The Best Hotels In Cagliari, Picked By A Local

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Are you looking for good hotels in Cagliari? Look no further!

If you are planning a holiday in Cagliari, you will be happy to know that the capital city of Sardinia offers incredible experiences, from art museums to flamingos! When visiting the sun-soaked capital of Sardinia, it can be challenging to choose where to stay.

That’s why I’m here! I’m a local – I grew up in Cagliari, and this is where I currently live, and since my place is small whenever friends visit me I have to hunt for a nice hotel for them. With time, I have managed to check out a lot of places. So, I’m eager to share with you all my insider tips on the nicest hotels in Cagliari to help you decide on the perfect place to stay.

Continue reading to find your perfect room.

Would you rather stay in an Airbnb? Check out my post The Best Airbnbs In Cagliari.

best hotels in Cagliari
The tower of T Hotel as seen from Parco della Musica

Overall Nicest Hotels in Cagliari

Some of my absolute favorite hotels in Cagliari are not n the four historical districts of the capital city (Castello, Stampace, Villanova and La marina). They don’t even lie by Poetto beach! Yet, they are all centrally located; within easy walking distance of the top attractions and the best restaurants town.

Best Hotel for Business Travelers in Cagliari: T Hotel

T Hotel is quite centrally located, nestled right by the Teatro Lirico and directly in front of the Parco della Musica, which is a quaint park. It has stupendously spacious rooms but is most known for its out-of-this-world spa and the luxe lounge bar that mixes up mean cocktails. The public are allowed to access the spa and lounge, so you’re likely to see lots of locals there—not just tourists! T Hotel is one of the best hotels in Cagliari for business travelers.

Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

Make sure to read my post 10 Parks In Cagliari You Should Visit.

Best Hotel for Couples in Cagliari: Villa Fanny

Villa Fanny is near the University of Cagliari, very close to the Roman Amphitheater and the Botanical Garden. In fact, it lies only a brief ten-minute stroll from Stampace, the beating heart of town, where you can check out the best restaurants and bars the city has to offer. The hotel has an extraordinary eye for detail; each room is decorated differently, with artisan furnishings and eye-catching style. There’s also a gourmet restaurant on-site to dine at. 

Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

hotels in Cagliari
You’ll find many excellent hotels in Cagliari

Best Hotel for Budget-Minded Travelers in Cagliari: Hostel Marina

Hostel Marina is located in La Marina district, an area jam-packed with restaurants, pubs, cafes, and bars. This is one of the best hostels in Cagliari if you are looking to socialize and make new friends. Indeed, it does attract a younger clientele. Moreover, Hostel Marina hosts weekly events to keep the good vibes going! As Hostel Marina offers both private rooms and dormitories, if you weren’t looking to sleep in a bunk bed with roommates—don’t worry! Hostel Marina has budget-friendly options for everyone.

Click here for the latest rates and here for reviews.

what to do in Cagliari
Castello is home to some nice boutique hotels

The Nicest Hotels in Cagliari By Neighborhood

Castello – Best for History Lovers

Do you have a hankering for history and mystery? The Castello district is one of the most gloriously historic areas in Cagliari, and just happens to be in one of the most photogenic places in the city. This district has some of Cagliari’s must-see sites, like the Towers, the Archeology Museum, the Cathedral, and the Palazzo Viceregio. It’s the oldest part of the city, on a hill. It is filled with tiny, meandering streets that stream through the area, perfect for strolling and exploring.

One of the difficulties about staying there is the lack of public transportation. Since Castello has such narrow streets, the buses can’t reach there, and non-resident cars are only allowed access for a few hours a day. That being said, it is within easy walking distance of a few bus stops that will lead you to other areas of the city should you wish to go.

In Castello, you’ll find tiny guest houses filled with warm, friendly faces and boutique hotels oozing old-world charm. There are also a lot of self-catering apartments available to rent.

INSIDER PRO-TIP: If you intend to rent a car in Cagliari, make sure you double-check the timetable of non-resident vehicles being allowed in and out of the district. I would recommend using the parking lots by the gates of Castello district. It will be a short walk to your hotel.

Best Hotels in Castello 

where to stay in Cagliari
La Marina is one of the liveliest parts of Cagliari

La Marina – Best For Nightlife Lovers & Foodies

La Marina district is a vibrant neighborhood with abundant historical and religious heritage. Once home to the fishermen and traders in Cagliari, it is now home to the best restaurants and bars in Cagliari. Head to Kobuta for the best fusion food in tow!

