Sights of Cagliari, Sardinia. Open left menu Cagliari Royal Palace - Royal Palace

Cagliari is a beautiful city with a thousand faces, with many secrets and legends, picturesque views and interesting places. This city is good both in summer and winter. Cagliari has almost 3 thousand years of history, sea, sun, traditions, great food, nightclubs, music festivals, sports and much more. This is a city that really has something to do. We offer a list of must-see places in Cagliari.

Bastion San Remy

The Bastion of Saint-Rémy was built between 1896 and 1902 on the site of the Spanish walls in order to connect the medieval Castello quarter located on the hill with the lower city. We recommend that you first admire the luxurious façade from below, from Piazza Costutzione, and then climb the elegant staircase to the large panoramic terrace of Umberto I, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the sea. In the evening, artists and ceramists exhibit their works on the Bastion; here you can find the most interesting souvenirs. And at the height of the season, musicians also gather at Bastion; jazz festivals and traditional music concerts are held here. Cagliaritans, heirs of Roman patricians, Spanish grandees and Savoyard aristocrats, value the comfort, beauty and pleasures of life. They love to meet in beautiful places with friends for an aperitif. Bastion is home to several fashionable Cagliari establishments, one of them is the iconic Caffe degli Spiriti. At sunset, sometimes you can watch from its soft sofas how pink flamingos fly over the rooftops of the evening city from one lake to another. Just a fantastic dream!

Piazza Palazzio, Cathedral of Saint Mary

Having recently become pedestrianized, Piazza Palazzio, or Palace Square, offers visitors to the city a whole constellation of wonders. The dominant building is St. Mary's Cathedral, which, in a combination of different styles, preserves eight centuries of the city's historical memory. Next to it are the Royal Palace, formerly the residence of a representative of the Aragonese, Spanish and Piedmontese Royal Court, and now the Prefecture of Cagliari, and the former City Palace, in other words, the Municipality, which was only moved to the embankment at the beginning of the 20th century.

The magnificent interior decoration of the Cathedral, replete with marble of all colors and shades, leaves no one indifferent. But there are a few details here that we would like to pay special attention to. First of all, this is a unique marble pulpit of the 12th century, specially transported by sea from Pisa at the turn of the 13th century to support the morale of compatriots awaiting the advance of the Aragonese army. Handcrafted marble carvings depict several recognizable biblical scenes. In the famous crypt of the Cathedral, built in the 17th century under the altar, there are 179 niches in which the relics of the martyrs of the Catholic Church are collected. Finally, the most important holy relic is kept in the Cathedral - the Thorn from the Crown of Thorns of Christ. You can see this relic during the most important Christian holidays.
Since December 2011, next to the Cagliari Cathedral, in the former Church of Nostra Signora della Speranza of the 16th century, the Orthodox parish of Saint Sava the Sanctified has been opened.

Towers of San Pancrazio and Elefante (Elephant Tower)

Together with the Bastion and the Cathedral, the two towers - San Pancrazio and Elefante (Elephant Tower) - are the symbol of Cagliari and define the silhouette of the ancient Castello quarter. Two observation towers made of white limestone were built in 1305 and 1307 respectively as part of the fortification system erected by the Pisans. The 36-meter-high San Pancrazio Tower guards the northern entrance to the Castello and is built at the highest point in the city (130 meters above sea level). Located in the southwestern part of the Castello, the 30-meter Torre di Elefante is indeed decorated with a small cute stone elephant, preserved from the time the tower was built, as well as a wrought iron gate. If you are not afraid of heights, we definitely recommend climbing both towers. Believe me, the fantastic views are worth the effort of climbing 120 steps!

Archaeological Museum of Cagliari. Giants of Monte Prama and bronzetti

Sardinia is not just an ancient land. The millennia-old past still influences the character of the island and forms its strongest energy field. Having visited Sardinia, you must definitely get acquainted with its great past - with its unique history, otherwise the soul of this island will remain closed and unknown. From the depths of 3-5 thousand years of history, artifacts that are famous all over the world, but are practically unknown here in Russia, reach the present day.
In the Castello quarter there is the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, which in the last two years has become one of the most visited attractions in Sardinia thanks to a unique exhibition of mysterious statues of the 1st millennium BC, called the Giants of Monte Prama after the name of the area in western Sardinia where they were accidentally discovered by peasants in 1974. Today, the Giants of Monte Prama are recognized as one of the most ambitious archaeological discoveries of the Mediterranean of the 20th century.

