Alghero — The Catalan Pearl

Alghero is unique in Sardinia — and in all of Italy. The city on the northwest coast was colonized by the Catalans in the 14th century and has retained its Catalan character to this day. In the old town, you can still hear Algherese (a Catalan dialect), street signs are bilingual, and the architecture with its Gothic windows and wrought-iron balconies is more reminiscent of Barcelona than Cagliari.

The old town (Città Vecchia) is a fortress on a peninsula, surrounded by mighty city walls and seven towers, perched directly above the sea. The Bastioni (city walls) form one of Sardinia's most beautiful promenades — here you stroll at sunset above the sea, past the towers Torre di San Giovanni and Torre della Polveriera, with a view of Capo Caccia on the horizon. In the alleys behind, you find Gothic churches (the Cattedrale di Santa Maria with its octagonal bell tower), coral shops (Alghero is the "Coral City" — the red coral of Capo Caccia has been crafted into jewelry for centuries), wine bars, and fish restaurants.

The Riviera del Corallo (Coral Coast) stretches north and south of Alghero: Long sandy beaches like the Lido di Alghero and the Spiaggia di Maria Pia (a pine grove directly on the fine sand) are just a few minutes' walk from the center. The bays north of the city (Mugoni, Lazzaretto) offer clear water and are less crowded. Alghero is also an excellent diving spot — the underwater caves at Capo Caccia and the red coral reefs are popular with divers from all over Europe.

In the hinterland of Alghero lies the Nekropole von Anghelu Ruju — one of the largest prehistoric burial sites in the Mediterranean with 38 rock-cut tombs (Domus de Janas, "Fairy Houses") from the Neolithic period (3300–2700 BC). And just 20 minutes away is the Nuraghe Palmavera — a well-preserved Bronze Age settlement with a round tower and meeting hut.