15 Best Things To Do In Cagliari, Sardinia By A Local

There are many great things to do in Cagliari. This is the city where I grew up, and where I live. I know it like the palm of my hand. So you will discover Cagliari through the eyes of a local.

Although Sardinia is a popular summer holiday destination, not many realize that Cagliari, its capital, is a fantastic place to visit year-round and where you are most likely going to learn a great deal about the local history, culture and overall vibe.

Cagliari is a one-of-a-kind city. Perched on the hills and facing the blue waters of the Mediterranean, it has a mix of architectural styles and layers of history that you will want to discover. It’s a great destination for a long weekend, and a perfect starting point for a trip to Sardinia.

In this post, I highlight the many things to do in Cagliari.

Quick Overview of Cagliari

No time to read the entire post? Here’s a quick overview that will help you plan your trip:

Top 5 things to see in Cagliari:

• Castello District & Bastione di Saint Remy
• Cagliari Cathedral
• Roman Amphitheatre & Villa di Tigellio
• San Benedetto Market (now relocated to Piazza Nazzari)
• Molentargius Nature Reserve to spot the pink flamingos

Best local experiences:

• Sunset from Via Santa Croce with a drink at Libarium
• Hiking or kayaking the Sella del Diavolo
• Eating pizzetta sfoglia
• Joining a food or wine tour

Beaches in Cagliari:

• Poetto (long sandy city beach, great year-round)
• Calamosca and Cala Fighera (small coves, clearer water).

How long to stay in Cagliari:

• 2–3 days to explore the city and the beaches
• More if you add day trips to Nora Ruins, Chia Beaches, Su Nuraxi Nuraghe in Barumini, Porto Flavia mines.

Best guided tours of Cagliari:

• Guided tour of Castello District
• Cagliari underground tour
• Molentargius Nature Reserve tour
• Boat tour with 4 stops along the Devil’s Saddle

Where to stay in Cagliari:

• Luxury: Palazzo Tirso
• Boutique: Villa Fanny
• Mid Range: Nautilus
• Budget: Hostel Marina

How to get around Cagliari:

• Walk – it’s a very walkable city
• Public bus to Poetto and Calamosca beach.
• Car for day trips – rent a car via Discover Cars

Need more help planning your trip to Sardinia? Book a travel consultation with me, and join my Facebook Group.

15 Top Things To Do In Cagliari, Sardinia 

Explore the historical center

The historic center of Cagliari is divided into 4 historic quarters: Castello, Stampace, Villanova, and La Marina. They are close together and easy to explore on foot.

This walking tour of the historical center is very well reviewed and it’s an excellent introduction to the city.

Castello is a hilltop citadel where you will see domes, palaces, and towers – this is where the aristocracy of the city used to live in medieval times. It’s a maze of narrow alleys, old buildings that look like they are falling apart, but which hide many a treasure.

These are some of the top things to see in Cagliari’s Castello district:

• Via Stretta – An incredibly narrow street that local residents have adorned with lovely plants.
• Torre di San Pancrazio and Torre dell’Elefante – Watchtowers built at the beginning of the 14th century by the Aragonese rulers. You can go up, but double-check they are actually open before going, as they are occasionally closed for renovation work.
• Cagliari’s Cathedral.
• Cagliari’s Archaeology Museum.
• Palazzo Regio – Also known as Palazzo Viceregio, it was once the residence of the Spanish and Savoy viceroys. It is open daily from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm in the winter and from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm in the summer. It is free to enter, but you must pay a small fee for a guided tour.
• Santa Croce Church – Built on top of a synagogue in an area that, until 1492, housed the Jewish community of Cagliari.
• Bastione di Saint Remy – Cagliari’s grand terrace, built between 1899 and 1902 and offering sweeping city and sea views. Its limestone arches and wide steps make it a favourite spot for sunsets and evening strolls.
• Passeggiata Coperta – Within the walls of the Bastione, it’s a covered walk used for exhibits.

I recommend this guided tour of Castello District run by excellent local operator Arasolé. I have taken the tour myself, and guide Raffaela provides an outstanding description of the life of the district in its heyday, touching on all the most important sites in the area.

My Guide To Castello shares more tips to explore this district of Cagliari.

Cagliari’s version of the city pass is the “Biglietto Integrato Beni Culturali Cagliari” and gives you access to one of the towers, the Roman Amphitheater, Santa Restituta Crypt, and Villa di Tigellio. Just make sure that all sites are actually open before getting a city pass, as there often are maintenance works and closures.

Stampace, another historic district of the city, was Cagliari’s working-class district in Medieval times. Much like Castello, it’s a series of narrow alleys and low-rise colorful buildings, and there are some of the prettiest churches in Cagliari here.

