Cagliari

Holiday Sardinia – Cagliari

Cagliari, the capital of the Italian island of Sardinia, has much to offer. From small shopping streets to impressive churches. From a vibrant nightlife to beautiful beaches. You won't get bored easily in Cagliari! Cagliari has 165.000 inhabitants. If you include the suburbs, the number even reaches 478.000. The city experienced enormous growth after the Second World War, during which the population doubled. For instance, the town of Quartu Sant'Elena is located 6 kilometers from Cagliari, but has expanded so much that it can rightfully be called a suburb of Cagliari. Quartu Sant'Elena is situated in the so-called "Bay of Angels" (Baja degli Angeli), where a number of beautiful beaches can be found. You can also regularly spot flamingos wading in one of the many lakes in the area. However, it must be said that the outskirts of Cagliari are quite chaotic, so they might be less suitable for peace seekers and culture lovers.

Watch a video about Cagliari, the city of the sun!

A piece of history

The history of the city is also diverse. Many peoples have inhabited the city and left their mark. Cagliari was founded 6000 BC, but the city only became truly important under Phoenician-Punic rule. Its geographical location made the city highly suitable for overseas trade, and Cagliari flourished into an important port city.
After the First Punic War, Cagliari fell into the hands of the Romans. They, too, took advantage of Cagliari's strategic location and left their mark on the city. In the twelfth century, the Pisans came to power in Cagliari. They built various defensive works in the city that give Cagliari its grand appearance.

After the Pisans, it was the turn of the Aragonese. They founded the university in 1620. It was not until 1717, with the Peace of Utrecht, that the power struggle came to an end. Cagliari was assigned to the House of Savoy, and a relatively peaceful period began for the city.

Art and Culture in Cagliari City

As history suggests, Cagliari is a city with many faces. There are various Roman remains to see, such as the Amphitheater or the Roman Villa di Tigellio. The Romanesque church of Santo Saturnino, built in the 5th century AD, is one of the oldest medieval sanctuaries in the world. The old center of Cagliari is situated on a hill. Fortunately, you can take a public elevator at various locations that effortlessly takes you to the old part of Cagliari.

The castle

You can, of course, also take the stairs. Via the steps of the Bastion di San Remy, you climb under the triumphal arch to the Umberto I square. From here, you have a beautiful view of the lower-lying new town and the sea. You can have a drink in one of the bars or simply enjoy the spectacular view from a bench. From the Bastion, you walk into the Castello district, the oldest and highest part of Cagliari. Here you will find, among other things, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, built in Romanesque-Pisan style with Gothic influences. Inside the church are two original pulpits from the Pisa Cathedral and several Gothic chapels.

Elephant Tower

The Torre dell'Elefante (Elephant Tower) is also worth a visit. The Pisans used this 31-meter-high tower as a defensive structure against the Moors and Genoese. You can climb it or admire the elephant statue from the ground. Via the towers, you reach the castle, il castello, where part of the University of Cagliari is now located.

Museum

If you would prefer to view the entire cultural history of Sardinia in one place, the Museo Archeolgico nationale di Cagliari is a good option. For 3 euros, you can see the chronological history of Sardinia's origins, from 6000 BC to the Byzantine period.

Out and about in Cagliari city

Amphitheater: Roman structure at the foot of the city.
Bastion de San Remy: Impressive bastion with a terrace overlooking Cagliari and the surrounding area.
Basilica di San Saturnino: Romanesque church from the 5th century BC.
Torri Pisani: 31-meter-high towers that you can climb.
Atelier Cristina and Stefania Ariu: Sardinian artist who makes unique terracotta sheep figurines and other beautiful ceramics.
Cup of coffee: Coccodi, a small bar/lunchroom where the daughter of four generations of bakers serves delicious cakes, pizzas, and coffee!
Food: Principi di Dan, Via Napoli. A restaurant where you will find typical Sardinian dishes and products. Lots of cheese and meat. In the summer, you can also eat outside on the square.
Sweets: Durke, via Napoli (meaning sweet). In this small, authentic shop founded by an old lady, you will find dozens of different Sardinian dolci and an old stone oven!
Mercato comunale di San Benedetto – the largest Italian covered fish market in Cagliari, Sardinia.

View the photos of the nicest spots in Cagliari

Out and about in the province of Cagliari

Beaches: Near Cagliari you will find beautiful beaches. A few examples: Chia, Poetto, Capitana. Famous beaches such as Villa Simius are also located a little further along the coast.

Flamingo spotting: around Cagliari, several lakes (stagni) can be found where groups of flamingos regularly congregate.

Nora: Also known as the first city of Sardinia. Here you will find remains of the Phoenicians, but especially of the Romans. Once a flourishing port city, it is now an archaeological excavation site where thermal baths, mosaics, and even a small amphitheater can be viewed.

View all the gems in Cagliari