Cagliari — Travelrags

The GuardianSep 4, 2026

‘It feels like Italy with the volume turned down’: readers’ favourite (smaller) city breaks in Europe

You share your low-key alternatives to overcrowded hotspots, from an island city in the Med to a Norwegian art nouveau gem • Tell us about your trips in Europe’s mountains – the best wins a £200 holiday voucher Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna won me over precisely because it feels like Italy with the volume turned down. I stayed in a small family-run hotel near Via delle Volte , where mornings began…

25 things in this story

PoettoQuarterone of Europe's prettiest city beaches
Bastione St RemySightdelineates ancient Castello district, serves rooftop views
Trattoria LillicuRestauranttempting reason to hurry back for chargrilled bream
Elsewhere
Via delle VolteNeighborhoodFerrara, Italycobbled streets with smell of fresh pastries
Palazzo dei DiamantiAttractionFerrara, Italyalmost empty, space to enjoy Renaissance art
pumpkin cappellacciRestaurantFerrara, Italytraditional pasta dish served in tiny trattorias
SprengelArts centreHanover, Germanymodern art gallery, one of the best in Germany
Great Garden at HerrenhausenSightHanover, Germanyone of Europe's best-preserved baroque gardens
the EilenriedeTrailHanover, Germany640 hectares of city forest, nearly double Central Park
ListNeighborhoodHanover, Germanywell-heeled art nouveau district with independent shops
LindenNeighborhoodHanover, Germanymulticultural district with independent shops
BallhofplatzSightHanover, Germanyrelax in a deck chair with tea and cake
Loulé CriativoArts centreLoulé, Portugalcommunity artisans preserving traditional crafts
belfry of the Hotel de VilleSightArras, FranceUnesco world heritage site in Flemish style
Vauban CitadelSightArras, FranceUnesco world heritage site
the BovesSightArras, France10th-century network of tunnels
Malmö KonsthallArts centreMalmö, Swedenfree arts centre with contemporary exhibitions
Turning TursoSightMalmö, Swedentwisted skyscraper, architectural gem
HollandiaRestaurantMalmö, Swedenoffered classic Swedish cakes and lovely atmosphere
Disgusting Food MuseumMuseumMalmö, Swedeninteresting cultural experience showing unusual foods
León cathedralMuseumLeón, Spainstained glass worthy of heaven, another level
San Isidoro churchPlace of worshipLeón, Spainhumble ninth-century building, important romanesque
House of Weaving (Casa da Empreita)SightLoulé, Portugal
Watchmakers (Oficina do Relojoeiro)SightLoulé, Portugal
Stringed Instrument Workshop (Oficina de Cordofones)SightLoulé, Portugal

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Lonely PlanetAug 13

The best beaches in Sardinia

White sands, secluded coves, rocky coasts, water sports – Sardinia

21 things in this story

Costa del SudNeighborhoodDune-dotted coastline southwest of Cagliari.
Elsewhere
Golfo di OroseiSightOrosei, ItalyIdyllic coves accessed by foot or boat.
Spiaggia di Maria PiaSightAlghero, ItalyBeach backed by dunes and umbrella pines, great for families.
Is AruttasSightSinis Peninsula, ItalyBeach that dazzles surfers with quartz sand.
La PelosaSightStintino, ItalyRavishing white sand beach with a shallow sea.
Capo CacciaSightAlghero, ItalyHeadland with coral-clad sea caves for diving.
Consorzio Costa SmeraldaNeighborhoodSmeralda, ItalyGilded enclave of hotels and restaurants on a dramatic coast.
Costa VerdeNeighborhoodSardinia, ItalyVerdant countryside with Bronze Age nuraghi settlements.
GalluraNeighborhoodSardinia, ItalyGranite heartland in the northeast.
Isola BudelliSightLa Maddalena, ItalyIsland known for its pink beach.
Isola SpargiSightLa Maddalena, ItalyIsland with fragrant, maquis-fringed beaches.
Cala SpalmatoreSightLa Maddalena, ItalyFamily-friendly beach on La Maddalena island.
Cala CoticcioSightCaprera, ItalyExquisite cove on Caprera Island.
SailoverPlaceLa Maddalena, ItalyRent a boat from this company.
Emerald FreedomPlaceLa Maddalena, ItalyTake a tour with friendly skipper Daniele.
Camping La MariposaHotelAlghero, ItalyCampsite with tents and bungalows near Maria Pia beach.
Laguna Blu Camping VillageHotelAlghero, ItalyWell-equipped campsite near Maria Pia beach.
Marina di OroseiSightOrosei, ItalyBeach and departure point for Golfo di Orosei coves.
Cala GononeSightDorgali, ItalyIn 2007 it had 1,279 inhabitants.
Santa Maria NavarreseSightBaunei, ItalyIt is located about 150 km north of Cagliari and 160 km south of Olbia, in the middle of the Gulf of Arbatax.
Cala MarioluSightBaunei, ItalyStunning cove in the Golfo di Orosei.

