Alghero, Coastal municipality in Sardinia, Italy
Alghero sits on the northwestern coast of Sardinia with limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and a fortified old town surrounded by historic walls. The historic center extends along the waterfront and forms a network of narrow lanes that lead to small squares with churches and residential buildings.
The Doria family from Genoa founded the settlement in the 12th century and developed it into a trading post on the Mediterranean. King Peter IV of Aragon conquered the town in 1353 and settled Catalan families there, giving it a new linguistic identity.
Residents still use the Catalan dialect in everyday life and maintain regional festivals with Aragonese elements. Street signs appear in two languages and many shops carry names from this Iberian tradition.
Fertilia Airport connects the town with Italian and European destinations and sits about 10 kilometers from the center. Buses run regularly between the terminal and the old town, while rental cars make it easier to reach beaches and caves in the surrounding area.
The Grotta di Nettuno below Capo Caccia stretches over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) through chambers with stalactites and underground lakes. Visitors can reach the cave either by a steep stairway with more than 600 steps or by boat from the harbor.
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