These are some of the top attractions in Cagliari’s Stampace District:

• Santa Restituta Crypt – It has been used since pre-Christian times and houses some interesting frescoes.
• Sant’Efisio Church – It’s where the Sant’Efisio procession starts on 1 May each year.
• Sant’Anna Church.
• San Michele Church.
• Cagliari’s Botanical Gardens and Orto dei Cappuccini.
• Roman Amphitheater.
• Villa Tigellio.
• Corso Vittorio Emanuele II for restaurants and bars.
• Palazzo Civico – Cagliari’s beautiful City Hall was built between 1899 and 1913. You can visit it on guided tours on Saturday, but you have to book them in advance.

I have a Guide To What To See And Do In Stampace that you should read for more information.

Villanova is a colorful area that has recently become one of the trendiest of Cagliari. It’s my personal favorite historic district of the city (and it’s not by chance I chose to live here). You’ll find lots of low-rise buildings, some of the prettiest squares in Cagliari, trendy bars, and nice churches.

These are some of the best things to do in Cagliari’s Villanova District:

• Stop for a coffee at Antico Caffé, one of Cagliari’s historic cafés.
• Discover street art in Via San Saturnino.
• Shopping in Via Garibaldi and Via Sulis.
• Hang out in Piazza San Domenico.
• Dinner at Babeuf.
• Visit San Giacomo Church.
• San Saturnino Basilica – One of the oldest churches in Cagliari.

My post, What To See In The Villanova District of Cagliari, will help you plan your visit.

La Marina is the fourth historic district of Cagliari, and – together with Stampace – the local hub for nightlife. Much like the rest of the historic center, it’s a series of narrow streets and colorful buildings.

These are some of the top attractions in Cagliari’s La Marina District:

• Via Roma – Cagliari’s gorgeous street facing the harbor.
• La Rinascente – Fabulous department store in a beautiful building.
• Sant’Eulalia Church.
• Sant’Eulalia Museum – You can see the ruins of Roman roads and Roman villas.

For a fun experience and to avoid having to walk up and down the many hills of Cagliari, you could opt for this Cagliari segway tour, which is one of the most popular offers in the city, or a Cagliari tour by vintage Fiat 500.

Finally, there is also an excellent bike tour which takes you to the various historic districts. Don’t worry, you can opt to have an electric bike too!

I have a Local Guide To La Marina District that you can read to find out more.

Visit the archeological sites

There is no doubt that one of the things to do in Cagliari is to visit the archaeological sites that are just in the city. Indeed, you don’t have to get out of town to discover ancient ruins.

One of the top things to see in Cagliari is the Roman Amphitheater. You can access the site from Viale Sant’Ignazio. It dates from the 2nd century AD, when it was entirely carved in the rock. It could hold up to 10000 people.

Back in the day, the Roman Amphitheater hosted gladiator fights and public events. Until recent times, it was used for concerts and other events (I went to several ones). Today, you can walk around the upper paths and see the arena’s oval shape and remaining rock-cut seating. Its setting above the city adds atmosphere.

The Roman Amphitheater is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Another interesting site is Villa di Tigellio, not far from Cagliari’s Botanical Gardens. Believed to be the residence of poet and musician Tigellio Ermogene, this wasn’t a single villa but a small residential complex (known in Latin as insula) dating from the 1st century AD, with remains of houses, courtyards, and bath structures.

Unfortunately, Villa Tigellio is currently closed, but you can still observe it from the outside: you can see mosaics, columns, and heating systems that once belonged to a wealthy Roman neighborhood.

One of the best hidden gems in Cagliari that not many tourists ever explore is the Necropoli of Tuvixeddu. This is the largest Punic necropolis in the Mediterranean and one of Cagliari’s most atmospheric archaeological sites.

Tuvixeddu Necropolis is spread across a limestone hill just outside the city center. It contains hundreds of rock-cut tombs dating from the 6th to the 3rd century BC. You can explore it to observe chamber entrances carved into the stone and traces of ancient stairways descending into the hillside. Visiting is free.

I have a Guide To Visiting Tuvixeddu Necropolis that you may want to read before you go.

Finally, to discover a unique side of the city’s past, one of the coolest things to do in Cagliari is to visit its underground. The city is incredibly stratified, something you can truly grasp on a Cagliari Underground experience. Keep in mind that you can’t do this independently, so you have to look for a local guide who knows where to take you.

