Cruise to Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy)

Cagliari lies in the south of Sardinia, offering a choice between historic neighborhoods and coastal scenery during your port call. Italian cruise ports are spread along different stretches of coastline; in the Mediterranean, Cagliari is a southern island stop. The separate port of Olbia lies in northeastern Sardinia.

Castello: the hilltop old town

Castello defines Cagliari’s skyline: the historic district sits on the city’s highest hill. Its streets are home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, Palazzo Regio and Palazzo di Città; at the entrances, the medieval towers Torre dell’Elefante and Torre di San Pancrazio recall the city’s fortified past. Take time to explore the bastions and viewing terraces rather than treating Castello as just a quick photo stop.

The route between the neighborhoods is also part of the visit. Villanova is connected to Castello by the stairs at Bastione di Saint Remy. Below lies Marina, with the arcades of Via Roma and Palazzo Civico. If you would rather stroll through a lively neighborhood than visit a succession of individual sights, you can continue your walk here.

Stampace and Roman Cagliari

The Stampace neighborhood is home to the Baroque church of Sant’Anna and the Roman amphitheater; the Botanical Garden adds a green retreat in the city center. This offers a different focus for your old-town visit: Castello showcases the elevated historic city, Marina its connection to the harbor, and Stampace its Roman traces and gardens. Depending on how much time you have ashore, choose one of these additions rather than trying to fit every neighborhood into a single circuit.

Poetto and the lagoon landscape

For a change of pace from narrow streets to the coast, head to Poetto: the long sandy beach has a walking and cycling path. You can also plan an excursion from there to the Sella del Diavolo headland. The Molentargius salt pans offer another natural setting, and you can explore the park by mountain bike. The beach, views and lagoon, however, require more time than a stroll through the central neighborhoods. So decide in advance whether to focus on the old town or on nature.

Shore excursions and tours in Cagliari