Alghero is the fifth most populous town in Sardinia and one of the gateway to the island, thanks to its airport. It is the main town of the “Coral Riviera” (coral coast), because red corals grow in its underwater caves, at depth from -4 mt to -35 mt. There is a secular tradition in handwork and trade of red coral, to such a point that it appears on the town crest.
Seascape is really wonderful, one of the main sight is Capo Caccia, so called because an intensive hunting took place in the area until 1960, especially to the many colonies of feral pigeons that lived there. Capo Caccia is a rock 168 meters high which closes the deep bay of Porto Conte. From its top you can see the beautiful island of Foradada or the particular Inferno Bay, with its yellowish limestone walls shaped by erosion. Farther northward you can enjoy Punta Cristallo, a slope that goes straight to the sea from an height of 326 meters above sea level.
Within Capo Caccia cape it is located a natural cave called Green Cave, where it was found the oldest evidence of human presence in this area; in fact the cave was used as a place for worship since 5000-4000 years BC, according to its graffiti.
We mentioned Porto Conte; it can be reached along the Provincial Road 55: once past the Capocaccia turning, just take a little dirt road on the left that leads right to the sea. In ancient times it was called Portus Ninpharum, that is Port of the Nymphs, due to its clear waters. It is a large bay covered with light-coloured sand and fine gravel, lapped by a wonderful sea with infinite shades of blue; small rocks just surface in the water. The beach of Porto Conte is gently sloping and framed by eucalyptus, sea pines and Mediterranean shrub. There is a car park, then a hotel and a restaurant.
Northwards, with a detour to the left, you can reach the south-west of Porto Conte or visit, going along a dirt road, Punta Giglio Cape. Leaving this detour, and passing around the bay, it is possible to appreciate the long pinewood of Mugoni.
Alghero Beaches Palaces and churches
Very recommended is a visit to the famous Neptune Caves; every year thousands of tourists pay a visit to the place, accessible either by boat departing from Alghero, or by land descending the picturesque Escala del Cabirol (stair of the deer), which counts 656 steps. Once entered the cave, you can enjoy the Marmora lake (about 120 meters long), and some of the impressive columns formed by the union of stalactites and stalagmites. Going deeper and deeper it is possible to reach the Organ Room, so called because there is a stalagmite which resemble a pipe organ.
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