Things to Do and See in Cagliari

Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, is located in the south of the island. It is a beautiful, large, and modern city that has preserved its ancient and historic neighborhoods, which wind through narrow streets leading to the upper, fortified part of the city. Of particular interest are the Towers of San Pancrazio and the Elephant, both built around 1300 to mark the entrance to the old part of the city, which was protected by high walls. Near the Tower of San Pancrazio is the “Cittadella dei Musei” which houses the National Archaeological Museum—rich in artifacts from the Nuragic and pre-Nuragic periods—and the National Art Gallery, featuring valuable 15th- and 16th-century works by the Masters of Castelsardo and Olzai. Don’t miss a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, one of Sardinia’s most important monuments, whose construction began in the late 1200s, and to the Basilica of Bonaria, the city’s largest church. In the immediate vicinity of the city lie the “Saline” area and the Molentargius pond, sites where pink flamingos and other important bird species have been nesting for years. Other areas of great interest include the Tuvixeddu necropolis—originally Punic and later Roman—located in the northern part of the city. Among Sardinia’s other best-known towns is Villasimius, a popular tourist destination in the spring and summer, which includes the area of Capo Carbonara, famous for being the driest spot in Italy.