WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE CAGLIARI CITY TOUR – APPROX. 4 HOURS

About this wheelchair accessible Cagliari city tour

Your driver guide meets you at the cruise port or your accommodation with a private adapted vehicle. From there you set off to explore Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, spread across a cluster of hills above a wide, sheltered bay. This wheelchair accessible Cagliari city tour takes in the old quarters, the panoramic viewpoints, and the lively markets, moving comfortably between each one with adapted transport.

Bonaria Sanctuary

Your first stop is the Bonaria Sanctuary, an inside visit. Two churches stand side by side here. The smaller one is a Catalan Gothic church from the 14th century. Aragonese settlers built it on the hill they called Bonaria, meaning “good air”. Legend says a statue of the Madonna once washed ashore and calmed a violent storm. Sailors have honoured Our Lady of Bonaria ever since. Beside it stands the far larger Neoclassical Basilica from the 18th century.

Accessibility note: The Catalan Gothic church is wheelchair accessible. Its Neoclassical neighbour is not.

Monte Urpini

From Bonaria, the tour climbs to Monte Urpini, the highest point in the city. This green hilltop looks out over the Gulf of Cagliari, known locally as the Gulf of the Angels. On a clear day the view reaches right across the water. To one side stands the Devil’s Saddle, the rocky cape that splits the two bays. Its name comes from a legend in which the devil dropped his saddle into the sea, where it turned to stone. On the opposite side rises the Castello, with its maze of lanes and monuments still carrying the Spanish footprint. This viewpoint gives a clear overview of the city before you head into the old town.

Poetto beach

Next, you make a scenic stop at Poetto beach. This wide sandy beach stretches for several kilometres along the coast, from the Devil’s Saddle to the salt flats. From here you take in the long sweep of sand and the bright blue sea, a good spot for a photo before the tour continues.

The Castello

The Castello is the oldest and most atmospheric quarter of Cagliari, and the highlight of the day. This hilltop citadel grew up behind thick defensive walls, and much of it still stands.

Your visit begins at the Medieval Rampart of Saint Remy, a grand terrace and archway with sweeping views over the rooftops and the sea. Close by rise the Elephant Tower and the Saint Pancras Tower, two white limestone watchtowers from the early 14th century. Pisan rulers built them to guard the gates of the fortress. At the heart of the quarter lies Piazza Palazzo, the elegant square that holds Saint Mary’s Cathedral. This cathedral began as a Pisan Romanesque church in the 13th century and holds a richly decorated interior.

Accessibility note: Saint Mary’s Cathedral is not wheelchair accessible, so you can admire it from the square outside.

San Benedetto Market

Finally, the tour continues to the San Benedetto Market, the largest covered market in Italy. Under one roof you find Sardinian cheese, cured meats, fresh fish, ripe fruit, and local wine. This is a fitting place to browse for souvenirs and sample regional wine and cheese. Afterwards, your driver guide brings you back to the cruise port or your accommodation.