Car Rental in Alghero

Why rent a car in Alghero?

Alghero is a fun place to explore. If traveling with your own car, you’ll be able to see the many historic sites in its city center, as well as easily access the many nearby beaches and natural areas. You can even travel to other famous parts of Sardinia, such as Cagliari in the south or Costa Smeralda in the northeast of the island.

Top ways to enter Alghero

• Alghero Airport: Also known as Alghero-Fertilia Airport (and sometimes Alghero-Riviera del Corallo Airport), it is served by around 20 different airlines, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easy Jet. There are frequent flights to and from mainland Italy and different parts of Europe. Alghero Airport is located northwest of the city center.
• Olbia Airport: Another Sardinian airport that’s especially active during the summer months, Olbia Airport serves more than 2 million travelers every year. Located 135km (84 miles) east of Alghero, it is possible to drive between the two cities in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• Cagliari Airport: By far the busiest airport in Sardinia, Cagliari-Elmas hosts many year-round flights by Ryanair, as well as a number of other airlines. Located on the southern coast of the island, Cagliari is 247km (153 miles), or about a 2 hour and 40 minute drive, from Alghero.

City facts

• Located on the Mediterranean coast, Alghero enjoys short, mild winters and warm (but rarely hot) summers. The average temperature is 10°C  (50°F) in January and February and 24°C  (75°F) in August. Summers see less rain than winters, but July is the only month when precipitation is really low.
• Formerly part of the Crown of Aragon, Alghero is one of the very few places in Italy that is officially bilingual as Catalan is an official language alongside Italian. Around every fourth inhabitant of Alghero is a native Catalan speaker. English is widely (although not universally) spoken by people working in the service industry; many also speak French.

Top sights and activities

• Chiesa San Michele. Famous for its impressive tiled dome, Alghero’s best-known church was first built in the XVI century. Since then, it has been renovated quite a few times, always remaining a fine example of baroque architecture and one of the main symbols of the city. 
• The Coral Museum. For centuries, the coral trade was one of the most important industries of Alghero. Locals would gather them, create unique red coral jewelry and sell it to tradesmen who would spread it throughout Italy and the Mediterranean. This unique museum shows the techniques of coral harvesting, different styles of the local craftsmen, and the historical importance of corals for the local community.
• Archaeological Museum. As mentioned above, Sardinia has been inhabited since prehistory and was home to some of the earliest civilizations of Europe. The place to learn about the island’s rich and varied past, and especially the pages of it connected to its northwestern corner where Alghero can be found, is the city’s small, but interesting archaeological museum. Visit the city’s tourism website to learn more about collections and admission.
• Nuraghe Palmavera. Mainland Italy is home to impressive ancient history, but the Nuragic civilization of Sardinia predates even the Romans and Etruscans. Little is known about these mysterious people, and most of our present-day knowledge comes from nuraghes, the impressive megalithic structures that they built. Palmavera, a nuraghe of several towers that is located near Alghero, was built during the Bronze and Iron Ages and is one of the most impressive examples of those long-gone times. 

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30km/h. 
• Main highways are limited to 130km/h, non-major highways to 110 m/h, and local roads to 90km/h. When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h on the main highways and 90km/h on non-major highways. The general speed limit is lowered to 50km/h during periods with heavy fog or other cases of poor visibility.
• The best way to see much of the island from a local’s point of view is to leave the main highways and explore the smaller strade provinciali, or regional roads. Many hidden, but awesome, beaches and farm-stays are only accessible by them.
• Watch out for blue notes - they indicate pay-and-display parking spots. The areas with white lines are for free parking and the yellow lines indicate areas only accessible to drivers with special passes.
• The car’s registration and insurance documents must be in it at all times.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Being over the allowed limit can result in hefty fines and even imprisonment. 
• As of December 2020, the single emergency number 112 is not yet active in Sardinia (although the region has plans to activate it soon). In case of emergency, the numbers to contact are 118 for medical assistance, 112 for the Carabinieri, 113 for the Police, and 115 for the Fire Brigade.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Sardinia - all highways and regional roads can be accessed free of charge. However, there are restricted traffic areas (Le zone a traffico limitato or ZTL), like some city centers, where you are not allowed to drive. These areas can sometimes be poorly marked and you might enter them by accident, so it’s better to look them up in advance on the official European Urban Access Regulations website. 

There are numerous toll roads in Mainland Italy. The exact fee depends on the route of your choice and the type of vehicle. See the official Italian toll road website for more information. Use the website’s toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route.

