14 Best Things to Do in Alghero, Italy

Sardinia, perhaps the least Italian-like Italian island, is famous for its powdery beaches and unusual cuisine. But if you only have time for one destination in Sardinia, it should be the city of Alghero.

This city is absolutely stunning and close to some of Italy’s most famous beaches. Yet in town, you’ll hear Catalan spoken as heaping piles of lobster-topped pasta and seafood-filled paella are served to jovial locals. This is where you want to be.

Alghero, like many coastal Italian spots, is famous for the many explorers who passed through, creating a unique cultural mix.

Tune your ear while diving into a plate of paella algherese and you’ll detect the Catalan dialect of Algherese spoken in this Sardinian coastal resort. Alghero’s architecture also mingles traces of Catalan, Sardinian, and Italian styles. 

And you’re never far from coastal beauty. As part of the Riviera del Corallo, the region is famed for its ruby-red coral and its protected reserves on land and at sea. 

As for how you’ll spend your time, the top things to do in Alghero include sailing (my personal favorite!), hiking, seeing fascinating remnants of history, and getting acquainted with Sardinian food and wine.

This post was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper and was published in April 2025.

Things to Do in Alghero

Explore the Old Town 

As soon as you arrive in Alghero, I highly recommend taking a stroll through the picturesque old town. Find your feet strolling the Bastioni Marco Polo – the original city walls built to defend Alghero from attack.

This string of 16th century towers is a contemporary of Alghero Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria), although this church has undergone later renovations. It’s a modest building from outside and the views from the bell tower are stunning. 

Nearby, you’ll locate the Torre del Portal which was once the main entrance to the fortified town. 

You can explore the Old Town solo or sign up for an Alghero historic center walking tour. This short tour is a great way to learn about the city’s history from a local guide.

And if you’d like a deeper dive into the Catalan side of Alghero, this Alghero walking tour focuses on that aspect of history in particular. 

Go Sailing in Sardinia

Going sailing was my favorite thing I did in all of Sardinia. Specifically, this Sardinia sailing experience with Captain Andrea on his beautiful, eco-friendly sailboat. Andrea caps his groups at 10 people and stays away from the hotspots, instead visiting quiet coves that are perfect for a swim.

This is a full-day activity and a delicious pasta lunch is included in the cost – it was worth every euro. Since our trip, Charlie and I have sent a few of our friends on the same trip, and they loved it, too!

If Andrea doesn’t have availability, this catamaran boat trip from Alghero is a close contender. The itinerary is similar and you’ll have the option to snorkel or take the paddle boards out. Or, simply relax on the deck of an ultra-modern catamaran under the Mediterranean sun. 

One final option – because sailing truly is the number one thing to do in Alghero – is this tall ship sailing trip. Andrea Jensen is a vintage vessel restored by a British couple who have been running sailing excursions for 20 years. 

Whichever sailing trip you book, you’ll enjoy seeing Alghero’s cute skyline from the water.

Visit Porto Conte Regional Natural Park

Exploring the Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte is one of the most exciting things to do in Alghero. There are a bunch of options at your disposal based on how active you want to be.

First up, this e-bike tour of Porto Conte lets you experience the natural beauty plus such historic relics as military barracks and covert fortresses. The route can be customized for all levels, with options to charge down mountain bike trails or cruise singletracks. 

Another option is to rent an electric golf car in Porto Conte Natural Park and enjoy a laid-back safari experience spotting horses, donkeys, and wild boars. Each cart carries four guests and this is a great option if you have kids in tow.  

Otherwise, it’s back out on the water with a Porto Conte catamaran tour. This three-hour tour departs in the morning and afternoon and lets you take in the plunging cliffs without breaking a sweat. 

Last but not least, this coasteering trip from Cala Dragunara combines rappelling, cliff diving, and wild swimming in the natural park. It’s three hours of adrenaline with a professional guide at your side the whole time. 

Relax at the Beaches

Before you book your trip, you should know that there aren’t “real” beaches in the city of Alghero itself. You’ll need to drive outside the city. The good news is that you’re about a 50-minute drive from one of the most famous beaches in Italy: Spiaggia La Pelosa.

