Wondering about places to visit in Cagliari?

Cagliari boasts many great sights and interesting places to visit. See below for the must-see attractions and things to do in Cagliari Sardinia.

Cagliari's old part of town (also known as Castello) is one of the top places to visit in Cagliari as most of the important landmarks in the city are located here such as:

-Pancrazio Tower and Elephant Tower are two of the best vantage points to get amazing views of Cagliari's old town. Pancrazio Tower is located nearby Museum of the Citadel, while Elephant Tower is located nearby the University of Cagliari.

-St Mary's Cathedral (Cagliari Cathedral) on Via (street) del Fossario boasts stunning artworks, 12th century pulpits and the Mausoleum of Martin I of Sicily (pictured).

-Bastion of Saint Remy is one of Cagliari's city walls towers, which serves today as an exceptional observation deck where you can get memorable views of the city.

-The Roman Amphitheatre is one of the top places to visit in Cagliari without a doubt. Cagliari's Amphitheatre is located along Via Sant'Ignazio da Laconi nearby Cappuccini Church.

-Museum of the Citadel is another must-see places in Cagliari and one of the top attractions in town boasting many artifacts on display Roman weapons and pottery items.

-Cagliari's Botanic Garden is located nearby the Roman Amphitheatre, and it's an excellent place to take a relaxing stroll while viewing lovely floral displays.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria is located on Piazza Bonaria and it's one of the most visually stunning churches in Cagliari. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria is also home to a neat museum which boasts lots of old religious and archaeological artifacts.

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Tarragona Spain is one of the smaller cities in the Catalonia region but it’s without a doubt one of the gem cities along the Costa Dorada and one of the best places in the Mediterranean.

If you are wondering what to expect here, Tarragona Spain is actually not far from Barcelona Spain, and it is famed for its Roman Amphitheater, and Roman necropolis, which are two of Spain's top tourist sites.


If you’re planning when to visit Tarragona Spain, one of the best times, in my opinion to visit the city it’s during a festival or event such as Santa Tecla festivity where you’ll get to see the famous body of towers (Castellers) the region is famed for.

Things to do in Tarragona Spain: Nearby Activities

Excursion

One of the best things you can do during your trip to Tarragona Spain, it’s to explore the outdoors.

One of the best places for this is at the Sierra de Montsant Park (Parque Natural Sierra De Montsant), located just outside of Montsant wine region (around 50 minutes by car).

There is a visitor center in La Morera village, which is really the best starting point for finding trails that lead into the park.

Wine Tour

If you love wine and fancy exploring Tarragona’s wine region to sample some fine wine, you can add a winery tour to the list of things to do in Tarragona Spain.

One of the most popular wine regions is the Priorat wine region, which is home around 8 wineries with wine tasting cellars

For instance, you could visit either Alvaro Palacios winery or Capafons Ossó, both located near the Montsant wine region, around 30 miles west of Tarragona’s city center.

Port Aventura & Caribe Park

Visiting both Port Aventura & Caribe Aquatic Park are two of the most popular things to do in Tarragona Spain during the summer months.

Port Aventura is a theme park with fun high-speed rides, while Caribe Park is a water park. They’re both located near the Salou beach resort, just fives miles away from Tarragona's city center (around 10 minutes by car).

Out of the two, Caribe Aquatic Park is the most affordable park costing around $29 (23 Euros) to get in.

Having said this, if you’re planning to visit Caribe Park during the summer, I would recommend getting there as early as you can to avoid the large queues.

Also, make sure you get one of the floating rings, straight away, because once they run out you won’t be able to get on some of the water rides.

Boat Rental

Another great activity worth adding to your itinerary it’s boat rental, and you could either rent a charter, a sailing boat or a canoe.

If you’re not an experienced sailor, there are rental companies that organize sailing trips to explore the bays of the Costa Dorada.

Aqualeon Park

Another popular theme park attraction nearby Tarragona it’s Aqualeon Park, which is both a safari park and a water park.

The park itself is just 20 miles northeast of Tarragona Spain but it’s worth the trip, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Apart from fun water slides, the little ones will get to pet animals and enjoy a mini-safari tour at the premises.

Things to do in Tarragona Spain: Places of Interest

Tarragona Archaeological Museum

The Tarragona Archaeological Museum is located right in front of Parc Central, and if you are interested in ancient history, you’ll find this place interesting.

