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Ìýthe capital of Sardinia,Ìýin Italy, isÌýa cosmopolitan city that has been a main tourist destinationÌýfor decades. The city is a heady mix of the old and the new, where the medieval meets the modernistÌýcreating a perfectly balanced mix. Cagliari’s history spans over 2000 years andÌýleft its marks on the city, with plenty ofÌýchurches, archaeological sites,Ìýculture and tradition.

Attractions in Cagliari

Poetto Beach

The main attractions in Cagliari are itsÌýbeaches. The Poetto beach is lively and beautiful,Ìýlined with restaurants, cafés and bars. Locals loveÌýPoetto, so do head there if you would like to do some crowd watching.ÌýThe marina and the yacht club are located on the southern end of the beach.

 

Marina

Marina diÌýCagliari is well worth a visit: this waterfront area is the artsy heart of Cagliari. Criss-crossed by tiny alleys and streets filled with artists’ workshops and stores, the Marina is also a lovely place to have lunch or dinner, thanks to its many restaurants and quaint cafés.ÌýAs the Marina is an old area of the city, it is a good spot for all those interested in architecture and fine arts.

Punic-RomanÌýNecropolis of Tuvixeddu

This Necropolis is the biggest of itsÌýkind still extant. It is situated on the Tuvixeddu hill,Ìýin Cagliari. It was the CarthaginiansÌýand the Phoenicians to use the area as a cemetery first, most likely in between the 6^³Ù³óÌýand the 3^rdÌýcentury BC.ÌýThe Romans also used the area as a funerary location. In spite of its undeniable historical and cultural value,ÌýTuvixeddu has never been valorised: for a long time, it hasÌýbeen object of acts of vandalism by tombaroli (grave thieves)Ìýand satanists,Ìýand it has even been used as a quarry until as recently as the 1970s. However, the quarry’s excavations have somehow helped: it was through them that several other Carthaginians tombs and remains of a Roman aqueduct were discovered.ÌýDuringÌýWWII,Ìýcaves and tombs wereÌýused as shelter during the bombings. After the war, they became home to many family who, during those same bombings, had lost their own place.

Torre dell’Elefante

TheÌýTorre dell’ElefanteÌýis one of the very symbols of the city. It is called so because of a beautifullyÌýsculpted elephant visible on one of its façades. In spite of its beauty,Ìýgloom radiates from this tower: when Sardinia was under Spanish domination, several beheadings took place within its walls.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria

Chiesa di San Michele

This BaroqueÌýbuildingÌýis quite unusual: to enter it, one has to pass through an atrium and climb a set of stair. Only then, the faithful visitor will face the entrance of the Church. In the atrium there is a large pulpit named after the Emperor Charles V.

Chiesa di Sant’Anna

The is a large building built in aÌýBaroque style. During World War II, the church wasÌýheavily damaged and was then refurbished with extreme care. The large columns supporting the building give it a hint of neoclassical.

Anfiteatro Romano

The Roman amphitheater in Cagliari was built in the 2^nd century BC. The amphitheater wasÌýcarved out the rock of a hillsideÌýand suffered much damage in the later centuries. However, the theater, or what is left of it, has been well preservedÌýand it is now a beautiful place and an example of how the life during the Roman times must have once been.

Getting to Cagliari

Cagliari has that has flights coming in from many destinations in Italy and Europe. Flights are the best way to reach Cagliari. The city is alsoÌýwell connected by train to all other Sardinian cities; trains are quite punctual and comfortable here. There are also frequent bus services that reach Cagliari from various cities in Sardinia. Bus stops and stations are located at different places in the city, easily connected by taxis and local bus services.

Cagliari is also a portual town: ferries get here from Genoa, Rome, Naples and Palermo. Often, cruise ships also stop in the city’s port.

Moving Around Cagliari

Stay and Accommodation

There are plenty of options for your stay in Cagliari. Along the beach, there are plenty of good resorts and world class hotels that have been attractingÌýtourists for years. Some of the best known places to stay while in Cagliari are the ,ÌýLe Meridien Hotel, theÌýHotel Villa del Parco, and There are also quite a lot of good Bed & Breakfasts in the city.

Eating Out in Cagliari

Cagliari has a plethora of cafés and restaurants on offer.ÌýMost of the good restaurants are all in the old historic center, where you can enjoy local dishes, salads and pizzas.ÌýIf you enjoy sea food, you will never go wrong with it in Cagliari. The same can be said about gelato: there is no bad gelato in Cagliari.

Shopping in Cagliari

Cagliari is heavenly when it comes to shopping: from high end shopping to coloful markets, Cagliari is a hot spot for all those who love to shop. Cagliari’s shopping area is located in the area comprised aroundÌýVia Roma, Via Manno, Via Alghero, Via DanteÌýandÌýLargo Carlo Felice.ÌýWith so many streetsÌýlined with beautiful shops selling everything under the sun, you would probably never want to leave Cagliari. Most of these picturesque shopping streets are punctuated here and there with eateries and cafes which makes shopping a very pleasant experience.