Alghero: a Catalan Town in Sardinia

Alghero is situated on the shores of a beautiful bay on the north-west coast of Sardinia.

It's the tourist capital of the Coral Riviera, and is famous for its unspoilt landscape and sensative development of tourism.

There are magnificent views along the 75 kilometres of coastline which stretches from the limestone promontoroy of Capo Caccia in the north to the beaches of La Speranza in the south.

Neptune's Grotto, a network or caverns with ancient stalactites and stalagmites within the cliffs at Capo Caccia, is accessible by sea or land.

The surrounding area is of archeological and natural interest, and visits to the Nuraghe of Palmavera, the necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, Monte Daglia and Porto Conte are all worthwhile.

Walking along the country paths you come across very rare examples of vegetation like the Phoenician Juniper, and you can also spot griffons, fallow deer, albino donkeys and even the moufflon which all live in protected areas on the island.

Alghero was once under Aragonese rule, and the architecture of the old town with its city walls and towers is gothic Catalan; even the local dialect is based on old Catalan.

Any time of year is the right time to visit Alghero, it is always impressive.