I recommend joining this guided tour of Cagliari underground. My friend and I took it, and learned so much about the history of our city. The tour walks you through the shelter tunnels built during WWII. It also shows other more ancient parts of Cagliari underground, for example, the Santa Restituta Crypt and the Sant’Eulalia Museum. There, you can catch a glimpse of the Roman ruins Cagliari is built on.

Make sure to also read my post What To See In Cagliari Underground for more information.

And the museums

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale is one of the unmissable attractions in Cagliari. This is located in Piazza dell’Arsenale, in Castello.

The museum, which is spread across three floors, has an exquisite collection of bronzetti (bronze figurines), and will give you a taste of the nuragic civilization of Sardinia.

You will also be able to admire the Mont’e Prama Giants (the others are located in the Cabras’ Museo Civico, in the Sinis Peninsula, near Oristano). These are enormous stone statues which have been dated to the 8th and 9th centuries BC. They are still the subject of research and have an aura of mystery.

Make sure to visit the museum before you visit important nuragic sites such as Su Nuraxi, or Roman settlements in Sardinia, such as the ruins of Nora or Tharros. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays and national holidays.

Next to the archaeology museum, the Pinacoteca Nazionale is an art gallery with pieces dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries, with works of Catalan and Genoese artists, as well as Sardinian ones.

Another museum in Cagliari that you should visit is the Galleria Comunale d’Arte. You will find it inside the Giardini Pubblici, in a beautiful neoclassical building. It holds Sardinian and Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries, the private collection of art collector Francesco Paolo Ingrao.

Here you can see the works of painters and sculptors who shaped modern Italian art, along with pieces by notable Sardinian artists such as Francesco Ciusa.

Spending more time in Sardinia? My post Best Museums In Sardinia suggests other interesting museums to visit.

Visit a church

There are many churches to visit in Cagliari (more than I can mention here). My favorite ones are below:

The most impressive church in Cagliari is, by all means, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria. It is located in Piazza Palazzo in the historic district of Castello, and it was built in the 13th century in Roman-Gothic style.

The original façade was also in Gothic style, but was changed in 1704 when it was given a more Baroque style. The façade was once again dismantled and replaced by a neo-Romanesque style one in 1931.

Inside, the church is a mixture of styles: Gothic and Baroque are clearly visible. It has a beautifully decorated crypt which holds the tombs of the members of the Savoy royal family. For a small fee, you can climb the bell tower for incredible views of the city.

The Cathedral is open every day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The bell tower is open from Monday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Another impressive church is the Basilica di Bonaria. The church overlooks Cagliari from a hill east of the port, and it’s one of the most beloved landmarks in the city. It’s part of a religious complex that also includes the small sanctuary next door.

The sanctuary dates from the 14th century, and it’s in Catalan-Gothic style. It holds the relics of a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Legend says that the Virgin Mary saved a Spanish ship from sinking in the 14th century.

Construction of the church started in 1704, but the church was only consecrated and named as a Basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1926. The church houses the revered statue of Our Lady of Bonaria, patroness of Sardinia. The basilica’s terrace offers wide views over the city and sea, making it a peaceful stop just a short walk from the historic center.

Right below the church, you will find the Bonaria Monumental Cemetery. You can visit it independently or on guided tours. It’s really worth it, as it feels like an open-air art gallery with beautiful statues by prominent artists such as Giuseppe Sartorio.

You can book this Bonaria Cemetery tour that will take you through its history and the most important statues and mausoleums there.

These are some other notable churches in Cagliari:

• San Saturnino Basilica – The oldest church on the island, built over a Roman necropolis.
• San Michele Church – Built in Rococo style.
• Sant’Efisio Church – famous for being the starting point of the Sant’Efisio parade every 1 May.

My post, Most Beautiful Churches in Sardinia, highlights gorgeous churches around the island.

Take in all the views

There are many places in Cagliari from where you can get stunning views, and it helps that Cagliari is on the hills and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

These are my favorite places in Cagliari for views:

• Bastione di Santa Croce – Located in Via Santa Croce, there’s a terrace that’s perfect for views any time of day, but the sunset over the roofs of Stampace is quite a show. For an even better experience, grab a drink at Libarium Nostrum, a local bar where they serve excellent cocktails
• Bastione di San Remy – Accessible either from Via Università in Castello or from a beautiful staircase in Piazza Costituzione.
• Piazzetta Mafalda – Another nice terrace overlooking the Molentargius Nature Reserve, where pink flamingos live.
• Panoramic point on the Devil’s Saddle – You get impressive views of Poetto Beach and the Gulf of Angels. You get there via a hike (more in a bit).
• Fortino di Sant’Ignazio – It overlooks the Gulf of Cagliari. It’s another great sunset spot.

