Cagliari feels like it was designed for winter sunbathing.
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Sardinina’s northern coastline of aquamarine waters and glitzy hotels has long drawn the summer crowds.
But the southern city of Cagliari, the Italian island’s capital, has struggled to be seen as more than an unexciting port center.
Now, the destination is determined to lure visitors with its sunny-colored historic neighborhoods, chic cafés and winter sunshine.
Here’s why you should visit Cagliari in low season and what to see, do and eat.
Soak up some winter sun
Cagliari feels like it was designed for winter sunbathing. The confusingly-named Castello district – which doesn’t refer to a castle but to the ancient city moniker and modern Sardinian name Casteddu – is full of wide piazzas perfect for basking in the sunshine.
Real winter weather in Cagliari is short-lived – residents like to remind visitors from the mainland that the city is closer to Tunisia than Rome – and by February the city is enjoying 20 degrees at midday.
For a sunset aperitivo, head into the narrow streets of the hilltop Castello quarter.
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Climb up the steps, or take the elevator, to the vast terrace atop the pale limestone Bastion of Saint Remy for shimmering views across the sea and hazy blue mountains.
For a sunset aperitivo, head into the narrow streets of the hilltop Castello quarter. Walk through the medieval Torre del Elefante with a playful elephant statue on one facade.
Just down the road, a square houses two bars, 4 Mori and Libarium Nostrum, where you can sip wine and cocktails as the sky turns amber over the port.
Snack at Cagliari’s food market
A vast, warehouse-like structure houses Cagliari’s San Benedetto market. It’s one of the prime spots for locals to do their shopping with a lower floor dedicated to fishmongers and an upper level for cheese, meat and fruit and vegetables.
It hasn’t suffered an onslaught of tourism so, provided you don’t get in the way of people buying…
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