Advice

Let’s take a quick break to tell you about some other points of interest that couldn’t be included in the itinerary. One of Cagliari’s most iconic sights is its incredible Roman amphitheatre, the city’s best-preserved Roman relic. Though modest in size, it once boasted an impressive height with over twenty rows of seating. Today, it hosts open-air performances throughout the summer, so if you’re curious, check the schedule and catch a show under the stars. Just nearby is the Capuchin convent church, which houses the mummified remains of Saint Ignatius of Laconi. Another highlight is the National Archaeological Museum. It’s the perfect place to learn more about the mysterious Nuragic civilisation, unique to Sardinia. It’s a true paradise for history lovers and the main attraction among the four museums that make up the Cittadella dei Musei. If you're after a moment of calm in the city, Cagliari’s Botanical Gardens are among the most renowned in Italy. With over 2,000 plant species, they’re a paradise for amateur botanists. If you’re after even more nature, head to Monte Urpinu Park. Just 20 minutes from the city centre, this peaceful, secluded spot offers breathtaking panoramic views over Cagliari and the distant sea. When exploring a city, nothing beats discovering its gastronomy. Food speaks volumes about a population’s lifestyle, customs, and traditions. In Italy, you’re always in for a treat, and Cagliari has plenty of mouth-watering specialities! The best place to start is the San Benedetto Market on Via Coccu Ortu. It’s the largest food market in town, with an incredible variety of local produce and a particularly impressive fish section. Let’s not forget the sea... From just about anywhere in Cagliari, you can catch glimpses of the shimmering blue Mediterranean. If you’ve come all the way to Sardinia, chances are you’re planning a beach visit. The main beach is Poetto Beach, stretching an impressive 7 kilometres. It’s lively, family-friendly, and full of beach bars, loungers, vendors, and water sports. If you’re craving peace and quiet, keep walking along the beach until you find a calmer patch. If you walk all the way to the end, towards the Sella del Diavolo headland, you’ll reach a rocky cape offering stunning views of the bay. For more secluded beaches, head towards Villasimius and Capo Carbonara, about an hour from Cagliari. Villasimius is known for some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, like Spiaggia Simius and Spiaggia di Porto Giunco. If you’re into hiking and discovering hidden coves, Capo Carbonara is your best bet. Between Poetto Beach and Monte Urpinu lies the Molentargius–Saline Regional Park, a protected 1,600-hectare oasis of lagoons, salt marshes, and pink flamingos. With over 230 bird species, it’s one of the most beautiful and unique nature parks in Sardinia. An hour’s drive from Cagliari takes you to Sardinia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, called Su Nuraxi. The nuraghi are cone-shaped stone towers typical of Sardinia, and Su Nuraxi is the best-preserved and most impressive of them all. Discovered in 1950, the site includes a small Nuragic village of about 50 houses built around a tower. If you head towards Villanovafranca, about 50 kilometres north of Cagliari, you’ll come across Su Mulinu, another fascinating site. Archaeologists there discovered a treasure trove of gold and silver jewellery, amber, rock crystal, and over a hundred terracotta oil lamps, believed to be offerings to the light. The artefacts are now preserved in the local museum, which is well worth a visit. With all that, you’ve got plenty to do if you stay in the region for a little longer.