Cagliari archivos - Page 2 of 3 - VOLARE MAGAZINE

As a Sardinian, I always say that the sea is only a beautiful backdrop for a picture full of history, archaeology, nature and an extensive food and wine tradition. If you go to Sardinia, tantalise your tastebuds with the rich and diverse culinary aspect. Here are some of the most important and typical dishes of southern Sardinia on a tour that will have you drooling.

Typical seafood dishes to try in South Sardinia

South Sardinia offers a vast selection of fish dishes, with a great deal of diversity. We begin on the island of San Pietro, which is one of the two principal islands of the Archipelago of Sulcis, the other main island being Sant’Antioco. In June, San Pietro plays host to the Girotonno, a culinary event that continues the age-old red tuna fishing tradition in this area. If you cannot make it to this event, which brings together Sardinian art, cuisine and culture, at least taste Tonno Rosso di Carloforte (Carloforte Red Tuna) in one of the restaurants of the families most closely linked to the tradition: da Nicolo in Carloforte or in Cagliari, da Luigi Pomata. Whether its tartare, a bottarga starter or one of the delicious tins of ventresca tuna, this tasty variety of tuna will leave you craving more!

Let’s stay in the same area. Carignano del Sulcis DOC is one of the island’s most important red wines. Its richness is shaped by the sandy soil near the sea where it is grown.

What to try in Cagliari: fish dishes

Let’s start with a real delicacy, ideal as a starter so you can plunge straight into the bold flavours of Cagliari’s seafood: oziadas are fried sea anemones, perfect to get your mouth watering. Remember though, starters are never usually made up of just one item, which leads me to bocconi, a shellfish with a bold and unmistakable flavour. If you were to ask my grandmother, Cagliari born and bred, what is the most essential dish to include in a fish lunch, she would say burrida, a nursehound shark dish, washed down with a nice glass of vermentino. One of the all-time best places to find burrida in Cagliari is the Balena.

Another must when in South Sardinia is Fregula, a time-honoured pasta that is traditional on the island. This pasta made of irregular circles of semolina works well served in broth or dry, but in the Sardinian capital we love to eat it with arselle (cockles) and seafood.

On the other hand, if you really cannot do without long-cut pasta, I would recommendspaghetti arselle e bottarga. Bottarga or “the gold of the sea” as we call it, made by processing mullet or tuna eggs, is always present on Sardinian tables. Mullet is another star of Sardinian cuisine, excellent on the grill or “scabecciu”, meaning breaded, fried, marinated and dressed with cherry tomatoes and spices. And the fish menu goes on with the unmissable anguille arrosto(roast eel), usually served with fish grills.

Traditional Sardinian dishes

I can’t round off the traditional fish dishes of southern Sardinia without mentioning Panada di Anguille. Sa Panada is one of the island’s longest-standing traditional dishes, a basket-shaped pastry containing delicious fillings. In the south, the eel filling is very popular. You also often find them with a meat filling (lamb and artichokes), though there are vegetarian fillings too.

The next dish I’m going to recommend has a different name depending on the area: Mustazzeddu, Prazzida or Pratzira. Come to think of it, anything in Sardinia has a different name from one village to the next, but we’ll save the topic of the linguistic breadth of the Sardinian language for another time. The origins of this dish are attributed to the Sulcis Iglesiente region. Every year, in the town of San Vito, there’s a festival dedicated to this semolina focaccia stuffed with cherry tomatoes dressed with oil and basil, which also comes in many other versions.

Traditional Sardinian bread: carasau and civraxu

Bet you didn’t know there are hundreds of types of bread in Sardinia? Well, it’s true. Here bread-making is an ancient and fervent art. Everyone knows pane carasau, a very thin and crispy bread, ideal for accompanying any dish. One of the island’s traditional dishes is pani frattau: layer upon layer of carasau bread, dressed with tomato sauce, cheese and an egg. A traditional bread of southern Sardinia is Civraxu, from Sanluri in the Medio Campidano region. This bread has always been part of the local peasants’ diet. If you want to learn more about the island’s festivals and celebrations, check out our article on traditional festivals in Sardinia.