Go to the market

If you want to learn more about the food culture of Sardinia, one of the things to do in Cagliari is to visit a local market.

There are many around town, but my favorite one is Mercato di San Benedetto, Cagliari’s main fish and seafood market, which also has a great section on fresh produce (fruits and vegetables), local breads, cheeses (it’s a great place to taste Sardinian pecorino cheese), meats etc.

Unfortunately, the building where San Benedetto Market is located is closed for renovations as of 1 March 2025. You will find the stands and stalls in Piazza Nazzari, next to Cagliari’s Teatro Lirico.

You can visit San Benedetto Market on your own – go there to shop for groceries if you are staying in an apartment and have a kitchen. It’s where I buy my fruits and vegetables too. My favorite stand for fruits and vegetables is “Ughetto.” If you want to buy fish or seafood, I recommend looking for “Alessio.”

To discover all local specialties, you could join this guided tour of the new San Benedetto Market led by a local guide.

Make sure to check out my post, 5 Markets In Cagliari For Your Shopping Needs, which points out more local markets worth visiting.

Try local food

Speaking of markets and food culture, one of the top things to do in Cagliari is to eat! Food in Cagliari is fantastic, and you’ll find some specialties that you won’t see in the rest of Italy.

Here are some traditional Sardinian dishes that you can try in Cagliari:

• Malloreddus – Also known as gnocchetti sardi in Italian, this pasta doesn’t resemble the gnocchi you may know at all.
• Culurgiones – Stuffed pasta typical of the Ogliastra region, but easy to find in restaurants in Cagliari.
• Fregola con le Arselle – Not exactly a pasta, nor a soup. It’s a unique “primo piatto” (first course, as we say here) that’s typical of the capital of Sardinia, typically served with clams or seafood.
• Burrida alla Cagliaritana – Unique to Cagliari, it’s an appetizer made with dogfish.
• Seadas – Light pastries filled with a mild pecorino, fried and served hot with honey. They are easy to find as dessert in all the best local restaurants, and there’s also Sa Seada, which only serves seadas, located in Via Portoscalas in the Stampace district.
• Pardule – Lovely sweet treat made with ricotta cheese and saffron.
• Sardinian cheese – Pecorino is the king of Sardinian cheese, and the best one is Fiore Sardo DOP. Casu Marzu (Sardinia’s famous rotten cheese) is not for the faint of heart.
• Pizzetta sfoglia – The name may resemble pizza, but it’s not similar at all. It’s a phyllo pastry stuffed with tomato sauce, anchovies, capers, and a hint of tomatoes. You’ll find it in the best coffee shops and bakeries in Cagliari.

Of course, you should also try gelato. It may not be a strictly local specialty, but we have some excellent gelaterie here in Cagliari. My personal favorite is Soncini in Via Dante.

Opt for a food tour or even a cooking class to learn more about our food and culinary traditions.

I recommend this walking tour of Cagliari with wine and food tasting: you will sample some of the best local staples (including street food) and get drinks along the way too.

I also recommend you try this culurgiones cooking class to unveil the mystery of one of the most complex yet rewarding (and delicious) pasta dishes in Sardinia.

My post, The Best Cooking Classes In Sardinia, will help you pick the class that’s best for you.

And these are my favorite restaurants in Cagliari:

• Framento – The best pizza in Cagliari, prepared with only local ingredients.
• Stella Marina di Montecristo – For good fish and seafood at very reasonable prices, this trattoria in La Marina district is the place to go. Book in advance as they are always busy.
• Sabores – Also in La Marina district, here you can try local meats and cheeses, to accompany the best local wines. Ask owner Samuele for his wine recommendations.
• Bombas – By far the best burgers in town, it’s located in the Castello district in Via Università. Burgers are prepared with local ingredients, so, in a way, you are eating traditional food!
• Duanima – It’s in Via Satta, just outside the historic center. Chef Luca is, quite simply, a genius. But don’t expect to have anything traditional.
• Chiaroscuro – Chef Marina Ravarotto revisits dishes of the local tradition, such as malloreddus alla campidanese or su filindeu, in a more contemporary key. It’s a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

I also have a post on The Best Vegan Restaurants in Cagliari.

Attend Sant’Efisio Parade

One of the most interesting things to see in Cagliari, if you happen to be there between May 1st and May 4th, is the Sant’Efisio Parade.

This is one of the most important festivals in Sardinia, which has been celebrated for more than four centuries and embodies all the traditional aspects of Sardinia, from clothing to Sardinian singing and music, and dances.

