Where to stay in Alghero? The choice in this beautiful Sardinian city is pretty straightforward, and mainly depends on what transport you’ll be using to get around during your stay. In this guide, we’ll find out the best areas to stay in Alghero for those with a car or for those who’ll only be getting around by public transport.
Map of the best areas to stay in Alghero
Before we start, as always, look at a map to clarify which are the most recommended areas to stay in Alghero that we’ll talk about in the guide: in gray the historic city (pedestrian), in green the most practical area to stay in Alghero if you’re planning to get around only by bus (perhaps getting inspired by this itinerary to visit Alghero and surroundings only by bus), in yellow and blue other areas to consider if the previous ones are already all full.
Staying in Alghero in the historic center
Pros: Atmosphere and beauty of the city, great for evening strolls without needing to travel.
Cons: Higher prices, problematic for those with a car.
The historic city is probably the most charming place to stay in Alghero. Crossing the ancient walls to enter and strolling through the center’s alleys is fascinating both day and night, but especially at sunset, along the bastions overlooking the sea.
Staying in Alghero’s center is an excellent option for those who want to go out in the evening without walking much, for those without a car who plan to get around simply by bus, since the Via Catalogna bus station (which isn’t really a station but just a street where all the main bus companies’ stops are located) is just outside the city walls.
Read also: From the airport to Alghero for just €1
If, on the other hand, you have a car, you might have some difficulties. The center is pedestrianized, and everyone, like residents, who needs to drive through must get a special permit to display on the dashboard. Some hotels might even help you get the pass, but that’s not the only problem; it’s also that most of the center’s alleys aren’t even wide enough for a car to maneuver easily.
So, if you have a car, you’d have to leave it parked outside the center, with consequent parking costs, wasted time looking for a free spot, and distance from your accommodation.
By choosing to stay in Alghero’s center, you’ll definitely have all services at your fingertips (shops, bars, markets, some of the best restaurants) and lively nightlife, though without excesses or wild partying.
The historic center is also the best solution for those who want plenty of choices when it’s time for lunch or dinner. Here, restaurants of all types and costs abound, so if you like having lots of choices for eating, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t think, however, that you’ll manage to get into those restaurants you’ve just read great online reviews about if you haven’t booked in advance.
They’ll all be full or pretend to be, especially if you are traveling solo or in couple. During my visit, when I was traveling alone, every evening I was turned away 1 to 3 times before I could eat somewhere because “well, you know, we only have a table for 3 or 4 left, we can’t seat just you, we’d rather wait for larger groups otherwise we lose money”. Things that only happened to me in Italy (and I’m italian), but that’s another story.
Staying in Alghero inside the walls is more expensive than outside but if you book in advance (or outside peak months), you might find some good deals.
The center is the best place to stay in Alghero:
- for those who want to go out in the evening and already be in the heart of the city’s atmosphere;
- if you don’t have a car or you’re getting around by bus;
However, I don’t recommend sleeping in the center if:
- you have a car and don’t want to waste time parking far from your accommodation;
- you’re looking for relaxation and nature.
- Casetta Pa I Algua: well-kept apartment, complete with bathroom, equipped kitchen, washing machine, Wi-Fi, A/C, and free cancellation;
- Palau Marco Polo: rooms in a property along the bastions, some with sea views.
Pivarada
Pros: Historic center a short walk away, numerous bus stops, seafront, services;
Cons: Few, perhaps the uninteresting beach opposite.
Pivarada basically represents the area immediately north of the historic center, in green on the map on the top.
Staying in Alghero in this area offers a lot of advantages:
- A nice and equipped seafront for walking/running or cycling;
- You can reach the historic center by walking in just a few minutes;
- Almost all bus lines departing from and arriving at Alghero’s terminus pass along Pivarada’s streets and the seafront, so you can conveniently take public transport from various stops;
- The secondary streets further from the seafront are generally quiet and suitable for sleeping peacefully;
- If you have a car, in the streets less close to the center and the seafront, you might also be able to park for free if you find free spots along the road.
So, if you find good deals for staying in Alghero in the Pivarada area, go ahead and book because it’s probably the best area to sleep and the most strategic for getting around.
Last but not least, on the seafront in the evening, there’s also some modest nightlife: let’s be clear, no wild partying, but there’s a funfair that can be handy for those with children and some beach bars, a couple of which offer DJ sets on weekends, like Blumar and Kelu bar.
The only thing that’s a bit off in this area is the beach opposite the seafront. Maybe it’s the proximity to the port, maybe it’s a coincidence, but this area’s beach is perhaps Alghero’s ugliest: invaded by industrial quantities of algae and with water that’s not very Sardinian in its clearness.
- Hotel il gabbiano: 3-star seafront hotel, with Wi-Fi, A/C, parking, airport shuttle option, bar, buffet breakfast, 24h reception;
- B&B Lloc d’or: property with excellent reviews, close to the sea and bus stops, Wi-Fi, parking, A/C.
