A Journey Through Cagliari - Sardinia’s Lively Capital
Cagliari, the capital city of the island of Sardinia, is a lively Mediterranean town with just over 150,000 inhabitants within the city limits and 400,000 people in the greater metropolitan area. The hub for just about everything on the island, Cagliari and the surrounding area account for 25% of the total population of Sardinia.
Home to a university, the city is filled with young people, and as the arrival point for almost everyone visiting Sardinia, both by boat and plane, the town has a bustling, international air.
So, if you were expecting a little resort town, forget about that: this is a real city!
Located on the coast in the far south of Sardinia, Cagliari is a pleasant city with a pretty historic core, a lively dining scene, good nightlife, a fantastic city beach, and excellent access to nature, which the sporty and outdoor-inclined residents of the city take full advantage of.
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Table of Contents
Why visit
Where is Cagliari
How to get to there
How many days to spend
Best time to visit
How to get around
Where to stay
Dining in Cagliari
Overview of Cagliari’s neighborhoods
What to see & do
Guided tours of Cagliari
Plan your itinerary with local help
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Where is Cagliari?
Cagliari is a coastal city in the far south of Sardinia, located on the eponymously named Golfo di Cagliari (Gulf of Cagliari). The city is surrounded by mountain ranges to its east and west, while the vast Campidano flatlands extend out to the north.
From mainland Italy, Cagliari is about 250 miles southwest of Rome, sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. To add some context to that distance, a ferry ride here from Rome’s Civitavecchia port will take you around 13 hours, while flights from the capital take just over an hour.
Cagliari is actually closer to northern Africa than to Italy, with only about 120 miles separating it from the country of Tunisia.
In relation to the other principal cities of Sardinia, Cagliari is about a 3-hour drive from Olbia, in the northeast, and Alghero, in the northwest.
If you’re looking to spend some time touring southern Sardinia, Cagliari is very conveniently located within about an hour of a number of great day trip destinations. Within easy driving distance are the magnificent beaches of Chia, the scenic coastline of Villasiumius, the Phoenician and Roman town of Nora, the important archaeological site of Su Naraxi (in the town of Barumini), and the fascinating islands of Sant’Antioco and Carloforte, just to name a few.
Why visit Cagliari?
Cagliari is known as La città del sole (the city of sun), both because it faces south and for the more than 300 sunny days per year that we experience here. Combined with warm weather, lovely beaches, excellent food, and tons to see and do nearby, Cagliari is a great place to spend at least a few days during your vacation.
Despite being the main gateway to Sardinia for flights, ferries, and even cruise ships, most visitors to will arrive into the city and then almost immediately depart for other destinations. So, Cagliari is still a bit off the beaten path and under-visited, which actually makes it a really lovely place to explore.
Unlike some other parts of Sardinia, which are heavily oriented towards tourism, Cagliari is a real year-round city that beats to its own rhythm. Filled with university students and residents going about their daily lives, it has an authentic, bustling air to it.
WIth 25% of Sardinia’s residents living in the greater metropolitan area, this a real hub and there’s plenty to see and do here: cultural events, theatre, art, a bit of music and nightlife, and many outdoor activities and sports,
The city itself is also quite pretty, with a nice historic core, plenty of parks and green spaces, tons of great viewpoints, and a 7 kilometer long public city beach.
On top of all of this, as mentioned above, there are a host of lovely day trips all within an hour of Cagliari, so you can easily explore other parts of the island without having to constantly move from one base to the next.
How to get to Cagliari
Cagliari is well connected to mainland Italy along with a host of other European airports via direct flights to the city’s Elmas Airport (CAG).
If you are arriving from outside of Europe, the easiest way to get here is by plane from Rome or Milan. Both cities offer multiple daily flights to Cagliari via various carriers, and the journey takes a little over an hour. One-way tickets can cost as little as $30 USD (if flying with low cost Ryanair), or closer to $100 with Alitalia, Italy’s national airline.