During the celebrations on May 1st, representatives of a selection of towns and villages in Sardinia parade in their traditional costumes through the streets of Stampace: they walk from Sant’Efisio Church in Cagliari to Sant’Efisio Church in Nora, about 50 km (31 miles) from the city, making stops along the way.

They accompany the statue of the saint, which parades on a beautifully adorned carriage pulled by bulls.

On the evening of May 4th, the statue is accompanied back to Sant’Efisio Church.

You should also read my post, A Short Guide To Sant’Efisio Festival, for more information on this fantastic celebration.

Go to an art exhibit  

Cagliari has a thriving cultural scene, with art exhibits, concerts, and shows.

These are my favorite places in Cagliari to catch an exhibit:

• Ex Ma – The former abattoir, located in the Villanova District.
• Lazzaretto – Located in a beautiful spot by the sea in Sant’Elia. If you happen to be in Sardinia during the Christmas period, don’t miss the Christmas market there, where local artisans sell their products.
• Castello di San Michele – One of the best-kept castles in Sardinia, it’s a fortification located on top of a hill overlooking the city (great for sunset views), which dates from the 10th century – it became the residence of the Carroz, a powerful local family, in the 14th century.
• Palazzo di Città – Located right next to the Cathedral, it holds some of the most interesting exhibits in Cagliari.

Make sure to check the official websites for more information on what exhibits are available when you visit.

Jump into the local nightlife

Nightlife in Cagliari is thriving in any season, and you are bound to find something that suits your taste.

During the summer months, there’s a wealth of bars along Poetto Beach or by Calamosca Beach that play music (often live music) and offer drinks from aperitivo time till late.

These are my favorite bars in Cagliari in the summer:

• Le Terrazze – Gorgeous location overlooking Calamosca Beach, they often have live bands and DJ sets.
• La Paillote – Fabulous bar and restaurant in an exclusive location in Cala Fighera. It’s open throughout the day, but it’s great at sunset.
• Frontemare – In Poetto Beach, but in Cagliari’s neighboring city Quartu Sant’Elena, it regularly organizes wine and food tasting events accompanied by live music.

Throughout the year, will find most of the drinking holes in Cagliari located in the historic districts of La Marina and Stampace, with Corso Vittorio Emanuele II having the largest offering of bars and pubs (as well as restaurants).

The ones below are my favorite places in Cagliari to go out at night (throughout the year):

• Florio – Fun, easygoing bar in the Villanova district, in one of the prettiest squares in Cagliari. Locals love it.
• B Flat – In Via del Pozzetto (outside the city center), it regularly has live music, and it’s a fun spot to dance, perfect for an older audience. You need to reserve a table in advance. I also recommend checking the calendar of their events to make sure a genre you like is playing.
• Caffé de Candia – Located just by the Bastione di Saint Remy, it is perfect for a drink with friends.
• Libarium Nostrum – Probably my favorite spot in town for drinks with a view. They make excellent cocktails.
• Gemini – A newer spot in Via Santa Croce, not far from Libarium Nostrum. You will find great cocktails, and the location is charming.

Make sure to check out my post, A Guide To Cagliari’s Best Bars, for more ideas on bars to get a drink. I also have a post on the Best Wine Bars In Cagliari and one on the Best Aperitivo Spots In Cagliari.

Spend a day at the beach (one of the things to do in Cagliari in the summer)

Regardless of the season, we locals in Cagliari love going to the beach. We can’t really do without it, and any excuse is good to go – a coffee with friends, a sunset drink, a walk for fresh air, a swim, and even running and biking.

These are the best city beaches that you can easily reach by public transport:

• Poetto – A long stretch of fine sand and clear waters, with a fabulous running and biking trail. It can get terribly crowded during the summer months, but we love it all the same. You will find kiosks to have a drink and a meal, and places to rent umbrellas and whatever else you may need for the day.
• Calamosca – A small cove on the other side of Sella del Diavolo, with calm, clear waters. There is a kiosk.
• Cala Fighera – A popular naturist beach that requires a bit of a hike to get to. It’s gorgeous. You can also get there by kayak from Poetto Beach.

My post, The 7 Best Beaches In Cagliari, shares more beaches to visit in the city.

To make the most of Cagliari’s hidden swimming holes, you may want to join a boat or kayak tour. I recommend this boat tour with 4 stops along the Devil’s Saddle. It’s a half-day tour that takes you right under the Devil’s Saddle, for the best snorkeling in the city.

My post, The Best Boat Trips In Cagliari, will help you pick the best tour around the coast of Cagliari.

Hike or kayak the Sella del Diavolo

What if I told you that hiking is one of the top things to do in Cagliari? We have trails in the city, so we don’t have to get out of town to catch views or feel at one with nature.

