As the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari has gradually become a popular tourist destination. Its geographical position, in the very south of the island and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, has made it a pleasant place to visit. Its historical heritage, marked by the passage of many civilizations, further enhances its appeal to travelers. To get the most out of your stay in Cagliari, it’s essential to know the characteristics of the areas where to stay.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the characteristics of the main neighborhoods to help you choose where to stay in Cagliari. To do this, we’ll take into account their location in relation to places of interest, the liveliness of the area and the range of accommodation on offer.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Cagliari, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the town and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Cagliari:
- $ this guesthouse, one of the cheapest you’ll find in the historic center
- $$ this aparthotel, well located and very good value for money
- $$$ this luxury establishment, 2 steps from the botanical gardens, is one of the best places to stay in Cagliari
Map of different areas of Cagliari to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Cagliari, you’ll find on the map below all the Cagliari accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different areas we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Cagliari
Places to stay in Cagliari
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Cagliari.
Stay in Castello, Cagliari's historic center
The Castello district is the heart of the Sardinian capital. Located on the heights of the city, it's the best place to stay. Its geographical position, lively atmosphere and numerous sites of interest allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in Cagliari's historical and cultural riches.
The main places to discover in this area are as follows:
- A stroll through the center, with its narrow streets and ancient buildings
- Bastion Saint-Rémy, 19th-century fortifications built to join the various existing ramparts
- National Archaeological Museum, where the city's remains are on display
- Roman amphitheater, Cagliari's most emblematic Roman ruin
- Santa Maria Cathedral, built in the 13th century
From the Castello area, you can enjoy beautiful views over the rest of the city, particularly from the Bastion of Saint-Rémy. The range of accommodation available in this area is quite extensive. It consists mainly of hotels and bed & breakfasts.
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Chambre d'hôte at the foot of the historic center. Basic interior at a very attractive price.
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Spacious, well-decoratedguest room. Excellent location, right next to Santa Maria Cathedral.
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Luxury hotel close to the Botanical Gardens. The style and elegance of the premises is remarkable. With a large garden and bar.
Stay at Stampace, to feel the soul of Cagliari
Located at the foot of Cagliari's historic center, the Stampace district is an excellent alternative for finding accommodation. A stroll through the narrow streets will give you a good idea of the city's cultural richness.
The main sites of interest in this area are as follows:
- Botanical garden, where you can enjoy a variety of plants right in the heart of the city
- Eglise Saint-Michele, built in the 17th century with sumptuous Rococo decorations
- Church of St. Ephysius, built in the 18th century on older foundations and of great importance to Cagliari's inhabitants
Stampace offers a wide range of accommodation options. These include hotels, apartments and bed & breakfasts. The whole of Stampace can be reached on foot. It's a lively place, with many restaurants, cafés and shops.
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Charming bed and breakfast at a very reasonable price. Excellent value for money. Close to the historic center.
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Spaciousapartment with balcony in a good location. The original interior decoration and furnishings are highly appreciated.
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4-star hotel complex fairly close to the station. Comfortable, well-equipped rooms. Bar and restaurant.
Staying in the marina district
The Marina district, also known as Lapola, represents a good alternative for accommodation in Cagliari. Located just east of Stampace, this district is made up of streets characterized by their perpendicular structures. A lively area, you'll find magnificent palaces and chic boutiques.
The main sites of interest around the marina are the churches. The most important of these is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, dating from the 16th century. Also in this district are the churches of Saint Augustine and Saint Eulalia.
The accommodation on offer here consists mainly of hotels and bed & breakfasts, at rates that are generally higher than in the previous two districts. Staying in this district is an excellent way to discover the city.
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Very spaciousguest room at an attractive price. Interesting location between the station and the center.
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This guesthouse offers rooms with modern, well-appointed decor. Good location near the marina and historic center.
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Luxury hotel offering comfortable rooms with sea or garden views. Centrally located near the Bastion Saint-Rémy. A restaurant and bar are available to guests.
Accommodation in the Villanova district
Choosing to stay in the Villanova area is less relevant for visiting Cagliari. Its slightly more eccentric geographical location partly explains this. In addition, given its later expansion, the monuments and other markers of the city's rich history are much less present. The churches of San Domenico and San Giacomo are worth mentioning.
Nevertheless, Villanova boasts a wide range of restaurants, cafés and shops. It's quite possible to find accommodation in this area. Mostly bed & breakfasts and hotels are available.
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Chambre d'hôte with balcony and city views. The establishment has a bar and garden.
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Luxury hotel with large, modern rooms. Spa, bar, restaurant and private parking.
Stay in Poetto, close to the beach
If you're primarily interested in enjoying the beaches during your stay in Cagliari, Poetto may be the place to stay. Located around 5 kilometers east of the historic center, this area is mainly interesting for its beach. The 7-kilometer-long beach is bustling with restaurants, bars and clubs.
To get to the center of Cagliari, you'll need 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bus. Poetto is therefore not the ideal place to stay in Cagliari if you're mainly interested in sightseeing. The accommodation on offer consists mainly of hotels, at rates that are generally higher than in the central districts.
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Mid-rangehotel located near the beach. Rooms with terrace or balcony overlooking the garden.
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Superior hotel on the waterfront. Comfortable rooms, some with sea views. Swimming pool and bar.
Summary
As you can see, Cagliari is an interesting tourist destination to discover. Choosing the right accommodation for your needs is very important. Accommodation in the Castello and Stampace districts are the most attractive options, thanks to their location and range of accommodation. The Marina area may also be an alternative. Last but not least, staying in Vilanova is a less attractive option.
To have a very wide choice of accommodation at very reasonable prices, you need to book your accommodation some time in advance. This is even more true if you plan to stay between April and November