Plan Your Trip to Sardinia: Best of Sardinia Tourism
Sardinia has been an overlooked Mediterranean island, as it lies between Italian Sicily and French Corsica. But it is an amazing holiday destination, great for kids, which is packed full of amazing sights and activities, with a great climate. Whether you've chosen to visit Sardinia to check out Phoenician or Roman ruins, or just to soak up some sun and enjoy some excellent Sardinian wines, you're sure to have a great time.
As a relatively large autonomous island, Sardinia presents a huge range of activities for a family holiday. From the sunbathing perfection of its Mediterranean beaches to the exploration of sites such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini - a building structure dating from the Megalithic period - there is something to interest everybody. About a quarter of the island is designated as either a National Park or other protected reserve territory, so much of the environment is unspoiled and the naturalists in your family can have a great time spotting incredibly rare creatures such as the Sardinian Fox or the Mediterranean Monk Seal. It's definitely a destination for fans of the great outdoors, but with such a diverse amount of wildlife on display, no one can fail to be captivated by the Sardinian landscape.
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Where to live like a local in Cagliari
- Caffe Libarium Nostrum813In the heart of the Castello District, Caffè Libarium Nostrum (we just call it Libarium) has a prime location atop the Bastione di Santa Croce. This spot’s spacious terrace offers one of the most romantic sunset views in the city, best enjoyed with a glass of Prosecco. Gaze past the colourful houses of the Stampace District below to the Sette Fratelli Mountains in the distance.
- Forte di Sant'Elia12Also known as Fortino di Sant'Ignazio, Forte di Sant'Elia was built in the 18th century to protect the city from attacks by sea. Not much of the original structure remains, but locals love walking and biking here. Take Bus 6 from the centre of Cagliari and get off at Borgo Sant'Elia. Stop at the lighthouse—where you'll also find an Aragonese watchtower—for views of Calamosca Beach. From there, it's a 20-minute walk to the fort.
- Framento953One of the best pizzerie in Italy, easygoing Framento offers mouthwatering pies using seasonal ingredients. The regular clientele—couples, families with children, and groups of friends—drops by to enjoy a giropizza, which literally means rounds of pizzas shared by the table. There's an excellent range of craft beers, including my personal favourite, called Nibari. For dessert there’s a fabulous mousse called Chiaramello, named after the chef's sister, Chiara.
- Parco Naturale Molentargius-Saline573Flamingos have been nesting in Cagliari for a few decades now, and Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline is a prime spot to admire them and many other species of birds. You’ll see avid bird watchers with long lenses trying to capture the perfect shot, along with locals going for a run or taking their children on a bike ride. To get here, take Bus P from Piazza Matteotti and get off at Ospedale Marino.
- Poetto3,750La Spiaggia dei Centomila—what locals call Poetto Beach—isn't just a great spot to go for a swim. There are plenty of places where you can rent a lounge chair, order a drink, or even enjoy a meal. (Le Palmette Beach Club is a favourite of ours.) Fancy a bit of exercise? The biking and running trail has markers every 100 metres, so you'll know exactly how far you go.
- Sella del Diavolo119For unparallelled views of Poetto Beach and Molentargius Nature Reserve, follow the hiking trail to the promontory at Sella del Diavolo (Devil’s Saddle). It will take you roughly 45 minutes to reach the viewpoint from the trailhead, located behind Hotel Calamosca in Calamosca Beach. You can get there by Bus 6 from the centre of Cagliari. In summer, boat tours offer great snorkelling off Sella del Diavolo.
- Sabores Bottega e Cucina926Once a tiny bar focussing on natural wines, Sabores has gotten bigger as it’s gotten more popular. But this spot in the heart of the Marina District hasn't lost any of its coziness, and the food and service remain impeccable. Go there for the best Sardinian, Italian, and international natural wines and for the excellent charcuterie boards. The owner will help you pair food with your wine, which you can order by the glass or bottle.
- San Benedetto market545Exotic, chaotic, and at times overwhelming, San Benedetto is the main market in Cagliari, located at its very heart. This is the place to buy freshly caught fish and just-picked fruits and vegetables. There's an extensive cheese and bread section, too. The vendors are happy to offer you a taste. Visit the market to stock up on groceries or simply browse among the many stalls and spy on the locals' buying habits.