Alghero Holidays

Occupying armies squabbled like siblings over Alghero for centuries, and it's easy to see why. It's a postcard-perfect town in the north-west corner of Italy's Sardinia, where a ruggedly handsome coastline and high cliffs overlook white sandy beaches. For the adventurous, a visit to the stalactite-filled Neptune's Grotto is a must.

Nestled on Sardinia's coast, Alghero's sights are firmly set on a Spanish horizon – the Balearics. In the cobbled streets of the old quarter, you'll also feel hints of Barcelona bubbling up as locals chat away in their very own Catalan dialect. It's no wonder the place was once dubbed 'Barceloneta'.

The Spanish influence trickles into Alghero's eateries, where tempting Catalan cuisine often features on the menu. For carnivores seeking out local specialities, try roast suckling pig. This famous Sardinian dish is extra delicious when washed down with a glass of wine from one of the vineyards on the north of the island.

Spend an afternoon exploring the jumbled maze of winding alleys in Alghero's old town. Chic Italian boutiques and cafés surround small piazzas, and cats snooze in deserted lanes. As the sun sets, join locals in one of many bars by the old town wall for a well-deserved Aperol Spritz or two.