If arriving directly into Cagliari isn’t possible or convenient for whatever reason, the other major airports in Sardinia are in the cities of Olbia, in the northeast, and Alghero in the northwest. Both airports have connections with some European countries and offer daily flights to/from Rome and Milan. From either airport, you can drive to Cagliari in about 3 hours. Flights are similarly quick and inexpensive.
If you’d prefer not to fly, there is also ferry service to Cagliari from Naples, Civitavecchia Port (Rome), Livorno, and Palermo. Ferry journeys take from about 12 to 15 hours, depending on where you depart from.
Some destinations have daily connections, while others run the route only a few times each week. The one-way cost for a passenger-only ticket (no car) can be as low as around 40 euros, and goes up from there. Bringing a car will increase the cost significantly.
How long to spend
You will almost certainly need to pass through Cagliari at some point during your Sardinian holiday, and when you do so, I recommend spending at least two full days here. The city itself can mostly be seen in a day, which will leave you an extra day for excursions to beaches or archaeological sites nearby, or activities like cycling and kayaking.
Dedicate your first day to leisurely exploring the historic center, visiting the food markets, lounging on the city beach, and going for a sunset hike. Spend the evening in bustling Piazza Yenne.
On your second day, you could take a day trip out to the magnificent beaches in Chia or Villasimius, and then visit a winery back around Cagliari.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Cagliari is unquestionably during the late spring and from early-to-mid fall. In both seasons, the weather is great, with long, sunny days and temperatures warm enough for swimming, but not too hot for hiking, cycling, or other outdoor activities. There might be a slight chill in the early mornings and you’d be wise to bring a light sweater for the evenings, but this is about as good of weather as you will find anywhere in the world at any time.
In spring, Sardinia explodes into life, with flowers blossoming and greenery appearing all over. In fall, the extreme heat of the summer days gives way to pleasant temperatures, and being the harvest season, this is a time for festivals and cultural events all throughout the island.
In both seasons, you’ll find yourself surrounded by mostly locals rather than tourists, as Sardinia is really only a major tourist destination from summer through early fall. Everything will be open all over the island, but you’ll have your choice of hotels, car rentals, tours and experiences, etc., all at much better prices than during the high season.
Visiting in summer
Being a globally renowned beach destination, Sardinia is of course busiest during the summer months. If this is the only time that you can make it here, you should absolutely still come, but be sure to plan your vacation well in advance (making your bookings ahead of time) and just expect crowds in the most popular beaches and towns. Accordingly, prices are highest during the summer.
Also, be prepared for extremely hot temperatures: during July and August, daytime highs regularly reach up to 38/40 degrees Celsius (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and the heat and sun can be genuinely intense. If you’re on the beach or along the coast, this is tempered a bit by a lovely ocean breeze, but it’s still quite hot.
Visiting in winter
The coldest months of the year are January and February, when daytime temperatures are usually around 15 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit). It can get a bit colder than this, but that’s fairly rare, and it will often even be a little warmer. The evenings and early mornings are, of course, chillier. Depending on where you’re coming from, I realize that calling 60 degrees cold may seem a bit ridiculous, but for us, it is!
Sardinia in winter is by no means rainy, but this is the season with the most precipitation, and unlike the rest of the year, you are not guaranteed sunny days. Also, tourist infrastructure almost closes down entirely during this period, so many things you may be interested in will be closed for the season.
How to get around
By bus
Cagliari is one of few places in Sardinia where you can reliably use the bus to get around. Within the city, local buses will get you everywhere you want to go, including out to Il Poetto beach. The city is also compact and most tourists stay in the center, really only using the bus to get out to the beach.
Buses from Cagliari also run along the nearby coast, making visits to beaches like Mari Pintau, Chia, and even Villasimius doable as day trips.
Of course, you also have longer-distance buses to cities like Oristano, Alghero, Olbia, and many other cities.
