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Viewing Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, from the sea in 1921, D.H. Lawrence called it “strange and rather wonderful, not a bit like Italy.” It still makes a bold first impression. The old town is stacked high within Pisan fortifications, and the setting, framed by calm lagoons on both sides, is home to cranes, cormorants, and flamingos.
On a trip to Sardinia, Cagliari is worth more than just a passing stop. Evening strolls along Via Manno are some of the smartest on the island, eventually leading down to the busier Piazza Yenne and Largo Carlo Felice, where shops, cafés, and restaurants cluster. At the base of the city, Via Roma’s arcades offer more bars and boutiques right by the port.
Cagliari’s main attractions are the archeological museum with its captivating collection of Nuraghic statuettes, the city walls with their two Pisan towers looking down over the port, and the cathedral – all within easy distance of each other. There is also a sprinkling of Roman remains, including an impressive amphitheatre.
Bastione di Saint Remy
Almost all the sights you'll want to see in Cagliari are within the old Castello quarter, on the hill overlooking the port. Traditionally, this was the seat of the administration, aristocracy and highest ecclesiastical offices. The most evocative entry is from the monumental, late nineteenth-century Bastione di Saint Remy rising up from Piazza Costituzione. At the top of the grandiose flight of steps inside, you can enjoy Cagliari’s best views over the port and the lagoons beyond – sunset is a good time to be here, and there are some chic bars at the top for whiling away an evening. Note that the Bastione is closed for renovation work until 2017.
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The beaches at Poetto
It's just a 15min bus ride (#PF, #PQ and Poetto Express) from Cagliari's Piazza Matteotti to the marina at the western end of Poetto, where a fine sandy beach extends some 6km, dotted with bars and public showers. Some sections are lidos charging a standard daily rate for entry, with deckchairs and parasols available for rent, along with pedalos and windsurfing equipment.
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Top image: Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
