To do in Cagliari – 14 tips to the most important city of Sardinia

Writer: Helena Bergström

What can you see and do in Cagliari in Sardinia? This historic city is both charming and beautiful, and here is everything from historic attractions to cozy seats outside. We went here with our camper and spent several days in the city. Here we offer our best, personal tips!

Cagliari

Cagliari is the most important location of the Italian Mediterranean island of Sardinia. The area around Cagliari was already inhabited during the Stone Age and later became part of Nuraghian culture. The city itself was founded as a trade station by the Fenicians in the 700s to 600s BC. After that, the city was ruled by maps, Romans, Vandals and Byzans, among others. The city was also part of Spain before he was admitted to Italy.

Cagliari is located in the Cagliari Bay on the south coast of Sardinia and is part of Italy.

What can you see and do in Cagliari?

So what can you see and do in Cagliari? This city has a lot to offer, both in the form of historical attractions and holiday activities. We share our best tips in a list.

1. Strolling in the historic neighborhoods

What nobody wants to miss in Cagliari is to go to the historic neighborhoods, and then in the first place CastelloWho is on top of a hill, in the middle of the city. This is a very charming neighborhood with narrow alleys and historic buildings. Here is nice to just walk around, a little planless, and to record the atmosphere. If you have more time, all four historic neighborhoods can be worth a visit:

• Castello – A must for history, architecture and display.
• Marina – A nice part of the city for evening life, restaurants and atmosphere.
• Press – An interesting neighborhood because of churches and traditional atmosphere.
• Villanova – A charming and quiet neighborhood, with local feeling.

2. Ta and Selfie Bastion Vid from Saint Remy

One of the most important attractions in Cagliari is Bastione di Saint Remy. This is a monumental staircase and terrace that has become one of the most important meeting places in the city. Here it is popular to make a selfie, either below with the building behind, or at the top with a fantastic view in the city.

3. Admire the cathedral of Cagliaris

Almost at the top of the historic neighborhood is Cagliari’s Cathedral (Santa Maria di Castello), a pompous cathedral from the 20th century. The cathedral is rebuilt several times and the style is a mix of Roman, Gothic and Baroque style.

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A slightly different attraction in Cagliari is the two towers Tower of the elephant (with a small elephant statue at the gate) and Torre di San Pancrazio. These medieval defenses come from 1307 and offer a view of the city.

As a tourist you should be able to go into the towers, at least to a certain height, but we have not tested because the heat is scared of extra stairs … Anyway, we must say that these towers differ against most towers we have seen!

5. Know the wings of history in Cagliari amphitheater

In Cagliari there is also an amphitheater, that is, a Roman arena, which comes from the 20th century. The amphitheater is open to visitors, but the opening times are limited and which parts you can see. One must also be willing to pay a smaller entrance fee. We were satisfied to view the amphitheater from the road above, where you have a good view.

6. More information about history in the Archaeological Museum

If you are interested in history, it might be worth a visit to the Archaeological Museum National Archaeological Museum. This is the leading archaeological museum of Sardinia and here you will find the objects of Nuraghian and Phoenician and Phoenician and Roman treasures.

7. See art in the Art Museum Galleria Comunale d’Arte

In Cagliari there is also an art museum with the name Municipal art gallery. The museum is in the public gardens Public gardensAnd these are fun to walk on.

8. Discover Basilica and Sanktuarium Nostra Signora di Bonari

The beautiful church is located right next to the central camper of campers Basilica and sanktuarium our -lieve -woman of Bonari. Here is a sanktuarium from the 1300s and a neoclassical basilica from the 18th century. This church has a strong bond with both Sardis identity and marine culture.

9. Winkel

When you are on holiday in Cagliari, you may want to take the opportunity to shop. There are many shops in the historic part of the city. Here you can buy fashion, interior design and gifts in both higher and lower price range.

10. Visit the Mercato di San Benedetto Fish Market

The Vismarkt in Cagliari, San Benedetto MarketShould be the largest in Italy, which is of course impressive. We have been here one day, or rather to the temporary room where the market is now housed, Piazza Nazzari -MarketWhile renovating the original market.

Now it was a bit of a disappointment, because it turned out that the fishing dealers had a few weeks of vacation. Given the many closed stands, we understand that the market can be huge if everything is open, but at the moment there was only a limited number of open market stalls with meat, bread, cakes, fruit and vegetables.

11. Enjoy an outdoor seat

One thing that you naturally want to take the opportunity to do in Cagliari is enjoying an outdoor restaurant. In the historic neighborhoods there are many cozy restaurants, where you can settle for a pizza or other dishes in the Italian mind. Because we have a budget to maintain our long camper trip, we eat most meals in our own camper, but it was at least a good beer in an outdoor restaurant on our side.

12. Cool off with an ice cream

It can be very hot in Cagliari, and what does it taste better than a good ice? There are many places that serve ice in the city, and our choice fell in a small place called Suelau. Here we ate, among other things, a super good glass ball with the taste of strawberry cheesecake.

13. Sun bathing and bathing on the beach of Poetto

A small distance from Central Cagliari is a very long and fine sandy beach with the name Poet. This is a hugely popular place in the summer, and along the beach there are also numerous restaurants and bars.

14. Take ferry to Sicily or the Italian mainland

Do you want to continue the journey, further from Sardinia? Large car tips leave from Cagliari and you can travel with the Grimaldi Lines shipping company to Sicily or to Naples on the Italian mainland.

More to see and do in Cagliari

There is of course more to see and do in Cagliari, in addition to our best tips. There are still a few suggestions here.

• Molentargius parks is a wetland area outside the center, which is known for its flamingos.
• Siamese Art Museum is an unexpected collection of Thai and Asian art.
• Tuvixeddu necropolis is a Punic cemetery, one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Botanical garden is a botanical garden with Mediterranean plants and exotic plants.
• National Pinacoteca is an art gallery with Italian and Sardine art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
• San’te Effective is a small but very important church, coupled with the great annual procession in honor of the saint.
• San Saturnino is one of the oldest churches in Sardinia, from the 500S, and dedicated to the patron saint of the city.

Where can you live or stand at the camper?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation in Cagliari. If you travel by camper, there is a large camper in an excellent location: Camper Cagliari Park. This place is not particularly charming. You are close to a large asphalt parking and if it is hot, it can be incredibly hot in the sun.

However, there is all the service you need here: electricity, fresh water, LEDs of gray and black water and toilets and showers. Walking to the historic part of the city takes about half an hour. The price was currently (2025) 27 euros/day without electricity or 37 euros/day with electricity.

More to see and in the neighborhood

Of course there is more to see and experience around Sardinia. Visits on the east coast can recommend beautiful Cala Gonone, and maybe a walk in Gorropu Canyon. On the west coast we can tell about the much smaller, but very charming, the city of Bosa.

More tips about things to see and do in Cagliari?

Have you visited Sardinia? If so, maybe more tips about what to see and do in Cagliari? Feel free to share!