By car
If you’re planning on doing lots of day trips or want to get to more secluded beaches, you need to have a car. While public transport in the Cagliari area is ok, it won’t get you everywhere and you’ll lose an awful lot of time. Also, most people come to Sardinia wanting to beach hop, which is something that you cannot do by bus.
Cagliari has loads of car rental agencies in the city center and at the airport.
To check prices and book, I recommend using DiscoverCars. It’s a car rental website that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
I use it myself, and have had good experiences.
Connect with Simone, our Cagliari-based local expert, for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips!
Where to stay in Cagliari
Cagliari has been growing a lot as a tourist destination in recent years, and with that has come a big increase in the options for lodging and accommodation. Nowadays, you’ll find countless choices for everything from budget stays to luxury hotels and private apartments.
In almost all cases, I’d suggest that you stay within the historic center, as this is the prettiest part of the city and it’s highly walkable to all the main attractions and points of interest. Anywhere in the 4 central neighborhoods of Castello, Stampace, the Marina, and Villanova would be a fine choice.
I don’t usually recommend staying along Il Poetto beach. Not because it isn’t lovely (it’s a great city beach), but just because there’s much more to do in the center and getting out to the beach by public transit is quite easy anyways, so you can still go have a swim.
That said, if you want to stay right on the water, have a look at Hotel La Villa del Mare and Hotel Nautilus, both of which are lovely and just steps from the water.
My recommended hotels in Cagliari:
Palazzo Tirso - This is the newest hotel in Cagliari and it’s quite chic and cool. They have a great terrace with a rooftop pool overlooking the port, and a wide choice of rooms, including suites with sea views.
Nightly rates from $300 USD.
Villa Fanny - This is a very classy hotel with a beautiful garden and pure tranquility and silence, despite being right in the city center. They have an excellent, rich breakfast with selected local food, served in their courtyard surrounded by olive trees.
Nightly rates from $250 USD.
Birkin Castello - This is an “albergo diffuso”, which translates as a “scattered hotel”, and its rooms are spread across two magnificent ancient homes a few meters away from one another. Right in the historic core of the city, and given the grandeur of the houses, this is an absolutely charming place to stay.
Nightly rates from $200 USD.
SKY of Cagliari - For an exclusive experience in a private penthouse with unparalleled terrace views, have a look at SKY of Cagliari. The penthouse consists of two side by side apartments, with a total of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a huge lounge, and a kitchen.
Nightly rates from $350 USD (for the entire 4 bedroom apartment).
Birkin Marina - From the same group that runs Birkin Castello, this is a similarly elegant and charming option, but in the Marina district near the water as opposed to high up in the castle/castello area.
Nightly rates from $170 USD.
Palazzo Dessy - Also in the Marina, this is a cool little property where the decor and design give the feeling that you’re staying at a friend’s chic apartment in the city. The rooms are super comfortable and very spacious.
Nightly rates from $140 USD.
Overview of Cagliari’s neighborhoods
Given it’s strategic maritime location, Cagliari has been an important and strategic port for various powers and empires over the centuries. Many civilizations made the town their base from which to sail throughout the Mediterranean: Phoenicians, Romans, Pisan, Genoese, and eventually the Spanish, who ruled the Island from the thirteenth to seventeenth century.
Having been ruled by empires for hundreds of years, Cagliari has a lot of history, and the city’s streets and buildings are a living testament to that. The city center is divided into four historic districts: Castello, perched on the limestone rocks and dominating the town, the lively Marina with its mix of locals, tourists and immigrants, the classy Stampace with its Roman Amphitheater, and the colourful village of Villanova.
The center is connected by two hearts, the meeting point of Piazza Yenne and the monumental Bastione structure with its enormous panoramic square, a privileged look out point over the town.
The Marina district overlooks the port, with the elegant Via Roma and its art noveau buldings. If you wander around in its little backstreets, you’ll feel the energy of this bustling area. Piazza Savoia is the heart of the Marina district, and Via Sardegna is a street full of restaurants (some are a bit touristy but most of them offer a solid and authentic dining experiences).
