Cagliari

Travel Guide

Cagliari showing a city
Bastion of Saint Remy featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and a square or plaza
Cagliari featuring a house, street scenes and heritage architecture
Cagliari showing views as well as a large group of people
Cagliari showing a city

Ancient relics, monumental structures and an underground crypt with the bones of martyrs. The capital city of Sardinia captivates with its history and beauty.

A vast historic center bursting with iconic landmarks, religious structures and archeological finds are among Cagliari’s main draws. Peruse the Roman, Byzantine and prehistoric sights and relics to learn about the city’s rich history. Then, after an eventful day of sightseeing relax on the beach.

Spend an afternoon walking around the historic Castello district. Encounter the Bastion of Saint Remy, an early 20th-century addition to the medieval walls. Climb to the top for a magnificent view of the city from a spacious terrace with bars.

Make your way to Piazza Palazzo in the heart of the historic center for the elegant buildings around the square. The Cathedral of Santa Maria can be found on the southeast of the piazza. Visit the extraordinary crypt where bodies and fascinating relics are buried.

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale is located in the same central zone of the city. Peruse relics that tell the story of the island’s ancient history and the dynasties who lived here. See statues from the Nuragic civilization, a Bronze Age culture.

A little further south along the coast, discover a large religious complex that features a basilica and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria. Find out about the intriguing tale of a ship caught in a storm and miraculously saved by a cargo crate containing a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ.

Cagliari remains popular year-round due to its Mediterranean climate, with scorching summers and mild winters, making the beach a popular destination. Head to Poetto Beach, a stunning 5-mile (8-kilometer) stretch of sand.

Cagliari is on the southern tip of the island of Sardinia, 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Iglesias. Fly to Cagliari International Airport and take the regular 10-minute shuttle bus to the center of the city.

A trip to Cagliari is a voyage back through the ages with reminders of fallen dynasties and civilizations.

Where to stay in Cagliari

Cagliari - Villasimius - Southern Sardinia showing street scenes

Marina District

Unique features of Marina District include the waterfront views and bars. Make a stop by Sant'Eulalia Archaeological Site and Treasure Museum or Church of Sant'Eulalia while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Cagliari - Villasimius - Southern Sardinia showing street scenes

Historic Castle District

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Historic Castle District. You might want to make time for a stop at Cagliari Cathedral or Tower of the Elephant.

Historic Castle District
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria which includes a city

Bonaria

If you're spending some time in Bonaria, Sanctuary and Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria and International Trade Fair of Sardinia are top sights worth seeing.

Bonaria
Cagliari - Villasimius - Southern Sardinia showing street scenes

Stampace

While visiting Stampace, you might make a stop by sights like Port of Cagliari and Piazza Yenne.

Stampace
On the Sardinian dialect Cagliari is called Casteddu – castle. The first thing you will see when you arrive at the center of the old town are definitely ramparts built in the 19th century. Once you climb the stairs you will come to a huge terrace with wooden benches and tall palm trees. What you should not miss is sunset. It would be a shame to come in Cagliari and not take a look at sunset from the Bastione Saint Remy. #goldenhour

Villanova

Villanova might not have many top sights, but Cagliari Cathedral and National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Villanova
Default Image

Is Mirrionis

Is Mirrionis might not have many top sights, but Roman Amphitheatre of Cagliari and San Michele Castle are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Is Mirrionis
Hotel Palazzo Doglio
Hotel Palazzo Doglio
5 out of 5
Vico del Logudoro 1, Cagliari, CA
The price is ¥51,871 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
¥51,871
¥57,744 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cagliari. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (248 reviews)
"Excellent all around"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel Palazzo Doglio
Hotel Residence Ulivi e Palme
Hotel Residence Ulivi e Palme
3 out of 5
Via Bembo 25, Cagliari, CA
The price is ¥11,794 per night from Jul 25 to Jul 26
¥11,794
¥13,487 total
Jul 25 - Jul 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cagliari. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (362 reviews)
"Very good location and amazing staff"

Reviewed on May 26, 2025

Hotel Residence Ulivi e Palme
Hotel Italia
Hotel Italia
3 out of 5
Via Sardegna 31, Cagliari, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥22,133 per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
¥22,133
¥24,860 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cagliari. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (603 reviews)
"Hotel was small and basic and fine for one night. It was a couple minutes walk from the train station to the airport, and easy to walk to the main parts of town. Good restaurants right outside that were not crowded like the city center. Weird key with a keychain that seemed like it weighed 5kgs, ..."

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Hotel Italia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
PLEY Cagliari Boutique Rooms
PLEY Cagliari Boutique Rooms
Via Garibaldi 105, Cagliari, CA
Stay at this apartment in Cagliari. Enjoy free WiFi, meeting facilities, and climate control. Popular attractions Port of Cagliari and International Trade Fair ...
PLEY Cagliari Boutique Rooms
Spacebility Airport-  self check-in
Spacebility Airport- self check-in
Viale Elmas 93, Cagliari, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in Cagliari. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
"Great place to stay near airport. Very good communicating and super clean!"

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2024

Spacebility Airport- self check-in
Apartment Sonnino 37
Apartment Sonnino 37
Via San Sonnino 37, 6, Cagliari, CA
Stay at this apartment in Cagliari. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Port of Cagliari and International ...
Apartment Sonnino 37
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cagliari

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
24
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

beautiful beaches, and a great place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Mostly friendly community, but we felt that some were anti American tourists. Overall we had a lovely time and would definitely visit again.

5/5 - Excellent

R

Cagliari is an excellent two day city - I recommend going there at the end of your trip, for the balance of your trip go to the Villasimius area - come to Cagliari at the end because it is 15 minute drive to the airport where many flights are early

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I found all of Sardinia to my liking. I really liked Olbia, but I like smaller cities. Cagliari has a lot to offer and I did not allot enough time for it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We really enjoyed our time here, I wish we could have stayed longer.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Most relevant sites to see required hour pkus drive.

Cities near Cagliari