Remaining in the Campidano region, we find one of the most famous Sardinian pasta dishes: malloreddus alla campidanese. This short-cut pasta made of durum wheat and served in a tomato and sausage sauce is often referred to in Italy as “gnocchetti sardi”. Or if you prefer a stuffed pasta, I’d recommend culurgionis with potato, pecorino cheese and mint.

Cagliari street food

As I’m from Cagliari myself, here are my top tips for tasty morsels to try during your visit.

Pizzetta sfoglia is a must for us, two disks of fragrant puff pastry, filled with tomato sauce, a perfect snack at any time of day. Available at any bar or café in Cagliari, I’d suggest trying one while enjoying one of the best vantage points in Cagliari.

pizzetta sfoglia cagliari — Pizzetta sfoglia

Everyone goes crazy for Caffè Tramer’s meringue, a soft cloud that wins over the palate of even those without a sweet tooth. What’s more, this café is one of the oldest in the city and preserves its beautiful period furnishings.

You will find the quintessential Cagliari street food along the waterfront at Poetto beach, at the fourth bus stop, where food trucks prepare delicious horse meat sandwiches day and night.

I hope this food tour makes your trip to South Sardinia even more special and if you need any help organising your holiday, these articles should set you on your way.

Volotea celebrates its 10th anniversary! To celebrate this important milestone, we invite you to retrace the company’s 10 years through the discovery of 10 Volotea bases.

On 5 April 2012, a new low-cost airline made its first flight from Venice to Cagliari. Since then, Volotea aircraft have crossed European skies, transporting more than 40 million passengers and connecting more and more cities: today we have over 100 destinations in 16 countries with a map of 360 routes, and keep growing.

Volotea cities are the heart and essence of flying so, to celebrate our anniversary, we thought we would introduce you to some of our operational bases.

We invite you to leave with us on a journey back in time to discover 10 cities that have made the history of the company. 10 bases, one per year, the year of their inauguration.

2012: NANTES

The charming old town, the relaxing green spaces and the dynamic cultural life will win you over as soon as you set foot in Nantes.

This lively city located along the Loire estuary is full of tourist attractions and art displays; the many works of art and museums have in fact contributed to giving new life to the city, renewing its industrial heritage.

Unmissable experiences in Nantes:

Cycle along the green line to discover one of the most “bike-friendly” cities in France
Spend an evening at the Hangar à bananes, one of the many bars, restaurants and displays overlooking the Loire
Discover the installations on the Estuaire Trail between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire
Taste Muscadet wine in the city bars or exploring the vineyards in the Nantes region
Immerse yourself in culture visiting the city’s main monuments and museums, like the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Cathedral, and the Museum of Fine Arts

2013: PALERMO

Palermo will cast a spell on your senses: eclectic, chaotic, fragrant, colourful, with a fascinating millenary history that peeps out on every corner, Palermo is a continuous discovery. Its rich cultural heritage, its exotic, lively personality, its fantastic gastronomy, and its paradise beaches near the city are just some of the things that make Palermo one of the most surprising destinations in Italy.

Unmissable experiences in Palermo:

Visit the Cathedral and the catacombs
Try the street food and Sicilian specialties
Take a swim in the many dream beaches along the Palermo coast
Explore the Teatro Massimo and the entire historic centre

2014: ASTURIAS

Asturias is famous as a true paradise for lovers of nature and active life: lush natural parks, long wild beaches where you can surf or relax in the sun, mountains to explore where you can do some fantastic trekking… But those looking for a culture break will not be disappointed by Asturias: the cities, the charming small villages and the traditional museums are unmissable, as well as the rich local gastronomy. You will always be warmly welcome!

Unmissable experiences in Asturias:

Visit the three main cities of the region: Oviedo, Gijón, and Avilés.
Unwind in one of the stunning local natural parks , where time seems to have stood still
Try the local specialities in one of the charming seaside villages, such as Llanes or Cudillero
Surf the waves at one of the endless local beaches, like Peñarronda.

2015: VERONA

Ever since Shakespeare chose it as the setting for his famous tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Verona has earned a reputation as the romantic city par excellence. Indeed, this Unesco World Heritage city will conquer anyone’s heart, thanks to a well-preserved historic centre, a Roman Arena where unmissable operas are staged, a splendid province where rolling hills give unique wines to the world. And who wouldn’t like to sip a spritz while lazily watching life from one of the city’s magnificent piazze?

