CAGLIARI TURISMO
updated on September, the 5th
NATURE: At FAI - Saline Conti Vecchi, every September marks the start of the salt harvest, which, like a vintage, concludes the production cycle of the saltworks. Daily guided tours of the salt pans are available, along with train tours, and on the weekend there will be workshops for children, tastings, concerts, theatre performances, and much more. The full programme is available on the FAI - Saline Conti Vecchi website: https://fondoambiente.it/.../festa-della.../programma/.
On Sunday, as part of the "Panorama Days," the usual train tour through the salt pans will extend its route to allow photographers and enthusiasts to capture new and lesser-known views of the Santa Gilla Lagoon. Visitors will be able to admire the spectacular landscape of the Saltworks, with its red-tinted ponds, the salt mountain, and the various animal species that inhabit it. This will be followed by a guided tour of the historical buildings, restored by FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano, returning to the 1930s displays. Reservation is recommended.
MUSEUMS:
The Cittadella dei Musei hosts the important National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari, with its ancient artefacts spanning from Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages, and the Pinacoteca, featuring stunning altarpieces.
Also within the Cittadella dei Musei, visitors can appreciate the exotic charm of the "Stefano Cardu" Siamese Art Museum, the anatomical models at the Clemente Susini Wax Anatomical Collection, and the Luigi Cocco Collection (Ethnographic Museum), which houses around two thousand artifacts from Sardinian popular culture, dating from the late 19th century and early 20th century. On Saturday at 4:00 PM, a didactic workshop for children aged 6 to 10 will be held, where they can gain new knowledge using their imagination and drawing inspiration from the works in the Cardu Collection.
On Sunday, there will be guided tours of the Cardu Collection at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, providing an opportunity to learn more about one of Italy's most significant collections of Eastern art.
The Regional Ethnographic Museum "Luigi Cocco" of Cagliari is hosting the exhibition “Sospesi – Hanging – Nietta Condemi – Trame libere.” Curated by Efisio Carbone, Director of the ISRE Museum Complex, the exhibition features works by Nietta Condemi De Felice, one of the leading figures in Italian Fiber Art and a pioneer in the contemporary promotion of Sardinian textiles. Among the highlights are four tapestries from the “Trame in libertà” series and an optical rug, created in collaboration with the artisan workshops of Francesca Erittu and Angelo Crabolu in Nule, and Gavina Campus in Bono.
Exhibitions.
Until October 26, the Palazzo di Città hosts the exhibition "Letizia Battaglia. Senza Fine", curated by Paolo Falcone, promoted by the Municipality of Cagliari in collaboration with the Fondazione di Sardegna, organized by Electa publishing house in collaboration with the Letizia Battaglia Archive and the Fondazione Falcone for the Arts.
“Senza Fine” is a tribute to Letizia Battaglia that – while offering a unified vision of a work spanning five decades – follows her approach of breaking conventional boundaries with a unique project spread across several spaces, where a broad selection of photographs narrates, in a timeless, non-chronological, and athematic way, the many aspects of her photographic style.
From Saturday, September 6, at the Castello di San Michele, you can visit the exhibition "ARTEINLUMEN…20PUNTO0 – In the Depth of Identity, Seeds of Peace Germinate", curated by Eugenia Cervello, president of the Lumen Cultural Association. The art exhibition features 36 artists from Sardinia, mainland Italy, Ukraine, and Portugal. The artistic expressions will encompass painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, weaving, goldsmithing, and literary works, including prose and poetry. The exhibition will remain open until September 28.
Until Saturday, October 11, the Passeggiata Coperta of Bastione Saint Remy hosts “IN VERTICALE _ Mail Art”, curated by Antonio Spanedda. This is an investigation into postal art in the form of words, signs, and drawings in a strict vertical format. Works from renowned artists and POP interventions by the public and children will be featured. At a time when postal communication is increasingly being replaced by digital methods, mail art becomes a vehicle for small, intimate, material works of art. This project was created by Sémata Società Cooperativa, as part of the management of the Monuments of Cagliari.
The UniCa - Orto Botanico HBK is about to become an open-air art gallery with the new, evocative exhibition “My Jungle” by Tiziana Sanna, which will be on display from September 5 to 14.
