Free walking tours in Cagliari and what to see

Must-sees

Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, rises on hills facing the Gulf of Angels. Its oldest district is Castello, the walled quarter on the hilltop, reached by steps or lifts. From the Bastione di Saint Remy you get views over the rooftops, the port and the beach. Inside the walls are the cathedral of Santa Maria, the Pisan towers of San Pancrazio and dell'Elefante and the Cittadella dei Musei, with the National Archaeological Museum and its nuraghic statues.

At the foot of Castello lie the historic districts of Marina, Stampace and Villanova, with streets of shops and restaurants. Marina keeps the archaeological area of Sant'Eulalia beneath the church. Near the city are the Roman amphitheatre, carved into the rock, and the sanctuary of Bonaria. For the sea, Poetto is a city beach of about eight kilometres that starts below the Sella del Diavolo, and behind it is the Molentargius park, with pink flamingos.

Free tours and guided visits

Cagliari does not have a regular free walking tour, although there are guided city tours and tours designed for cruise passengers with only a few hours. On the water there are boat trips around the gulf and outings by gozzo, the traditional boat, along the coast. For day trips, some go to the beaches of south-west Sardinia and others to the nuraghic complex of Barumini and the Giara di Gesturi plateau.

How long to spend

In a day you can see Castello, the bastion and the lower districts at leisure. With two, you add the archaeological museum, an afternoon at Poetto and a walk through Molentargius. If you have three or four days, spend one at Barumini and another on the beaches of the south coast.

Where to stay

Marina is the most practical district: it is next to the port and the station, with guesthouses, apartments and restaurants. Castello offers small places to stay in old buildings and views, in exchange for hills. Stampace and Villanova are more residential and quiet, and Poetto is the choice if you want to wake up by the sea.