Unmissable experiences in Verona:

Attend a concert in the dreamy Verona Arena
Enjoy a break from exploring the historic centre in Piazza delle Erbe, the beating heart of the city
Declare eternal love to your partner (or to yourself) under Juliet’s balcony
Have a delicious aperitif and taste the excellent local wines, such as Lugana or Valpolicella
Take a trip to Lake Garda, with its Mediterranean climate, its spas, and the charming villages scattered along its shores

2016: TOULOUSE

Lively Toulouse, France’s fourth largest city, is known as “the pink city” for the colour of its buildings, which take on a particularly striking hue in the light of sunset. The beautiful Vieux Quartier, the historic centre, seamlessly flows into the more modern and busy part of Toulouse, a cutting-edge research hub as well as an important university city. The diverse urban landscape has a beautifully melancholy air when viewed from the old bridges over the Garonne.

Unmissable experiences in Toulouse:

Stroll through the alleys of the Carmes district
Enjoy a show in one of Toulouse’s cultural institutions: La Cave Poésie or the Cineteca, both on rue du Taur
Enjoy local delicacies and wines and go shopping in the elegant Saint-Etienne district
Like Nantes, Toulouse also has its own space dedicated to giants: the Giant Machines in the Montaudran district
At sunset, take a relaxing walk along the banks of the Garonne and admire the incredible view over the Dôme de la Grave!

2017: BILBAO

If you are an architecture fan, Bilbao is undoubtedly a must. With its avant-garde museums, including the incredible Guggenheim, and futuristic buildings, the city has focused on new architectural trends and culture to recycle its industrial past. We feel you should also know that some of the best chefs in the world have opened their restaurants here, and the beaches near Bilbao are spectacular. Already looking for a plane ticket to the Basque Country, are you?

Unmissable experiences in Bilbao:

Marvel at the Guggenheim’s stunning titanium building and admire its collection of modern art
At lunchtime, take a tour of the different bars in the picturesque Casco Viejo to do some “picar” (nibbling) on pintxos and txacoli (the local sparkling wine)
Treat yourself to a dreamy boat ride along the Ría, the urban estuary where the river meets the sea
If you visit the city in early July, don’t miss the huge BBK music festival, where world-famous musicians perform every year

2018: ATHENS

Athens, the birthplace of democracy, is one of those cities you absolutely must visit once in a lifetime. Not only because of its incredible historical heritage, which is a real draw for tourists from all over the world, but also for its irresistible atmosphere: Athens knows it has a lot to offer, but it doesn’t seem to give too much importance to its own beauty. It is precisely this informal and somewhat anarchic air that made us fall in love with her. Trust us on this.

Unmissable experiences in Athens:

After making a stop at the Acropolis, discover the most authentic Athens by following the advice of our local experts
Greek cuisine is a true explosion of flavours; try its most distinctive dishes in Plaka restaurants
Discover the hipster soul of Athens and its vibrant cultural and nightlife in more alternative neighbourhoods, like Metaxourgeio
Enjoy the view of the city from the top of Mount Lycabettus, preferably at sunset
Depart from here to discover the wonderful Greek islands, such as Mykonos or Santorini

2019: CAGLIARI

The capital of Sardinia is a delightful town on a human scale, perfect for a break from the island’s paradise beaches but also to enjoy a cultural weekend any time of the year. In the charming fortified district of Castello you can take a walk through history and enjoy splendid views of the city, while in the port area you will be greeted by the salty air and typical trattorias serving gorgeous fish dishes. A few kilometres from the town centre, the lovely coastline is particularly lively in the summer months, while the lagoon areas are the home habitat of pink flamingos and many other bird species.

