📋 Table of Contents
📌 Read in :
Français (French)
Dominating the southern tip of Sardinia from seven limestone hills, Cagliari is a curious blend of vibrant Mediterranean port, medieval fortress, and laid-back seaside resort. Founded by the Phoenicians and later ruled by Carthaginians, Romans, Pisans, Aragonese, and Piedmontese, the city has preserved the layers of a cosmopolitan past, evident in the sun-drenched streets of the Castello , its Art Nouveau facades, and its markets overflowing with seafood. Less than ten kilometers away stretches the endless Poetto beach; a little further on, the Molentargius lagoon welcomes thousands of flamingos each year, while the hinterland is home to Bronze Age nuraghi. In short, in just a few days, you can go from ancient history to the dolce vita of the seaside. If you’re wondering what to do in Cagliari, this article is for you.
🗒️ Time of year, hotels: what you need to know before visiting Cagliari
Before we get into things to do in Cagliari, here are some useful tips.
Where is Cagliari?
Cagliari, the regional capital and main port of Sardinia, lies at the head of the Gulf of Angels, 270 km south of Sassari and 360 km from Rome as the crow flies. Surrounded by lagoons to the east and limestone hills to the west, it has always controlled the southern gateway to the island. This strategic position also explains the layering of influences—Phoenician, Pisan, and Aragonese—visible in the architecture of the Castello and in the place names, which switch from Sardinian to Catalan from one street to the next.
What is the best time to visit Cagliari?
The Mediterranean climate guarantees very mild winters (10°C during the day in January) and hot but breezy summers (26-30°C in July and August). To alternate sightseeing and swimming away from the crowds, opt for April-June or September-October: ideal temperatures, water already (or still) at 22°C, and reasonable hotel prices. Summer attracts Italian holidaymakers, inflates prices, and fills Poetto beach with sun loungers; in winter, the town returns to a more local rhythm, perfect for a cultural weekend exploring museums, markets, and deserted alleyways.
How to get to Cagliari?
By plane: Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG) is 7 km from the city center; a Trenitalia train (every 20 minutes, 5-7 minute journey, €1.30) connects Elmas Aeroporto station to Cagliari Centrale from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
By ferry: Regular overnight crossings from Naples, Palermo, and Civitavecchia; the ferries arrive directly in front of the Marina district.
By car: The SS131 crosses the island from north to south; allow 2.5 hours from Olbia.
Is Cagliari an expensive city?
It remains significantly more affordable than Rome or Florence: expect to spend €60-70 per day for a budget traveler (hostel, street food), €140-160 for mid-range comfort (3-4 star hotel, seafood restaurant), and €280+ for a luxury stay with a spa and private sunbeds. An espresso costs €1.20 at the counter; renting two sunbeds and a parasol at Poetto costs around €20. As for sightseeing, most churches are free; the climb to the Torre dell’Elefante costs €4.
What events should not be missed?
On May 1st, the Sant’Efisio Festival parades for four days with more than 65 km of procession, costumed riders, flower-covered floats and brotherhoods from all over the island: it is one of the longest religious celebrations in Europe and a concentration of Sardinian culture.
In June, the Notti al Bastione transform the terrace of the Bastione San Remy into a jazz stage facing the sea; at the end of August, the Poetto Fest invites electro music directly onto the sand at sunset.
How to get around the city?
The historic center is easily explored on foot, but the hills of Castello are steep. The CTM network (bus and trolleybus) serves the entire city: a 70-minute ticket costs €1.50, a book of tickets costs €12.50. The PF and PQ lines reach Poetto in fifteen minutes. Cycle paths run alongside the Sardinian Arno (the Terramaini Canal) to the beach and Molentargius Park; bicycles can be rented for €12 per day, or you can rent a self-service scooter.
What do people eat in Cagliari?
The menu blends sea and maquis flavors: fregula con arselle (semolina pearls with clams), spaghetti alla bottarga (grated dried mullet roe), roast pork with myrtle, pecorino sardo cheese and strawberry tree honey, not forgetting the seadas (cheese fritters drizzled with honey). All this is best enjoyed with a glass of Vermentino di Sardegna or a Cannonau red. For an authentic feast, head to Trattoria Lillicu in Marina or Sa Schironada in Stampace.
How many days should I plan for?
In two days, you can cover the Castello , the Bastione, the San Benedetto market, and a first dip in the Poetto. Add a third day for the Roman amphitheater and Molentargius Park. With four days, you can climb up to the Sella del Diavolo, then take a day trip to Nora or the Nuragic site of Barumini.
Where to stay in Cagliari?
For a comfortable stay in Cagliari, three hotels stand out: the T Hotel, a spacious contemporary establishment located opposite the Opera House in the lively San Benedetto district; it offers a panoramic spa, a generous breakfast buffet, and a cocktail bar popular with locals. For a more intimate experience, the Hotel Villa Fanny occupies an elegant 19th-century villa in the historic Stampace district; surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, it offers a dozen tastefully designed rooms and personalized service. Finally, to experience the seaside atmosphere without leaving the city, the Hotel Nautilus places its bright rooms directly on the sands of Poetto beach; bicycles are available for rent for cycling along the shore, and breakfast can be enjoyed overlooking the waves.
