A three-hour train ride from Sassari got me to the island’s capital of Cagliari; a city that I still struggle to pronounce. I pronounce it like the city in Canada, Calgary, with a soft g. It does look like this cag-li-ari, to the English mind, but alas that is not the case. The locals here pronounce it like cal-ra-re, where’s the g sound in that? So, after much pronunciation homework, I set off to explore this city by the sea to discover rooftop panoramas, hidden alleyways, and an immensely wide, soft sand beach with a sea so limpid a pebble would send it shivering.
24 hours at Sardinia’s Capital City
Cagliari
Cagliari is an easy city to get around with public transportation. I arrived by train, checked into the B&B, then grabbed a bus to Poetto Beach. You can buy bus tickets at any tabbaccaio – tobacconist/cigarette shop on via Roma. The bus stop just across the street from the shop, you’ll need the PQ or PF bus, both buses take you directly to Poetto. It was suggested I get off at the 6th stop along Via Lungo Saline, and I did just as I was told. I had wanted to catch a glimpse of the pink flamingoes that flock to Stagno di Molentargius – Molentargius Pond and this was my first mission in the city.
Pieces of Poetto Beach
Poetto is Cagliari’s main beach and it stretches for about 8 kilometers, it’s also intensely wide. I’d never seen such a wide beach in all my life! The beach was empty except for a few small groups, and had I brought my swimmers I would have nestled into the warm September sand and taken a dip in the translucent water, but I was here to see pink flamingoes, off I went in search of these graceful and colourful birds. Via Lungo Saline is the strip that runs along Poetto Beach, it’s fitted with bicycle and running lanes, and a whole median that divides the sports enthusiasts from the cars and buses. Well done, Poetto Beach!
There were plenty of cyclists and runners going past, and I can see why with the freedom away from traffic. I walked a great length of this road in search of the entrance to the pond. Black thunderclouds were at my back and were beginning to awaken, I felt a little drop of rain and without rain gear decided to call it a day and grabbed the next bus back to the harbour. The twenty-minute bus ride from Poetto beach back to the harbour was worth it for the cold Ichnusa beer, the immense calm beach, the walk along via Lungo Saline, and the intense chatter from the patrons on the bus, even if I didn’t catch a glimpse of those wonderous birds. Next time, next time.
Cagliari City Scenes
There are beautiful churches scattered all over the city, and I’m afraid I haven’t the name of this quaint one, I was too lost in the moment. Cagliari is a good walking city, there are a lot of steep hills directly across the harbour; excellent walking shoes are a must to discover hidden treasures in this capital city.
There is so much colour in this city, from the buildings to the potted plants, and from the smiles on people’s’ faces to the most excellent and hilarious cab driver ever. Cagliari is a beautiful Mediterranean city in the deep south of the island. There are major roads in and out of the city connected by bus, taxi and a busy port. I’m an easy traveler, heck, I’ve done it for over 30 years, most times I don’t even use a map, but here in Cagliari I’d be lost without one. With her winding, seemingly never-ending streets it’s easy to get lost in this city maze.
At Bastione di Saint Remy with the harbour in the distance
I’m one of those travelers that like to look for the “underworld” of a city, and I find that gritty side in the colourful graffiti sprayed and or painted on the walls. For centuries Sardinia’s ancient walls have been used as a political outlet and to share traditional stories from town to town. Often I find myself drawn to graffiti, and look in awe, like in a museum, as I hope to understand what the artist is portraying.
Urban Cagliari
I forgot to mention the reason I went to Cagliari … my Mom and Aunt, and their husbands came on a cruise. Oh, the giggles we had while walking around the harbour; in and out of stores, and at the San Benedetto Market, which is the biggest indoor market in Italy, complete with a fresh fish floor! We ate at a little local restaurant just off Via Roma, called Sardo Food & Wine. We dined on the cobblestone patio at a comfortable for five. Workers on the building adjacent drilled away at … something, we tuned them out and ordered Vermentino and Cannonau for the table. Then came the two platters of local salumi and cheese. Oh, we were in heaven. The sun, the location, the smiles, and family, and probably a bit of the wine made my 24 hours in Cagliari most memorable, and I am eager to return. Maybe for the Juve game. 🙂
And that last, essential shot of Poetto Beach, early afternoon in black in white.
If you’re still following my story, thank you. I hope you enjoyed the ride.
When you travel to a new city, what activities do you seek out?
