The historic center of Alghero

Walking through the historic center of Alghero means stepping into the city’s most authentic heart, where history is never distant but accompanies every step. The towers surrounding the old town, the façades of historic buildings, the mullioned windows and sealed portals still clearly reflect the Catalan influence that has shaped the character of l’Alguer.

Arriving from the marina, after passing the Torre di Sant’Elmo — known as La Madonnina for the statue that crowns it — a staircase leads through Porta a Mare (Porto Salve) into the city’s true living room: Piazza Civica. Overlooking the square are some of Alghero’s most significant historic buildings, once home to the city’s main institutions. Among them are the Palazzo de Ferrera, with its elegant Gothic lines, the Casa de la Ciutat, former seat of the city council, and the Palazzo della Dogana (Duana Reial), a mandatory stop for ship captains arriving in Alghero’s roadstead.

A short walk leads to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, whose construction began in 1567 on the site of an earlier church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Particularly striking is the rear entrance, with its richly decorated Gothic portal and the Gothic-Catalan forms of the bell tower rising above the surrounding space.

Between Piazza Civica and the Cathedral begins Via Carlo Alberto, historically known as Carrer dels Mercaders — the merchants’ street — and still today one of the liveliest areas for shopping and strolling. Along this street stand the Church of San Francesco, with its beautiful cloister and refined blend of Catalan Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles, and the Church of San Michele, dedicated to the city’s patron saint and easily recognizable from afar by its distinctive multicolored dome.

Continuing along Via Carlo Alberto leads to the bastions, true balconies overlooking the sea. On one side lies the Lungomare Dante and Valencia, lined with elegant Liberty-style villas built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the octagonal Villa Mosca and the Villa of Count Sant’Elia, which frequently hosted members of the House of Savoy. On the other side, the Cristoforo Colombo, Marco Polo, and Pigafetta bastions guide you toward ancient defensive towers such as the Torre di San Giacomo, also known as the Tower of the Dogs, and the Torre della Polveriera, built in the mid-18th century during Savoy rule as an arsenal for weapons and gunpowder.

Strolling along the bastions, especially in the evening, offers one of the city’s most evocative experiences: the view opens onto the sea and the imposing promontory of Capo Caccia, famous for its profile resembling a reclining figure, while the sun slowly sets on the horizon.

The old town is also Alghero’s most distinctive and refined shopping area. Here you will find the city’s renowned coral jewelry, Sardinian handicrafts, and spaces that blend tradition with contemporary creativity — such as the boutique of Italian designer Antonio Marras overlooking Piazza Civica. For food lovers, there is no shortage of small shops offering the most authentic flavors of local cuisine.

For a first overview of the historic center, sightseeing trains with audio guides offer an introduction to Alguer Vella (Old Alghero), while the more romantic can opt for horse-drawn carriages that gently travel along the cobbled streets of the old town.

Credits foto Alghero: @AlePaxfoto