Villanova, the “youngest” of the city’s historic neighborhoods, is a lovely area of pastel-colored houses, often overflowing with flowers and greenery, narrow little streets, and shops and cafes. The heart of Villanova is the delightful Piazza San Domenico, an oasis of silence in town, where you’ll feel like you’re in a village rather than a big city.
Returning toward the imposing Bastione, climb your way up to the Castello district, and find yourself immersed in the Pisan heritage of the city. Walk alongside its ancient walls and note the the imposing towers of San Pancrazio and dell’Elefante. Scale the massive bastions and enjoy the glorious views, perfect for sunset dinners and aperitifs. Not far away, in the heart of the district, the impressive Cathedral is characterized by a neat Romanesque architecture.
After strolling in the streets of Castello, it’s time to head toward the Stampace district. Head to the Viale Buoncammino promenade, which offers the best views in town, and walk down from there until you reach the big Roman amphitheater. At this point, you’ll be near Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and will have entered Stampace.
Corso Vittorio is a newly trendy street with many restaurants (some great, some touristy), and its a fun place to go for a stroll and people watch. The ever-busy Piazza Yenne is the heart of the district, filled with bars and cafes offering outdoor seating.
Restaurants and dining
Over the last few years, the local food scene in Cagliari has changed quite a lot, with many innovations and a big influx of international cuisines and modernized Sardinian “fusion”.
However, when in Sardinia, I think you should focus mostly on tradtitional Sardinian food, and thankfully you can still find plenty of authentic places offering the quintessential cucina Cagliaritana.
Below are some of my suggestions for what to eat, followed by where to eat it. Buon appetito!
Foods to try
Here are some of the “must-try” dishes for any visitor to Cagliari (really anywhere in Sardinia). They should all absolutely be on your list!
Maialetto arrosto - roast suckling pig
Malloreddus alla Campidanese - a gnocchi-like pasta in a red meat sauce. Spaghetti alla Bottarga - spaghetti with dried, pressed fish roe grated over it. Prepare yourself for this one! :-)
Culurgiones - similar to a very large ravioli, often stuffed with cheese, honey, and nuts. The appearance is reminiscent to Japanese Gyoza.
Seada - a fried dessert pastry often filled with a thin layer of cheese and dressed with honey.
The dishes above are great in Cagliari, but they can also be found almost anywhere on the island. If you want to go 100% local, here are a few more recommendations:
Burrida - quite similar to the spanish “escabeche”, burrida is made with chunks of dogfish (a fish from the shark family with a very firm meat), prepared with olive oil, vinegar, onion, garlic, and walnuts, and served over the pounded/pressed liver of the fish. This is something totally unique.
Fregula cun cocciula - a local pasta quite similar to couscous, prepared with a sauce of tomatoes and clams.
Sa Panada - this is a savory stuffed pastry, filled with a mixture of ingredients, often meat (lamb or pork), potatoes, onions, and various herbs and spices. They’re rather like empanadas.
One of the distinctive features of the dish is that the dough is made from a durum wheat flour mixed with lard.
I have to admit that Sa Panada actually comes from Assemini, a town just outside Cagliari, but they are so good that you shouldn’t hold it against me that they’re only 90% local.
Great restaurants
Upscale and gourmet
Dal Corsaro: Stefano Deidda, the head chef, comes from a well-known restaurateur family, and he cooks fantastic food. This is the only Michelin star restaurant in town, and the recognition is well deserved.
Vitanova: A charming restaurant run by Laura & Rita, Vitanova is an incredibly welcoming place with superb desserts.
Excellent traditional food
Antica Cagliari: Alberto Melis, the owner, takes pride in offering stellar service and excellent food with a lovely presentation. This is always a solid choice.
Locanda dei Buoni e dei Cattivi: This is the ideal place to have a Sunday family lunch, but it’s also nice for a romantic dinner.