These majestic two-meter sculptures are carved from limestone blocks that weigh up to half a ton. During the excavations, 5178 fragments were discovered. Work was carried out in a huge restoration center for several decades, as a result of which about 30 statues were identified, including 16 “fighters”, 5 “archers”, 5 “warriors”. “Archers” hold a huge bow with a gloved hand, their chest is protected by a rectangular plate, and a two-horned helmet is on their head, “warriors” are armed with a round shield, and “wrestlers” in short tunics protect their heads with a bent shield. All statues have pronounced noses and eyebrows and huge, unearthly eyes, consisting of two concentric circles, in which there is mystery, magic, and power.
Similar figures, made on a much smaller scale, are found quite often in Sardinia. We are talking about the famous “bronzetti” - bronze sculptures ranging in size from 5 to 40 centimeters, found during excavations in nuraghe. The Archaeological Museum of Cagliari has an amazing collection of these figurines, accurately depicting the details of the weapons and clothing of warriors, priests and leaders, depicting domestic animals and skillfully made boats. Bronzetti and the Giants of Monte Prama open a small window into the mystical world of the Nuraghi, which undoubtedly had its own leaders, its own deities and magical rituals, serve as evidence of the highest level achieved by the Nuragic civilization and the huge number of unsolved secrets that this great people of the past still hides.

Basilica of Saint Madonna Bonaria

On the Bonaria hill in the 14th century, Alfonso of Aragon built a small church in the Gothic Catalan style during the siege of Cagliari. Legend has it that on March 25, 1370, a mysterious box was found on the beach under the hill, having been left behind by a Spanish sailing ship during a storm. The monks managed to pick him up and bring him to the church; inside they found a statue of the Madonna and Child holding a still-burning candle. This statue has since been revered as a sacred relic, and the church was named the Temple of the Holy Madonna Bonaria. A huge flow of pilgrims from all over the island convinced the monks of the need to build a new, large church. Construction lasted exactly 222 years, from 1704 until 1926, when this largest temple in Sardinia was opened. The Basilica itself, which houses a 19th-century statue, and the Museum of Gifts to the Madonna, who became the patroness of sailors, are also a must-see.

Poetto

Poetto is the city beach of Cagliari. From the picturesque rock called “Devil’s Saddle”, a wide strip of sand stretches for 8 kilometers, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, a favorite vacation spot for Cagliaritans. The famous Poetto kiosks - small bars, cafes and restaurants open until late at night - become the arena for music festivals and dance marathons in the summer. If you love entertainment and nightlife, be sure to head to Poetto and you will find a place to your liking.

Molentarjus Park

Molentarjus Park is located in the salt lakes area near Poetto beach on an area of ​​about 1600 hectares. This is a natural habitat for numerous waterfowl and other species, which is primarily surprising because the park is located just 5 minutes from the city center. The main decoration of the park, and indeed of the whole of Sardinia, are the magnificent pink flamingos, which have now become the symbol of Cagliari. For many years, these elegant birds have preferred to nest on the salt lakes of the island, making their graceful contribution to creating the image of Sardinia as a real Wonderland.

Hill of Monte Urpinu

The hill, located in the Cagliari quarter of the same name, is one of the most beautiful and green areas in the city center. This is a wonderful park where you can relax and spend time among the greenery. And the very top of the hill prepares a wonderful surprise for visitors - from here there is a breathtaking view of Poetto beach, Molentarjus Park and the sea to the horizon on one side, and on the other - the ancient city and Castello hill, appearing in all its medieval grandeur.

And the administrative center of the province of the same name in the south, an important port and the oldest city on the island. The first settlements discovered in this area date back to the Phoenician era. Back in the 8th century BC. e. The Phoenicians founded a colony here called Karalis, which means “City of God” in ancient Phoenician. To this day, the Latin name of the city remains Caralis, while the Italians call it Cagliari and the Sardinians themselves Casteddu.

