3-Day Itinerary in Cagliari

Cagliari, the capital of beautiful Sardinia, is a city rich in history and culture, but also in stunning beaches and nightlife. The perfect mix for those looking to spend a weekend getaway, alternating between days of sightseeing and exploration with some days of pure relaxation. With the right tips, in 3 days you can appreciate the entire historic center and also indulge in some beach time or an excursion nearby!
Here are all our tips for organizing the perfect 3-day itinerary in Cagliari.

This trip can only begin at the Bastione di Saint Remy, one of the most beloved attractions in the city, by both tourists and locals (Get directions)! It was built in the early 20th century in honor of the first Piemontese Viceroy, the Baron of Saint Remy, above the ancient bastions of the Mint and the Sperone, dating back to around 1500.

Today, it serves as the passage point between the Villanova district and the fortified Castello district, representing one of the most beautiful artistic works and one of the most unique viewpoints! We recommend climbing to the top via the stairway and also walking along the Covered Walkway of the Bastione, which offers wonderful views over the entire city.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 5 min walk (Get directions).

A few steps from the bastion, you can also reach the Torre dell'Elefante, which, along with its twin Torre di Pancrazio, overlooks the area of the Old City of Cagliari.

It was built in the early 1300s to counteract the Aragonese attacks and is made of white limestone from Bonaria. Stop to look for the little Elephant to snap a photo: it is a small statue located on one side that gives the tower its name!

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 3 min walk (Get directions).

Continue your exploration of the historic center by visiting the wonderful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Cecilia, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Cagliari. Located just 3 min walk from the Torre dell'Elefante, it was constructed in the 1200s and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin and Saint Cecilia Martyr.

If its main façade has already caught your attention, wait until you see the interior, where important and numerous artistic treasures are kept! During the visit, make sure to not miss the wooden sculpture of the Madonna with Child from the Venetian school and the four stylophore lions from the 12th century, located at the foot of the presbytery steps.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 20 min walk (Get directions).

From the Cathedral, enjoy a stroll through the historic center, cross the Citadel of Museums, which you will visit in the afternoon, and in less than 20 min walk you will reach the San Benedetto Civic Market. This is a must-visit stop, we are talking about the largest indoor market in all of Italy!

Take your time to explore and immerse yourself in the everyday life of the city: the market, in fact, spreads over two different floors. On the ground floor, you will find the fish area, butchers, a cheese zone, and also some bakeries, while the upper floor has the meat boxes and the fruit and vegetable market. In addition to purchasing local products, you can stop at various eateries inside or nearby and try different Sardinian specialties.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 15 min walk (Get directions).

Dedicate your afternoon to visiting the Citadel of Museums in Cagliari, a true area with numerous museums, where you can immerse yourself in the history and art of the various museum aspects of the city. You can choose to visit one or more museums, based on your interests.

Surely, the most famous one that we recommend you visit is the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, a museum dedicated to the history of Ancient Sardinia, with various historical artifacts from all over the region.

Visiting time: 2 hours

Also within the Citadel of Museums, you will find other interesting museums. If you are an art lover, we recommend visiting the Siamese Art Museum "Stefano Cardu," located near the National Archaeological Museum (Get directions).

Here, you can admire the largest collection of Siamese art in Europe, born thanks to the collector from Cagliari, Stefano Cardu, to whom the entire museum is dedicated.

Visiting time: 2 hours

Start this second day at one of Cagliari's most famous and fascinating attractions, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria, dedicated to the Supreme Patroness of Sardinia (Get directions). Located in the neighborhood of the same name, it is just a short walk from the port of Cagliari and can be easily reached from the city center.

This incredible place was built at the behest of Alfonso of Aragon and its history is linked to a legend: it was March 25, 1370, when, on the beach of Bonaria, a box was found containing a Statue of the Madonna with Child, who held a candle in her right hand. This box was probably thrown into the sea or lost by a passing Spanish sailing ship.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 15 min by bus (Get directions).

Mid-morning, reach one of the most fascinating places in Cagliari: the wonderful Molentargius Park, developed around the salt pans. From the Sanctuary of Bonaria, the best solution is to take bus line PF or PQ, getting on at Diaz stop and getting off at Poetto (6 min), from which you walk another 10 min to the park entrance. Alternatively, rent a bike for the day, moving comfortably between the different neighborhoods of Cagliari.

