Weekend in the city?
In CAGLIARI, there’s never a dull moment: from culture and entertainment to natural beauty, your free time takes on a whole new flavour!
Culture, beauty, and the rhythm of summer: ready to fill your calendar?
Over the weekend, the city offers the opportunity to visit fascinating exhibitions.
Starting Saturday 28 June, the exhibition featuring works by A. Milleddu and F. Argiolu will be open at the Galleria della Ruota della Fortuna. Milleddu presents paintings inspired by futurism; Argiolu exhibits portraits and landscapes in the Macchiaiolo style. Open every Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm until 10 July. Closed on weekends and on 29 June, 5 and 6 July.
Until 31 August, the exhibition Acrobati, the solo show of Nuoro artist Francesco Alpigiano curated by Chiara Manca, will be open at the Ghetto. The exhibition traces over thirty years of the artist’s work through pieces rich in symbols and diverse materials, balancing formal rigour with compositional lightness. The selection comes from private collections and the artist’s studio, offering a unique voice outside commercial circuits. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Until 30 June, the exhibition “The Soul of Stone: Nuragic Stories” by painter Serge Salis is on display at the MEM. The artist, a Frenchman of Sardinian origin, presents a series of abstract works inspired by the shapes and symbols of the Nuragic civilization, interpreted as a metaphor for the strength and resilience of Sardinian identity. Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Until Monday 30 June, the MEM – Mediateca del Mediterraneo hosts the exhibition “Sardinia and Liberation: 1945-2025,” created in collaboration with the Cagliari Historical Archive and the Library of Sardinian Studies. The exhibition features a bibliographic section, presenting a selection of texts about the Resistance and the Sardinians who took part, and a documentary section that, through archival documents, shows Sardinia’s journey from the Armistice of 8 September 1943 to the post-war rebirth.
Until 1 July, the Fondazione di Sardegna hosts an exhibition dedicated to Giuseppe Biasi, one of the main figures of 20th-century Sardinian painting. The exhibition features 41 works and explores the most significant themes of his production: processions, portraits of North African women, and Sardinian landscapes.
Until 12 July, at the headquarters of the association Il Cornetto Acustico, the exhibition Numero 22, the first solo show by Emanuela Zedda, can be visited. The exhibition is a journey dedicated to the female figure as a principle of light and regeneration, combining painting and ceramics in dialogue with time, memory, and peace.
Until 12 July, enjoy the Saline Conti Vecchi late into the evening with the Sere FAI d’Estate. In the heart of the Macchiareddu–Grogastu industrial area, you can take part in special tours and activities designed to let you discover the salt flats at sunset, amidst breathtaking landscapes and unique atmospheres.
Until 16 November, the Galleria Comunale d'Arte hosts the exhibition “Isole minori. Note sul fotografico dal 1990 ad oggi,” organised in collaboration with the MAN of Nuoro. This exhibition explores, through sixteen international photographic projects, the idea of island and islandness from geographical, cultural and social perspectives.
At the Cagliari Gallery, four artists reflect on the relationship between photography and literature: Arianna Arcara draws inspiration from Sergio Atzeni to explore human connections; Karla Hiraldo Voleau reinterprets Generation Z starting from Pasolini; Luca Spano weaves documentation and imagination evoking DH Lawrence; and François-Xavier Gbré investigates social changes linked to migration.
Until 30 September, the Regional Ethnographic Museum Collezione Cocco in Cagliari hosts “Pharos” by Paulina Herrera Letelier, an artist from Santiago de Chile. Curated by Efisio Carbone, the exhibition presents a new chapter of the Hanging-Sospesi project, a multi-voiced and multi-vision investigation into the fertile relationship between art, design and craftsmanship in contemporary times.
Until 15 July, as part of the exhibition series “Hanging – Sospesi,” dedicated to carpets and tapestries as art forms suspended between tradition and modernity, the Regional Ethnographic Museum Collezione Luigi Cocco hosts “AION – Eternal Present,” a solo exhibition by Annalisa Cocco, one of Sardinia’s most respected and internationally recognised designers.
“Cagliari 1920 History & Gallery,” the first museum dedicated to the history of the rossoblù, opens its doors with memorabilia, photos, texts, and historical artefacts of both past and present champions. Through a rich exhibition featuring historic memorabilia, photographs, and installations, visitors can immerse themselves in the club’s history and celebrate its great achievements: from the humble origins of Cagliari Calcio, founded in 1920, to the pinnacle of their Serie A triumph in 1970.
Those who wish to learn about the city’s historical events over the weekend can take advantage of the opening of museums, archaeological sites, and some interesting historic buildings.
The Cittadella dei Musei houses the important National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, with its ancient artefacts ranging from Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages, as well as the Art Gallery, which features stunning retablos.