The city has an advantageous geographical position, located between a sea bay and fertile plains. Due to this, Cagliari is included in the list of the “greenest” cities in Italy and is represented by numerous natural areas where you can see rare representatives of flora and fauna. One of the most beautiful places is the Molentarjus Park, where there are lakes with pink flamingos. The Botanical Garden at the University of Cagliari also deserves attention.

The architecture of the city is no less interesting. During the course of many conquests, Cagliari changed rulers several times. Here you can find unique architectural monuments - castles, cathedrals, museums, Spanish bastions, a Roman amphitheater, the Leaning Towers of Pisa and other ancient buildings. The city was badly damaged during World War II, but was later rebuilt.

Conventionally, Cagliari is divided into two parts - old and new. Of particular interest to tourists is the ancient part, represented by historical architectural monuments. Today, tourists from all over the world come to Cagliari to see the two “Leaning Towers of Pisa” in the city center - the Elephant Tower and San Pancrazio - the 13th century Cathedral, Bastion of San Remy, the Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century, the Cathedral of Santa Maria di Castello and the National Archaeological Museum.

Modern Cagliari is spread over 9 limestone hills along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The most famous hills include Mount Urpinu, Cape Sant'Elia, listed as a Pan-European Natural Monument, and the hill of San Michele with its beautiful medieval castle.

The main beach of the city is called Poetto. This is an eight-kilometer sandy beach in the eastern part of the city with a turquoise sea, numerous coastal bars, picturesque hills with ancient ruins. Poetto is considered one of the best beaches in Sardinia. The resort areas of the city also include the towns of Villasimius, Pula, Jeremeas, Marie Pintau, Marina di Capitana, Chia and some other beaches.

In addition to beautiful architecture, nature reserves and picturesque beaches, Cagliari boasts a string of fashion boutiques, lively clubs and discos, as well as romantic restaurants and pizzerias. For example, in Cagliari there is a lace store that has been selling snow-white fabric patterns for more than a century. There are also excellent confectionery shops, jewelry and wineries. The main trade artery of the city is ViaRoma, where the largest supermarket and a large number of small shops are located. On Sundays there is a flea market at the Bastion of Saint-Remy.

Based: ser. 9th century
Square: 134 km 2
Population: 153,758 people (2013)
Currency: Euro
Language: Italian, Sardinian
Official website: http://www.comune.cagliari.it/

Current time in Cagliari:
(UTC +2)

Cagliari loves various festivals and special events. For example, for more than 350 years, local residents have been celebrating the main event in the city every year from May 1 to 4 - Festival of Saint Efisio. It is on these days that a costumed festive procession takes place through the streets of the city, during which a statue of St. Ephysius is carried. Guests from all over the island come to this holiday. Traditionally, the statue is moved from Cagliari to Nora, where people also gather to honor the saint, and then the statue is returned. The official day of the city is October 30, the celebration of which coincides with the day of Saint Saturnino.

On the pages of our website you will also learn about another popular tourist city in Italy!

Would you like to take a look at the famous frescoes of the Chapel del Arena in the city of Padua? Look for photos with descriptions of the work.

What to see in the city of Cagliari: attractions with photos

Since Cagliari has a very ancient history, the city is rich in various historical and architectural attractions. The historical centers of the city have preserved the atmosphere of ancient times and the architectural style of the ancient Castel di Castro.

In the Marina quarter, time seems to stop– narrow cobbled streets, handicraft shops, souvenir shops and siesta as an ancient tradition.

The Villanova quarter is rich in various kinds of church buildings:

• Church of St. Giacomo.
• The Church of San Agostino is an example of Renaissance architecture.
• The Church of San Saturno is built on the foundations of an early Christian basilica, and the central part dates back to the 5th-6th centuries.
• Church of Saint Lucifer.

Fans of ancient architecture will be interested in taking a look at the following attractions:

• The oldest amphitheater, the construction time of which dates back to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. e., was carved directly into the limestone rock. The theater's huge area of ​​6,000 square meters at that time accommodated up to 10 thousand spectators eager to watch gladiator fights or theatrical performances.

