CAGLIARI
a culture preserved
VIAGGI
VIAGGI
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estled in the Gulf of Cagliari, with which it shares its name, sits the capital of the
Italian island of Sardinia. Bursting with
If a stroll around the city seems a little too tame, take a trip up to the Devil’s Saddle for breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea. According to legends, the geographical feature came about when the Devil fell in love with the beauty of the Gulf of Cagliari and tried to take hold of it. God sent his best angels to fight him, and during the battle, the Devil fell onto the headland to give it the distinctive shape we see today. With the viewpoint only accessible by foot, either alone or as part of a guided tour, the views are all the more rewarding.
The viewpoint looks out over the ten-kilometre-long Poetto beach, which runs between clear blue water and a wide variety of beach clubs, restaurants and water sports facilities. Only a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre, this beach is perfect for relaxing and is long enough that it never gets too busy. For something a little more secluded, Calamosca beach is much smaller, and more off the beaten track, sitting just west of the Devil’s saddle.
The city of Cagliari is a food-lover’s paradise. Cagliari seems to have, for the most part, avoided big international chain restaurants, so most restaurants offer authentic Italian food, whether that be pizza, pasta or seafood. The Piazza Yenne is a lively open space surrounded by restaurants and bars to create a vibrant atmosphere. However just off the piazza in an unassuming backstreet sits a tiny pizzeria the size of someone’s living room, but the quality of the food massively exceeds its size. Pizzeria Credere is not one to miss,
culture, the city provides the best of both worlds – whether you’re after a relaxing beach holiday or looking for a foodie’s getaway, Cagliari has something for everyone.
The city itself is full of hidden gems, and a walk around the city’s historic quarter offers a great way to discover stunning churches that sit unassumingly down quaint narrow streets often decorated with both plants and washing. The shuttered windows and pastel-coloured buildings give you the impression of a place suspended in time, not touched by modern advances in technology and architecture. Once tired of walking around, it is worth calling in at Origini’s down near the harbour; a stylish bakery with the most elaborate cakes and pastries.
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