Sardinia, Italy – A Week Exploring Alghero and the Beautiful Northwest Coast
Family adventures, spectacular beaches, coastal hikes, hidden caves and colourful Italian towns.
Sardinia had been on our travel wish list for some time, and what better way to explore this beautiful Mediterranean island than with a family holiday?
We spent an amazing week based near Alghero, on Sardinia's northwest coast, discovering everything from secluded beaches and dramatic coastal trails to colourful villages, spectacular caves and some rather adventurous family activities!
With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, rugged coastline, delicious Italian food and charming historic towns, Sardinia certainly didn't disappoint.
We flew into Alghero Airport and hired a car through Avis, which gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. Although Sardinia is a relatively large island, we decided to concentrate on the northwest, and there was more than enough to keep us busy for a week.
Where We Stayed – Villa Splendida
We chose Villa Splendida, a beautiful villa just outside Alghero, as our base for the week.
With a lovely swimming pool, plenty of space and beautiful surroundings, it was perfect for a family holiday. It was wonderful having somewhere to relax together after a busy day exploring.
The villa is reached via a fairly long driveway, and you really do need a car if you're staying here. For us, that wasn't a problem, as we planned to explore the surrounding area anyway.
Exploring Alghero – Sardinia's Little Barcelona
Alghero is one of Sardinia's most attractive coastal towns, famous for its medieval architecture, historic city walls and strong Catalan influence. In fact, it's often referred to as Little Barcelona because of its Spanish heritage.
We loved wandering through the narrow cobbled streets of the old town, discovering little shops, cafés and restaurants tucked away in beautiful historic buildings.
Walking along the ancient city walls overlooking the Mediterranean is a must, particularly in the late afternoon when the light is beautiful.
But for us, Alghero really came alive in the evenings. The streets were bustling, the restaurants were busy and many of the little shops stayed open until late. It had a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
We also explored the local fish market, although our timing wasn't quite right, and we eventually ended up buying our fish from a supermarket!
Our tip: Don't just visit Alghero during the day. Make time for an evening wandering the old town and enjoying its lively atmosphere.
Hiking the Spectacular Porto Conte Coastline
One of our favourite activities of the week was a spectacular coastal hike through the Porto Conte Regional Natural Park.
We completed a moderately challenging 7-mile (11 km) circular walk, taking approximately four hours, with breathtaking views of rugged cliffs, the Mediterranean Sea and secluded little coves.
The trail took us towards Punta Giglio, where we stopped at a lovely restaurant and refuge for lunch. Sitting there enjoying the views after our walk was a real highlight.
Along the route we discovered Cala Bramassa, a beautiful little cove with wonderfully clear water.
Practical information from the hike :
Distance: Approximately 7 miles (11 km)
Duration: Around 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Park entry: €9 per person at the time of our visit
Highlights: Coastal views, Cala Bramassa and lunch near Punta Giglio
This was undoubtedly one of the best ways to appreciate Sardinia's wild and unspoilt coastline.
Via Ferrata della Regina
For something completely different, Miles, Abbie and Luca headed inland to tackle the Via Ferrata della Regina, near the village of Monteleone Rocca Doria, approximately 45 minutes from Alghero.
This was definitely one for the adventurous members of the family!
The route involves climbing iron ladders, crossing suspension bridges, following steel cables and negotiating exposed ledges, all with spectacular views across Lake Temo.
The beginning was particularly challenging, but once everyone got into the rhythm of the climb, it was a fantastic experience.
Miles, who is an experienced climber, had brought his own equipment and led Abbie and Luca along the route.
If you don't have the necessary equipment or experience, guided excursions are available. We found options costing around €79 per person.
Our tip: This isn't an activity for anyone uncomfortable with heights. Proper via ferrata safety equipment and experience, or a qualified guide, are essential.
Hiring a Boat – Exploring Porto Conte Bay
One of the absolute highlights of our holiday was hiring our own motorboat for the day from Alghero Marina.
We booked through Ares Turismo, who provided a great service, and the boat we hired didn't require a boating licence.
There were six of us on board, and we hired a six-metre motorboat with a 40 hp engine for approximately €250 plus fuel.
With Andy and Miles taking turns at the helm, we headed out towards the spectacular Porto Conte coastline.
The scenery was magnificent, with towering cliffs, turquoise water and secluded bays that are difficult to appreciate properly from land.
One particularly memorable moment was exploring a sea cave at Isola di Foradada. We were able to enter the cave in our boat, although I have to admit we were all feeling a little nervous!
We also found a sheltered spot in Porto Conte Bay, where we anchored for lunch and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.
It was a fantastic day and gave us a completely different perspective of Sardinia's coastline.
Our tip: Always check the wind, currents and sea conditions before setting out. Although some bays are sheltered, conditions can change considerably once you're out in open water. Only approach sea caves when conditions are safe and access is permitted.