The Sella del Diavolo – one of Cagliari’s most recognisable landmarks – is a rocky promontory that rises above the Poetto coastline. Its name, “Devil’s Saddle,” comes from a local legend saying the devil once tried to claim the Gulf of Cagliari but was thrown from his horse, leaving behind the saddle-shaped ridge.

Today, it’s a protected natural park and one of the best places in Cagliari for an easy hike with stunning views.

The trail to reach the panoramic spot departs from Calamosca, right behind the Hotel Calamosca by the beach. It’s easy to follow and well-marked, and it goes through the Mediterranean scrub and by old fortifications.

Once you get to the top, the views of Poetto beach and Molentargius Nature Reserve are just stunning. It should take you about one hour to get to the top, depending on how often you stop.

My post, A Complete Guide To The Sella Del Diavolo, shares a detailed description of how to hike to the viewpoints.

Good to know: Not far from Calamosca Beach, you can access another trail that goes to the Fortino di Sant’Ignazio, a fort (of which not much remains) that dates from 1792. It is close to a lighthouse and a Spanish watch tower, and the views from there are stunning.

If you want to see the Sella del Diavolo from a different perspective, one of the best things to do in Cagliari is a boat or kayak tour. I went on a kayaking tour last summer, and the coves and grottoes we visited were stunning. We also learned a lot about the local history and admired several bird species.

The best time for kayaking around the Sella del Diavolo is in the morning, as the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon and there may be strong currents.

I recommend this kayaking tour around the Sella del Diavolo. Your local guide will take you to all the best spots to snorkel and swim, and to visit the small caves in the area. The tour lasts 4 hours.

If you don’t feel like kayaking, I recommend this boat tour with 4 stops along the Devil’s Saddle. Alternatively, there’s also this catamaran tour with aperitifs, which is another excellent option.

Admire pink flamingoes in their natural habitat

Bird watchers visiting Cagliari must go to Molentargius Nature Reserve. This oasis in the city is one of the best places in Sardinia to see pink flamingoes and other species of birds.

We locals love going there for walks, runs (there are even running races there), and to just admire the animals in their natural environment. It’s a particularly beautiful place to visit in the spring and fall months.

You can access Molentargius Nature Reserve from several places in town. The easiest one for you is likely going to be Poetto Beach. The gate is close to the Ospedale Marino bus stop. The park is open every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in the summer, and from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm in the winter. There is no admission fee. Bring mosquito repellent!

You can explore Molentargius Nature Reserve independently, and it’s really not hard to spot the pink flamingos. However, this is a place rich in history (it’s the former salt pans of Cagliari) and wildlife, and having a guide may be better to navigate the park, which is fairly big, and to understand its history and nature.

I recommend this 2-hour bike tour in the flamingo oasis – the views along the way are incredible, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Make sure to read my post, A Complete Guide to Molentargius, for more information on how to visit this park.

Visit a park

There are many nice parks and gardens in Cagliari. They are perfect places to visit for families with children, and also to observe a bit of local life. Locals – including myself – go there for a walk, to run, or to simply relax for a bit. Most of them are either in the city center or easy to access by public transport.

Here are my favorite parks in Cagliari:

• Monte Urpinu – A pine grove with a small pond at the center. I often go there to run when I want to focus on my strength, as there are several hills to puff along.
• Monte Claro – Outside the city center, also on the hills, and equally well kept.
• Tuvixeddu – Already mentioned above, it’s a large necropolis where you feel like your walk in nature has a historical flavor.
• Terramaini – The newest park in town, which can be accessed from several spots. It’s home to a large colony of beautiful cats.
• San Michele – Another favorite of runners, it’s right below the San Michele Castle, outside the city center, but easy to reach on public transport.
• Bosco dei Cappuccini – Closer to the historic center, it has lounge chairs and tables perfect for a picnic.
• Giardini Pubblici – Between the Castello and Villanova districts, it’s where I spent many Sunday afternoons as a child. Inside, there’s the Galleria Comunale d’Arte.
• Botanical Gardens – Opened for the first time in 1858, they are home to more than 3000 species of flora. Make sure not to miss the remains of the Punic cistern and of the Roman quarry. There’s a small fee to visit.

Go on a day trip out of the city

The chances you will be stuck with nothing to do in Cagliari are very slim, but if you feel the urge to get out of the city, the choice is massive. There are many places to visit in Cagliari’s surroundings, perfect for a day trip from the capital city.

Continue reading for my selection of recommended day trips.

