One of Sardinia’s most beautiful medieval cities, ALGHERO is the main resort in the northwest of the island. Although largely given over to tourism (its population can almost quadruple in July and August), the town hasn’t given up its unique character and it retains a proud and independent spirit. ALGHERO’s animated historic centre is a terrific place to hang out, and with so many excellent restaurants and bars, it makes an ideal base for exploring the beaches and beauty spots of the nearby RIVIERA DEL CORALLO, the magnificent CAVE OF NEPTUNE and the spectacular cliffs or CAPO CACCIA.One of the main attractions is the picturesque centro storico, one of the best preserved historical centres in Sardinia. Enclosed by robust, honey-colored seawalls, this is a tightly knit enclave of shady cobbled lanes, Gothic palazzi and cafe-lined piazzas. Below, yachts crowd the marina and long, sandy beaches curve away to the north. Permeating everything is a palpable Spanish atmosphere, a hangover of the city’s past as a Catalan colony. Even today, more than three centuries after the Iberians left, a form of medieval Catalan is still spoken, and street signs and menus are often written in both Catalan and Italian.

The spectacular cliffs of Capo Caccia and the stairway of the Cabirol to go to the Caves of Neptune