La Mola Sarda: A quintessential Sardinian restaurant, La Mola Sarda has been a staple of Cagliari’s food scene for a long time. This is a spot where other restaurant owners go to eat, so you know it’s great.
Trendy spots
Babeuf: If you want something intriguing, off the beaten track, and with a trendy flair, then trust Federico, the founder of this great restaurant. Babeuf is the perfect spot for an aperitif and dinner in a vintage ambience.
Old Friends: Where Sardinian tradition meets the world: Old Friends prepares fusion cuisine with hints of punk. It may be the most cosmopolitan restaurant in the city.
For seaside views
La Paillote: This is such a romantic place! The restaurant is a solitary pearl nestled into a slope overlooking the sea, and it never fails to impress.
Lo Zenit: Right alongside Giorgino beach, a bit away from the crowds, Lo Zenit serves the freshest fish you’ll find anywhere. The beach, the sea, and fresh fish: does it get better than that?
Is Fradis Minoris: If you must pick just one restaurant during your time here, this is the one. Not actually in town, it takes about half an hour to get to Fradis Minoris.
Here, you’ll dine in the middle of the Nora Lagoon, which is itself surrounded by the sea. This is a magical place and its Michelin Star is well, well deserved.
Pizzerie
Pizzeria Nicolino: If you ask a local to name a Pizzeria, Nicolino is the first mention. Located out of the tourist areas, it makes many tasty pizzas. More local than that it’s impossible.
Grotta Marcello: As the name suggests this is a pizzeria inside a tufa stone cave, used as air-ride shelter during WWII. Right at the heart of the evening movida in the Piazza Yenne square, it’s part of the history of Cagliari.
Bakeries
Porta: Passion for bakery, as simple as that. Riccardo is a “ragazzo di paese”, a guy from the countryside that starting from a family business created a successful bakery in the Sardinian capital. Not just bread, he prepares also great pizzas, fresh pastas and bakery sweets.
Kentos: If you want to know the real taste of Sardinian home made bread, go to Kentos bakery. Viviana is the one that turned the tradition of home made bread into a bakery business, keeping the same taste and fragrance. Her daughter Simona is hospitable at heart.
Stores selling local gastronomic products
Sabores: Huge selection of local foods, here you find some rare cheeses, prosciutto, pancetta, salsiccia, wines and beers you won’t find anywhere else.
Sardissimo: A family business, you can find good local products at the right prices, plus they make some very good pastas.
Bars to check out
Bar Libarium Nostrum: Sometimes there’s a bit of aloofness in the air, but the Danilo’s cocktails and the sunset from here will make you forgiving everything.
Florio: Andrea and Massimo where the ones that transformed a beautiful yet deprived adorable square into a lively and vibrant meeting point for different kind of people. Bravi!
What to see & do
1. Explore the historic center
Whether you take a guided tour or choose to wander on your own, my recommendation is always to walk, walk, and walk some more in the historic center!
Cagliari’s center is quite pretty and there’s a good deal to see, so it has plenty to keep you curious and interested for a good few hours of nonstop walking. There’s a nice variety of architecture, historical sites, gardens and green spaces, and of course, hilltop views of the mediterranean to keep you quite busy.
But unlike some Italian towns that are simply overwhelming with the amount of “must-see” sights and attractions, Cagliari offers this in moderation. You will never feel overwhelmed trying to fit everything in, and if you don’t make it everywhere, it’s no big deal.
*If you’re interested in a tour, I’d love to be your guide! I offer two different ways to explore the center; on a city center food tour and a bike tour.
Photo: Municipality of Cagliari, CC BY-SA 3.0 IT, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Stroll down Via Manno
Via Manno is Cagliari’s premier shopping street and it’s a pedestrianized stretch that runs from Piazza Yenne up to the Bastione. Even if you have no interest in shopping, it’s one of the best places in the city to people watch, and Cagliaritani like to come here for an evening stroll to see and be seen.
