13 Best Cagliari Hidden Gems: True Local Secrets

What are Cagliari hidden gems?

As a local, I can reassure you that Cagliari never gets the swarms of tourists that can seen in other more famous cities in Italy such as Rome, Florence or Venice.

You can visit knowing that you don’t need to look for Cagliari hidden gems to escape the crowds, and that your experience will still very much be an authentic one in a city that has retained all of its local charms.

Regardless of that, you may have a knack for places that are a bit lesser known and that tourists hardly visit, and perhaps you’d like to discover some Cagliari hidden gems.

That’s what I am here for! Continue reading, as I have selected my favorite hidden gems in Cagliari for you. These are places where you can really unwind, and while less popular compared to other places to visit in town, they still will give you a good feel for the local history and culture.

My post The Best Things To Do In Cagliari highlights all the best activities you should not miss on during your trip.

Best Cagliari Hidden Gems

Tuvixeddu

Tuvixeddu is one of the most famous necropolises in Sardinia. The name comes from the word “tuvu” (small hole). The area where it is located was used as a burial ground by the Carthaginians until the 3rd century BC. With the Roman conquer of Sardinia, the necropolis was then used by the Romans.

There are various kinds of tombs in Tuvixeddu. The most common ones are the “pozzetto” tombs that were dug into the rock to create a small well that would give access to the burial chambers.

Pozzetti are roughly 3 to 11 meters deep (between 9.8 and 36 feet), have a lateral recesses and stone slabs that were used to prevent looters from accessing the belongings the dead was buried with.

The ‘pozzetto’ tombs used for burials on this site were dug into the rock, creating a small well that acted as an access to the burial chamber.

Tuvixeddu is free to access and open every day, from very early in the morning till late in the evening. For a more in-depth experience, you may want to join this guided group tour of Tuvixeddu that lasts about 1.5 hours.

My post A Useful Guide To Tuvixeddu Necropolis shares more information about the necropolis and explains how you can visit too.

Fortino di Sant’Ignazio – one of the favorite local hidden gems

This is one of my favorite Cagliari hidden gems, and I go whenever I can, and whenever a friend from outside Sardinia is visiting.

Construction of this fort started in 1792 when the French army tried to conquer Cagliari and the Savoys, who were then ruling Sardinia, thought to provide their army with a fort up on one of Cagliari’s most prominent hills. However, the building was never completed and with time its use changed.

Sant’Ignazio fort became a shelter and hospital for patients with infectious diseases, and was used again for military purposes during WWII.

The building is now in ruins, but it still remains a fascinating place to visit, and one of the best spots in Cagliari to catch sunset.

Access is free, and you can visit whenever you want. You will find it close to Calamosca Beach (one of Cagliari’s most popular beaches). It’s an easy hike to get there, and along the walk you can admire views of Calamosca Beach below, of two Spanish watchtowers (one of them is the Torre del Prezzemolo), and of the lighthouse.

My post How To Visit Cagliari’s Fortino Sant’Ignazio shares more information on the history of Sant’Ignazio Fort, and how to visit.

Villa di Tigellio

Unfortunately, in recent years the Villa di Tigellio has been almost completely abandoned and the ruins lay in a state of despair. It’s still an interesting place to see, and since it’s in the historic center of Cagliari it’s easy to visit.

The site is made up of three houses and a Roman bath, that were in use between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. You can still spot some columns and beautiful mosaics.

Located in Via Tigellio, just off the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (one of the main nightlife hubs in Cagliari), Villa di Tigellio is currently closed to visitors, but you can still peek at it from the outside.

San Benedetto Market

There are many markets in Cagliari, but my favorite remains San Benedetto as it’s close to where I live, in the center of town, and where I regularly shop for fresh fruits and vegetables and for fish and seafood.

While it’s becoming a more popular spots for tourists, and you can now see the occasional guided tour going around the market to try local delicacies, it’s still very much a market we locals use and enjoy, and a real feast for the eyes.

As of 1 March 2025, San Benedetto Market is closed for renovation works and all the stands and stalls have been moved to the nearby Piazza Nazzari.

