Alghero, Sardinia Guide: Best Beaches, Restaurants & Stays

It’s easy to fall in love with Alghero. How can you not when the town is so beautiful? A jewel of northeast Sardinia with a rich Catalan cultural heritage, it will impress you with its well-preserved medieval fortresses, dreamy white-sand bays, promenade views of the dramatic Capo Caccia, and romantic narrow alleys.

I, for one, fell in love immediately. Maybe it was also the food—in Alghero, you’ve got exquisite seafood and plenty of places to try the authentic Sardinian recipes. This town is a gateway to Riviera dei Coralli, a sublime area of dazzling coves and rugged coastline.

Here’s our guide on enjoying the best that Alghero has to offer.

May and September are the best months to be in Alghero. It’s not the high season; the weather is mostly amazing, the sea is warm, and the crowds are manageable. Early spring and late autumn offer the best hotel deals and fantastic conditions for hiking in the Regional Natural Park of Porto Conte. 

Visiting in summer is, generally, a great idea. Alghero enjoys a sweet spot in Sardinian tourism—it’s definitely not an unknown destination, but still not as frequented as Stintino’s La Pelosa beach or Cagliari, where all the cruise ships disembark. If you plan to visit between June and August, make sure to book your accommodation in advance. 

Winter is very mild in Alghero, with temperatures hovering around 12-15 degrees Celsius (53.6°F to 59°F). Many restaurants and attractions close, but the ones that cater to locals don’t. That gives you the most authentic experience. The prices will also be the lowest in winter.

Alghero is the ultimate beach town in Sardinia. For example, in Cagliari you’d need to use public transport to get to the beach; in Olbia, there’s none near the center. Alghero offers famed Sardinian white sands a few minutes away from its Old Town. It’s surrounded by some of the island’s best stretches, and you won’t have to spend over an hour reaching them. Here are the best beaches in Alghero. 

Spiaggia di Lido, Alghero’s main beach, which starts right behind the port, is often covered in seaweed. Go straight to Spiaggia di San Giovanni at its northern end for a more peaceful and relaxed ambiance. It’s also home to Bahia and Rafel, two excellent beach clubs, with grilled seafood and drinks. Also, be sure to check out Maracaibo cocktail bar, a fancy beachside hangout, covered in banana leaves. 

Las Tronas is great for a quick dip in a charming setting. It’s a small cove under the five-star Villa Las Tronas hotel. The approach is rocky, and there are no facilities. You can put your towel on the tiny patch of sand and enjoy the Mediterranean waters. Come in the morning for snorkeling. 

When Alghero is mentioned as a premier beach destination, Spiaggia di Maria Pia is the reason why. It’s almost a mile-long stretch of sugary sand, backed by the high dunes and pine forest. Maria Pia is the top choice for families with small children—the water is very shallow and clear, reminiscent of Caribbean bays. Bar Ristorante La Conchiglia, on the southern end of the beach, serves traditional local paella with a view. As you walk north, Maria Pia becomes wilder.

Bombarde Beach, near Fertilia, is the Sardinian coast at its finest—the transparent turquoise water and pink-hued sand. If you’re coming during high season, get there early, as parking spots are limited and the beach gets crowded. Rocky outcrops on the edges are perfect for easy snorkeling. Your kids will also enjoy the soft sands for castle-building.

Bombarde’s neighbor, Lazzaretto, is another divine turquoise bay. It retains a wilder feel, and you can find a free spot more easily here. The best part about Lazzaretto is its proximity to a series of picturesque calas, or coves. Follow the coastal hiking trail to reach Cala dei Pini and Cala Gattona, two pretty crescent-shaped stretches in between the rocks. While at Lazzaretto, visit the Nuraghe Palmavera, a spellbinding archaeological complex of the Nuragic civilization dating back to the Bronze Age.

If you fancy a close-to-nature beach experience, Mugoni is a fantastic stretch to choose. Overlooking the dramatic Capo Caccia landscape, it is set among the pine trees. The lack of tourist development makes it a very peaceful place to relax. The beach spans around 1.2 miles, featuring pleasant white sand and a shallow water approach. It’s another hit with families.

Alghero’s medieval Old Town is among Sardinia’s most enchanting city cores. But the city is also a superb hub for sightseeing in the northern part of the island. Buses and trains connect Alghero to many spectacular places. Here’s what to do beyond the beach. 

