Alghero Old Town

Alghero's old town occupies a compact peninsula on Sardinia's north-western coast, wrapped in honey-coloured sixteenth-century walls and towers built under Catalan-Aragonese rule that still jut dramatically into the sea. Nicknamed 'Barceloneta', the town preserves a distinct Catalan identity: the Algherese dialect is still spoken, street signs appear in Catalan, and the cuisine and architecture carry a strong Spanish imprint. Visitors spend their time strolling the sea-facing ramparts, the Bastioni, which double as a wide promenade where locals take the evening passeggiata, and exploring the lattice of cobbled lanes behind them. Highlights include the Cathedral of Santa Maria with its Catalan-Gothic bell tower, the church of San Francesco, and surviving defensive towers such as the Torre di Porta Terra and the Torre di San Giovanni. The lanes are lined with workshops and boutiques selling the red coral for which Alghero is famous, alongside cafes, wine bars, and seafood restaurants that cluster near the old port. Wandering the centre and walking the walls is free; some towers and churches charge a small admission. A visit comfortably fills two to four hours, longer if lingering over dinner. The most magical time is the evening, when the ramparts glow at sunset, the sea breaks below, and the restaurants fill; spring and early autumn avoid both the August crowds and the fierce summer heat. For photographs, the bastion walls looking back at the towers, the harbour with its fishing boats, and the sunset over the Bay of Alghero are the classic shots. Specialities worth seeking out include aragosta alla catalana, the local Catalan-style lobster, and the coral jewellery sold throughout the quarter. The town's pedestrian core, seafront promenade, and nearby beaches make it easy and rewarding for families and casual wanderers alike.