Car Hire in Alghero

About Alghero

Alghero is a city in Italy, more precisely in the Italian island province of Sassari in northwestern Sardinia. The city was founded in 1102 and was also a Catalan colony for a while in the past, so today it is the only Italian city where the Catalan language is still spoken. In addition, there are some other remnants from the time when Alghero was a Catalan colony. You can see this in the architecture and some other cultural, historical and religious sites that you can visit here. This is undoubtedly one of the most attractive destinations in Sardinia. Sardinia is an island and region in Italy. It is the second-largest island in the country right after Sicily. The capital of the island is Cagliari.

Alghero is a very popular destination among tourists and travellers from Italy and other parts of the world. This city is truly unique and offers a fantastic combination of different historical eras and the modern world. You can really see and do a lot in this city and its surroundings. You can visit numerous historical, cultural, natural and religious sites, but also enjoy beautiful beaches that make Alghero a perfect destination all year round. It's up to you what kind of activities you prefer during your vacation.

What makes Alghero special is also the presence of the Catalan culture, which mixes with the Italian culture, creating a unique culture that is unique to this city. In the past, Alghero was also referred to as little Barcelona because of its similarities with this beautiful Catalan city.

So, if you are going on a road trip through Sardinia, you should definitely put Alghero on your list of destinations where you will stop and spend a few days. Besides exploring Alghero with its port and historic old town, museums, galleries, gastronomy and much more, there is also a lot to see and do in the surroundings of the city. Especially the nature here is something very special and you should definitely take the time to explore the area around Alghero - you will not regret it.

Basic info and car hire in Alghero

• Location: Sardinia, Italy
• Population: 43,945
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Alghero has a Mediterranean climate.   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Alghero are in good condition.
• Car hire in Alghero:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Alghero is at the Alghero Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Alghero.

 Driving in Alghero

Renting a car is the best option in Sardinia if you want to explore the island properly. Public transportation on the island works well only in the larger cities. So if you want to discover hidden places and great beaches, you should definitely rent a car and explore Sardinia on your own. It's good to know that there are no highways in Sardinia, so all roads are free and the speed limit is 90 km/h maximum. There is one exception - the main road of Sardinia, a 4-lane highway connecting Cagliari with Sassari and Porto Torres (SS131 - E25), is only passable from km 35,000 to km 108,300 (from Serrenti to Bauladu), the maximum speed is 110km/h.

Driving on the island is generally not very demanding. You just have to obey all the road signs and follow the rules, then you will not have any problems. You should also know that sometimes the locals can drive quite aggressively, so it is better to let them overtake if it is possible.

When you get to cities and towns, it is best to park your car and go exploring on foot. There are many traffic restricted zones and Alghero, for example, is not so big that you can not explore it on foot.

Traffic in Alghero is subject to ZTL regulations. Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) (literally, traffic restricted zone) is a traffic restricted zone in Italy. There are about 200 regulations enforced with cameras, as well as 100 environmental zones. They help protect historic city centres from excessive traffic that would otherwise make the city less attractive.

If you need to enter the ZTL in Alghero contact:

Polizia locale

Dirigente del Settore 5

Tel: (+39) 079 9978111

Fax: (+39) 079 9739136

E-mail: g.calzia@comune.alghero.ss.it

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your own safety and the safety of other road users.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Alghero

Exclusive Day Tour on a luxury catamaran to the Maddalena Archipelago, Boat tour in the La Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia, Sailboat daily cruise in Sardinia: the Maddalena Archipelago and Costa Smeralda, Private Sailboat Tour in the Maddalena Archipelago, Mountains And Beaches 4x4...

What to see in Alghero

There is really a lot to see and do in Alghero and its surroundings, so there is something for every kind of tourist and traveller. One of the places you should not miss is the historic city centre. The view of this part of the city is impressive in many ways, and you can see the beauty of this place from the sea as you approach the bay. The protective 14th-century city wall runs from Porta a Mare (one of Alghero's city gates) to Piazza Sulis. Along this wall you can admire some magnificent watchtowers, some of the most visited are: Torre di San Giacomo, Torre della Polveriera, Torre di Sant'Elmo. If you are looking for a perfect place to watch the sunset, you should definitely come to this wall, because the view from here is breathtaking. But here in the historic city centre, you will find much more than just the protective wall. There are many other places and objects that you should not miss. For example, you should visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria, which was built in Gothic style and in which you can see many Catalan influences. When you enter this cathedral, you can admire the interior decoration, which is mostly Renaissance and Baroque style. Right next to the cathedral is the Piazza del Duomo. You should also see Porta a Terra, one of the two main gates of the city.

Other places worth seeing in the historical centre: San Francesco Church, San Barbara Church, San Michael Church, Piazza Duomo, Palazzo d'Abis...

Besides the historical centre, there are many other places to visit in Alghero. For example, you should not miss the Coral Museum. Alghero is also famous for its great shopping and it is known that this city is the capital of shopping in Sardinia.

Of course, we can not forget about the beaches, because in Alghero and its surroundings there is a wide range of beaches that you can visit. Here are some of the best beaches you should visit: Mugoni, Lido san Giovani, Le Bombarde, Il Lazzaretto, Maria Pia, Spiaggia di Porticello, Forto Ferro, La Pelosa...

Drive your rental car beyond Alghero

Sardinia is truly a wonderful island with so many fantastic destinations and activities. Renting a car here is the best solution if you want to explore the island properly. There are so many hidden gems that you will not be able to find using public transportation. So after exploring Alghero, make a good plan and explore other parts of the island. You will really find some stunning beaches, beautiful villages, towns and cities and each place has something unique to offer.

But there are so many other regions in Italy that are worth exploring. For example, if you have decided to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore Waterfalls are another sight not to be missed on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River in order to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active holiday, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, cycling in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you really need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this tribal country, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should definitely go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Alghero

As in all other places in Italy, you will enjoy gastronomy in Alghero. The city is especially known for its delicious fish restaurants. One of the most famous dishes from Alghero is undoubtedly lobster "alla catalana" - lobster cooked Catalan style and then served with thin slices of tomato and onions.

The city is also known for its excellent wines. The most popular wine from Alghero is Tenute Sella e Mosca.

Best restaurant in Alghero

Ristorante Da Musciora Danilo Delrio

Alamo - Ristorante Paelleria

Fogo Churrascaria

Ristorante Enhorabona

l'altra vineria

Azienda Agrituristica Sa Mandra