This museum basically is an archeological site where you can see over fifty 8th century Roman necropolis along with items such as pottery items and gold coins at the museum.

Tarragona Cathedral

The Tarragona Cathedral is located nearby the Roman necropolis and offers a pleasant view to marvel at. There is a small square right by the cathedral where you can sit down and do some people watching.

If you wish to enter the cathedral, there is a small entry fee but it is worth it, just to see the lovely interior decorations.

Roman Amphitheater

The Roman Amphitheater (Amfiteatro Romano) is located at the end of Rambla Vella, overlooking the coast of Tarragona.

This is one of the most pleasant attractions in Tarragona because of the lovely views you can get of the sea.

Once in the Amphitheater, you can walk around the main arena and sit on the stone seats and really get an idea what it might've been like during Roman times.

Things to do in Tarragona Spain: Shopping & Eating out

One of the main shopping hotspots in Tarragona is along Rambla Nova which is a two-way street filled with small shops, resturants and regular markets.

On Wednesdays and Sundays, there is a flea-market held on Rambla Nova where you can buy souvenir gifts, handmade items, etc.

Two other flea-markets worth checking out include Corsini Square flea-market , held every Tuesday and Thursdays, and an antiques market held every Sunday, right outside Tarragona Cathedral.

For retail shopping, head to Parc Central shopping center which has many department stores and a food court where you can enjoy a meal.

Alternatively, the nearby town of Cambrills has another shopping center called Cebado Tarragona Parc Central, located on Avinguda Cardenal Vidal Street.

Things to do in Tarragona Spain: Nightlife & Entertainment

The old part of Tarragona is the heart of the city's nightlife. For instance, in the marina and Tarragona Port you’ll find many bars, restaurants and discos, such as Disco Totem, located along Rambla Vella such as Disco Totem.

If you’re traveling with kids, north of Rambla Nova has many lovely pizzerias and restaurants more suitable for families.

Things to do in Tarragona Spain: Events &n Festivals

St. Tecla Festival

St Tecla or Santa Tecla festival is one of the most popular events of the calendar year in Tarragona Spain running in early September. The event boasts fun competitions, live entertainment and fireworks.

Tarragona Firework Competition

If you love fireworks, this is one event not to be missed. The Tarragona Firework display is held in early July at Punta del Miracle bay. It features local and international pyrotechnic companies competing for the number one prize of ‘best firework display’

Tarragona Carnival

If you’re planning a late winter vacation to Tarragona Spain, the Tarragona Carnival gears up in early February, featuring a street parade and live entertainment.

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If you are traveling to Cagliari Sardinia for the first time, Cagliari is home to one of the oldest districts in Europe - Castello - where a stunning Roman Amphitheatre can be found.

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Besides Cagliari's Amphitheatre, there are many other great places to visit in Cagliari and things you can do in Cagliari such as:

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Beaches

Beaches near Cagliari City Center

Poetto Beach

Poetto Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cagliari and it is located a couple of miles away from the city center. The beach is home to beautiful crystal clear waters and beach facilities such as toilets and restaurants.

Quartu Helena Beach

Quartu Helena Beach is located along the same strech of sand as Poetto Beach and it is also home to bars and restaurants.

Quartu Helena Beach is also home to the tower of Cargangiolas, which is a 16th limestone tower near the shore line that have been reduced to ruins.

Beaches near Pula Town

The Beach at Nora

The Beach at Nora, located near the town of Pula, is a beautiful crystal clear beach. If you are visiting this beach, the Roman ruins of Nora are nearby and are worth checking out.

Chia Beach

Chia Beach, located 10 miles from Pula Town, is a beautiful sandy beach with lovely sand dunes, crystal clear and shallow waters ideal for families with small kids.

Tuerredda Beach

Tuerredda Beach, located in Teulada nearby Chia, is one most popularl beaches in Sardinia, and also one of the most beautiful ones. The beach is home to white sandy beach and crystal clear waters.

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Outdoor Activities

Winery Tour

The island of Sardinia is renowned for being home to many famed wines such Vino Nero (Black Wine) renowned for its many antioxidants and longevity properties.

One of the most popular wineries located nearby Cagliari is the famed Argiolas Winery, which is located north of Cagliari in the Serdiana area (30 minute drive from Cagliari).

