Alghero
From CruisersWiki
Alghero Port of Entry
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Founded at the beginning of the 12th century by the Genoese, Alghero fell under Spanish rule in 1353 and expanded due to an influx of Catalan colonists from the 14th to the early 18th centuries, when it fell under Italian influence and Italian replaced Catalan as the official language. A variant of Catalan is widely spoken in Alghero even today and the town retains many architectural traces of its Italian past.
Bombed extensively during World War II, Alghero was rebuilt after the end of hostilities and has blossomed into a flourishing tourist resort.
For yachtsmen Alghero's principal attraction is its sheltered harbour, which offers a safe place to leave a yacht to explore the surrounding attractions of the Grotta di Nettuno and the Nuraghic remains of Palmavera.
The Port of Alghero manages two quays with spaces for visiting yachts, the Banchina Dogana and Banchina Sanita, which can accommodate vessels up to 50 metres. Alternatively there is the new Marina di Sant Elmo at the southern end of the harbour.
Charts
See Sardinia.
Weather
See Sardinia - weather.
Passages
- North
- South
Islands
Islet of Maddalena [[Alghero#Islet of Maddalena|Islet of Maddalena]] 40°34.346'N, 008°18.023'E Take care of the marked shoal around the islet at the NW of the harbour entrance.
Communication
Guardia Costiera
- VHF: 16
- Phone: 079/953174 - 079/986811
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it/alghero
- Address: Via Eleonora d'Arborea n. 2 - 07041 Alghero (SS)
- Working hours: Mo-Fr 9:00-12:00; Tu,Th 15:00-16:00
The entrance is reportedly potentially tricky in strong winds from SW round to N.
Fish farms [[Alghero#Fish farms|Fish farms]] 40°34.346'N, 008°18.023'E Further W of the harbour entrance.
Entrance
Alghero is a port of entry/exit to Italy. For entrance details see Italy.
Call on channel 9 for Marina di Sant Elmo or telephone: +39 (0)79980829; Email. The Port Authority operates an inflatable boat during high season which meets visiting yachts at the entrance and guides them to a berth.
Berthing
Alghero harbour
The harbour is shared by a number of concessions. The marinas don't seem to have the concept of a 'short stay' for water and shopping, pricing was 24 hrs or not - this is likely negotiable however. You may well be met by 2 or 3 RIBs on your way in to the harbour, all touting for business, so it's better to choose your mooring beforehand. The major mooring for craft in transit are:
Consorzio Porto di Alghero
Marina Club Aquatica
Marina Di S. Elmo
Ser-Mar di Crisafulli Federico
Porticciolo di Fertilia
Marina Fertilia
Base Nautica Usai
Anchorages
Rada di Alghero
North of Alghero
Cala Galera
Porto Conte
South of Alghero
Punta Pòglina
Spiaggia Pòglina
Amenities
Facilities | |
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Water | Available at fuel berth and at the berths |
Electricity | at the berths |
Toilets | In marinas |
Showers | In marinas |
Laundry | There is a good self service laundry, Bollicine, in the Via Vitt. Veneto open (2013) from 0800-2130. Range of machines from 6kg to 16kg plus dryers, looked in good condition and reasonable prices (c. €5-9 per wash - detergent included) |
Garbage | Bins behind public quay and close to the fish market (NE corner of harbour) |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Fuel berth [[Alghero#Fuel berth|Fuel berth]] 40°33.718'N, 008°18.697'E tel. 39.3355206071 - 079953677. depth mt 5.00; hours: Mo-Sa 8.00-13.00,15.00-19.00; Su 8.00-13.00 |
Bottled gas | |
Chandlers |
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Services | |
Repairs | There are some yards along the north wall of the harbour but little onshore storage space. There is currently no travel lift, any lifting must be done by crane. |
Internet | If this is your first stop in Sardinia and you intend to stay a while, it may be worth buying a data SIM for internet access. Most major Italian providers are represented in town so this is a good place to get this sorted. WiFi from the Consorzio with an SSID of "CONSORZIO PORTO ALGHERO", password available from the staff. |
Mobile connectivity | |
Vehicle rentals | Many providers available in town, likely to be busy in July/August when daily rates seem quite high (daily rate minimum c. €50) |
Provisioning
Good fish market (mornings only), fruit and veg market and several supermarkets (search for Sisa on Google Earth). The town has a good range of shops of all kinds
Eating out
Many restaurants and cafes in and around town
Transportation
- Buses from ARST provide connections to other towns on the island; for schedules consult here
- International airport with direct flights to some european destinations (Ryan Air, thomson, Easy Jet et al)
- Narrow gauge train service to Sassari with connections to other towns via ARST & TrenItalia. The station though is a bit out of centre, so buses to Sassari is a better option.
Tourism
The old town of Alghero rewards the casual stroller, with good views from the old walls overlooking the harbour, an interesting cathedral in styles ranging from 1530s Gothic up to 20th century neo-classical, and an impressive Baroque church of San Francisco.
Further afield, the Grotta di Nettuno is a remarkable stalactite-covered cave at the foot of cliffs near Capo Caccia about eight miles west of the harbour. It can be reached either by boat excursion from Alghero (in settled weather only) or from the road to Capo Caccia down the 656 steps of the Escala del Cabirol (goat's stairway). There are hourly guided tours through the cave system.
The other principal attraction around Alghero is the Nuraghe di Palmavera, one of the most important Bronze Age sites in Sardinia, with the remains of a 14th century BC palace surrounded by a cluster of circular stone dwellings.
Also nearby is the strange rock-cut necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, with its nearly 40 underground burial chambers representing the best examples of the so-called 'domus de janas' or 'fairies' houses' in Sardinia.
The "capital" of the Northern Sardinia -- Sassari [1] also worth of 1h ride on a bus from Alghero.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance
Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References
See Italy.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Alghero and this page's details validated:
- May 2003 --Atheneoflymington
- September 2012 --Vadim
- July 2013 --RobbieW sySpringDawn
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Lighthouse, Atheneoflymington, Salacia, RobbieW |