A charming city steeped in history and tradition, Cagliari overlooks the splendid southern coast of Sardinia, of which it is also the regional capital. The vibrant city life unfolds among the alleys and terraces of its four historic districts: Castello, with its ancient bastions, famous towers, and noble palaces; Villanova, known for its Holy Week rites, boutiques, and the Basilica of Nostra Signora di Bonaria; Marina, which slopes down to the port with the bustling arcades of Via Roma; and finally Stampace, the heart of the traditional Feast of Sant’Efisio.
In addition to the colorful historic center, shopping streets, museums, theaters, and cultural festivals, don’t miss the famous Poetto beach, a stunning 8 km long and home to Cagliari’s summer nightlife. Our agency is located halfway between the airport and the city center, where you can rent cars, motorcycles, scooters, and vans directly in Cagliari, helping you explore this wonderful city in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Strolling through Cagliari’s ancient neighborhoods, you’ll experience an atmosphere steeped in history and traditions from across the Mediterranean, reflected in the city’s architecture, culture, and cuisine.
The historic center is rich in monuments, churches, medieval towers (such as the Elephant and San Pancrazio towers), and narrow streets lined with traditional restaurants, boutiques, and bars. A stroll through the ancient fortress, or “Casteddu,” is a must, with its panoramic bastions (Saint Remy, Santa Croce, Santa Caterina, and the Balice bastion) and medieval walls. The Citadel of Museums, with its National Art Gallery and Archaeological Museum, offers a glimpse into the area’s immense historical and cultural heritage, while the San Benedetto Municipal Market (one of the largest in Europe) is a must-see for food and wine lovers.
But Cagliari isn’t just history and culture: the Molentargius-Saline park with its pink flamingos, the lagoon, and the beautiful Poetto beach will also delight nature and sea lovers.
Here are the things not to miss if you find yourself in Cagliari:
San Benedetto Market
Poetto Beach
Bastion Saint Remy
Molentargius Park
Visiting the city and its surrounding areas will be a breeze with the vehicles from our car rental agency in Cagliari: an efficient and varied fleet that meets the needs of both those vacationing in Sardinia and those traveling through the island for work. In addition to car rentals, we also offer scooter and motorcycle rentals, ideal for navigating city and vacation traffic. Demontis Car Rentals also offers van rentals at its Cagliari office for those needing to transport goods or passengers for work.
A holiday in Sardinia is a must-try experience of its traditional cuisine. In Cagliari, some well-known dishes include sa burrida (dogfish and walnuts), fregula con cocciula (a semolina pasta similar to couscous—but coarser—with clams), and su mazzamurru, made with stale bread soaked in broth with tomato sauce and cheese. Beyond these recipes, in the city you can sample the best Sardinian cuisine, both traditional and reinvented, in quaint restaurants in the historic center or in more romantic waterfront locations. From fish to meat, accompanied by a good wine and a traditional dessert, both sight and palate will be truly satisfied.
Here are our tips on where to eat in Cagliari:
Antica Cagliari comprises three distinct venues: a traditional restaurant in the Marina district, the “Lungomare e Terrazza” on Poetto beach (which also serves pizza), and the welcoming Bistrot, dedicated to the most creative Mediterranean dishes. The menu features meat and fish dishes and offers original recipes that showcase traditional Sardinian cuisine to its fullest.
Sa Domu Sarda is an osteria near Via Roma, listed in Slow Food’s Osterie d’Italia guide thanks to its careful selection of high-quality local ingredients, small wine producers, and traditional recipes. The restaurant offers a menu of meat dishes, inspired by Sardinian rural and pastoral traditions. Vegetarian options, cheeses, traditional breads, and typical desserts round out the culinary offerings.
With predominantly meat-based dishes and a terrace overlooking the city and the Gulf of Cagliari, Pani e Casu is an excellent choice for a dinner featuring traditional Sardinian cuisine. The famous porcetto (made to order) is a must, as are the traditional appetizers and desserts. In addition to the outdoor space, guests also have access to a charming indoor dining room.
Rooms, small apartments, or vacation homes: the city of Cagliari offers every type of accommodation for both leisure and business travelers. With hotels and other accommodations, you’ll be spoiled for choice; that’s why we’ve selected three small-to-medium-sized properties where you’ll find typical Sardinian hospitality and all the comforts for a stay near the sea or in the city center.
Here’s where you can stay if you find yourself in Cagliari:
Hotel Nautilus features two restaurants, a swimming pool, and an outdoor hot tub, and is located on the Poetto beachfront. The rooms, decorated in a nautical theme, are spacious and offer every comfort, some even offering sea views. A sweet and savory buffet breakfast is served each morning; you can then continue your day at the La Sella del Diavolo kiosk, just steps from the hotel, where you’ll find free sun loungers and deck chairs.
Renovated in 2015, Villa Sveva is a modern 3-star boutique hotel on the Poetto beach. It offers 15 rooms, some with private gardens, and an annex with a double bedroom, private bathroom, and kitchenette. The breakfast room is very bright due to its view of a beautiful garden, and the property is ideal for both business travelers and those visiting Cagliari on vacation.
In the lively San Benedetto area, home to the San Benedetto market, you’ll find the cheerful and colorful rooms of the B&B A View On Cagliari, which also offers private parking (for a fee) for motorcycles and cars. The B&B is located in a penthouse on the eighth and ninth floors of a building with wonderful views of the sea and Cagliari. In addition to rooms, it also offers two vacation apartments, just a short walk from the main building.
Our car rental agency at Cagliari Airport has a fleet of vehicles to suit every need: small, practical vehicles for exploring the city, larger vehicles ideal for families or groups of friends, or more luxurious models for a special trip. Whether you want to visit the city and Poetto, need to work downtown, or want to explore the southern Sardinian coast, we have the perfect solution for you.
Of any size, refrigerated or boxed: our fleet offers commercial vehicles of all types for rent, to help you with your daily work with the assurance of always having a well-maintained and safe vehicle. If you’re looking for a van rental for work or for a move with pickup at Cagliari Airport, fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we’ll find the best solution for you.
Dead battery? Flat tire? With our 24-hour assistance service, you can get roadside assistance even for non-mechanical breakdowns. If you need assistance, just give us a phone call and our roadside assistance company will respond promptly. Request this service at our offices when you rent your vehicle.
Waiver of financial liability for damage and theft, or extended roadside assistance, are some of the additional coverages you can get with our comprehensive protection package. For complete peace of mind, request information at our offices and choose the package that best suits your needs when you rent.
If you need to cancel your reservation, with Autonoleggi Demontis you can do so free of charge: for prepaid reservations, a full refund will be given if you cancel within 48 hours of the rental start date, while for those with payment on collection, you can cancel free of charge up until the rental start date.
Complete the form to request information about car, camper, or commercial vehicle rentals with pick-up at Cagliari Airport.
For vacation or business, Autonoleggi Demontis has the ideal mobility solution for your needs. Complete the form to request information about car, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle rentals with pick-up in the city of Cagliari.