Also within the Cittadella dei Musei, you can admire the artistically exotic pieces of the Siamese Art Museum “Stefano Cardu”, the anatomical models at the heart of the Clemente Susini Wax Anatomical Collection, and the Luigi Cocco Collection (Ethnographic Museum), which houses around two thousand artefacts of Sardinian popular culture dating from the second half of the 19th century to the early 20th century.
A visit to the Palazzo Regio will allow you to admire the elegant rooms of the ancient residence of the viceroys, which for a short time also hosted the Savoy royal family. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
A wonderful panorama awaits you from the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria, an unmissable attraction located in the Castello district, open for visits Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm or by reservation (070 663837 / 350 0642225).
The Marina district is home to an interesting cultural complex not to be missed: the Santa Eulalia Museum preserves the historical and artistic heritage of the three churches of Sant’Eulalia, Santa Lucia, and Santo Sepolcro, as well as a vast underground archaeological area that bears witness to the changes the city has undergone over the centuries.
Tuvixeddu holds great archaeological fascination as the largest Punic necropolis unearthed in the Mediterranean basin.
Among the must-see places stands the San Michele Castle, a medieval gem located atop the hill of the same name, offering splendid views over the city. Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
The monuments of Cagliari range from the precious Roman-era sites of the Grotta della Vipera and the Roman Amphitheatre to the elegant setting of the Passeggiata Coperta, and the evocative routes of the Galleria dello Sperone within the Bastione di Saint Remy, as well as the fascinating Crypt of Santa Restituta. These sites are open for visits every day.
Among the city’s smaller museums, the Museo Ferroviario stands out. Located in the outdoor square of the train station, the building houses valuable exhibits documenting the development of the railway in Sardinia from the 19th century to the present day. The museum is open for visits on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00. It is managed by the Associazione Sarda Treni Storici Sardegnavapore.
Among the city’s small exhibition spaces, the Museo Contus de Arrejolas deserves special mention. It is dedicated to the ancient art of hand-decorated tiles. Besides tracing the history of the riggiole (tiles), the museum offers a glimpse into the history of the Castello district, where the basement at via Lamarmora 67, the site of the exhibition, has itself been an unwitting protagonist. The museum is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 to 13:00; during the week, visits are available by appointment (347 8538959).
The Coccodè APS space (visit by appointment only at 3387038332) was born from the passion and creative flair of Roberto Caredda who, through the art of recycling, has created a magical place where it’s possible to relive sensations perhaps dormant, but certainly not forgotten, of the child within us.
Cagliari hosts in the San Benedetto district an extraordinary and unique collection that evokes the magical world of childhood and the traditions of different countries: this is the Fontana Collection of dolls and toys, born from the tireless research of Mrs Maria Antonella Fontana. Visit by appointment (effe.anton@gmail.com - 3474187515).
Walking through the streets of the city, you can come across its wonderful places of worship, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the religious complex of Our Lady of Bonaria, the Church of San Michele—a masterpiece of Baroque architecture—and the Basilica of San Saturnino with its archaeological remains.
Among the must-visit places in the city are the caves of the Italian Red Cross War Hospital, located on Viale Merello, not far from the charming green area of the Orto dei Cappuccini. The site is open for visits on Saturday mornings by appointment, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm (phone: 070 272336 – email: cagliari@cri.it). The entrance is at Viale Merello no. 57, at the Croce Rossa Italiana.
The numerous bird species, ancient buildings linked to salt extraction, and a striking natural landscape make the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park unique and very popular. The park can be explored on foot, by bike, or by booking a guided tour at the park’s information point.
The Saline Conti Vecchi organise interesting walking tours and train rides through historic buildings, archive documents, salt ponds, and the sparkling white mountains of "white gold."
UniCa - Orto Botanico HBK reveals its wonderful colors and the many plant species that inhabit it, offering, along with the city’s other gardens and parks, the chance to enjoy pleasant moments outdoors.
Parks, gardens, and historic orchards are peaceful oases and ideal destinations to enjoy over the weekend, offering a chance to reconnect directly with nature.
To fully appreciate Cagliari and its treasures, there is nothing better than a tour led by one of the local tourist guides, who this weekend will offer numerous itineraries exploring the city’s main attractions.
The sea is one of the unmissable stops of the weekend. The Poetto coastline and Calamosca beach invite you to enjoy refreshing swims or experience the thrill of water sports such as windsurfing, SUP, and excursions by kayak and canoe.
Furthermore, the Siccu seafront, the Sant'Elia promenade, and the Marina Piccola marina are some of the best vantage points to enjoy the spectacle of the sea during a relaxing stroll.
All details about the scheduled events, available services, and opening hours of museums and monuments are available on our website, which is regularly updated by the staff at our tourist office.
https://cagliariturismo.comune.cagliari.it/
The stunning photo we’re sharing today was taken by Alessandro Ravastini (@alexrava_photographer on Instagram).
https://cagliariturismo.comune.cagliari.it/