If you want an even more local experience, you should visit the (smaller) Mercato di Via Quirra, which is located outside of the historic center of Cagliari. It’s easy to reach by public transport.

For more markets in Cagliari, read my post The Best Markets In Cagliari as there’s likely one in the neighborhood where you will be staying.

Giardini Pubblici

Located between the bottom of the Castello historic district and the La Vega district of Cagliari, and easy to reach from the center of Cagliari, the Giardini Pubblici date from the 19th century, and were built close to the Royal Powder Keg.

The gardens aren’t big, but still a pleasant place for a relaxing moment, especially in a hot summer evening. It’s one of my favorite childhood places as my dad would always bring my sister and me there to walk and play, and I still love going there – even more now that there’s a cat sanctuary there.

At the end of the central walk inside the Giardini Pubblici, you will find the Galleria Comunale d’Arte di Cagliari, where you can admire sculptures by Sardinian artist Francesco Ciusa as well as the Ingrao art collection. While the park is free to visit, the art gallery has a small admission fee.

Monte Urpinu

Another beautiful park in Cagliari, this one is a bit further from the historic center (but still within easy distance) and located on one of the city’s many hills. It’s much bigger than the Giardini Pubblici (it measures 22 hectares), and one of the oldest parks in the city.

The name comes from the word “urpinu” which in the Sardinian language means “small fox.” In fact, before the creation of the park, a small colony of now-extinct foxes lived in the area. Today, Monte Urpinu Park is home to peacocks, swans, geese, tree frogs, turtles and a cat sanctuary.

Once owned by the aristocratic Sanjust family, the area where the park is located was acquired by the City of Cagliari in 1939 and it remains a favorite spot for locals. Families with children and dogs go there for a walk, and many go there to exercise (I go there for runs!)

Make sure to go to the top of the hill following the panoramic road on the eastern side of the park. The views of the Golfo degli Angeli, Sella del Diavolo, Molentargius Nature Park and Poetto Beach from up there are impressive!

My post 10 Parks In Cagliari You Should Visit highlights other lovely gardens and parks in the city perfect for a walk and some relaxing time.

Marina Piccola

Another place we locals in Cagliari love and enjoy is Marina Piccola, located at the bottom of the Sella del Diavolo (Devil’s Saddle) promontory, just at the very beginning of Poetto Beach.

While it’s a very popular spot in the summer, it’s also a nice place to go for a breath of fresh marine breeze in the off season. There’s a kiosk where you can stop for a meal or for drinks, and several guided kayak and SUP tours around the Devil’s Saddle depart from there.

If you visit in the off season, where there are no people in the water but just a few wind-surfers, watch carefully: you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins.

Marina Piccola is easy to reach by bus from the center of Cagliari – just hop on any P bus. If you are driving, you will also find a large parking lot.

Su Siccu – one of Cagliari hidden gems for a sunset walk

One of my favorite Cagliari hidden gems is the Marina di Bonaria harbor, known locally as the Darsena di Su Siccu. It’s located inside Cagliari’s harbor, so it’s very easy to access from the historic center.

Locals love walking along Su Siccu, and you should go there too – sunset from there is particularly beautiful. You can get sea views but also admire the impressive Bonaria Basilica and the staircase leading to it.

My post The Nicest Walks In Cagliari shares the best places locals go whenever they feel like a walk.

Cimitero di Bonaria

Speaking of Bonaria Basilica, located at the foot of the hill where the church is located there’s a monumental cemetery that’s one of Cagliari’s best kept secrets. Don’t think of it just as a burial ground, though! Perhaps it may not be as grand as Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, but it certainly feels more like an art gallery than a simple cemetery.

Bonaria Cemetery dates from the 18th century. It was consecrated on 28 December 1828 and the first burial took place on 1 January 1829, but stopped being used in 1968 (though lately some personalities such as Cagliari’s legendary football player Gigi Riva got buried there).

Inside, it’s an architectural and artistic marvel. Think lavish statues by Sartorio, Cagliari’s Michelangelo, and Cima’s staircase.

Bonaria Cemetery is within walking distance from the center of Cagliari. Access is free, but you may want to consider joining a guided tour to fully appreciate the history and art in the cemetery.