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National GeographicJul 22

This overlooked corner of Sardinia is made for family holidays

At the port, Marina Piccola, E-Boats Sardinia rents out self-drive vessels that are ideal for exploring the surrounding coast — swim secret beaches and sea caves such as Grotta dei Colombi. The Saint ...

12 things in this story

Quartiere CastelloNeighborhoodwalled neighborhood to wander around
FramentoRestaurantbargain pizza, €8.50 for a margherita
Marina PiccolaNeighborhoodport area
E-Boats SardiniaPlacerents self-drive vessels for exploring coast
Grotta dei ColombiSightsea cave to explore by boat
Elsewhere
Nora Archaeological ParkSightPula, Italyhas a Roman theatre and mosaiced bath complex
Su GiudeuSightPula, Italylong sweep of sand with an off-shore island
TuerreddaSightPula, Italyhas the best beach club with varied lunch menu
Forte VillageNeighborhoodPula, Italyresort on Santa Margherita di Pula sands
Santa Margherita di PulaNeighborhoodPula, Italylocation of Forte Village resort
Su Nuraxi di BaruminiSightBarumini, ItalyUnesco-listed Bronze Age tower site
Is PerdasRestaurantBarumini, Italyagriturismo with replica nuraghe and infinity pool

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 26, 2025

In Cagliari, Sardinia's Quirks and Traditions Remain Center Stage

Synonymous with preservation, Cagliari is a place where historical relics layer the city, ancient customs define modern life, and its many centenarians share their wisdom with the next generation.

31 things in this story

Gli UfficiRestauranton medieval ramparts, offers views
VillanovaNeighborhoodstudio of ceramist Gianpaolo Olianas
Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural ParkSightbrackish lagoons
NoraSightPhoenician city
Santa GillaQuarterlagoon with salt pans
San BenedettoQuarterone of Europe's largest covered markets
PoettoQuarterfive-mile long beach
CastelloNeighborhoodmedieval ramparts
Gianpaolo OlianasPlaceDe très belles céramiques !
EasyclettaPlaceelectronic-bike rental service
National Archaeological Museum of CagliariMuseumcaptures over 7,000 years of history
Buoncammino AvenueSightjacarandas shedding purple petals
Palazzo Boyl 1840Hoteloverlooks ancient fortifications
Casa ClàtHotelhas a buzzy restaurant
Le Dune PiscinasHotelcoastal hotel
Antica Locanda LunettaGuest houserustic getaway
Palazzo DoglioHotelCagliari's first five-star hotel
Faro Capo-SpartiventoHotelworking lighthouse converted to hotel
Pani e CasuRestaurantlegendary for traditional Sardinian dishes
Stella Marina di MontecristoRestaurantseafood-focused dinner
Sa Domu SardaRestaurantrustic restaurant
Luigi PomataRestauranthigh-end restaurant
BacànRestaurantbreezy restaurant on the waterfront
LibariumRestaurantviews from the Castello ramparts
Antico CaffèCaféideal place for an aperitivo
Caffè SvizzeroCaférestored 1901 interior
Castello districtNeighborhood
Santa Gilla lagoonSight
San Benedetto marketMarket
Poetto beachPublic artwork
Bay of AngelsSight

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →