Cagliari★★
Sardinia's capital surprises: A vibrant university town with a fortress old town (Castello) on the hill, one of Italy's most beautiful city beaches (Poetto, 8 km long, right outside the city gates) and a burgeoning gastro scene.
Castello ★★
The medieval upper town with the Cathedral, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Sardinian bronzetti, Phoenician artifacts, nuraghe finds, €5) and the Bastioni di Saint Remy — a terrace with the best panoramic view over the city, harbor, and the Gulf of Cagliari. At sunset, all of Cagliari gathers here.
Flamingos in the City Area
The Stagno di Molentargius — a saltwater lagoon in the middle of the city area — is home to one of the largest flamingo colonies in the Mediterranean. Thousands of pink flamingos wading through the shallow water, with the cityscape in the background. Free access, best in the morning or evening.
Dining in Cagliari
The Mercato di San Benedetto is the largest covered market in Italy: Fish (tuna, swordfish, octopus), Sardinian bread (Pane Carasau), cheese (Pecorino Sardo), and sausage (Salsiccia Sarda). Upstairs: food stalls preparing freshly bought goods.
💡 Tipp
Cagliari is the perfect starting point for Sardinia: an airport right outside the city, cheaper than the Costa Smeralda, and within 1–2 hours you can reach the most beautiful beaches of the south and east coast.