You can enquire locally for guided tours, but you can also book your Bonaria Cemetery tour online – it goes to all the most important statues and points of interest in the cemetery, and you are free to explore on your own once the tour is over.

I have written a detailed Guide To Cagliari’s Bonaria Cemetery where you’ll find more information about the history of the cemetery and how to visit.

Santa Restituta Crypt

This is one of the hidden gems in Cagliari that I only discovered in recent years – though to be fair, I have always known about it.

The Cripta di Santa Restituta, as it is called in Italian, is a partially natural and partially excavated hypogeum that, during Punic times, was used as a quarry. It then became a religious site, first pagan and then Christian.

The crypt is found under the Santa Restituta church. Inside, you’ll find some frescoes (for example, there’s one that belonged to a larger fresco, depicting Saint John the Baptist), and an altar. It’s also interesting to note that the crypt was used as a shelter during the allied bombings of Cagliari.

Santa Restituta Crypt is located in the colorful Stampace historic district, right in the historic center of Cagliari. It’s often visited during guided tours of Cagliari Underground. There’s a small admission fee.

Palazzo Viceregio

Not many tourists in Cagliari visit the Palazzo Viceregio, yet it’s a lovely place to explore. It’s located in Piazza Palazzo, at the very heart of the Castello historic district. The building dates from the 14th century, when it became the official residency of the vice-king.

The building went through several restorations – the most relevant one occurred in 1730, when the large staircase leading to the nobles apartments was built. The royal family lived there between 1799 and 1815, when Turin (then capital of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia) was under Napoleon rule.

Today, the palace houses the offices of the Province of Cagliari, but it is thankfully open to visitors. I don’t go there nearly as often as I’d like, but whenever I do I am impressed with the art and the intricate decorations.

To visit, you’ll have to pay a small admission fee. However, in this case I wholeheartedly recommend joining a tour with one of the guides on site to fully appreciate the building and its history. To book your visit, you can call +39 070 409 2010 or send an email to [email protected].

Castello di San Michele

I have very fond memories of San Michele Castle. I visited for the first time when I was 12, and the castle was abandoned then: it had an aura of mystery and danger. I have been many times since, and it’s one of my favorite lesser known places in Cagliari.

San Michele Castle was built in the 10th century. Initially a fort, in the 14th century it became the private residence of the powerful Carroz family from Aragone. Once Violante Carroz, the last member of the family, died in 1511, the castle was abandoned. It was used as a hospital in the 17th century.

The castle became a national monument in 1895, and was used for military purposes between 1930 and 1977. Restoration works started in 1991 (after my first visit) and since 2001 the castle hosts special exhibits and events.

There’s a small fee to pay to visit the castle, but if you are not interested in the exhibit inside, I recommend simply going there for a walk as the views are stunning. It’s located on San Michele hill, a bit outside the historic center of Cagliari.

If you love visiting castles, then my article The Most Beautiful Castles In Sardinia is one you should read.

Passeggiata Coperta

Cagliari’s Passeggiata Coperta (literally meaning “covered walk”) is located within the thick walls of the Bastione di Saint Remy, one of the most famous landmarks in Cagliari.

It’s a rather historic place: it was first inaugurated in 1902 and used for special events, but it served various purposes throughout history. For example, it was used as an infirmary during WWI; as a shelter during the bombings of WWII; and even as a school and as a shelter for the people who were left without a home after WWII.

You can now visit the Passeggiata Coperta for a small fee. From there, you can access the “Sperone Gallery”, which takes you back to the time the first ramparts of Cagliari were built to protect the city from invasions.

You won’t have troubles finding the Passeggiata Coperta: you just have to walk up the stairs of the Bastione from Piazza Costituzione.

Final Remarks On Hidden Gems In Cagliari

Cagliari hidden gems are actually in plain sight, and you don’t have to travel far or go out of your way to discover them. As I have said at the very beginning, Cagliari isn’t such a touristy city that you feel like you have to get away from the crowds. But it’s still nice to have the chance to visit slightly lesser known places that only the locals (like myself) know and enjoy.

Which secret spot are you looking to visit on your next trip?

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