Car Hire In Cagliari

About Cagliari

Cagliari is an Italian municipality and the capital of the island of Sardinia, an autonomous region of Italy. It is located in the southern part of the island and has a long and turbulent past. The area was inhabited more than 5000 years ago and in the past, many different cultures and civilizations ruled here, so today Cagliari is a spectacular destination where the past mixes with the modern world. Cagliari is a very popular destination with Italians and also with tourists and travellers from other parts of the world. Cagliari is also a regional cultural, educational, political and artistic centre, known for its diverse Art Nouveau architecture and numerous cultural, historical and religious sites. It is also the economic and industrial centre of Sardinia, with one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean.

But Cagliari is much more than that. You will be fascinated by the beauty of this city. As you explore the charming mediaeval streets with their colourful facades, you can always turn around and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. Cagliari looks as if it is rising from the sea and you can also enjoy a wonderful view of the city from the sea. Walking around the old town you will find many impressive monuments, but there are also many fantastic cafes and restaurants throughout the city, so you can always take a break and enjoy a delicious Italian cappuccino or a glass of wine or maybe even lunch.

Of course, we can not forget about the beaches. When you are in Cagliari, you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Sardinia is known for its great beaches and crystal clear waters and you can enjoy all of that here in Cagliari and the surrounding areas. There are many great beaches around the city and if you rent a car, you will have a wonderful opportunity to explore them. You will definitely not regret it. So, if you are taking a road trip through Sardinia, Cagliari should definitely be on your list of cities to stop in and spend a few days. There really is a lot to see and do here, plus the city is very popular with foodies from all over the world, so you can be sure that you will get your culinary money's worth.

Basic info and car hire in Cagliari

• Location: Sardinia, Italy
• Population: 154,460
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Cagliari has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Cagliari are in good condition.
• Car hire in Cagliari:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Cagliari is at the Cagliari Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Cagliari!

 Driving in Cagliari

Renting a car is the best option in Sardinia if you want to explore the island properly. Public transportation on the island works well only in the larger cities. So if you want to discover hidden places and great beaches, you should definitely rent a car and explore Sardinia on your own. It's good to know that there are no highways in Sardinia, so all roads are free and the speed limit is 90 km/h maximum. There is one exception - the main road of Sardinia, a 4-lane highway connecting Cagliari with Sassari and Porto Torres (SS131 - E25), is only passable from km 35,000 to km 108,300 (from Serrenti to Bauladu), the maximum speed is 110km/h.

Driving on the island is generally not very demanding. You just have to obey all the road signs and follow the rules, then you will not have any problems. You should also know that sometimes the locals can drive quite aggressively, so it is better to let them overtake if it is possible.

When you get to cities and towns, it is best to park your car and go exploring on foot. There are many traffic restricted zones and Cagliari, for example, is not so big that you can not explore it on foot.

Traffic in Cagliari is subject to ZTL regulations. Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) (literally, traffic restricted zone) is a traffic restricted zone in Italy. There are about 200 regulations enforced with cameras, as well as 100 environmental zones. They help protect historic city centres from excessive traffic that would otherwise make the city less attractive.

If you need to enter the ZTL in Cagliari contact:

Servizio mobilità e viabilità

Tel: +39 070 6778574

Fax +39 070 6778525

email: daniele.olla@comune.cagliari.it

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your own safety and the safety of other road users.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Cagliari

Mountains And Beaches 4x4, SU NURAXI BARUMINI Unesco World Heritage Site, Tour of the beaches in Villasimius, Small-Group Food and Wine Tour from Cagliari, Cagliari: Day Trip to Cave of Neptune.

What to see in Cagliari

Cagliari really has a lot to offer and there is really something here for every kind of tourist and traveller. But there are also some places in the city that you should not miss during your stay in Cagliari. For example, you should definitely explore the historic centre. It is divided into four quarters: Castello, Stampace, Villanova and Marina. Castello is located on top of the hill and is the neighbourhood where the aristocracy lived. Here you can see various domes, palaces, towers, etc. Two of the most visited watchtowers here are Torre di San Pancrazio and Torre dell'Elefante. Other interesting places here in Castello are the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santa Croce and Palazzo Viceregio. Other neighbourhoods have completely different things to offer, such as Marina, which is known for its great nightlife. Stampace was a working-class neighbourhood in the past. So each neighbourhood of the historic centre has its own history and each of them is interesting, so you should definitely take your time to explore this amazing place.

There are also many different archaeological sites that you should visit here in Cagliari. One of the most famous is undoubtedly the Roman amphitheatre. There are also several museums in Cagliari that you should visit. One of them is the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, located in Piazza dell'Arsenale in Castello.

In Cagliari, there are also several churches and each of them is unique and worth a visit. The main cathedral is located in Piazza Palazzo. Then there is the Basilica di Bonaria, with the famous wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Another church worth visiting is the Basilica of San Saturnino. And of course, we can not forget the church of San Michele and the church of Sant'Efisio.

Cagliari is also known for its numerous festivals that take place throughout the year. If you are lucky enough to be in the city during one of these festivals, it is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to learn more about the local culture.

We should not forget to mention the great beaches in Cagliari and its surroundings. Here are some of the best beaches: Poetto, Calamosca, Cala Fighera, La Maddalena, Frutti d'Oro, Spiaggia del Poetto...

Drive your rental car beyond Cagliari

Sardinia is truly a wonderful island with so many fantastic destinations and activities. Renting a car here is the best solution if you want to explore the island properly. There are so many hidden gems that you will not be able to find using public transportation. So after exploring Cagliari, make a good plan and explore other parts of the island. You will really find some stunning beaches, beautiful villages, towns and cities and each place has something unique to offer.

But there are so many other regions in Italy that are worth exploring. For example, if you have decided to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore waterfalls are another sight you should not miss on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River in order to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active holiday, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, cycling in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you really need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this tribal land, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should definitely go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Cagliari

Cagliari is a well-known destination for foodies, so you will undoubtedly enjoy delicious food here. The city is known for its unique culinary and you can enjoy some dishes here that are unique and you will not find anywhere else in Italy. For example, Pizzetta Sfoglia. This is a phyllo dough filled with tomato sauce, anchovies and capers and a touch of tomato. If you want to experience the local food and atmosphere, be sure to go to the San Benedetto market. There you will experience a great atmosphere and wonderful culinary delights.

Best restaurant in Cagliari

Pizzeria Sole E Luna Di Costantini Raul

Pizzeria Cerere

Cavo Bistrot

Bistrot100

Sabores

Panino Rustico