Alghero Activities for the Whole Family to Enjoy

Maria DiCicco
Jun 1
6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Alghero is a lively central hub for tourists visiting their first or even their fifth time to Sardinia. Offering plenty of restaurants, shopping opportunities, and area activities, the medieval walled city is a charming place to stay any time of year.

Even in the off season, when I visited, Catalan-influenced Alghero welcomed tourists with open doors - literally, we saw more open restaurants and attractions than much of the rest of the island - namely because of its year-round draw for families, visitors and simply local life.

Below discover suggestions on what to do in Alghero, both seasonally and in the off season, that will delight your family on your next adventure to gorgeous Sardinia.

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Short on Time?

Whether you have a few nights or a week in Alghero, there's plenty to do with the whole family. Enjoy shopping, dining, exploring the historic center, and visiting local area wineries.

Popular area attractions include:

But, my favorite things to do in Alghero are to shop and eat! Try:

Wine tasting near Alghero
Browsing the weekly Wednesday market
Go shopping for coral!

Dive into the details of what makes Alghero worth visiting, and how to spend a few lovely days in the area.

Walk Along the Medieval City Walls

This is one of the quintessential things to do while visiting Alghero.

Stop at vendors along the way selling red coral jewelry, see the old cannons and even a trebuchet. Catch the sea air and enjoy the stroll, which Italians call "fare una passegiata".

Pass through Piazza Civica, a popular touristy square for shopping and dining.

Go Wine Tasting near Alghero

Sardinian wines are really unique to discover like vermentino and cannonau, and I highly recommend exploring the local area wineries.

I like to book my vineyard experiences through a company called Winedering, of which you can find some really outstanding offers including paired lunches with local wines, tasting platters of local cheese and meats along with the wine pairings, and lovely tours, too.

Some of the options for wine tasting near Alghero include:

Personally, we chose to drive all the way out to Castelsardo for a unique experience at Cantina Ligios, but I have to admit the drive back was hairy at more than an hour away. There may have been some roadside pop and squat peeing involved.

Don't drink and drive as far as we did - organize a tour and tasting near town and plan for nothing else the rest of the day - you'll appreciate the down time after enjoying so many delicious Sardinian wines!

Going wine tasting with kids? Don't worry, there's plenty to keep them entertained - from heaping cheese plates to toys on hand at many establishments, they can also just enjoy running around the outdoor spaces. My kid loves going to wineries!

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Visit the Weekly Wednesday Market in Alghero

If local style markets appeal to you, then you'll enjoy this well sized market full of clothing, traditional Sardinian linens for your home, and other textiles.

You'll want to pick up some local pecorino cheese while you are there (perfect for snacking at your hotel room or apartment rental with some of that wine you likely just bought), and browse whatever fruits and vegetables are in season!

Try the Fregola at Al Vecchio Mulino

This show stopping dish was a game changer for me. I live part-time in Spain (we have a holiday home in Zaragoza), and I've grown accustomed to Spanish paella and fideua, but this dish was the ultimate winner of them all.

Truly, if you like paella - you need to try what I'm going to call the "Italian style paella", which I suppose would be risotto...but in this case, it's a seafood dish cooked with a pasta-like pearl similar to couscous, cooked in the seafood broth and served in a similar manner.

interior dining room at Al Vechhio Mulino — Inside Al Vecchio Mulino

While you may be tempted to seek out Catalan-style restaurants in Alghero (I was), this dish alone will satisfy your craving for the Spanish-influenced city cuisine.

I told my Spanish husband that if I had a choice, I'd swap paella for this dish every time. Can you see the pure joy on my face here?

woman enjoying food and wine — Pure joy.

Learn more about fregola and the other Sardinian delicacies at my Sardinia 101 guide.

Go Shopping for Some Coral

Get yourself an Italian horn, or 'cornetto' made with 18k gold and coral. If someone buys it for you as a gift, it provides good luck!

A fun fact for you - when you are shopping for coral in Alghero, be sure to look for the letter A above the door of the shop. This scarlet A indicates they are above-board to sell real coral, and you won't be getting any fakes.

coral shops with a big letter A above the door

Take a Cooking Class

If all the food in this article is making you hungry, consider taking a cooking class like the Alghero Home Cooking Pasta Class at a Farmhouse with Wine. It's becoming more and more of a favorite pastime among travelers, because not only do you experience new cuisine and cooking techniques, but you can get a better inside look into a culture.

Maybe you'll even make new friends and memories!

Grab a Sunset Apertivo at Riservato Beach Bar

Ideal for couples looking for a young vibe, this seasonal seaside bar is a great place for sun down cocktails with fellow travelers.

My favorite apertivo (or night cap!) is the classic negroni - ask for local gin like the Silvio Carta gin from Oristano!

Or, Take in Sunset at the Marina

The Marina at sunset was breathtaking. Step outside the city walls and breathe the fresh air of the port.

sunset outside the walls at Alghero marina

At this Marina you'll also find the majority of the Alghero boat trips and their ticket booths for setting sail on the water.

Want to amp up your sunset game? Take a sunset and apertif sailboat ride.

See the Villaggio Nuragico Palmavera

These Nuraghe structures are seemingly everywhere in Sardinia. Here’s another such example just outside of town, situated along a beautiful strip of road that follows the ocean.

Arrive early and have the place to yourself, and take time to scramble around and explore! A visit takes about 30 minutes or so, depending on your level of interest.

Learn more about the Archaeological Sites in Sardinia Worth Visiting.

Visit the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju

Also one of many on the island, this centrally located necropolis is a good one to add to your itinerary if you are in the area.

Guide to Sardinia's West Coast: Where to Stay, Things to Do and More

Visit Neptune's Grotto

Admittedly one of the more touristy options, this seasonal offering is said to be a must by many who have visited, and a total bust of a rip off by others. You decide, but there's a nice boat ride (or an epic stairwell) to reach the cave, and then an additional entry fee to gain admittance into the cave.

Learn more here.