Alghero – A Melting Pot of Many Cultures and Rulers

Alghero, on the west coast of Sardinia, has been shaped by numerous, changing rulers. This began with early roots in the Neolithic period and the well-known Nuragic culture. Around 800 BC, its history continued with Phoenician, Carthaginian, and later Roman influences. The Genoese followed in the 11th century, before the Catalans (with the House of Aragon) significantly influenced the cityscape and regional culture that can still be seen today.

Today, Alghero presents itself with a picturesque, colourful city centre right by the sea. In the old town, with its narrow alleys and shady avenues, one might imagine themselves on the Iberian Peninsula due to the Catalan signs and architectural influences. The broad fortress walls, which border the old town to the west towards the sea, are the main attraction for many visitors. A wide promenade on their crown provides a grand stage for both guests and locals. Especially at sunset, with the pleasant evening temperatures, the special flair of this city can be experienced in one of its restaurants or bars.

As Sardinia’s fifth-largest city, it is surrounded by modern and lively (and therefore not always picturesque) districts, but also boasts beautiful beaches close to the city. From the city walls, there is a wide view of the sea and the surrounding area, from the table mountains in the hinterland to the hill ranges at Capo Caccia. Alghero is a good base for excursions into the surrounding area with its natural beauty: the beaches in the west of the Nurra and the Stintino peninsula, the Grotta di Nettuno, and the hiking trails at Capo Caccia. Alghero is also the starting point for the spectacular coastal road southwards to Bosa, through sparsely populated territory. The road runs along the mountainous coast, always high above the shoreline, offering magnificent views. Only shortly before Bosa, at Torre Argentina and S’Abba Druche, does the road wind down from the mountains and approach the clear water near fascinating rock formations once more.

More pictures in the ‘Sardinia’ gallery.