Neptune's Grotto – 654 Steps into an Underground Wonderland
Another unforgettable experience was visiting Grotta di Nettuno (Neptune's Grotto), one of Sardinia's most famous natural attractions.
Located beneath the dramatic cliffs of Capo Caccia, this extraordinary sea cave is filled with magnificent stalactites, stalagmites, vast chambers and an underground saltwater lake.
But getting there is an adventure in itself!
We chose to arrive by land, which meant descending the famous 654 steps carved into the cliffs.
The views on the way down were incredible, although you do need a head for heights.
Once inside, we joined a guided tour through the impressive cave system. It was fascinating, although quite busy, with groups moving through some fairly narrow sections.
And, of course, what goes down must come back up! Climbing those 654 steps afterwards certainly got the heart pumping.
At the time of our visit, entry cost €14 per person.
Our tip: Book your guided tour in advance and arrive at least 40 minutes early to allow time to park and descend the steps. Alternatively, boat excursions operate from Alghero when sea conditions permit. Check current prices and access arrangements before visiting.
A Road Trip to Bosa – Sardinia's Most Colourful Town
If there's one road trip we'd recommend from Alghero, it's the drive south to Bosa.
The journey takes approximately 55 minutes, following one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Sardinia, with spectacular views around almost every bend.
Bosa itself is a picture-perfect town, famous for its brightly coloured houses overlooking the River Temo.
We spent a lovely few hours exploring its historic streets and climbing up to Castello Malaspina, the medieval castle perched high above the town.
Although the castle ruins themselves aren't particularly extensive, the panoramic views from the top are absolutely worth the climb.
Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at Don Carlos Ristorante Pizzeria before strolling along the riverfront.
A slight misunderstanding when ordering wine resulted in Abbie and me sharing an entire litre of rosé rather than the smaller quantity I'd intended! Clearly, my Italian needed a little more practice.
Bosa was a wonderful place to explore and definitely one of the highlights of our week.
Cane Malu – Sardinia's Extraordinary Natural Swimming Pools
After exploring Bosa, we made the short journey towards Bosa Marina and walked out to Cane Malu.
This unusual stretch of coastline looks almost otherworldly, with smooth, sculpted pale rocks and natural pools formed by centuries of wave erosion.
It reminded us of a lunar landscape!
On a calm day, the pools would be an extraordinary place to swim. However, when we visited, the wind was strong and large waves were crashing over the rocks.
Some of the family ventured into the water, but getting back out proved rather more challenging than expected!
We certainly wouldn't recommend swimming here in rough conditions, particularly with children. It's a place where you really need to respect the sea.
Even without swimming, Cane Malu is worth visiting for its unusual rock formations and beautiful coastal scenery.
Our Favourite Beaches
Sardinia is famous for its beaches, and we certainly weren't disappointed. Even in the northwest, where the coastline can be quite rugged, there are some beautiful places to swim, sunbathe or simply admire the views.
Spiaggia di Porto Ferro
A beautiful stretch of sandy coastline surrounded by dunes and natural scenery. Perfect for enjoying Sardinia's wilder side.
Cala Bramassa
A lovely secluded cove discovered during our coastal hike. Its clear water and peaceful setting made it particularly memorable.
Sunset Cocktails at Pedramare
\One of our favourite evening experiences was visiting Pedramare, a restaurant and bar approximately 15 minutes south of
Set on the hillside overlooking the coast, it offers beautiful panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
We arrived in time for sunset, ordered cocktails and enjoyed watching the sun slowly disappear over the horizon.
It was a little breezy, but the views more than made up for it.
Sometimes the simplest moments make the best holiday memories, and this was definitely one of them.
Eating Out in Alghero
Italian food is always one of the pleasures of visiting Italy, and Alghero has a wonderful selection of restaurants, cafés and traditional pizzerias.
We particularly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of eating outdoors and wandering the old town after dinner.
On our final evening, we visited Nautilus, a restaurant that had been recommended to us.
Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to our expectations, proving that even a recommended restaurant isn't always a guaranteed success!
Our lunch at Don Carlos in Bosa was a much more memorable experience, particularly after our climb to the castle.
For us, the best part of eating in Sardinia was often simply finding somewhere with a lovely view, ordering something delicious and enjoying time together as a family.
Our Sardinia Holiday – Final Thoughts
Sardinia was a wonderful destination for a family holiday, combining relaxation with plenty of adventure.
What we particularly loved was the variety. One day we were hiking along dramatic coastal cliffs, the next exploring underground caves, climbing a via ferrata or discovering colourful Italian towns.
Hiring a car gave us the flexibility to explore independently, while staying in a villa meant we could enjoy time together without feeling the need to eat out every evening.
Although Sardinia is renowned for its beautiful beaches, we discovered that there is so much more to this fascinating island.
Would we return? Absolutely! We only scratched the surface of Sardinia, and there is still so much of the island we'd love to discover.
For anyone looking for a Mediterranean holiday that offers more than simply lying on a beach, we'd highly recommend Alghero and Sardinia's beautiful northwest coast.
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