The exhibition, organized by Orientare srl with the collaboration of UniCa - University of Cagliari and curated by Simone Fappanni, will take visitors on an authentic sensory journey where the paintings will intertwine with the vegetation, interacting with light, fragrances, and sounds from nature. The artworks, suspended among trees and embedded in the lush Mediterranean flora, will change appearance depending on the time of day and environmental conditions, in a continuous chromatic and perceptual metamorphosis.
For those interested in learning about the city's historical events, the museums, archaeological sites, and several historic buildings will be open over the weekend.
A wonderful panoramic view awaits you from the Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria, a must-see attraction located in the Castello district. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, or by reservation (070 663837 / 350 0642225).
The Marina district hosts an interesting cultural complex that is not to be missed: the Museo Santa Eulalia, which preserves the historical and artistic heritage of the three churches of Sant'Eulalia, Santa Lucia, and Santo Sepolcro, as well as a large underground archaeological area that bears witness to the changes experienced by the city over the centuries.
From an archaeological perspective, Tuvixeddu is of great interest. It is the largest Punic necropolis uncovered in the Mediterranean basin.
The Monuments of Cagliari range from the precious Roman-era remains of the Grotta della Vipera and the Roman Amphitheatre to the elegant setting of the Passeggiata Coperta, and the suggestive paths of the Passeggiata Coperta and the Crypt of Santa Restituta. These sites are open to visitors every day.
Among the smaller museums in the city, the Museo Ferroviario stands out. Located in the exterior square of the train station, it houses precious artifacts related to the development of the railway in Sardinia, from the 19th century to the present day. The museum is open on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Sarda Treni Storici Sardegnavapore Association.
One of the small exhibition spaces worth a special mention is the Museo Contus de Arrejolas, dedicated to the ancient art of hand-decorated tiles. In addition to retracing the history of the "riggiole" (decorated tiles), the museum offers an insight into the history of the Castello district, where the basement of via Lamarmora 67 – the venue of the exhibition – has, albeit unwillingly, played a key role. The museum is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. During the week, it is open by reservation (347 8538959).
Cagliari also hosts an extraordinary and unique collection in the San Benedetto district that recalls the magical world of childhood and the traditions of different countries: the Fontana Doll and Toy Collection, created by the tireless research of Mrs. Maria Antonella Fontana. It is open by reservation (effe.anton@gmail.com - 3474187515).
As you walk through the streets of the city, you’ll encounter its marvelous places of worship, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the religious complex of Nostra Signora di Bonaria, and the Church of San Michele, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.
The Basilica of San Saturnino, with its archaeological remains, will be open for visits on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Among the must-visit places in the city are the caves of the Red Cross Italian War Hospital, located in Viale Merello, not far from the charming green area of the Orto dei Cappuccini. The site is open on Saturday mornings, by reservation, from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM (phone: 070 272336 - email: cagliari@cri.it). The entrance is located at Viale Merello no. 57, at the headquarters of the Italian Red Cross - Cagliari Committee.
The numerous species of birds, the ancient buildings related to salt extraction activities, and a suggestive natural landscape make the Molentargius-Saline Regional Nature Park unique and highly frequented. It can be explored on foot, by bike, or by booking an excursion at the park's information point.
UniCa - HBK Botanical Garden unveils its wonderful colors and the numerous plant species that inhabit it and, together with the other gardens and parks in the city, offers the opportunity to spend pleasant moments outdoors.
The parks, gardens, and historic orchards are oases of peace and ideal places to visit during the weekend, reconnecting with nature.
To fully appreciate Cagliari and its treasures, nothing beats a tour with one of the local tour guides, who will also offer numerous itineraries this weekend to discover the city’s main attractions.
The sea is an unmissable stop for the weekend. The Poetto shoreline and the Calamosca beach invite you to take refreshing swims or experience the thrill of water sports like windsurfing, SUP, and kayaking. Additionally, the seafront of Siccu, the Sant'Elia seafront, and the Marina Piccola tourist port are some of the best spots to enjoy the spectacle of the sea with a relaxing walk.
All the details related to scheduled events, services offered, and opening hours of museums and monuments are available on our portal, constantly updated by the staff of our tourist office.
👉 Discover more on Cagliari Turismo: https://cagliariturismo.comune.cagliari.it/
