1. Cagliari - General Information

Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and is located at the southern end of the island. To be honest, the city itself didn't make a wow impression on us. It looks like many other big Italian cities - a bit exotic, a bit dirty... However, even those who are not big fans of cities can find charming spots here: a cozy beach and interesting places for trekking trips. There is a beautiful old town, restaurants, shops, and bars. Cagliari is a great idea if you are planning a few days trip to enjoy the beach and warm sea. The airport is close to the city (7 minutes by train), so you won't waste time on commuting if you stay for a few days. The airport is small and easy to navigate, right next to a train station with two platforms (you can also directly reach other cities on the island, like Iglesias). If you plan a longer stay and want to explore other regions of Sardinia, staying in Cagliari may be inconvenient as it will take a lot of time to travel in and out of the city.

2. Cagliari with a Stroller or a Bicycle

One of the advantages of Cagliari is its long promenades, asphalt paths, and pedestrian-cyclist lanes that stretch for kilometers. Parents with strollers and families who enjoy cycling will appreciate this. It is the first time I have seen a city where renting a bicycle is truly worth it! A charming pedestrian-cyclist promenade leads from the port. Then, a safe bicycle path, separated from cars, takes us to the Molentargius Park (about 5 km). The park itself is huge, with asphalt paths that are perfect for cycling. From the park, there is a pedestrian-cyclist passage to Poetto Beach, the largest beach in Cagliari, which stretches for 12 kilometers! Along the beach, there is a promenade and a bike path. Bicycles can be rented in many places in the city, and there are also city bikes available. Below, I marked an example of a bike route that includes the journey from the port, visiting the park, and cycling along Poetto Beach.

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Cagliari - pedestrian-cyclist promenade near the port

3. Cagliari - Beaches and Beach Buses to Poetto and Calamosca

Cagliari is a port city, and a large port is located near the old town, where ferries and cruise ships dock. The beaches are about 6 km from the city center. The city has two beaches: Poetto (pronounced Poeto) and Calamosca.

Poetto Beach

You can reach it by buses PQ and PF, which depart from the initial stops near the train station and along Via Roma street. The buses run very frequently, approximately every 10 minutes, even late at night and during the off-season. At the initial bus stop, on Piazza Giacomo Matteotti (the square in front of the train and bus station), there is a ticket machine where you can purchase public transportation tickets 24/7. There are large parking lots near the beach, but even during the off-season, it was difficult to find a parking spot. Poetto Beach is a 12 km long sandy beach with bars, cafes, shops, food trucks, and restaurants with verandas. They are open throughout the season and often have loud music playing. Along the beach, there is a wide pedestrian-cyclist promenade that is illuminated at night and is crowded even during the off-season.

Cagliari - Poetto Beach

Calamosca Beach

This small, charming beach is located in a small bay and, in our opinion, is much more picturesque than the large Poetto Beach. Buses also go to this beach, but they are less frequent, and during the off-season, the last bus departs before sunset. There is a lighthouse here. In the hotel/guesthouse near the beach, there was an open bar with a terrace overlooking the sea (the bar was also open in January, during the off-season). We didn't see any other dining options. People who visit this beach mainly bring their own food. There is a military area between the two beaches, but there is a path that allows you to walk from one beach to the other. The path starts at the end of the Poetto Beach parking lot.

Cagliari - Calamosca Beach

Cagliari - Calamosca Beach

4. Cagliari - Trekking, Capo Sant'Elia Trails

Capo Sant'Elia is a large headland located between Poetto Beach and Calamosca Beach, with trekking trails and viewpoints overlooking the sea, Poetto Beach, and Cagliari. On the side of Poetto Beach, there is a military area, and the trails start near Calamosca Beach. It took us half a day to explore the headland - if you enjoy off-road trips, you shouldn't miss it! From the headland, you can enjoy beautiful views of Cagliari, Poetto Beach, and breathtaking sunsets. If you plan a trip to the headland, it's a good idea to bring water and some snacks as there are no shops near Calamosca Beach. However, we found one bar in a hotel with a beautiful terrace that served warm sandwiches and salads, even during the off-season. If you are interested in trekking routes in southern Sardinia, you can also check out the article 'Southern Sardinia off-season - Iglesias, trekking, sightseeing'.

Trails on Capo Sant'Elia

Capo Sant'Elia - view of the sea

Capo Sant'Elia - view of the sea

Capo Sant'Elia - one of the viewpoints

Poetto Beach and Saline - view from Capo Sant'Elia

5. Cagliari - What to See?

Cagliari - Old Town

The old town in Cagliari is extensive, with many narrow streets designated as pedestrian areas. There are both spacious main promenades with a network of shops and many charming streets where you can enjoy a pleasant walk. It is worth climbing the Saint Remy Bastion, which offers a beautiful panorama of the city. During our two-day stay in Cagliari, we focused more on sunbathing on the beaches, so we mainly explored the city at night, wandering through the streets.

Molentargius Saline Regional Park

This extensive park is about 12 km wide, with most of the paths exposed to the sun. There is one avenue with trees along the park. Here, you can see pink flamingos in their natural habitat. You can explore the park by bike, as there is an asphalt pedestrian-cyclist path that runs through it. In addition to flamingos, you can spot various species of water birds and fish. However, keep in mind that the area is vast, and the birds may be seen in the distance (it's a good idea to bring binoculars). What impressed us the most was a flock of flamingos flying above us during our time on the beach.

Molentargius Saline Regional Park

Molentargius Saline Regional Park

Cagliari - New Year's Eve, Fireworks Show

We welcomed the new year, 2020, in Cagliari. The trip was spontaneous - we found cheap plane tickets without really knowing where to go :) We wondered where in the city would be the best place to watch the fireworks and chose the bastion. Although we had a view of the entire city from there, the fireworks were, well... not very impressive. The main show was on the sea, but from the bastion, we could only see it in the distance. For your information, it's worth going to the promenade behind the port to watch the show.

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Author: adelina
Publish Date: 2019-12-28