Best Things to Do in Cagliari

The capital of Sardinia is an underrated destination that will welcome you with warm beaches, archaeological finds, and a fascinating pink salt flat frequented by flamingos. A couple of days will be enough to immerse yourself in wine tastings, take a boat trip, or explore its natural hideaways.

One of the things that makes it so charming is the contrast between its medieval and colorful neighborhoods, as well as the fact that it is built on seven hills: Castello, Colle San Michele, Colle di Bonaria, Monte Urpinu, Monte Claro, Tuvu Mannu, and Tuvixeddu. Eager to discover this Italian gem? Here are some recommendations for the best activities and places to visit in Cagliari.

To create a complete itinerary, you need to consider that Cagliari has four historic districts: Castello, Villanova, Stampace, and Marina. In each one, you will find a different facet of the city, whether it be walls, street art, promenades, or viewpoints.

If you want to visit these historic districts, you'll love booking a vintage tour of Cagliari. It's a unique experience that invites you to climb into a 1960s vehicle and drive around the most notable areas and monuments. The best part is that there are usually short stops so you can appreciate the architecture and take lots of photos.

Castello

Castello is the oldest part of Cagliari, with richly decorated facades that bear witness to Gothic and Baroque architecture. It's worth getting lost in the maze of cobbled streets, historic buildings, and Pisan towers, and climbing the hill that used to be an exclusive neighborhood for the upper class.

• Cathedral of Santa Maria: it was built in the 13th century on top of an ancient crypt, but throughout history it underwent several transformations and adopted various elements from Pisa Cathedral, so you're going to love it.
• Bastione di Saint Remy: located on the ancient city walls, it is a complete visual spectacle. Inside, you can see ancient military structures in the Galleria dello Sperone and cultural exhibitions in the Passeggiata Coperta gallery. Or climb up to the Humberto I Terrace and enjoy the panoramic views.
• Torre di San Pancrazio: Explore the cultural heritage in one of the oldest and most emblematic towers in Cagliari. You can climb up to the viewpoint and enjoy the sea views.
• Roman Amphitheater: this building will transport you to ancient Sardinia, where you can see the stands and arena and imagine the shows that were once held there.

Villanova

Villanova contrasts sharply with the Castello district with its vibrant and colorful atmosphere, where the typical houses decorated with plants stand out. Although it is less well known than other neighborhoods, it is always fun to walk through its authentic and uncluttered streets. You will be pleasantly surprised by the murals and graffiti, especially on Via San Saturnino, a gem that few people take advantage of.

In the heart of the neighborhood, you will find squares that are meeting points for many Italians, and from here it is easy to reach monuments such as:

• Church of San Giacomo: it has an impeccable façade that delights with its Catalan Gothic style.
• Basilica of San Saturnino: it probably doesn't resemble any church you've seen before, as it is an early Christian building dating back to the 5th century AD. Its strategic location next to an ancient necropolis makes it an essential stop.

Stampace

Stampace is divided into the upper and lower districts of Cagliari and is ideal for stopping at viewpoints and visiting the ruins of what were once imposing buildings. Here, time seems to stand still, and the neighborhood stands out for its simplicity, which somehow manages to steal the show. Perhaps it is because you can still breathe in the authenticity and traditions of the artisans, carpenters, and blacksmiths who once inhabited its streets.

Some places you should visit are:

• Botanical Garden: an oasis with more than 500 species of plants.
• Baluarte di Santa Croce: not directly in the neighborhood, but in the upper part, it is ideal for contemplating Stampace and the rest of the city.

Marina

Walking through the maritime neighborhood of Cagliari is a complete delight. You can lose yourself in its perpendicular streets, or walk along Via Roma, which borders the sea and offers a scenic stroll among the sailboats in the harbor, artisan workshops, and art galleries. This area is famous for its variety of restaurants and trattorias, ideal for enjoying fresh seafood dishes.

Wine culture is very important in Sardinia, as high-quality grapes are produced that showcase the island's terroir: the perfect combination of soil, climate, grapes, and Italian skill to create intense, fresh, and fruity flavors.

Although you will find countless bars and restaurants in the city where you can enjoy a good Cannonau or Vermentino wine, there is nothing like learning about production in wineries, vineyards, and estates. You will be enchanted by Sardinian hospitality and understand that the secret behind it is the ancestral traditions and passion of the vignaioli, the island's famous winegrowers.

I warn you that it is difficult to resist Sardinian wine, but you will enjoy succumbing to its charms and discovering Cagliari through your senses. For this type of experience, it is more convenient to book a wine tour in Cagliari, as they usually include transportation and a tasting in a charming winery.

Cagliari is a city that reveals itself in all its splendor from the tranquility of a boat trip. On board, you will delight in the Sardinian coastline and feel the sea breeze as you sail through its hidden coves and immerse yourself in the colors of the Mediterranean coast.

You'll be in the middle of an endemic area of Posidonia meadows, an ecosystem that only forms in certain parts of the Mediterranean and delights with starfish, snappers, and cuttlefish. Although it's a pleasant activity at any time of year, it's best enjoyed under the summer and spring sunshine.

Booking a boat trip in Cagliari can be great fun because they usually provide you with an underwater camera so you can capture the secrets of the sea. You can also choose between experiencing this wonderful activity in the morning or early afternoon and visiting the main attractions of the coast:

• Calamosca, a bay that is a well-kept secret among locals, delighting visitors with its quiet beaches and crystal-clear waters.
• Poetto, Cagliari's most famous beach and an excellent spot for snorkeling.
• Sella del Diavolo, if you look closely you can see that it has a peculiar shape. According to legend, this is because the devil threw his chair here after a fight in the skies above the Gulf of Cagliari.

