Sights and ideas for your own excursion in the capital of Sardinia

Cagliari Excursion Offers and Tickets

- Berths of the Cruise Ships

The capital of Sardinia was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century B.C. and, like Rome, spreads out over seven hills. Today, Cagliari is the largest city in Sardinia and is served by cruise ships of well-known shipping companies. The destination is usually one of the berths at the Molo Rinascita or Molo Ichnusa, each of which also has a cruise terminal with a tourist information stand, bistro and souvenir shops. The Molo Sabaudo, located between the two piers, is used as an additional berth if required, but is mainly reserved for ferry traffic. All piers are located quite central to the city, but nevertheless it is not possible to walk through the port area and the authorities provide free shuttle buses for cruise passengers who stop in Piazza Matteotti outside the port. Many buses of different lines also meet there and the Cagliari Central Station is also very close by. From there, the city centre is quite easy to get to on foot, but on the paths, one has to expect some partly strong gradients.

- Bus Transport

Cagliari has a very well developed bus line network which is operated by CTM S.p.a. The modern buses, some of which are electrically powered, run until midnight, but are not absolutely necessary for exploring the old town. Tickets are available at the official CTM sales stands, tobacco shops and kiosks at quite reasonable prices. For example, a 90-minute single ticket costs 1.30 Euros, which is also available as a 12-strip for 13 Euros, but cannot be used on line 9. For the entire network, the 120-minute valid tickets can be taken for 2 euros each and the day ticket for 3.30 euros. If one buys the tickets from the bus driver, one pays an extra charge of 50 cents each. The tickets have to be validated at the stamping machines at the beginning of the journey. If this is not possible, a handwritten note on the tickets will be accepted during a control, which must contain the current date and the departure time. Children under 6 years of age are carried free of charge.

- CTM Spa Buses (en)

- Tram

The two tram lines of the city operate under the name of Metrocagliari, running every 10 to 20 minutes and, like the intercity buses, are maintained by the transport company ARST S.p.a. Unfortunately, this is the reason why "own" tickets are sold, which are at the same price level, but are not valid for the buses. As an exception, the CTM 2-hour tickets and the CTM day tickets may also be used for the tram.

- Arst Tram (it)

- City Tour

For exploring the city there is, among other things, a small, green and open sightseeing bus available. The sightseeing tours pass the most important sights, start every 90 minutes at Piazza Yenne and last about 60 minutes. In between, a photo stop is made at a viewing platform. From April to October there is a daily service from 09:30-19:30. The ticket available on site currently costs 12 euros per person and the explanations can be accessed via headphones in several languages, including English and German. Children from 5 to 12 years pay half price each.

- Tourist Train

As an alternative to the sightseeing bus, a typical tourist train makes its rounds through Cagliari. The vehicle, painted in red and blue, also passes historical, cultural and interesting places and sights. However, the so-called "Trenino Cagliaritano" also has permission to cross the medieval Castello quarter. So a round takes about 45 minutes and costs 8 Euro per person. Children up to 3 years travel free of charge. The daily departure times at Piazza del Carmine are every hour from 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-19:00 during the high season. In winter, from November to March, only pre-booked group trips are available. Explanations are given in several languages, including German and English, during the trip.

- Tuk Tuk

The two motorized options for a city exploration are joined by the Tuk Tuks, which are also quite popular elsewhere. The three-wheeled vehicles have a meeting point on Via Roma 107, which runs close to the port, where, in addition to simple transfers, various round trips are offered, usually lasting 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. For these tours you have to pay 10, 15, 20 or 30 Euros per person (sometimes negotiable). In addition, various bicycle rentals, horse-drawn carriage drivers (Piazza Yenne) and Segway tour operators offer their services.

Excursions and tickets from

GetYourGuide

more Tours and Transfers...

- Taxi

Normally there are enough taxis available at the station or near the shuttle bus stop. In addition to simple transfers, these offer round trips, which are charged for up to four people. Thus, for example, one pays 30 euro for a 30 minutes tour, 50 euro for double the time and for a round that takes two hours, one can plan 95 euro. A trip to the city beach Poetto is charged with 15 euros per direction.