  

  Each class had its own sector in the theater and its own separate entrance, which was observed very strictly. In the 19th century, the amphitheater became the property of the municipality; today it hosts fairs, theater festivals and holiday programs. You can see the theater from 9 to 13.30, tickets cost 4.5 euros.

• Royal Palace. The former residence of the Aragonese king, and then the ruler of Sardinia, amazes with its luxury.

  

  Today the building houses the city prefecture (only part of the palace is open to tourists; entrance ticket is 2 euros).

• Cathedral (Santa Maria) Cagliari.

  

  In addition to the fact that the 13th century cathedral is the main city temple, it still keeps within its walls unique relics of Christianity– Numerous pilgrims come here in the hope of looking at the thorns from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ.

• Archaeological Museum. The largest of all the museums in Sardinia. It is unique in that it houses collections dating back to the Nuragic era of the island’s development.

  

  Little is known about the Nuraghi civilization, which left behind megalithic complexes: There is not a single written source about those times, but there are many household items and bronze figurines, from which the most mysterious part of the history of Sardinia is reconstructed. The museum can be visited daily from 9 am to 8 pm; tickets cost 4 euros (2 euros for children).

• Torre del Elefante (Elephant Tower). Built in 1307. The name is given because of the elephant figurine decorating one of the ledges of the tower.

  

  The very unusual design of this attraction attracts many tourists.. This tower and two others were built as defensive fortifications, since raids from neighboring territories were frequent.

• Fortress Il Castello– the remains of an ancient fortress, which is located on a hill, just above the historical center.
• Fortress of San Michele. It was built back in the 10th century, and since then it has been rebuilt and restored more than once. Today the building hosts exhibitions (tickets cost 5 euros).



• Bastion of San Remy. The bastion was built on even more ancient ruins; did not participate in battles or battles, but on its open terrace there is one of the best observation platforms, as well as a summer cafe where they serve excellent coffee.

  

• Citadel of Museums. This is a whole museum complex, which includes the National Art Gallery, the Museum of Archeology, and the Museum of Wax Anatomy.

  

  Museums open to visitors at 9 a.m. and are open until 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from 3 to 6 euros.

• The Botanical Garden in Cagliari was opened in the mid-19th century (1866) thanks to the staff of the University.

  

  More than 2 thousand plant species, including exotic varieties, will tell you about the unique nature of the Mediterranean.

Where to have lunch

If you want to have a snack while walking, you won’t have to check the map and look for a decent place. Many street restaurants and cafes offer traditional Sardinian cuisine, as well as Mediterranean.

And the province of the same name, located in the south of the island, in the Bay of Santa Gila.

Cagliari weather:

History of Cagliari:

The first settlement here was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC. e. Above the port, on the mountain, rises the Old Town, surrounded by white walls, from where a beautiful panorama opens up to the endless sea and surrounding lands.

Cagliari has seen many foreign conquerors - until Sardinia became part of the united Kingdom of Italy, the Phoenicians, Vandals, etc. visited here. During the Second World War, the Allies bombed the capital of Sardinia from the air, and as a result, many historical and architectural monuments were damaged. Unfortunately, some of them were never restored.

Cagliari Tourist Office

• Piazza Matteotti, 9
• 070 66 92 55
• daily 08.00–20.00
• www.provinzia.caqliari.it

Sights of Cagliari:

Let's start the journey from piazza Matteotti (Piazza Matteotti).

1. Municipality

Opposite the tourist office is the white building of the Municipality ( Municipio, 1907) with two towers, decorated with bas-reliefs in the Art Nouveau style.

2. Church of Sant'Agostino

Further along largo Carlo Felice (largo Carlo Felice) you can go to Church of Sant'Agostino(Chiesa di Sant'Agostino). This temple with a modest beige facade is one of the few examples of Renaissance architecture in Sardinia.

3. Bastion of San Remy

Via Manno goes to piazza Costituzione (Piazza Constitutionione), where it is located Bastion of San Remy (Bastione di San Remy, XIX century), built on the ruins of older Spanish fortifications.

4. University Palace

On via Universita stands the baroque University Palace ( Palazzo dell'Universita, 1770), where the library of the University of Cagliari is now located.

