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Alghero Introduction - City Walls and Port
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The compact, maze-like streets of Alghero's old town are built on a promontory of
land. This gives the impression on a map that they have somehow been artificially joined
to the regular grid of streets that constitute the modern town.
Walls
This geographical layout means that the old town is surrounded by the Mediterranean
on three sides and the city walls, or bastioni, were constructed along this perimeter to guard against any seaborne threat.
Starting from the Lungomare Dante road to the south and finishing at the Bastione
La Maddalena in the north these ramparts are interspersed with defensive towers:
Torre di San Giacomo, Torre della Polveriera and Torre di Sant'Erasmo.
A stroll along the walls, with the superb views out to Cappo Caccia, makes for a relaxing airy alternative to the narrow lanes encountered within the old town and the distance can be covered in around twenty minutes.
This is especially popular in the evenings when Alghero's westerly facing aspect means that the stunning sunsets
on offer can be enjoyed from one of the many bars, cafes or restaurants that line the route.
Port
Immediately to the north of the old town is the port. This is home to an eclectic
flotilla of yachts in all shapes and sizes, fishing boats and tour cruisers.
The main destination for boat trips is Neptune's Grotto some 30 minutes north along the coast.
It is possible to continue further northwards to the town's beaches although these are not of the same quality as some a short distance by car away.
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