Closely flanked by ancient relics - including the crumbling Nuragic village of Palmavera and the mysterious Anghelu Ruju necropolis - Alghero has a rich historic character. Following the Ozieri people, who settled here around 4,000 BC, and the later Nuraghe and Phoenician civilisations, the Crown of Aragon transformed Alghero into a fortified stronghold. The imposing 16th-century bastions that still hem its busy port make for a refreshing stroll with sprawling sea views.

The medieval city is all golden-hued architecture, punctuated with striking nods to its historic Roman Catholic roots—you can’t miss the piercing spire of Cattedrale di Santa Maria and the Gothic Chiesa di San Francesco. Wander through Alghero’s ambient old town for a sense of its steep history. Its cobbled streets are lined with cosy restaurants and laid-back bars—be sure to sample succulent porcetto; spit-roasted pork served in a generous pile.

Eschew the busy bays that skirt the city centre for the quieter shores further afield. Alghero rests on the dazzling Riviera del Corallo and is an ideally placed to discover the pretty beaches scattered around Isola Rossa and the cute fishing village of Stintino. Perfect for swimming and snorkelling, Sardinia’s west coast is lapped by gentle waters and is blessed with clusters of colour-popping red coral off its shores.

A 40-minute drive north of the city, hikers can escape the crowds on a ramble through the verdant Porto Conte Natural Park. This picturesque territory offers spectacular views of the glimmering Mediterranean Sea and is edged with tranquil, isolated inlets. Straddling the park’s southernmost tip is craggy Capo Caccia. This promontory is hollowed out by Neptune’s Grotto—an enchanting stalactite cave that’s accessed by descending a dramatic cliff-cut staircase.

For a unique change of scenery, the abandoned silver-mining town of Argentiera near Sardinia’s northwestern tip is a 45-minute drive from Alghero. Its protected UNESCO landscape hosts vast swathes of rolling vineyards.

To explore all that Italy’s second largest island has to offer, hire a car with Avis in Alghero and enjoy breezing along its coastal roads and exploring its archaeological relics.