The city of Alghero is a true pearl for Sardinia, also known as Barceloneta (little Barcelona) for which it preserves the use of the Catalan language. It is the fifth city in Sardinia by number of inhabitants and is the third as a university city following Sassari and Cagliari.
Alghero has gradually acquired more importance also thanks to the presence of the nearby Fertilia airport which allows numerous tourists and travellers to arrive also via low cost airlines that allow them to reach the island at reduced rates.
Alghero is also known for being the Capital of the Coral Riviera, the name derives from the fact that in its waters there is the largest quantity of Red Coral, of noble quality, fished by the so-called coral fishermen.
The city is entirely on the plain and is located in the western part of the North of Sardinia. Through Corso Vittorio Emanuele you reach the pretty tourist port dominated by the massive bastion of Maddalena and its tower of the same name. The bastion is also connected to the Magellan bastion which in turn is connected to the Pigafetta bastion, the Marco Polo bastion and finally to the Christopher Columbus bastions. The Bastions tour is a really nice and interesting tour to do.
The historic centre is one of the most unique in Sardinia, characterised by ancient buildings and cobbled streets. An absolute must-see if you happen to be walking around these parts is the Cathedral of Santa Maria, an imposing 19th-century building.
The city offers visitors a large number of welcoming little places to drink a coffee, sip a good glass of wine or eat some typical local dishes while sitting comfortably.
Among the events you can take part in when visiting Alghero, I would like to point out the rites linked to Holy Week (a rite of Catalan origin) and the picturesque and heartfelt Carnival, in which the custom of burning a puppet representing a French soldier is well-known.
Alghero bewitches the hearts of those who visit it…who knows if you too will be fascinated by this welcoming town.
