CagliariSardinia · Italy

All About Cagliari

While a part of Italy since the unification of the country in the 1860s, Sardinia still manages to cling to long-held traditions and ways of life. The provincial capital of the autonomously-run island, it was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia for more than 500 years. The largest city on the island, Cagliari is the island’s center of culture and the arts. At the same time, it is layered with up to 5,000 years of history. Starting with foundations in stone age times, its streets span the ages to include the celebrated art nouveau architecture of the early twentieth century.

Located on the island’s southern coast, approaching by sea is still the best way to arrive. Use Ferryscanner and you can easily compare prices and book ferry tickets to Cagliari. Then you too can take in the gleaming waters overlooked by a thriving café scene. This leads towards no end of attractive buildings bathed in the summer sun, winding their way up to the twelve-century citadel which stands at the city’s highest point. Blending the Mediterranean cultures of Italy, Spain, and even the North African nations of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia like almost nowhere else, Cagliari makes for a perfect Mediterranean getaway.
 

Routes and Ferries to Cagliari

When it comes to ferry tickets to Cagliari, visitors to the island have several excellent options. The city has long-held ferry links with mainland Italy, Sicily, and also other cities in Sardinia. Together they mean you can purchase ferry tickets to Cagliari on an almost daily basis right throughout the year. Two ferry companies operate the routes to and from Cagliari. They both have modern ferries which welcome foot passengers and motor vehicles. Travelers can even book cabins for longer crossings, which usually take place overnight. Grimaldi Lines runs ferries between Cagliari and Salerno, a major port in the southern half of mainland Italy. The crossing is scheduled to last 17 hours, with around two sailings per week. Prices generally range between €35 and €60 for adult travelers.

Grimaldi Lines also operate sailings between Palermo in Sicily and Cagliari. It might surprise many looking for ferry tickets to Cagliari to discover that the crossing to Sicily is actually quicker than that to mainland Italy, lasting 12 hours. The Tirrenia ferry company also operates ferries to Cagliari from Palermo, meaning that together there are three sailings per week in either direction, with prices ranging from between €30-50.

Should the Salerno service be sold out, visitors instead have the chance to reach Cagliari from nearby Naples. Also operated by Tirrenia, journeys last 14.5 hours and can be boarded twice a week with prices starting at €45. From northern Italy, Tirrenia has sailings that depart from the port of Civitavecchia, close to Rome. These crossings last 13 hours, with up to one sailing per day on average.

Finally, Cagliari is also linked to Arbatax on the east coast of Sardinia. Arbatax can therefore be considered an alternative way of reaching Cagliari, particularly during the high season months of May to the end of September when sailings are regularly fully booked. The journey time to Arbatax is 4.5 hours. Sailings take place at least twice per week in both directions and are priced at just €19-24.

Cagliari’s Elmas International Airport operates flights from a range of European destinations. Airlines connect the Sardinian city with major Italian cities throughout the year, and other European destinations on a seasonal basis. Cagliari is also connected to several major towns and cities on Sardinia by train. The line runs from a terminus station close to the port of Cagliari north across the center of Sardinia, before splitting into two branches. One continues on to Olbia on the east coast and the other to Porto Torres on the west coast.
 

Port of Cagliari

It’s thought that Cagliari developed where it did because of its broad sheltered harbor, which remains one of the largest anywhere in the Mediterranean. It continues to lie at the heart of the city, meaning when you step off the ferry, you’ll be right at the heart of the action. It’s possible to reach the old town’s lower streets on foot in around 20 minutes. A shuttle bus connects the two in half that time, dependent on traffic conditions.
 

Best Beaches

Although rightly celebrated for its long history and unique culture, Cagliari also offers visitors some excellent beaches. Phenomenal vistas, relaxed stretches of coast, and almost guaranteed good weather mean you should definitely consider checking out some of the best beaches in Cagliari for yourself.

Poetto Beach

Ask about the best beaches in Cagliari and Poetto Beach will almost always be the one that comes top of the list. Just a short distance from the city center, Poetto then extends for roughly eight kilometers of soft pale sand. Its facilities are also second-to-none, with hotels, restaurants and a prime choice of nightspots too.

Cala Fighera Beach

A more secluded and tranquil option than Poetto Beach, Cala Fighera lies almost hidden among the rocky coastline on the opposite side of the Sella del Diavolo promontory, at the southernmost point of the city. The sand of Poetto is swapped for smooth pebbles here, although the water is equally attractive.

Mari Pintau Beach

Roughly 200 meters in length, Mari Pintau Beach lies east of Cagliari. Its name means ‘painted sea’, giving an indication of just how gorgeous the waters can be here. Particularly popular with younger people, on busier days it’s best to arrive early to guarantee a parking space. Facilities are minimal, so bring everything you might need for an enjoyable day in the sun.

Solanas Beach

A little further away, at around 35 kilometers from Cagliari, Solanas Beach sits at the base of a low arch, providing some shelter from the open water. A ribbon of sand some 1.2 kilometers long, it offers various facilities including sun loungers and umbrellas. What’s more, it’s one of the best places on the island for surfers.
 

Places to Visit

In Cagliari, you never have to go far to find somewhere of interest. Be sure to include these places to visit when planning your next trip to the city.

Castle of San Michele

The San Michele Castello has stood guard over the city’s lower slopes since it was first built in the 1100s. A walled citadel rather than a single fort, its mix of historic buildings and unmissable museums make it a must-see part of the city.

Cathedral of Saint Mary

This extraordinary survivor of another age may have a relatively plain exterior, but this can be forgiven when you cross its boundary into its sumptuous interior. First built in the 1200s, it was refitted in later centuries, and boasts an extraordinary array of features and workmanship that takes the breath away.

Domus de Janas

This ‘House of Fairies’ is in fact a necropolis or burial site formed out of a series of natural caves. Dating back several thousand years, many of the walls are decorated with abstract carvings, although the bodies once housed here have been moved to museums for preservation.

Roman amphitheater

Almost disappearing into the surrounding limestone hillside, the Romans carved this amphitheater’s curving bank of seats several stories high to ensure everyone could have a good view of the gladiatorial combat taking place below them. Seating up to 8,000 spectators for any one performance, visitors are also able to look down into the basement rooms where many of the wild animals were housed.
 

Transportation Around Cagliari

At 20 minutes from the port to the city center on foot, it’s likely you’ll want to make use of some form of transport while exploring Cagliari. If you’re in a larger group, it’s cost-effective to rent a car, especially if you’re looking to head further afield. There are a handful of rental agencies close to the port, although with a limited number of vehicles it’s always best to book in advance.

Alternatively, a small fleet of taxis await the arrival of the ferries into the port and are not prohibitively expensive. There is also a good bus service connecting up all the most important parts of the city. For instance, buses can reach Poetto Beach in around 15 minutes from the port, and less from the city center. However, you’ll need to purchase a ticket before boarding from shops such as newsagents. You also need to validate your ticket using one of the machines on board – ask a local if you’re not sure how.