Piazza Civica

The basics

Piazza Civica is the center of Alghero’s shopping and dining scene and a historic landmark. City sightseeing tours generally include a stroll through this square to take in its architectural gems, or you can explore the square on your own before or after an Alghero boat tour along the Coral Riviera to Porto Conte and Capo Caccia. Alghero food tours also often include Piazza Civica, thick with eateries serving the city’s unique Spanish-influenced cuisine.

Things to know before you go

• Piazza Civica is closed to traffic, making it easy for families with young children to explore safely.

• A wide variety of shops line the square; most close for a few hours during the midday lunch hour.

• The square is one of the city’s most popular dining hubs. Restaurants serve lunch and dinner, closing for a few hours in the mid-afternoon. Cafés are generally open all day.

• If visiting as part of a city walking tour, wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.

• This flat, paved square is easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.

How to get there

Piazza Civica is located in Alghero’s old town, just through the Porta Salve city gate from the harbor waterfront. It’s steps from the Duomo, Church, Monastery of San Francesco, and most of the city’s top attractions, plus a short walk from the ferry port and main Piazzale della Pace parking area.

When to get there

Visit Piazza Civica during the day for optimal sightseeing and shopping; most stores close mid-afternoon and after 7pm. However, the square stays lively late into the evening, animated by its many restaurants and bars serving dinner or drinks. Stop by after sunset to experience the city’s nightlife.

Dining in Alghero

While visiting Alghero, sample the city’s unique cuisine influenced by its long Catalan occupation between the 14th and 18th centuries. Many of the traditional local restaurants still serve historic dishes that have changed very little over the past few centuries, like paella algherese, aragosta alla catalana (Catalan crayfish), and Copatza de peix (fish stew). Fresh local fish and seafood feature prominently in Alghero’s classic specialties and artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and wine produced on the small family farms—known as stazzi—dotting the inland hills.