Making the most of Cagliari Sardinia
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The town centre is a short 15 minute walk, depending on pace and fitness, but comfortable shoes matter: the old town has steep hills and frequent uphill and downhill walking throughout the visit that can cause blisters without proper footwear.
Cagliari Port Authority runs a free shuttle from ships to the Piazza Matteotti roundabout, near the train station, bus terminal and town centre.
A 1300 square meter cruise terminal, built entirely from laminated wood, has recently opened.
Sardinia's capital combines a thriving modern city with the island's varied history. See the Roman amphitheater, Spanish townhouses and Pisan watchtowers; the National Archaeological Museum displays antiquities from native Nuraghi culture and from the Phoenician era onward.
Castello, the historic quarter, stands on a hill with wide views across the Gulf of Cagliari.
Molentargius Pound became a permanent pink-flamingo nesting site in 1993 and is now a regional nature reserve. Its colony exceeds 11,000 birds, alongside 180 other species including purple gallinules, herons, stilt plovers, little agreets, mallards, snipes and coots.
Poetto Beach is a vast, picturesque beach 5 km west of the city and only minutes from the centre. Locals call it il salotto, or the living room, and use it for extended lunches and afternoon swims. It runs for nearly 7km, is seldom crowded, and PQ and PF yellow buses leave the centre every five minutes.
Getting around
The Cathedral, Botanic Garden and Necropolis, among the city's key sights, are walkable from the Castello district.
A one hour highlights bus tour begins close to the cruise dock.
Nearby places
Barumini lies about a 1,1/2 hour bus journey north of Cagliari and is known for its Nuraghi Su Nurax.
Natural attractions in and around Cagliari include Cap Sant'Elia, one of the city's hills, and the Devil's Saddle hiking trails. West of the Cape lies the salt lagoon of Molentargius, known for thousands of flamingos.
Food and shopping
Arcaded Via Roma has the smartest stores and department shops, serving cruise-day visitors and locals alike. The traffic-free Via Manno and Via Garibaldi are the two most interesting and rewarding shopping streets.
Money
The euro is used here.
Staying connected
Many cafes provide customers with free WiFi.
Emergency number: dial 112.
Opening Hours and
Italian shops and businesses generally open Monday to Saturday from around 8am until 1pm, and from about 4pm until 7pm. Many close Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings; in the south, days can start and finish an hour later. Some northern businesses work to a 9am-5pm day for international dealings. Traditionally, everything but bars and restaurants closes Sunday, although most towns have a morning pasticceria and Sunday opening is increasingly common in large cities and tourist areas.