Alghero, capital of the “coral riviera”, is a treasure trove of beauty, history, tradition and nature.
Its history begins with the Genoese Doria family, who decided to build a fortified city on the northern coast of Sardinia in 1102. The wonderful walls are still visible and lend a timeless charm to Alghero.
Don’t miss
Old town
The first thing you really must do as soon as you arrive in the city, is take a walk along the ramparts and admire the amazing views, then stroll through the old town’s cobbled streets. You’ll come across restaurants, cafés and charming shops where you can buy red coral jewellery. Watching the sunset from the city walls of Alghero is a must during your trip to Sardinia.
Grotte di Nettuno (Neptune’s Grotto)
Every year 150,000 people visit the Caves. They are not to be missed and can be accessed by sea or land. Numerous boat trips leave from the port, which will take you right up to the entrance. If you’d rather take the bus, then you’ll have a long climb to face (over 650 steps!) before you can visit them. A tour will take you to Lake Lamamora, one of the biggest saltwater lakes in Europe, and many rooms full of enormous stalactites.
Museo del Corallo (Coral Museum)
Alghero is the capital of the “coral riviera” and has a long tradition of working this “red gold” and making jewellery out of it. The museum is housed in a Liberty-style villa and takes you on a guided discovery of Alghero’s marine ecosystem, its history and the peculiarities of “Corallium rubrum” (precious coral).
Capo Caccia
The very famous rocky headland, called “the sleeping giant” due to its characteristic formation, is one of the symbols of the city. From the summit (180 metres above sea level), you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Sardinia. The road that climbs up to it is also very picturesque.
Travel Documents
Identity Card
An identity card valid for leaving the country allows entry into European Union countries. However, please note that there have been reports of difficulties in some countries with the recognition of renewed and stamped paper identity cards, as well as the refusal of electronic ID cards renewed with a certificate issued by the municipality.
Passport
An ordinary passport is valid for all countries whose governments are recognized by the Italian one, except for any legal restrictions, and can be obtained by all citizens of the Republic. A passport is issued (and renewed) by the police and abroad, by diplomatic and consular representatives. It is valid for 10 years, but in some cases provided for by current legislation, this validity may be shortened.
For more information, see www.poliziadistato.it