5. Torre dell'Elefante

Closes the street Torre del Elefante (Torre dell'Elefante, "Elephant Tower"). It was built in 1307 and received its nickname in honor of a small stone figurine depicting an elephant, installed at a height of 10 m.

6. Cathedral of Santa Maria

From the Bastion of San Remi along the fortress wall along via Martini (via Martini) you can go to piazza Palazzo (Piazza Palazzo), where the cathedral is located Cathedral of Santa Maria (Cattedrale di Santa Maria), built in the 13th century in the Romano-Pisan style. In the 17th-18th centuries it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. The temple preserves two ancient departments(Guglielmo da Pisa, 12th century), donated by the Pisans to the city of Cagliari in 1312.

• Cathedral of Santa Maria
• Mon–Fri 08.00–12.30, 16.30–20.00, Sat, Sun 08.00–13.00, 16.00–20.00

7. Purissima Church

Church Chiesa della Purissima on via dei Genovesi (via dei Genovesi) was built in 1554 in the Catalan Gothic style. In the interior you can see altars and a crucifix from the 16th century, as well as a carved wooden altar and a marble pulpit from the 18th century.

8. Torre di San Pancrazio

From the cathedral via Martini leads to Torre San Pancrazio (Torre di San Pancrazio), built, like Torre del Elefante, at the beginning of the 14th century.

• Piazza Indipendenza
• Tue–Sun 09.00–17.00

9. Citadel of Museums

From piazza Indipendenza begins Citadel of Museums (Cittadella dei Musei) is a modern complex that includes the National Archaeological Museum, the National Art Gallery, the Siamese-Stefano Cardu Museum and the Museum of Wax Anatomy. Until 1825, there was an arsenal here, in turn, erected on the site of ancient fortifications.

10. National Archaeological Museum

Collection of exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum ( Museo Archeologico Nazionale) tells about different historical eras in Sardinia; There are objects dating back to the 6th millennium BC. e. Of greatest interest are bronzetti, bronze figurines found during excavations in megalithic nuraghe towers (XVIII-XV centuries BC).

• National Archaeological Museum
• Piazza Arsenale
• summer Tue–Fri, Sun 09.00–13.30, 15.00–19.30, Sat 09.00–23.00,
• winter Tue–Sun 09.00–19.15

IN National Art Gallery(Pinacoteca Nazionale) presents a collection of works of art by local masters, as well as Spanish artists of the Renaissance.

• National Art Gallery
• Piazza Arsenale
• summer Mon–Sun 09.00–22.00, winter Tue–Sun 08.00–19.30

IN Museum Siamese Stefano Cardu (Museo Siamese Stefano Cardu, MAS) a collection of Siamese art is exhibited, which the traveler Stefano Cardu bequeathed to his hometown.

• Siamese Stefano Cardu Museum
• Piazza Arsenale
• Tue–Sun 09.00–13.00, 16.00–20.00, preliminary order

Wax Anatomy Museum (Museo delle Cere Anatomiche) was created in the 19th century as an analogue of the anatomical theater.

• Wax Anatomy Museum
• Piazza Arsenale
• Tue–Sat 09.00–13.00, 16.00–19.00, Sun 09.00–13.00

10. Roman amphitheater

To get to Roman amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano, II century), you need to go from the Citadel of Museums along Viale Buon Cammino (viale Buon Cammino) and take the exit viale Fra Ignazio da Laconi (viale Fra Ignazio da Laconi). This building is considered the most significant monument of ancient art in Sardinia. The amphitheater is located immediately behind the Botanical Garden.

• Roman amphitheater
• Viale Fra Ignazio da Laco
• Tue–Sun 09.00–13.00, 15.00–19.30

11. Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden ( Orto Botanico) is located in the very center of Cagliari. A rich collection of representatives of the Mediterranean flora is collected here. In addition to plants, on the territory of the garden you can find the remains of ancient Roman buildings that once formed the center of the ancient city. In addition, the botanical garden was and remains a wonderful place to relax, where in hot weather you can always find a secluded corner.

