Top places to visit in Cagliari, also named Castello

This is why the historic centre is rich with buildings of all ages. Not a huge city, you can easily visit it on foot or by using public transport, you can start your adventure from Piazza Costituzione, with a helpful tourist info point.

San Benedetto Food Market with its vivid colours and fragrances is a worthwhile trip. It’s Italy’s largest indoor market and indeed one of the largest in Europe; amazing fresh fruit & vegetable stalls, a variety of local and Italian meats and poultry, a unique selection of Mediterranean sea food and of course many stands of Sardinian specialties. An early morning visit is highly recommended.

OTHER ‘MUST-SEE’ SITES IN CAGLIARI:

• The National Archeological Museum of Cagliari, part of the historical complex Cittadella dei Musei and the most important archeological museum of Sardinia. The spectacular Giants of Mount’s Prama statues are with no doubt worth a visit.
• The Anatomy Wax Museum by Clemente Susini, also located in the Cittadella dei Musei.The Cardu Museum with the most vast Siamese art collection of Europe, donated by Stefano Cardu and collected in his many voyages to Thailand, China, Japan and India.
• The Museum of Saint Eulalia’s Treasure, next to the Church named after her, in the Marina district.
• The Botanical Garden, belonging to the University of Cagliari, established in 1866 by the famous botanist Patrizio Gennari.
• The Regional Natural Reserve Molentargius-Saline: a marshland treasured by the pink flamingos who elected this area as their permanent habitat.
• The Monumental Cemetery of Bonaria: one of the most important monumental cemeteries in Europe according to the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe.
• The ExMà, one of the top exhibition spaces in Cagliari, inside the ex- slaughterhouse of Cagliari, in the Villanova district.
• The Royal Palace (also Viceroy Palace) belonging to the Aragon period, and home of the viceroys until 1847 and, on some occasions, of the kings of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
• The Bastion of Saint Remy with its unique Covered Walkway and breath taking view from the Terrace of Umberto the I. The Baron of Remy was the first Viceroy of the Piedmont Kingdom and he commissioned the construction of the actual Bastion over the ancient Spanish one, between 1896 and 1902.
• The tower of Saint Pancrazio and the Elephant tower in the Castello district, erected in 1305 by the Pisans to defend Cagliari against the attacks of the people from Aragon.
• The Sanctuary of Bonaria of the 14th century, in Gothic-Catalan style. The impressive church is the largest place of worship in Sardinia for the Holy Mary devout followers. The Virgin Mary of Bonaria is the patron of Sardinia.
• The Cathedral of Santa Maria, built in the 13th century and dedicated to the Holy Virgin Assunta and to the Saint and Martyr Cecilia.
• The Art Nouveau Buildings built by families of entrepreneurs belonging to the early 1900s middle class; Valdés Palace, Balletto Palace, Merello Palace, Accardo Palace, Villa Atzeri and all the buildings facing the sea on Via Roma are some examples.
• The Monumental Palaces symbol of the authorities of the time; the Ancient City Palace, the Boyl Palace (neoclassic style, home of the homonym noble family and located in the Castello district), the University Palace (built during the Savoy kingdom), the Vivanet Palace (neo-gothic style, located in via Roma next to Cagliari Railway Station) and finally the imperious New Civic Palace, today seat of the town hall (eclectic style).