Best Guide To Molentargius Natural Park

Molentargius Natural Park is an unmissable place to visit in Cagliari.

Not many people outside Sardinia know this, but the island is a fantastic birdwatching destination, and one of the best places to do that is actually Cagliari, the capital.

That’s where you’ll find the Parco di Molentargius – Molentargius Natural Park, in English; an incredible oasis where a variety of species live. It’s one of my favorite natural parks in Sardinia.

No trip to Cagliari is complete without a stop at Molentargius, also known as Parco delle Saline.

Loved by locals, who visit on a regular basis throughout the year, many tourists find that visiting this vast park is the highlight of their time in Cagliari and learn to appreciate how such a pristine place is located in the very heart of the city.

I go to Molentargius all the time – for walks, to run, to breathe fresh air and to admire the pink flamingos that call this place home. I am ready to tell you more so that you can plan your visit.

Curious to find out more about Molentargius, and how to visit? Continue reading!

What Is Molentargius?

Molentargius was originally a saltworks and is located between Cagliari and Quartu Sant’Elena municipalities.

It has historically been a salt extraction site since Punic times. Salt extraction continued until 1985. In 1999 Molentargius became a Ramsar Wetland thanks to the variety of species (especially birds), both permanent and migratory, nesting there.

The area is currently 1600 hectares wide and divided into several ponds with their own micro-environment: each environment has different features depending on the water’s salinity, which varies for every pond.

The main ponds are the Bellarosa Major, which we call Molentargius (saltwater), the Bellarosa Minor and Perdalonga (freshwater), and the “Ecosistema Filtro” (Filter Ecosystem). The latter is an artificial basin that was built to purify the water meant to refill the main ponds, which then slowly became a nesting area itself.

Other relevant areas are the saltwater ponds of Quartu and Perdabianca.

The Park’s name comes from the Sardinian name for the donkey (molenti) and the persons in charge of leading the animals (used to move the salt) in and out of the area. They were called molentargius, literally meaning “the men who lead the donkeys”.

If you’re wondering what donkeys were doing in such a dangerous, water-filled place, remember that, back then, the area was not a wetland. It was a part of the territory that was appositely and artificially flooded in order to produce and extract salt.

There was plenty of space for the people and animals to go back and forth – and no risk of drowning!

The area became permanently flooded only around 1950 when the urbanization in the vicinity started to cause a massive increase in the water flowing towards the salt works. The terrain wasn’t suitable for absorbing all that water and, year after year, the landscape changed drastically.

Many birds started to use the newly formed basins as a stopover during their migrations (their usual destination is the French Camargue), then several other species permanently settled there.

Nowadays, Molentargius is one of the most important wetlands in Europe and is home to many endangered species and even some red-list ones.

What Animals Can You See In Molentargius?

As I just said, the park is a nesting area for both permanent species and migratory ones, and an essential stopover for the latter. Among the “residents”, it is possible to see several ducks and seagulls’ species, western swamphens, coots, kingfishers, and many others.

The most important of all birds living there, and the symbol of the park and Cagliari itself, is the greater flamingo – the pink flamingo. Famous for its pink plumage, the flamingo was first seen there in 1993 and has been spotted every year ever since.

Its favorite nesting site is the Bellarosa Major pond, and it starts its mating routine around March: if you happen to be visiting from this month onwards, pay attention not to disturb the flamingo colonies.

Flamingos are extremely shy birds that only lay one egg per year. If they get scared, they will likely abandon the nest and possibly not reproduce.

Although they are very majestic animals and you might want to get a closer look, remember you are in their natural habitat and you might disrupt their usual mating routine by being too invasive!

Although the park is mostly famous for the numerous birds it hosts, there are also some other species that permanently live there, such as frogs and toads, turtles and tortoises, some variety of snakes, and common wild mammals (mostly rabbits and hedgehogs).

The flora is quite rich as well and counts many Mediterranean plants, with several endangered species among them.

Practical Guide To The Parco Di Molentargius

How to Get to Molentargius

The easiest way to get to Molentargius is to take the bus from Cagliari (line 3) and get down at the “Via Tramontana” stop. You’ll reach the gateway in five minutes by foot.

Alternatively, you can take PQ or PF buses, get off at Poetto Ospedale Marino stop and walk for about ten minutes till you find the gate right on the waterfront.

If you prefer going by car, it’s a ten minutes’ drive from Cagliari city center to the park’s gates.

Admission and Opening Hours

There is no entry fee to Molentargius, and the park is open from dawn until dusk.

When to Visit Molentargius

The best time to visit Molentargius is, in my opinion, spring or fall. But whatever season you choose to visit, you will enjoy the park.

With regards to the time of day, you’ll find birds to be most active in the early morning hours, or around sunset, so try to schedule your visit around that time.

Guided Tours and Activities

There are plenty things to do in Molentargius. What you do once there is just a matter of personal taste!

Here are some options:

WALKING – There are several trails that suit every person’s need, from casual visitors to experienced hikers -although there’s not much to hike; you can however walk for several hours!

BIKING – If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent a city bike close to the entrance of the park in Viale Poetto (the waterfront). Bikes are the most comfortable way to explore the area in total freedom.

GUIDED TOURS – These are all structured in a way so as not to disturb the animals. You can go on a small bus tour, a bike tour or a steamboat tour. These two guided tour options will give you the possibility to discover the best parts of the park without ever damaging the environment or the animals. You will be accompanied by expert guides. They will teach you everything you need to know in order to make the best of your time in the park.

During the tour, you will also see some of the structures that were used during the salt works’ times, such as dorms, workshops, dining halls, and all that was necessary to the workers’ life.

Here are my favorite guided tours of Molentargius Nature Park:

Guided Bike Tour in the Flamingo Oasis – This 2 hours bike tour starts in the Marina historic district. From there, you will make your way to Molentargius Nature Reserve to see pink flamingos and other species of birds.

Molentargius Natural Park Segway Tour with Coffee – A tour like the one above, but you will move by segway.

Electric Bike Nature Tour – This is the best tour option if you are not too confident on a bike.

What to Wear and Bring When Visiting Molentargius

If you are into birdwatching, you should bring or rent some binoculars. This way, you’ll have a better look at the animals without getting too close. You will enjoy the experience even more.

I also recommend carrying a camera with a long lens. You are visiting a beautiful natural park, so you might as well take some nice pictures, right? You will want a good lens to catch the beautiful birds.

Remember to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Molentargius offers one of the best walks in Cagliari, but it can be tiring. Choose natural colors so as not to stand out too much and scare the animals away. You can bring your dog, but it has to be on leash.

Pin It For Later!