Cagliari Travel Guide
Cagliari, the capital of the Italian island of Sardinia, is a city steeped in history. With roots dating back to the Phoenician and Punic era, this coastal gem boasts a rich tapestry of historical sites, including a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre and the medieval Castello district of typical ancient walls and narrow streets. Beyond its historical charm, Cagliari offers breath-taking views from its panoramic terraces, pristine beaches and a vibrant culinary scene that draws on the island’s many flavours. Whether you travel for history, nature or gastronomy, Cagliari promises a memorable Italian getaway.
Reasons to Visit Cagliari
Historic Churches,
Archaeological Sites
Museums & Art Galleries,
… Coffee & Historic Cafés
About Our Cagliari Travel Guide
Whether you are planning a trip to Cagliari or to Sardinia with a few days in Cagliari, you are sure to find what you need here. This guide is part of our Sardinia Travel Guide, and focuses on the art, archaeology and history of the capital city through the various sites, landmarks and museums open to the public. It is produced and maintained by Gianluca Pitzeri and Thomas Dowson. Gianluca is a postgraduate student at the University of Cagliari, currently completing a Master’s degree in Archaeology and Art of Sardinia. Thomas is the founder of Archaeology Travel, and has travelled extensively in Sardinia. Read more about the authors and this website, as well as our mission and vision.
Find Places to Visit in Cagliari
A Brief History of Cagliari for Visitors
Karaly - Karales - CÃ ller - Casteddu - Cagliari
Whether you are visiting for a few hours on a shore excursion or a few days, this 20 minute read sets out the fascinating history of Cagliari in 47 historical places and landmarks. Gianluca is postgraduate archaeology student at the University of Cagliari he knows his city well. This is a perfect read for anyone planning a trip to Cagliari and looking for some background or recommendation for what to see and do in the Sardinian capital.
Five Popular Attractions in Cagliari
Archaeology Museum
Roman Amphitheatre
Medieval Castello
WW2 Tunnels
Bastion Saint Remy
Explore Cagliari More Deeply
Churches & Crypts of Cagliari
From the 5th century Paleochristian Basilica to the Baroque facades and altars of the 18th century, Cagliari’s ecclesiastical heritage is as rich as the city’s history. Here you will find a dense concentration of churches, visibly influenced by Byzantine, Pisan, Aragonese and Spanish rulers, and often built on Punic and Roman era structures then used as crypts. One way to visit the churches of Cagliari is to follow the Old Way of the Cross. A route that takes in 13 churches, each representing one of the stations of the cross.Â
Museums & Art Galleries in Cagliari
From the Cittadella dei Musei up in the Castello district to the train station down at the port, Cagliari has a number of museums that explore various aspects of the city’s as well as the islands archaeological, historical and cultural heritage. Art galleries display a range of Italian and Sardinian art in permanent exhibitions, while also staging temporary exhibitions.
Historic Sites & Landmarks to See in Cagliari
Our interactive map has over 60 points of historical interest around the city. From remains of Punic structures to World War II. We have made a selection of 21 of these, which we present in a list of best historical sites and museums to consider first. What ever your interests, use our list and map of sites to create a personalised itinerary for your stay.Â
Plan Your Trip to Cagliari
Located in the south of the island on the Gulf of Cagliari, Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia, and is the island’s capital. The port is one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean, with commercial traffic, ferries to and from mainland Italy, as well as many passenger cruise ships. Although not the only international airport on the island, Cagliari Elmas Airport is the best connected. A ten minute train journey links the airport to the historic centre of the city, from where trains leave regularly to other cities on the island.
Staying in Cagliari
Hotel recommendations: for 3-star hotels, that are conveniently located near the train station and the port, we recommend two hotels on via Sardegna: Hotel Italia and Hotel Due Colonne, both comfortable, three star hotels serving a good breakfast. Just up from the port, via Sardegna is a good location in the city centre; a 5 minute walk from the train station (which has frequent transfers to and from the airport); close to many good restaurants; and easy walking distance to many attractions. If this area is suitable but you are looking for a higher star rating, the 4-star Flora Hotel near the Piazza del Carmine, or the 5-star Palazzo Tirso Cagliari overlooking the port are excellent choices.
Restaurant recommendations: Right opposite the entrance to Hotel Italia is a great oyster & wine bar – it has an exceptional choice of Sardinian and Italian wines – sparingly names Oyster. Following via Sardegna east, there are a number of restaurants within a block or two, many of which have a good choice of Sardinian food. Two recommended options are: Antica Cagliari and Su Cumbidu. The historic coffee house, turned restauarnt and cocktail bar Antico Caffè, opposit the Saint Remy Bastion, is a must, if not breakfast, then lunch or an evening meal. Along Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle II are a number of restaurants that are a popular choice for pizzas, meat and cheese platters, and other Sardinian ‘fast food’.
Sightseeing Essentials for Cagliari
There are no city passes available for attractions in Cagliari.
Cagliari Walking Tours & Activities
The activities listed below have been tried by Thomas Dowson and/or Gianluca Pitzeri.
➤ Underground Cagliari Walking Tour – starting at the Don Bosco Refuge, created in 1700 and modified at the beginning of WWII. the tour also includes the Crypt of Saint Restituta and the Archaeological Area in the Crypt of Saint Eulalia.
➤ Walking Tour of the Old City – this is a good choice if you are pressed for time, and only want to se the Castello District.
➤ Must-see Attractions Walking Tour – if you have three hours and want to explore more of the city, this guided walking tour takes you to the main sites of each of the four historic districts that make up Cagliari.
➤ For something a bit more energetic, consider a Guided Segway Tour of Cagliari (read Gianluca’s review), or a Guided E-Bike Tour of the Old Town.
There are many more activities we recommend available on GetYourGuide and Viator.
Day Trips from Cagliari
Day Trip to Nora Archaeological Site
Cagliari Shore Excursions
Create Your Own Sightseeing Itinerary
You can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your Cagliari visit. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.