City center outside the walls
Pros: Proximity to the historic center and the bus terminus;
Cons: City traffic.
The “modern” center area, outside the walls (southeast of the historic center) marked in yellow on the map above, is another area you can consider for staying in Alghero if you can’t find a good price in the previous ones.
Despite still being a short walk from the historic city and not being a bad area, this area has fewer advantages compared to staying in Pivarada. It’s indeed a purely “city” area prone to traffic, uninteresting avenues with rectangular blocks, paid (and busy) parkings.
Even those who only use public transport are less favored than those staying in Pivarada, because they’ll always have to go to the Via Catalogna terminus since most buses head north after departure and don’t pass through here.
If you plan to visit the historic center often, don’t stray too far from the yellow polygon on the map (unless you have a rental bike), as distances tend to increase and there are some slopes in this area (albeit very slight).
- Hotel La Margherita & SPA: a 3-star hotel very close to the historic center with great prices, SPA, wellness center, with Wi-Fi, A/C, breakfast, and parking;
- B&B Blu&Blu: rooms for 1 to 3 people with good reviews, parking, Wi-Fi, private bathroom, and terrace.
La Pietraia
Pros: Beaches very close, public transport;
Cons: Increasing distance from the center.
La Pietraia district (in blue on the map above) could be a good option for staying in Alghero if you’re interested in accommodation not too far from the historic center but with decent beaches complete with all services just a short walk away: Lido beach and San Giovanni beach.
We’re talking about the most crowded and “commercial” beaches in the Alghero area: there’s much better to see in Sardinia; I recommend these beaches only to those with little time.
From La Pietraia district, you can reach the historic center by walking about 2km, entirely along the seafront, which is also lit up at night.
The location is still convenient both for those using public transport, as, like Pivarada, there are stops for almost all local and non-local buses, and for those traveling by car, who will find wider roads and more parking opportunities.
- Residence Picalè: seafront residence with studio apartments at competitive prices and apartments for up to 6 people, with pool, private kitchen, Wi-Fi, A/C, parking;
- Hotel Riviera: 4-star hotel with rooms for up to 4 people and good prices.
Maria Pia or Fertilia
Pros: you start seeing some nature, nice beach opposite, services;
Cons: too far from the center to walk.
Before finishing, let’s mention two other areas (not colored on the map but clearly visible after Pietraia) that you can consider if you find prices too high in the previous ones or if you want to get away from the chaos a bit.
Maria Pia district is the first one you encounter along the coast after passing La Pietraia.
Staying in Alghero in this area can be an interesting option for those who want to find a slightly greener area and a beach (albeit crowded…) with a small pine forest behind it and still equipped with all services.
Fertilia, on the other hand, is a very small urban center at the opposite end of the area’s gulf, quite peaceful and relaxed, unlike the areas seen so far.
Both the Maria Pia and Fertilia areas are served by public transport (urban, suburban, and for the airport) as almost all buses departing from Alghero travel along the entire coast to Fertilia and then possibly inland.
However, staying in Maria Pia or Fertilia, it’s no longer feasible to reach the historic center on foot. You’ll necessarily have to use urban buses (which cost €1 and tickets can be bought directly via app) or your own transport.
- Hotel Fertilia: 3-star in a quiet location with fair prices, free parking, breakfast, Wi-Fi.
- Hotel Punta Negra: 4-star hotel on the sea with a double pool, free parking, restaurant, Wi-Fi, and free cancellation;
- Glamping Laguna Blu: take a look at this luxury tent with private bathrooms in a campsite, if you’re traveling with family and want to avoid some crowds.
Staying in Alghero surrounded by nature
Obviously, Alghero doesn’t end here. If you’re not particularly interested in the historic center or the crowded beaches in the area drive you crazy, my advice is to open the map and look for any accommodation surrounded by nature or near a less popular beach.
Where to stay in Alghero for young people?
Historic center or immediate surroundings, since the nightlife is basically in the center and along the adjoining bastions, as well as sometimes on the seafront.
Where to stay in Alghero with children
It depends; the historic center is a good option, but if you have to push strollers, the stone and pebble alleys might give you some trouble. Alternatively, stay close to the sea or beaches in districts like Pietraia or Maria Pia.
Where to stay in Alghero on a budget?
Generally, the cheaper areas are found a bit outside the historic center, for example, in the Pietraia or Fertilia area.
Besides accommodation, to spend little in Alghero, it’s useful to get around by public transport and not have a car. Find out how in my 4-day itinerary among Alghero’s beaches and more.
Now that you know all about where it’s best to stay in Alghero… it’s also time to find a cheap flight with the box below that compares all available ones for your dates:
Finally, to get from the airport to Alghero center, you’ll find the €1 bus. If your schedule doesn’t match the buses, get a quote for a private transfer between the airport and your hotel!
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