-Taxi Cagliari (en)

- Historical Old Town and Shopping

Directly at the port on the wide, multi-lane Via Roma, the arcaded houses offer numerous gastronomic offers and some boutiques. This continues in the adjacent old town. The streets and partly narrow alleys running north from Via Roma also have a high number of restaurants, cafés, bars and individual shops. On the other hand, the main shopping streets in the centre of Cagliari are Via Guiseppe Manno and Via Guiseppe Garibaldi, which are separated by the Piazza Costituzione and in which boutiques almost seamlessly line up. Via Manno is located to the southwest and below the historic Castello district. This part of the city, situated on a hill and surrounded by mighty walls, forms the old centre of Cagliari, although there are only a few merchants and restaurateurs. In summer, usually from July to mid-September, the so-called shopping days "Notti Colorate" (Colourful Nights) take place. Then every Thursday the shops are open until 24:00 hrs.

- Fortress Bastione di Saint Remy

Access to the high Castello (castle) quarter is possible, for example, from the Bastione di Saint Remy, located in Piazza Costituzione. After having left steep paths and a lot of stairs behind, one finds oneself on a very extended view terrace. This is practically located as a roof on the old fortification walls and offers a grandiose view to the roofs of the city. At the distinctive triumphal arch there is also an elevator that makes the overcoming of the height difference a little more effortless. The bastion is less than a kilometre from Piazza Matteotti. It takes about 15 minutes on foot to cover this distance.

- Watch Towers

Good views of the city, country and sea are offered not only by the bastion of Saint Remy but also by two former watchtowers of the fortified district, which today function as observation towers and are accessible daily from 09:00-17:00 hours for a fee of 3 euros each. During the summer months they are open two hours longer. Completed in 1307, the so-called Torre dell'Elefante (Elephant Tower) was named after the small marble elephant that was placed above the integrated and original access gate. A second, but less beautiful version of the figure was also placed at the access stairs. This tower is joined to the Torre di San Pancrazio to the north, which was built two years earlier and is still considered the highest building in Cagliari. Both towers, almost identical in construction, are open to the city side and were also used as a prison for a long time.

- Santa Maria Cathedral

Almost exactly in the middle between the bastion Saint Remy and the tower Torre di San Pancrazio there is the Cathedral Santa Maria at the Piazza Palazzo. The bishop's see of Cagliari was already built in the 13th century and had to undergo several alterations and restorations. Thus, in the course of time, a building worth seeing was created, which combines several epochs. The imposing interior is artistically decorated, mainly with baroque elements. A staircase leads next to the altar down to the vaulted cellar to the crypt with 179 burial chambers, which in turn are housed in three different chapels.

- Cathedral of Cagliari

- Archaeological Museum

North of and not far from the Castello quarter, on the former military site of the Cittadella dei Musei, there is the Archeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari). The modern and largest archaeological exhibition of the island shows numerous interesting exhibits from different sites from all over Sardinia. In addition to the extensive permanent exhibition, regularly changing special exhibitions are also presented. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00-20:00 hrs and admission to the exhibition costs 7 euros per person. Free entry is available on the first Sunday of every month. In addition to the Archaeological Museum, the complex also houses the Museum of Siamese Art, the Wax Museum and the National Picture Gallery

- Archaeological Museum (en)

- Botanical Gardens

Less than a kilometre from the main railway station, a well-kept Botanical Garden has been created on the Via Sant'Ignazio da Laconi street. First opened in 1866, the so-called Orto Botanico di Cagliari suffered massive destruction during the Second World War, and was therefore restored and redesigned. Besides numerous plants, there are also some archaeological excavation sites on the site. In the rear area there is a Roman amphitheatre from the 2nd century B.C., which is still used today for various events. During the summer season, from April to October, the site is open daily except Mondays, from 09:00-18:00. During the winter months November to March, it closes four hours earlier, at 14:00. The entrance fee is currently 4 euros per person. Children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 pay half price and children under the age of six are admitted free of charge.

