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ALGHERO: THE HISTORICAL CENTRE
The extraordinary beauty of the area, the artistic and archeological attractions are some of the reasons why thousands of tourists choose Alghero as their holiday option.
The historical centre is one of the most interesting in Sardinia. Its origin can be traced back to 1300. It is characterised by massive city walls, refined historical palaces, old churches, which, together with the local dialect and traditions, remind us of its Catalan heritage.
A visit of the town can start from the harbour, surmounted by the Maddalena Bastion and the eponymous Tower; it is through the near Porta a Mare (Gate to the Sea) that you can get directly into the heart of historic Alghero, the Piazza Civica (Main Square).
Still at an easy walking distance stands St. Michael's Church, built in 1612. The latter is characterized by a majestic, multicoloured majolica-tiled cupola.
The towers and bastions all around old Alghero are the remains of previous medieval fortifications. The town walls towards the mainland are no longer there, except for St.John's Tower and the Tower of Porta a Terra, which today hosts the town museum.
ALGHERO AND ITS ENVIRONS
The surroundings offer a traveller several interesting archeological destinations as well as naturalistic excursions.
As you leave Alghero and travel northward past the Lido along the road running parallel to Maria Pia Beach, you can reach Fertilia. A few kilometres from there are two breathtaking beaches: the Bombarde and the Lazzaretto, the latter surmounted by the eponymous tower.
ALGHERO: ALONG THE PANORAMIC ROUTE
The Neptune Grottoes and the prehistoric village of Palmavera are undoubtedly worthy of a visit.
A few kilometres far from Palmavera is Porto Conte Bay, the ancient Portus Ninpharum that is the ancient Harbour of the Nymphs, so named for its stunning surroundings. Porto Conte is the only natural harbour in Sardinia.
The Neptune Grottoes can also be reached by boat, sailing past Capo Galera and Punta Giglio, then heading for Capo Caccia with its well-known, spectacular cliffs.
Here, in one of the most breathtaking places in Sardinia, is the Escala del Cabirol (Cabirol Staircase) with its 656 steps leading from the Capo Caccia promontory down to the afore-mentioned grottoes.
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The Teatro Civico
Photo: B.Capecci
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Porto Conte
Photo: MAGICA
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