Unmissable experiences in Cagliari:

Enjoy the view of the city and its surroundings from one of its seven hills
Treat yourself to a delicious aperitif at Saint Remy fortress
Immerse yourself in the history of Sardinia with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum
Spend the afternoon swimming and the evening lounging around at Poetto beach
Watch the diverse aquatic fauna in Molentargius Park

2020: NAPLES

Could its proximity to Mount Vesuvius be the reason why Naples releases so much energy? Or is it the influence of its three millennia of history, which have seen a succession of invasions, attacks, and natural disasters, forging the character of this city so strongly? Whatever the explanation, no one can remain indifferent to the chaotic but absolutely irresistible personality of this city that assaults its visitors’ senses. The smells of Neapolitan gastronomy, the noises of traffic and street vendors, the colours of the hanging clothes and the Nativity figurines, the view of its gulf, one of the most beautiful in the world… Naples is not a destination, it’s a state of mind that cannot be described. One you need to experience.

Unmissable experiences in Naples:

Take a leisurely stroll through the alleys of the historic centre, a World Heritage Site
Prepare your stomach for the local street food: pizza, sfogliatelle, babà, cuoppo, and so on and so forth. And of course don’t forget na tazzulella e cafè!
Explore the city from an alternative point of view from underground Naples
Plan a trip to Pompeii and the beautiful islands in the Gulf of Naples

2021: LYON

The home city of the Lumière brothers is not only pilgrimage site for cinephiles, but for all art lovers. With over 20 spectacular museums, gorgeous UNESCO-protected neighbourhoods, and cultural offerings for all tastes, elegant Lyon bewitches beauty lovers. Good food also has its home here: your mouth will water constantly in the gourmet capital of France.

Unmissable experiences in Lyon:

Get lost in the corridors of the Musée des Confluences as you go on a journey through the history of humanity
Try typical Lyonnaise cuisine in the local bouchons
Find the many street art works scattered around the city
Witness the evocative performances of the Festival of Lights, held every year in early December

And the Volotea cities continue to increase: the latest arrival is Lille, the new base we opened in 2022. We invite you to discover all the cities you can reach with our flights and keep getting inspired, discovering, travelling!

Many people do not know that Cagliari stands on seven hills just like Rome, Lisbon, Istanbul and other important European cities; this means that if you are looking for a vantage point from which to admire the city, the hills are the first place to go.

In this article I reveal the best places for admiring the views of the city from different vantage points: from the ruins of an ancient castle to the bell tower of the cathedral, bars where you can enjoy an aperitivo at sunset and museums with views, scenic walks and breakfasts by the sea… All you need to do is remember your camera! If you do not know Cagliari already, I would start by telling you that it is a city on a human scale, extremely convenient for getting around on foot, and looks out over the sea in the beautiful Golfo degli Angeli.

Amidst its colorful districts and the narrow, cobbled streets, you will find great limestone bastions, museums, old-fashioned cafés, scenic walks and much more besides. The best vantage points for getting to know every corner of the city are found in a variety of places, not only from bars and restaurants, but also from parks, hills and promontories. Let’s start discovering them straight away!

The best place for a 360ª view of Cagliari

Cagliari stands on seven hills: Castello, Tuvixeddu, Monte Claro, Sella del Diavolo, Colle di Bonaria, Colle di San Michele and Monte Urpinu; hence the view you get from on high depends on the district you are in.

To get a 360-degree view of the city, the best place is the Saint Mary Cathedral bell tower, in the Castello district. It is free to visit the Cathedral and the crypt, whereas to go up the tower, you will need to buy a €3 ticket. Once you reach the top, after going up the wooden staircase, there is a complete, breath-taking view, where you will see the hills, city and sea, all from the same point.

See Cagliari from the panoramic lifts

A fun and unusual way to admire the city is from the panoramic lifts, perfect if you want to avoid all the going up and down that is typical of the city. There are three main panoramic lifts: the one in Santa Chiara, which starts from the central Piazza Yenne and takes you to one of the entrances to Castello district, to Torre dell’Elefante (Elephant Tower) to be precise, which is currently being restored. The second lift takes you from Bastione Saint Remy in Piazza Umberto I; from there you will have a beautiful view that stretches from the centre of the city to the sea; if you go up one extra level you will reach Castello at the top. The third lift is the one in Piazza Indipendenza, which also provides a really striking view of the city.

