Cagliari Cagliari is the capital city of Sardinia, an autonomous region of Italy, located on the southern coast of the island. It is known for its rich historical heritage, vibrant Mediterranean culture, and stunning coastal landscapes. Cagliari has a storied past, influenced by Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Spanish civilizations, shaping its unique blend of architectural and cultural traditions. Situated on the Gulf of Cagliari, the city is framed by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the south and east, with rolling hills and the Campidano plain to the north. Its landscape features a historic hilltop old town, sandy beaches like Poetto, and nearby wetlands that are home to flamingos and other wildlife, offering a mix of urban and natural beauty. Cagliari is celebrated for its mild climate, lively festivals, and thriving culinary scene, making it a popular destination for tourists. Visitors are drawn to the medieval Castello district, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the vibrant Marina quarter. The city's cultural highlights, including the feast of Sant’Efisio, traditional Sardinian cuisine, and proximity to pristine beaches, make Cagliari a captivating destination in the Mediterranean.

Most visitors arrive at Cagliari Elmas Airport (IATA: CAG), the busiest airport in Sardinia, located only 7 km away from Cagliari city center. It offers domestic flights from major Italian cities like Rome and Milan, as well as international connections across Europe. The airport serves as a key hub for the island, with easy onward travel options.

Ground connections include:

• Train: The airport is easily accessible by train from Cagliari and all major Sardinian cities. The rail service starts at about 5am and ends after 9pm with an average frequency of 20 minutes. Timetable The journey to and from downtown takes 5-7 mins, single fare is €1.25. The airport train station is just a 5 minutes’ walk from the air terminal..
• Taxi: Taxis can be obtained from the taxi ranks outside the terminal. Taxis are slightly more expensive but offer a 24-hour service. Taxi ride to the city center (Piazza Matteotti/Via Roma) costs around €20 (day), or €25 (night).
• Bus: Shuttle bus service to and from the city center (Piazza Matteotti) is provided by ARST (Azienda Regionale Trasporti). The bus stop is located just outside the 'Arrivals' area. Single ride ticket costs €4 (from the automatic vending machine in the 'arrivals' area/newsstand) or €5 (from the driver on board). Buses run every half an hour from 5:20am till 22:30pm. Journey takes around 15 minutes.

The maritime connections to Cagliari are operated by Tirrenia. The port is very close to the city center. The routes covered are:

• Cagliari-Civitavecchia, daily.
• Cagliari-Napoli, weekly, on Tuesdays.
• Cagliari-Trapani, weekly, on Sundays.
• Cagliari-Palermo, weekly, on Fridays.

Cagliari Public Transportation CTM provides an fast and efficient service to get around in Cagliari city and suburbs. At least the bus traffic is amazingly efficient and reliable to Italian standards. Prices are reasonable with a wide variety of choices: €1.30 for a 90 minute single ride, €2.00 for a 120 minute single ride, €3 for a daily pass, €12 for a 12 ride pass, €12 for a weekly pass. Only single ride tickets can be purchased on board for €1.50 (exact change) and subject to availability. This is not possible any more in each bus. It is advised to buy tickets from automatic vending machines or tobacco-shops ("Tabacchi") or newsstands ("Edicola") before getting on the bus. Some cafe/bars also sell tickets ("biglietti"). Look for a "CTM" sign for an establishment that sells tickets. It's the best choice to download the CTM bus finder App on your mobile phone. It's easy to buy tickets there. Remember to validate your ticket once on board.

• Wikitravel