Spotlight on Cagliari, Sardinia

Most travelers know Rome, Florence, and Venice. Far fewer have heard of Cagliari (pronounced CAL-yah-ree). Sardinia's sunny capital sits less than an hour's flight from Rome, and it's quietly becoming one of the most beloved destinations in The Good Life Abroad community.

In this Spotlight webinar, founder Andrew Motiwalla was joined by Cagliari Community Manager Andrea Ledda and Mike Vayda of TGLA's program development team. Together, they offered an honest look at what it's like to spend a month living like a local in Cagliari. They covered the neighborhoods and apartments, the food and wine, the weather, and the slower rhythm of island life.

Discovering Italy's Overlooked Island Capital

Andrew and Mike are both seasoned travelers who know Italy well. Both said Cagliari caught them by surprise.

Andrew first visited late last year after spending time in Florence, Venice, and Rome. He described Cagliari as the Italy he had always pictured: relaxed, uncrowded, and beautiful. He spent his visit at a local winery, wandering through olive groves, and taking in a city where history is visible everywhere.

Mike felt the same from his first night. "It feels like Italy in all the good ways, but it also has its own unique personality," he shared. After returning, he told Andrew they had to let the TGLA community know about the place. "Once people experience it, they'll want to go back again and again."

Meet Andrea, Your Local Host

Andrea was born and raised in Cagliari. In his thirties, he moved to San Diego and spent more than a decade working in hospitality. He worked as a supervisor and manager and eventually opened his own Italian restaurant. In the end, family and a longing for Sardinia's slower pace brought him home.

That mix of Sardinian roots and American experience makes Andrea easy to connect with. As Mike put it, by the end of their visit it felt like being "entertained by a friend." That is exactly the feeling The Good Life Abroad aims for in every destination.

Your Home Base: The Marina and Villanova Neighborhoods

TGLA's apartments sit in the historic center of Cagliari, between the Marina and Villanova neighborhoods. These are two of the city's most vibrant areas.

• Marina was once the fishermen's quarter beside the harbor. Today it's a lively, multicultural neighborhood full of restaurants and bars.

• Villanova is a little calmer. It's known for its colorful buildings, and it comes alive with outdoor dining as the weather warms.

The location is hard to beat. Mike's wife wanted everyone to know one thing in particular: step out the front door, turn left, and within a minute you're looking at the water. The airport is about 15 minutes away. Poetto Beach is roughly a 12-minute drive, and you can also reach it by city bus or a short taxi ride.

The apartments. Each one-bedroom apartment is about 450 square feet. Each has a lofted bedroom up a short staircase, and the building has an elevator. Every unit includes:

• Air conditioning and heating

• Washing machine (with a drying rack, the Italian way)

• Wi-Fi

• Smart TV for streaming

• A kitchenette with a two-burner stovetop, microwave, kettle, and all the essentials

Andrew was candid that these are not large, American-style apartments. Historic city centers like Cagliari's have strict renovation rules. Larger, modern units are found on the outskirts. TGLA chose to keep members at the heart of the city. Andrew and Andrea both agreed the trade-off is worth it for the charm, character, and walkability. As for the kitchen, most members make breakfast at home, go out for lunch, and keep evenings light, which suits the space well.

A Week in Cagliari: Community Activities

Andrea has built a weekly rhythm that gives members structure while leaving plenty of time to explore:

• Tuesday Lunch Club — shared meals featuring Sardinian specialties

• Wednesday activities — cultural outings and excursions

• Thursday Happy Hour — a relaxed evening to gather with the community

Highlights from the program include:

• A historical walking tour of Cagliari, uncovering hidden corners and centuries of stories

• A visit to a local organic winery

• A gentle hike to the Sella del Diavolo ("Devil's Saddle"), with sweeping views and an aperitivo prepared by Andrea

• A pottery class with local artist Giovanni. Mike called him an "unbelievable character" and one of the highlights of his visit.

• A pasta class with Daniela, whom Andrea describes as "more than a chef — an artist." The group makes and enjoys its own lunch together.

A Taste of Sardinia

Andrew called some of his meals in Cagliari the best he's ever had. He's a self-described foodie who has spent plenty of time in Italy. Like every Italian region, Sardinia has its own cuisine. Andrea pointed to a few signature dishes:

• Porceddu — slow-roasted suckling pig, Sardinia's most famous dish

• Culurgiones — ravioli-style pasta filled with cheese, potato, and mint, a traditional recipe from central Sardinia

• Fresh fish and seafood, as you'd expect on an island

• Sardinian wines, especially the white Vermentino and the red Cannonau

For nature lovers, there's a surprise right inside the city. A saltwater lagoon is home to flocks of pink flamingos, which makes Cagliari a great spot for bird-watching.

