8 Best Sights in Sardinia, Italy

Built within the walls of the Pisan castle erected in the early 1300s, Cagliari's archaeological museum is the world's foremost authority on Sardinia's ancient Nuraghic civilization, named after the curious stone towers, or nuraghi, that are unique to the island. Archaeologists date most of these enigmatic structures to about 1300–1200 BC, the same time the ancient Israelites were establishing themselves in Canaan. Among the highlights on display are bronzetti (bronze statuettes) from nuraghic towers and tombs, displayed in the basement, and the much-celebrated Giganti di Mont'e Prama, giant nuraghic stone statues representing warriors and boxers, unearthed in the 1970s and only recently restored and displayed to the public, on the top floor.

The same entry ticket also allows you to visit the Spazio di San Pancrazio, a new exhibition space located within the thick city walls opposite the museum, showing a motley collection of lapidary monuments and majolica and azulejos tiles.

Only 5 km (3 miles) southeast of the city center, Poetto Beach is one of the most enticing spots to relax in summer for both locals and tourists. Its clean, shallow, turquoise waters stretch for some 8 km (5 miles), and the beach is lined with cafés, restaurants, snack bars, and parks. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent for around €15. Away from the sea, you can explore the nearby Molentargius lagoon, and admire the pink flamingos that nest in the marshy reeds there.  Poetto is easy to reach on the frequent public transport services: take Bus PF, PQ, or, in summer, Poetto Express, from Piazza Matteotti. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee in summer); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

This substantial amphitheater arena dating from the 2nd century AD attests to the importance of this area to the Romans. You can view it from a raised walkway but not (at least for the time being) enter the seating area or the underground passages. The site isn't suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you don't want to enter it, good views can be had from Viale Sant'Ignazio.

Perched over the vast expanse of Cagliari and its port, this hillside quarter has narrow streets that hold ancient monuments and piazzas amid apartments with wash hung out to dry on elaborate wrought-iron balconies. The most impressive entrance is through the commanding late-19th-century archway of the Bastione di St. Remy on Piazza Costituzione. Entering this way means climbing numerous steps; if this is a problem, walk up Viale Regina Elena to find an elevator. At the top is an impressive panorama of the cityscape and the Gulf of Cagliari. From Piazza Palazzo, holding Cagliari's cathedral, you can walk to Piazza Indipendenza and the Museo Archeologico.

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria, also known as the Duomo, was begun in the 12th century, but major renovation in the 17th century and reconstruction during the mid-1930s have left little of the original medieval church. The tiers of columns on the facade resemble those of medieval Romanesque Pisan churches, but only sections of the central portal, the bell tower, and the two side entrances are from the 13th century. Look for one of the most memorable features inside—the oversize marble pulpit sculpted in the 1300s and divided in half to fit into the church nave; it now lies on either side of the main entrance.

Located just below Cagliari's amphitheater, the city's Botanical Garden offers a welcome refuge from the summer's heat, and a shady spot for a pause from sightseeing. The 12-acre site is managed by Cagliari university and includes plants from all over the Mediterranean as well as Africa and further afield, plus herbariums, ponds, and a scattering of Roman remains, notably cisterns, tanks, and a well. As the only green space in the city center, it's ideal for kids to let off steam, and perfect for a picnic. Guided tours are also available (book ahead).

Excellent views of Cagliari, plus a selection of cafés and late-night bars make this a good place for a break after visiting the narrow passageways of the Castello quarter. The spacious terrazza lies atop the monumental, Neoclassical Bastione di Saint Remy, dating from 1901.

Part of Cagliari's imposing Pisan defenses, this medieval fortified tower was built in 1307 by Giovanni Capula as one of the main entrances to the Castello quarter. It is named after the small carving of an elephant visible on one wall. The side facing the old citadel was left entirely open, allowing you to view the series of wooden stairs and landings inside without climbing a step. If you are tempted to climb to the top, you'll be rewarded by a fabulous panorama of the city and its surrounding lagoons. Visits are only possible on guided tours, scheduled at 15 minutes past the hour, which must be booked at the ticket office a few minutes' walk away at Scaletta Santa Croce 2 (next to the Caffè Libarium Nostrum); under-12s are not permitted for safety reasons. The structure is the twin of Torre San Pancrazio, located near the archaeological museum and currently closed for renovation work.