Where to have an aperitivo with a panoramic view in the centre of Cagliari: i Bastioni (the city bastions)

The Castello district offers various vantage points owing to its central position and the bastions that distinguish it. Bastione di Saint Remy is one of the iconic symbols of Cagliari, it can be reached on foot or by the panoramic lift and from it you can admire one of the most beautiful vistas of Cagliari. If you fancy an aperitivo in Piazza Umberto you could stop at Caffè degli Spiriti. Taking a walk from there, you can reach Bastione Santa Croce, which reveals another view over the roofs of the city, this time revealing the old and historic district of Stampace. At this Bastione you can stop at Libarium, a busy Cagliari bar, or have a typical Sardinian meal in the restaurant Pani e Casu. A few steps from Bastione di Santa Croce you will find the panoramic terrace of Ghetto degli Ebrei, where, in addition to a beautiful view, there are often interesting exhibitions.

Discovering Cagliari via a scenic walk to Terrapieno

If you prefer to discover the city on foot, the best place to do so is along Terrapieno, which connects the central streets to the Giardini Pubblici or public gardens, with a beautiful limestone terrace that looks out over Cagliari. Here again, there is a bar with a view from which to admire a fabulous sunset with a pizza and a craft beer: Terrapieno Club House. If you come up from Saint Remy to the Giardini Pubblici, the Villanova district will be on your left, which I advise you to visit because it is really special, the streets are literally overrun with plants that create a mini urban jungle and there are beautiful works of street art. On the right, you will be skirting Castello walking along Viale Regina Elena, where there is a little green oasis: the Parco sotto le Mura (Park below the Walls) with some works by artist Pinuccio Sciola.

Belvedere di Buoncammino for a sunset over Stagno di Santa Gilla

Buoncammino is a tree-lined avenue that connects Castello with Piazza D’armi, the walk among the cypress trees offers a view of a large part of the city: from the Roman amphitheatre to Stagno di Santa Gilla, a lagoon that is a migration point for pink flamingos. Belvedere di Buoncammino is a perfect scenic spot for summer walks, the shade of the trees and the numerous benches provide shady spots for anyone who wants to admire the beautiful view. During the “open museum” days, there you can also access the old Buoncammino prison, which runs alongside the scenic avenue.

A view of Cagliari from the hills and parks

As I said at the beginning of the article, Cagliari stands on seven hills, so all you need to do to find scenic spots completely free of charge and often surrounded by vegetation is go to one of those places. If you seek refuge from the mayhem of the city, I would advise you to go to Colle di Monte Urpinu, where you can not only admire the view but also find peacocks roaming free. Another option is Colle di San Michele, the peak of which is home to the old castle, one of the most important monuments in Cagliari; from there you can see the hinterland and the Gulf. Another city park is Monte Claro, once used as a psychiatric hospital; the Emilio Lussu metropolitan library is now located at the top of the hill there. If you are fascinated by monumental cemeteries and churches in general, I suggest you go to Colle di Bonaria, where the city’s beautiful Basilica is located. Lastly, one place not to be missed if you are visiting Cagliari is the Tuvixeddu Archaeological Site, a park built on the ruins of one of the largest Punic necropolises still in existence. Walking among the historic ruins, you will see yet another incredible view of the city.

Excursion Sella del Diavolo to see Cagliari from above

If you love excursions and you want to reach one of the most beautiful summits in Cagliari, arm yourself with comfortable shoes and climb the Sella del Diavolo promontory: trekking there is not too hard and takes about an hour. Once you reach the top, you will see a view that stretches from the sea to the city, a new vantage point from which to observe the salt flats in Molentargius park, the ones preferred by the pink flamingos. On the way back down from Sella, you will find some bars and restaurants overlooking the sea, all of which are very characteristic: the Scoglio for a meal of fresh fish, Terrazze di Calamosca, which overlook the same beach, are perfect for breakfast or drinks with a sea view, and la Paillote is one of the most popular restaurants during the summer owing to its breath-taking view.

A scenic view in the heart of the city

One of the most charming areas of Cagliari is Via Roma: a stroll under the arcades with a view of Cagliari’s port, the unfortunately only temporary observation wheel, the great ficus trees in Piazza Matteotti and the Palazzo del Comune. To admire this city view from above, I would advise you to go to Rinascente department store and take the lift to the top floor; from there you will have a magnificent view of the Port and Via Roma.

I hope that this guide to the most beautiful vantage points in the city has been useful to you; share it on your social media pages if you think it might be useful to your traveller friends! For further advice on Cagliari, take a look at this article.