- Botanical Garden (it)

- City Beach Poetto

To the east of Cagliari is one of the longest sandy beaches in the Mediterranean. The Spiaggia del Poetto is about 8 kilometres long, quite wide and has fine, light-coloured sand. It begins in the east at the small village Quartu Sant'Elena and borders at the southern end on the mountain Sella del Diavolo, which is called "devil's saddle" because of its shape. At the foot of the hill there is a small marina, the Marina Piccola. On the promenade, which will be renewed in 2015, you will find various locations such as bars, cafés and restaurants. The Poetto beach is quite easy to reach with the public buses. From the Matteotti bus stop at the Cagliari railway station, for example, you can reach the popular beach section by taking the PQ bus in the direction of Flumini or the PF bus in the direction of 4 Novembre. The journey time is 15 to 25 minutes in each direction, depending on where you get off.

- Market Hall

Sardinian specialities, fresh fruit and vegetables, a huge selection of cheese, sausages, meat and fish, in short, all kinds of fresh food are on sale in the Mercato di San Benedetto market hall on Via Francesco Cocco Ortu. Here you will find everything clean and tidy. The great variety is spread over two floors, each with a surface area of approximately 4000 square metres, with room for about 250 stands. The numerous traders offer their goods from Monday to Saturday from 07:00-14:00. At the market hall, which is a good 1.8 kilometres from the port, the buses of line 6 stop virtually in front of the door.

- Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria

Piazza Bonaria is the most important and largest place of pilgrimage in Sardinia. A wide staircase leads to the forecourt of the Roman Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria (Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria). The statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus and a burning candle, which has been on display in the impressive church since the 14th century, was, according to legend, recovered by monks from a crate washed ashore. The box is said to have been lost from a ship that was in a heavy storm. When the box came into contact with the sea water, it suddenly became silent and the agitated sea calmed down. The Basilica is about 1.6 kilometres from the stop of the harbour shuttle. This distance can be covered in about 25 minutes on foot. Alternatively, the buses of the lines PF, PQ and 5 stop nearby.

- Basilica di Nostra Signora di Bonaria

- Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline

The former most important salt extraction area in Sardinia was already placed under nature protection in 1988 and is now a popular destination for excursions. Numerous plant species thrive on the extensive area of around 1600 hectares of the Molentargius Saline Nature Park. In addition, various species of birds, some of which "only" spend the winter here, and other free-living animals such as swamp turtles, snakes, frogs, hedgehogs and rabbits join in. Most striking, however, are the flamingos living in the park, often in small groups looking for food. On the paths and trails of the salt flats you can go for a wonderful walk or a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the great nature. One gets some interesting information about the park at the information point Palazzina Sali scelti (Stazione Forestale di Cagliari) at the street Via la Palma. There, one can also rent bicycles or start a guided tour with an electrically driven boat. The park areas are open daily from April to mid-October from 06:30-21:00 and from mid-October to the end of March from 07:00-18:00. The Info-Center, on the other hand, is open during the summer months, Monday to Friday from 08:30-19:30, and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00-20:00.

- Parco Naturale Molentargius Saline (it)

- Monte Urpinu

Another park (Parco di Monte Urpinu) is located to the east of Cagliari, at the foot of the Urpinu hill that separates the city from the former salt works. In addition to the green areas, Monte Urpinu offers excellent viewpoints due to its location. From here you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city and of the former salt ponds on the other side, as far as the Poetto beach and the Devil's Saddle. For example, the viewing platform Punto panoramico di Monte Urpinu, which is located on the road Viale Europa, is very easy to reach by rental car. About 3.5 kilometres from the port shuttle stop, a taxi for this route takes about 15 minutes for one direction, depending on the traffic situation.

