Sitting as it does in the Mediterranean, Sardinia has been a stopping point for everyone who sailed that sea, from the Phoenicians to today’s cruise ships. Not surprisingly, each has left its traces in the capital city of Cagliari, on Sardinia’s south coast. The oldest part of Cagliari is known as the Castello. It clings to the slopes of a hill that rises steeply from the harbor and has been fought over by the Pisans, Genoese, and Spanish, and raided by pirates from North Africa.
Cagliari’s people and traditions show this varied heritage, and the influences of different periods are reflected in its architecture as well. Facing the harbor, the Town Hall blends Spanish Gothic with Italian Art Nouveau, and elsewhere in the city, you’ll recognize Neoclassical arcades and bastions, medieval towers, Roman and medieval stonework, and Baroque churches. Sardinia has its own language, which many people still speak at home and among friends, but everyone speaks Italian and many also speak English. It also has its own cuisine, so be sure to try some of the local dishes you’ll find highlighted on menus. All this makes Cagliari and the south coast’s attractions even more fun for tourists to explore.
What To See
Palazzo Baccaredda
Piazza del Carmine
Bastione S.Remy
Giardino sotto le Mura
Torre dell’Elefante
Bastioni di S.Croce
Cattedrale di Santa Maria
Cittadella dei Musei
Parco del Molentargius
Anfiteatro Romano
Sella del Diavolo
Giardini Pubblici di Cagliari
Villa di Tigellio
Parco di Monte Urpinu
Basilica di San Saturnino
Terrapieno di Viale Regina Elena
Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna
Castello di San Michele
Pinacoteca Nazionale
Exmà
Ghetto degli Ebrei
Spiaggia del Poetto
Lungomare del Porto di Cagliari
Calamosca
Spiaggetta di S.Elia
Where To Eat
Restaurant
Josto – Via Sassari 25-26
Kobuta – Via Sardegna, 56
Coendi – Via dei Mille, 6
Luigi Pomata – Viale Regina Margherita, 14
Dal Corsaro – Viale Regina Margherita, 28
Bottega
Sapori di Sardegna – Vico dei Mille, 1
Sabores – Via Baylle, 6
Pizza
Framento – C.so Vittorio Emanuele II, 263
Nansen – C.so Vittorio Emanuele II, 269
Burger
Retroburger – Via Azuni, 98
Polpa Burger – Via Giovanni Maria Angioy, 22
Old Square – C.so Vittorio Emanuele II, 44
Gluten Free, Vegan or Vegetarian
Gintilla – C.so Vittorio Emanuele II, 210
Man.gia – Via Mameli, 196
Gelato
Gocce di Gelato e Cioccolato – Piazza del Carmine, 21
Cremoso – Vico Carlo Felice, 3/A
Stefino – Via Dettori, 30
