Discover Cagliari: Culture, Nature and Coast

Cagliari combines ancient sites, Mediterranean landscapes and the everyday life of a Sardinian coastal city. If you would like to combine culture, walks, nature observation and regional cuisine on your trip to Italy, you will find a wide variety of experiences here within a compact thematic area.

Ancient Sites and City History

The Roman amphitheatre of Cagliari probably dates from the late 2nd century AD. Particularly impressive is a 95-metre-long corridor that can still be walked through and leads to a large underground cistern in the Orto dei Cappuccini. The amphitheatre can be visited without prior reservation, making it suitable for a cultural stop planned spontaneously.

Another important historical trace can be found in Tuvixeddu. The Punic-Phoenician necropolis of Tuvixeddu was established between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC and is considered the largest necropolis in the entire Mediterranean region. The Parco di Tuvixeddu covers approximately three and a half hectares in an area where archaeological finds provide evidence of human settlements dating back to the Neolithic period.

The Cittadella dei Musei is considered the most important cultural centre in the city of Cagliari. In the cityscape, the Bastione di Saint Remy complements this historical perspective: it was built on the old defensive walls of the medieval city boundary and comprises the Umberto I panoramic terrace and the Passeggiata Coperta gallery below it. Giuseppe Costa and Fulgenzio Setti designed the monumental complex in 1896; it was inaugurated in 1902.

The Orto Botanico also combines nature and history. It contains around 2,000 plant species, predominantly from the Mediterranean region, complemented by succulents and tropical plants. The preserved features include Roman cisterns and fountains. The underground archaeological tour of Sant'Eulalia also reveals 13 metres of paved road, which was probably connected to the port activities of the time.

The Stampace district developed in the 13th century at the foot of the mighty walls of Castello. It once housed numerous workshops belonging to artists and craftspeople; as a result, its history is directly connected to Cagliari's organically grown urban structure.

Wetlands, Coast and Views

The Molentargius-Saline Regional Park covers approximately 1,600 hectares between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena and lies along the Poetto waterfront. The wetland was included in the Ramsar Convention in 1977. The regional park offers free access, nature trails, cycle paths, walking paths, birdwatching and jogging. Guided tours can be booked for groups.

As you pass through the park, you can observe hundreds of pink flamingos and other wild birds in the shallow water. Molentargius-Saline thus complements the historical attractions with a distinctive nature experience without losing its connection to the coast.

Poetto Beach stretches for approximately 7 kilometres along the Gulf of Angels on the coast, from the Sella del Diavolo to the coastal section of Quartu. The Sella del Diavolo and the entire Sant'Elia promontory consist of Miocene sedimentary rocks in which small caves have formed; these have been inhabited by people since the 6th millennium BC.

The Sella del Diavolo can be reached via a green route that passes through areas of particular archaeological, ecological, environmental and scenic importance. From the Sant'Elia promontory, the view extends over Viale Poetto to Capo Carbonara and the open sea. This route can therefore be combined with coastal and landscape impressions when planning your day.

Getting Around and Local Cuisine

From Elmas Aeroporto station, you can reach Cagliari city-centre station by train in approximately 6 minutes. The “Cagliari in One Day” route was designed for cruise passengers and combines historic districts, artefacts from the Nuragic culture, viewpoints, a beach visit and flamingo watching. It therefore brings together several of the themes that characterise Cagliari within a single day itinerary.

The city also has a distinctive cuisine. It includes pasta with sea urchins, a fish soup made from simple varieties of fish, suckling pig with myrtle, fregola with clams, Vermentino, Cannonau and myrtle liqueur. Cagliari's markets provide an opportunity to explore urban life, the traditions and stories of the districts, as well as gain an insight into the authentic flavour of the old town.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

For the overarching travel overview: Sardinia.