Introduction
229km (142 miles) NW of Cagliari, 137km (85 miles) W of Olbia
On the northwest coast, this former Aragonese and Catalan fishing port is Sardinia's most beautiful town. Because of its heavy Catalan influence, it is called "Little Barcelona," though the comparison isn't quite apt. It is built on a rocky ledge above the sea, and in summer flowers and palm trees grow in profusion.
Former occupiers, the Aragonese (and later the Catalans) built ramparts and towers that today characterize the old town or Città Vecchia. You can wander for 2 hours or so through the narrow, winding streets with their decaying palaces and churches. Many old town inhabitants still speak Catalan instead of Italian.
An excellent beach extends 5km (3 miles) to the north of Alghero, and the major attraction of the area is not in Alghero itself but in the environs at the Grotta di Nettuno.
more local info
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Nuraghe Palmavera
The duke of Buckingham dubbed these caves "the miracle of the gods." This is the best place on the island to see prehistoric stone-built nuraghe,...
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Grotta di Nettuno
One of the greatest natural attractions of Sardinia is Neptune's Cave. It's stairway of 654 steps leading down its cliff face is called the Escala...
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Cattedrale di Santa Maria
An impressive example of Gothic and Catalan architecture, the Duomo took a long time to complete, from 1552 to 1730. It ended up a mixture of styles,...
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