To connect with the culinary traditions of Sardinia's capital, you can sign up for a culurgiones cooking class. This stuffed pasta is delicious and similar to ravioli, but a local chef will reveal all its secrets to you. You'll usually have three hours to learn how to make the folds and form the pouch without the filling spilling out.

Of course, an Italian meal is not complete without good wine, appetizers, and dessert. Not only will you follow the recipe, but you will also immerse yourself in its history and customize the filling to your liking by choosing from potatoes, pecorino cheese, aromatic herbs, spinach, and olive oil. At the end of the class, you'll taste your own creations and eat until you're satisfied. There's nothing like taking a piece of Cagliari home with you!

If you're staying for several days, of course, pizza, pasta, and gelato! But be sure to try other local delicacies:

• Sebadas, a fried dough filled with fresh cheese and flavored with lemon or orange peel.
• Burrida, a stew made with marinated dogfish (a type of shark).
• Amaretti, crunchy cookies made with sweet and bitter almonds.
• Pardulas, tartlets filled with ricotta cheese.

If you plan to rent a bike or book a bike tour in Cagliari, be sure to cycle to Molentargius-Saline Regional Park, famous for its pink salt flats and flamingos of the same color that strut and play in the water. This little-known gem is located in Assemini, the city's industrial area.

Here you can also see old salt pans and windmills and discover their history. Originally, salt was extracted, which was damaging the ecosystem. This practice was therefore stopped in 1985, leaving only remnants of what used to be and becoming a protected area.

But if I were you, I would just stay here, and after a while I would continue on to the beaches of Cagliari and from there to the El Faro di Capo Sant'Elia, a stop that delights with views of the Mediterranean Gulf, Poetto Beach, and Sella del Diavolo. The surrounding area has several hiking and cycling trails, so a bike ride is the perfect excuse to get closer to maritime history.

In addition to its beaches, good food, and historic neighborhoods, Cagliari is known for its natural charms. The mountains of Sardinia have diverse ecosystems, the result of volcanic activity and erosion. Hiking is quite enjoyable, but you may want to try something different and book a jeep tour of Cagliari's natural surroundings.

A trip like this is perfect for winding through the forests and valleys surrounding the capital, and even reaching the fascinating Is Cannoneris forest reserve, where you can enjoy wildlife including wild boars, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. You can take a dip in the coves and inlets of unspoiled beaches such as Chia, Porto Zafferano, and Tuerredda, the latter being a peculiar crescent-shaped bay.

Interesting stories are hidden in the depths of Cagliari, so make sure you don't miss any! The underground passages were a response to World War II and were mainly used as air-raid shelters. Some are older and were used to collect water stored for periods of drought.

They have become an unmissable attraction. In fact, most of them are located under the Stampace and Marina neighborhoods, and among the main ones are:

• Galleria Rifugio dell'Istituto dei Salesiani Tunnel.
• Tunnel-Shelter of the Salesian College.
• Crypt of Santa Restituta.
• Archaeological Area of Santa Eulalia.

If you'd like a change of scenery and to combine nature with Cagliari's excellent cuisine, why not try a picnic with Sardinian donkeys? It's a famous experience where you can breathe fresh air and interact with these friendly animals. You'll be free to pet them and get as close as their keeper recommends.

Later, you can walk through the orchard and taste artisanal cheeses accompanied by delicious local wines and other appetizers that will make this picnic unforgettable. It usually takes place in the I Sette Fratelli National Park, a marvel on the outskirts of the city.

From Piazza del Carmine, you can enjoy a ride on the Cagliari tourist train, which allows you to see the main tourist attractions in approximately 45 minutes. On board, you'll enjoy informative commentary from an audio guide and experience a route that combines narrow and difficult-to-access areas with the most important streets in the city center.

It doesn't offer free stops, but it can be useful if you want to familiarize yourself with the city or enjoy a leisurely ride. Plus, if you're traveling with children under the age of three, you can get them a free ticket.

During a magical vacation on the Italian coast, the only rule is to never say no to the plans on offer. There are several interesting excursions that could make your itinerary more interesting, whether you like nature getaways, archaeological sites, or cities similar to Cagliari (but with fewer tourists). There's something for everyone!

Excursion to Barumini and Giara di Gesturi

Many people are drawn to Sardinia's hidden nuraghi, megalithic buildings that bear witness to the Nuragic community, the island's inhabitants during the Bronze Age. Booking an excursion to Barumini and Giara di Gesturi from Cagliari allows you to see them for yourself and observe a breed of wild horses in the Giara Park. All the fun without worrying about logistics!

Private excursion to Su Nuraxi

If archaeological sites interest you, then you'll have a great time booking a private excursion to Su Nuraxi from Cagliari. These types of experiences offer a comprehensive itinerary that allows you to delve into the island's traditions and learn about the history behind its ruins. They also usually include a stop at the Molentargius-Saline nature reserve, so it's a great way to make the most of your time.

Excursion to Alghero

A vacation in Cagliari is the perfect excuse to visit another destination in Sardinia, and there's nothing better than booking an excursion to Alghero, a walled city three hours away. Of course, you can consider it if you have space in your itinerary and if you would like to walk around its old town, which is as charming as the capital's but less crowded.

Of course, you won't go that far just to see the city; you'll also have the opportunity to dive into the saltwater pool of the Grotta del Bue Marino cave, hidden among the famous Neptune Caves. You'll have time to see other nuraghe and archaeological finds at the Palmavera Complex, or take a look at the tombs in the Anghelu Ruju Necropolis.