One Day in Cagliari, Sardinia for Culture and History
- Maria DiCicco
- Nov 5
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Whether you arrive in Cagliari by ferry boat, cruise ship, or passing through en route to other island attractions, the Sardinian city is full of culture and history to discover.
Below, find underground historical sites in Cagliari, natural attractions, old town sites, walking areas and more.
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The Perfect Day in CagliariWhether you are traveling to Cagliari with kids, a multi-generational family situation, as a couple or solo, all of these great attractions in Cagliari will call to you. An ideal day in Cagliari will include:
Learn about these attractions and more below! Need a place to stay for one day in Cagliari? Here are my picks: |
Underground History in Cagliari
There is quite the fascination with catacombs and ancient necropoli around Sardinia, and you can easily find yourself stumbling in the dark through crypts and creepy tunnels. Cagliari has no shortage of offerings for this, too!
Cripta di Santa Restituta
Part of the Cagliari Underground Tour, the Crypt of Santa Restituta is one not to be missed.
Museo del Tesoro e Area Archeologica di Sant'Eulalia
Underneath the Chiesa di Sant’Eulalia church, discover more underground history on elevated pathways. This 5 euro ticket also includes a visit to their in-depth museum.
Rifugio Anti Aereo Don Bosco
This hard to access area served as an underground bomb shelter for WWII. Now, it is only possible to see it as part of an arranged tour.
Natural Attractions in Cagliari
Conti Vecchi Saltworks in Cagliari
For something different, take the Cagliari Salt Flats Train and Tour to visit the local salt pans of the Santa Gilla Basin. On the tour, explore Macchiareddu, a historic salt-mining village, and spot flamingos too!
Cagliari Botanical Gardens
A peaceful walking place, the Botanical Gardens are great for a stroll in a natural setting.
Old Town Cagliari Things to Do and Historic Sites
Cattedrale Di Santa Cecilia
This stunning cathedral has incredible interiors worth a visit to see. Be sure to enjoy a visit to the lower level of the cathedral, where you'll find a gorgeous crypt. Note that this crypt is not like the ones mentioned above (mostly stone and cold tunnels), this crypt is a further extension of the ornate church above.
Necropoli di Tuvixeddu
The largest Phoenician-Punic necropolis in the Mediterranean rests here, surprisingly close to the city center. Visit on a guided tour for the best historical anecdotes, but there is parking onsite if you have a car. Admission is free and the site is open year-round to visit these fascinating ancient tombs.
Castello di San Michele
This castle above the city is best viewed from the exterior, with some reviewers claiming that the inside isn't really worth the admission fee. If you have a car, I suggest making the time to visit, otherwise this is rather far from the city (especially if you are on foot!).
Bastione di Saint Remy
This scenic overlook serves as a great point of the city to soak in the sweeping vistas, discover a trinket or treasure at one of the local vendor booths, and for a moment of pause. Learn more here.
Roman Amphitheatre of Cagliari
While many Tripadvisor reviews suggest that this site is not worth visiting, if you haven't seen many of these around Europe before (I live part time in Zaragoza, Spain, where our Roman amphitheater is amazing), this could be worth a stop. You cannot go very far into the exhibit, but you can snap some photos and ooh and aah at its grandeur, as it is still very much an impressive site to see.
You can also purchase a combo ticket for multiple Cagliari sites at 8 euros per person, which includes:
The Roman Amphitheatre
Crypt of Santa Restituta
Covered Walkway and Sperone Gallery (at Bastione Saint Remy)
The combo ticket is valid for 1 week.
Basilica di San Saturnino
Built on top of an ancient necropolis, this site is a combination of a fascinating church visit with the wonder of discovering ancient excavations of the ruins below. Very interesting and worth some time if you are nearby. Note that this site is closed on Sundays.
The Royal Palace
Cagliari's Royal Palace can be visited for a few euros entry fee, and several rooms are open to visitors to see. Ornate and opulent, it is a nice stop if you enjoy a look into the beautiful interior trappings of the past.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
In a past life I wanted to be like Indiana Jones, so for me archaeological museums are a real treat. This one in Cagliari is full of fascinating artifiacts, and helps to set the stage for further exploration around Sardinia.
City Walking Areas
Villanova
With narrow lanes and colorfully painted homes, this is an enjoyable neighborhood to walk through. You can easily access this neighborhood at the base of the Bastione di Saint Remy, following the route on towards the Basilica di San Saturnino, and onward to the Civic Market of San Bennedetto.
Piazza Yenne
Coined as the central heart of Cagliari, here is where you will find restaurants to dine al fresco, and busy crowds of folks going to and fro. Many people like to start here as a base for hotels and restaurants.
Via Roma
This walking arcade is full of shops and restaurants and is one of the main arteries of the city.
Poetto Beach
Whether for a swim, a stroll or a seaside lunch, this famed beach is a gorgeous spot to spend some time relaxing in the sun.
Get Out of Town
Not far from town, you'll want to visit the Roman Ruins of Nora. This is a must-see, but tough to pair in with one day in Cagliari. Take a tour to pack it all in, and you don't need to fuss over transportation.
Beyond Nora, there's even more to see, but it will be more than can be accomplished with just one day in Cagliari. Instead, plan for a few days in the area to explore the areas of Sant'Antioco, Tharros, and beyond. Sardinia has so much to see!
Where to Stay in Cagliari
There are a LOT of cute places. These are my top picks:
For more on where to stay around the Island, stay tuned for upcoming Sardinia articles!
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