Wine tasting in Serdiana

Serdiana is a small town just a 25-minute drive from Cagliari, where my mom is from (so of course I know it really well). Small as it is, it’s a treasure chest of wineries (there are 5 excellent ones), so it’s the perfect place to taste Sardinian wines.

These wineries in Serdiana all offer wine tasting experiences:

• Argiolas – One of the most famous wineries in Sardinia.
• Pala.
• Audarya.

Wine isn’t the only thing on offer in Serdiana. While there, take your chance to visit Santa Maria di Sibiola, a tiny countryside Romanesque church (it’s where my parents and my sister got married). Not far from it, Su Stani Saliu is a salt pond where you can spot pink flamingos.

Next to Serdiana, the small town of Dolianova has the impressive San Pantaleo Church, where you can admire a gorgeous retablo.

You can, of course, drive to Serdiana. However, I recommend opting for a guided tour so you don’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

You may want to opt for this winery and oil mill tasting tour from Cagliari that goes to Serdiana’s wineries.

For a more complete experience, I recommend this food and wine tour that also goes to the Santa Maria di Sibiola Church.

San Sperate for street art

Another place that’s easy to visit from Cagliari is San Sperate, one of Sardinia’s best-kept secrets.

Known as a paese-museo (museum village), the streets of San Sperate are covered in murals and sculptures that turn a simple walk into an open-air art tour.

The town’s modern identity is tied to Pinuccio Sciola, the Sardinian sculptor who transformed San Sperate in the 1960s and later became famous for his pietre sonore—“sound stones” that produce musical tones when touched.

You can experience his work in the Giardino Sonoro, a peaceful garden where Sciola’s basalt and limestone sculptures are exhibited. It’s best to book a guided tour – you may be as lucky as I was to have the daughter of Sciola himself be your guide, and play the musical stones as if they were an instrument.

You will need a car to get to San Sperate – it’s a 30-minute drive from the center of Cagliari. Alternatively, you can

Alternatively, you can join a guided tour. I recommend this San Sperate murales tour that includes transportation from Cagliari and a guide to take you around the village.

Barumini and the Giara Plateau

If you are an archeology geek, make sure to visit at least one nuraghe during your trip to Sardinia. The Nuraxi di Barumini is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sardinia and the most famous nuraghe in Sardinia.

The site dates back to the Bronze Age and offers the clearest window into Sardinia’s prehistoric civilization. It is centered on a structure composed by several towers, surrounded by a thick defensive wall and a maze-like village of circular stone huts.

Once you get there, you can join one of the guided tours that depart at regular intervals in a variety of languages (you can’t explore on your own) and that take you through narrow passages, interior chambers, and lookout points that reveal how advanced the Nuragic people were in engineering and community planning.

Su Nuraxi is easy to visit from Cagliari – it takes less than one hour by car. Since it is so close, you can pair your visit with a tour of the Giara Plateau, one of the nicest nature reserves in Sardinia, where you can admire the cavallini della Giara, one of the last wild horses in Europe. It’s best to join a guided tour as guides know exactly where to go to spot the animals.

If you don’t want to use public transport and don’t have a car, you could join this half-day tour of Su Nuraxi di Barumini that also goes to the Giara Plateau. Keep in mind that it does not include the admission fee to the site.

Make sure to read my posts, A Quick Guide To Visiting Su Nuraxi, Sardinia, and A Guide To The Altopiano Della Giara Di Gesturi, for more information that will help you plan your visits.

Ruins of Nora and time at the beach

Another site that is easy to visit on day trips from Cagliari is the ruins of Nora. You’ll find it in Pula, a small town about an hour’s drive from Cagliari.

This is one of the oldest settlements on the island. It was founded by the Phoenicians and later expanded by the Romans, and it sits on a narrow peninsula surrounded by clear turquoise water. Here, you can see Roman baths, mosaics, temples, streets, and the remains of a small theater overlooking the sea.

You can explore independently, or hire a guide once you get to the site (best to book in advance in the peak season).

If you don’t want to drive, you could also join this guided tour of Nora that includes transportation from Cagliari.

Good to know: If you are visiting in the summer months, you can easily pair your trip to Nora with one of the beaches in the area, such as Su Giudeu, known for its beautiful sand dunes and clear waters, or Cala Cipolla, a smaller sheltered cove, both in the Chia area.

Porto Flavia historic mine

One of the finest examples of mining architecture in Sardinia is Porto Flavia, on the southwest coast of Sardinia near Iglesias, about a 1.5-hour drive from Cagliari.

Built in the 1920s, it’s not a port in the traditional sense but an ingenious mining facility carved directly into the cliff face above the sea. Ore from the mountains was transported through tunnels and loaded straight onto ships below—an engineering marvel for its time.

