Cagliari
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 10 March 2022
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Situated on Sardinia's southern coast and directly facing Tunisia in Africa, Cagliari is the island's capital with a population of 154,267.
It's also the capital of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari province and by far the dominant city of Sardinia. Its central location in the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Italian mainland to the east, Sicily to the south east, Corsica and France to the north and Spain to the west, has led Cagliari and Sardinia in general, to be prone to conquest and pillage. |
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Over the centuries since its foundation around 700 BC, Cagliari itself has been under the control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Goths, Byzantines, Pisans, Spanish, Piemontese, English, Austrian and French along with endless raids by Saracen pirates. All this however, has led to a rich and diverse culture with many different influences clearly tangible in terms of the local dialects, food and architecture.
The modern-day Cagliari is divided up into 4 main districts: Castello, Marina, Stampace and Villanova. Most of the most popular sights are housed within Castello; the walled citadel constructed by the Pisans to defend against the Saracen raids. Here you'll find the Bastione di Sant Remy, from where you can gaze out on to the city and to the sea beyond, the Torre dell'Elefante watchtower and the Cattedrale which sits at the junction of Piazza dell'Indipendenza and Piazza Palazzo.
Heading down the steps of Castello towards the sea you reach the district of Marina; very different from Castello with its more modern feel, and wide, tree-lined boulevards where you'll find some of the city's best shops.
One of the most happening spots in Cagliari is Piazza Yenne in the Stampace district with its bars, restaurants, street-entertainers and a throng of people, particularly on balmy summer evenings when the locals come out for their passeggiata (evening walk).
The final district, Villanova, is more residential than the other three but certainly warrants a brief wander where you can see some of its multi-coloured buildings and historic churches.
Away from the city centre you might like the idea of taking a dip in the sea at Poetto Beach which is a half an hour bus ride away while if you have a car I'd recommend driving up to Monte Urpinu where you can get enjoy the panoramas and get a better sense of how the city is laid-out.
Cagliari is served by an international airport (Cagliari Elmas) which is located just 10 km from the city centre and around 15 minutes by taxi/car. You can also take a train from the airport to Piazza Matteotti in around 10 minutes.
Although Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia it's by no means big in modern terms; you can easily see everything on foot in a day and although the biggest effort could be the climb up to Castello, there is an elevator to ease the strain.
The modern-day Cagliari is divided up into 4 main districts: Castello, Marina, Stampace and Villanova. Most of the most popular sights are housed within Castello; the walled citadel constructed by the Pisans to defend against the Saracen raids. Here you'll find the Bastione di Sant Remy, from where you can gaze out on to the city and to the sea beyond, the Torre dell'Elefante watchtower and the Cattedrale which sits at the junction of Piazza dell'Indipendenza and Piazza Palazzo.
Heading down the steps of Castello towards the sea you reach the district of Marina; very different from Castello with its more modern feel, and wide, tree-lined boulevards where you'll find some of the city's best shops.
One of the most happening spots in Cagliari is Piazza Yenne in the Stampace district with its bars, restaurants, street-entertainers and a throng of people, particularly on balmy summer evenings when the locals come out for their passeggiata (evening walk).
The final district, Villanova, is more residential than the other three but certainly warrants a brief wander where you can see some of its multi-coloured buildings and historic churches.
Away from the city centre you might like the idea of taking a dip in the sea at Poetto Beach which is a half an hour bus ride away while if you have a car I'd recommend driving up to Monte Urpinu where you can get enjoy the panoramas and get a better sense of how the city is laid-out.
Cagliari is served by an international airport (Cagliari Elmas) which is located just 10 km from the city centre and around 15 minutes by taxi/car. You can also take a train from the airport to Piazza Matteotti in around 10 minutes.
Although Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia it's by no means big in modern terms; you can easily see everything on foot in a day and although the biggest effort could be the climb up to Castello, there is an elevator to ease the strain.
Comune di Cagliari
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Province: Metropolitan City of Cagliari
Region: capital of Sardinia Population: 149,572 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 85 km² Highlights: Piazza Yenne, Bastione di Sant Remy, Poetto Beach Close by: Torre delle Stelle, Solanas, Pula, Capo Carbonara Recommended accommodation: Hotel Nautilus |
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By car: Arbatax - 2 hrs 2 m/143 km, Alghero 2 hrs 39 m/ 247 km
Fly to: Cagliari Elmas Airport - 6 mins by train, 14 mins by car |
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