What to see in Alghero in 2 days: itinerary between Catalan bastions and secret coves

Why Alghero deserves 2 days

Alghero is a piece of Catalonia transplanted onto Sardinia's northwest coast. The sea-facing bastions, alleys with Catalan street names, red coral crafted by local artisans: everything tells five centuries of Aragonese rule. But beyond the old town lies a wild coast of cliffs and coves that you can explore at leisure over two days.

To plan your trip: where to stay in Alghero, where to eat in Alghero and how to get to Alghero.

Day 1: Old town and bastions

Morning — Walls and Catalan towers

Start from Porta a Mare, the main entrance to the old town. Walk the entire perimeter of the sea bastions: Torre di Porta Terra, Torre di San Giovanni, Torre dello Sperone. The walk along the Marco Polo bastions offers the most evocative view — walls plunging into the sea with Capo Caccia on the horizon.

Hidden gem: the Church of San Francesco with its 14th-century sandstone cloister — classical music concerts on summer evenings in perfect acoustics.

Afternoon — Catalan alleys and craftsmanship

Lose track of time in the old town alleys: Via Carlo Alberto, Via Principe Umberto, Via Gilbert Ferrét. The red coral workshops (Marongiu since 1960) are authentic — Alghero is one of the few cities in the world where coral is still fished and worked locally.

Visit MASE (Archaeological Museum) in the San Michele complex to understand the Nuragic and Catalan layering of the city. Then descend to the old port to watch the coral-fishing boats.

Evening — Aperitivo on the bastions

Sunset aperitivo at Bar Mirò on the bastions — the golden light on the sea is unforgettable. Dinner with Catalan-style lobster (the city's signature dish) in one of the inner-alley trattorias, away from the touristy waterfront.

Day 2: Coastline and Neptune's Grotto

Morning — Neptune's Grotto

Reach it by boat from the port (40 minutes, March to October) or drive to Capo Caccia and descend the Escala del Cabirol — a staircase of 656 steps carved into the cliff. The caves are spectacular: stalactites, the internal salt lake La Marmora, natural light effects.

Hidden gem: before descending the staircase, detour to the Capo Caccia lighthouse — the viewpoint is deserted and the vista over Punta Giglio and Isola Foradada is breathtaking.

Afternoon — Hidden beaches

Le Bombarde and Lazzaretto are the best-known beaches (beautiful but crowded in summer). For seekers of tranquillity: Mugoni Beach, sheltered by pine forest, or Cala Dragunara below Capo Caccia, reachable only by sea or trail (45 minutes from Porto Conte).

Cultural alternative: the Nuraghe di Palmavera (3 km from the airport) — a 15th-century BCE Nuragic village with well-preserved circular huts.

Evening — Lido district

End by exploring the Lido di Alghero, the local seafront where residents stroll in the evening. Gelato from Pomata and fish dinner at one of the restaurants on San Giovanni beach.

Practical tips

• Day 1: approximately 5 km, entirely flat in the old town
• Day 2: variable (from 3 km by boat to 10 km if walking the Escala del Cabirol)
• Bike or scooter rental recommended for Day 2
• Grotto + boat ticket purchased at the port (check schedules: sea-dependent)
• May-June and September: perfect climate, warm sea, few crowds