Bicycle Tour

If you are looking for fun ways to explore the city apart from car rental, taking a bicycle tour is one of the most popular things to do in Cagliari Sardinia.

You can either book a guided tour with one of the companies in Cagliari Sardinia or if you prefer to venture out on you own, you can hire a bike for as little as $60 a week.

Water Sports

If you love water sports, Tuerredda Beach and Chia Beach are two of the best places near Cagliari where you can enjoy water activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing and more.

Poetto Beach is also home to the Harbor of Marina Piccola where you can rent surf boards and boats.

Hiking

One of the best places in Sardinia where you can explore the outdoors and spot the Sardinia deer is at the Nature Reserve of Monte Arcosu, which is reached within a 40 minute drive from Cagliari City Center.

It is free to enter the reserve if you are a resident, other wise it’s around $5 to get in. Also, if you wish to spend the night there, the reserve is home to guest rooms which you can rent for around $20 a night.

Another place where you can enjoy hiking and explore Sardinia’s fauna and flora is at the Tuaredda Island, which is located opposite Tuerredda Beach in Teulada.

The island is not far at all from the beach and can be reached swimming. Once you get to the island, you’ll be presented with lush vegetation.

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Places of Interest

Ruins of Nora

Visiting the ruins of Nora is one of the most popular things to do in Cagliari Sardinia.

Nora, located 20 miles south of Cagliari (near Pula) is an archaeological site home to many Roman ruins such as a Roman Amphitheater, a Roman forum, Roman thermal baths and the Temple and Sanctuary of Aesculapius.

Cagliari Old Quarter: Castello District

The city of Cagliari is home to the Old Quarter of Castello District, which is the oldest medieval street in Sardinia.

If you are visiting the city for the first time, a stroll along Castello District narrow streets is one of the most popular things to do in Cagliari Sardinia.

Along the Old Quarter, you will also find a few attractions such as the:

• Basilica of Santa Maria (Saint Mary Cathedral)
• The National Archaeological Museum
• The Lion’s Gate
• Viceroy Palace (Royal Palace)

Stampace District

Stampace is one of the oldest districts in Cagliari and also home to a few churches such as Saint Anne and Saint Restituta churches.

Apart from modest buildings and churches, Stampace district is home to a Roman Amphitheater and the Roman Dweling of Villa Di Tiggelio.

San Benedetto Market

A visit to the San Benedetto market is another must-add attraction in your Cagliari Sardinia itinerary. The market is heart and soul of Cagliari and it’s here where you can soak in local culture and seeing how locals interact.

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Shopping

For traditional shopping, the Villanova and Castello Districts are two great places where you can find many local craftsmen selling handmade goods such as paintings, figurines and jewelry.

If you looking to buy local produce, San Benedetto indoor-market is a great place where you can get anything from fruits, vegetables and fish.

Another popular shopping experience in Cagliari Sardinia is bargaining at one of the Sunday flea-markets such as at Piazza Trento.

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Nightlife & Entertainment

The night scene in Cagliari is concentrated in the historic districts of Marina, Stampace and Costello where you can find many bars and clubs.

The summer months are one of the best times to travel to Cagliari and enjoy the nightlife. Places such as Poetto Beach have many bar terraces overlooking the sea, while Costa Smeralda is a great place to catch live music venues.

If you are into performing arts, Lirico theater (Teatro Lirico) offers weekly opera and ballet performances.

Things to do in Cagliari Sardinia: Events & Festivals

Sailing Regattas

If you are a regatta enthusiast, Poetto Beach is home to three of the most popular water events in Sardinia. The annual sailing regattas include: the 60-foot Italian Open Championship, the Tiscali Cup and the ‘Vela Latina Mediterranea’.

Carnival of Cagliari

The Carnival of Cagliari, held in February, features a procession of floats as well as flamboyant costumes, reminiscent of the carnival in Sao Paulo Brazil.

Saint Efisio Festival

The Saint Efisio Festival, held in May, is one of the most important religious festivals in Italy. The event features pilgrims in period costumes carrying the statue of Saint Efisio through the city.

Tip.Cagliari Sardinia is located east of the Island of Mallorca, Barcelona in Spain and Southwest of Rome Italy and Palermo Sicily.

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