ALGHERO QUIK CITY GUIDE

Why Alghero?
Compared with other resorts in Sardinia, Alghero is refreshingly uncontrived and despite its long Catalan connection - conquered by Aragon in 1353 - (street names appear in Catalan as well as Italian), its old centre has the feel of an ancient Italian town. The town's cobbled streets are jammed with boutiques, bars and restaurants.

The flight
Ryanair flies daily to Alghero from Stansted with fares starting from £55 return including taxes (08701 569569, www.ryanair.com). Taxis to the town centre take 20 minutes and cost about £16; the bus fare is 40p.

The hotels
(Prices are per double room including breakfast). £120 is the price of a room at the Hotel Villa Las Tronas - a 19th-century art nouveau villa that was once a holiday home for Italian royalty. A 10-minute stroll from the town centre, the hotel is full of character with wooden shutters, antiques, wrought-iron beds and old-fashioned furnishings throughout. Rooms are on the small side but for more space, ask for one of the sea-facing rooms on the first floor. They have large terracotta balconies.
Villa Las Tronas, Lungomare Valencia 24 (0039 079 981818, www.hotelvillalastronas.com).

£60 Just up the road from the Villa Las Tronas is the Hotel Carlos V - a large, plushly decorated, modern hotel with panoramic views of the coast. Facilities include a children's pool, miniature golf course and tennis courts. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped, and those at the back are reasonably priced. Carlos V, Lungomare Valencia 24 (0039 079 979501).

From euros 70 La Rocca is the best B&B/apartment to be found in the historic part of Alghero and is evidence that you can still be comfortable on a budget. Breakfast is served every morning. It's located in an elegant 16th century building in the central Via Roma, in the heart of the ancient city centre, near to the touristic port and to the most important monuments in the town.

Restaurants and nightlife

The restaurants

Andreini is a superb restaurant, the best in town, especially if you ask for a table in the courtyard  its a very romantic place with excellent food & wine. It's located in the heart of the historic centre.
Ristorante Andreini, via Ardoino 45 (0039 079 982098)

Al Refettorio is a restaurant, Cocktail and Wine Bar in the heart of the Old Town of Alghero, few steps from the Bastions and “Piazza Civica”. Smart place, private restaurant, outdoor tables under the Carrerò del Porxo Arcade. We like to consider Refettorio’s kitchen as the union of classic dishes together with original specialities with the result of spectacularly tasty recipes.  A daily renewed offer guaranteed by the choice of a fresh products based kitchen. In fact meat, vegetables and fish are daily delivered to our restaurant.
The Bar: a rich wine cellar with both local and national typical wines to be tasted together with the deliciousness of our dishes and more; cocktails, beers, aperitifs, coffees and chocolates can be tasted in the atmosphere of a reserved table inside or outside, under the arcade of the “Carrerò del Porxo”.
Ristorante Al Refettorio, vicolo Adami 47, (0039 079 9731126)

The big night out
Nightlife in Alghero is fairly low key, but start by sipping cocktails outside the elegant Cafe Latino, overlooking the pretty harbour. Enjoy another pre-dinner drink in the centre of old Alghero, where there are a number of rustic bars, such as the Jamaica Inn on Via Principe Umberto. After dinner, the locals make for the Piazza Civica. The Cafe Costantino is good for nightcaps.

Sights and shops
The classic sight
Alghero's atmospheric old centre is its real attraction, and it can easily be explored on foot. Much of the architecture, which reflects Catalan and Gothic influences, dates from the 16th century. Seven towers, built to strenghthen the town's defences, dominate the centre.

The excursion
From the port, take the three-hour round boat trip to Grotta di Nettuno - a cave system with remarkable rock formations at the bottom of a towering cliff. The journey to the caves lasts about 45 minutes and takes you along the coast, past the pretty bay of Porto Conte as far as the point of Capo Caccia. The trip costs £6, not including entrance to the caves, which is an extra £5. A cheaper option is to drive or catch a bus to Capo Caccia from where there is a dramatic 654-step descent down a sheer cliff-face to the caves. Not for the faint-hearted.

The shops
The north-western coast of Sardinia is well-known for its coral. We highly recommend Gioielleria Marti, a designer jewellery shop on Via Carlo Alberto n.12, since 1946. There you can find also best italian brand watches, like Giorgio Armani, Breil and many more.

15 euros is the cost of a bottle of Cannonau Riserva 1998 from Il Ghiotto on Piazza Civica.

In piazza Civica you can visit the Antonio Marras (artist director of Kenzo womanswear) show room. Marras is also one of the best italian stylist, born in Alghero.

The walk
At sunset, take the pleasant stroll along the seafront to the port, starting from Lungomare Dante on the south side. The route is lined with a series of ramparts and towers, coming to an end at the Forte de la Maddalena - the city's most important Spanish fortification. A plaque commemorates Giuseppe Garibaldi's landing here on August 14, 1855. After all that exertion, culture and history, treat yourself to an ice cream. In largo San Francesco - via Simon watch out for Slurperia ice cream shop.

What's on when
Easter celebrations, including the procession of statues through town, have a Spanish feel. A World Music Festival takes place throughout August. Tickets cost about £6.50. Classical concerts are staged at the Grotta di Nettuno and San Francesco church. For further information, contact the Tourist Board in Alghero (0039 079 935124).