Its enchanting and exclusive panoramic setting only a few metres from the sea and a fine white sand beach several kilometres long makes Hotel il Gabbiano one of the finest three-star hotels for anyone seeking a hotel holiday near the coast. The hotel is ideal even if you don’t want to use your car and if you wish to spend a day or more here in Alghero, a renown Catalan town in Sardinia that has been a favourite holiday destination ever since ancient times.

This comfortable and welcoming hotel is managed directly by the family of owners as a B&B, and offers 44 bedrooms, each with private bathroom, with or without balcony and arranged according to type and comfort, in the Standard, “On the side”, Panoramic and Family categories.

All the bedrooms with balconies can boast a stunning sea-view, and the bedrooms with sea-facing balconies and Panoramic bedrooms allow guests to admire the magnificent sight of the sun setting behind the promontory of Cape Caccia and a veritable panorama during the day: the incomparable, exclusive and spectacular natural scenery of “Alghero Town on the sea”, the Gulf and Barcelona coastline, the Harbour and Historical Centre, the beaches of the Alghero Lido, Fertilia and small island of Maddalenetta.

Facing the gulf of the Corallo Riviera and situated at the centre of Alghero, the renowned seaside tourist town in North-West Sardinia, Hotel il Gabbiano is the only 3-star hotel in town overlooking Alghero’s Passeggiata Barcellona, the new, modern promenade in town.

The hotel is central, within walking distance of the Tourist Harbour, the Forte della Maddalenetta open-air theatre, Santa Maria Cathedral, San Francesco cloister, the Civic Theatre, the old Town Council, the University and public gardens, the town’s green areas, with a small games park for children.

You can visit the Tourist Harbour to catch a boat for the Grotte di Nettuno (Neptune’s Grottos) or a sea excursion off Alghero. Entering from Porto Salve or Maddalenetta Fort, the ancient entrances to the old town, you reach the important and characteristic Historical Centre, one of the oldest and best preserved in Sardinia, called the “Alghero Vecchio” (Old Alghero) by the locals, which can also be visited by Coach or the little, delightful Catalan train.

You can enjoy hours of relaxation just wandering the fully pedestrian streets at the heart of the old town, flanked by old-fashioned palazzi and walls, ramparts and churches. You can visit the shops, boutiques and stores selling coral and Sardinian crafts, or sit down in one of the many local restaurants to savour typical Alghero specialties, including the famous Catalan Lobster, and taste the many wines of renowned Sardinian wine-shops.

Antique lovers should visit the small Antiques Market that takes place on the last Saturday of each month in Piazza Civica.