What to do · Cagliari and Sardinia's South Coast
Poetto Beach, eight kilometres of sand beneath the Sella del Diavolo
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 4 h
- Season
- Swimming May to October; promenade all year
- Who it's for
- All ages
Poetto is Cagliari's beach: a strip of sand eight kilometres long running from the foot of the Sella del Diavolo to Margine Rosso, in Quartu Sant'Elena. About four kilometres belong to Cagliari and another four to Quartu. Behind it lies the Molentargius salt-pan park, where flamingos nest, so between the road and the beach there are no apartment blocks, just water and sky. It is an urban beach, with a bus and services, but with open sea and a sandy bottom.
Which stretch to choose
Marina Piccola, the Cagliari end, is the stretch with the most atmosphere: a small marina, bars and the headland of the Sella del Diavolo above. From Calamosca, on the other side of the headland, a path leaves that takes an hour to climb to the 17th-century Spanish tower; Sardegna Turismo recommends doing it at night too, with the city lit up. Towards the middle of the beach, the sand opens out and there is more room. The Quartu stretch, towards Margine Rosso, is the quietest.
Facilities
Along the promenade there are beach establishments with paid umbrellas and sunloungers, and free stretches. The official listing mentions a diving centre, sailing schools, boat hire, canoe trips, volleyball and beach tennis courts, toilets, showers and dog areas. With children, look for a stretch with a lifeguard and go into the water gently: the bottom is sandy and slopes gradually, but with a southerly wind there are waves.
Getting there without a car
From the centre, on CTM buses: lines PF and PQ run along Poetto. The 90-minute ticket costs €1.30 and the day ticket €3.30; on the Poetto buses you can pay by card on board. By car, in summer the car parks on the promenade fill up early at weekends: the bus is usually quicker.
When to go
For swimming, May to October. In July and August on Sundays it fills with local families from mid-morning; on weekdays there is room. Out of season, the seafront is where Cagliari goes running, walking and watching the sunset behind the Sella del Diavolo.
Tips
- Combine it with the flamingos The Molentargius park is behind the beach.
- Go by bus Lines PF and PQ drop you on the promenade.
- Climb the Sella del Diavolo An hour from Calamosca to the tower, with a view over the whole of Poetto.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Poetto?
About eight kilometres, between the Sella del Diavolo and Margine Rosso.
How do you get there from the centre of Cagliari?
On CTM lines PF and PQ, with a €1.30 ticket.
Are dogs allowed?
There are dog areas on the beach; outside them, check the municipality's rules.
Are there free stretches?
Yes, alternating with paid beach establishments.
As a familyWith teenagers