La Pelosa, located in the town of Stintino and overlooking Asinara Island in the distance, has blinding white sand and sparkling turquoise water that looks more like the Caribbean. 

La Pelosa Beach is a rare Italian beach that requires a reservation to visit in high season. (We ran into a few people who didn’t know this and were stuck on the far outskirts.) The reservation costs 3.50 EUR (3.80 USD) per person, and payment is made via the app following the instructions published here.

Spiaggia di San Giovanni is a far easier option. Buses shuttle to Alghero’s closest beach along Via Giuseppe Garibaldi on a regular basis and there’s generally plenty of space even in summer.

Backed by pine trees and dunes, Spiaggia di Maria Pia is a prettier alternative that only adds a few minutes to your commute. You’ll need to catch the 9324 bus from Giardini Giuseppe Manno. There is paid parking near both beaches if you prefer to drive. 

This small beaches tour by e-bike is one of the best things to do in Alghero if you want to check out the coast in an active way. The route traverses the Punta Giglio and grants incredible views of Capo Caccia and Porto Conte. 

Visit Grotto di Nettuno

Neptune’s Grotto, part of the Porto Conte Natural Park, is a cave named for the Roman God of the Sea. This is a mind-blowing natural exhibit of stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools hidden in the crevices of the Capo Caccia cliffs. You can see why Neptune/Posideon would have liked it. 

It takes around 30 minutes to complete the guided walking circuit and you’ll need to bookend your visit with 654 steps if you visit on foot. Bus number 9321 takes 50 minutes from Giardini Giuseppe Manno and drops you near the stairs. 

Small boats depart from Alghero Marina as well as Cala Dragunara from within Porto Conte. This is the only way to avoid the steps. 

Admission to Grotto di Nettuno is 14 EUR (14.70 USD) and tickets may be purchased in advance or at the entrance. 

Hike the Capo Caccia Cliffs

Capo Caccia is another component of the Porto Conte Natural Park. Besides visiting Neptune’s Grotto and leaping off these white cliffs on a coasteering tour, you can explore the lookouts from the promontory. 

If you take the bus (or drive a rental car) to the sea cave, allow time to follow the headland trails. Most of these are easy routes although there are a couple of more challenging deviations from the main path.

Whatever your energy levels are, decent footwear and plenty of water is needed for an outing to Capo Caccia. It’s wild, windswept, and wondrous. 

Discover the Nuraghe Palmavera

Nuraghe Palmavera is an archaeological zone just six miles northwest of Alghero, Italy. The term “nuraghe” refers to buildings of the Nuragic civilization who resided in Sardinia in the Bronze Age. 

In the absence of cement, the Nuragic people built this village of towers, walls, and huts by stacking slabs of stone. Miraculously, Nuraghe Palmavera has survived the ages and dates back over 3,000 years. 

If you have a rental car, you can stop off at the complex on your way to Porto Conte. This Palmavera Nuraghe tour includes access to an audio guide on your phone and a map. After exploring the compound independently, you’ll be served an aperitif. 

For a deeper perspective, this private archaeological tour is fully guided and goes on to visit the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju afterwards. The price includes transport to and from Alghero so it’s a great option for non-drivers. 

Feast on the Food of Alghero and Sardinia

Seafood is top of most menus on the Mediterranean’s second-largest island! Langoustine is an ever-present dish in Alghero, especially as part of a pasta, and you’re always safe with the catch of the day. 

Not a seafood fan? Pork, especially suckling pig, is another specialty and lamb is a dominant force. You’ll be wise to sample all the pecorino cheese you can find. Although it originates from the eastern coast, Sardinian stuffed pasta (culurgiònes) is popular in Alghero (and one of my favorites).

Alghero’s unique history means that the local cuisine is a fusion of Sardinian and Catalan cooking. You’ll spot soups and salads that bear resemblance to dishes like escalivada and escudella as well as Algherese takes on paella. 

Sardinia’s wine industry is surprisingly dynamic. Whites carry acidic and floral notes while reds work the whole spectrum from medium to full-bodied – all the better for those lamb dishes.  

