City Trip Tip: The Picturesque Capital of Sardinia

Azure bays, salt evaporation ponds full of flamingos, narrow streets, and medieval castles. Cagliari is the ideal starting point to discover the beautiful south of the Italian island of Sardinia. But feel free to hang around for a few days: this picturesque capital is the perfect place to relax and soak up the culture for a few days. These are our tips for Cagliari!

1. Go Flamingo Spotting

Just behind Poetto Beach, you'll find the marshland of Stagno di Molentargius: a protected nature reserve where flamingos can be seen all year round. You can find these  beautiful pink birds in Stagno di Cagliari, which is just a few minutes' walk from the center, too. This lagoon, mainly consisting of saltwater, is one of the most important in Europe due to its size and biodiversity. From bird hides, you can spy on the flamingos without disturbing them, as well as 200 other bird species, including herons, barn owls, falcons, and kingfishers.

2. Wander Through the Castello District

The medieval Castello district is the oldest in Cagliari. Once, Castello was a complete fortress, enclosed by city walls that are still largely intact. Now, this district, built on a hill, forms the old town center of Cagliari, offering stunning views of the rest of the city due to its location. Wander through beautiful squares and narrow, medieval streets, admire ancient ruins and cathedrals, and visit the city's main museums.

3. Relax on Poetto Beach

The city borders the Gulf of Cagliari, so within fifteen minutes from Via Roma in the center, you'll have your toes in the white sand of the elongated Poetto Beach. The popular city beach, where azure waters lap, stretches for eight kilometers between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the charming beach bars, rent a sunbed, go kite surfing, or take a long walk along the coast.

4. Visit the Roman Amphitheater

This relatively intact Roman amphitheater, built in the second century AD, is the most important standing monument in Sardinia. Part of the twenty-meter-high façade is carved out of the southern hillside of Buoncammino, while the rest was constructed with local white limestone. Up to ten thousand spectators could witness gladiator fights and public executions until the fifth century AD. During the summer months, concerts and theatrical performances are still regularly held in this historic monument.

5. Climb to the best viewpoints in the city

Like Rome, Cagliari is built on seven hills, which means there are many beautiful viewpoints. For instance, you can enjoy a stunning view from the iconic building Bastione di Saint Remy: a nineteenth-century triumphal arch connecting the Castello district to the Marina and Villanova neighborhoods. From the 14th-century lookout tower Torre dell'Elefante, or the Elephant Tower – named after the elephant statue on its south side – you can overlook the harbor and the Gulf of Cagliari. Bastione di Santa Croce, a basilica in the former Jewish district La Giudaria, also offers excellent panoramic views of the city.

6. Stroll through the botanical garden

Palms, tropical flowers, and cacti: the Orto Botanico di Cagliari is one of Italy's most famous botanical gardens. Established in 1866, the garden is maintained by the city's university and contains more than two thousand plant species. There are also several archaeological attractions to discover in the botanical garden, such as an aqueduct, a Roman quarry, and a Punic water reservoir.

7. Get lost in the maze of streets

Cagliari is a perfect city to wander around in. Go shopping in the cozy shopping streets Via Manno and Via Garibaldi, admire the 13th-century Santa Maria Cathedral, indulge in Sardinian specialties like snails in spicy tomato sauce or eel with laurel, and visit the San Benedetto Municipal Market – Italy's largest indoor market. Get lost and let yourself be surprised!

Looking to Head to Cagliari Yourself?

Cagliari isn't just a great city break destination, but also an ideal starting point for your journey across Sardinia. A good time to visit the island is during the summer, but September (still averaging around 27 degrees) and October are also delightful times to be there. The city is easily accessible with a direct KLM flight of 2 hours and 25 minutes. You'll fly into Cagliari Airport, located about six kilometers from the city center. Here, you can easily rent a car to explore Cagliari and other parts of Sardinia. If you choose not to rent a car, you can simply take the train from the airport. The 'Elmas Aeroporto' train station connects the airport with the central station of Cagliari and other parts of Sardinia.

Still looking for a fun city break destination for this summer? Don't wait any longer and book your ticket here!