Alghero (Sardinia)

Alghero is on the northwest coast of Sardinia and has a mixture of delicious food, history, superb beaches and excellent wine.

It is a Catalan city unlike other Italian cities. A variety of Catalan is spoken in Alghero, referred to as Algherese Catalan which is now recognised as an official language.

The Alghero inhabitants often refer to the their city as ‘little Barcelona’ because of the historical links with the Catalan capital.

This was our honeymoon after our two previous attempts to Central Asia and then Mexico were cancelled and so we visited in July 2023 and stayed at the Hotel Oasis.

The Old Town

The old town is renowned for its well-preserved medieval walls, narrow cobblestone streets and vibrant atmosphere. There are only a few Italian cities that still have these.

The old town is enclosed by sturdy walls dating back to the 16th century, these served as a defensive structure against invasions. There are three main gates: Porta a Mare (Sea Gate), Porta a Terra (Land Gate), and Porta Reial (Royal Gate).

Within the walls of the old town there are seven defensive towers or bastions. Some of the well-known bastions include Bastioni Marco Polo, Bastioni Cristoforo Colombo, and Bastioni Magellano. These bastions offer mazing views of the Mediterranean sea and the city.

There is a beautiful seafront promenade, just outside the walls, known as the Lungomare Dante. This is by the harbour and is lined with restaurants, bars, and gelato shops.

The old town is an amazing place for shopping and dining. Its narrow streets are filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, and artisan workshops.

Cathedral of Santa Maria

The Cathedral of Santa Maria is set within the walls of the old town. It was built in the 16th century and showcases a mix of architectural styles, including Catalan-Gothic and Renaissance elements. The interior features beautiful frescoes and an ornate wooden ceiling.

The stunning dome of the nearby Church of Saint Michael.

Piazza Civica

The main square in the old town is Piazza Civica. It is a lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. In the centre of the square, is the historic palace Palazzo d’Albis, which dates back to the 16th century.

Bosa

Bosa is a picturesque town which is a more traditional Sardinian town. It is famous for its medieval architecture, colourful riverside houses and landscape. It is situated along the banks of the Temo River, making it the only navigable river in Sardinia.

Bosa is known for its vineyards and wine production, although we didn’t visit one we did sample quite a few different wines whilst we were in Sardinia.

Bosa Old Town and Castle

The historic centre, known as Sa Costa, is a maze of narrow streets and colourful houses that climb up the hillside. The old town is characterised by its medieval architecture, including towers, arches, and winding alleys.

Dominating the town’s skyline, the Malaspina Castle (Castello Malaspina) is a well-preserved fortress perched on a hill. It gives superb panoramic views of Bosa, the Temo River, and the surrounding countryside.

The castle is within walking distance from the Old Town but the thought of this plus the 600 steps to get to the top in 30+ degrees was a definite no no.

Bosa Market

The market covers a fairly large area where you can by everything from clothes to cookware, it is frequented by locals and offers a glimpse into the authentic Sardinian way of life. There were some amazing breads and cheeses but unfortunately we couldn’t take them home.

Beaches

The closest beach to where we stayed was Maria Pia Beach which is a long stretch of golden sand fringed by pine trees. It was just across the road through pine trees. The shallow and clear waters make it ideal for everyone.

As you get closer to Alghero the beaches become much busier.

In Italy many areas of the beach are privately owned and there is a charge for sun beds etc, this charge will change throughout the season and depending on how busy they are. In July 2023 it cost approximately 30 euro’s a day for two sun beds and a parasol.

Anywhere where the beach is free was extremely busy from early morning to late evenings.