This document provides an unofficial guide to 7 key places to see and experience in Cagliari, Italy, according to the author. It summarizes each area, highlighting things to see and do. The areas are: Poetto beach, Calamosca cove, Molentargius nature reserve, Botanic Garden, city parks including Monte Urpinu, flea markets including the Sunday market in Piazza del Carmine, and the neighborhoods of Villanova, Stampace, Sant'Elia, Castello, and Marina, providing cultural sights and atmosphere for each.

1. CAGLIARI
UNOFFICIAL
—GUIDE—
San Benedetto Market
San Benedetto is the largest civic market in
Europe. Here operate more than 200
merchants: from gastronomy to fresh fish, from
organic produce to leather products, to
butchers and wine vendors. In this veritable
explosion of flavours, sounds and smells, one
can't help but try some Sardinian pecorino
(sheep's cheese), along with in season fruit at
zero km (peaches from San Sperate, Burcei
cherries and Arborea strawberries). One cannot
leave without having abandoned oneself to the
extravagance of the ground floor, the realm of
freshly-caught fish. Among the voices hurling
phrases in the Campidanese dialect, the
market will leave you with an authentic and
unforgettable experience, making you feel like
a local.
MUST SEE
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7
PLACES TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE, ACCORDING TO US
Poetto
The city's beach, stretching along 8 km
with as many bus stops, now replacing
the old tram stops. For younger beach-
goers we suggest the strip starting from
the fifth stop and ending at the remains
of the old Marine Hospital. Summer
evenings along this same stretch you'll
find a number of kiosks where you can
have a drink, listen to live music, play
billiards and, why not, take a dip in the
moonlight. Even during off-season we
highly recommend you do as the locals do
by stopping for lunch at one of the many
bars along the beach; an experience
that'll allow you to fully appreciate all the
enchantment the Poetto desert has to
offer.
1 Calamosca
A small, suggestive and silent cove with
crystalline waters, sheltered from the
Mistral wind. This oasis of tranquillity can
be reached in just a few minutes from the
historical centre, both on foot and by bike.
Besides a relaxing day at the sea, Calamo-
sca also offers its homonymous tower
overlooking the beach, and a spectacular
excursion up to the Sella del Diavolo
(Devil's Saddle). The path starts in front of
Hotel Calamosca, and offers you a
breathtaking view of the Gulf of Angels. At
sunset, after a swim and an excursion, we
highly recommend sticking around for an
aperitif with a view of the sea at any one of
the bars in the area.
2 Molentargius
From the Su Siccu touristic port in viale
Colombo, a bike path will lead you to the
beach in 15 minutes, without running the
risk of encountering motor-vehicles.
Besides the convenience, this path is
striking for the beauty of the landscape in
which it is immersed, otherwise known as
the Molentargius Salina. Evenings it
mirrors the sunset. It is also home to a
healthy community of magnificent
flamingos who, together with the sun’s
reflection upon the salt-infused water,
will make your ride a unique experience.
Ideal spot for photography lovers.
3
5 6Botanic Garden
An unexpected discovery for those venturing
into the Stampace quarter, the Botanic
Gardens is situated between Tigellio Villa and
the Amphitheatre in the Palabanda valley,
the cradle of the ancient Roman city. It is one
of the most loved spaces, albeit one of the
least explored by locals. Home to over 2000
vegetation varieties, it waits like a secret
garden, an urban jungle of colours, scents
and sounds that whisper the most profound
stories of the city and its inhabitants. Evoking
the arcane ties between man and nature, it
provides a scientific and didactic insight into
the world of plants, while leaving space for
reflection and other romantic meanderings. A
must see for those in search of magical
realms.
City Parks
Monte Urpinu (via Vidal) is the most
central. Walking to the very top you’ll
find the ‘belvedere’ in Viale Europa
where you can enjoy its unique 360°
panorama. Two other beautiful parks are
Monte Claro and San Michele. The lawns
of the former (via Cadello and Liguria)
often host international music events.
The latter (via Giovanni Cinquini) is laid
out upon multi-level lawns, dominated
by the spectacular castle of the same
name. The Parco della Musica, next to
the Opera House, is an urban park with
an avant-garde design. Its open spaces,
among bridges, streams, sound
fountains and light installations, host
various cultural and artistic events.
Flea Markets
Flea Markets are a classic institution for any respectable city. The most
famous in town is the Viale Trento Market, open only on Sunday
mornings (9am–1pm). The stroll among the stands starts from the end of
Corso Vittorio Emanuele, just past the Teatro Massimo, and ends at viale
Trieste. Here you'll find just about everything, from vintage jackets to old
ornaments, from analog cameras to watches.
Bargains are assured for anyone with a curious eye and a willingness to
rummage. On the same morning, we also recommend that you visit the
Via Po second-hand market, which can be reached within 10 mins on foot
or 5 by bike/bus from Viale Trento. If you’re looking for antiques, the
Piazza del Carmine Sunday Market (9am – 5pm) is the place for you.
