Cagliari Playbook… Your Unrivalled Experience in the Sardinian Capital

Cagliari may not be the first city that springs to mind when booking a trip to catch some calcio but the Sardinian capital has plenty to shout about.

Stunning views, superb food and outstanding heritage from the title-winning side of 1970 and Gigi Riva, to Gianfranco Zola.

Here’s how to make the most of your visit.

Where To Stay

The highest part of the city, Castello offers stunning views and access to attractions such as the cathedral and medieval towers, making it an ideal place for first-time visitors.

Lower down, the Marina neighbourhood is closer to nightlife and the shopping district while Stampace and Villanova are good family-friendly and budget options.

Where To Eat

Bistrot 100 in the old town is tucked away from the crowds and frequented mostly by locals, which contributes to its cozy atmosphere and is reflected by a menu focused on Sardinian cuisine. Try the grilled octopus or put together your own mixed grill, choosing from tuna, calamari, prawns, scampi and the fish of the day. Mains start at €16.

A stone’s throw from the main station is Sa Domu Sarda, another traditional Sardinian restaurant. Meat is the main player here, so make sure to try the Bue Rosso bombas – red ox meatballs – or a platter of local cold cuts. If pasta is your soft spot, tuck into some fregula – a unique type known as Sardinian couscous – with pork sausage and pecorino cheese or culurgiones, soft dumplings filled with mint, potatoes and pecorino cheese. Mains start from €18.

Bombas in the Castello area is an excellent spot for tasty burgers starting from €13, while Pipette just off Via Roma is great if you want a delicious bowl of pasta while watching the world go by.

If you prefer something fancier then ChiaroScuro di Marina Ravarotto close to the old town is hard to beat. A Michelin-star restaurant, it serves dishes of the local tradition of inner Sardinia with a modern twist – the menu changes seasonally – accompanied by an extensive wine list. Mains start from €18.

We would also recommend Su Cumbidu in Via Napoli.

Where To Drink

Right in front of the Bastione di Saint Remy in the old town, the Caffe De Candia is a Cagliari institution. A wine and spirits bar serving classic Italian drinks, with a cozy inside area and a secluded outdoor space. Nip in for a Campari spritz and marvel at the fact there is a small barber shop tucked away at the back of the bar.

If you fancy a late drink after a game, head to Biffi American Bar in the Villanova neighbourhood. Don’t be put off by the lack of sign outside and the plain-looking doorway, once inside you will feel like you have stepped into a James Bond movie and, accordingly, make sure to treat yourself to one of their killer martinis.

Compared to Biffi, Bar Florio is no-frills but does what it says on the tin, providing a good selection of drinks. Order a beer and sit outside with the locals and take in one of Cagliari’s nicest piazzas off the beaten track.

If a rooftop bar is on your to-do list, visit Caffé Libarium Nostrum in the Castello area. Great drinks selection, brilliant vibe and a view worth several snaps.

For something more on the pub side, Il Merlo Parlante in the old town has a rotating selection of between 10 and 12 beers on tap. If you are heading to the Unipol Domus way ahead of kick-off, Cafe Etnico is your best bet for a drink, along with the food trucks outside the ground.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Tickets for Cagliari games are available on the club website and at authorised TicketOne selling points in the city. They are also available at the Ticket Service in Piazza L’Unione Sarda in Cagliari which is open Monday-Saturday.

If you are picking up tickets at the stadium or at the ticket office, remember ID and leave a bit of time as collection offices can get busy.

Kick-off times will be moved for television, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – Official Cagliari gear can be purchased on the club website or at their stores in Piazza L’Unione Sarda and Largo Carlo Felice.

Did You Know?

England played all of their Italia 90 group games at the Stadio Sant’Elia in Cagliari, which was closed in 2017 but is still standing. Cagliari moved to the Unipol Domus in the same year ahead of a new ground being built before Euro 2032.

Getting There

Seasonal flights to Cagliari for UK travellers are available from Gatwick and Stansted. From anywhere else you are probably looking at one change. You can also fly to Olbia in the north of the island but it is a three-hour drive down to Cagliari.

Need Another Football Fix?

While not exactly a football hotbed, Sardinia offers alternatives as long as you are prepared to travel. Serie C outfit Torres play in Sassari, which is two hours north by car, while Olbia have a team in the fourth division.