There is an Italy that does not rely on huge crowds of tourists to win over those who visit it. It is the kind of cities where the sea meets the local cuisine, the views unfold abruptly behind the rooftops, and the atmosphere invites you to slow down. Among the smallest and most tranquil European destinations suggested by The Guardian for a brief stay there is also Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, appreciated for its ability to offer beauty, authenticity and local flavors away from the more crowded destinations.
The Sardinian city is described as an ideal destination for those seeking the sea without sacrificing discovery of the historic center and good dining. A combination that allows for a relaxed stay, between city beaches, markets rich in local products, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
From Poetto to the historic heart of Cagliari
The first pull is naturally the sea. Cagliari can count on the Poetto, one of the most beautiful city beaches in Europe, a long stretch of sand that represents one of the emblematic places of the Sardinian capital. But The Guardian‘s suggestion is precisely to go beyond the most famous beach to discover the other faces of the city.
From the harbor, the historic center climbs upward through its most characteristic neighborhoods. Among these stands out the Castello, the ancient district that dominates the city and guards some of its most evocative viewpoints. Marking the entrance to this historic part of Cagliari is the Bastione Saint-Rémy, an elegant panoramic structure from which the gaze embraces the rooftops of the city and the coastline.
It’s one of those places where it’s worth stopping simply to observe the landscape, letting the nuances of the sea and the architecture tell the city’s story. Cagliari, in fact, seems to invite a unhurried visit, alternating strolls in the historic center with moments of relaxation along the coast.
Still in the Castello historic district, within the Citadel of Museums, lies the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, which houses over 4,000 objects narrating a long history of almost 7,000 years (from Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages).
Markets, seafood, and Sardinian cuisine
But The Guardian is not won solely by the sea and the views. An important role is played by gastronomy, starting with the city’s enormous covered market, described as a true feast of local products. On the stalls you encounter fresh seafood, Sardinian pecorino, and traditional sweets prepared with dried fruit, offering a tasting of Sardinia’s rich cuisine.
Fish, moreover, represents one of Cagliari’s strengths also for the good quality-to-price ratio. There are many local restaurants where you can taste fish dishes of the typical Sardinian tradition. Among the specialties are the gilthead seabream and grilled squid, capable of turning a simple dinner into one of the most enjoyable moments of the stay.
Cagliari is a city where sea, history, panoramas and cuisine coexist at a slow pace.
