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Cagliari
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Football Italia City Guide
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| Sardinia, as a whole, is unique. With Caribbean-style coasts of white sand, clear seas and its rocky inland wildernesses, comes the island’s main town - a really remarkable place. Its patchwork history - founded by Phoenicians, ruled by all and sundry, and its terrific location on the South coast of the island, have contributed to the fascinating character of the town. |
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 Stadio: Sant’Elia
With a capacity of 18,000, Cagliari’s Sant’Elia stadium is just outside the town centre in an evocative setting on a headland of the same name. Check out the merchandise in the club store at the stadium - you can even buy Chelsea shirts in honour of Zola’s past.
The more colourful Rossoblu fans go in the Curva Nord, while the best part of the stadium is the Tribuna. Prices depend on the match, but generally range between 15 and 70 Euros, with reductions for women.
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 Match Tickets
Tickets are available online through www.ticketone.it. Otherwise they are available from Cagliari Point, near the train station, at Viale La Playa 15 (Tel. 0039-070-6042050) or from Centro Coordinamento Cagliari Club, Via Ariosto 26 (0039-070-485171).
Football Italia Ticket Info |
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 Out & About
> Walk up to the top of the Bastioni di Saint Remy, part of the town’s old fortifications, for great views as far as the stadium and beach. A flea market is held here on Sundays. Steps go up from Piazza Costituzione.
> Cagliari’s well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, actually carved into the white limestone, is the island’s most important Roman monument. An underground walkway between the amphitheatre and the impressive botanical gardens uses huge drainage routes built by the Phoenicians.
> Wander round the Castello district, home to a variety of curious buildings and monuments, such as the 1st Century Villa di Tigellio with its Roman spa, the beautifully sculptured Roman Grotta della Vipera tomb, and two imposing medieval towers - Torre San Pancrazio and Torre dell’Elefante. The Phoenician Tuvixeddu necropolis dating from the 6th Century BC is also worth a look.
> If weather permits, make the most of Cagliari’s fabulous Poetto beach just outside the town centre. Enjoy the fine white sand and clear blue sea against the backdrop of the Sella del Diavolo - Devil’s Saddle promontory - at the end of the Sant’Elia headland.
> Near the beach is Lake Molentargius, a nature reserve boasting over 200 species of water bird, including flamingos!
> To see a bit more of the surrounding countryside take a trip on the Trenino Verde, a traditional steam train that runs between Cagliari and Arbatax on a scenic route.
> Visit Cagliari Point to stock up on Rossoblu souvenirs. Also sells match tickets.
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Food & Drink
Sardinian cuisine, despite a multitude of weird and wonderful names, is basically very simple, making the most of the genuine flavours of the local produce. Start with the island’s speciality bread, pane carasau - thin and crunchy, often sprinkled with olive oil and salt.
> Being an island, a lot of fish is eaten, usually served simply grilled to bring out the fresh taste. Clams (vongole) are also a particular speciality in Cagliari and are often served in a soup or with pasta. Try bottarga, known as Sardinian caviar. It’s a kind of paste made from fish eggs, compressed and sliced.
> The local pecorino sardo (sheep’s cheese) is delicious and tangy, and is often grated on pasta instead of parmesan.
> Another Sardinian speciality is porcheddu - roast suckling pig.
> Cannonau is Sardinia’s most famous red wine. Also try the delicious white Nuragus from Cagliari.
> Finish off with a glass of mirto - the local liqueur, made with myrtle berries. The dry fruity taste goes down well.
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Restaurants
The Marina district between Via Roma, Via Cavour and Via Sardegna is the best area to head for, with its good and mostly inexpensive eateries.
> Antica Hostaria (Via Cavour 60, Tel: 0039-070-665870). Try this characteristic place for great fresh fish, just metres from the sea.
> Trattoria Gennargentu (Via Sardegna 60, Tel: 0039-070-658247). Famous for the delicious award-winning seafood soup Zuppetta di mare.
> Trattoria da Serafino (Via Lepanto 6, Tel: 0039-070-651795). An informal, no frills atmosphere and a good choice of local dishes.
> Trattoria Ci Pensa Cannas (Via Sardegna 37, Tel: 0039-070-667815). Signore Cannas is happy to advise you on what to eat if you're struggling over the menu.
> Saint Remy (Via Torino 16, Tel: 0039-070-657377). The setting of a 17th Century ex-monastery gives this place a great atmosphere. The menu is typically Sardinian.
> Dal Corsaro (Viale Regina Margherita 28, Tel: 0039-070-664318). A more refined eatery known as one of the island’s best restaurants.
> Lo Spinnaker (Marina Piccola - Poetto, Tel: 0039-070-370295). This pizzeria at the port - near the Poetto beach - is run by the same family as Dal Corsaro.
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Accomodation
> Hotel La Terrazza (Via Santa Margherita 21, Tel: 0039-070-668652). This centrally placed hotel has great views over the Bastioni di Saint Remy.
> Hotel Calamosca (Viale Calamosca 50, Tel: 0039-070-371628). Cagliari's only hotel actually on the waterfront - not far from the stadium.
> Hotel Regina Margherita (Viale Regina Margherita 44, Tel: 0039-070-670342). Large but comfortable hotel also in a great location right in the centre of the old town, just below the Bastioni.
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Getting there...
Fly from Luton to Cagliari-Elmas airport, just 8 km outside the city, with Volareweb (www.volareweb.com) or from Gatwick with British Airways (www.britishairways.com). There's a regular bus service from the airport into town. If you’re coming to Cagliari from elsewhere in Italy you can catch a ferry from Civitavecchia near Rome. |
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Local lingo
La zuppa di vongole è ottima. - The clam soup is delicious.
A che ora parte il traghetto? - What time does the ferry leave?
Un’altro giro di mirto, per favore. - Another round of mirto (myrtle liqueur) please.
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Compiled by: Sarah Lane
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