You can join a guided tour that leads you through the tunnels, explaining the lives of the miners and the ambitious project. The final viewpoint, opening onto the cliffs and the blue waters below, is nothing short of spectacular. You could try to time it with sunset, which is really beautiful in this part of Sardinia.

Local tip: If you want the views of the actual harbor, you need to rent a kayak or join a boat tour from Masua Pan di Zucchero beach.

Good to know: If you visit in the summer, you can pair it with a day at the beach in Masua Pan di Zucchero.

An easy hike

If hiking is your thing, you will find many excellent hikes that are easy to do using Cagliari as a base.

From Pinus Village, about an hour’s drive from Cagliari, there’s a trail known as the Roman Road, which is indeed an ancient Roman road that went along the coast. The views along the hike are stunning. You can stop for lunch at the beach in Cordolinu islet. If you continue following the trail, you’ll get all the way to Chia.

If you are looking for a guided hike, check out this half-day ancient Roman Road hike – it’s an easy hike on a trail that is easy to follow. I have done it many times, and each time I am impressed with the views.

There’s another coastal trail that starts by Cala Cipolla Beach, near Chia, and takes you by the Faro di Capo Spartivento, a restored lighthouse that now houses one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Sardinia. The trail, which is easy to follow, will take you to Perda Longa and Cala Antoniareddu, two of the most secluded beaches in South Sardinia.

You could also consider a trail in the Capoterra Mountains. It’s not far from Cagliari, and takes you to the Gola Is Cioffus, a canyon that’s smaller in scale than Su Gorropu (one of the deepest canyons in Europe), but just as scenic. In this case, the trail is not as well marked, and you may be better off hiring a local guide.

Check out my post, The Best Hikes In Sardinia, for more ideas on where to go hiking near Cagliari.

Guided Tours Of Cagliari

Cagliari is easy to explore on your own, but for a better understanding of the city you should consider joining a guided tour.

These are my favorite tours in the city – you can book them on GetYourGuide, my favorite tour provider which has a 24/7 customer service, a flexible cancellation policy and a variety of activities on offer.

Things To Do In Cagliari In 1 Day

Do you only have one day in Cagliari? Here’s how to make the most of it:

Morning – Castello district – Cathedral and towers (if open), Archaeology Museum.

Lunch – One of the many budget restaurants in La Marina or Stampace.

Afternoon: Poetto Beach or Molentargius Nature Reserve to spot pink flamingos.

Sunset: Bastione di Saint Remy or Via Santa Croce terrace.

Dinner: One of my favourite restaurants in Stampace or La Marina.

Staying longer? I have a Full 3-day Cagliari Itinerary that tells you exactly what to do for every day of your stay.

FAQs on Cagliari

Cagliari At A Glance

Region: Sardinia, Italy

Population: ~150,000 in the city (~420,000 metro area).

Historic Districts: Castello, Marina, Stampace, Villanova.

Best known for: medieval bastions, Poetto Beach, Molentargius Nature Reserve (where you can see pink flamingos), Sant’Efisio Parade, seafood and local dishes like fregola con le arselle and burrida alla cagliaritana.

Conclusions: Is Cagliari Worth Visiting?

You have just seen how many things to do in Cagliari you can pick from.

I know that Cagliari will cast a spell on you, much as it did on D. H. Lawrence who in 1920 declared he found it to be “…strange and rather wonderful, not a bit like Italy.” In fact, that’s a common feeling.

Most people who visit think they are going to just another Italian city, but soon realize that there is something different – and they can’t quite put their finger on it.

To give you an idea of how stratified and diverse Cagliari is, let me give you a bit of information about its name. Cagliari comes from the Punic world “Karel” or “Karalis” – which means rocky place and it’s an obvious indication of the morphology of the city.

Founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, Cagliari saw the dominations of – among others – the Romans, the Punics, the Arabs, the Pisans and the Aragonese.

But in Sardinian, one of the official languages of the island (together with Italian and Catalan), we call Cagliari “Casteddu” – a reference to the walled medieval city which had doors that were closed every night.

I hope you decide to visit Cagliari soon. With so many things to see in Cagliari, I am sure it will not disappoint!

Further Readings

Make sure to read my other posts:

• Where Is Sardinia?
• Unmissable Things To Do In Sardinia
• Best Beaches In Sardinia
• A Great Sardinian Food Guide
• Nicest Hotels In Cagliari
• The Most Captivating Castles In Sardinia
• Best Places To Go Shopping In Sardinia
• 5 Lovely Walks In Cagliari To Discover Its Beauty