Live your dreams in Sardinia

The Porto Flavia mine, which is located within the promontory that overlooks Masua, in the commune of Iglesias, south-west Sardinia, was constructed between 1922 and 1924. It was built to enable the direct loading of minerals onto ships, with said minerals being extracted along the tunnels of the promontory and destined for the foundries of Northern Europe. This work significantly reduced the times and costs for the transportation of minerals.

Cesare Vecelli was the master engineer who designed this unprecedented feat of engineering. He named the “port” after his daughter, Flavia, whose name is emblazoned across the Medieval style tower at the entrance to the tunnel system.

The little beach of Porto Flavia, located in a small cove, is surrounded by a green pine forest and stands alongside the remains of the mining structure. From here, the panorama will draw your gaze out towards the deep blue of the sea, until it finally comes to rest upon the dazzling white of the mighty Pan di Zucchero (sugar loaf) sea stacks.

Pan di Zucchero is one of the island’s most imposing and spectacular natural monuments, an icon of the Iglesias coastline. The name comes from its resemblance to the Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay. It can easily be reached by dinghy or boat from the magnificent inlet of Masua, a coastal hamlet in Iglesias, roughly one and a half miles away. With the help of a guide and proper equipment, climbing enthusiasts can scale its 133 metres: it is the highest sea stack in the Mediterranean. Pan di Zucchero has a massive, rounded shape. Karst phenomena have eroded its flat-stepped surface (of around four hectares), leading to the creation of two tunnel-like caves.

The Red Valley Festival, Cagliari’s most hotly anticipated festival, returns to the exotic Arbatax resort on 14, 15, 16 and 17 August, and this year Volotea will be there too!

Having just opened our new Cagliari base in June, we wanted to keep the party rolling by attending one of the summer’s best festivals featuring artists from David Guetta to Steve Aoki and Salmo.

If you don’t want to miss out, grab your tickets now.

And if you show your mobile boarding pass from a Volotea flight taken in August, you can join the fast lane! With no queueing, all you need to worry about is having a good time.

People do insist that Lillicu is Cagliari’s must-visit trattoria. You can feel the soul and history here, from the family, who are proud to show you their historic photos, to the noisy main room, with its laid-back refectory-style atmosphere, busy open kitchen and fresh seafood. This is a place that’s appreciated by the locals as much

as by newcomers. Expect friendly waiters juggling plates of spaghetti con arselle (tiny sweet clams) and fritto misto di mare (fried seafood dish), and a group of holidaying Alghero fishermen on the next marble table happy to pour you another glass of red, so you can join them for some Lillicu banter!

Cagliari, from 12th century Spanish callaris meaning a rocky place, is the splendid capital of Sardinia – full of fabulous historic sights, culture and beach atmosphere. But what strikes you about this friendly city is the down-to-earth island charm of the place and its people. In the warmest months, escape the heat that reflects off the limestone hills and battlements by dipping into the Cittadella museums and churches, or of course the sea at one of its nearby beaches. Il Poetto is long, sandy and vibrant, but just around the corner in rocky cove Cala Fighera you can go snorkelling in sparkling water and come back to relax at his beach-bar hangout.

Right in the centre of the pretty town of Cagliari, Monte Urpino is an escape from the bustle of the city, where you can relax with family or friends. From the top you can admire spectacular views of the city and the bay, and you can wander around the pathways and ponds and marvel at the rich flora and fauna – if you’re lucky,

a wild boar or a fox might even cross your path. The area was once a military zone, covering over 350,000m2, and is a breath of fresh air without leaving the city, just 20 minutes’ walk from Bastión de St. Remy.

You’ll enjoy browsing the kitsch tourist souvenir shops under Cagliari’s Via Roma arcades, it’s all part of the holiday laugh. But for a more serious shopping experience go to I.S.O.L.A. It’s gift shopping with Sardinian soul, a house of talent that supports over fifty local designers. I.S.O.L.A is all about promoting the

immense wealth of Sardinian traditions and craft. But don’t be fooled by its worthiness – the shop is full of modern and beautiful things. Pop in and see their fascinating ceramics, ironwork, wood objects and fabrics.