Ancient Cagliari is the administrative heart of the island of Sardinia. This city, steeped in centuries of history, is perfect for curious travelers who want to lounge on the beach and explore historical sights in equal measure.
Cagliari, Italy, Island of Sardinia
Cagliari (Italian: Cagliari, Sardinian: Casteddu) is not a fishing village, but a major city in Italy with its own university, museums, airport, and developed infrastructure. There is a large historic center with medieval architecture that will take more than a day to explore, a nature reserve, a port, and a plethora of cafes and entertainment. And, of course, beaches with soft, fine sand and a gentle slope into the water.
Beaches
Within the city limits, there are 2 beaches: Poetto and Calamosca. The first is crowded and superbly well-equipped, while the second is small and wild, but with a very picturesque natural setting. Many great beaches are located outside the city limits—just don’t be lazy about occasionally hopping on a bus and heading a short distance out of town.
The urban beach Poetto stretches for a full 8 kilometers — it is very popular among locals and travelers. The beach is separated from the city by the lakes of the Molentargius-Saline Natural Park and looks like a long sandy strip surrounded by water on both sides. At Poetto, the infrastructure is excellently developed: there are showers, changing rooms, and numerous cafes. Moreover, you can set up right on the sand with your towel – without paying for sunbeds and umbrellas. This amounts to significant savings if you want a long seaside vacation. The sand here is pristine, and the water is as blue as it looks in pictures.
The second beach in Cagliari – Calamosca – is small compared to Poetto. There is no top-tier beach equipment here, but there are far fewer people and a feeling of encountering the sea in its natural, non-resort state. The beach is also sandy, but in some places it is framed by small rocky cliffs where trees grow (providing a chance to hide in the shade). Also, very close to Calamosca is a viewpoint on the cliff known as the “Devil’s Saddle” (Sella del Diavolo), from which a breathtaking view of the surroundings opens up.
We strongly advise against staying in the city the whole time; instead, rent a car to explore the surroundings, where there are loads of beaches whose beauty will take your breath away. You can also make excursions by bus. Once you’ve explored Cagliari, first head to the nearby Costa Rei, where you will find the cleanest beaches, awarded the “Blue Flag” designation. Also pay attention to the beaches in the towns of Villasimius and Torre delle Stelle. You can get to them from Cagliari in no more than an hour.
What to See?
Surrounded by historical landmarks, Piazza Palazzo is the very spot from which to begin your acquaintance with the city’s architectural traditions. Here you will find the Cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria), notable for its eclectic appearance, as well as the Royal Palace (Palazzo Regio), where the residence of the local kings was once located. Today, the prefecture of the province meets here.
Also, look into the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale) – exhibits from various eras, up to the Roman Empire, are displayed here. The most interesting artifacts in the museum are the ancient bronzetti. These are very valuable little bronze figures that testify to the fact that life on Sardinia was bustling many thousands of years ago.
In the Middle Ages, Cagliari was surrounded by the City Fortress (Il Castello), of which only a few walls and towers remain today. However, they still look very impressive. Inside the fortress walls are the city’s main cultural points: museums, palaces, and the university.
Another important site in the city is the Bastion of Saint Remy (Bastione di San Remy). All sightseeing tours of the city usually start from here – a magnificent view opens up from the bastion. By Cagliari standards, this is a fairly new structure – dating only to the 19th century. The bastion suffered significant damage during the war (Sardinia was bombed repeatedly), but it was reconstructed afterward. In the summer, a cafe operates on the building’s terrace, where, by settling in during the evening, you can admire how the lights of Cagliari come on.
A Special Reason to Go
One of the most vibrant festivals in Sardinia – La S’Ardia di Sedilo, takes place in the small town of Sedilo in the island’s interior, about an hour and a half’s drive from Cagliari. The fair’s central event is a grandiose, theatrical horse race in which the best riders from all over the island participate. The spectacle is so captivating that thousands of tourists from around the world come to watch it. This year, La S’Ardia di Sedilo will take place on July 6 and 7. It’s an incredibly cool reason to spend your vacation not just on Sardinia’s coast, but to journey into the island’s interior.
