A Splash of Spanish Culture, Alghero 12 Comments


We wake at 6.30 as the waves crash on to the beach and the sun slowly rises from the east. The tide has just turned and the swell, curl and foam is perfect for surfers . We check the weather it looks perfect. Clear skies, translucent Mediterranean light. We stumble down the beach slope to the beach and take in the beauty of the morning (click to enlarge image).

On the headland, three surfers wax their boards before they head towards us.  Chewing gum and flicking their sun kissed locks as they giddily dash in to the ocean.  We watch a couple of sparrows perching on swaying palm, clearly avid surf spectators. The surf dudes hanging on to their boards for dear life and paddled furiously until they reach the open water. They bide their time but not for long. The huge waves come rolling and the surf party begins.

By the time we leave the beach its lunchtime and for a treat we have a yummy bacon butty…incognito then no one can pinch it.

With full tums, we pack up and time to head on to Alghero. The coastline drive between Villanova and Alghero is spectacular with plenty stopping points to admire the views. Once in Alghero we head to the first campsite, La Mariposa, which happens to be the closest to the resort. But we were not impressed at all. The camper spots were located on the outer dirt track that backed on to a chicken wire fence. Campers packed in like Sardines, it was awful and quite frankly I would rather park on a side street.

A quick look on the map and off to campsite number two. Along the way, we pass lots of beach parking with signs saying no motorhomes allowed. We arrive at Laguna Blu to a warm greeting, find a pitch and check in. With our ASCI card the €42 per day charge plus €2.50 per dog is reduced to €19, bargain. Although Craig did have a big paddy at the dog charge.

Our Bumble paid motorhome campsite at Alghero GPS position: N040.595902, E008.292341

The next 3 days Vin didn’t move an inch as we enjoyed and maximised on the sunshine. We washed everything in sight and scrubbed Vin from top to bottom. The dudes enjoyed endless play time in the deserted campsite grounds and forest. Chasing ball and rolling around in the dirt. Well Craig needs to get his €2.50 per dog benefit!

Across the road from the campsite is a lovely stretch of beach. But we found the perfect white beaches and crystal clear waters of Bombarde and Lazzaretto the best. The little village of Porto di Fertilia five minutes walk from the campsite was certainly different. A small yacht harbour built during the Fascist era which looks like its been locked in time. A handful of cafes and bars and a large marina plaza makes for a nice stroll at sunset. Its also the best time to see the fishermen casting their rods on the collapsed Roman bridge.

Alghero

The resort of Alghero is about 10 minutes on the motorbike or alternatively, you can cycle or catch the local bus for €1 return. Alghero is well worth a visit. From the harbour, to the impressive ramparts to the heart of the old quarters, it is all rather nice to just wander around. The Aragonese conquered the town in 1353, so it has a nice Spanish feel about the place.

Alghero is charming, an place of cafes, shops, tiny plazas and long views across the bay to Caoo Caccio. The heart of the town is via Carlo Alberto, lined with local craftsmen selling everything from coral jewellery to Sardinian flag souvenirs. The streets of pastel washed coloured buildings are filled with tables and chairs from the cafes ranged around it.

Dotted around little churches and old municipal buildings. At the heart, the old cathedral, dignified and elegant.  Whilst on the edge of the town, the ramparts and tower with railed terraces and an open view to the sea far below. 

This is by far the most enchanting Sardinian town for walking. Consisting almost entirely of a complex network of lanes and passageways decorated with splashed of pink. From candy floss coloured bicycles, pink laundry draping from window to window, bunches of pink flowers or water bottles elaborately painted with sprays of flowers. Many of the lanes were barely wider than your shoulders and all of them interconnected in a wonderfully bewildering fashion. We wandered around and around, constantly find ourselves returning unexpectedly to a spot we had already covered.

The one thing we absolutely loved was the celebration of life. Randomly dotted around the town huge photographs of citizens who had reached 100. We just thought it was so nice to recognise people of the town and their contribution. I would love to see this dotted around the UK.

Caterina 104


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12 thoughts on “A Splash of Spanish Culture, Alghero

  • varneylinda1

    Hi, You look as if your still discovering more wonderful places, but for now I’d just like to say thanks for the inspiration to visit the Alps. We’re down in the South of France now but we’ve just spent 5 fantastic weeks exploring the mountains on bike, foot and in our van and we’ve enjoyed every second! However, we didn’t stay true to the Route all the time, and as you advised, we avoided the Col de la Cayolle – instead we took in the Verdon and Daluis Gorges which were both magnificent.
    Once again, many thanks and we’ll look forward to reading more instalments of your excellent blog which hopefully will provide more inspiration in the future.

  • Robert Ellis

    Yes I agree with Craig ,why pay for a dog ? It’s only walking around the campsite ,it’s not using the amenities ,,Rip off Craig I agree with you ,The place itselve lpoked nice & clean but I bet they had no Lidl or Aldi ( shame ) Never mind you’re next town may have one ,It was nice to see the Dudes enjoying themselves ,hope it keeps that way Keep on enjoying loads of luv Pops xxx Mac n Tosh woof woof xxx

  • Peter Jackson

    You two do live life to the full, you never know what’s round the corner. this was also our dream, but did not work out for us, still we have our happiness, our health, a motor home and each other, just enjoy each day and take what ever happens. When you return to the UK, please get in touch then we can meet up.

  • Chris and Peter

    Answer to a previous remply/question from you: yes, we visited Sardinia in 2013, but not in our motorhome and we only stayed in Cagliari and another place ror 10 days or so, sorry forgot the name of the second place and no blog or diary. So we toured a bit in the south and middle of Sardinia. You have already visited more places than we but I will have a look at a map, that could help to remember …

  • Mark

    This is my dream and working hard and saving as hard as I can. Great to find your blog. ..amazing that you chose to do it and did. I’m a single dad and using the time while my daughter is still at home to plan and save to make my dream of living in my motorhome, blogging, writing and photographing my way around the UK to start with. We live in a beautiful country and most of us never see it!!

    • Bumble Crew Post author

      We first toured the UK in our little micra some 25+ yearS ago, we had a ball. Since then we spent many a week and weekend in and around the country. Our first tour in the motorhome was to Wales closely followed to a trip to Scotland. We wild camped most of the time in the most amazing places such a shame it was before the blog because we found some great places.

  • Andy

    I have an old LDV ambulance, and am planning on heading to Norway in June / July…then down to Sardinia for winter…fancy joining me?

  • Trish

    Thank you so much for the wonderful post today. I loved the pink laundry, did the colour all wash out of the shirt? Alghero looks like my kind of town. We have just enjoyed Tavira. Nice shops, low key tourist town. Tomorrow we are going to Faro old town. Hope to find some quality Pastel de Nata. The weather in the Med has been fantastic hasn’t it? Amazing hot calm days .
    Trish