A Lifestyle Destination, Not a Checklist

Andrew offered a helpful way to think about Cagliari compared with other TGLA destinations. Capitals like Paris, London, and Barcelona suit travelers who want something new every day, whether that's another museum or another cathedral. Cagliari has museums and galleries too. Its real gift, though, is a way of life.

That means mornings at the beach, walks along Poetto's long seaside path, and tennis or padel. Andrea added kayaking, sailing lessons, windsurfing, and simply enjoying a cappuccino by the water. "Take your time, enjoy your life, enjoy your moment, enjoy Cagliari," he said.

Mike put it this way: this isn't about checking off your fourteenth museum. "This is the place where you could write your novel… read your books… slow down and do all those things that you've been meaning to do."

There's also plenty of history beneath the surface. Cagliari's historic core dates back roughly 800 years and shows strong Spanish influence. Sardinia's ancient Nuragic civilization goes back about 3,000 years before Christ.

Life in a Blue Zone

Sardinia is one of the world's Blue Zones, regions where people live unusually long, healthy lives. Andrea explained that one area of the island has an especially high share of people over 100. He credits a lifestyle built on high-quality, locally grown food and strong social bonds. The island largely produces what it eats. "We eat well and we live well," he said. Andrew's response: "It truly sounds like the good life abroad."

Exploring Beyond the City

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, and there's much more to see beyond Cagliari. You don't need a car to explore it:

• Buses connect Cagliari to coastal towns like Villasimius. The trip takes under two hours by bus, or about 45 minutes to an hour by car, with beautiful beaches along the way.

• Trains run by Trenitalia, Italy's national rail service, link Cagliari to other cities on the island.

• Car rentals and car-sharing apps are easy to use. Andrea recommends Playcar, which lets you reserve a car by app, park without paying, and drive in limited-traffic zones.

• Ferries are best for longer journeys, such as to mainland Italy or Spain, rather than for getting around the island.

• Optional guided weekend tours can be arranged through local operators Andrea works with.

Sunshine in Every Season

Cagliari is known as the "city of the sun," and it earns the name. Andrew noted that winter temperatures around 60°F may sound cool. For anyone coming from Chicago or Canada, though, they're a welcome escape, and the summer crowds are long gone.

Mike visited in February and found the strong sunshine made days feel much warmer than the thermometer suggested. A light jacket was all he needed in the evenings. The day before the webinar, in March, Andrea reported 68°F. He and Andrew have both swum in the sea in November without wetsuits. Cagliari is a natural fit for travelers who want a winter getaway or a shoulder-season escape.

Practical Answers from the Q&A

The audience brought great questions. Here are the highlights:

• Language: English is common in restaurants and among younger locals. Members get a quick Italian crash course in basic phrases, and there's an Italian school just around the corner from the apartments. Mike's advice: start with a smile, use hand gestures, and keep Google Translate handy.

• Phones: Some U.S. carriers, such as T-Mobile, work automatically in Europe. Mike used the Truely eSIM, which cost about $20 for a month of data across Europe. Details are shared in your trip portal after booking.

• Money: Beyond groceries and casual meals out, Andrew suggests budgeting around $1,000 for the month in everyday spending. Tuesday Lunch Club, happy hours, and included classes are already covered in the program fee. Cards and Apple Pay are widely accepted. American Express isn't always taken, and a few euros for small tips are handy.

• Airport arrival: Taxis wait right outside the airport, accept credit cards, and can take you straight to your apartment address. Andrea meets members on arrival day to help them settle in.

• Mobility: Cagliari is built on hills, with stairways, slopes, and uneven cobblestones. You should be comfortable walking uphill and taking stairs. The flat stretch along the harbor and toward the beach is great for walking and biking.

• Safety: Andrea, Andrew, and Mike all described Cagliari as very safe. As in any European city, the main concern is minor crime like pickpocketing in crowded areas.

• Community: Groups in Cagliari are among the smaller ones in the TGLA program. About 30% of TGLA members travel solo, and most apartments are in the same building, so it's easy to feel connected.

• Other details: Beds are European queens. Two-bedroom apartments may be available on request. Cagliari has a hospital, and TGLA has connections to English-speaking medical professionals. Airfare is not included.

Getting There and Booking

Getting to Cagliari is simpler than many expect. Most U.S. travelers connect somewhere in Europe anyway. East Coast travelers can fly to Rome, which has many daily flights to Cagliari. Andrew flies from San Diego to London, then takes a direct flight to Cagliari.

To reserve, click Book Now on The Good Life Abroad website and choose your session. A deposit secures your spot.

Is Cagliari Right for You?

Andrea returned to Cagliari because of the strong pull the island had on him. He knows many foreigners who visited, fell in love with it, and stayed. Mike admitted he had barely heard of the city a year earlier, and it far exceeded his expectations. If you've already seen Europe's big capitals and want to experience a slower, sunnier side of Italy, Cagliari may be your next home away from home.

✨ Learn more about the Cagliari program, what's included, and upcoming sessions: Explore the Cagliari Experience

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