Where to sleep in Cagliari: best areas to stay

Surrounded by lakes and bays, Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia, a dynamic city with a great archaeological and historical heritage. Then you can discover the best areas to sleep in Cagliari.

Perfect for history buffs and culture lovers, Cagliari is a neoclassical labyrinth of gilded palaces, beautiful squares, ancient Roman ruins, excellent archaeological museums, medieval churches and art galleries.

The city is divided into four historic districts. That of the Castle, the oldest in Cagliari, is absolutely not to be missed. It is located on a hill and houses two of the most beautiful monuments in the city: the Cathedral of Santa Maria, neo-Gothic architectural marvel built in the 13th century and the Bastion of Saint Remy. From the top of the bastion, the Umberto I terrace undoubtedly offers the most beautiful panorama of the city.

Other essential attractions are:

• the Roman Amphitheater of Cagliari, with 1.800 years of history;
• the Elephant Tower and the ancient Tower of San Pancracio, one of the symbols of the city;
• the 14th century Castle of San Michele, built in the highest area of ​​the city;
• the National Archaeological Museum which exhibits artifacts from the Nuragic age to the Byzantine era;
• the marvelous works of art exhibited at the Municipal Art Gallery;
• the Basilica of San Saturnino, dating back to the early Christian period of the XNUMXth century.

Even those in search of sand will not be disappointed: the Poetto beach, 8 km long, it becomes the beating heart of the city's nightlife during the hot summer months.

It is in Cagliari that it is located the largest number of accommodations in Sardinia. The B & Bs and hotels are easy to find and of good quality. In the summer it is best to find a room around the port area as this is where most of the action takes place, day and night.

Located in the south of the island, Cagliari you can reach it easily thanks to its port and its airport. It is a city on a human scale, and it is very easy to move around without using public transport.

Cagliari is a concentrate of everything the island has to offer, and is a great option for sleep in Sardinia. By day as in the evening, the city is suitable for families and it is very lively thanks to the numerous bars and restaurants scattered throughout.

Where sleeping in Cagliari

The historic center of Cagliari it is made up of 4 districts: Stampace, Villanova, Marina and Castello. It is without doubt the best area to stay in the city. Other recommended areas to sleep in Cagliari are the beach of Poetto and the area of Calamosca.

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Castle - perfect for history lovers

For those who love to stay in a place that oozes history and mystery, Castello is the best neighborhood to sleep in Cagliari. Called Casteddu in Sardinian, it is the heart of the historic center and is characterized by its elevated position with respect to the rest of the city and the surrounding walls.

This is one of the most photogenic areas in the city. This is where they are some of the unmissable places in Cagliari such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the medieval towers of the Elephant and of San Pancrazio, the Palazzo Viceregio, the Bastion of Saint Remy and the Archaeological Museum.

However, the main charm of Castello lies in its narrow streets, stairs and squares that open into panoramic terraces. And then there are also small artisan shops, ancient churches, excellent restaurants to eat and some of the best bars in the city.

One of the drawbacks of this neighborhood is the fact that public transport does not reach it because the streets are too narrow for buses to pass. However, there are a few bus stops within walking distance of the neighborhood walls.

Keep in mind that access to non-resident cars is limited to a few hours a day. If you are going to rent a car during your stay in Cagliari, be sure to check the exact times to enter the reserved area of ​​Castello.

Since it is a rather small neighborhood, you can also choose to park your car in one of the various car parks right next to the doors and walk to the hotel.

Accommodations in the Castello district are mainly small guesthouses, boutique hotels or good self-catering apartments.

Find accommodation in Castello

La Marina - for lovers of cuisine and nightlife

The Marina district, develops along the port, and is a very lively area. Considered the center of Cagliari, has the widest range of hotels and is ideal for visiting the city.

Marina is the best area where to sleep in Cagliari for those who want enjoy the nightlife of the city. It is also a perfect base if you need to take a ferry to visit other parts of Italy.

It is a multi-ethnic neighborhood, which is home to some of the best restaurants in the city, numerous bars and craft shops.

