Ruju.
