Cagliari
A- Z of Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums
On this page you will find all the art, archaeology and history sites and museums in the city of Cagliari, Sardinia, in our database, listed A to Z. Although we have a number of thematic guides to the various sites and museums around Sardinia, we have created this list for people to explore a complete list of places to visit when creating a personal itinerary for a visit to Cagliari. Scroll through the list and add whatever sites and museum interest you to your itinerary and travel lists. You can easily edit your itinerary when you see your choices mapped.
Sardinia Travel Guide
Cagliari City Guide
Sardinia’s Best Archaeology & History Sites
Create Your Sardinia Itinerary & Travel Lists
Are you planning a trip to Cagliari, Sardinia? You can use our itinerary builder with the list of Cagliari’s sites and museums below to create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and itineraries (follow this link for a similar list of sites and museums throughout Sardinia). These can also be shared with your friends, privately and on social media. To make use of this feature, however, you will need to login or register as a new user. You also need to be logged in to see more than the basic features for each point of interest on the list below.
Archaeology & History Sites & Museums in Cagliari
Cagliari Cathedral -
In 1254 a Romanesque church dedicated to Santa Maria was built within the walls of the Castello. In 1313 it became the Cathedral of Cagliari. Over the centuries since, there have been many interventions and restorations. The most significant of which were in the 17th century when a crypt was cut into the bedrock beneath the presbytery and the church was given a Baroque appearance – including a new façade. The crypt is made up of three interleading chapels, in which were placed the relics of 179 martyrs gathered from around Cagliari. In the 1930 the Baroque façade was demolished in favour of a more Romanesque look.
National Archaeological Museum, Cagliari
Given the quantity of objects from all over the island, this museum is certainly the most important in Sardinia. Since 1993 it has occupied one of the buildings in a complex known as the ‘Citadel of Museums’, built within the district of Castello, reusing the space of the ancient medieval walls. It houses more than 4,000 objects that tell 7,000 years of history, ranging from Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages, in an itinerary that is divided over 4 floors, each with different themes. In the collections visitors can admire statuettes of the mother goddesses, Nuragic bronze statues, a large part of the Nuragic giant statues of Mont’e Prama, as well as Punic and Phoenician jewellery and Roman statuary.
Nuragica - Museum of Nuragic Civilisation
The Nuragica experience is the perfect introduction to the Nuragic Civilisation of Sardinia. An hour-long guided tour takes visitors through all aspects, from the tombs of the giants, the advent of metal work and the production of the bronze figurines, to the sacred wells and the Giants of Mont’e Prama. A virtual reality experience provides another dimension. This is a great place to start for anyone with the slightest interest in the prehistory of Sardinia.
Palazzo Regio
Located in the historic Castello quarter of Cagliari, the Royal palace, also known as the Viceregio (or Viceroyal palace), was built in the 14th century as a residence for the king’s representatives in Sardinia. It was used as such by the Aragonese, the Spanish and the Savoyards, each of which left their own mark in their adaptations. Today it serves as the administrative seat of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari. After climbing the grand 18th century staircase entry is only €3, for which you can see the ornate Council Chamber and various private and state reception rooms.
Roman Amphitheatre, Cagliari
One of the best examples in Sardinia where an archaeological ruin merges with the modern city. It was built between the end of the 1st and the beginning of the 2nd century AD, becoming part of the city landscape from that time on. Throughout its history it had many roles: it was the site of gladiatorial battles, a quarry, a family shelter and a concert arena. It is undoubtedly a symbolic place of the city of Cagliari, which can be admired from the streets that surround it. By paying a small ticket, it is possible to get closer to better observe it, but unfortunately, neither walking in the arena nor visiting its inner areas is allowed.
Tuvixeddu Necropolis
The hill of Tuvixeddu is home to one of the largest necropolises in the entire Punic world, with more than 1,000 burials. The most important of these are the ‘well’ burials, which consist of vertical entrances dug into the rock, between 3 and 7 metres deep, with small chambers opening onto the walls in which the dead were laid to rest. The necropolis dates from the 6th to 4th century BC, although it was reused by the Romans until the early imperial period. In 2014, with the creation of the park, the area became public, but despite this it remains impossible to see the interior of the most famous Punic chambers, due to the impossibility of making it easy to enter.
