Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coast is a popular resort for Europe’s jet set.  Developed by the Aga Khan in the 1950s, it’s one of the most expensive destinations in the Mediterranean.

But Alghero on the northwestern side of the island is a charming destination.  And Alghero hotels are much less expensive than those on the Costa Smeralda.

Alghero was first settled in the tenth century by the Genoese, who defended it from the Moors.  But the biggest influence came from the Spanish who conquered the area in the 14th century.  In fact, Alghero is sometimes called “Little Barcelona” because of the Spanish architecture and presence of Catalan language, which is still spoken here.

The town’s narrow lanes, cobbled streets, and tiny piazzas are lined with quaint bars, restaurants, and shops.  The old town is surrounded by fortress walls and several towers, many of which date from the 16th century.  And two churches — the Duomo and San Michele — are worth visiting.

There’s an excellent beach north of town.  And Neptune’s Grotto, a dreamy cave filled with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, is reached by a short boat trip from Alghero.

The best hotels in Alghero for exploring the area.  

Many Alghero hotels are oceanfront and landscaped with terraced, Mediterranean gardens.  Several enjoy spectacular settings.  The 13,000-acre Porto Conte Regional Park is not far from town, and several of the hotels back up to the park.   

Villa las Tronas has the most impressive pedigree of any hotel in Alghero.  The turn-of-the-century villa was the home of the Italian royals when they vacationed in Sardinia.  Located on a rocky promontory that juts out into the sea, five-star Villa Las Tronas has just 25 rooms and suites.  It’s a brief stroll from town, but the noise of the city is blocked out by the park-like grounds.  A series of piers and terraces over the sea are ideal spots for sunbathing.  And the elegant public areas feature marble floors, antiques, and crystal chandeliers.  Service is professional, and there‘s a full-service spa.  Villa las Tronas is the top choice of Alghero hotels.

Walking distance from the center or town, Carlos V is just up the road from Villa la Tronas.  Each of the rooms here has a balcony, with a view of the ocean or the property’s lovely gardens.  One of two five-star hotels in Alghero, it was renovated in 2006.   The rooms are spacious and modern, and the salt-water pool is huge. The location here is hard to beat, and the views from the pool, dining room, and bar are sensational.

Located on Nymphs Bay and overlooking the Capo Caccia cliffs, El Faro is next to the nature park and marine reserve. There’s plenty to do in both, and you can rent water sports equipment, boats, and mountain bikes at the resort.  Tennis, two salt-water pools, a private beach, and a fitness center round out the amenities.  Many of the rooms have balconies with ocean views.  Executive rooms have large terraces overlooking the bay.   And all rooms have mini bars, satellite TV, safety deposit boxes, and Internet access.  The restaurant serves fresh seafood.  El Faro is a few miles north of Alghero, with easy access to the area’s best beaches.  

Dating from the 18th century, the Alghero Resort Country Hotel has retained some of the original charm.  The 22 rooms have wooden beams and tile floors, but they’ve been thoroughly updated with LCD TVs and WiFi Internet access.  The resort is painted in traditional Sardinian colors, and because of the rural surroundings, it really does have a country feel.  With a spa, fitness center, horseback riding, bike rentals, and tennis courts, you won’t run out of things to do.  The patio restaurant looks out over a valley and features a seasonal menu.

Once the convent of the Church of San Francisco, the 20 rooms at San Francesco surround a cloister that dates from the 14th century.  Several original Roman columns are in the cloister.  The location in the historic old town is convenient for restaurants and shopping.  The rooms are simply furnished, but they’re clean and functional.  And prices are reasonable.  San Francesco has more character than any other Alghero hotel.  

Find more trip planning tips for travel to Italy. 

Alghero Image Flickr: xagra
Cap Caccia Image Flickr: ComùnicaTI
El Faro Hotel Image Flickr: gio_greco