🔝 What are the must-see things to do in Cagliari?
Now let’s get to the heart of the matter and see what there is to do in Cagliari. Only the must-sees, of course.
Explore the Castello and the Bastione San Remy
The Castello clings to the highest hill, encircled by 13th-century Pisan walls. Through the Porta Cristina, one climbs cobbled streets to the Bastione San Remy: this late triumphal arch (1899) boasts a double neoclassical ramp leading to the Umberto I Terrace. Restored in 2019, the terrace, paved with stone mosaics, hosts pop-up cafes, summer concerts, and a 180° panorama of the city, the gulf, and the pink lagoons where flamingos are sometimes reflected at dusk. Here, the Sardinian capital reveals its picture-postcard charm, suspended between the sea and terracotta rooftops.
Admire the Santa Maria Cathedral and the Torre dell’Elefante
In Piazza Palazzo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria (1254) juxtaposes Pisan Romanesque, Spanish Baroque, and Piedmontese Neoclassical styles. Beneath its dome, the Chapel of the Martyrs displays 300 reliquaries of Sardinian saints, while the pulpit, a work by a Pisan master, was brought here from Pisa. One hundred meters away, the Torre dell’Elefante (1307) rises 31 meters high, its white limestone topped with a sculpted elephant—a symbol of invincibility. One hundred wooden steps lead to a panoramic platform offering a sweeping view of the Bastione, the rooftops of the Marina, and the Poetto’s crest of the waves.
Get lost at the San Benedetto market
Spanning 8,000 square meters across two levels, the Mercato di San Benedetto is one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Ground floor: fish and seafood—bluefin tuna, giant sea urchins, moray eels, eels—that fishermen haul in right before your eyes from 7 a.m. Upstairs: mountains of pecorino cheese, cured black pork, wild herbs, baskets of Camona tomatoes . The scents of iodine, myrtle, and mint mingle with calls in the Cagliaritano dialect. Buy a cone of warm pane guttiau, some Nocellara olives , and then savor them on a bench in the shade of the palm trees along Via Dante.
Enjoy Poetto beach and climb to the Sella del Diavolo
Continuing our list of things to do in Cagliari. Ten kilometers of pale sand, a translucent sea, and a promenade dotted with small shops: welcome to Poetto, the beach that serves as a guiding thread for Cagliari’s residents. Here, you can rent a paddleboard, try your hand at sailing a lateen sail, and enjoy a spritz at the Emerson kiosk. At the western end, a path climbs in 45 minutes to the Sella del Diavolo (“Devil’s Saddle”), a limestone promontory crowned by a World War II fort. From the summit, the panorama unfolds: to the left, the bastion and bell towers; to the right, Poetto stretching to Capo Carbonara; and beyond, the pink marshes of Molentargius. Sunrise here is an unforgettable sight.
Observe the pink flamingos at Molentargius Park
Designated a Ramsar site, the former salt flats of Molentargius-Saline stretch across 1,600 hectares of brackish lagoons and freshwater ponds. From spring onwards, more than 9,000 pairs of pink flamingos nest here; they are called gambas locally because of their shrimp-colored legs. Rent a bicycle in front of the Il Poetto entrance or embark on a one-hour boat trip to (silently) approach the colonies without disturbing the nesting. The contrast between pink plumage, white salt mounds, and cobalt sky is reminiscent of Andean lagoons – but less than 5 km from the city center!
Visit the Roman amphitheater
Carved directly into the rock in the 2nd century, the Roman amphitheater -seating 8,000 to 10,000- hosted gladiatorial contests, animal fights, and classical tragedies. Its monolithic tiers, unearthed after decades of excavation, are breathing new life into Carales , the ancient name for Cagliari. Following extensive restoration, the site has reopened for evening events and summer concerts, when the golden stone glows under the spotlights. Enjoy sweeping views of the neighboring botanical gardens and a quick trip back 2,000 years.
Stroll through the Marina district and have a seafood dinner
At the foot of the Castello, Marina boasts pastel facades, green shutters, and cobblestones polished by the salt. Once the quarter of Levantine fishermen, it now hums with Italian, Sardinian, Arabic, and Catalan. In the late afternoon, Via Sardegna becomes a carpet of tables; plates are piled high with spaghetti alla bottarga, mussels in Vernaccia sauce, grilled octopus, and saffron fregula. Finish with a sebadas (a sweet, bitter, and floral drink) with Corbezzolo honey and a glass of chilled Mirto, the iconic myrtle liqueur. The soundtrack: seagulls and lively conversations that continue late into the night.
Take a trip to Su Nuraxi in Barumini
Located 60 km north, Su Nuraxi di Barumini is the best-preserved nuraghe in Sardinia and the island’s only UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site. Built around 1500 BC, the cyclopean fortress stacks 2-ton basalt blocks up to 18 m high around a central tower, later encircled by four smaller towers and a circular village. An archaeologist guide explains the defensive system, the cisterns, the well, and the hypotheses surrounding the mysterious Nuragic civilization. Four-hour excursions depart every morning from Cagliari; on the return journey, a stop in a village in the Marmilla region offers the opportunity to taste aged sheep’s cheese and Monica red wine .
We hope this list of things to do in Cagliari has helped you plan your stay.