Top Things to do in Cagliari, Sardinia

Sardinia attracts millions of visitors every year. According to official data released by the region, the island played host to more than 6 million visitors in 2022, no doubt attracted by its beautiful beaches and distinctive cultural flavor compared to the rest of Italy. One of the best places to experience Sardinia is, of course, its capital city, Cagliari, which integrates the island's overall rustic charm with modern sensibilities and historical treasures.

To help you plan your day at port, consider our recommendations for the top things to do in Cagliari, Sardinia.

Tour the Historical Sites

Cagliari's formal history stretches back thousands of years. Founded by the Phoenicians in the Neolithic Age, it came under the occupation and control of several contending groups over the subsequent centuries, including the Carthaginians, Romans, and Piedmontese. Because of the city's lengthy history, it offers a wealth of historical treasures within and around its perimeter, such as:

• Nora: the ruins of an ancient city located just southwest of Cagliari.
• Su Nuraxi di Barumini: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well-preserved example of nuraghi, a type of defensive structure developed in Sardinia in the second century B.C. — the "finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture,".
• Torre di San Pancrazio: a medieval tower completed in 1305, built on Cagliari's highest point and standing 36 meters tall.
• Elephant Tower: a twin tower to the Torre di San Pancrazio, built in 1307 and standing 42 meters tall.
• The Roman Amphitheater of Cagliari: site of gladiator duels and executions, built into the limestone of Buoncammino hill between the first and second centuries A.D.
• Bastion Saint Remy: a more modern structure as well as a symbol of the city, built between 1896 and 1902 in the Classic style.

To tour these stunning historical sites, you might want to take advantage of some of Norwegian Cruise Line's convenient short excursions in Cagliari, such as the four-hour Walk Through Ancient Times experience in Nora or the four-hour trek exploration of Barumini.

Take a Tasting Tour

Good eats are abundant in Sardinia, and the melting pot of Cagliari is an excellent destination to sample them. Some of the staple dishes you may encounter on your exploration of the city are:

• Pardulas: a small star-shaped tart filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, citrus, and saffron.
• Suppa cuata: a comforting casserole-like dish made with slices of stale bread layered with broth and cheese.
• Porcetto arrosto: a suckling pig roasted for many hours and flavored with aromatic herbs.
• Pane carasau: a thin twice-baked bread seasoned with olive oil and salt.
• Pecorino fiore sardo: a Sardinian sheep's milk cheese with a protected designation of origin.

That is, of course, only a very small sample of the amazing food available in the restaurants and markets of Cagliari. For the most expansive access to the region's cuisine, we recommend heading to Mercato di San Benedetto, a huge indoor market spanning more than 86,000 square feet and offering top-notch local food products.

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Another option is to sign up for NCL's Folklore, Tastes & Sights shore excursion, a four-hour immersive cultural experience involving folk dancing, local delicacies, and wine.

Bask in the Natural Beauty

Even to those who'd rather take it easy on their day at port, Cagliari has a lot to offer. The beach, for example, is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Some of the best beaches in the city are:

• Poetto: a five-mile stretch of fine white sand and clear blue waters — ideal for walking, cycling, or just lying in the sun and listening to the waves lap gently against the shore.
• Calamosca: a serene and visually stunning beach located not far from Poetto and one of the region's most notable landmarks, Sella del Diavolo.
• Cala Fighera: a popular cove for naturists that also attracts outdoors enthusiasts for the challenging hike required to reach it.

If you're willing to venture a little outside of Cagliari, you could visit the Riserva Naturale di Monte Arcosu, a 3,600-hectare nature reserve belonging to the World Wildlife Fund and home to a diverse range of awesome wildlife — wild boar, wildcats, birds of prey, and the native cervo sardo (Sardinian deer). By the way, the NCL Monte Arcosu 4X4 Nature Quest shore excursion streamlines the trip out to the area, with a four-hour nature exploration followed by a hearty snack and Sardinian wine.

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