Alghero, Sardinia, Italy

Historic Centre of Alghero

Among the cobbled streets of the old town with its majestic bastion, medieval towers and palaces, the echoes of Alghero’s Catalan past can clearly be heard, along with signals from the dazzling present of a fashionable seaside resort. The ancient fortress walls, from which there is a wonderful view of the sea and the port, today have turned into one of the city’s most popular places for strolling and entertainment. The central Piazza Sulis - a historic meeting place for lovers of Alghero’s nightlife. Nearby Piazza Civica, among old palaces in the labyrinth of lanes of the historic center, are the most exclusive boutiques and shops in Alghero.

Fortress Walls and Towers

The fortress walls of Alghero were built in 1102 by order of the rulers of Genoa, the Doria family, which captured this city in Sardinia. The walls protected the city from the sea and the land. In 1353, the fortress together with the city passed into the hands of the Aragonese kings, who strengthened their new acquisition and did so for the glory of it. As proof, the walls still stand here to this day, right at the edge of the sea. Besides the walls, many towers have been preserved: the Tower of San Giovanni, the Tower of Sulis, Torre di Porta Terra, and others. You can also view the walls and towers by taking a stroll along the Alghero promenade.

Cathedral

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the main cathedral of Alghero was built in 1567 on the site of an old church known as del Vergine (that is, dedicated to the Virgin), referring, once again, to the Mother of God. The cathedral is notable for its architectural style-Late Gothic. The bell tower is also of interest; it was built in the Catalan Gothic style. During the summer months, you can climb the bell tower and take in the picturesque surroundings and the terracotta-tiled roofs of the historic city center.

St. Michael’s Church

St. Michele Church was built in 1364. Renovation began as early as 1612 in the Baroque style, in which it has survived to this day. Inside, there is quite a lavish Baroque interior. One of the church’s chapels is dedicated to the Mother of God, another to Saint Father Ignatius Loyola, the chief inquisitor of the world. The main highlight of the church is its dome, which made it almost the city’s first landmark. It is incredibly vivid and colorful, but it was not always like that. In 1950, according to the design by Antonio-Simone Mossa and Filippo Figari, the dome was decorated with multicolored polychrome mosaic tiles in the shape of scales. Today, it can be said with confidence that the church dome is the most photographed spot by visitors in Alghero.

Palazzo Carcassona

This palace was built in the 15th century with money from a wealthy Jewish family of Carcassonne. In order to avoid being evicted from Alghero, they were forced to convert to Catholicism. However, this didn’t help- in 1492, at the will of the Holy Inquisition that arrived here together with the Aragonese authorities, all the wealthy Jews were expelled anyway, while at the same time destroying the traces of life of the entire Alghero ghetto, which was located right here, on Via Sant’Erasmo and the adjacent streets of today’s Old Town. The palace remained, and an Aragonese vice-regent took up residence there. It has been well preserved-even the plasterwork and other decorative touches are still in place. Today, on the first floor of the palazzo, there is a decent restaurant, Il Vicerè, where traditional regional dishes are served, such as Lucian-style octopuses.

Neptune’s Grotto

Neptune’s Grotto is considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet and, without a doubt, the most picturesque in Italy. You can reach it either by boat or-this is for those who aren’t afraid of heights-by descending a long staircase with 675 steps cut directly into the sheer rock face: Scala del Capriolo (the descent takes about 15 minutes). The grotto is enormous: its length is two and a half kilometers. Inside, it looks like the palace of some underground king: centuries-old stalactites and stalagmites have fused into such bizarre shapes that the cavern halls have turned into royal chambers-with columns, arches, niches, and almost lace-like wall decorations. Instead of a floor, the “palace” is filled with a huge lake-100 meters long-Lago Lamarmora, one of the largest underground lakes in Europe.

Capo Caccia

The name of this headland, located opposite the city of Alghero, is translated as “Hunter’s Cape” - in the 18th century, the nobility hunted pigeons here. Today, the Capo Caccia headland is home to a large population of seagulls and hawks, but tourists come here not for that: from the height of a high-rise, there are beautiful views of the sea and sunsets, which allows this cape to be called the most romantic spot in Sardinia. The wild power of the cliff is emphasized by the cries of the seagulls and the sound of the surf; the island is further given a romantic touch by the lighthouse - but, unfortunately, it is considered a military facility and you cannot get onto it; however, you can admire its light from afar.

Beaches

The coastline of Alghero stretches for 90 km from north to south and offers an endless variety of landscapes: wide beaches with golden sand and charming coves framed by Mediterranean vegetation, sandy dunes lined with pines and picturesque grottoes… Lido di Alghero - the largest beach along the coast. A gentle increase in depth, smooth sandy bottom and calm water make this beach ideal for families with children. Bombarde Beach with its snow-white sand and azure water is one of the most fashionable and well-equipped on the Riviera.

Necropolis of Angelu-Rudju

The Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju is the largest and most important of the necropolises of prehistoric Northern Sardinia. Anghelu Ruju was built approximately between 3500 and 1800 BC and spans several cultures. The necropolis consists of 38 Domus de Janas (a type of cave tombs, or “Fairy Houses” in translation from the modern Sardinian language), carved into sandstone. In some Domus de Janas, schematic images of horns and bulls have been preserved, carved into the walls and pillars-according to Neolithic beliefs, they were meant to protect the sleep of the deceased and to keep safe those living who had come down into the cave for burial. Traces of red ochre have also survived, symbolizing blood and rebirth, along with false doors, indicating the entrance to the otherworld.

Mare Nostrum Aquarium

Here, in the only aquarium in all of Sardinia called Mare Nostrum, and, by the way, along with a marine museum, colorful tropical fish, giant turtles, piranhas, sharks, and moray eels live in transparent tanks. And even the great and terrible-because it is fatally venomous-the stonefish. Children are in complete delight here. However, adults are too. The exhibit is very interesting and varied. Various experiments are also carried out in the aquarium.

Cave Church

This ancient cave church is located on the outskirts of Sassari, in the picturesque residential area called Fontana Gutierres. It was carved into a limestone cliff, approximately between the 7th and 9th centuries. Most likely, it was converted from an ancient Roman tomb: a grave was found a few meters to the right of the place of worship, and on the left there is a cistern-both clearly from the Roman period. Originally, the cave church consisted of two apses with an altar, separated by a central support; then a third apse was added in a niche.

Alghero Highlights Tour

A small corner of Spain in Sardinia, Alghero, is a beautiful historic center, a preserved fortress wall, and a wealth of cafés, bars, and restaurants along the seafront, the tower of the Cathedral of St. Mary, and a colorful 14th-century Baroque-style dome of the patron saint of the city, St. Michael, as well as the coral origin, with wonderful landscapes.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can familiarize yourself after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.