🧭 North Sardinia

North Sardinia
coral, granite and turquoise sea

Alghero, Capo Caccia, Gallura and the La Maddalena archipelago: the most jagged coastline on the island, between Catalan-heritage towns, pink granite coves and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.

🏛 Alghero and the Coral Riviera ⛰️ Capo Caccia and Neptune's Caves 💎 Gallura and the La Maddalena archipelago 🏖️ Ideal base for sea and coastal trekking

Alghero and its bastions by the sea, with Capo Caccia in the background

The area

The north-western coast, between Catalan history and cliffs plunging into the sea

The north of Sardinia packs very different landscapes into a few dozen kilometres. To the west, Alghero preserves a fortified old town of Catalan origin, the heart of the so-called Coral Riviera. A little further north, the Capo Caccia headland drops straight into the Mediterranean, sheltering Neptune's Caves and one of the island's most spectacular stretches of coast.

On the other side, between Olbia and Santa Teresa Gallura, the pink granite coastline of Gallura slopes into turquoise water facing the La Maddalena archipelago, which we cover in detail on our dedicated islands page. Inland, around Sassari, lesser-known but valuable sites include the Romanesque church of Saccargia.

📍 Airports: Alghero-Fertilia, Olbia Costa Smeralda

📅 Best time to visit: May–October

✅ Recommended base: Alghero

What to see

The landmarks of North Sardinia

Four stops that alone justify a week-long stay in this part of the island.

The limestone cliffs of Capo Caccia seen from the sea, Neptune's Caves

🏛️ Coral Riviera

Alghero and Capo Caccia

North Sardinia's best-known tourist hub: Alghero's Catalan old town, with its bastioned walls by the sea, and a short drive away the Capo Caccia headland with Neptune's Caves. The ideal base for combining town life, beaches and coastal trekking.

🏖️ Gulf of Asinara

Stintino, La Pelosa and Porto Torres

Stintino, a fishing village overlooking La Pelosa beach, one of Italy's most photographed, is also the most convenient departure point for Asinara. Nearby, Porto Torres holds significant Roman archaeological heritage (the ancient Turris Libisonis) and is the main port of the north-west.

🏰 Medieval village

Castelsardo

Perched on a headland overlooking the Gulf of Asinara, Castelsardo is one of Sardinia's best-preserved medieval villages: the Doria castle, the cathedral and a rush-weaving craft tradition recognised nationwide.

💎 Gallura

Costa Smeralda and Gallura

Between Olbia and Palau, Gallura offers the island's most photographed coastline: pink granite coves, turquoise water and the Costa Smeralda, developed since the 1960s around Porto Cervo. It's also the departure point for the La Maddalena archipelago.

Practical information

Planning your stay

Good to know before you go

✈️Alghero-Fertilia airport is the most convenient for this area; Olbia is the alternative if you're focusing on Gallura.

🕑Capo Caccia and Neptune's Caves need at least half a day, including transfer and visit.

🚢The La Maddalena archipelago is reached by ferry from Palau: see our Sardinia Islands page for details.

💵Low season (April, May, October) offers the same sea at milder temperatures and without the crowds.