VIAPUNICI
VIAISMAGLIASVIAPUNICI
VIAISMAGLIAS
TERRAPIENO
EXMÀ
CIMITERO MONUMENTALE BONARIA
OSSIGENO
SANTUARIO
DI
NOSTRA
SIGNORA
DIBONARIA
VIALETRIESTE
VIA AZUNI
C.SO V.EMANUELE
VIA
ANGIOY
L.GO
CARLO
FELICE
VIA ROMA
VIALE LA PLAIA
VIA
SASSARI
VIA MALTA
VIALAMARMORA
VIADEIGENOVESI
VIASTRETTA
VIALEREGINAMARGHERITA
VIA ALGHERO
VIA ORLANDO
MONTE URPINU
STAGNO DI
MOLENTARGIUS
GIARDINI
PUBBLICI
VIA SAN LUCIFERO
VIA LOGUDORO
VIANUORO
VIA DELEDDA
VIASIDNEYSONNINO
VIA IGLESIAS
VIA
GARIBALDI
VIA E. D’ARBOREA
VIASULIS
VIA MILANO
VIALE EUROPA
VIALE EUROPA
VIAANTONIOSCANO
VIAMESSINA
VIALE ARMANDO
DIAZ
VIALE ARMANDO DIAZ
VIALE ARMANDO
DIAZ
VIALECIMITERO
VIASANDOMENICO
VIATEMPIO
VIASANGIACOMO
VIALESANVINCENZO
VIAOSPEDALE
VIA
MAMELI
VIA
MAMELI
VIA
TRENTO
VIA
TRENTO
VIA GORIZIA
VIA BATTISTI
VIA POLA
VIA MAMELI
VIA
CAPRERA
VIAS.CROCE
VIADANTEALIGHIERI
VIADANTEALIGHIERI
VIASAN
BENEDETTO
VIA DEI GIUDICATI
VIA MARCHE
VIAGIARDINI
VIA
LIGURIA
VIAISMIRRIONIS
VIALE XX SETTEMBRE
VIA RAVENNA
VIA MILANO
VIASANGIOVANNI
VIASANGIOVANNI
VIASANSATURNINO
VIALEREGINAELENA
VIAMANNO
VIALEREGINAELENA
PIAZZA SAVOIA
VIA ROMA
VIABARCELLONA
VIA SARDEGNA
PIAZZA MATTEOTTI
ARST
BUS STATION
VIASASSARI
VIA
CRISPI
P.ZA
DEL
CARMINE
VIALE TRIESTE
VIA NAZARIO SAURO
MEM
ORTO
BOTANICO
MERCATO
VIALE TRENTO
VIA V.VENETO
VIASANT’IGNAZIO
VIA SANT’IGNAZIO
ANFITEATRO
ROMANO
UNIVERSITÀ
VIALE MERELLO
VIADONBOSCO
VIALEMERELLO
VIA TIGELLIO
VILLA DI
TIGELLIO
VIA
PALABANDA
C.SOV.EMANUELE
VIAANFITEATRO
VIA
GIUSSANI
VIALE
BUONCAMMINO
VIALEBUONCAMMINO
P.TA
CRISTINA
VIALER.ELENA
VIALE SAN VINCENZO
VIAFIUME
VIA G.PORCELL
VIADELFOSSARIO
VIAC.D’APPELLO
VIACAMMINONUOVO
GHETTO
DEGLI EBREI
VIAUNIVERSITÀ
VIASANTAMARGHERITA
VIASANT’EFISIO
VIASANTARESTITUTA
BASTIONE
S.REMY
VIALELANUSEI
VIALE
BONARIA
VIALE BONARIA
VIABOTTEGO
VIALE COLOMBO
PORTO TURISTICO
DI SU SICCU FIERA
VIA
MESSINA
VIA
DELLA
PINETA
VIA DELLA PINETA
ASSEMEDIANO
VIALE POETTO
VIA CUGIA
VIA CARBONI BOI
VIAAMAT
PIAZZA
REPUBBLICA
PIAZZA
YENNE
CASTELLO
VILLANOVA
STAMPACE
MARINA
EXMÀ
VIADANTEALIGHIERI
PIAZZA
SAN
BENEDETTO
PIAZZA
GALILEI VIA PAOLI
VIA FARINA
PIAZZA
GARIBALDI
VIA CARDUCCI
VIA MANZONI
VIA TIZIANO
VIA COCCO ORTU
MERCATO
DISAN BENEDETTO
VIASANT’ALENIXEDDA
VIABACCAREDDA
TEATROLIRICO
PARCO
DELLA
MUSICA
PZA
GIOVANNI
XXIII
VIACIUSA
VIALAVEGA
VIA BASILICATA
VIATOSCANA
VIATRENTINO
UNIVERSITÀ
CUS MONTE
CLARO
VIA
VIDAL
VIA
PESSINA
VIA
PORTOSCALAS
VIABAYLLE
VIANAPOLI
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MOUTH-WATERING DELIGHTS
9 LILLICCU
10 STELLA DI MONTECRISTO
11 SAPORI DI SARDEGNA
13 IL FANTASMA 2
12 CORSO DODICI
14 NANSEN
15 CUCINA.EAT
16 LA TERRA DI MEZZO
17 ZUPPOSOFIA
18 GINTILLA
19 POLPA BURGER
20 RETROBURGER
21 OLD SQUARE
22 TANDOORI
23 WAZOBIA
24 CHEZ VICTOR
25 AL ANDALUS
BREAKFAST & APERITIF
1 CAFÈ BARCELLONA
2 CAFFÈ DECANDIA
3 CAFFÈ DEGLI SPIRITI
5 CAFFÈ DELLE ARTI
4 COCCODI
6 NEVERFULL
7 BABEUF
8 FLORIO
MUSIC & DRINKS
26 LA PAILLOTTE
27 COVO ART CAFÈ
28 VINVOGLIO
31 BABEL
30 MUZAK
32 BIRROTECA MERLO
29 OLD SQUARE
BOOKS ALBUMS & MORE
33 LIBRERIA DI VIA SULIS
34 TIZIANO
35 MIELEAMARO
