Asinara is an island rich in history and nature, so you can explore many different areas during your visit to Asinara. You can choose from several activities:

• Guided or self-guided nature walks
• Historical visits to Asinara prisons;
• Snorkelling in the Asinara Marine Area;
• Scuba diving;
• Off-road excursions;
• Catamaran and sailing trips to the most beautiful bays in the Asinara;
• Tours by mountain bike, pedelec and electric car

In the area of Alghero it is very easy to see dolphins because in the area of the Marine Protected Area many dolphins are present and live permanently (Bottlenose dolphin). Sometimes, in particularly lucky cases, it is also possible to encounter animals such as the fin and minke whale and sea turtles such as the Caretta caretta.

Among the birdlife that can be spotted during boat trips are specimens of the greater shearwater and the stormbird, and among the birds of prey are exponents of the peregrine falcon.

The Marine Protected Area Capo Caccia and Isola Piana is a real concentration of biodiversity, thanks mainly to the high presence of different types of habitats. The very high presence of species of high interest has led to the area being declared a protected area. Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance.

Among the flora and fauna that can be spotted in the Alghero area during snorkelling and diving excursions are:

• colonies of red coral (Corallium rubrum) from which the Riviera of the same name is named;
• lobster (Palinurus elephas) common in the area of Alghero;
• the parapandal shrimp;
• madrepores and gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata);
• the nacchera, the largest bivalve shell in the Mediterranean (Pinna nobilis);
• sponges (genus Clathrina) and cnidarians (Parazoanthus axinellae);
• Posidonia oceanica present in vast grasslands where this splendid biodiversity is preserved.

Capo Caccia is an important and well-known limestone promontory located at about 20 km north of Alghero which contains a truly stunning karst formation: Neptune's Cave. The cave is "a must-see at least once in a lifetime", an evocative and breathtaking attraction. Its beauty was also immortalised in the 1978 film L'isola Degli Uomini Pesce (The Island of Fish Men) by Sergio Martino, starring Barbara Bach.

The story of its discovery is lost in the mists of time, as the exact date is not really known. It certainly does not seem likely that the ancient peoples who inhabited the area never entered it; it is equally certain that there are remains of human settlements in the caves in the vicinity. However, the first documented discovery of the cave is thought to date back to the end of the 18th century by the Alghero fisherman Ferrandino.

The famous Neptune's Cave can essentially be reached in two ways:

• By land: Neptune's cave is just over a mile away. 20 km from the centre of Alghero so it takes about 20-25 minutes. Heading north by car or bus in the direction of Fertilia Aeroporto Alghero, take the Strada Statale 127 Settentrionale Sarda and reach the Capo Caccia promontory where the Escala del Cabirol is located, which with its more than 600 steps leads to the entrance of the cave;
• By sea: the Grotta di Nettuno can be reached by sea on board the boats that make daily trips and excursions to the Grotta di Nettuno starting from the Port of Alghero or the pier of Porto Conte. The entrance to the caves is at sea level, so it is only possible in case of favourable marine weather conditions. During the boat tour to reach the cave you can admire the famous Coral Riviera and the promontories of Capo Galera and Punta Giglio. Once you have reached Capo Caccia by boat you will find the entrance to the cave near Isola Foradada.

The Escala del Cabirol consists of 654 steps, so if you decide to reach Neptune's Cave by land remember that there are 654 steps down to reach the entrance and then... 654 steps to climb = 1,308 😄. The Escala del Cabirol was opened in 1954 and is attributed to the architect and philosopher Antoni Simon Mossa. The staircase is about 400 metres long and runs along a cliff about 120 metres high above the sea. Its name Escala del Cabirol - literally 'Stairway of the Roe Deer' in Catalan - is presumably due to its zigzagging course along the wall, reminiscent of roe deer climbing up and down the cliff face with agility.

Neptune's Cave is about 4 km long, the touristic route currently open to visitors is a few hundred metres where there are large underground halls, lakes, tunnels and incredible column formations, stalactites and stalagmites. The first room you see is the hall where the Lake La Marmora close to the majestic 2 metre stalagmite called Stoup. The attractions of Neptune's Cave that can be visited are:

• The Hall of Ruins;
• The Hall of the Royal Palace;
• The Ciottolini Beach;
• The Christmas Tree;
• The Smith Hall with the Great Organ;
• The Dome;
• The Hall of Trine and Lace;
• The balcony called Tribuna della Musica.