Things to see and do Northwest

Of all the caves hidden in the cliffs of Cape Caccia, Neptune's cave is the most famous. It is one of the most beautiful sights in Alghero and one of the most precious geological wonders of the Mediterranean basin. The complexity of this vast cave, 2,500 metres long, is due to the many rooms that make it up, its vast galleries and its lakes with clear water. Among them, the 100-metre-long Lake La Marmora is one of the largest salt lakes in Europe. The part of the cave open to the public is accessible by boat from Alghero when the sea is calm. Many operators will lure you to the port. The cave can also be reached on foot from the cape by a picturesque 654-step staircase clinging to the cliffside. Count on 20 minutes with a good rhythm and think about the ascent... A visit not to be missed!

Good to know. In case of bad weather, the cave may close. So as not to travel for nothing, call the tourist office beforehand and they will give you information. Make sure you have enough cash to pay for the entrance tickets, as credit cards are not accepted. It is not easy to park near the site when it is busy. Park along the road leading to the cave as soon as possible. The site is also very crowded in the summer, and guided tours can be very crowded. Come as soon as it opens or for the last visit and, if you can, choose to visit out of season.

Logoduro is home to some of the finest Romanesque buildings in Sardinia. These churches were built from the ^11th century onwards, when the region became one of the island's four giudicati (administrative divisions). As the maritime powers of Genoa and Pisa gradually put an end to Moorish incursions on the island and preserved Christianity, their political and commercial interests permeated Sardinia. Temporal power was soon followed by spiritual power, hence the Pisan and Tuscan influences in the architecture of religious buildings. The political interference of these two rival powers over the "judge kings" lasted until the ^14th century, slowly transforming into a protectorate, and finally domination.

This is a picturesque itinerary to discover the most beautiful Christian temples built in north-western Sardinia between the end of the ^11th and the beginning of the ^12th centuries. The tour, which starts at Sassariand continues through Sassari to Semestene, covers a distance of 150 kilometers and requires a full day's visit. Last but not least, this tour also allows you to discover a little-known and rather wild region. It can be combined with a visit to the nuragic site of Santu Antine and the domus de janas (necropolis) of Sant'Andrea Priu. Detailed descriptions of each church can be found on the following pages:

Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Regno

Chiesa di San Nicola di Trullas

Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Cabbu Abbas

Monastero di San Pietro di Torres

The historic centre of Alghero is full of ancient palaces. Many of them reflect the Catalan influence. Among them, the Palazzo d'Albis erected in Piazza Civica in the 16th century is a remarkable vestige of Catalan-Aragonese architecture of that time. Charles V stayed there in 1541. Later, the palace became the property of the Albis family and was the home of the governor of the city. The Palazzo Machin, built at the beginning of the 17th century, has a magnificent Renaissance portal and Gothic-Catalan style windows.