Ideas for day trips

• Capo Caccia Lighthouse. Known as Faro di Capo Caccia in Italian, this lighthouse is located at the very tip of the cape of the same name. Built during the 19th century, it still fulfills its main function to this day. The picturesque cliffs that surround the lighthouse are perfect for climbing and bouldering. Capo Caccia is located about 25km (15.5 miles) from Alghero.
• The coastal road between Alghero and Bosa. A portion of a motorway rather than a single destination, this coastal road is one of the most scenic rides in all of Italy. The road is just 45km (28 miles) long, so it’s best to drive slowly and take in the panoramic views of the nearby sea, the pristine nature, and the impressive mountains. At the end of the road is Bosa, a pretty medieval town that’s less touristy than some of the other settlements in northwest Sardinia.
• Porto Conte Regional National Park. Founded only 20 years ago, the Porto Conte covers the Calich lagoon, as well as large territory of coastal area, cliffs, and hinterland. An area of unique natural beauty, it is also home to various unique plants and wild animals, and is a perfect place for long relaxing walks. Maristella Porto Conte, a village on the edge of the park, is just a 20-minute drive northwest of Alghero.
• Beaches. The number one reason why people visit Northwestern Sardinia is the region’s beautiful coastline and, indeed, there is plenty of it to choose from. Generally speaking, the beaches of the so-called Coral Riviera that also includes Alghero are more popular and busy while traveling further south will lead you to a relatively less explored territory. If you’re up for an adventure, drive down to the idyllic San Giovanni and the rest of the Sinis peninsula, a trip that takes about two hours each way.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car type in Alghero is the mini, followed by the compact class. The most popular rental car is the Fiat 500; many travelers also choose the Ford Fiesta and the VW Golf.

Further destinations

• Cagliari. The largest (and according to some, the only) city of Sardinia, the island’s capital varies from being a 24/7 party spot during summers to a tranquil, historic place in winters. Regardless of when you’re visiting, do not miss out on its beautiful churches, impressive towers and the volcanic islands nearby. Cagliari is about 2 hours and 40 minutes south of Alghero if going by car.
• Olbia. Out of all the stunning beaches of Sardinia, Costa Smeralda is probably the most famous one. Stretching for about 20 km (12 mi) near the town of Olbia, it can get quite crowded during summer, but it’s not possible to argue against its natural beauty, great beach restaurants, or opportunities for doing water sports. Cozy Olbia itself is also worth a visit, and history buffs will simply love its Roman ruins and Carthaginian walls. The town is 140km (87 miles) east of Alghero, a distance that can be driven in less than two hours.
• Asinara National Park. One of the most interesting destinations in Sardinia, the remote Asinara used to be called the ‘Devil’s island’ thanks to its long history as a high-security prison. Turned into a national park about 20 years ago, the area is famous nowadays for its population of wild albino donkeys and, naturally, for its many stunning beaches. The island is about two hours north of Alghero and you’ll need to do the last stretch with a ferry (it’s either a very short trip from the village of Stintino or a slightly longer one from the town of Porto Torres). You cannot bring a rental car on the boat, but it’s possible to park it near one of the ports and pick it up upon return. Booking ferry tickets in advance is a good idea.
• Nuoro. The capital of the Sardinian province of the same name, Nuoro is the largest settlement in the island’s interior. Practically unexplored by the vast majority of international tourists (who tend to stick to the coasts), this is where the island’s traditional culture of mountain villages can still be found thriving. Should you also be curious about this aspect of Sardinian life, Nuoro is just a two-hour drive southwest of Alghero.
• Sicily. It’s rare when a place is soaked in ancient history, has dramatic pristine landscapes, and is simply a lot of fun, but Sicily ticks all three boxes with ease. Considered Italy’s wildest region by some, but only because the parties in Palermo and Catania don’t stop all night, it’s a place that will leave nobody disappointed. It’s possible to take a ferry from Sardinia to Sicily, with service especially active during the summer months, but first, make sure your rental car provider permits taking a vehicle on a boat.

Car rental prices in Alghero

• Small cars - from $24 per day
• Medium cars - from $27 per day
• Large cars - from $59 per day
• SUVs - from $39 per day
• Station wagons - from $78 per day
• Vans - from $92 per day
• Premium cars - from $114 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are different things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Alghero:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Alghero is the cheapest in December when renting a car is about 75% cheaper than the yearly average and 87% cheaper than renting a car in April.