- Necropolis Tuvixeddu

In the western part of the city, about 2 kilometres from Piazza Matteotti, you will find the Phoenician-Punic Necropolis of Tuvixeddu. The rock tombs located there on a hill date mostly from the 6th to 3rd centuries BC and cover an area of a good 20 hectares. Robbed early on, the historically significant tomb is now one of the most important of its kind in the Mediterranean, but unfortunately it was severely neglected for years and parts of it were even filled in and built over. The extensive complex can be visited free of charge and is open daily. Depending on the month, the opening hours vary considerably. Thus, from November to February, visits can take place from 07:00-21:00, in March from 07:00-21:30, in April from 06:00-22:00, in May from 06:00-22:30, in June from 05:30-23:00, in July from 05:30-24:00, in August from 06:00-24:00, in September from 06:30-24:00 and in October from 07:00-22:00. The entrance is on Via Falzarego.

- Tuvixeddu Necropolis (en)

- Nora Ruins

About 36 kilometres south of Cagliari, on a small peninsula, there is an important ancient excavation site. These are the remains of the city of Nora, founded in the 9th century BC. The Phoenicians probably built the first larger settlement in Sardinia, in which the Romans later also left clear traces. The eye-catching watchtower, which towers above everything, dates from the 16th century and was last used as a lighthouse. Visits to the site are only possible in the form of guided tours, which are offered in German, English, French and Italian, last about 45 minutes and take place every 30 minutes. For this, one pays on site 6 euros per adult and 3,50 euros for children up to the age of 18. The somewhat longer tours with a visit to the tower Torre del Coltellazzo cost two euros more for adults and 1.50 euros more for children. Open daily from 10:00 am. Closed depending on the season between 17:30 (winter) and 19:30 (summer). The last guided tour takes place one hour before closing time. To get to the Nora Ruins you can take a taxi or a rental car, which takes about 40 to 45 minutes in each direction. Bus lines 129, 133 and 139 stops in the nearest town of Pula and take about 50 to 65 minutes each way from Cagliari. From the bus stop the excavation site and the nearby beach Spiaggia di Nora are still about 2.4 kilometers away. For this distance you need a good 30 to 35 minutes on foot.

- Nora Ruins (it)

- Excursion Portals and Excursion Providers

Through the tour and excursion providers GetYourGuide, Meine Landausflüge and Viator you can book various excursions, activities, tours, tickets and admission tickets in Cagliari, which are often offered at much lower prices than comparable excursions offered by the shipping companies. Thus, if you book in time, you can realize a variety of excursions on your own.

A small preselection of independent excursion offers
for, in and around Cagliari,
we have compiled for you here.

- Cruises and Special Offers

If you have not yet booked a Mediterranean Cruise, but would like to get to know Cagliari personally and make excursions on your own, you will find great offers from the major cruise operators in the German-speaking world. Aida, Costa and Tui Cruises - Mein Schiff offer attractive routes with their modern cruise ships, together with other interesting destinations. Book your next dream holiday directly with your favourite shipping company at fair conditions.

All ocean and river cruises can also be booked conveniently and inexpensively online with the sea travel specialist Kreuzfahrten-Zentrale Astoria. This means that you can choose from a wide range of up-to-date offers from various shipping companies. These include AIDA Cruises, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and TUI Cruises. Also attractive are the popular special offers, with which one can travel at a particularly low price and possibly also get a great bargain.

Shore excursions Cagliari ....... continue to the 2nd page

More port information on popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean

Croatia - Dubrovnik 

France - Ajaccio in Corsica

France - Cannes

France - Toulon

Greece - Iraklion, Crete

Greece - Kerkyra on Corfu

Greece - Piraeus (Athens)

Greece - Rhodes

Greece - Santorini

Italy - Bari

Italy - Cagliari in Sardinia

Italy - Catania, Sicily

Italy - Civitavecchia (Rome)

Italy - La Spezia

Italy - Livorno

Italy - Messina in Sicily

Italy - Naples

Italy - Olbia in Sardinia

Italy - Palermo in Sicily

Italy - Salerno

Italy - Venice

Malta - Valletta

Monaco - Monte Carlo

Spain - Barcelona

Spain - Cartagena

Spain - Eivissa on Ibiza

Spain - Malaga

Spain - Palma de Mallorca

Spain - Valencia