Sardinia’s most spectacular cave complex is reached from Alghero by a short boat ride. It might also be one of the most stunning subterranean attractions you’ll ever see. Grotta di Nettuno is literally inside Capo Caccia, a tall limestone cliff seen from Alghero’s promenade. Enter, and you’ll find yourself in the phantasmagoric domain of stalactites and stalagmites, spanning 2.5 miles. Tickets can be bought online.  

Wandering the medieval passages of Alghero’s Old Town can give you an impression of being in Barcelona’s Gothic quarter. That’s because the Sardinian city was under the Aragonese crown in the Middle Ages. Algherese Catalan is still spoken on the streets, and local restaurants are better known for their takes on paella and Catalan-style lobster than traditional Italian pizza and pasta.

The turquoise Gulf of Alghero is home to a rich underwater world. You can experience the magic of spotting its most enchanting animals, the dolphins. MareTerra, the local environment and conservation group, runs daily watching tours, which usually include snorkeling stops.

There are two great reasons to go south to Bosa from Alghero. First of all, this small town is a postcard-perfect little gem— multicolored houses, a hilltop fortress, romantic medieval bridges, and a wide sandy beach. But it’s also about the journey. Whether you take a bus or a boat, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Costa di Tentizzos, with its rocky peaks, hidden coves, and white-sand beaches.

Get a different side of Sardinia in Sassari, the island’s second-largest town. The train connects the two cities, and the journey takes about an hour. In Sassari, visit the 18th-century Ducal Palace, admire the grandiose Romanesque Sassari Cathedral, and get a cultural fix at the National Picture Gallery of Sassari.

One thing to know about Sardinian gastronomy before coming here is that local dishes are quite different from the mainland. While it’s the same concept of Mediterranean dining, you will find many dishes you won’t have anywhere else in Italy. That being said, Alghero is unique on the island’s culinary map as the town fuses Sardinian, Italian, and Catalan cuisines thanks to its diverse historical background.

Paella algherese, or Sardinian paella, is a perfect example of the town’s gastronomic fusion. Fregola, a typical Sardinian pasta, is used instead of rice, and the dish mixes various seafood with sausage and chicken. Another local must-try is aromatic Catalan-style lobster, served with a delicious sauce made of garlic, onion, tomatoes, and olive oil. Then, you should have at least one seada (a deep-fried pastry with ricotta filling), try bottarga (Sardinian cured fish roe pouch), and eat culurgiones (large raviolis with various fillings).

La Taverna dei Sapori is a cheerful traditional Sardinian restaurant with a handwritten menu that serves all the local classics. Another place to visit for local food is Trattoria Da Mirko in the Old Town. Licu is the top budget-friendly place for Sardinian fare. Cornetteria Los Cornettos is great for tasting seadas. Ristorante Angedras is ideal for romantic dinners, overlooking the sunset over the blue sea.

Hit the beach bars for the best drinking experience. Riservato Beach Bar may be one of Italy’s most spectacular bars by the sea. Moreover, it’s attractively priced, too. Mar de Plata Cafe is a casual aperitivo place in front of the Alghero marina. Món Bar Bistrot is an excellent Old Town-located wine and cocktail spot. For a night out, head to Maracaibo by the main beach.

Alghero’s most luxurious hotel is set in the former royal residence, on a private promontory south of the city center. It’s a striking accommodation in every sense—the room views onto the Mediterranean are exceptional, the interiors are palatial, and you’ve got a wellness center that features a heated seawater pool. 

You can’t go wrong with Hotel Catalunya. Located right next to both the Old Town, the port, and the beaches, it’s a perfect hotel for experiencing the city. Catalunya is also Alghero’s tallest building, offering spectacular views from the modern rooms and a panoramic rooftop bar. It might not have a pool, but you can’t really complain when the azure beaches are across the street. 

El Faro is the one for a total escape. The hotel is dramatically set on the tip of the private promontory in the Baia delle Ninfe, a part of the stunning Capo Caccia coast. It’s ideal for epicureans who love their accommodation to have an outdoorsy, airy feel. Blue sea is everywhere you look, and El Faro features private rocky beaches to embrace the crystal-clear water in full. There’s also a Sardinian restaurant, a panoramic swimming pool, and a spa center with thalassotherapy.