• Botanical Garden
• Viale Sant'Ignazio da Laconi
• Apr-Sep daily 08.00–13.30, 15.00–18.30,
• Oct.–March daily 08.00–13.30

12. Sanctuary and Basilica of Bonaria

Santuario and Basilica di Bonaria

The sanctuary and basilica of Bonaria are dedicated to the Madonna, the patroness of sailors and travelers. The sanctuary was built in the 14th century in the Catalan Gothic style, the basilica was built from the beginning of the 18th century and, due to lack of funds, was completed only in 1926, so it is a mixture of styles.

• Sanctuary and Basilica of Bonaria
• Piazzale Bonaria
• summer 10.00–12.00, 17.00–18.30,
• winter 09.00–12.00, 16.00–17.00

13. Church of San Giacomo

In Gothic Church of San Giacomo (Chiesa di San Giacomo, 1346) on via Garibaldi The terracotta sculptural group “Lamentation of Christ” from the 15th century is kept.

14. Church of San Saturno

The many times reconstructed building of the Romanesque church of San Saturno ( Chiesa di San Saturno, XII century) on piazza San Cosimo (Piazza San Cosimo) stands on the foundation of an early Christian basilica, and its central part with a dome and four arches dates back to the 5th-6th centuries.

In the vicinity of Cagliari:

Coast Costa Rei(Costa Rei) - one of the largest beaches on the island, 8 km long. There are several designated camping sites in the Costa Rei area. Hotels are mainly designed for wealthy clients. You can get to the beaches of Costa Rei from Cagliari by regular bus.

Costa Rei

• 62 km east of Cagliari

The largest settlement in this area is Villasimius(Villasimius), since 1960 this small fishing village has become a resort center on the south coast. The diversity of the seascape in the Villasimius area is given by the bizarre rocks that rise straight out of the water.

The best beaches near Cagliari:

Between Villasimius and Cagliari the most attractive beaches

• Porto sa Ruxi(Porto sa Ruxi),
• Cala Piscadeddus(Cala Piscadeddus),
• Campus(Campus) or Foxy(Foxi),
• Campulongu Beach(Campulongu Beach),
• Spiaggia del Riso(Spiaggia del Riso),
• Porto Junco(Porto Giunco),
• Notteri(Notteri),
• Spiaggia di Simius(Spiaggia di Simius) And
• Spiaggia di Molentis(Spiaggia di Molentis).

Nora

• 36 km south of Cagliari

Town Nora(Nora), located southwest of Cagliari, was founded in the 9th century BC. e. Phoenicians. The period of its greatest prosperity occurred during the Roman stage of history

In fact, there are only two beaches in Cagliari - Poetto beach And Calamosca beach. Although if you start searching this question on the Internet, any search engine will give you just a huge variety of options for different beach areas in this region. The thing is that the word Cagliari often means not only the city itself, but also the province of the same name. Therefore, the concept of local beaches includes anything - even those beaches that are located 50-60 kilometers from the municipal boundaries.

In this review, I will still try to take a different route and tell you in detail about those beaches that you can get to by public transport. Yes, I know, it is generally accepted that the best beaches in Sardinia are located outside of Cagliari. But I assure you: after Budva, or some Zatoka and Hurghada, even these beaches were like an exit into space for me. Everything here is really on point.

However, okay... Let's talk about everything in order. What beaches are there in Cagliari? How to get to them? And how they differ from each other - read further in our new article.

Poetto Beach

The main star of Cagliari. This huge 8-kilometer beach stretches along the entire southern tip of the city, from which it is separated not only by distance, but also by a whole series of “flaming” lakes in the Molentargius Park. On maps it looks very cool: a thin strip of land on all sides, sandwiched by water.

There are enough people here, but at the same time, I would not say that people on this beach are literally lying one on one. No - this is not Montenegro or Crimea. It is very pleasant and comfortable to relax here. I personally have never seen any special crowds here.

In terms of infrastructure, Poetto beach is also equipped at the highest level. The beaches have changing cabins, free showers, and “mother and child” rooms. I’m completely silent about the numerous cafes. There are enough of them here, but again, I would not say that the beach is particularly overloaded with them.