La Marina is multi-cultural, diverse, and chock full of fantastic clubs, pubs, and bars. There is even nightlife for those who don’t want to drink and dance— everything from jazz concerts to book readings.

This neighborhood is also positively brimming with gorgeous antiquated churches, like the Church of San Francesco da Paola, the Church of Sant’Eulalia, Church of Sant’Agostino, and the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, to just name a few!

INSIDER PRO-TIP: La Marina is closed to non-resident cars. However, if you have rented a car, there is a large parking lot next to the train station that you can use. Another option is parking in the lots that line Via Roma.

Best Hotels in La Marina

Stampace
Stampace is packed with beautiful churches

Stampace – Where to Stay in Cagliari for a Blend of History & Nightlife

Stampace is a dynamic district in Cagliari that seems to be a perfect blend of the best the capital city has to offer. There are plenty of sights to see, restaurants to try, and bars to drink at. This was where the medieval working class lived. The name Stampace comes from an adage, “stai in pace,” meaning, “go in peace.” It was a farewell to those who were tossed out of Castello.

I’ve always loved walking around Stampace, meandering through the alleys and soaking up colorful buildings and narrow streets. The ancient Roman amphitheater is also located in Stampace.

INSIDER PRO-TIP: Each year, there is an epic parade (Sant’Efisio parade) that occurs on May 1, which actually begins in Stampace. If you’re planning a trip to Cagliari around the end of April to the beginning of May, make sure to book far in advance to get a great hotel to observe all the festivities below!

Best places to stay in Stampace

Piazza San Domenico
Piazza San Domenico, in Villanova, is one of the nicest in town

Villanova – Best Area for Families

Villanova is the quietest and most peaceful of all Cagliari’s historic districts, yet still within a few minutes’ walk of the top sites in Cagliari. Restaurants, cafes, and sightseeing is all at your fingertips there.

Founded in the 13th century, peasants from the surrounding countryside around Cagliari began moving into this area to take advantage of new business opportunities.

Villanova is also home to some of my favorite churches in Cagliari, San Giacomo – built in the Gothic-Catalan style around the year 1360. It sits right at the foot of Castello and at the end of two of Cagliari’s most famous shopping streets—Via Sulis and Via Garibaldi. Another beautiful place to visit there is the Cloister of San Domenico.

While the two shopping streets can get quite busy, overall, Villanova is a tranquil and subdued district, where you can find a peaceful oasis.

Keep in mind that there is very limited access to Villanova by non-resident cars. However, there are a few large parking lots right outside the district to utilize.

INSIDER PRO- TIP: Need groceries? The Mercato di San Benedetto is the largest market in the capital city and the perfect place to stock up on all kinds of goodies! Villanova is just a stone’s throw away from Mercato di San Benedetto.

Best places to stay in Villanova

Poetto
Staying in Poetto will give you easy access to the beach and Molentargius nature reserve

Poetto – Where to Stay in Cagliari for Nature Lovers

Are you in dire need of a hefty dose of nature? How does easy access to the beach, the trails, and a nature reserve sound? Poetto is for you.

Poetto is just a ten-minute drive from the city center and easily accessed by public transportation. With eight kilometers of sandy shoreline, this is the main beach in Cagliari. You’ll find locals enjoying Poetto beach in all seasons, year-round, whether they are jogging along the path that runs parallel to the sand or lounging on a sun-bed with a book. Poetto Beach is one of the best parts of Cagliari.

There are also lots of cafes and restaurants to enjoy, perfect for soaking up some sunshine and crisp Mediterranean air. The cafes and restaurants on Poetto cover the spectrum from opulent and extravagant – like Le Palmette – all the way to casual and funky, like the Twist.

Right behind Poetto Beach is Molentargius Nature Reserve, a lagoon where rare birds, including pink flamingos, gather.

As a side note, fairly close to Poetto is Calamosca, another incredible beach in Cagliari that has rewarding hiking trails.

TIP: All the restaurants, shops, stalls, and vendors are open for business during peak tourist season in the hot summer months. However, if you’re planning a stay in the winter, most businesses will be shut down. Just a few local restaurants and bars will be open daily— make sure to call ahead to see if your eatery of choice is open!

Check out my complete guide to Poetto here.

Best places to stay in Poetto

Further Readings About Cagliari

Make sure to read my other posts about Cagliari:

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Discover the best hotels in Cagliari - via @c_tavani

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