3. Wander around the Marina District
The Marina District begins at Cagliari’s port and is a neighborhood of narrow alleyways and winding streets. There are no particular sites to see here, but it’s an atmospheric part of town and there are a host of good restaurants and lots of shops, many of them run by the town’s ever-increasing immigrant community.
4. Restaurant and bar hop on Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II
Locally referred to as “il corso” this is another pedestrian street in central Cagliari. It’s home to many of the city’s bars, brew pubs, and loads of good restaurants. It lets out at Piazza Yenne, and is always buzzing in the evenings and night time.
5. Sip cocktails in Piazza Yenne
Piazza Yenne (and the steep steps behind it that lead into the Castello district) is one of Cagliari’s main meeting points. Streets lead off from the square on all sides and restaurants, bars, and gelaterias line it. It’s a popular place at any time of day, but especially in the evening for aperitivo time. Instead of a cocktail, you could also have a gelato!
6. Visit Il Bastione
Technically called il Bastione di Saint Remy, but colloquially known as “il Bastione”, this is an enormous monument, reminiscent of a triumphant arch, with stairs that lead up to a spacious square offering panoramic views over Cagliari. It’s located at the far end of the pedestrianized Via Manno boulevard.
The Bastione. Photo: Elgaard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Take a food tour
Cagliari, like the rest of Sardinia, offers fresh, local food all year round. It’s markets are temples dedicated to this agricultural richness, and they are the perfect place to begin to understand Sardinia’s cuisine.
Food tours would usually start with a visit to the San Benedetto Market, but it will unfortunately be closed for restorations throughout 2024. So, you’ll likely head first to the also popular and excellent Mercato di Via Quirra instead. After the market, there are countless “botteghe”, local food shops to visit, along with restaurants, wine bars, and so on, all of which will be carefully selected by your guide.
We Sardos are proud of our island and our food, and you will never run out of places to sample the best that we have to offer!
If you’re up for an active morning of exploring combined with a lot of food stops, I run a city center food and walking tour.
8. Shop for handicrafts and (second hand) trinkets
If you’re interested in traditional and locally made goods, Sardinia is known for its fine jewelry, especially coral pieces, carpets with traditional patterns, handmade leather products, ceramics, and wooden and stone furniture.
Alternatively, if you’re not in the market for fine handmade crafts, the city holds a wonderful secondhand market on Sundays in the vast parking lot of the old S. Elia Stadium. You can find almost anything here: brassware, collector’s items, furniture, bicycles, tools and so on.
Also on Sundays, the very central Piazza del Carmine hosts an antique market where you can find some good deal on unique pieces.
9. Hike up the Sella del Diavolo hill
Just outside the city center, staring down on Il Poetto Beach, the Sella del Diavolo hill is a steep ridge that rises straight out of the sea. The main trail here is a relatively easy hike that will get you up to the top of the hill in about 30-45 minutes, from where you’ll have magnificent views.
The route starts near the parking lot of Cala Mosca, a lovely litte cove. I especially recommend going at sunset and bringing a good bottle of wine for a sunset toast.
Sella del Diavolo, seen from Il Poetto beach. Photo: Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
10. Go kayaking with Ole Kayak
If you want to get out on the water and have views of Cagliari from the sea, a kayaking excursion around the Cape of Sant’Elia is an absolute blast. I suggest going with Ole Kayak, a local company owned by Carlo, a great guide and a super nice person.
The trip will start from the Marina Piccola harbor and Carlo always makes sure it’s a comfortable, fun experience for everyone.
11. Tour the city by bike with Easycletta
As a cyclist, my preferred way to tour a new city is always by bike, and Cagliari, with its pleasant temperatures, almost guaranteed sunshine, and lovely natural areas, is a great place to explore on two wheels.
You can definitely rent bikes and explore on your own, but if you want to learn about everything you’re seeing while riding, I’d recommend booking a tour with Easycletta, owned by the wonderful Juna.
They have a nice selections of traditional bikes along with e-bikes, and Juna is super fun and knowledgable, and she’ll also give you tons of local tips about food and restaurants in town.
