La Marina

Via Roma, with its elegant Liberty-style arcades lined with cafés and shops, runs along Cagliari’s marina. It’s one of the city’s main arteries, and a favourite spot among locals, especially in the early evening. This is where people come for the passeggiata, the traditional Italian stroll, when everyone, stylishly dressed, heads out to walk and unwind at the end of the day.

The Marina district also offers plenty of options to set out to sea! Whether you’d like to watch the sunrise, spend the day exploring the island, or sip an aperitif at sunset, there’s an excursion for you. If you have a boating licence, feel free to rent a boat and cruise around the island at your own pace.

Either way, the Marina is an ideal spot for a leisurely walk, shopping, gazing at the horizon, or soaking up the atmosphere. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, so why not treat yourself to one of the many Sardinian specialities.

For example, try the Culurgiones, ravioli shaped like wheat ears and filled with a mixture of potato and meat, or with ricotta, mint, and garlic. Fregola is another regional classic. It’s a type of semolina rolled into coarse grains. Historians believe it dates back to ancient times and may have been brought to Sardinia through trade with North Africa. There are many ways to prepare it, but it’s especially delicious when cooked risotto-style.

Meat lovers should go for the spit-roasted meats, slow-cooked over a wood fire and seasoned with myrtle or rosemary. The most popular versions use suckling pig, kid, or lamb. For something more rustic, try Zuppa Gallurese, a baked bread and cheese dish. Once considered a poor man’s meal, it’s made by soaking stale bread in broth and sheep’s cheese. It might not look like much, but trust us, you’ll be coming back for more.