The Molentargius Saline Natural Park is an area of high environmental importance that extends over 1,600 hectares, a place with rich biodiversity and an important ecosystem. It is impossible not to photograph the famous pink flamingoes, now a true symbol. But that's not all: the park organizes various activities, and in addition to renting bicycles, you can participate in an Eco Safari Tour or Forest Therapy.

Visiting time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 20 min by bus (Get directions).

For the afternoon, we propose two alternatives, to choose based on your interests, but also on the period you find yourself in Cagliari.

You definitely can't miss some relaxation at Poetto Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia and Italy. Ideal to visit with little ones, here you can relax on the beach, swim in the stunningly colored sea, shop along the waterfront, and unwind.

Visiting time: 4 hours

If you want to do some hiking and activities, we recommend spending the afternoon discovering Sella del Diavolo, the crown jewel of Cagliari's nature (Get directions).

Clearly visible from Poetto Beach, this promontory is rich in hiking trails that offer beautiful views of the sea. During the journey, you will also encounter ancient historical evidence, such as the remains of a WWII fort and the Tower of Sant'Elia. In this case, wear comfortable shoes, bring water with you, and even a swimsuit if you want to reach its hidden coves!

Visiting time: 4 hours

For this third and final day, we propose a historical itinerary, exploring the peoples who have lived in this territory. Start your day just outside the historic center to visit the Castello di San Michele, an architectural masterpiece dating back to the Byzantine era (Get directions).

The Castello di San Michele now serves as a museum and is a true center of art and history for the city. After your visit, take some time to stroll through its wonderful park, rich in trails, jogging paths, and also play areas for children!

Visiting time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 40 min by car (Get directions).

After visiting Castello di San Michele, leave Cagliari behind and embark on the discovery of the surroundings. Dedicate the rest of your time to exploring the history of this territory.

Your first stop will be the Nuraghi of Villanovaforru, also known as Nuraghe di Genna Maria. This complex is famous for hosting the Tomb of the Giants, the largest and oldest in Sardinia. A must-visit stop!

Visiting time: 2 hours
See also: Excursions from Cagliari

To reach this stop: 20 min by car (Get directions).

After visiting the Nuraghi of Villanovaforru, finally reach Su Nuraxi di Barumini, one of the most important historical sites in the Mediterranean.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, here you can learn about the history of the early Sardinian civilizations, discovering an entire village of which today you can observe ancient dwellings and various types of buildings in good condition.

Visiting time: 2 hours

If you prefer to vary rather than do another archaeological excursion, we recommend visiting the Saline Conti Vecchi, just 20 km from Cagliari (Get directions). The Conti Vecchi salt flats are one of the oldest and most historic salt flats in Italy, founded in 1931 by engineer Luigi Conti Vecchi. They cover a very large area, and the site has been converted into a tourist attraction managed by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano). You can explore the salt flats aboard a train, visit the industrial village, and learn about the history and techniques of salt production. Additionally, they are also an important natural habitat for numerous species of migratory birds, including the pink flamingoes. The salt flats are a FAI property, for more information and reservations visit the page on the FAI website.

If you are not particularly interested in historical visits, but you are visiting Cagliari in the summer and want to enjoy its wonderful sea, you will have several alternatives.

We recommend exploring the wonderful Costa Rei, an 8 km coastline with dreamy beaches (55 min by car via SS125var - Get directions). Becoming one of the most touristy areas of Sardinia, it stretches from Capo Ferrato to Cala Sinzias and you can still find some unspoiled areas. If you are looking for amenities and are traveling with children, you will find many beach establishments.

Visiting time: 8 hours

Cagliari is not an expensive destination, but a clarification is necessary: like all of Sardinia (and in fact all of Italy), in summer prices tend to increase significantly! For this reason, it is better to prefer periods such as May, September, and October. The city is easily reachable by air (compare flights), but also by ferry from Salerno, Civitavecchia, Naples, and Palermo.

For choosing the area to stay in, it largely depends on the experience you want to have: in summer, the Poetto area is perfect, just steps from the sea, while staying in the city center will put you in the heart of the city. Staying here will also allow you to move around on foot. Finally, lunches and dinners in restaurants have reasonable costs, but when organizing excursions like to Sella del Diavolo, it is better to prefer packed lunches for convenience.

Let's take a closer look at the costs of a weekend in Cagliari: