---
type: "Article"
title: "Southern Sardinia Uncovered: From Cagliari’s Charms and Chia’s Flamingos to the Beaches of  Costa Rei"
description: "Cagliari should not be left out: The hilly old town is very varied and offers shopping opportunities, restaurants as well as picturesque residential areas."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/italy/sardinia/sardinia-south-cagliari-tips"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
tags: ["Road Trip", "Sardinia"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/sardinia"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/road-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/shopping"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:15:19+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2023-12-02T15:12:08+00:00 }
  - { by: "process:gsc-organic-traffic", at: 2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00 }
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:15:19+00:00
---

# Southern Sardinia Uncovered: From Cagliari’s Charms and Chia’s Flamingos to the Beaches of Costa Rei

> Southern Sardinia, anchored by the vibrant city of Cagliari, offers a compelling mix of hilly old-town charm, flamingo-dotted wetlands at Chia, and the turquoise beaches of Costa Rei.

## Destination
Southern Sardinia, Italy, centred on Cagliari and extending along the southern coastline to Chia and Costa Rei.

## Getting there
The main gateway is Cagliari Elmas Airport, which provides easy access to the entire southern region.

## Why visit
Cagliari's hilly old town rewards exploration with varied architecture, shopping, restaurants, and picturesque residential quarters — and should not be skipped in favour of heading straight to the coast.

## What to see
- **Cagliari Old Town** — A hilly, varied historic centre with picturesque residential areas and good shopping.
- **Chia** — Known for flamingos in its wetlands alongside coastal scenery.
- **Costa Rei** — A stretch of coastline celebrated for its beaches.