36 TUTTESTORIE
37 VERTIGO
38 ALTA FEDELTÀ
39 LORIGA
41 SUKKA
42 CAIDE
40 BLACK MARKET
NOT ONLY SOUVENIRS
43 LOVE RETRÒ
44 FRODO & MARIBEL
45 MARTELLO
46 COIRAMI
48 BOTTEGA DELLE MERAVIGLIE
47 TRAMARE 52 DONNE CONCEPT STORE
49 NEW YORK
50 BERTOLA
51 WIPEOUT
CONTEMPORARY CAGLIARI
A SPAZIO INVISIBILE
B GALLERIA CAPITOL
C TEMPORARY STORING
E SOUTH PHOTO
D S’UMBRA
G LABORATORIO 1984
H STUDIO U.F.O.
I STUDIO UMIDO
L TRIGU
F ACCASARTI
M STUDIO LIXI
#lowereastmirrionis
Villanova (Biddanoa in Sardinian) is a “small town in the
middle of the city”. After its renovation and pedestrianiza-
tion, many new avant-garde enterprises have sprung up,
reflecting current international trends in fashion, design
and 'lifestyle'. However, the quarter still preserves its
authentic identity. Must do: discover Via San Domenico’s
multicultural and historical atmosphere. Enjoy the flowers
along via Piccioni and meet the artisans of via San
Giovanni.
VILLANOVA
Stampace (Stampaxi in Sardinian) is the oldest part of the
city. Strolling along its narrow and sunless alleys, charac-
terized by coloured buildings, and breathing in its unique
atmosphere, one feels removed from the modern city. This
quarter is home of precious traditions, such as the Feast of
Sant’Efisio and the Carnival. Must do: Sit down upon the
staircase of Sant’Anna’s church. Explore amazing via
Sant’Efisio and take a picture from the “secret” stairs of
via Santa Restituta.
STAMPACE
One of the most suggestive quarters of the city. Close to its
charming little historical fishing village, there’s the
Lazzaretto, an ancient sick-house for lepers, reinvented as
a multi-functional exhibition space, a gravitational point
for Cagliari's cultural life. Must do: See the great murals by
Crisa, Ciredz and EricaIlCane in via Schiavazzi. Visit the
Sunday Market and the central square of the old fishing
village. Have a break on the Lazzaretto’s stunning terrace.
SANT’ELIA
Castello (Castéddu ‘e susu in Sardinian) is inhabited by a
home-grown stock, with many students and artists. Within
its walls, narrow streets wind their way through ancient
buildings, charming in their decadence. On summer
evenings its Bastions’ terraces become the centre of the
city's nightlife. Must do: explore via Lamarmora and visit
its several artists’ ateliers. Stroll beautiful via Stretta and
San Giuseppe. Experience every street to find out their
secret ruins and murals.
CASTELLO
Multiethnic neighbourhood par excellence, Marina is
Cagliari's symbol of integration. Every weekend swarms of
youths flood its main streets to spend entire evenings in
its many bars. For its mix of ethnicities, scents and
flavours, Marina evokes the atmosphere of a bona fide
metropolis. Must do: have a beer in Piazza Santo Sepolcro.
Try at least one of its several traditional restaurants. Eat
an ice-cream in the sun, while sitting upon the staircase of
via Sardegna.
MARINA
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MONSERRATO SELARGIUS QUARTUCCIU QUARTU S.ELENA
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