Tours usually start in the center of town before heading out to the lagoon and then the beach, before returning to the historic center.
For a little self-promotion, I also offer a cycling tour of Cagliari!
12. Soak up the sun at the city’s beaches
The city’s main public beach, Il Poetto, stretches out for over 7 kilometers, so it is never too crowded. Younger locals tend to concentrate at the beginning of the beach, so if you move a bit towards the town of Quartu, you’ll have plenty of space, even in the peak of summer season.
I recommend staying until the sunset and enjoying the views from one of the many beaches bars and restaurants.
If you want something more intimate, opt for the cozy little cove of Cala Mosca, nestled between the Sant’Elia and Sella del Diavolo hills. Or, you could drive out to the very end of Il Poetto, and stop at the “Margine Rosso” railing. If you’re lucky the “Zonki Street” food truck will be there preparing the freshest “fritto misto” (mix of fried fish) you can imagine.
13. Check out the nearby Nuraghe archaeological sites
When in Sardinia, it’s absolutely mandatory to visit a Nuraghe, imposing stone structures dating back to ancient times. These are not just archaeological visits; they are like diving in the very essence of Sardinia.
The “Su Nuraxi” site in Barumini (an hour’s drive from Cagliari) is an amazing and mystical place. Be sure to reserve a visit in english.
I’d be happy to take you out for the day if you’re interested in a day trip to Su Nuraxi.
Su Nuraxi archaeological site. Photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
14. Take a day trip out to some great nearby beaches
Sardinia is famous for its beaches, and while the ones right in the city really are quite nice, they’re not world class. For that, you have to leave the city behind.
If you want to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, drive an hour southwest of Cagliari to stunning Chia. After spending some time on the beach, take a drive west to the town of Teulada, following the coastal road to get there. I guarantee it will be one of the most beautiful drives of your life, and you’ll pass by lots of other beaches to stop at along the way.
Alternatively, you could head an hour east from Cagliari to Villasimius, driving along the coastal road the whole way. You’ll pass some lovely beaches along the drive, and Villiasimius has loads of gorgeous beaches and pretty coves to choose from.
15. Sample Sardinia’s excellent wines
Sardinia is the region of Italy that has, by far, the highest number of native grapes and we produce fantastic wines here. Our winemaking tradition is quite long - the locals started fermenting grapes and producing wine about 3,500 years ago!
Many of the best wineries are toward the north of the island, but near to Cagliari, the private Argiolas winery is well regarded and they are one of the producers who dramatically improved the quality of wine here years ago.
While in the area, head for a tasting at the cooperative winery of Dolianova. Of course, be sure to get a taxi ride so that you can sample safely!
16. Check out the city’s parks
Cagliari offers some beautiful parks right in town: the luscious Botanical Gardens, the serene public gardens, the Capucini friars Vegetable Garden, the vast Monteclaro, the hilly Monte Urpinu and the Colle di San Michele, with its majestic castle.
Guided Tours of Cagliari
If you’re looking to explore Cagliari and Southeast Sardinia, I’d love to be your guide!
I offer all sorts of different experiences and excursions here in my home region. In the city, I love taking guests out for a city center walking food tour during which we get to see the city’s highlights while also trying lots of great local treats.
For those looking to get more active, I think a bike tour of the city’s greener areas and Poetto Beach is a really fun and active way to get a feel for Cagliari.
Outside of the city there is of course tons to do. There are family farms, great wineries, archaeological sites (Nuraghi), terrific hiking trails, and of course countless amazing beaches. If you’re looking for a day trip, I’d be happy to create something totally customized to your interests.
You can see some of my tours and send me a message to create a custom one on my page at Guides of Italia.
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Simone Scalas
Sardinia Expert based in Cagliari
Ciao ragazzi! 👋
Hi, I'm Simone, and I've been a tour guide and travel consultant here in Sardinia for the last 21 years. If you're looking for some local advice on your trip, I'd love to help!
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