Car rental Cagliari Airport

Cagliari is just a short drive southeast of the airport, connected by the Strade Statali, or state highway, 131. Also known as the Carlo Felice, this is the main road that runs right through the center of the island.

It links Cagliari in the south to Porto Torres in the north, via other resorts including Oristano on the west coast and Sassari, the island’s second largest city. To reach the island’s other major city, Alghero, you can take the SS131 and exit from the SS291.

There are no major highways in Sardinia. The speed limit on the main highways is 68mph (110km/h), and in built-up areas this falls to 31mph (50km/h).

You will find most of the main roads are well maintained, although to fully explore some areas you will need to use the smaller provincial roads, which are known as ‘strade provinciali’ and usually marked as SP. In Sardinia, as in the rest of continental Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road.

Most roads in Sardinia are fairly quiet, although you may find traffic builds up in some of the major cities such as Cagliari during the busy tourist season, which peaks in the months of July and August.

You will find parking spaces located around Cagliari, with blue lines denoting spaces where you will need to buy a ticket. Yellow lines show spaces that are reserved for drivers with special passes.

Some parts of the center of Cagliari have limited traffic zones, or ‘zona a traffico limitato’ (ZTL). These areas are restricted during certain hours of the day, which will be stated on signs alerting you to their presence. If you accidentally enter one of these zones, which are in place in historic areas such as Castello and the Marina, you risk being caught on camera and forced to pay a fine.

There are so many attractions in Cagliari city center that you can spend hours wandering around its historic streets. If you’re keen to explore more of Sardinia though, renting a car is the perfect way to see the island’s many other captivating sights during your stay.

Historic Cagliari

Cagliari has been inhabited since ancient times, and you can still see evidence of Roman buildings in the city today. Perhaps most impressive is the amphitheater, carved into the Buon Cammino hill just west of the city center.

This huge structure once held thousands of spectators, and you can still see parts of the stands, arena and the corridors, as well as the gladiators’ rooms below.

Another popular historic sight is the Santuario e Basilica di Bonaria, not far from the Via Roma neighborhood, where you’ll find a Gothic church sanctuary and neoclassical basilica.

It’s well worth paying a visit to Cagliari Cathedral, an elegant 13th century structure on Piazza Palazzo in the city center. There is not much left of the original church, but you can explore the main building which has been renovated in the neo-Romanesque style and even venture into the crypt below.

If you’re keen to learn more about the history of the city, the Archaeological Museum is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday and has a number of floors filled with artefacts including a collection of Punic and Roman coins.

Beautiful Sardinian beaches

No visit to Cagliari would be complete without exploring its famous beaches. Head to Poetto beach, the most popular stretch in the area, for some relaxation and fun exploring the nearby restaurants and nightlife.

If you’re looking for something a little quieter, spend some time exploring many of the other beaches in the area. Mari Pintau Beach is around a 45-minute drive along the coast and offers an exceptional view. Mari Pintau means ‘painted sea’ and you’ll , delivers stunning waters alongside a little pebbled and sandy beach.

Calamosca is just a short drive from the city center. It’s surrounded by cliffs which shelter it from the elements, and its crystal clear waters make it a popular choice for swimmers and divers.

This beach may be crowded during the peak summer season, so it’s a good idea to head there early in the morning or late in the day, when it may be quieter.

Sun, sand and wildlife

Not far from Cagliari, just an hour along the SS195 coastal road, lies Chia. This part of the island is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, famous for its distinctive coral-colored sand and turquoise sea.

It’s a popular destination for surfers and scuba divers, and offers the chance to spot some incredible wildlife – including pink flamingos which use the lagoon behind the beach to breed.

The region of Chia is home to one of Sardinia’s most ancient cities, Bithia, a former Roman settlement where you can still see the remains of the old city walls and necropolis. Close by is the iconic 17th century Spanish tower, where you can enjoy excellent panoramic views of the Chia Bay below.

Car rental from Cagliari Airport allows you to enjoy the best of the city, as well as explore the rest of the beautiful island of Sardinia.