Cagliari Travelers Recommend

You can find a little something for everyone with two days in Cagliari: history buffs will love the medieval old town and nearby archaeological sites, foodies can savor the island’s cuisine, and outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in kayaking, hiking, or sailing adventures. Here are your options for a crowd-pleasing two days in Cagliari.

Day 1: Cagliari: History and Nature

**Morning:**Cagliari’s old town is one of the most storied and fascinating on the island of Sardinia, so delve into its history and architecture with a guided walking tour, or zip from place to place on wheels by exploring via Segway, Fiat 500, or tuk-tuk.

**Afternoon:**From the historic center, move on to Cagliari’s coastline. Nature lovers can admire the flamingos and other waterfowl at the peaceful Molentargius wetlands by touring the park on foot, Segway, or by tuk-tuk. Sun worshippers can instead spend a few hours basking on the lively Poetto beach, cool drink in hand.

**Night:**It’s time to dine, either at the home of a local, who has prepared a traditional Sardinian meal, or at a cooking class with an instructor who can teach you how to make classic dishes like potato and cheese ravioli (culurgionis) and the unique bread of Sardinia.  

Day 2: A Day of Adventure

**Morning:**In addition to its historic cities, Sardinia also offers opportunities for outdoor adventure. Set off to kayak and hike at Devil’s Saddle, explore the Cave of Neptune sea grotto, sail across the Gulf of Cagliari by boat, or discover the best beaches on a day trip from Cagliari.

**Afternoon:**Take a deeper dive into the island’s history and culture by opting for an archaeological tour to the Phoenician ruins of Nora or the neolithic Su Nuraxi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, visit the mountain villages of Mamoiada and Orgosolo or Carloforte on San Pietro island.

**Night:**Dedicate the evening to the island’s food and wine. Join a winery tour to taste Sardinian reds and whites paired with traditional specialties like sheep cheese and cured meats, or meet a local family for the unique experience of cooking and dining together in their home.

Cagliari is Sardinia’s most important port city, with a striking historic center and an ideal location along the southern coast for exploring the island’s highlights by land or sea. Here are a few ways to enjoy both inland treasures and gorgeous coastline over three days, from neolithic ruins to pristine natural reserves.

Day 1: The Historic Port City

Cagliari has been Sardinia’s most important port city for centuries, and its old town is testimony to its long and captivating history. Explore highlights, such as the medieval Castello citadel and the ornate Cathedral of Santa Maria and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria, with a guided walking tour, or zip through the city streets on wheels in a Fiat 500 automobile, on a tuk-tuk, or Segway. 

After exploring Cagliari’s historic quarter, head outside the city to the coast and admire the resident flamingos and other wildlife at the serene Molentargius wetlands, or stake out a deck chair on Poetto beach to watch locals sunbathe and frolic in the waves. For a delicious end to your day, try a hands-on cooking class and learn how to prepare classic island dishes, or sit down for dinner with a local family to enjoy traditional recipes prepared in their home kitchen.

Day 2: Island Highlights by Land

Sardinia’s singular culture remains different from mainland Italy, and each individual city and town on this island also is distinct from its neighbors. Take a closer look at this patchwork of histories, languages, and cuisines on a day trip to the medieval port city of Alghero and the Riviera del Corallo on Sardinia’s opposite coast, or by joining an excursion to the tiny inland villages in the Barbagia Mountains to spend the day with a local family. 

Archaeology enthusiasts can head to the town of Barumini to visit the center and nearby Su Nuraxi archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the Bronze Age. Gourmands can opt for a Sardinian food and wine tour that stops at wineries in the countryside surrounding Cagliari to imbibe in the best local labels and sample traditional delicacies like artisan cheeses and cured meats.

Day 3: Coastal Beauty

You’ve explored Sardinia’s inland heart, so today skirt its spectacular coastline. Adventure lovers can hop in a 4x4 to take on the most rugged and isolated stretches of coast as part of a guided day trip; alternatively, join a more sedate guided excursion to the island’s best beaches via air-conditioned minivan. 

For sports enthusiasts who want to get away from the beach crowds, an active day of hiking and kayaking along the coast near Cagliari is ideal. And, if you just want to relax, set sail on a hop-on-hop-off mini-cruise on the Gulf of Orosei, stopping to swim or explore the coast at your leisure.

Best known for its idyllic coastline and unspoiled countryside, the cities on the island of Sardinia captivate with their blend of cultural treasures and free-spirited Mediterranean vibe. Here’s how to get to know the capital and port city of Cagliari in one day, from its hilltop medieval citadel to its lively waterfront. 

Morning: The Castle and Beyond

The historic district of Castello is so synonymous with Cagliari that islanders commonly use Casteddu—Castello in the Sardinian dialect—as shorthand to refer to the city as a whole. For some of the best views, join a tour that starts at this walled fortress and its 14th-century towers. You have a wide range of options, from combined walking and minivan tours to guided visits via Segway, tuk-tuk, and Fiat 500. Generally, tours work their way downhill to touch on architectural highlights, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria, as well as archaeological sites, such as the Roman amphitheater and Phoenician necropolis of Tuvixeddu.

Afternoon: The Wetlands and Coast

After seeing cultural sights in Cagliari’s historic center, explore the city’s natural beauty. Admire the famous flamingo population at Molentargius Natural Park, a wetland reserve outside the city that hosts a wealth of bird life and can be toured via bike, tuk-tuk, or Segway. For a livelier outdoor excursion, head to Poetto beach, a four-mile-long stretch of sand where locals gather on summer days to sunbathe and socialize at the beach clubs. You also can explore Cagliari’s coastline by sea aboard a skippered sailboat.

Night: The Island Cuisine

You’ve seen Cagliari’s architectural and scenic gems, so it’s time to delve into its unique cuisine. Join a wine tour to one of the island wineries in the countryside and taste some of the local labels paired with artisan cheeses and other area specialties, or sit down to a traditional home-cooked meal with a local cook. Aspiring or experienced chefs can opt for a cooking class, followed by dinner with the instructor, to learn how to recreate at home some of the most traditional Sardinian dishes like ravioli (culurgionis) or dumplings with sausage (malloreddus alla salsiccia).