The capital of Sardinia, Cagliari is one of the most beautiful cities in Sardinia, thanks to its wonderful colors: the crystal-clear blue of the sea perfectly contrasts with the white dominating the buildings, creating a suggestive and enchanting picture.
Where is Cagliari located? Situated in the southern part of Sardinia, Cagliari represents an important gateway to the northern coast of Africa. There are many things to see in Cagliari, but even with little time available, it is possible to visit the most important places to fully savor the true essence of this city. This guide will show you what to see in Cagliari in one day and will help you not to miss the main points of interest.
What to do in Cagliari: walking itinerary
Visiting Cagliari will prove to be a unique experience. Wonderful alleys, breathtaking views, architecturally interesting buildings, excellent food, and Sardinian craftsmanship of excellent quality. For hikers, a (beginner level) ascent to the Devil’s Saddle is recommended, from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama. The first thing we recommend is to visit the city on foot: only in this way can you truly discover every corner and admire the most important buildings. Here are some of the must-visit places of interest.
1 Elephant Tower
Among the many historic buildings in Cagliari, the Elephant Tower is certainly one of the most important. Located just a few steps from the Bastion Saint Remy, the tower stands above the surrounding structures and is easily identifiable. Built in the Middle Ages, it served as a watchtower within the city’s defensive network. Coats of arms and small elephant statues are carved on it. Climbing to its top will allow you to observe the city from a unique point of view. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
2 Bastion of Saint Remy
The Bastion of Saint Remy is an immense, finely decorated structure located in the historic center of Cagliari and is one of the city’s most famous icons. Originally used as a defensive structure to fortify Cagliari, the Bastion now represents an extraordinary viewpoint offering splendid views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city’s port areas. Visiting this bastion is one of the first things to add to your list of “What to see in Cagliari.”
3 Poetto Beach
The Poetto Beach is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in Cagliari. Characterized by fine white sand and crystal-clear blue sea, it retains its charm throughout the year. Ideal for a relaxing moment and to experience firsthand the true allure that Sardinia offers its visitors.
4 Santuario di Bonaria
The Santuario di Bonaria is a beautiful Basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary dating back to the 14th century. The front facade features a trio of decorated arches leading into a large open atrium. In front of the building is a stone courtyard beautifully decorated with mosaic tiles. Although the original frescoes inside the basilica were destroyed during World War II, they have been faithfully restored and stand today in all their glory. Adjacent to the Sanctuary is the Museum of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria.
5 National Archaeological Museum
6 Historic Districts of Cagliari
Castello, Villanova, Stampace and Marina are the historic districts of the city. The historic districts of Cagliari stretch from the upper part down to the sea.
7 Villa Binaghi
The villa, designed by engineer Roberto Binaghi, was built during the 1920-1930 decade. It consists of two different buildings. The first, facing Viale Trento, features a neoclassical style with monumental elements: the walls in faux rustication are adorned with columns and inscriptions and are marked by large openings.
The second building, built as an expansion of a small pre-existing building facing Via Battisti, is characterized by a taller central body, embellished with two clusters of columns and a shield, and lateral bodies that have openings with a similar column cluster motif. Since 1984, the building has housed the Superintendence for architectural, landscape, historical, artistic, and ethno-anthropological heritage for the provinces of Cagliari and Oristano.
The offices are visitable by appointment.
8 San Domenico Cloister
The San Domenico Cloister, located in the historic Villanova district, lies beside the old church of the same name, severely damaged during the last world conflict, and is the most illustrious monument of Gothic-Catalan art (first half of the 15th century) present in the city of Cagliari. It has a square plan with a perimeter of about 25 meters per side, open towards the garden with round arches supported on pillars. The west wing consists of seven 15th-century chapels with ribbed vaults; the bays are divided by molded sub-arches resting on richly worked corbels. In the south wing, two orders of arcades also refer to the same Gothic-Catalan construction phase. The east and north wings derive from the reconstruction ordered by Philip II of Spain in 1598.
From the cloister, you can access the central hall of the ancient church, where the Chapel of the Rosary, dated around 1580, opens.
Cagliari in brief: how to get there, where to eat
9 How to Get to Cagliari
The city is accessible by ferry or more quickly by plane. The Cagliari Airport is located about 7 km from the city center, which you can reach using shuttles arranged for transportation or by taking a Cagliari airport taxi. If you prefer to move independently, you can rent a vehicle through the Cagliari airport car rental service.
10 Where to Eat in Cagliari
Sardinia is famous for its particularly tasty cuisine. There are many restaurants in Cagliari where you can try traditional Sardinian dishes, such as spaghetti with sea urchins, culurgiones, clams and mussels in a pan, and Burrida a sa casteddaia.
