Torre di San Giacomo

The basics

Alghero’s sea walls are one of the top sights in city sightseeing tours on foot or by bike, and the area surrounding the Torre di San Giacomo is a pedestrian-only hot spot for dining and imbibing. Visit the tower with a guide or on your own as you stroll along the promenade that traces the top of the medieval sea walls. You can also admire the tower from the water during a boat tour that skirts Alghero’s landmark sea walls before heading farther out to sea to spot dolphins and other marine wildlife.

Things to know before you go

• The tower is a fun castle-like element for young travelers to explore.

• This area of Alghero’s waterfront has undergone an urban renewal project over the past few years and is now a popular pedestrian area for dining and nightlife.

• Charge your camera battery before visiting to capture this atmospheric tower against the backdrop of the sea.

• The bastion promenade is level and paved, making reaching the tower manageable with a wheelchair or stroller. However, there are stops inside the tower.

How to get there

Torre di San Giacomo is located at the intersection between Bastioni Cristoforo Colombo and Bastioni Marco Polo along the coastline of the old town. You can reach the tower on foot from any point in the historic center in minutes or by following the bastion promenade along the waterfront.

When to get there

Alghero’s historic sea walls line the western coastline of the city, so they are stunning in the golden light of dusk. After the sun sets, the surrounding area comes to life with popular restaurants, bars, and cafés and locals out for an evening stroll. There is little shade along the promenade, so avoid visiting during the hot midday hours.

Walking along Alghero’s sea wall promenade

To explore the length of Alghero’s historic sea walls, start at Torre di Sulis on the southern end of the promenade and head north along Bastioni Cristoforo Colombo to Torre San Giacomo. Continue north along the main Bastioni Marco Polo until reaching the Torre della Polveriera and Torre Sant’Elmo watchtowers on the northern tip. Finally, follow Bastioni Magellano to Porta a Mare and beyond to Torre della Maddalena, part of the medieval Forte della Maddalena fortress.