Cagliari
in Southern Sardinia

Overlooking the palm-lined boulevard of Poetto, an area that's anything but short on great restaurants, Antica Cagliari has earned its place as a local favourite for fresh seafood and traditional Sardinian cuisine. Order the pescato del giorno, or settle in on the terrace with a pizza as the sun sets over the coastline.

Along Poetto’s seaside promenade, Bobocono is a favourite stop for a post-swim gelato. Expect creamy scoops from orange cheesecake to the evergreen (no pun intended) pistachio.

An institution since 1914, Il Lido has evolved since then far beyond a classic beach club. Set within its sleek white structure, it gathers some of the liveliest spots on the shoreline – from a café, two seafood restaurants and a pizzeria to rotating fashion boutiques, an ice cream store and an evening club. From morning espresso to late-night dancing, it remains a favourite meeting point for Cagliaritani by the sea.

This former salt-producing landscape has become one of the Mediterranean’s most unusual urban nature reserves. Shallow pink-hued salt pans stretch across the wetlands, where flocks of flamingos wade year-round. Walking and cycling paths are available throughout the lagoons, and visitors can explore the park by bike, on horseback or simply on foot, making it ideal for birdwatching and sunset strolls between city and sea.

Cagliari’s beloved beach stretches for eight kilometres along the southern edge of town, a long sweep of pale sand backed by lidos and pastel kiosks. From early morning swims to sunset aperitivo, Poetto is where the pulse of local life is found.

At the recently reimagined Marinella, large glass windows open onto the sea, while the terrace has views of the Gulf of Angels and the distant Sella del Diavolo. Inside, the café pairs classic pastries with ginseng or pistachio cappuccinos, while upstairs the terrace restaurant and pizzeria serve seaside plates. Our tip? Try the spaghetti with red lobster or the pizza finished with mullet bottarga.

The saddle-shaped silhouette of Sella del Diavolo is one of Cagliari’s most recognisable landmarks. A scenic hiking trail winds through Mediterranean scrub to panoramic viewpoints over the Gulf of Angels, where the curve of Poetto, the city skyline and flamingo-dotted lagoons stretch below.