Cagliari, Italy: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

If you want to do Cagliari on foot and have the most “Cagliari” atmosphere outside your door, base yourself in the historic core: Castello and Villanova. Castello is the hilltop old town (views, small lanes, quick access to the cathedral and bastions), while Villanova is a little calmer and more residential but still central for evenings. In Castello, Birkin Castello works well if you want to sleep right inside the historic quarter and step straight into the sights. Just outside the busiest lanes, Hotel Villa Fanny is a strong boutique choice when you want a quieter, more refined base that’s still walkable into the centre.

For restaurants, bars, and straightforward logistics (port/train/buses), the Marina and the lower centre around Via Roma are usually the easiest. You’re close to the waterfront promenades, plenty of dining, and you can get in and out of town without fuss. Hotel Miramare Cagliari is a good fit if you like character and being in the middle of the action, while Hotel Regina Margherita is a dependable central option when you want comfort and a very practical location between the historic areas and the harbour.

If you prefer a more “hotel-as-a-destination” feel, or you want a slightly more polished, upscale base, look at the modern centre near the main shopping streets and civic areas rather than deep inside the old lanes. Palazzo Doglio suits travellers who want a higher-end stay with an on-site courtyard scene and an easy walk into the centre. If you want contemporary rooms and a proper spa-style reset after sightseeing, UNA HOTELS T Hotel Cagliari is a strong pick. And if your priority is beach time with the city still reachable by taxi or bus, Poetto is the simplest base—Hotel Nautilus is well-placed for mornings on the sand and sunset walks on the promenade.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Cagliari. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Cagliari in Spring (Best)

Spring is the most balanced time to visit Cagliari: warm, bright days for walking the old quarters, but not yet the heavy summer heat. April through early June is particularly good for combining city sightseeing with early beach time, and you’ll generally find better value and easier restaurant reservations than peak summer. A key highlight is the Festa di Sant’Efisio at the start of May, when processions, traditional dress, music, and events bring a big surge of atmosphere and crowds—book accommodation early if you want to be in town for it.

Cagliari in Summer

Summer in Cagliari is for beach-first trips, late dinners, and a lively evening scene, but it can be very hot for midday walking—plan your sightseeing early and save the middle of the day for the sea. June is often the easiest “summer” month for combining city and coastline without peak-season pressure, while July and August are busiest and most expensive. Mid-August (Ferragosto) is a focal point for local events and a general holiday buzz, which is great if you want energy, but it also means higher prices and more crowded beaches.

Cagliari in Autumn

Early autumn is a strong alternative to spring: the sea stays inviting, the heat eases, and the city feels more relaxed while still very much “open” for visitors. September is the sweet spot if you want beach days without high-summer intensity, and October is better if your priority is urban exploring with comfortable walking temperatures. Festival-wise, autumn is a good season for food-and-craft culture on the island, with events such as Autumn in Barbagia (weekends from September into December) making a worthwhile add-on as a day trip if you want traditional villages, local produce, and artisan work alongside your time in Cagliari.

Cagliari in Winter

Winter is quieter and often good value, with a calmer, more local feel and plenty of time to enjoy the city without queues. Expect cooler evenings and a higher chance of rain, so it suits travellers who prioritise museums, long lunches, and unhurried neighbourhood wandering rather than beach time. If you want Cagliari at its most low-key—and you don’t mind trading swimming weather for space and prices—winter can work very well.

Getting to Cagliari by air

Nearest airport: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG) is the main gateway and the closest airport to the city. It has the broadest range of domestic routes (especially from Milan and Rome) and seasonal international services.

Airport to the city centre: the simplest option is the direct airport train to Cagliari station (fast, frequent, and avoids traffic). Taxis and rides are available outside arrivals; they’re convenient if you have luggage or you’re staying up in the older quarters where the final walk can be steep.

Arriving via other Sardinia airports: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) and Alghero-Fertilia Airport (AHO) can work if flights are cheaper, but you'll need a longer onward transfer (typically several hours) by train/bus combinations or a car.

Getting to Cagliari by train

Mainline routes on the island: Cagliari is the southern hub of Sardinia’s rail network, with regular services north via Oristano and onward connections toward Sassari, Porto Torres, and Olbia-area stations (via interchanges depending on the route and timetable). This is the best option if you’re linking Cagliari with other towns without driving, but it’s worth planning around the island’s slower rail speeds compared with the mainland.

Airport rail link: the airport train is part of the same rail system, so you can step off a flight and be at Cagliari station quickly, then continue on to other destinations if needed.

Train operators (links): Trenitalia (national rail, including Sardinia services) — trenitalia.com
ARST (regional transport in Sardinia, including rail/bus services) — arst.sardegna.it

Getting to Cagliari by Car

Driving within southern Sardinia: if you’re already on the island, Cagliari is straightforward to reach by main roads, and a car is useful if you plan to explore beaches and small coastal towns where public transport is limited. The trade-off is city parking, limited-access traffic areas, and narrower streets near the historic quarters—many travellers prefer to park once and walk.

Arriving “by car” from mainland Italy: you’ll typically combine driving with a ferry crossing to Sardinia, then drive onward to Cagliari. Common ferry operators include Grimaldi Lines, Tirrenia, and Moby; availability varies by season, and some routes arrive at ports other than Cagliari, which adds drive time.

Practical car notes: choose accommodation with parking if possible, and confirm whether your hotel is inside a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) or on streets where access is limited. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Travelling around Cagliari

On foot and by local transit: central Cagliari is compact and walkable, especially between Castello, Villanova, and the Marina, but expect hills and steps. For longer hops (Poetto beach, outlying neighbourhoods, or evening returns), the city bus network is usually the most practical option.

Local operators (links): CTM Cagliari (urban buses) — ctmcagliari.it
For regional day trips by rail/bus, use the operator links above (Trenitalia and ARST). Taxis are easy for short door-to-door journeys, and car hire becomes valuable if you want to string together multiple beaches or rural stops in a single day.