Car & Van Hire - Alghero

Alghero is a fascinating city. Its unusual history – it has been controlled at various times by the Genoese, the Catalans and the Savoy – gives it a unique charm, with an interesting mixture of culture and architecture. You can see this at its best in the historic walled centre. The cathedral is a great example of Alghero's unusual style: its exterior is Gothic, while the interior features Renaissance and Baroque decor. There are many other old churches and towers to visit in the centre. Take a walk along the walls, known as bastioni, to admire the views from every direction. The bastioni are also a great spot to perch to watch the sunset over Capo Caccia.

Be sure to try the local cuisine, which also highlights Alghero's blend of cultural influences. Seafood is the main speciality, and one of the most famous dishes is lobster "alla Catalana", served with tomatoes and onions. You may need to book this special meal in advance. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also want to try the local dessert of "menjar blanc", a smooth, creamy dish similar to blancmange, crema Catalana or crème brûlée. Of course, you'll find plenty of other typical Italian dishes, too, with thin, crispy pizza being particularly popular.

Car rental in Alghero allows you to explore the part of Sardinia known as the Coral Coast. To understand the importance of coral, head first to the Museo del Corallo. Inside, you can admire incredible works of art that local artisans have made from coral and even pick up small sculptures or pieces of jewellery as souvenirs.

There are many great beaches for you to discover with a car or van rental in Alghero. Le Bombarde and Il Lazzaretto are two tiny coves with picture-perfect white sand and crystal-clear water. Be warned, though: the water can be freezing! Larger beaches can be found at Mugoni, Lido San Giovanni or Maria Pia. The most famous beach in the area is La Pelosa, with a tropical-style beach that belongs in the Caribbean. If you're visiting between June and September, you will need to book your trip in advance to avoid overcrowding.

Capo Caccia is a great place for a day trip, with trails along the coast and some of Sardinia's most spectacular sunsets. Here you can also visit Gotta di Nettuno, a stunning cave network with breathtaking displays of stalactites and stalagmites. A guided tour of the grotto lasts about an hour. The grotto is only accessible by boat and cannot be visited if the sea is particularly rough.

The historic centre of Alghero is designated as a Limited Traffic Zone, and only authorised vehicles can enter. Unauthorised vehicles are permitted to drive in this area from 08:00-10:30 and again from 14:30-16:30 from Monday to Saturday. Entry is prohibited all day on Sundays and public holidays. Even during the hours when transit is permitted, the narrow streets and a high number of pedestrians can make driving stressful. Most visitors find it easier to park outside the historic centre and explore on foot.

There is some paid-for parking around town, with spaces indicated by blue lines. You can find free public car parks at the Piazzale della Pace and at the port. Parking at the Piazzale della Pace is ideal if you want to explore the historic centre or visit the Lido. Take care when parking at the port: the parking here is divided into two zones. All cars can park for free in the first, which is managed by the town council. The second zone can only be used by boat owners and yachtsmen, so keep an eye on the relevant signs.

If you are driving around the island of Sardinia, be aware that there are no motorways. There is a network of main roads that connect the major cities, but locals will tell you that the best scenery is to be found on the provincial roads. These are marked on maps with P or SP. The wonderful views have a drawback, though – many of these roads have just one lane.

Headlights are mandatory outside urban areas in Sardinia during both the day and night. Potholes can be a hazard. Roads in rural areas are often in poor condition, so take care when driving and slow down if necessary. Always ensure you have enough fuel, as petrol stations in rural areas usually close between 13:00-16:00, and all day Sunday.

You'll often see groups of farm animals on Sardinian roads. Cows, sheep and goats are all common sights. Slow down and let them pass. If you come across a group of goats, do not try to scare them by honking your horn. They might get angry and try to attack your car in response!