With its 44,000 inhabitants, Alghero is the 5th largest city of Sardinia, the island’s main harbour town, thanks to Fertilia airport, and one of its best-loved cities for the port’s bastions, the red roofs that touch the sky and the gorgeous natural bay that flows into the emerald sea.
The historical centre is the city’s most interesting area, a labyrinth of narrow streets that connect piazzas bustling with life. The yellow walls and ancient houses echo the Catalan origins of the city. As do the churches: the Cathedral of Santa Maria (XVI century), the churches of Carmelo (late XVII century) with its great gilded retablo, that of San Michele with its coloured ceramic dome, and the late Renaissance Sant’Anna (1735). Casa Manno, a research centre full of important paintings, furniture, books and manuscripts, worth a visit.
The shoreline, 90km long, is known as the Coral Riviera, and home to a major colony of the finest coral. Alghero is famous for its fine coral, which is used locally with gold to make every manner of adornment.
The most famous beach here is Le Bombarde, blessed with crystalline water and a clean sandy bottom, it is a favourite destination of families, young people and surfing enthusiasts. Just a kilometre away is Lazzaretto, ten inlets with soft sandy beaches. A bit further away in the bay of Porto Conte is the leisurely Mugoni beach, graced with golden sand and the still waters of a sea that is always calm and crystalline, a completely protected oasis. The shoreline at the city’s centre, on the other hand, is home to the splendid Lido di San Giovanni beach, while just outside of town are the Maria Piadunes, dotted with centuries-old juniper trees. Much of the coastline is within the protected Marine Zone of Capo Caccia – Isola Piana, where hundreds of treasures are safeguarded, including the Grotta di Nettuno, which can be reached over land via the Escala del Cabriol, and by sea with boats that depart from the harbour.
The Porto Conte Park will amaze you with its expanses of Mediterranean brush, dense woods and the laguna del Calich. The Domus de Janas of Santu Perdu, the Anghelu Ruju Necropolis and the complexes of Palmavera and Sant’Imbenia bear witness to Alghero’s prehistoric origins, starting in the Neolithic era.
Fondazione Sardegna Film Commission
Via Malta 63 — 09124 Cagliari
Phone: +39 070 2041961
Email: filmcommission@regione.sardegna.it