Instead, I’d rather point out another important feature of the Poetto area: there is free Wi-Fi (Cagliari city network) all along the seaside. In the article “Living like an Italian,” which was published on the blog a few days ago, I already wrote that many operators in Italy successfully block the Vkontakte website on their networks. So... While in our apartment in Cagliari the VK only opened occasionally, on Poetto beach it opened without any special problems.

What I liked about this beach? Actually, a lot. This is the cleanliness of the coastal zone, the turquoise color of the water, the availability of free beach infrastructure, and the same internet, after all.

However, if I still needed to highlight one thing, I would first of all note the very appearance of this beach. It looks just like a picture from your desktop. Blue sea, white yachts on the horizon, bright sails of surfers somewhere ahead and the high spurs of the Sella del diavolo cliff rising above it all.

Wow... I don't want to get all this vanilla here, but in terms of appearance and atmosphere, this is really a very, very cool place. So don't pay much attention to the next paragraph...

What I didn't like about this beach? Forgive me Poetto, but I had to write about this too. What constantly annoyed me about this place was the sheer number of hucksters who constantly flock to you like teenage girls to Justin Bieber.

Someone sells scarves, someone sells beach hats, someone, like Mary Poppins, rushes after you with an umbrella... In general, whoever is good at what. By the way, you can bargain with everyone. If, for example, you are offered a massage for 10 euros, you can safely reduce the price to five.

Although it’s better, of course, to simply ignore these beach entrepreneurs. If you say more than three words in a conversation with them, they will never leave you behind, and eventually, in your closet, the original Michael Kors bag that you have been dreaming of for so long will finally appear. It’s like with the children’s bee repellent “Salt-Water”. Just say "No, grazie" and pretend that you don't notice them.

How to get to the beachPoetto (Poetto)? PQ and PF buses go here from the city center. You can catch them near the railway station (via Roma stop) or along the entire seaside promenade (Marina area).

You need to go to the stop Lungosaline (Eng. Via D "Elba). Transport stops are announced. Just keep in mind that before the name of the bus stop itself they also say the name of the area to which it belongs. Therefore, pay attention to what is written in brackets and do not be surprised if along the way you pass several stops with the name Poetto.

Transport fares cost 1.3 euros. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes from the moment you validate it. To determine the optimal route, it is best to use Moovit website or app. Enter Spiaggia del Poetto (Poetto Beach) as your destination. By the way, on the beach you can buy bus tickets at the La Sella del Diavolo bar.

Calamosca Beach

A very small and fairly secluded beach with many pensioners and women sunbathing topless. Yes, yes, I know, the last point sounds intriguing, but believe me: nudists are not the people you want to see naked. As for the other paintings and surrounding views, the nature here is also at its best. There are rocks and an old lighthouse ahead. Behind is a walking trail to the Sella del diavolo viewpoint.

In general, speaking in general, Calamosca beach is inferior to Poetto in all possible respects. It is many times smaller. There are no showers or changing cabins here. Even the Internet doesn't work here. And next to the sea lay some withered grass (although it didn’t bother me at all personally).

The sea here is clean. There is natural shade here and there from the trees and stone walls that come close to the beach. Plus, huge seagulls (or what kind of birds are they?) are busily walking along the shore here and there. I don’t know... Maybe you won’t meet them, but personally this moment really surprised me.

I understand... Probably many of you, after reading this section, thought: I’ll go to Poetto beach, why do I need this Kalamoska? I answer... It’s worth going here for at least one reason - for the hiking trail and observation deck on the rock Sella del diavolo. This is one of the most beautiful and memorable places in Cagliari. The road here lies just through Kalamoska beach. You won't get confused there - you get to the beach, and then the road immediately turns left. After about 100 meters you will see this stand with a map.

That's it - from this place you can just methodically step up. The main thing is to make sure that there are these green dots under your feet.

They will lead you exactly where you need to go.

You will have to walk up for 15-20 minutes. The reward for your efforts will be this stunning view of Kalamoska Beach...

"Flaming" lakes and Poetto beach...

Well, to that same rock called Sella del diavolo... If anyone is interested, this name means the Devil's Saddle.

How to get to Calamosca beach?

The most convenient way to get here from the center is by bus No. 5. It gets to the stop San Bartolomeo (Caserma Carabinieri). From there it’s another 1.3 kilometers to the beach. First you go towards this old church.