The area is also very photogenic, with narrow alleys, a couple of beautiful churches and delightful squares. During the summer its alleys offer excellent protection against heat and sun. It can be reached easily both by car and by local transport.

Find accommodation in the Marina district

Stampace

If you like staying in a well-connected area, with shops, bars, night clubs, restaurants and with a good selection of interesting places to visit, Stampace is the neighborhood to choose to stay in Cagliari.

Located in the historic city center, west of the Castle of Cagliari, Stampace is a nice area to walk around, among narrow characteristic alleys that hide churches, Catalan-style buildings and colorful houses. To visit the church of Sant'Efisio, the Amphitheater and the Botanical Garden.

The neighborhood is home to the Cagliari station, which is the main train station in Sardinia. It is located in the central Piazza Matteotti and from here numerous trains depart for the various destinations of the island. There are also nearby stops for city buses and Cagliari trolleybus network.

This area is the best place to sleep in Cagliari for travelers who want to explore the beauty of Sardinia by train.

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Villanova 

Villanova is one of the best areas to sleep in Cagliari if you are looking for one quiet area, almost noiseless, and a few minutes walk from the main attractions.

It was founded in the 13th century when peasants from the villages around Cagliari started moving here for further business opportunities and in recent years it has undergone many changes becoming one of the finest and most beautiful areas of Cagliari.

The area has many small luxury shops and boutiques and several beautiful churches like the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria and Church of St. James.

In Villanova there are restaurants, some good bars, and the main shopping streets (Via Garibaldi, Via Sulis and Via Sonnino), which are quite busy. The San Benedetto market, the largest market in Cagliari.

Access by car for non-residents in Villanova is limited, but there are some large parking lots just outside the neighborhood.

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Poetto - perfect for nature lovers

Poetto beach is the main beach of Cagliari and one of the best beaches in Sardinia.

It is a'wide urban beach of eight kilometers which extends between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, a fantastic place to relax in any season. Its clear water and its sandy and shallow seabed make it ideal for families.

It is located a bit far from the city center, but it is easily accessible by car and also by public transport. Bus services between Piazza Matteotti and the beach are frequent and efficient.

Here they are many small cafes and restaurants where to stop for a drink, kiosks, shops and even an amusement park. There is no shortage of toilets, showers and spaces reserved for dogs. The beach area also offers a lively nightlife in Cagliari.

Lovers of the outdoor activities they will find several diving centers, sailing schools, kayak, canoe and surfboard and kitesurf rental agencies.

Not far from the Poetto beach there is Calamosca, a beautiful bay with a white sand and pebble beach that also offers several hiking trails, with incredible views over the city and the coast.

Find accommodation near the Poetto beach

How to get to Cagliari

As for transport, Cagliari hosts Mario Mameli International Airport in Elmas, which is located a few kilometers from the center. This important airport has connections with major cities in Italy and Europe. Those who have to leave early by plane or arrive late at the airport can opt for staying near the airport.

Cagliari has an important passenger port, one of the main seaports in Sardinia. The port is located a few meters from the streets of the center and welcomes a constant traffic of Ferries and cruise ships that connect the city with Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Genoa and Livorno. See accommodation near the port of Cagliari.

The main railway station of Cagliari connects the city with other points on the island of Sardinia such as Iglesias, Golfo Aranci, Sassari, Carbonia, Olbia or Porto Torres. Find accommodation near the train station.

How to get around Cagliari

The train is the fastest option if you want to get to and from the airport by public transport, which is 15 minutes from the historic center. There railway station where to depart from is located inside the airport and trains take you directly to the center of Cagliari.

Another way to reach the city from the airport and vice versa is via the bus barn Doctor which leads to Piazza Matteotti, located between the port and the railway station of Cagliari. The lines to take are 9 and 19 and the ticket costs about € 1,30.

Outside the airport you can also find several taxi that in about 15 minutes can take you anywhere. The average cost is around € 15,00. Alternatively you can use the private transfer very suitable for groups.

Thanks to its small size the city center is easy to visit on foot. There are, however, various types of transport services, such as taxis, the surface subway and urban and extra-urban buses.