Alghero was settled more than 6,000 years ago by the Ozieri culture and has been home to many different peoples since then. The rich architectural history has a Catalan and Arabic influence, among others.

Fertilia Airport (AHO) is the nearest to Alghero and there are cheap flights from many carriers. When you land in Alghero, car hire outlets are also available which give you easy access to a rental vehicle, allowing you the freedom to travel around the island.

Alghero itself is a walled city from the 14th century, set on the coast of Sardinia overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. There are seven towers in the fortified walls and many churches, including the Gothic-style cathedral. The pretty fishing harbour is the place from which to take a boat trip out to Neptune's Grotto, which is a stalactite sea cave and also popular for cavern diving. The nearby necropolis of Anghelu Ruju is a fascinating site containing megalithic Nuraghe remains and many other similar relics can be seen at Nuraghe di Palmavera, near the airport.

Whatever your plans, on a visit to Sardinia, car hire in Alghero will be useful. With your own vehicle you can travel around the country at your leisure and see and do everything that takes your interest. Whether it's ancient ruins or exciting cave diving, Alghero will not disappoint.

Book car rental in advance to find the best deals and to arrange your ideal pick-up point, whether that’s at the airport or a downtown location in Alghero.

To find the best price on car hire in Alghero, use TravelSupermarket's search tool.

You can drive out to see mountains covered with pine forests, the beaches at Isola Rossa and Stintino, and the medieval fortress at Bosa.

It would take nearly eight hours on public transport to reach the beaches of Isola Rossa from Algerho. Luckily, you’ve got a hire car, so you can be there in 90 minutes. While it’s still a lengthy journey, the red island (not actually an island at all) is a haven for beach lovers and those looking for fun in the surf.

A range of water sports are on offer in Isola Rossa and the area is also home to the biggest water park on the island. If you’re travelling with kids, the cries of “are we there yet?” will fade from memory when you all tackle the slides, pools and lazy river at Aqua Fantasy.

If it’s more beautiful beaches you are after, Stintino is only an hour’s drive north of Alghero.

An hour’s drive to the south of the town delivers you into Bosa, a wonderfully atmospheric and pretty settlement. Check out the patchwork of painted houses that draw eyes up the hill to the fort.

Argentiera is a former silver-mining town, and the Italian word for silver (argento) is derived from its name. It’s now abandoned but it remains a historically important site that draws many visitors. Argentiera is a 45-minute drive from Alghero. Mostly a ghost town and protected by UNESCO, this fascinating site is very different from the beaches, cafés and yachts that are so typical of this rugged island in the sun.