Thursday, 13 November 2025
Alghero, Sardinia, Italy 

This morning the Encore drops anchor off the northwestern coast of Sardinia and the city of Alghero. This part of the island is very popular with tourists from the northern parts of Europe who wish to escape their cold winters. I have visited Sardinia once before on a cruise that docked in Cagliari on the southern coast. Cagliari is the largest city on the island and Alghero ranks third. It's a fairly long tender ride to shore and Will decides to stay on board.

I join a half-day shore excursion to the town of Castelsardo on the very north coast. The bus travels northeast from Alghero through fertile agricultural land where olives and grapes are the primary crop. As we move inland the scenery becomes more rugged with limestone and granite hills. Just before reaching Castelsardo, we have a photo stop at Sardinia's only elephant, a popular ecological formation.

From the elephant's feet we get the first view of Castelsardo in the distance. 

When we reach the central square of the new, modern town, we transfer from our large tour bus to a smaller local shuttle that takes us further up--but not nearly the whole way up--to the old town and the castle. The tour will involve a great deal of walking up and down stairs.

Looking Down on the New Town from the Upper Castle

Out local guide checks his well-worn map as we work our way up the steep ramps and steps of the Old Town . . .

. . . until we finally reach the entrance of the castle, built in 1102 by the Doria family from Genoa.

The castle is home to an exhibition of the local art of weaving--of baskets, boats, and larger colorful projects. The exhibit displays local examples from over a thousand years of craft, as well as comparable examples from other parts of the world.

Outside a local church we find a contemporary practitioner of the art.

After walking back down to the new town to enjoy a little free time, we are then on our way back to Alghero. We enjoy lovely views as we leave Castelsardo.

Back in Alghero I have a little time to explore the city's Old Town, built behind a series of medieval walls and towers. While the town provides some lovely views, it is less interesting than some of the other towns we have seen since leaving Istanbul.

Another tender ride takes me back to the Encore for a restful afternoon and evening.