Day 1 in Cagliari

Welcome to Sardinia! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Make your way to Cagliari and arrive at your hotel. Check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Begin by going north of the historic center of Cagliari to visit the Castello di San Michele, originally built during the time of Santa Igia, the former capital of the Judicate of Cagliari, which was destroyed by Pisane troops in the thirteenth century. The castle survived and protected the city that became modern-day Cagliari for hundreds of years. Afterward, go east on the Viale Marconi to the bedroom community of Quartu Sant`Elena. After you visit the parish church, the Basilica di Sant`Elena Imperatrice, have lunch at one of the cafes in town. To close out the day, choose from one of two options: sunning yourself on Poetto Beach, south of Quartu Sant`Elena, or visit the beautiful pink flamingos in their natural habitat at Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline, just northwest of the beach. Return to your hotel at the end of the day.

Day 2 in Cagliari

Begin the day by visiting two open-air archaeological gems: Tuvixeddu Necropolis, a cemetery and tomb built by the Phoenicians over 2,500 years ago; and the Roman Amphitheatre of Cagliari, which in its heyday in the first centuries of the Common Era seated 10,000 people, a third of all the people who lived in Sardinia at that time.

After that, view some beautiful pieces of modern Italian and Sardinian art at the Galleria Comunale d`Arte, and then go to the Cittadella dei Musei and visit either the Luigi Cocco collection of Sardinian handicrafts at the Museo Etnografico Regionale or the National Archaeology Museum, where there are artifacts stretching back to the time of the Nuralgians, the original native population of Sardinia.

At the Piazza Arsenale, you can view one of the original fortifications of Cagliari`s city walls, the Torre di San Pancrazio, next to a nineteenth-century portal, the Porta Cristina. Walk down the Via Pietro Martini to the Palazzo Regio, the former residence of the Viceroy of Sardinia, and later, the King of Sardinia. Further down the street, you can take in the beauty of Cagliari Cathedral, dating from the thirteenth century. Next door is the Old Town Hall, the seat of the city government from the thirteenth century until the first decade of the twentieth century.

Pass by another Medieval tower which was part of Cagliari`s city wall system, the Torre dell`Elefante, on the way to Piazza Yenne for a late lunch. Finish the day by taking a tour of three churches in the Stampace district: the Chiesa di Sant`Anna, the parish church of Stampace; the Chiesa di Sant`Efisio, where one of the oldest religious feasts in Italy is held every May; and the Chiesa di San Michele. Return to Piazza Yenne later in the evening to enjoy some of Cagliari`s diverse and exciting nightlife. At the end of the day, go back to your accommodations.

Day 3 in Cagliari

Start the day bright and early by touring the Roman ruins of a spa and residential area, the Villa di Tigellio, and then take a walk amongst the diverse flora at the Cagliari Botanical Gardens. Head south to the Marina district and, if you called ahead to make a reservation, take a tour of the Sardinian railway museum, the Museo delle Ferrovie. Take your time and stroll down the streets of the Marina district, passing the Cagliari City Hall along the way to Largo Carlo Felice, where you can have brunch. Make some time to visit the Chiesa di Sant`Eulalia before walking up the grand staircase to the open-air Bastione di Saint Remy. Nearby is the Jewish Ghetto building, which is actually a military barracks on the old Bastione di Santa Croce. (The actual old Jewish quarter is located along Via Stretta.)

Afterward, head back down the staircase and walk to the Villanova district, where you can view the traveling art and culture exhibition du jour at Exma, followed by a stop at perhaps the most unique church in Cagliari, the Basilica di San Saturnino. Portions of this Paleochristian church date from the third century of the Common Era. After that, head southeast to Bonaria, in the `modern` quarter of Cagliari, and tour the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Bonaria. At the end of the day, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views by going north to the Parco di Monte Urpinu, or you can head southeast toward Poetto Beach and reach the promontory point of Sant`Elia, known colloquially as the Devil`s Saddle, or the Sella del diavolo. Have dinner on Poetto Beach and then return to your accommodations at the end of the day.

Additional Days in Cagliari

Cagliari is such a beautiful city filled with history and charm, so we actually recommend, if you have an extra day to spend, that you walk the streets of the city one more time, taking in the sights you perhaps didn`t get a chance to see in the first three days. Spend the afternoon sunning yourself at Poetto Beach and enjoy the beautiful azure blue water. Be sure to take in a beautiful sunset at the Devil`s Saddle. Consider going out to a bar or club either at Piazza Yenne or in the Marina district. Return to your hotel at the end of the day.

If you have more time, return to Quartu Sant`Elena. It is a bedroom community of Cagliari, but it is also the third-largest settlement in Sardinia in its own right. The name of the city comes from St. Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine, and `Quartum miles`, the Latin for `four miles`, the distance from Cagliari. If you have already had the chance to tour the Basilica di Sant`Elena Imperatrice, visit the other top tourist attraction in town, the Sa dom`e farra, a large 17th century peasant house now open to the public to educate visitors on how the peasant class lived in Sardinia at that time.

Finally, take a trip on the Metrocagliari light rail line to see how every day Cagliari residents live. The two tram lines travel through two of the `modern` neighborhoods of Cagliari, San Benedetto and Monserrato. Take in a show at the Teatro Lirico, Cagliari`s opera house, and stroll the breathtakingly-beautiful grounds of the adjoining park, the Parco della Musica.

Your Last Day in Cagliari

Depart your hotel and head to the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer; if so, a representative will meet you at the hotel in time to take you to the airport for your flight out. We hope you enjoyed Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia!