Archaeological Site of Nora

The Archaeological Site of Nora is located in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Cagliari and was one of the main centres of the settlement during the Phoenician times. After several years of oblivion, Nora was unearthed during the 1950s and opened again to the public shortly after being examined by researchers.

• Web:

  nora.beniculturali.unipd.it

• Address:

  Area Archeologica di Nora, Cagliari

• Phone:

  +39 070 920 9366

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–5:15pm

Basilica of San Saturnino

This Early Christian complex dating back to the 5th century is another incredible piece of historical evidence. It includes the Byzantine-Roman church (known also as the Church of St. Cosma and Damian) and the Christian necropolis, in which burials even more ancient than the church itself have been discovered.

• Address:

  Piazza San Cosimo, Cagliari

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 10am–6pm

Botanical Garden

Cagliari's Botanical Garden houses more than 500 species of tropical and Mediterranean plants. Besides being the ideal place to spend a sunny day in nature, the Garden also houses a museum, which will certainly be appreciated by all botany enthusiasts.

• Address:

  Via Sant'Ignazio da Laconi, 11, Cagliari

• Phone:

  +39 070 675 3512

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 9am–4pm

Cagliari Cathedral

Cagliari Cathedral, in Italian: Duomo di Cagliari, Cattedrale di Santa Maria e Santa Cecilia, is a Roman Catholic church which was constructed in the 13th century in Pisan-Romanesque style and restored during the 1930s. Walking along its naves, you will admire the amazing marble elements, which provide the building with an enchanting aura, as well as the two astonishing pulpits sculpted by Guglielmo da Pisa.

• Web:

  www.duomodicagliari.it/gb/index.php

• Address:

  Piazza Palazzo 4a, Cagliari

• Phone:

  +39 070 66 38 37

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–1pm / 4pm–8pm

Citadel of Museums

One of the gems enclosed inside Castello's ramparts is the Citadel of Museums. In the former headquarters of the Royal Arsenal, you will discover the most important artistic treasures of the city among the collections of the Archaeological Museum and of the National Art Gallery, which tell the whole history of the islands. The Citadel also includes the Siamese Art Museum, the Wax Statue Collection, and an observation deck.

• Web:

  sistemamuseale.museicivicicagliari.it

• Address:

  Cittadella dei Musei, Piazza Arsenale 1, Cagliari

Diving & Snorkeling

Sardinia is the ideal place to practice diving and snorkelling thanks to its crystal clear sea along 1849 kilometres of coastline. Here you can enjoy unspoilt seabeds populated with marine animals and plants. There are plenty of authorized diving centres to choose from. One of them is Morgan Diving, which also provides excursions for the whole family to the protected Marine Park of Villasimius with the chance to snorkel.

• Web:

  www.morgandiving.com

• Address:

  Porto Turistico Marina di Capitana, Cagliari

• Phone:

  +39 337 564 354

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–7pm

Bastion Saint Remy

The Bastion of Saint Remy was built in classical style, linking the three southern embankments of Santa Caterina, Zecca, and Sperone, to join the Castle district with the lower districts of Villanova and Marina. The terrace at the southern end of the Castello offers a magnificent view over the sea and marshes to the west.

• Address:

  Piazza Costituzione, Cagliari

• Opening hours:

  24/7

• Tickets:

  Free entrance

Castello District

Catello District is the most ancient part of the city. Perched on a hill at almost 100 metres above sea level, the Pisans built it in the XIII century, fortified it and made it their centre of power. Since then and until the end of the Second World War, Castello has been the heart of the administration and the house of the Sardinian aristocracy. Its ramparts enclose the best-known attractions of Cagliari, but even a simple walk in this area will transport you to its fascinating past.

• Address:

  Quartiere Castello, Cagliari

San Benedetto Market

If you are a morning person, take the chance to walk in the fresh air of the early day among the stalls of the San Benedetto Market to discover all the raw gems of Sardinian gastronomy, from both land and sea, with an entire floor dedicated solely to the catch of the day. This market, surrounded by shops and cafés, is also a good place to have breakfast or a short break while immersing yourself in the everyday life of the city.

• Address:

  Via Francesco Cocco Ortu 46, Cagliari

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat 7am–3pm

• Subway:

  Bus M stop Via Baccaredda; Bus 6 and 7 stops Via Cocco Ortu / Via Bacaredda / Via Tiziano; Bus 1 stops Via Petrarca / Via Dante; Bus 3 stops Via Petrarca / Via Dante.

The Pisan Towers

Torre dell'Elefante (the Elephant Tower) and Torre di San Pancrazio (St Pancras Tower) date back to the early 1300. They are unique stone constructions, with their internal side completely open toward the courtyard enclosed in the ramparts. The view from the top of these towers is a sight to behold.

• Address:

  Piazza Indipendenza, corner of Via Santa Croce & Via Università, Cagliari

Tuvixeddu Punic Necropolis

Tuvixeddu is a punic necropolis occupying an entire hill. Inside, it houses hundreds of graves carved into the rock over many centuries. There is no other place like this in the world, and not even Carthage can boast a similar treasure. Nowadays it is possible to visit the sight only during particular occasions, such as Monumenti Aperty day (the "open monuments" day).

• Address:

  Via Falzarego, Cagliari

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8:30am–11:30pm

• Subway:

  Bus 8 and Circolare 20. Stop Via Is Maglias.