If time allows, I heartily recommend this wine and olive oil tasting at a farm near Alghero. You’ll try five wines plus local cheeses, breads, and olives. Maybe this is where you’ll learn the secrets behind Sardinians’ long lifespans.

Take a cooking class

The best souvenir you can take home from Italy is knowing how to make a local dish on your own. A cooking class is a great way to connect with Sardinian culture, learn culinary tricks, and make new friends along the way. 

This small-group Sardinian home-cooking class takes place in an idyllic farmhouse kitchen. You’ll prepare fresh pasta from scratch in a variety of shapes using local, seasonal greens. 

The workshop also includes instruction on crafting the perfect aperitivo with salume — sliced meats and cheeses. Naturally, you’ll need to polish off the lot and sample Sardinian wine in order to graduate the class!

Go dolphin watching

Dolphins are yet another reason why sailing is one of the best things to do in Alghero. There’s a strong chance of seeing the frolicking mammals in the waters of Isola Piana Marine Protected Area when you take a regular catamaran tour in Alghero.

If you want to up the ante, you can book a dolphin watching and guided snorkeling excursion with a marine biologist. This summer tour is bound to the International Code of Conduct and keeps a respectful distance. Plus, you get to learn all about different dolphin species from your guide and how to recognize them.

Last but not least, you’ll have time to leap into the crystalline waters and experience other aquatic life. 

Visit the Museo del Corallo

The Coral Museum in Alghero is an illuminating experience that explains the history of the Riviera del Corallo. Also known as the Costera del Coral in Catalan Algherese, this region produces a rare type of red coral.

Corallium Rubrum has been harvested for jewelry since Ancient Rome and artisans still craft gorgeous jewelry, trinkets, and other decorative items. In fact, you can buy coral souvenirs in town.

This small museum is devoted to the art and science behind the coral. Admission costs 5 EUR (5.20 USD).

It’s open Friday to Sunday from 10:30 AM-1:00 PM and 4:30-7:00 PM, Monday and Wednesday from 4:30-7:00 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 AM-1:00 PM.

Go horseback riding

Horse trekking is one of the most unforgettable experiences to have in Alghero, immersing you in the wild countryside of northwest Sardinia at a gentle pace. 

This guided horseback ride at Lake Baratz and Porto Ferro traverses winding forest paths and skirts the coastal dunes. You’ll also see the only freshwater lake on Sardinia from the saddle and trot along the Riviera del Corallo.

The tour lasts two hours and is suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders. Most of the horses have been rescued from slaughter houses and have been nursed back to health and happiness by the stable owner.

Take a day trip to Bosa

When you think of the most colorful towns in Italy, you might think of Cinque Terre or Burano — but don’t miss Bosa! This town sits slightly inland on the banks of the Temo River which adds even more photogenic charm to its hilly backdrop. 

Once in Bosa, you can wander the riverside area known as Sas Conzas, or Le Conce. Until the 1960s, this was a thriving tannery district. There is a small museum amid the warehouses which outlines the history and I’d encourage taking one of the boat tours along Sardinia’s only navigable waterway.

The Castle of Serravalle (Castello Malaspina) tumbles down the cliffs, cutting a striking silhouette from the town center. Admission to the walls costs 5 EUR (5.20 USD) and you’re paying for the views. 

Buses from Alghero take one hour and cost 3.70 EUR (3.80 USD) each way. Route number 9312 departs from stops next to Giardini Giuseppe Manno and Parco Tarragona.

(Side note: I am still kicking myself for missing Bosa because we got multiple flat tires in Alghero and couldn’t go anywhere! Next time…)

Take a day trip to Asinara Island

Turn your Sardinian sojourn into an island hopping expedition with a day trip to an uninhabited isle that once served as a prison. Asinara Island floats just off the shore from La Pelosa Beach.

This island is named both for its population of free-roaming white donkeys (asini bianchi in Italian) and its twisted shape (deriving from the word sinuara in Latin). As a protected reserve, your day will be spent following the trails and swimming in the marine park.

Ferries depart from Stintino and Porto Torres and dock at Fornelli or Cala Reale. The crossing is faster from Stintino but Porto Torres is slightly closer to Alghero.

Otherwise, you can embark on a sailboat tour of Asinara Island from Stintino. This tour gives you the option to disembark on the island or witness the beauty from the sea.  

How Much Time to Spend in Alghero, Italy

Alghero is the best base for exploring northwest Sardinia. It’s smaller than Sassari, yet a million times more interesting, and has a gorgeous setting and plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

Two days would be the minimum amount of time I recommend to explore Alghero and its environs. But if you’re able to find the time, I recommend at least three full days in Alghero. This way, you can explore the city attractions, get out on the water, and take a day trip.

With one week in Alghero, you could easily fill that time with local sightseeing, excursions, and beach days.

How to Get to Alghero, Italy

Sardinia is served by three airports, one of which is just a 15-minute drive from the center of Alghero. ARST buses link Alghero International Airport with nearby towns. 

While Alghero Airport (AHO) is convenient and favored particularly by the budget airline Ryanair, there are far more connections serving Cagliari and Olbia airports. Check out options for both Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) and Olbia Airport (OLB) before committing. 

Ultimately, the best way to explore Sardinia is as part of a road trip. It takes less than three hours to drive between Alghero and Cagliari and you can consider flying into one airport and leaving via another. You can check car rental prices in Sardinia here.

For my husband and me, we actually drove all the way down from Prague and took the ferry from Genoa to Olbia. If you’re looking for a single point of entry, Olbia’s airport or ferry port makes a good option if you’re traveling around the north of Sardinia.

Where to Stay in Alghero, Italy

You have two options in Alghero: either stay in the heart of the city center or opt for somewhere rural on the outskirts. As the city has limitations on traffic, note that hotels with parking tend to be further out. You’ll need to pay for parking if you stay in the Old Town.

These are the best places to stay in Alghero.

• Top-rated budget hotel in the historic center: Aigua is a network of self-catered vacation apartments dotted around the Old Town. These units have kitchen facilities and are within walking distance of Alghero’s main attractions and restaurants. 
• Top-rated midrange B&B: B&B Vecchia is minutes from Alghero’s Old Town. The decor is old-fashioned in an utterly charming way and there is a communal lounge with a coffee station. The host goes the extra mile to help guests.
• Most unique B&B: If I didn’t convince you to book a sailing trip in Alghero, a stay at Boat & Breakfast Alicudi is my final offer! Cabins are cozy and simple and there’s a lovely deck where you’ll tuck into breakfast and see magical sunsets. 

Find deals on places to stay in Alghero here.

Best Time to Visit Alghero, Italy

Sardinia – and by extension, Alghero – fills up during July and August. As summer is the best time to visit Alghero for a mix of everything, I’d urge you to travel in early June or late September, if you can swing it. 

This way, you can enjoy all the wonderful things to do in Alghero in summer minus the worst of the crowds.

Another thing to keep in mind is that summer is tough for active adventurers in Sardinia. It can get dangerously hot if you’re looking to hike or bike midday.

If you don’t mind unpredictable weather and windy spells, spring can be great for hiking and cultural pursuits. Fall is slightly better for water activities as the sea has had time to warm up.

Alghero Jazz Festival (JazzAlguer) runs from April until November. Events are sprinkled across the months and it’s worth coinciding your dates with a concert or two. 

The Redentore Festival (Sagra del Redentore) is another event to consider. This late August weekend festival plays out in Nuoro and celebrates religion as well as folklore and traditions. Apart from pilgrimages and mass services, there are music and dance displays. 

Sardinian winters are mild and quiet. With Alghero being a city, you can always find ways to fill the days. However, many of the tourism-oriented businesses will close for the winter, and that might leave you feeling disappointed. 

Is Alghero Worth It?

Yes, visiting Alghero is absolutely worth it! I found Alghero to be the most interesting city I visited in Sardinia, and I think it’s a fantastic addition to any trip to Northern Sardinia.

I hope you go to Alghero and have the most wonderful time! Be sure to go sailing with Captain Andrea, as it really is the best thing I did in Sardinia. I hope you love it as much as I did.

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Have you been to Alghero? Share your tips!