And from it you turn left towards some military road. If you see barracks with barbed wire next to you, then you are going in the right direction.

Once again, the most convenient way to plot transport routes is through the application/website Moovit. A 90-minute ticket costs 1.3 euros. A daily pass (for 24 hours) will cost you 3.3 euros. In many cases it is more profitable to take it.

Alternatively, you can also get to Kalamoska beach by buses PQ and PF. In this case, you need to get to the stop Poetto (Eng. Via Vergine Di Lluc). From there the walk to the beach is 200 meters further. The route is almost the same (one more turn). First along the road, and then left, straight and left again (near the church). As they say, MAPS.ME is here to help...

Other beaches of Cagliari (suburb)

Even before our trip to the island of Sardinia, we were highly advised beachSolanas. It takes about an hour and a half to get there. But from the center (from Cagliari bus station) you can go there by direct bus (Moovit recommends bus No. 101). I haven’t been to this beach myself, so I can’t say anything special about it. Our reader named Anastasia Petrova said that it was “very cool” there and the water there was “space-colored.” Go if you have time. You can check it.

Among other beaches located in the suburbs of Cagliari, it is also worth highlighting the beaches Villasimius, Costa Rei And Torre delle Stelle. They are recommended in almost all reviews on this topic. All of them are located from Cagliari at a distance of several tens of kilometers. If anyone was there, write in the comments. I would be interested to know your opinion on this matter.

How to rent a house in Cagliari

During this trip we rented a small studio on AIRBNB in ​​the old town of Cagliari. Its cost for four days (with all commissions) was $199. However, in fact, I paid much less, covering this amount with all sorts of system bonuses. You can receive your first bonus from AIRBNB by simply registering using this link. Make sure to do this. In any case, it will not be superfluous. And you can read about other coupons and promotional codes that are valid on this booking site. In the attachment I will also post a link to an article with a story about the apartment that we rented ourselves.

You can rent a good apartment in Cagliari for 35 – 60 dollars per day. A hotel room in a modern hotel will cost you about the same amount. Therefore, I would recommend that you check both options when searching. The article continues with links to several hotels and guest houses with excellent service and reasonable room rates.

Victoria Bed & Breakfast- a very stylish and cozy hotel located about a kilometer from the main tourist attractions of Cagliari. All rooms have their own bathroom, air conditioning and all necessary amenities. Breakfast at the hotel costs 3 euros. Believe me, considering the price level in Cagliari stores, this is a very good offer.

Caralis Holiday– another guesthouse with good reviews and a similar price level. Pros: Central location, private bathroom and good reviews from previous guests (8.3 out of 10). The downsides are the rather simple decoration of the rooms and a paid breakfast.

Cagliari D'Amare– a cozy and modern hotel in the city center, close to the station and marina. The rooms have a private shower room. Breakfast is included in the price. Booking's rating is 8.9.

Casa Marina– a hotel offering guests bright and spacious rooms. There is one kitchen and shower room for several rooms. But you will live just 200 meters from the sea. The old town is also within walking distance.

B&B Villa Vaghi– the most expensive hotel on this list. At the time of publication of the material, rooms without a sea view could be rented here for $59 per day. This price includes accommodation in a beautiful room with a shared kitchen and bathroom on the floor. The highlight of the hotel is the fact that it is perhaps the cheapest hotel in the Poetto beach area. As noted in the description, you can walk to the sea in just 10 minutes. If you are going to Sardinia specifically for a seaside holiday, be sure to pay attention to this hotel.

IMPORTANT. All photos and ratings are taken from Booking.com. All links lead to the hotel aggregator RoomGuru. Before booking a particular hotel, check the room prices on this site. There is sometimes tension with beautiful photographs, but this site has another important advantage. It compares offers from different systems and often helps to find better prices than on the Booking website. In any case, check all options. If the best prices are on Booking.com, Rumguru will redirect you there. Everything is very simple.

At the end of the article, a small selection of Russian-language excursions in Cagliari and its surrounding suburbs. If you suddenly get tired of lying on the beach, maybe you will also find something interesting for yourself here.